Current Favorites

1)High School Musical 3.


Yup, I got sucked into the kitschy glitz. And it was so. much. fun. I had seen the first two movies on TV and thought they were harmless fun. When Chris and I decided to have a date night out at the movies, my (longsuffering) husband gamely agreed to sit through a, well, high-school musical. The current social and political climate,
coupled with a series of more serious netflix dramas, left me well-positioned to crave a movie about high schoolers who sing, don't swear, and dress in candy-colored costumes. We were some of the only over-7 crowd that didn't have kids in tow. My poor husband. As we approached the ticket window, he whispered, "would you mind making the order?" Disney really stepped up the production quality. This doesn't look like a made for TV movie that got lost on the way to the small screen. The choreography, film quality and actors all light up the big screen. The two leads really sell the movie. Zac Efron has grown up into quite the Mr. Coolio, but he performs without an ounce of self-awareness. You get no sense that he knows he's 'too cool' but will go along for the ride. It is all so in earnest, and I love that. If you're going to go for a clean, fairy-tale, high school song and dance extravaganza, you might as well go all the way. Honestly, I can recommend this movie. Heck, it's even 67% fresh on rotten tomatoes. That's a huge feat for a movie of this genre. I left with a huge smile on my face. Hope you will too. :)

2)No7 Cosmetics. By Boots. Sold at Target (let me count the ways...) Their cream blush is amazing. "Blossom" is my favorite color. It gives you an 'it's blustery outside' look. And their lip gloss is shiny without giving you that weird 'my lips are sticking together' thing. Each product retails for under ten bucks! I'm in love.




3)Disneyland






Whenever I go back to Disneyland, I wonder if it can possibly live up to my expectations. I have so many fond memories of this magical place, and I want it to continue delivering on its innocence and escapism. And it does. Every time. We smiled for 72-hours straight. Here's to parades and tinkerbell and chocolate-covered frozen bananas. And a quick return trip. ;)

4)First Birthdays
We celebrated Little E's first birthday with pink cupcakes, pink hats, and pink balloons. Our family came over to wish her well and deliver brightly-wrapped boxes. Eva got more frosting on her face than cupcake in her mouth, and enjoyed the balloons as much as anything else she received that day.

Doesn't she look really excited about that hat?




We sort-of had a cupcake theme going.


Ha! We made the poor girl wear TWO birthday hats!



5)Little Dorothy
With this little darling around, there's truly 'no place like home'.

Ruby Red Slippers, Take One.



Ruby Red Slippers, Take Two. (Plus a layering onesie for the change in weather between the ward trunk or treat and the holiday itself).



6)Grandparents
They babysit, they take us to Disneyland, they 'ooh and ahh' over milestones, and they give out more love than seems possible. Lucky, lucky us.

Papa with Eva in Oakland


Nana and Papa stroll Eva by the Bay


Grandma H*re and Eva


Napping with Grandpa H*re



7)"Pushing Daisies." I love this quirky show. Apparently it is in danger of cancellation, so please watch. You can get caught up at abc.com.

8)The Two Day Countdown to a cessation of automated election-day phone calls. 'Nuff said.

9)That I got to vote early (still waited an hour to do so).

10)My Little Corner of the World
My baby makes my life so much fuller and brighter.
My husband is so unselfish, fun, and good, no one would believe me if I told them.

Hiking at Wintergreen