Official Move Day

Saturday was the OMD - Official Move Day. My dad and Kyle helped pack up an Explorer, my Mazda, and a baby semi. It all fit! :) They were both so helpful, I definitely couldn't have moved as quickly if it weren't for them. THANK YOU!




The "Big Truck" is so handy LOL. When we got to San Jose, all cars were unloaded and I got to work unpacking. Approximately 5 minutes later I decided I'd rather bake some cupcakes so I gave up.

Nicole, her friend Vanessa, and I made a quick trip to Safeway for eggs and cheesecake filling. Once home, we whipped up some de-lish fudge brownie cupcakes with a cheesecake filling, and cream cheese frosting.

Nicole and I grabbed a couple to bring over to our dad's new place.





Him and Lauretta moved to a beautiful and big new house a mile or so from their old house.

On the menu for dinner: steak, salmon, salad, and veggies. Lauretta prepped the salmon with s+p, lemon, and horseradish on half the filets.




I got to work choping green beans and brussels sprouts, which I roasted in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes.




Before putting them in the oven, I coated them in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, s+p, and other random spices.




Meanwhile, Nicole prepped the salad and sauteed mushrooms, garlic, and 1/2 a red onion on the stove.




Dinner was amazing. It was fun to get involved with the prep this time - usually Nicole and I just show up to a huge feast so we both appreciated getting to help out this time.




After dinner we played Apples to Apples, ate cupcakes, and overdosed on Muddy Buddies haha. Then Katie led us in some drama-club inspired creative dance moves. "Be an orange, be, be, an orange. Peel an orange, peel, peel, an orange..." I loved it.

When Nicole and I got home, our cousin Aaron was there waiting for us! We chatted, told secrets, moved furniture, and then Kyle showed up.

Aaron, Kyle, and I drove to Campbell for Kevin + Kit's "move" party (coincidentally on my move day). After a couple of beers, cupcakes, embarassing story swaps, and a trip to In n Out for Aaron, we called it a night!

Oh, Telephone

I owe this guy a phone call.



I need to hear about Chicago!!



Also want to catch up with everyone here... I will. Promise.

Aunt Connie's New Year's Wedding

My mom, sister, and I flew to St. Louis last week for my Aunt Connie's wedding in St. Louis. The whole ceremony was beautiful and it was great to be back with family. My last midwest trip was over 1.5 years ago. 

Mia & Sam were the adorable flower girls. So cuuuuute.

New Year's Eve we had the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, then Nicole and I convinced our cousin Jordan to take us to Walgreens to get ice cream.  We spent the hours leading up to the countdown chowin down on yummy desserts and spinach and artichoke dip haha. Classico.

This is one of my favorite pictures - great bouquet action going on.

The family, most of it.... no, some of it. We are a big family!

Gotta get a picture of dessert, of course. Wonder what flavor is inside...

Snapped this shot while my mom and I set up some of the candy jars near the card/present table. All of their decorations made me think of Sleeping Beauty's castle at Christmas time. Does that make sense? It wasn't Cinderella castle-like. More medieval? 

Nicole, you might not like this picture, but I do. 

Dinner was delicious. But I most enjoyed the cake and ice cream! Plain ol' chocolate was a nice change from the "gin + tonic w/ a splash of sprite"'s I was downing.

I wanted to put up a picture of me and my momma and I liked this one the most. Left to right, Aaron's girlfriend, his mom, me, and my mom. At this point I believe I was running on and off the dance floor, a bit in Lauren La La Land aka Trouble Time (La^4 = Tr*Ti). I about had it when someone from the other side of the family rammed their spiky heel into my little toe. Apparently I cried? Nah. I'm sure I held it together and my family is just exaggerating.

This little tyke lasted longer than I did that night. Her and her sis ran up and down the halls, meanwhile I was in a deep dreamy sleep. It really was a great reception - the DJ was perfect. 

It made me beyond excited for the August wedding of my cousin Krista and her fiancee Adam!!! Oh gosh I cannot wait!!