Tree trimmed.
This year we got a little tree because we’re always so busy during the holiday season and the big tree is so much mess! We’ve had house guests the past weekend, and a party this coming weekend, so we decided a table top tree was the cleanest and easiest way to go!
An ornament from Lizzie from last year…
Hello kids! I’m sorry I’ve been absent. I have been fairly busy over at GMS getting that blog under control. Tomorrow is our biggest day of the year: Thanksgiving.
Because I’ll be over there blogging tomorrow, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on this year so far.
This year has been crazy, both in good ways and sad ways. I’ve gained a brother. I’ve lost an uncle. I got to see my sister get married. I saw some friends bury other friends. Garlic, My Soul has exploded. Corelyn moved away.
This morning, before a busy day at work and a busy day at home, I decided I needed to do some yoga to energize my day. By the time I got home, I realized I needed another round to keep me going. And ten minutes of meditation.
After that, I could breathe deeply and get through an evening of cooking before another busy day tomorrow. And now, as I sit on the couch waiting for Corelyn to arrive, I wanted to go over what we were thankful for last year – we wrote ’em on a big ole piece of white butcher paper:
Good friends on both coasts! * Megan getting smashed (and maybe slapping ET) * GJH (and his patience) * I got a job! * The color purple! * Perspective * health & happiness <3 * A full gluten-free plate! * WINE + 3 * My LA friends * Color coded oven schedules + 1 * Jeffrey. In general. * Friends that roll with the punches and stick by you no matter what + 1 * Corelyn + turkey * Wonderful Friends and Family! * Justin Timberlake * JT + <3 + hand holding * Golden pine cones * Jeff + garlic bread * My mom and brothers * Castle ladies + travel * Mary + photos + 1 * Ellen + the gym + yoga * Melissa + GF cooking * Meat! * My new LA family! * scarves! * Being alive * Harry Potter * Brand new apartments * Slapsgiving – -Legendary! + 4 * Friends who are amazing cooks! * Cookware * Rebecca’s back rubs * Rebecca + hair + makeup * OTHER ASIAN! * We get to keep the pinecones! * Megan + twin day! * Google Docs + 1 * Corelyn + Jennie’s food blog <3 * Thanksgiving with friends! * Youth! * AZNS + 1 * My brother is working his s*** out + 1 * Coffee * Jeopardy! *
This year, I’m thankful for most of those things, and more, much more. And I can’t wait to share tomorrow with my LA family for the fourth year running. I’m thankful to be cooking a turkey for all of my family here, and thankful that Corelyn could make it, and that 19 others can make it, too. I am thankful for this modern love: friends becoming family, partners and boyfriends and girlfriends and sisters and brothers all becoming your best friend on the day of giving thanks. Traditions of writing thanks, blogging, crossword puzzles, coffee, parades, video chatting with family, and eating turkey, mashed potatoes, way too much pie, and snuggling up for a post-eating nap.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
The boys were doing it, so I figured I could, too. It was hard to do this way.
Better.
Planking. On some plank (wood.) So meta?
Back to the campsite…
More photos here, all courtesy of Jeffrey!
Another hike – this one complete with poison oak!
Thanks to Jeff (and Ryan, too!) for the photos…here’s the rest.
Yesterday to curb our sickness (and because it was pre-planned, who are we kidding?) Jeff and I headed out on a couple hour hike in Malibu with Ellen, Melissa, and Cricket. It was a great hike – challenging, but worth it. I’d like to go back in April when I am sure the waterfall is flowing faster, but August’s falls were great, too. Here are some photos.
We walked to the trail from the PCH, which was along a beautiful road through Malibu’s mansions.
About a half mile in, we arrive at the trail head!
Not even a mile into the trail we decide to stop and climb a tree.
On our merry way, finally making some time.
Things starting to get steep…
After two waterfalls and using ropes to climb, we finally get to the third waterfall.
Wading in, but not too far, as there were some snakes in the water…
Extra little hike with Jeff. Climbing down when we realized it didn’t go anywhere but a rock overlooking the ocean.
Please note how dirty I am.
Back to the girls, all rinsed off.
Headed back down.
For more photos, check them out on Jeff’s site. Thanks, Jeff, for documenting!