Newport Beach

Our trip to Newport Beach was fantastic! We went with Jill & Kirt, well we met them there. We stayed at the Marriot Newport Coast Villas. We had some rain, and some cold, and some beautiful days. We did a LOT of relaxing and reading and sleeping and eating and shopping. Brit and Jess came for the last part of the trip and we spent a magical day at Disneyland! I love love LOVE Disneyland. It makes me feel like a kid again. It was so fantastical all decorated for Christmas and the CASTLE...need I say more! It was the perfect getaway vacation. I think James and I made up for our not-so-romantic anniversary! We had Christmas with the Petersens and it was so much fun! Check Britney's blog for more pictures! It was so much fun I can't wait to go back!

Update-y Matey

The past month has been way busy (and fun) for us. We have had a lot going on and I have decided not to blog about it all individually, because that would be too EASY...So, here we go...

Jan came to visit us a few weeks before Thanksgiving. It was so much fun to have her in our home. We relaxed, ate good food and played lots of games. We played a lot of Ticket to Ride, and James finally discovered his strategy, which made it more fun to play. It was great fun. We love you and miss you, Jan. Come back soon, please!

We went to AZ for Thanksgiving. It was so much fun to be with everyone. We all just hung out and enjoyed each others' company. James and I got to spend some time with Trac which was super fun. I miss Trac. Sometimes I want to switch out my current roommate for her again...just because we had so much fun living together. I miss all the good times!

See if you can spot poor Jenessa squashed under Brand...she is there!

Jan made a super cute fruit turkey. He was my favorite.

We went and had a RED SOFA PARTY with Britney and Jesse. It was so fun to meet him and hang out - he is a great guy and we had a great time laughing. Of course, the best part was the girl talk til the wee hours in the morning after he left...I'll never tell... :]

She's so HAPPY! I love it!

I put up our tree before we went to AZ so we could enjoy it when we came back. It is nothing exciting, but I am excited for next year when I can really decorate it. Stay tuned.

I failed to mention that most of us got the stomach flu that weekend. James and I both got it and spent two days miserable in bed. It was such a bummer to be sick a) not in the comfort of your own home, and b) to be missing out on family stuff. It was horrid and I don't want to talk about it anymore.

We had my dad over for his birthday last weekend. I made super yummy dinner and we sang and had candles despite his protests. It was a good time.

I made FROM SCRATCH, people - German chocolate (Girhadelli Chocolate, mind you) cake for my dad. It was so amazing, even James liked it. I was so proud of myself. The frosting was so delightful I wanted to put it as a topping on all my food.

Also, last weekend I took James to see Michael McLean's The Forgotten Carols. James had never been and he loved it! He is a huge Michael McLean fan, and James was so excited to meet him after the show.

I always love going to this show at the beginning of the Christmas season because it brings in the spirit and the true meaning of Christmas so strong into my heart. I love this season and the spirit of giving and love that is in the air. I know it is cliche, but I wish that we all could feel this every day of the year. I am thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ and all that he has made possible for us in this life. I love his message of Hope and Love, and I love Him!

Oh yeah, Lucy went to AZ with us and she loved it. She wishes you a Merry Christmas.

OOh yeah baby, Lovin' me some Endorphins!

I'm lovin the gym today. My workout was totally lame, mind you - hackin' a lung on the poor guy next to me, but I went, and I conquered. The other day, James told me that I was a conqueror. We are working on me believing good things about myself...SO while at the gym, I was telling myself "I am a conqueror!" Of what? Who knows, the phlegm in my lungs for all I care. The endorphins are worth it! Hey, maybe if I keep this up, I won't need those fake prescribed endorphins....the purple ones are so pretty!

365 Blissful days of marriage, and counting...

What is an anniversary? My idea has always been a blissful romantic holiday for the two sharing it, usually filled with lots of romance, tokens of love and affection, relaxation and time with one another, and lots of lingerie. Well, never having experienced an anniversary before - this is what I wanted, and I was going to make it happen...of course because In my various blog stalking adventures - I admit it! - I have read a many delightful tale about the anniversaries celebrated and the festivities in which the participants partook. I was not going to be left out of the ultra-cool-I envy your life because of your blog- crowd. I wanted to post a story that would make all other stalkers and non-alike that happen upon my blog to be envious of my fabulous holiday and be jealous of how much my husband and I are in love. BARF! Who am I kidding!? Seriously!? Who has a life that effing perfect? First of all, James and I are real, and our lives aren't perfect, and sometimes...things don't always work out as they are planned...Here is our anniversary story, in its real, raw form.

In the previous months leading up to our first anniversary, I had vast fantasies and plans of what it would be like...James and I taking off on a romantic getaway weekend to somewhere exotic, leaving our cellphones and dog behind only to be in each others' arms only to be interrupted by our indulgence in room service and spa treatments. Or, showering each other with unexpected gifts of high sparkle and great value (get my drift?) and then taking off on our romantic rendezvous. While all of these ideas have been joyously swirling in my head, James and I had talked many times about our anniversary "plans." While I am wise enough to know that spending thousands on our anniversary just before the holidays isn't so great for our budget, we decided on something more simple. (So we can take that great trip in December...) So, we decided he would take the day off and we would dedicate our day to one another, spend time with each other - eat good food, enjoy each others' company, and go shopping for something for our house - something that will always remind us of our first anniversary and how we spent it together. To be completely honest, I was 100% happy with that idea. I am a simple girl who likes to make things complicated sometimes, but for the most part, I am easily pleased. So, we decided to have dinner at the same restaurant we did on our first date - The Melting Pot - the night before, so we would have all of the next day (our anniversary) together. This was our plan. THIS WAS OUR PLAN....

The whole week leading up to our anniversary, I decided to get a disease which kept me in bed for two days straight, and has kept me congested, coughing, dim, and slow ever since. I was saving all of my energy for that fateful day when we could celebrate our nuptials. The day came, and James woke up with a back injury of sorts. A completely debilitating muscle cramp that took all of the life out of him. He popped some pills and we headed off to dinner - determined to have a good time. We did have a good time. We enjoyed our meal thoroughly, we laughed, we reminisced about the past year and all we learned and loved. I was having a good hair night, which I was particularly proud of (thank you, Marie!) and James, well, he couldn't drive because he can't move so well, he walked funny and stooped over to minimize his pain, and he looked like he was in excruciating pain, as you can see from the pictures. We still had a great time...my favorite part was when we sang Christmas carols on the way home.

As you can see, we did enjoy our meal...it was amazing, as always!

James was sure that he would be able to sleep off his pain and we would be good to go in the morning. WELLL...that didn't happen. But he gets points for trying. James woke up in greater pain and me - well, I was hacking up a lung left and right. We both decided to make the best of it and move forward with our plans. We had breakfast - mostly in silence, due to both of us not feeling well and trying not to bite one another's head off. Then we headed up to Salt Lake to see the Body Worlds exhibit which I have been wanting to see since it was in Phoenix a year and a half ago. We went through that and then decided that it was time to go home. I could tell James was in so much pain. I felt really bad for him, but he insisted that he was fine. Well, Mr. Grumpy pants, "fine" is my word. I invented "fine." I understand the language and meaning of "fine," and let me tell you "fine" does not mean that you are ok, great, hunky dory, or peachy keen. "Fine" means "shut up and stop asking me how I am...I am not fine, I am not ok, and I want to punch you in the teeth." So, we're driving down the freeway, James upset at me for Googling on my phone while driving, but I had to find a chiropractor that could fix this mess. Fortunately, the one I called was able to get us in. We raced to Provo, and into the Dr.'s Office. James at this point was really not "fine" with being there, because had I listened before...he was "FINE" and didn't need to see a doctor. I didn't care. I was in control. This was our perfect romantic togetherness lovey dovey day and I was going to fix it! I was going to make it right...and he was not going to be hurt anymore so we could continue or celebration of our love. Well we spent the next four hours in the Dr.'s Office, and most of my time was spent looking at this:

James with electrodes and ice on his back. The people at this office were super nice. Freakishly nice. They were so nice I think they were on some sort of drug. Whatever it was, I want some, STAT. We finished up after another hour of physical therapy and were on our way home. Tired, sore, hacking, congested, snotty, and bummed...we headed home. Maybe tomorrow will be better? Nope. Both of us were laid up - me, sick as a dog - him, still unable to move. Today, being Monday, I look back on it all and now am able to laugh. Yes, I realized something very important that fateful day: It doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing, but if you love the person you are with, it will always be fun. Now, not that any of this was necessarily fun, but there isn't anyone I would rather have done it with than James. He is the best man in the world - the best man for me, and no romantic getaway or gift can ever change that or make it more true. I don't need all of that extravagance to say "I love you." He knows it, and I know it. That is what matters. So, I wouldn't say our anniversary was horrible, it was just normal. Things like this happen every day and it just happened to be on our day. No big deal. Next year there better be a damn parade in our honor!

Mapleton, Ya'll!

Yep, you read right. We are officially Mapletonites, or Mapletonians, or, as we like to call it, country folk. Now that we are out here (like how I use the term 'out here' because we are SO far away from civilization) in south Utah County, we can officially say things like "ya'll" and I can sit in the middle seat in James' truck when we go for a ride, cause that's what a lady does. Us city folk are gettin used to the quiet chirp of crickets and the neigh of horses round these parts...(we really have neighing horses) and reckon we'll settle here for quite a while. Ok, really its not that bad, but it is a little slower and quieter here. In case you haven't picked it up, James and I purchased a HOME in Mapleton just over a month ago. Ok, so a lot of you have been bugging me, and I know since a lot of you are far far away and can't come see it for yourselves, I have decided to post pictures of our new house! It all happened super fast and I feel like I am just now getting my bearings. I have hesitated for a long time to post pictures because it's kinda scary lettin' all the world in on your happy little home. I have not even begun to decorate - yet I have done with what I have right now...so don't judge me. Our home is in a new development - we are currently one of two new homes - soon to be six or seven, so there isn't much but dirt around us. It is 3 bedroom 2 bath, on a .25 acre lot. We have a huge unfinished basement. So far, we are loving having our own place. We are so excited for all of the projects that it has brought along - James is particularly excited about putting in the yard next spring. Our neighbors are awesome - everyone in our new ward has been great. We are so glad to be here and make a home for ourselves! Please come visit, stop by if you're in town, and know that there is always a room for ya'll.

Here is the front of our home.

Great room

Great room / kitchen

Formal living room

Hallway back to bedrooms, laundry/garage & baths

Basement

We have gorgeous mountain views from every window in the house. This is the back porch view

View from the front porch

View from the front porch looking east.

Week in review.... And my rookie post.

This is my fist blog attempt EVER,,,,, Make fun. I DARE YOU :)
So we went to Thanksgiving Point last week...
The night started with so mild heart attack at the scary haunted scary dinosaur ( not pictured ) Cuz I don't get scared and he was dumb anyway :)
then it was of to the races,,, Duck races that is and well me with my lucky hat well you know the out come.... Rick was a worthy opponent but hey you cant beat me when I have my lucky hat on.

Next the girls wanted picture time.. why you ask.. well their girls so we have learned to just not ask... and click the camera. They look cute though don't they.

Then Hayden needed some slide time but got camera shy,,,,
Too much paparazzi I guess.

Then we had to get in Santa chair and just relax for a bit,,,,,
Believe it or not the chair was way comfortable,,,,,

After a Crash on a hay bail and some hot cocoa it was off the dinosaur museum.
How do you like our rendition of Animal Farm :)

Here is April and her pearly Whites....

Back to my roots,,,, give me a spear and a rock and I'm good to go.

Did you really think you would gt out of here with out seeing our doggie.

And this concludes the first annual broadcast of don't laugh at my blogging....

Happy Birthday Baby!

Today is James' Birthday! I did a James post a while back about how amazing he is. I still feel that way and more. Click here to read it. Jill also posted about him today. I love this post! It makes me so happy that my family loves him as much as they do. Click here to read it. There are so many things about James that I absolutely adore! These may be silly things, but I find them endearing - like his love for cheesy (I mean cheesy) 80's and 90's music...but he gets so excited about it. He is very appreciative of everything that is done for him. He is thankful for the smallest things such as laundry, a hot meal, or giving him the last bite of ice cream. I love how dedicated he is to his spirituality and his callings. He has my best interests always in mind, and is always looking to the future with a brightness of hope. James is thoughtful, and wise. He has been through a lot and always has great advice to give. He is very optimistic and always looking to serve someone else! I love this day because it is an opportunity to celebrate such an incredible man! MY man, to be exact! He is the best in all he does...he is my best friend, the perfect companion, my HERO! I love you JAMES! Hope your um, er, 29th (yes, that's it!) Birthday is the best ever!

Update, Ya'll!

It's time for an update, ya'll! So much has been going on...SO much to update on, who knows if I'll get through it. We had a Webster family reunion in September in Lakeside, AZ. It was a lot of fun. It was great to be with everyone and eat good food and laugh and hold babies and look at the babies and talk about the babies and feed the babies...and Oh, yeah...

James, my ultra sexy baby holding husband beat Benson in croquet - which many gruelling matches commenced over the weekend, but this one in particular resulted in Benson running in his underwear...Classic Webster, Ya'll!

What is that strange figure running in the woods?

We are excited to make this an annual event. My family is the best, like, seriously - you are jealous because, either A) you aren't them, or B) because they aren't your family - actually, if you know them at all, then you know that you ARE family because we just roll like that.

What's with the Moccasins, Dave?

This one is DELICIOUS, just like his twin brother!

Also in September, our friends Becca & Levi moved to London for a year for grad school. We will miss them very much! Becca and I have been friends since we were 10 years old. I'm so glad she converted to Blogism. If she has time to update her blog with her super busy-foreign-school-doctor becoming-PhD-gonna save the world-super smarty pants life, then there is no reason why I can't start posting on a regular basis. Even if they are super lame posts about Lucy and her newest haircut, RIGHT?!

I made it as small as I could, Becca! Love you!

Blog Neglect!

I'm bad. I'm really bad. But, whatever. I'm updating now...so all three of you that read this blog can be updated on the not-so-exciting life of the Attanasios. HA HA. I actually started this update about mid-August, and it is my mission to get up to date today. I don't know what I wrote - so forgive me if it sounds lame, it will just have to do.

Where to begin? July was filled with preparations for Girl's Camp. For those of you who don't know, I am in the Young Women's presidency in my ward. I haven't been to girls camp in over ten years. I was looking forward to it, but stressing out about all the preparations. I was proud of myself for being as prepared as I was, and I was actually able to go to bed at 10:30 p.m. the night before camp. (That means I wasn't up all night scrambling to be ready at the last minute - a HUGE first for me.) We left for camp on Tuesday, July 22. Why does that date sound so familiar? It was my birthday of course! My darling husband took me to breakfast and gave me a fabulous gift that morning. He knows my unecessary need to carry my world on my shoulder, and he got me a gorgeous handbag! It is brown and has silver embellishments everywhere and a big long strap and the cutest interior. I love it!

Girls Camp was a lot of fun. I had to leave a few days early to travel to Wyoming for the Clegg family reunion. Surprisingly, I didn't want to go home. I had such a great time bonding with the girls and the leaders. They were so much fun, and treated me like a princess on my birthday. I have never had that many birthday songs in my life! I am really glad that I was able to go and have that experience. It brought back so many memories from when I was a girl. It is a great opportunity for the girls and they love it.

I came home from camp Thursday afternoon and we left on Friday morning for Wyoming. We had family stay at our house overnight as a halfway point on Thursday night. We had Aunt Jenny, Jan, Seeta, Judy, Kenzie, Benson, and Courtney all stay. It was so much fun to have them here. We love having family in our home - it makes for more exciting life. We left late Friday morning for Wyoming, and after a few wrong turns - ha ha - we made it to the reunion. We stayed at this little place called the Wolfden Inn in Thayne, Wyoming. We were in these little cabins. James and I and Jenny shared one side of the 'Buffalo Bungalo' with Jill, Kirt & Britney. It was a cute little place. There was a little picnic area and a corral with buffalos in it right outside our door. We had the traditional parade at the reunion. They put Seeta in the golf cart with her accordion and she led the way. I will let the pictures speak for themselves on this one. I dressed up as Abe Lincoln. We went and stayed in Park City with the Petersen's for a couple days and celebrated my birthday. It was really fun and relaxing. I miss them so much...

Jand & Seeta stayed with us for a few days after that and it was a lot of fun having them in our home. We really have enjoyed our summer having family here and spending time with everyone. It has been a party!

August...what happened...?! It came, and it went. There wasn't anything too exciting that happened. We kind of recuperated from the past few weeks of going non-stop. We became completely obsessed with the olympics and tivoed every night and stayed up super late watching it all. We loved Michael Phelps, and hated the judges in the gymnastics. I freaked out seeing the men on the pommell horse...something about that just doesn't look right. James wants our children to be Olympians now...I want them to actually have a life, so we'll see how that turns out.

Throughout the summer the garden has been fabulous. The zucchinis keep getting bigger - like baseball bats - and there are so many tomatoes. If anyone wants some tomatoes, let me know. We have way too many to eat!

We are now into September...Labor Day weekend was rainy and lazy for us. We enjoyed the weather completely and watched movies and slept in. It was great. We are looking forward to some cooler weather and oh yes...Football season has started! The Giants are playing tomorrow night. Big news for us! James' work schedule changed from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 and later p.m. to 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. We are normal! I do miss our long mornings with yummy breakfasts, but I am loving the time we have together in the evenings now. He usually wasn't getting home before 9 before, so it is super nice to have time together in the evenings. Lucy likes it too. Lucy update? She is the same...just more furry. She is eating everything in sight, and barking ALL the time. She is our baby though, and we love her. She likes to go to the park and is getting used to meeting other dogs. OK - I'm blogging about my dog...get a life!

James and I are happy though. I can say now that we are definitely settled into married life and we love it. I promise promise promise there will be more exciting updates in the very near future!