Christmas 2014 in California

This year Joe and I were able to spend eleven long days on the west coast to catch up with our family and friends. As vacations normally do, this vacation had it's stress and drama but over all we had a great time.

This was our third year traveling to California for Christmas and each time it turns out a little different. The first trip (Christmas 2012) was our first trip back home after our big move and we were so excited to spend time with all our friends that we moved away from. With a short five day trip time got away from us and we spent little time with our family and got caught up in seeing all our friends. Our second Christmas home (2013) we focused on family more but still some parts of our extended family got neglected. This year we vowed to make it a trip for family (with some friend time mixed in). Booking such a long visit home I thought we would be able to spend quality time with everyone we missed so much.

Over the eleven days we spent on the west coast we spent a ton of time with family. For me it was the best trip because not only did I get to see most of my closest friends, I spent countless hours laughing, drinking, and just plain hanging out with our families. It got to the point that it felt that we still lived in California. The Holidays can feel so scripted with all the houses you have to visit, all the presents you have to open, and all the meals you have to eat. This all usually ends with someone feeling like they barely saw you or that your visit was too short. Unfortunately, this is inevitable but Joe and I try to do our best with the time we have.

Joe and I were able to get out of town twice to go to my Dad's house as well as my Aunt's just to sit on the couch and visit like the old days. I cannot tell you how much I needed this. It is no secret that I am a Daddy's girl and just as close with my mom. I am very blessed to have these relationships with my parents but it also makes it extremely difficult to live 2,975 miles away from them (yes, I mapped it). I know my parents would prefer us to live local but this is where we need to be for the time being. Joe and I have come so far from where we were when we lived in CA but there is not one day that I don't miss home for one reason or another. We want you all you know how much we love and miss you on a daily basis. We may not call enough, e-mail enough, text enough, or see you enough but the love is there.

After all that mushy stuff, lets get to the good stuff... pictures!

Christmas Day

 

Auntie's Birthday

San Jose Sharks Hockey Game

New Years 2015

There have been countless rumors about who is going to visit us in New York this year and Joe and I cannot wait. We love when people make the trip because we are able to spend days visiting versus minutes or hours when we are back home.

I hope you all had an amazing Holiday Season!

Goodbye 2014

2014 Wrap-Up Quiz

1. What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?
Traveled so much!
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I met and surpassed my goal to eat healthier – Thank goodness for Paleo!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Two little baby boys come to mind – One is my God-son!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness. <-- Same as 2013
5. What countries did you visit?
Canada
6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you didn't have in 2014?
Baby… maybe….
7. What dates from 2014 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
Niagara Falls with Mommy & Seattle with one of my best friends
8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Getting into Fordham University and receiving a scholarship
9. What was your biggest failure?
Debt re-payment – Even though we did very well I had higher hopes for 2014
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Airline tickets to take my Mama to Canada - Money WELL spent!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Not mine that’s for sure – Every year I spend on the east coast I find myself forgetting about my life in California (not intentionally)  -  In 2015 I aim to be a better friend with regular calls/e-mails/text
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one that I can think of - This was a really good year!
14. Where did most of your money go?
Commuting to work! <-- Same as 2013
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going home for the Holidays meant the world to me. <-- Same answer as 2013
16. What song will always remind you of 2014?
Turn Down For What!?
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: A) happier or sadder? B) thinner or fatter? C) richer or poorer?
A) HAPPIER <-- Same as 2013
B) Thinner!
C) Richer!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Decorating our apartment. <-- Same answer as 2012 & 2013
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stressing over money when I shouldn’t have
20. How did you spend Christmas?
In CA with all our friends and family.  <-- Same answer as 2012 & 2013
21. Did you fall in love with 2014?
Nope... still in love. <-- Same answer as 2012 & 2013
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Right now it’s King of Queens – Joe and I just bought seasons 6 – 9 for $4 each
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
NOPE <-- =]
24. What was the best book you read?
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None <-- Same answer as 2013
26. What did you want and get?
Get into a four year school
27. What did you want and not get?
I wanted to purchase a home... but that is in the future. <-- Same answer as 2012 & 2013
28. What was your favorite film of 2014?
Maze Runner
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Turned 28 and had a BBQ at our house
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A home of our own. <-- Same answer as 2012 & 2013
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2014?
Classic/Glam but I am working on expanding my style <-- Still stuck
32. What kept you sane?
My husband
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Again, no comment <-- Same answer as 2013
34. Who did you miss?
My friends and family in CA <-- Same answer as 2013
35. Who was the best new person you met?
No one new this year and I like it that way ;)
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.
Life is too short! <-- Same answer as 2012 & 2013

Thanksgiving 2014 in Seattle

One of my best friends was very generous and offered to host us for the Thanksgiving Holiday in Seattle. Joe's brother also lives locally so we were both very excited to get this vacation under way. Although the trip went a little faster than I would have liked we had a great time catching up with everyone and enjoying some down time. 

Washington welcomed us with snow which was a great surprise because we missed our first snow of the season back home. 

On Thanksgiving Katherine and I spent the day preparing our very first Thanksgiving feast. (Which was well received!)

Although I have already been to Seattle we decided to do some sightseeing and show Joe around town.

Space Needle

I highly recommend the EMP Museum. We spent a couple hours wondering around and could have spent many more.

Last but not least we visited Pike Place Market.

To round out a long day in Seattle the boys took us for a ride on the ferris wheel at Seattle's waterfront.

It was an incredible trip that we will never forget. A HUGE thank you to Katherine for being an amazing host, it was so great making memories with you after two long years apart.

Halloween 2014 Recap

 Last Halloween was our first official Halloween on the East Coast (Our 1^st Halloween was cancelled due to hurricane Sandy) and we didn’t think we were going to get many trick-or-treaters. We didn’t buy any candy and turned out the lights for movie night. I cannot tell you how many knocks and giggles we heard outside the door and I have never felt so guilty. This year I started early and stocked up on candy, determined to make up for last year. 

The week prior I was in the Halloween mood and made countless snacks while counting down the days. On Halloween we had extra lights on, the door wide open, and waited. The final count was…… ONE trick-or-treater! 

Joe and I are unsure of what we will do next year but at least I don’t feel guilty!

How many trick-or-treaters did you get?

For recipes of the goodies shown above click below:

 Chocolate Chip Cookies
Halloween Bark
 

Valentine's Day

I know I am a couple weeks late BUT I hope you all had a fantastic Valentine’s Day!

Going into the Holiday I planned to make my husband a fantastic lobster dinner. Lobster has been something I have wanted to tackle for some time. In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day New York got hit pretty hard with back to back snow storms. This lead to our commute time doubling and just plain taking excitement out of everything due to exhaustion. So in reality the Husband and I spent Valentine’s Day catching up on rented movies and enjoying a nice frozen pizza! Even though it was nothing exciting, it was just what we needed.

New Years & 1st Visitor of 2014

I know I am a bit behind schedule but...

Happy 2014!

This year we had the pleasure of Joe’s brother visiting us over New Years. We spent New Year’s with some great friends and had nice quiet night in.  Joe’ brother was planning on staying for a little less than a week but the weather had other plans. The day before he was scheduled to fly out his flight got canceled with no reschedule date. He attempted to contact the airline with no luck. The airline finally contacted him 24 hours later and rescheduled him to fly out in three days. It really worked out in our favor because we got three more days to visit and just hang out. I also got my 1^st ever snow day! The boys did explore the city together but because we had just gotten home I choose to opt out and let them have some male bonding time while I unpacked and got the house together.

 I hope everyone had an amazing Holiday season and got to ring in the New Year with the ones they love.

Yet Another Christmas on the West Coast

We very much enjoyed our trip home this Christmas. Here are just some of the highlights from our trip:

 

The Schaffer/Hoppins Cousins (minus Mateo)

 

Christmas Night Out Tradition

 

Joe's Surprise 30th Birthday Party

 

 

The Holiday's can be busy and this vacation was no exception. We had dinner dates, lunch dates, birthdays, and just about every other minute of our vacation was planned. Even though we slept less than ten hours the entire vacation we would do it again in a second.

 

 

We are so glad we got to see almost everyone and spend sometime catching up. :)

 

I hope everyone had an enjoyable and safe Holiday Season.



Goodbye 2013

2013 Wrap-Up Quiz

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Started a job in New York City
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did keep my resolution to stress less but I still need to work on keeping up with my work out routine. This year I hope to start eating healthier.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Actually, no
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.
5. What countries did you visit?
Aruba :)
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you didn't have in 2013?
Nothing that comes to mind that I would like to have
7. What dates from 2013 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
September - Our 2nd Honeymoon
8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Graduating on the Deans List with my baby degree (2 yr degree)
9. What was your biggest failure?
Giving up on my company and moving onto bigger and better
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Knife cut - Only took two months to heal
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Airline tickets to surprise my parents for their 60th
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
One of my best friends Mallory is the most amazing, generous, selfless person ever
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I am not going to waste time thinking about the negative in 2013 ;)
14. Where did most of your money go?
Commuting to work!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going home for the Holidays meant the world to me. <-- Same answer as 2012
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
What does the Fox Say
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: A) happier or sadder? B) thinner or fatter? C) richer or poorer?
A) HAPPIER
B) Was thinner now the same
C) Poorer... thanks to commuting to the new job
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Decorating our apartment. <-- Same answer as 2012
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about other people and not putting myself first
20. How did you spend Christmas?
In CA with all our friends and family.  <-- Same answer as 2012
21. Did you fall in love with 2013?
Nope... still in love. <-- Same answer as 2012
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Anything that airs during the winter, we spend more time in the house
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I am not going to waste time thinking about the negative in 2013 ;)
24. What was the best book you read?
50 Shades of Grey I know thats horrible but I LOVED it!
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None
26. What did you want and get?
I wanted a new job and I got one that I LOVE. <-- Same answer as 2012... but bigger and better
27. What did you want and not get?
I wanted to purchase a home... but that is in the future. <-- Same answer as 2012
28. What was your favorite film of 2013?
2nd movie of Hunger Games
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Turned 27 and didn't have a great birthday but I made the best of it
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A home of our own. <-- Same answer as 2012
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2013?
Classic/Glam but I am working on expanding my style
32. What kept you sane?
Reading! I read a total of 50 books in 2013!
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Again, no comment
34. Who did you miss?
My friends and family in CA
35. Who was the best new person you met?
New Co-workers
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Life is too short! <-- Same answer as 2012

Happy Holidays

It's that time of year again when I need to sign off for a couple weeks. Joe and I have a lot of exciting things planned for the upcoming Holidays and I cannot wait for it to get started. Check back in a couple of weeks to see how our Holidays unfolded.

Until then...

It's Cookie Season

Sense we have flown home every year for Christmas, Joe and I have yet to have a New York Christmas tree. It never really feels like Christmas till we are home in CA. This year I wanted it to feel just a little more like Christmas around our treeless house. I decided to spice my normal chocolate chip cookies with a little Christmas flavor. So there I sat in the kitchen listening to Christmas music and making my very own Christmas cookies. It also felt a little more like Christmas because this weekend we welcomed a snow storm. I am not sure about other people but I think snow storms that come on Saturday are like a gift. I love sitting in my living room with nothing to do but watch the snow fall. Joe and I were able to get a ton of chores done around the house in preparation

for our trip. We are very excited to be heading home for the Holidays and spend time with our friends and family. Although this year will be somewhat of a short trip I am sure we will come home more tired than arrived. Also, following the tradition from last year we are not coming back alone. It seems like every year there are always people ready and willing to fly back with us and visit over New Years. I am not going to spoil the surprise, so just check back for updates to learn who this years New Years visitor is. 

 Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 lb Butter 

1 Cup Dark brown sugar 

3/4 Cups white sugar 

1 Tablespoons vanilla 

2 Eggs 

3 Cups all purpose flour 

3/4 Teaspoon salt

 3/4 Teaspoon baking soda 

2 Cups of Nestlé Chocolate Chips 

& CHRISTMAS SPRINKLES!

Until next time, Happy Cookie Season!