You Know Those "Just Because" Date Nights?

I like those.


Yogurtland (Coconut/Pistachio/Peppermint are my favorite-sounds like a weird mix, but so good!)


and a trip to Barnes & Noble. All in all relaxing and so much fun to hang out and talk (away from all Stuart's books).

A Visit North

In the short time we've lived here in San Diego we have been a courier service back and forth for family members living in both places with Christmas presents and birthday presents and goodies and... well you get the idea. Yesterday we went to visit my great-grandma up in Huntington Beach and deliver some belated Christmas presents. Stuart didn't want to be in the picture, but gladly took it. I just love her.

For LJ

My good friend Lauren recreated some prints for me a couple months ago and I finally hung them. She told me I had to post a picture of the room when I did, so here it is. (Basically the whole color scheme of my living room is thanks to her.) I love them so much, thank you Lauren!

If You're Anything Like Me

Then your favorite moisturizer is Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizer. I got this email sent to me. Yes, I am on Sephora's email list, don't judge. But they're selling the big bottles everywhere right now (ie Nordstrom-apparently my definition of everywhere. But most likely everywhere Clinique is sold). SUCH a good deal. Go get it!

Our Birthdays

Warning: Long post

Stuart's was on New Year's Day and we celebrated in Arizona with a "make your own pizza" party on New Year's Eve. He and his best friend Skyler are only a day apart so we had a joint party. Someone attacked the cake before they could blow out their candles, but I think they still got their wishes. Thanks for taking the picture Jenny!


Then on his actual birthday we all (Stuart's family) went to see Avatar. I want to see it again. LOVED it.


We also had a joint party at my parents' house before we had to head back to San Diego. My mom has always made my birthday cakes and this time she made this gorgeous "Buttermilk Coconut Cherry Cake". Oh my gosh it was so good!


My birthday was yesterday. (I also share a birthday with my Mother-in-Law, so Happy Birthday Abby!) We hadn't really had a lot of time for just us in the last few weeks so we went to dinner just the two of us at Mama Testa's. It was featured on "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" and has the BEST fish tacos!


After that we went to Extraordinary Desserts. I've talked about this place before. It is so yummy! I could not decide between 2 items so we got an amazing Strawberry Shortcake and a Cheesecake Brownie. We could only eat half of each but that's ok.


For those of you who know me well, you know that I have had a hard time with my birthday since I turned 19. I may have stumbled upon a breakthrough. Every birthday since I turned 19 was spent in the FREEZING Utah weather. Yesterday I ENJOYED my birthday. Novel concept I know. But I'm thinking that this picture might be the perfect example of why. Open shoes in winter? I guess liking my birthday depends entirely upon my location and whether or not it is warm. I was not bred for snow.


Then after dinner and dessert we went to see Blind Side. How I have waited this long to see this movie is beyond me. Can you tell that we're movie people? I feel like I am always talking about them.


Happy birthday to us!

Bachelor-Will It Fly?

Wait, was that a pun about being a pilot? or flying? or both? am I a stewardess?

Oh my gosh. I might not continue to watch this year. It was PAINFUL!

Our Two Week Break in Arizona

Stuart's finals ended on December 18th and we decided to head home to Arizona for 2 weeks (I've condensed the pictures so there is not a 25 picture post). Before we left though, we had our own little Christmas. Stuart has a brand new wardrobe and I am the proud new owner of a Canon Rebel. Yes!
I have a picture of the whole group making our Christmas plates at "As You Wish" (not pictured: Abby, Sarah, Kate, Emily, Stephanie) but I have been forbidden to post it. So I guess it is just for me. I am allowed to post the picture of me and Ashton though. So here it is. Such a fun Christmas activity! Thank you Abby!

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents' house (minus Scott on his mission-hence the Super Man "S" signs that we're making in the bottom right picture) and it is always fun to see my dad's side of the family.

Christmas Day was spent at the Petersons' and we received our Christmas Eve pajamas courtesy of Emily bringing them back from BYU-Idaho after her semester there and our cute initial shirts from Abby & Scott.
We went to the temple lights with my mom's side of the family the day or so after Christmas. I will do that every year from now on! No crowds. It was fantastic. The lights were just as pretty.

And of course, the annual Iron Chef competition. Secret Ingredients: Pure Maple Syrup and/or peppers. We made Bell Pepper/Jalapeno/Corn stuffed Pork Loin with a Maple Glaze and a Pear/Feta Salad with Maple Vinaigrette. It was so yummy! But we were beat by Sarah and Ryan. I cannot remember the name of their dish, but it was a spicy pork medallions and the butternut squash recipe from Barefoot Contessa's Back to Basics. Really really good.

We also got to go out to dinner with friends that we don't get to see very often (Salus's, Scurrs and Nielsens) and shop and eat at our favorite AZ spots and shop and sleep in and shop... It was really the best 2 weeks. We're so happy that we were able to go home and see our families. Thank you for such a wonderful Christmas!

Happy Birthday Stuart and Happy 2010!

Stuart is 25! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you best friend. Here's to 25 more!


Also... So long 2009, you were good to us. We are looking forward to 2010!