simply sweet: January 2012

While I may have stopped blogging in June, I didn't stop having a life....I wanted to post my top 10 moments of last year. 2011 was a great year to me, for my friends, my family and all of my relationships. So, without further ado my top 10 of 2011!

#10. Road trip to Southern California
In June, we were still having less than desirable weather. I wanted to bust out of this weather, and enjoy a warm time off. So, Alan and I road tripped, visited some friends, went to the beach, locked our keys in the car, and stayed in some awesome places!

#9. Railroad Revival Tour with Mumford & Sons
It'd been a while since I'd been to a concert, so what's better than seeing an amazing band, at an amazing place. A port in Oakland with incredible views of San Francisco! Besides the hipsters that hate to share, the show was great! One of the best shows I've ever been to in fact.

#8. Finding out my Brother is having a Son. Honestly, I thought my brother would never have kids. But, last year, he found himself a great job for Chico State, and is engaged to a perfect girl. So, last September, he announced (quietly) that he and her were pregnant, and then 1 week before Christmas announced he's having a boy. I'm so excited...beyond excited...I can't wait to see my brother be a father. I already love my nephew so much.

#7.Visiting home so much! I made it a goal to go home at least 6 times last year. Since I moved to Napa, I really wanted to focus on living here, making friends here, and not rely on my comfort blanket of home. I think I did a really good job at that, but it's true what they say, Home is Where the Heart is...and while I love it in Napa, as I've said before, Chico and Paradise will always be my first home. Being Homesick can literally paralyze you, and I hated feeling that way. There is good in being balanced. So, I got to go home a lot this year. Sometimes they were long visits sometimes they were just two days, and once it was just a few hours. It helped me appreciate Napa, and Chico, and all the relationships I have between the two.

#6 Reuniting with my mom. If you have known me long enough, you'd know me and my Mom have never had the best of relationships. Stemming back from when my parents divorced, we've always had a rough go of it. I love my Mom, but some things in our relationship make me shy away from forming a close relationship with her. Last year (2010), her and I stopped talking. It was partially my choice, and there were days I regretted it, but it's what I needed to do for my own sanity. Anyway, back in February, her and I met at Nash's in Chico, with my brother and with his fiance. And it was so nice to visit, walk through Downtown, and catch up.

#5 Moving. Most people would say they hate moving, normally I would too. But not this time. This time, it was out of a crazy household and into OUR apartment. Waking up with Alan here, entertaining, cooking together, just being together...it's everything I could have asked for.

#4 Skydiving. I don't even think I need to write a description. Hello, it's SkyDiving! Awesome. It was for my brothers 27th birthday, and I'm so glad we did it. Sometimes, I catch myself thinking to myself...what was I thinking, and then there are some times I think to myself..."you're a bad ass". One thing on my bucket list I can cross off.....but that doesn't mean I never want to do it again!

#3 My Birthday. 29...I sure don't feel like a 29 year old, or at least I don't feel like what I thought a 29 year old would feel like when I was young. I always thought by now I'd be married...happily. With 3 kids, all with names starting with E's. But as we all know, our life planning can only be carried out so much. That doesn't mean I don't love the life I am living. I have amazing friends, gosh, I have a great job. I may not have kids, but I can't imagine my life any other way right now. My 29th birthday was spent with friends in Chico, and my brother. Dancing, and appreciating what I have instead of what I don't have. 29 is good.

#2. Thanksgiving. Some people just look at it as another day. Maybe another day to stuff your face and call it justifiable. But, to me it really was a day to give Thanks. I haven't had a Thanksgiving in 3 years! I have had to work every time. But not this year. And, I got to spend it with Alan and his family. I'm so lucky to be a part of his family. His mother is a great cook, and knows how to entertain. I couldn't have asked for a better day. Dance party in the kitchen, helping in the kitchen, and eating a beautiful feast.

helping in the Kitchen!

#1. The decision to adopt Ruby! There are a lot of memorable moments from 2011, most of the ones I listed were spent with someone else, which means even more. This is no exception. When I decided I wanted a dog, it was a choice that I had to consider with someone else. Alan was really on board with this idea, and I knew once he bonded with her, he'd be in love with her. Life is so much better when you are sharing it with someone else, and when you make great decisions with that person too. I love Ruby so much, and the fact that we got her together makes her even more special.

Wide Open Spaces

Alan & I left for Vegas! We made a last minute decision to drive out to visit his brother, SIL and their new daughter. Plus, I've only been out there once for her baby shower, and thought it would be fun! So, instead of paying an arm and a leg for plane tickets, we decided to drive. I got off of work and we hopped in the car and head South. Of course, driving down I-5 at night is so rivetting I could barely keep my eyes open. We took turns driving 2 1/2 hours on, 2 1/2 hours off. Good, Good. It worked perfectly. I drove us into Vegas, it's always so huge on screen, but honestly if you blink you kind of, miss the entire strip driving by. I couldn't wait to crawl into bed! But, I couldn't wait to get out of bed 3 hours later to meet Alan's Niece. She's one of the cutest babies I've ever laid eyes on, and watching her and her parents is seriously priceless!

6 week old HK

after bath, cuddly and sweet

I could go on and on of our visiting time, but I won't, pictures can speak volumes....I really wanted to have a night out on the strip, never have done that before, so we did that. It was so fun, the energy before New Years was so incredibly amazing. People were just so full of excitement, a New Year approaching, on Vacation...warm, beautiful weather...even at night...it was great.

The Sugar Factory

So, after a Mani-Pedi afternoon, that the SIL needed and was so thankful for we headed out to the strip, and got all dressed up. We had dinner at Yellow-tail Sushi, and went dancing, we re-visited the Sugar Factory. I think I am in Love with Vegas. Or maybe it's Lust...whatever it is, I get super excited when I see it all lit up. Late (Vegas nights) usually aren't my thing, but I didn't mind this time.

What I wore and it was warm too

The Bellagio

Dance like no one is watching! Billie Jean

face shot

While Las Vegas at night is fun, during the day is/was just as great! This time it was just me and him and we walked the strip, walked in the Forum Shops, took pictures, watched the fountains at the Bellagio, and ate lunch at Margaritaville. I have the best time with Alan, and with his family.

Like all vacations they have to come to an end, but it was hard this time. Seeing Alan with his brother, and his super cute Niece, it was such a pleasant time. But, it was time to head back, it was NYE after all. Off we went, into the desert it felt like forever till we got home, but the desert, the wide open spaces, the Red Rocks...so beautiful. We got home at 11:30, just in time for a quick shower, a toast of champagne and a kiss at midnight...then, we passed out. 2012 here we come!!

I'll leave you with pictures, I can't wait to go back this Summer.