Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008 at a Glance

This post is taking a look back at 2008. It was quite a year, with ups and downs...we are quite ready for 2009!

January 2008
January 2008 I started this blog! What a great idea...it has been a great source of release for me and it is great to go and look back on all the things I have done, felt, experienced etc. It is like a digital scrapbook!

I was still working as long term sub for Libby at St. Nicholas while she was on maternity leave...St. Nicks was a great school, with great kids and I am so glad that I had the chance to work there...it also led to my current job which I am incredibly grateful for.

I got a job offer from Rhythm and Moves and accepted...but continued my sub coverage through the month of January.

February 2008
I began my teaching at my new school that I was offered a job for...Capri and Blackford. I remember calling myself the "new Michelle Pfeiffer" since the very first day of school (at Capri) involved 3 fist fights!

Aaron, at the ripe age of 25, got shingles...that was quite the experience!

February is the month that the cone wars started! This is when the construction worker left the cone on our doorstep and Libby thought it would be really funny to leave it there to freak us out a bit...which it did...I was wondering if our house was leaking/flooding or something! We later returned the favor and placed the cone on top of her car..and she couldn't reach it the next morning because of her vertical challenge-ness.

We remodeled the bathroom...new paint, new tile floors, new toilet, new cabinets, new vanity mirror...all the hard work and labor put in by Aaron and I!

A visit to Disneyland!

March 2008
Harley had her first trip to the dog park!! Aaron and I were so nervous since she used to be a little dog aggressive, but she had been a lot better so we wanted to try it out and socialize her some more...she did a great job!! And we were so proud...I even cried and video taped the whole event!

After just remodeling the bathroom, Aaron's dad went into the attic to install the new exhaust fan for the bathroom and uh..he fell through the ceiling!

We celebrated Harley's 3rd birthday!

Aaron quit his job at the Right Stuff...one of the best decisions ever made..EVER!...but left us pretty financially hurting...but it was really, the only option and again, the BEST choice ever made!

Aaron started working at Equinox as a personal trainer.

Harley got Kennel cough and had to be seperated from all dogs for more than 3 weeks. =( We took real good care of her and had a humidifier on every night....poor girl, I felt so bad for her!

Baby Jennifer rolled over for the first time!!!

April 2008

Found out that the lump in my mom's breast was cancerous...I was completely heartbroken, speechless, mad...

Mom had her surgery to remove the lump from her breast, extra tissue, and a lymph node to see if it had spread and also put in the balloon tube for a new type of radiation treatment

Jennifer's Baptism

Found out that my moms cancer did NOT spread and they began radiation treatment with the new balloon technique...radiation continued for 5 days. I can't even begin to describe the emotions I felt when we found out the cancer had not spread!

Aaron and I always try and help lost dogs find their homes...if we find a wondering dog, we always stop to see if they have a collar, etc. We found a beagle, with a collar and we tried to take him back home, but when we were taking him back, he bit Aaron right on the hand! It freaked me out..but he didn't break the skin so I felt we were alright...we did find the owners!

May 2008
Moms radition is done! Now she only has to go see the oncologists for future check-ups and check her incisions.

Aaron and I graduate college!!

After college graduation, Aaron and I do an east coast to west coast road trip to celebrate our graduation. It was the best, most memorable vacation of my life!...to name a few, we stopped in DC, New York, Niagara Falls, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Vegas, San Diego and more!

My sister and parents through Aaron and I a surprise graduation party at home in combination with her 23rd birthday party! It was the best party!...my parents hired a company that comes out and brings poker tables, craps tables, etc. and dealers!...there were kegs..it was AWESOME!

June 2008
I started teaching summer school at Argonaut..I taught 2/3rd grade public speaking and 3rd grade math superstars

I made my first ever fondant cake!

my mom and sister got new cars! It was about time!

July 2008
Tucker celebrated his 1st birthday with a bang!...with party hats and dog bone cookies and everything!

Created my 2nd fondant cake! (for the 4th of July!)

I notice a water leak down stairs in our living room....we come to find out that the toilet is leaking...had to rip out the sealing and replace the sheetrock.

I got my very first KitchenAid Mixer!

Tony, Libby, Jennifer, Aaron and I all visit Brentwood...they kind of fell in love!

Created my own apple pie recipe that was EXTREMELY popular with the family...it is now known as Mrs. A's Applelicious Apple Pie!

Jennifer's Adoption Finalization!!!

San Diego/SeaWorld/Disneyland Roadtrip with the Kranz family! It was an AWESOME vacation!!

August 2008
Disneyland continued!

My dad got a new truck!...this was WAY overdue!

Aaron's 26th Birthday....dinner at Buca di Beppo, lunch in Montery at Fishermans Grotto

Aaron started his new job with Rhythm and Moves as a PE teacher!

1st year teaching at my new (and current) school, Simonds!...Had a great first week with the kiddos and am so happy about the school change! The kids are amazing!

Sought help for a matter I don't discuss on this blog for the first time.

September 2008
Aaron and I celebrated 2 years of marriage in Huntington Beach, and well, of course, Disneyland! (on the weekend) and the day of our actual anniversary we would to Shadowbrook Restaraunt and then to Capitola State Beach!

Aaron and I got our first real fish tank! (20gallons)

Aaron got a new truck...a 2008 Honda Ridgeline

Aaron and I drove up to San Francisco, trekked on foot...all over the city to find Citizen cupcake...we were eventually successful and enjoyed some pretty delicious cupcakes!

October 2008
Babysat Jennifer while Tony and Libby went out to celebrate their anniversary!...she was a peach! Daisy on the other hand....um...barfed all over my crotch!

Called the cops on our neighbors for banging on our door at 1am (they were letting us know that Aaron left the light on in his truck)...we didn't know it was the neighbors and I freaked and called the cops! (and...uh..they did it again the next night! LOL! Aaron told him, if it happens again, just let me wake up to a dead battery!)

Started restoring my mustang (new convertible top, carpet)

Spent nearly all day helping Libby create/make her 2nd adoption profile...it was a lot of work, but it came out great and it was good fun!

Jennifers 1st Birthday!!!!

November 2008
I cut my hair shorter than it has ever been...a little shorter than shoulder length and I love it!

Uh...Aaron and I, well...actually the crap jumper cables, started a fire when we were trying to jump my mustang!....Fortunately, we reacted fast and put the fire out!

December 2008
My 26th Birthday...it was a great birthday! Only one thing could have made it better but overall it was wonderful and I know that that one thing I so wish and hope for will happen one day and one day soon!

Christmas....was a lot of fun...a lot different than usual...sad/hard at times but we made the best of it and had a great time. I cooked candied yams, green bean casserole, 3 pie (apple, chocolate banana, and pumpkin) and cookies (snickerdoodle, white chocolate cranberry, and giant chocolate chunk)...the food was delicious and the company even better!

Started new medications, hoping and praying it works!

2008 has now come to an end, and we are more than ready to see what the new year has in store for us!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Christmas 2008

Christmas was crazy busy this year!

I started baking 12/23 so that I wouldn't be too overwhelmed on Christmas. I started by making the snickerdoodles my family loves, new giant chocolate chunk cookies (these were a HUGE hit!), and my dads favorite, white chocolate cranberry cookies. Then on my birthday I made chocolate banana pie, pumpkin pie and my famous applelicious apple pie! So the only things left for me to make on Christmas day was my candied yams and green bean casserole.
On Christmas Morning, Aaron and I woke up at about 7:00am and had our own little mini Christmas. Harley opened her stocking first and then we opened ours...and then we opened up gifts we got for one another.
Harley opening her stocking
In her Christmas sweater and santa hat...she doesn't look too happy with me...LOL!
2GB memory card for my new camera
New coffee/tea mug
Fun socks!
Kitchen towels...I just love these!
Oil Dipstick for my mustang
Sweats from the school I graduated from..I SO needed some new sweats!
Sweats from the college Aaron and I met at!
The slippers that Aaron wanted so bad
Aarons new tool set and case
Hummingbird fever...I have always wanted one of these!
Picnic Backpack!!!! It even has a thermos for hot drinks and storage for wine/champagne!
Our favorite number...this was a last minute find that I was very happy about!
We both got eachother iHome's for our iPods....this was a big hit for both of us!
After our little family Christmas, we went over to my parents house, and opened up our stockings (Harley and Tucker's too!). After doing that, we went to my grandma and grandpas house to have breakfast and then open more gifts.
Harley's stocking from Grandma and Grandpa
Me and my cousin, Trevor
Uncle Kieth and his new puppy, Bear
Uncle Kieth and Cousin Ben
Mom and Kel
Aunt Laura and Uncle Bill
After leaving my grandma and grandpas house, the family and I went back to my parents and we opened gifts there (gifts from mom, dad, sister).
Aaron really excited about the new sweatshirt and beanie my sister and her boyfriend got him.
Me excited about the new seat belts for my mustang!! (From my mom and dad)
A watch from Italy that my sister got from my mom and dad...she has worn it everyday since Christmas!
A new Bears sweatshirt for Aaron from my mom and dad....He has worn it nearly everyday since Christmas!

I made this bedding set for my sister and she loved it!! I was so excited to give this gift it is unbelievable! It is a blanket (with the softest fabric ever...the pink side) and 2 pillowcases and a decorative pillow!
My moms new DG sunglasses (from my sister)
My dad's new portable propane heater (from my sister)...he was so stoked to get this!

I didn't post any pictures of what I got people (except my sisters..after giving it to her and it was on her bed!)because I get so excited giving that I forgot to take pictures! So just so I don't forget...I got my dad a coleman portable propane grill that he was super excited about!...with the heater my sister got him and the grill...he is all set for fishing/camping/whatever! I got my mom a watch that she really wanted, and a digital photo frame. And other than the bedding I made my sister, I got her hamper she wanted and 4 movie passes.

After my parents house, we went over to Aaron's parents house and opened more gifts there.
A new hard case for Aaron's bow! He really needed one of these!

I don't have any more pictures because I was so busy opening, but I got a bunch of new work pants and matching jackets! I am so stoked to have a whole new wardrobe for work!

It was a crazy busy day with house hopping and gift giving/opening....when we were done with all the gifts, I headed back to my parents house so I could get started working on the candied yams and green bean casserole.

Dinner was DELICIOUS!! We did a really great job!
After dinner, we watched Dark Knight...GOOD MOVIE!
We had a great Christmas this year....as always really!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

My 26th Birthday

Today was my 26th birthday and I had a great one as I always do!

I woke up, started baking some Pumpkin Pie, went over to my parents and made some chocolate banana pie and then Aaron and I went to the movies to watch "Yes Man" (which was a great movie by the way!)

After watching the movie, we went back to my parents house and we all went out to dinner at Red Lobster (my choice!) and had a good time!

We then came home, and I opened up birthday presents! ....LOTS AND LOTS of love!! I got so many cool things!! Here is a picture of the loot!
I am so excited to wear/use all this stuff!!!
Aaron got me a new Canon PowerShot Camera!!!...and a mini tripod too!!! WOOHOO!!
Tons of new work pants!
Cupcake/cake holder!! I am super excited about this with all the baking I do and take over to my parents!! Thanks Kel!
Cash...still trying to figure out what I am going to buy with it!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this sweatshirt...the "fur" is SOOOO super soft!

Not Pictured...I also got some great shirts for work, a reed diffuser, silpat mat, and tennis shoes (which I needed desperately!)

After presents, we at some cake..YUM!
Making my wish
After cake, Aaron and I went home and got some stuff ready and went out to drive around town and look at all the Xmas lights! GORGEOUS! Here are some pictures!
Santa holding on to his sleigh!
Rudolph leading the sleigh

We got home not too long ago and I am now making my "Mrs. Aaron's Applecious Apple Pie" (Thanks Libby)! When it is done baking, I will snuggle up in bed, fall asleep and wake up to Christmas Morning!!