Star Wars Family

TCH.  Always good for some classic family bumper stickers.

My First 29th

Happy birthday to me!  Mike bought me my dream bike!  It's a Giant, and is apparently a 2011 model.  I feel in love with it this summer, but couldn't justify spending that kind of money on a bike.

Apparently, Mike can.

But they'd sold it, so he had to call around the country trying to find one.  Eventually he found a store in Arvada that said, "I think my brother's store up in North Dakota has one of those," and said he'd have it shipped as long as Mike promised to come and get it.

He did.

But what I love most about this bike (besides the fact it's called a Simple), is the dandelions.

Luvs it.

But it's probably good he saved the lanterns like they light and fly in Tangled for last. 

I was done-for after that.

Bros before...ya know...

Courtesy of Mike.  You're welcome.

Twinkle

I love The Orchard at Christmas time.

Mr. Clean

Mike and I did some major going through of drawers and closets.  I found a great way to organize t-shirts, etc. in drawers on Pinterest, so more photos of that epicness to come. 

But don't you worry, Kona and Keebs helped, too.

Goodwill Find of the Year

This coat is such a deep red velvet that it's almost impossible to take a decent photo of it.  It was smooshed in the coats at Goodwill but the red just popped to me (I heart red).  I inspected further, and the style radiated 1950s chic.  I felt like I needed to be wearing a string of pearls just to be handling it.

 The sleeves are larger, but inside it has fitted inner sleeves to keep out the cold.

Here's why it's the Find of the Year: according to the ILGWU (International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union) tag history: this coat was made between 1955 and 1964 (when the "R" indicating a trademarked logo was added) based on the logo and the lack of "R". 

Which means this coat is epic.  That coupled with the fact that there's no way it has ever been worn makes this THE absolutely best $4.50 find of 2012.  Seriously.  The thing is new, without tags.  Photos of it on my person coming soon.

...and Mike

We had our small group over for a Christmas crock pot dinner, and Corrie and Bobby brought me a birthday cake!  It was so incredibly tasty, and from King Soopers!  But most of all, it came with love.  We at it all week.  But the best part was the "and Mike" really small on the corner.  We laughed about that every time we ate a piece!

King

I know what Kona's going as next year for Halloween.

You know how I know it's cold?

Accurate

Call Me, Maybe

This is my favorite ornament of Mike's.  His dad worked in the Forest Service for a very long time, which took them to Hawaii (where Mike was born), Virginia, and eventually New Mexico.  I think racoons were his favorite animal growing up...at least for a while.  I need to have him tell me the story behind these little guys.  In the meantime, they're just cute!

Twinkle

My favorite part of decorating for Christmas is the tree.  It's because each ornament tells a story, brings back a memory.  It's like a time capsule I get to open every year.  As I sat underneath it admiring each one, I thought what a wonderful opportunity to relive it here on the interwebs!

Let's start here:

This old chair filled with presents reminds me of the Christmases we spent at Comanche.  Playing games, catching up on a year's worth of sleep, drinking great wine, making incredible food, watching my wonderful parents interact, catching up with my sister and brother-in-law who I don't get to see enough, and watching the sun go down on the porch, rocking in chairs and wondering if life could get any better.

While we wouldn't have thought it then, the answer to that question is yes, yes it can.  My dad always used to say that each stage of life has its beauty, it's avenues of adventure, its moments of joy.  So while the door might close on precious moments, there are so many more to open, like presents on Christmas morning.  You just have to put them under the tree.

Don't it make my brown eye

Blue.

Santa, Baby

 Almost all the gifts are wrapped...

Christmas Bandanas

We get into Christmas here at Quivas.

Ho Ho Ho

Even Mike's gettin' in the mood!  He found me these vintage-like towels at the KS; they're playful.  And perfect.

Christmas Decorating

It confuses the puppies.

Goodbye, Hawaii.

Room with a View

This is the view from Mike's parent's condo.  Gorgeous.  And every Friday they get to watch fireworks from the Hilton!  It was a great trip; we'll miss this place.

Diamond Head

We played tourists again and climbed Diamond Head.

 There were a lot of steps.

 Beautiful views.

 I don't mind directions.

 Told you.

Waikiki D&B

And you can't do Hawaii without a walk to Dave & Busters.

 Plus major amounts of the coin game. Major.

Adventure is Out There

Dole Plantation!

 And the world's largest maze!  This was actually before we ventured in...

We then proceeded to drive around the whole North Shore and almost the entire island looking for a hamburger place that was open.  We finally found Teddy's Bigger Burgers and enjoyed some incredible (huge) burgers.  It was worth waiting til 3:30pm to eat lunch.

Waikiki

We got gussied up and set our sights on a night out in Waikiki!

We ended up at the Shore Bird which was an amazing restaurant right on the beach.  The guy at our second Honolua Surf Company stop (we stock up on sweatshirts every time we go there; they're our favorite) recommended it to us when we asked for something local and less on the touristy side.

You cook your own steak on this huge grill overlooking the ocean!  I have to say, that might be the best steak I've ever had. Mike knows.