Day Three- Oh Canada!

Three days have gone by and Sara and I both have found ourselves saying "I can't believe it's been three days...it feels like we (me) should be going home like tomorrow, but we have a WHOLE week ahead of us, HOW AWESOME!
Today, we were graciously invited to Matt's parents house for a FAMOUS pancake breakfast! It was super yum, thin, almost crepe like buttermilk pancakes, made with REAL buttermilk, (which I seem to have a hard time finding in the liquid form in the states), a strawberry coulis topping and fresh bananas...oh and what I think was fresh squeezed orange juice. This was definitely a topper on our list so far!


After we ate at the Lunde's we headed out for a day at the beach. Today was clear, sunny and hot...the perfect making for a beach day! We did a little laying out in the sun and then some water frisbee...nothing too active, but refreshing none the less. Matt even dipped Issy in for a little submersion...needless to say, she didn't much appreciate it.
Sara and I went off to the store and did a little shopping...remind me to share the fantastic ice tea recipe with you all, it's like our new favorite drink.
What does tomorrow hold...well we aren 't quite sure yet, so check back in the evening and we will have a post...sorry the past couple days have been a little late...we were having "internet diffficulties...." PIRATES!

Day Two in Canada!

Day two found us all on a boat..."I'm on a booooaaattt!" We tried (and by we I mean Aaron and Matt and Clayton) a new Canadian water sport called Wake Surfing. Basically the idea is to take the toe rope out enough to get some speed (and if you are good you can just launch off the back of the boat) and then throw it back in and surf the wake behind the boat...you can technically surf it for quite a while. All the guys got up on the first try (...well Matt and Clayton are seasoned riders, but for the sake of the statement...). We had such a blast and a nice boat ride on the Okanagan (gosh hope I spelled that right...).

Turns out Matt is not only a seasoned wake surfer, but also a seasoned mucian (three bands and counting; one with a three time tour of all the Candian provinces). We set out in the evening to watch him play at...Church! haha! Really good service and little Isabella was, of course, the center of attention cooing like a little terridactile! haha! Pretty funny.
All in all a really great day two...
Bella in her new Le Top bathing suit- butterfly wishes












Bella blending in to the furniture...












Us on the Boat

Day one in Canada!

We made it to the Lunde's almost on time... The day started out early, leaving the house at quarter after seven and we finally made it to the Lunde's avout 4:45...two flights, and one MAD dash through the Vancouver Airport, landed us here safe and out of breath!
Isabella is getting so big, and mom and dad are so proud of her...as re we! The chicky is a night owl like her mommy, she was up with us till about 11:00! WOW!
Here are som pictures from Friday.

Aaron drinking after our first flight is delayed out of SFO.









Trying out the smile detector on our new camera.

Le Top Blog Contests and More

Hey All,
I am a Blog Author on Le Top Children's wear Blog page (http://blog.letop-usa.com). We run contests for free baby clothes and other fun things all the time, and you can win! Kaitlin M. won a couple of months ago, just to prove to you that you can win too! Please log on and check it out. Participate in our blog and upload pictures of your kids, neices, nephews, friends kids, etc. We would love to feature them as our daily darlings. And who knows, you might win something for it!

Peace Out!
Kristin

Sleeping Beauties

I am getting so excited for our trip up to see Sara, Matt and the new baby, Isabella! It's all I can think about and talk about. If you have been able to hang out with me lately you would know that! I think some of you must be getting sick of hearing me talk about "Canada"!

Seeing pictures like this one are sure to push me over the edge! This is just the sweetest thing I have ever seen! There is nothing like a good nap along side the your most adored person....and for Sara napping is HUGE! This girl LOVES her sleep, it looks like her daughter is taking after her! LOL!

Check out Sara and Isabella on the Le Top Blog under Daily Darlings: http://blog.letop-usa.com

Pet Peeve....

Just to make a general statement- It annoys me when people rebut a personal comment with "yeah, see I...." There is something demeaning and irritating about that phrase. You did not ask them what their feeling was on it or how they would have reacted, etc. but they feel that they just have to put their "humble" opinion in there and or compare to you in some way. It's like trying to "one up" the other person and is rude. If you want stick your nose in it, or feel you have to rebut or comment on something another person said with your own personal feeling please try to say "I can see that" or "I under stand where you are coming from" ..."...but what about (insert personal idea here)" or "...I could also see it (insert personal feeling)" , etc. Do you get my drift?

So what Peeve's You? Cuz believe me I could go on for days about this and the INCORRECT USE OF THE WORD then vs. than... but that is for another day....

Peace Out.

OTH Back for a 7th season!

Hey All,

I know some of you are avid OTH (One Tree Hill) fans like me, so you will be glad to hear that they are on the CW schedule for the Fall 2009/2010 season! I am so stoked.  Here is my only comment:

This season's Finale was Awesome.  It gave total closure and lots of happy endings.  So much so, that I had to jump on to Google to see if this was the end.  I can honestly say I would be "OK" with it being the end, the way they wrapped up the season, however, I can never get too much of OTH. The thing is, I will be pissed if they go and get MY show cancelled.  I need closure, like Dawson's Creek, and I hope that is how they will eventually end the show.  Give it a good honest run and a great ending, don't leave us hanging.

I am super excited to see the development of Brooke and Julian's characters; of Skills and Mouth & Milly, and definitely Sam.  There is a lot they can do with this, and of course the other Main characters, but I think we will be seeing a more evening out of time spent on the supporting cast, at least I hope so. 

This show has been so great, and again, I am so glad that I get to enjoy another season.

PEACE OUT!

Photo Courtsey of: www.jackbook.com

Blog Giveaway Courtesy of AMY!

Hey there bloggers,

Sara L's SIL (sister in law) is having her 1 year anniversary for her blog! She is giving away a book or a dvd as prize for celebrating with her! Just hop on over to her blog and sign up!

Personally, I am hoping to win both (ha, not likely), but they are both good! One is a workout video that looks totally intense and the other is a Dave Ramsey book about getting out of debt!

Here's a Link to Amy's site: http://muddybootsblog.blogspot.com/

Good Luck!

Peace Out!

We're Dreaming of India

This week we are dreaming of India! This fantastic deal is really hard to resist since India is one place my husband and I and another couple have been talking about going to for the past year. We have been watching movies (Slumdog Millionaire, Bride and Prejudice and Water), doing a little Google earthing, eating Indian food (mmm- we love Indian food), and doing some research on the best places to visit like the Taj Mahal, the back waters of Kerala, and the Goa beaches along the Arabian sea. There is so much that is untold about India that we would love to explore and discover the country. But for now, it is only a dream.

$960 -- India from California on Top-Rated Airline (R/T)

http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/24252200-576351/

Source: Singapore Airlines

Lodon Calling

If you have the time, more than ever right now, London is the place you want to be, becuase the prices British Airways are advertising for the next month are UN-BEATABLE.

IF YOU LISTEN TO ONE THING, LISTEN TO THIS:

If you have an extra 350.00 you MUST go now!

$156 & up -- London Flights w/Sightseeing Pass; 2-Day Sale

http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/24252200-571308/

Source: British Airways

If you need any travel tips to London you can always ask Erin S. or I, we are LIKE experts! hahahahaha~~!!!

Peace out!

Mary Kay and the rest of the happenings...

It's all in the title...Davina and I started our very own Mary Kay business.... Can you hear the extatic sarcasm bleeding from my voice when I say we are SO EXCITED!  I am really not sure where this is going to go, but all we both know is that we need to get our money back...at the very least.  

It has been about three weeks since we have started and though we are frustrated with some aspects of the "business" we are excited about others.  The product is fantastic, if nothing else, I know that!  I started using their face wash and mositurizer and my face has never been softer. 

The best part about all of this, is that I have found a great teammate and it has put us both in the new mindset of starting our own business.  I think it is a ways off, but we are like stellar together.  With Davina's artistry and want for more than just Mary Kay and with my business b/g and want for more than just Mary Kay, we are dreaming up fantastic ideas and great business ideas that extend well beyond MK and into other areas.  Our end goal is to become event coordinators....WOW after 5 years of deciding I DID NOT want to be an event planner, I finally came full circle and am back on the boat, but in a whole different way.

This day in age, I understand more fully why so many people are looking more and more to the Small Business Owner route.  Both Aaron and I are working on our own Small Business Plans (for completely different businesses).  Now the trick will be to see who goes first or if we can accomplish this all at the same time...my guess is that one of us will have to go first.

Until next time (I will try to be better I promise) - Peace Out! haha

Oh, Sara, Sara, Sara!

Ok , so we all know Sara has two passions in life....reading and now baby Isabella...if you have already guessed where this is going, you are super in tune! hahaha! But if you haven't let me continue on....

Today my coworker comes in and was commenting on the Daily Darling Posts of Isabella Marie and then she calls me..."Hey Kristin, isn't the main character in the Twilight series named, 'Isabella Marie'?" Of course I wasn't sure so I Googled it! Well, well, well, what do you know her name IS Isabella Marie. Now you all know that Sara has in deed read ALL of the Twilight books, and probably in about three days time, and then she was having a baby girl and then her mom's middle names were Isabel and Marie So I am sure she was like "Sweet I can name my daughter after the book and everyone will just think that I named her after my mom and M-I-L!- No one will ever know!" Well Sara you have just been found out....but it IS a cute name never the less!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Peace Out!

Kristin

The Girls are in Canada and I am jealous!!

*Because I have received threatening voicemails from the the participants in these pictures, there identities have now been "removed"!- SO THERE. Now please keep sending me pictures of Isabella!!!!! 

Shauna and Heather are in Canada with Sara, Matt and baby Isa and I am jealous! I have no idea how I am going to wait two whole months to see this prescious child! I am itching to get my hands are her and watch her coo all day long...and of course say hi to sara and matt on my way to the baby! hahaha! She just looks so scerene, and calm and perfect. I even think she has red hair. The girls have promised to keep me updated everyday with pictures and matt is lathargically posting his new pictures every few days, so I guess that will help keep me contented.
I guess my real contintement will be hanging around with Erin T's little one, Emma. Which of course I don't mind at all. Emma and I had some face time last night. We laughed and smiled at each other it was wonderful. She is such a good baby and she too has some hints of red in her pelo. So it looks like we may have some more crazy red heads running around, two girls after my own heart....and hair. Stay tuned for more of my baby envy.

Peace out - Kristin

I'M PREGNANT!!!!

April Fools!

sorry that was mean. but I just had too!

ANOTHER BABY HAS ARRIVED!!!!

Well it's been a long time since I have posted on here, and for those of you who are still sticking with me I am so sorry! Things have been crazy!

The last posting was on the delivery of Erin T.'s baby girl Emma Grace. And I am proud to announce to you that this posting is on the delivery of another precious girl very close to our hearts!!

Sara L. had Isabella Marie at 12:50 am this morning! Weighing in at 7lbs 1oz and 20.5 inches long! Everyone is doing great, daddy says (...to me at 2 am this morning- whew!).
Daddy Matt is a Super Fantastic Photographer so I will have some more Super Fantastic Pictures up just as soon as I get a hold of them!!

This is the last of the babies for a while. Joslyn is expecting a girl in mid June and Rachael is expecting a baby in October...So more to come on those great new lives!

Love

Kristin

The Baby Has Arrived!!!

Little Emma Grace Taylor has arrived!  

She came to us on Tuesday, Febraury 17th around 6:30 pm!  She was 8lbs 2oz and 20" long.  Sean said Erin T. was "superwoman"!  I found out later just how much of a super woman she really was....she did it all without an epidural!!!!  I can't even imagine! Erin T. you are definitely a rockstar! We are so proud of you!!!!  Even her doctor was suprised to walk in and find that she did not have an epidural! woo hoo!  

Emma is doing great and so is mom and dad...maybe a little tired, but they are doing well!  

Emma is now a week old and just as cute as ever and we swear that she has Erin T's raspy little voice! Yes another voice like Erin's and mine, that is so awesome!! 

I was so honored to get to be one of the first people to see her!  The pictures below are of little Emma, just about an hour old, and a proud couple of grandpa's holding thier little granddaughter!  This is Ken's first grandbaby and John's third!   Congrats to all....next up Sara L.'s little girl.  No names yet, they will decide when she comes, some time in late march!  woo hoo! 

Chinese New Year

My company is owned by a Chinese man, so every year it is tradition to hold a Chinese New Year firecracker display on the first day of the Lunar New Year, in front of our business for goodluck.  This year we celebrated the year of the bull siginified by an image at the top of the firecracker string (hard to see, but it's there). To the left you can see the string of firecrackers going off. We are hoping that the Bull is a double good luck symbol to be significant of the market! haha! Below you will see a video of the fire cracker display and a couple other images I captured that afternoon.  It was loud, it was fun, and it was a free lunch!  

Tennis Anyone...

A week ago tuesday, Katie (sister) and I went to the SAP open in San Jose to watch some of the first rounds of men's singles.  The hotties Rodick and Hewitt were playing (seperate matches) so it was really nice eye candy.  I told Katie I was so excited to see Hewitt playing becuase I had the biggest crush on him in high School! Kris G. and I were big fans of his, and Jan Michael and Saffin.  Didn't know too much about Roddick at the time.  I think he was a new  comer when I was in HS. Anyway Rodick smoked some qualifier in the first set, and then the qualifier rallied in the second, but was beat in the tie breaker...Rodick pushed through, but turns out he didn't win the SAP like he did last year. He was eliminated in the semi-final. We didn't get to stay for all of Hewitt's match against MartyFish, but that's ok because I would have been depressed to stay and watch him get beat. MartyFish made it all the way to the final round and was eliminated by Stykov, or somehting like that *(I am way off on that name).  Never the less it was fun to be there and watch the match, get mad at bad calls, and just have a good time!

Lion-ess

Mom sent me this hysterical picture this evening. Our poor fluffy cat, was too fluffy (no her name is not fluffy, it's sierra) and I guess had way too many knots in her coat. She hates being brushed, so this is what she gets for being stubborn! hahahahah!!!! poor cat!

The Ballet...

Erin S. and I just got back from watching the SF Ballet's 1st Program of the season. It was a three piece ballet, each by a different choreographer and each with a very different feel. Our favorite of the three was called "diving into the lilacs". It was a more contemporary piece, set to classical sonata by Tchaikovsky. The movement was fluid and the extensions were amazing.
Being at the ballet is indescribable, the emotion it evokes and the motion that it puts to your feet. I felt like getting up and doing an arabesque as some parts.
The first performance was nice, fairly classical in nature, and upbeat at times. It really helped that I knew the music piece, written by non other than Beethoven. I guess all those A&E films are paying off! haha
The last one,was weird. The program read as follows "The structures of both score and ballet are based on the idea that different personality traits are associated with the body’s four humors—black bile, blood, phlegm, and yellow bile." All I could think of when I read this was, "what?!". I could see remnants of this, I guess...it was just a little weird though. Definitely evoked that 1940's ballet feel in which is was originally written for. Erin and I agreed on one thing here, we liked the classic black leo and pink tights. There is just something about that that says "Ballet" , not sure what it is though..... *wink wink* just kidding.
Anyway, we are very grateful to my boss who so gernerously gave us her tickets for the night. We had such a good time, and thank God the laughing woman wasn't back (right Jos?! hahah).
Now I have to do some work and go to bed...
Peace out!

American Idol...

...Well it's back again, and I am once again addicted and glued to the tv for the 10 weeks of auditions and then Hollywood week, and of course my office famous "Top 24" list, in which I very deliberately stamp out the faces of those people who get kicked off. My boss loves it! HAHA!
Anyway, I was searching amazon for their Daily Album Special to see what it was (Stevie Wonder...blehh) when I came across a plethora of past american idol contestants with new
album's out.

Brooke White (last season- mediocre steve nix-esque), David Cook (winner, and Robinson's hunky mand crush, and not a half bad album I am previewing it on amazon as I type), David Archuleta (runner up last year, teenbopper crap- yes I have his album...), Kelly Clarkson (season 1 winner- new song out- dance-y hit), and worst of all....SANJAYA (aka Sanjina- still terrible as ever- who gave him a record deal- baliwood?)!!! Not sure, why I am sharing this with you, but I thought that it might strike a chord with someone. hahaha!

Oh well, enjoy the next set of auditions tonight, I know Aaron and I will! hahah!

Prep'ing for Erin T

Can you believe that Erin T. is only 1 month away from her due date?! It is truly amazing how fast time flies. I feel like it was only a couple of months ago that she told us she was pregnant, and only a few weeks ago that we were talking about what we would do for her shower. Thanksgiving came and went, Christmas came and went, our planning meeting for the baby shower came and went, and now we are finally here, 1 day away from the big BABY SHOWER!
Of course, being in the business I see a lot of cool marketing, advertising and packaging ideas. That's where the "shake's" in the starbucks cups seen aside- filled with little clothing items and topped with tissue paper came from. I love this stuff!
I just have this like obsession with these dang clothes, and getting to pick out part of the baby's wardrobe for the next couple of years elates me (not to mention the rather generous discount that I get). I remember my cousin Jess' shower and the basket 'o' clothes I put together for her, it was like watching a kid at Christmas, and the joy it brought to her face and soul, and the utter and genuine appreciation she had for my gift brought a joy within me that was more than I can explain. I guess that it just reaffirms that one of my stronger love language's is Gifts of Giving.
Anyway, it all sounds so material, but if you know me, you know that it doesn't even come close to that. I am just looking forward to Erin's reaction; I hope she likes it.

...and sara- even though we don't get to have a "real" shower for/with you, I am well into your "gift basket".
Peace out yo!

And I'm Back- Whew!

So you probably thought I had dropped off the planet again! Well fear not I am still around. I have been procrastinating writing as I have been pooped out! I got sick just before new years with a CRAPPY cold that had me on the couch for three+ days (and you ask why couldn't I have writen then? Because I was WAY too busy being sick and watching 90210-original- from the very beginning- whoa Brandon that was some mullet you had!). Then I came back to work to a friendly meeting entitled "New Year New Changes" - we got an hour tacked on to our schedule- sucky! So The past week and half has been 7:30-4:45 and today I didn't get out of there until 5:10! Yuck!
Anyway, so here I am finally writing again, although I am being summoned to the table for dinner- Katie cooked tonight! YES my new excuse for staying out of the Kitchen! Here are some fun pics of Katie - my serving wench- cooking!

and their stockings were hung by the chiminey with cheer...

Merry Christmas again everyone. I just wanted to share this picture with you that my mom sent over from her living room in las cruces. She captured a great shot!
Just as a little update. Christmas was fantastic and less hectic than usual, bittersweetly we only had two houses to go to as mom and emery packed up at the beginning of last year and moved out to NM. Gifts were exchanged, cheer was had with Davina's super yummy gluwein (a traditional German mulled wine, kind of like our apple cider, but with alcohol!) and tummy's were full with our around-the-world feast!
Katie is now living up here as of the 23rd. and her room is STUFFED with her SD belongings! Dad said it is great except that he now has a THIRD full kitchen set (his, mine, and now katie's)....we are definitely having a garage sale - SOON!!!!
That's all, I am sick, woke up with a nasty sore throat and have been lying on the couch all morning, watching chick flicks and SNL best moments on "E!"
Erin S. and I are going out for dinner at our fav. Indian place and taking in the "Twilight" movie-finally! (she has already seen it). So I am trying to rest up so I am ready for a fun filled night! woo hoo!
Peace out!

Merry Christmas and much much more

(our christmas card)
Gosh I feel so bad. My friend Sara emailed and asked if I was doing alright, cuz she hadn't seen a post in a LONG time! I am so glad you all look SO forward to this. I promise to be a better girl and post more often. This time of year is always hard, becuase of all the events:
Kipp.'s annual make your own gift christmas exchange part (Dec. 13)
Wizard Party (Dec. 6)
Erin T, Sara, Heather, Katie, James, Andrew's Birthdays (Dec. 15-27)
Ok and much more, but I can't remember... Here some Key pictures of the happenings....OH and guess what?! I ate sushi! really! A Soy wrapped Galaxy roll from our local sushi place...Rock Band Party at our house with the peeps from Frisbee
Wisest Wizard Party @ nate's house (Jill and aaron in stiff competition)
Aaron's North Pole Digerydoo, made for the Kipp.'s annual homemade gift exchange
"twilight" ornaments that I made for the same party
...and finally justice eating tofu at erin T's birthday dinner

Sienna Clair you are my sunshine!

So my work started a blog! (www.blog.letop-usa.com) and we have this page called "Daily Darling". So today the lady who runs it put up a picture I submitted of Sienna Clair Schaefer, who is my Cousin, Jessi's baby girl! Oh my gosh she is soooooo cute! You must check this out!

http://blog.letop-usa.com/ Click on Daily Darling Tab - Top Right!

Peace!