the (great) christmas tree hunt

We've been going to the same Christmas tree lot for the past 3 years to pick out our tree. It may be a little more expensive than going to somewhere like Costco, but we like to walk around and pick out our favorite tree and pretend like we're in the forest :). Also its a mormon family owned business so we like to support them... and they send us a coupon in the mail every year which is a nice little enticement.

I think Jason's beard really completes the whole lumberjack look in these pictures. Before he had a beard I was trying to convince him to grow one, and he would say that he won't because his grows in too weak. It's funny that he said that because he gets compliments on his beard everywhere he goes. I think the only reason he'd get rid of it now is because that is all they talk about at work with him. I hope he keeps it around for a little bit longer at least.

Christmas Playlist

I love Christmas music but I get really tired of hearing the same versions of songs played repeatedly on the radio.  Here are some songs that I have been listening to this year (some old to me some new). Including a version of my all time favorite Christmas song "Oh Holy Night."

Tarley (all grown up)

It's almost been a year since we brought the adorable little fur ball home. I've been looking at her puppy pictures from last year and it melts my heart how tiny and adorable she was. I have great memories of visiting her each week until we could bring her home. It was fun seeing how much she grew since the last visit but also sad because we had to leave her there (the "bad" house we called it). She wasn't a very difficult puppy but she has turned into the perfect dog (which isn't surprising since we raised her :) ). You will never find her chewing on anything besides her toys and the only naughty thing she does is bark at strangers. She is self disciplined though and if she lets out a bark at the window she will immediately walk herself into her crate. She is very playful but not too hyper. She loves to cuddle next to me at night, and while I'm on the computer she loves to sleep on my legs that are on the coffee table. Its like having a little portable heater. She is hilarious (mainly from the voice and personality we give her) but the funniest thing she does is drag her back legs on the carpet across the living room floor to scratch her belly. It is also her funny little way of greeting me when I get home. She has a great personality and the cutest little face and we love her.

 

 

labor day weekend (via instagram)

love will tear us apart

There are times in my life when I listen to a song, even one I've heard before, and for some reason at that listening it hits something new in me. I then play the song repeatedly without growing tired of it and the listening almost becomes an obsession. This is that song for me right now.

100 years of style

this video depicts fashion and dance styles from the past 100 years. it's pretty fun.

let it all hang out

this little dog sure knows how to enjoy life.  (just playing with my new 8mm app on my iphone- I love it!)

we frolicked about in our summer skin

This week Jason took time off work due to his job forcing the employees to use some of their PTO. We decided to go camping for a couple days since this is also my last week of freedom before school starts. On Morning morning we got all packed up when I remembered that Death Cab for Cutie were coming to concert that night. We had already seen them twice and hadn't planned on going because Jason had work and we didn't want to pay for it. I said to Jason that we should just skip camping and go see Death Cab, and much to my surprise he agreed. I found some pit tickets on Craigslist for a decent price and we got there early so we were two people back from the stage. They definitely did not disappoint this time. I prefer their older albums over their newer ones and they played most of my favorites from past albums. They sound so incredible live and always give a great show. I felt giddy being so close and halfway through a lady left in front of me so I was able to be right up against the gate. We both had a great time and didn't regret skipping out on camping.

 Us pre-concert. I wore my 70's bird dress which is one of my favorite dresses.

 opening band Frightened Rabbit

 Ben Gibbard

 We met Frightened Rabbit afterwards. They were very Scottish and very drunk. They were also very cool and friendly. They liked my dress and the singer had a tattoo of a chemical compound on his arm which he wanted Jason to find out if it was the right thing (the formula for his eczema creme). He almost gave Jason his phone number but instead settled for writing on facebook.

nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

When Jason and I were at the thrift store today we got there as they were putting out around fifty Beatles records. Apparently someone had just donated their whole collection and we were lucky enough to be there to get pick of the lot. There were a lot of duplicates so we got to pick the best of each one. We had some other people eying our stash as we were going through them and they were quick to grab ones we put back. We didn't get any really rare albums (we got Yesterday and Today but of course it's not the butcher version) but we were excited to get a whole collection at one fell swoop. And you can't go wrong at 50 cents each!  

like crazy

after all of the action movies we've seen this summer I could really go for a good chick flick. this one looks way better than most.

summer playlist

with some old and new favorites.

There is a city by the sea, a gentle company...

Over the fourth of July we spent the week at a house by the beach with my family in Oceanside, California. It was a great trip with most of our time spent at the ocean, playing games, or hanging out with family. Some of my favorite moments of the trip were strawberry picking, swimming with sea lions, and watching dolphins in the ocean from our balcony. We had such a great week spent by the ocean with family.