So this is the New Year...

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z-ovWBtQ0Q?rel=0&w=640&h=360]

...sleeping in, eating pancakes, enjoying the golden hills and the first sunset.

Christmas Vacation

Nieces and family, food and lights, sweets and presents, snow and sandstone....and it went by so fast.

J and I drove through a blizzard and it was quite an adventure. At one point, through the Sierra's, we were traveling at 7mph. It was rough, but we survived. The next morning we got to see my cute little nieces. They unwrapped their bubble guns and had a fun time drenching Uncle Jared with soapy bubbles.
Cheri, Paola, and I - love you both.
Jared's parents are opening a BBQ place in Bountiful, UT - Smokin' Bones. It's going to be amazing! The beautiful bull behind them is the new pizza oven - just imagine pulled pork pizza. We can't for the doors to open in February.
The lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City are always dreamy and romantic.

The annual Adams Canyon hike - led by Jared, of course. He was so convincing that all the siblings decided to join us this year. They're a good lookin' bunch.

Christmas morning Jared opened this gem -  Rock of Ages - Stacee Jaxx is now part of the family.

From Kaysville to St. George...climbing is always on the itinerary.

It was 50 degrees, sunny and beautiful.

I love Christmas and I'm so happy we spent it with our Utah families.

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Holiday greetings to you and your kin. Best wishes and warm kisses for a new year to begin.

Merry Christmas!

Photo: Andrew Christensen

Snow Day

With a smoker-sick voice, a running nose, no shower, and no bra, this family still loves me. Blessed? For sure!



TMI? Probably.

denied no longer.

fyi: reflection (piece) post



I never thought of myself as a late bloomer, in fact, I was busty at 12. However, I recently became a woman. I bought my first tube of lipstick, and though I was hesitant at first, I became empowered by the notion that I would look mature. It was empowering to browse and when Sephora helper #9 came to me with Givenchy 07 Mystic Pink, well, I knew it was a match. I strolled down Market with my head high and my lips pouted. My lips have found solace in a perky, pink haven.

Photo: Garance Dore

1/4 of a Century

No more high school, the end of college, employed, married, living. It's time to admit it, I'm....I'm an adult.

The Haps

    

    

1. I temped for LucasArts for about a month. It was boring, but I saw some amazing things and ate at the campus cafeteria almost daily.
2. It rained in Berkeley and I was so happy. The streets were flooded, but it's so rare to have rain that I didn't care that my feet were wet.
3. I got a new job! As of a week or so ago, I am now the Assistant Director at the ESL school I used to work at and I'm so thrilled. It's a lot of work, but I'm pumped.
4. Last Wednesday I was hit in the forehead with an ugly stick...literally. I was waiting for the bus and heard a crack, looked up, and WHACK! A branch had fallen and knocked me to the ground and left a gnarly mark on my head. I'm okay. I thought I might have a concussion, but I'm feeling better and Neosporin is really helping.

So, those are the recent happenings. November is coming and hopefully nothing will fall and hit me.

Peak Bagging: Nutcracker

....famously named because the guy liked nuts. Fun route, gorgeous color-changing leaves, new ornament, and a fun day with my guy.

Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground

Knitted socks
Apple cider
Bulky sweaters
Anything pumpkin

Bless the Autumn season in all it's glory...







Doesn't a fall picnic in the woods sound amazing?! (Hint Hint)

Photos: Fashion Fancies, Vain and Vapid, Vogue, Country Living

Tuolumne: Part II

Again? Yes! Jared, friends, and I went back to Yosemite to conquer more mountains. I can officially say I completed my first crack climb on West Crack and it was the hardest thing I've ever done...maybe having wisdom teeth pulled is equivalent. I cried, but when I reached the top I was in high spirits ('cause I was done - ha!). We're having a great end of summer climb fest with new friends from Oakland and couldn't be happier.

The top.

The (spectacular) view

My fearless leader.

Climbing crew - these guys are my climbing idols...especially Susie!

Tuolumne: Part I

We ventured into the depths of Tuolumne to go climbing with some friends and what an adventure we had. I attempted my first 5.11a and Jared and I both were able to visit new climbing routes. The weather was wonderful - hello low 80's!

Year One: Here's looking at you, kid.

September 10, 2011 - September 10, 2012

We made it through: mono, major holidays, a thesis, a re-write, death, job change, unemployment, three apartments, u-haul driving and packing boxes and re-packing boxes, lots of mountain climbs, hikes, furniture buying, petitions, interviews, movie nights, ice cream dates, vege inspiration, and so much more.

I love you and I love you.

California

I love this place:



P.S. I recommend watching King of California...you'll most likely love it.

Butano to Big Basin and back.

On our anniversary weekend we decided to go camping before it gets too cold around the Bay. We drove to Butano State Park late Friday night and set up our Big Agnes tent and slept with the cool redwood air surrounding our campsite. The next morning we drove to Big Basin to start our ten miler from Sunset Trail to Berry Creek Falls to Skyline to Sea Trail and back. I love hiking so much and I'm so happy Jared and I got to spend the weekend doing something we love in such a beautiful redwood forest. The olallieberry pie at Duartes Tavern in Pescadero wasn't too bad either - hooray for sweet treats to end a great day of wilderness hiking!

We seriously love our tent!



Fact: 160 acres of redwood forest were sold for $7.50 in 1882 to a man and his son who built a home from a single redwood tree.

Fact: Big Basin was the first State Park in California.



Above: Cascade Falls. Below: Berry Creek Falls.



We'll be back again!

Lovers Leap

'Cause we're lovers!

Jared and I ventured to Strawberry to go climbing to celebrate the Labor Day weekend and we couldn't ask for better weather. The day was beautiful, my muscles were pumping and Jared was leading us up to the top of a 500 foot rock face. We climbed up Corrugation Corner and Bears Reach an made it to Placerville in time for a veggie feast! A day well spent.



After a large crack, chimney, and shaky traverse, I was finally making some progress on the mountain!



Climbing is for lovers. Leaping is for dummies.

Sisters...lots and lots of them

As it turns out, my mom has two sisters, I have two sisters, and my sister has three daughters. I think everyone is praying that Jared and I pop out a couple of boys to mix things up. Time will tell!

S + R

Wedding of the year goes to Sharon and Robert - she looked amazing in her dress and he couldn't stop smiling. These two are meant to be in love and Jared and I are so happy for them! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Dahlgren.



The food was all vegetarian and so delicious! There was dancing, toasting, and fun had by all. Oh, what a night!

University Falls

102 degrees
freezing mountain water
vege sandwiches
natural rock slides

Even though the Bay barely reaches 75 degrees Jared and I still managed to find a taste of summer in Georgetown, CA. The weather was perfect for the natural rock slides at University Falls - what a day!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkYBx-eg9hI?rel=0&w=640&h=360]

Coast Trail

I love a good Saturday when you can do whatever you want, starting with sleeping in. Jared and I did just that and then some. After we got our sleepy eyes out of bed we drove over to Bolinas to hike the Coast Trail and to take a dip in Bass Lake. Mind you, it was about 65 degrees and really foggy, but it's August and we needed to indulge and get our swimming fix.
 

 

 

After our beautiful hike full of green forests, foggy swimming holes, ocean waves, and lush waterfalls, we headed to Point Reyes Station to eat. We stopped at Stellina's on Main St. and treated ourselves to whatever we wanted. This may sound corny, but I've always wanted to order a cheese plate, but never have because I thought I would be too full for dinner. However, we were feeling giddy and got it anyway - it was so worth ordering. It came with raw figs and cow, goat and sheep cheeses. Oh my, it was tasty. For our main dishes Jared ordered clams and bucatini and I had the pene, pesto, and summer squash. Both were amazing. Then we threw up our hands and opted for dessert and were surprised to get the following: chocolate cake with espresso bean chocolate ganache topped with toasted pine nuts and a scoop of burnt whiskey ice cream. It was the best thing my mouth ever tasted. I highly recommend this restaurant and visiting Point Reyes - it's probably my favorite place on Earth.