July

Is it already August?? This month has flown by! I've been busy with the new job, mike's been working hard on the startup, and we filled our free time training (marathon for me, tough mudder for the hubs), fun family vacations and weekend trips to get out of the gloomy SF summer. (Lucky for us we get an indian summer in October :)

Due to the busy month, I'll simply post some of my favorite iphone pics. Enjoy!

1-4th of july picnic 2-liz the photographer 3-with tyson at laguna beach 4-les mis with the nelson's 5-drive to yosemite
6-sea world with the adams 7-mike hiking half dome 8-klarissa's baby shower 9-jetskiing at new melones lake

A new year

New years was fabulous. We started the day with a much anticipated "surprise activity" with mike's family. We all got super artsy/ghostlike making pottery at sundance, and enjoyed a wonderful meal at the grill.

The night got pretty exciting when we figured out my sister Tia & Dan had reservations at the same restaurant just an hour later. And because we kinda sorta knew he might be proposing, mike & I braved the cold and took some sneaky pictures from outside. Unfortunately the "on one knee" scene happened in a private location outside, but we did get some good dinner pics. Can't wait for April 27th!

Later that night we met up with the Zwick fam for the midnight festivities including toasts and fireworks!

My 2012 goals include reading the Book of Mormon and running my 2nd marathon!

Christmas Photos

Sleigh Ride

We went on a fun sleigh ride with the Adams on christmas eve. It was a beautiful, chilly evening. (And the lighting was perfect for my new camera :) Unfortunately the lack of snow turned our sleigh into more of a wagon, but it was still really great. The sleigh dropped us off at a little cabin where we enjoyed a delicious country dinner.

Little America

Ever since my dad was little, the Zwick's have gone to Little America on Christmas Eve. It's the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit, with good food & family. This year was a little different since my sweet Grandma Zwick passed away this year. I missed seeing her in her Christmas sweater, giving hugs, and handing out her hand-written cards & treats to all the grandchildren & great-grandkids. She truly was remarkable. We're lucky to still have my Grandpa here to carry on the Zwick tradition.

Bowling

A couple days before the holiday festivities started, we went bowling with the entire Zwick family (Grandpa Z included!) We all enjoyed some friendly competition, and watching the kids go nuts. Highlights of the night include: Mike's curveball, Grandpa Z's fierce competitiveness, and Blake's victory dance after every turn, love him!

Update

We had a wonderful holiday season spent with both families in Utah (and two weeks off work!) I got a sweet new camera for Christmas so I have about a bazillion photos to post.

We came back right in time for my busy season, thus no time to blog. I'll gradually post about our trip, because you know I'll have nothing else exciting to post until May - unless you're interested in excel tricks and audit procedures...

For now, here is one of my favorite photos from the trip - Howie is so photogenic.

P.S. I'm loving the blogger iphone app. Anyone else use it?

The Nutcracker

Earlier this month, we had the best date night ever. Mike took me to see the Nutcracker at the San Francisco Opera House. The music and dancing was simply stunning. I loved every second of it. My favorite part was the Snow Queen dance with the snow falling onto the stage. It was a beautiful performance, and quite possibly a new Adams family tradition.

{excuse the blurry phone pics...they don't do the theater justice}

gingerbread houses

Last Sunday we made gingerbread houses with our friends Brad & Kelsey. Growing up my family made gingerbread houses each year, and so I wanted to start carrying on the tradition. I made homemade gingerbread and we designed our house, all while eating way too much candy. Afterwards, we went and checked out the biggest gingerbread house in the city (22 ft tall!).

grateful

This Thanksgiving I feel so blessed. I have a wonderful husband, an awesome job, live in a beautiful city, and have such supportive and loving family & friends. This year we stayed in San Francisco for the holiday, and enjoyed time with just the two of us. Since we both work so much it was nice to have a few days off to explore the city and get some much needed R&R. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with my cousins in San Jose, and spent the rest of the weekend doing fun things in the city - black friday shopping in union square, the tree lighting, movies, restaurants, etc. There's something magical about Christmas in the city. I love it!

our halloween

Our halloween was pretty low key this year. On Saturday we made tons of cornbread and helped decorate the "spook alley" for the ward party. Peter & Wendy made an appearance at the party, and the little primary kids loved it. Monday night was spent eating TJ's pumpkin bread (delish) and watching Casper & Hocus Pocus on television (ABC family knows how to celebrate!). It turned out to be a fantastic holiday; now I just need to make a trip to Target to buy some discount halloween candy...

Peter & Wendy

pumpkin patch

Fall is my favorite time of year - changing leaves, perfect weather, football games, and of course halloween. We discovered a cute pumpkin patch in the city near golden gate park. Last Saturday we spent the day picking out a pumpkin, and hanging out at the beach. It was a perfect day.

fireworks on the pier

We went and watched the fireworks at fisherman's wharf on monday night. It was an incredible show. I feel so grateful to live in this wonderful country and enjoy the many freedoms and opportunities. God bless America!

lake tahoe

We spent the 4th of July weekend in lake tahoe with our friends, Brad & Kelsey. It was an awesome weekend. We stayed at the Granlibakken resort (pronounced with a viking accent). We did a whole lot of nothing - laying by the pool, playing tennis & golf, hanging out at the beach, paddleboarding on the lake, hiking, eating yummy food, and enjoying the beautiful weather & scenery.

king's beach

paddleboarding

(so this was the only time i (almost) fell in the water...this may be my newfound talent)

hiking

view from eagle rock

(the most rewarding 10 minute hike ever)

*my new goal in life: somehow earn enough money to buy a cabin in tahoe*