Office Project #1

 Slowly but surely I am going to get our office space totally redone.  There are hopes of painting this weekend and many many more diy projects to do but over the last few days I tackled the organizing of everything. 

I made sure to label everything...even the baskets.  For these I took wood butterflies and covered them in cute paper and then tied them with my favorite pink and white striped twine.

 

I tried to make sure everything had a place and that everything looked cute enough to leave out and see.  I'm more likely to use things when they are out and look nice.



I also took some time to cover the plain white cardboard magazine boxes with paper and then add metal label holders and again more labels.  I love how it all truned out.  It makes me want to make a million things and do a million projects. I think I am a sucker for the organization part of stuff. I love doing it.  It's the keeping it that way that's hard for me.

Thinking about painting this room with gray and white stripes.  Thoughts?  Tips?  Any pro painters out there who want to help?

I love this kind of stuff.  I wish I had time to do it all the time.

A Quilt for my Sweet Nephew AJ

 Normally I do a quilt for a niece or nephew and give it to them on their blessing day but since I didn't get to be there AJ's blessing I waited.  My spontaneous trip to DC was mostly to see my sister and her little boy.  It's been to long for me and getting to cuddle (as much as this little guy does...which is hardly at all) him up in this blanket was such a treat for me. 

 Being far from family gets really hard and making these little baby quilts for them is so important to me. I may fall behind (especially since I now have 6 new babies coming soon) but I do it because I love them and because I want them to know that. 

This is not a very good picture to let you see the whole thing but it gives you an idea.  I forgot my special pen to write on this tag I attached but it'll be there when get to see my AJ again.

AJ you are too cute.  Such a little man now and so lucky to have my sister as your mommy.  Thanks for letting me fall in love with you again.  You may be far fra away from me but I'll always be there for you.  Hugs forever! 

Sister Time in DC

 Mark occasionally takes trips to Washington DC on business and since my sister Emily now lives there I asked if I could come too.  It worked out perfectly with my mom already being here and extending her trip for a few days and then having really sweet friends take them for the last day.  mark and I took the long trip there on a Sunday and then Emily came in for a few days (she lives 2 hours away).  We played and walked and ate and played some more and learned so much from what DC has to offer.

This is my favorite monument.  I love the size and the feel of this place.  On both walls to each side of him there are speeches engraved in the stone walls. 

One of my favorite moments was sitting on the steps of the Lincoln monument with AJ soaking up the morning sunshine.  The weather was perfect for our two day adventure.

The other thing I really enjoyed doing was taking pictures of the architecture and the look and feel of this historical city.  Everything is so beautiful and well kept.

This was another part of a monument that I really enjoyed seeing.  Emily and I spent some time in the Holocaust museum learning about and trying to grasp the things that happened during WW II and after reading the hiding place and studying about this time I was touched by this wall and the amount of American people who gave their lives protecting and serving. The picture below explains the wall.

We spent a lot of time experiencing the parts of DC that people come to see and then we went off to find what the people who live there love to see and do.

One of them was the food.  There were so many choices and everything looked so good. Plus we got to eat outside and enjoy the SUNSHINE!!!  I am convinced that anything tastes good when you get to eat it picnic style.

In Mark's honor we even ate out of food trucks(he loves food truck food).  They were lined up on a busy street outside of the metro and serving lines of locals. It was pretty tasty and I was sad my husband wasn't with me.  He would have gone crazy and tried everything there.

Our final destination was the famous Georgetown Cupcake Shop.  This place is always busy and normally has lines out the door but we just happened to drop in at just the right time because we hardly had to wait at all.  We each bought 6 of them knowing we needed a bite of each one.  They were so good.   My favorite by far was a strawberry chocolate molten cupcake with fresh strawberry frosting.  SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD!!!

AJ even got in on the action...

A slightly grumpy traveler became completely content after his special treat.

The cupcake place was on this amazing street and was lined with blocks and blocks of amazing "Jenni" style stores.  If only I had brought 4 more empty suitcases with me.  I could have spent days there.  Everything was so pretty and so so sooo like I like it. :)

I went nuts when we entered this cute market with perfectly labeled foods and delicate pastries and fine chocolates.  If we hadn't been stuffed with sweets already I would have been fine gaining 10 pounds in this place.  It was so inspiring seeing it all and I felt like I could make anything on food network if I had this place next door in Covington.

My favorite find was a pinterest pin I had found a long time ago.  It was in a West Elm store on the favorite street and since it was my favorite color and it was nesting measuring cups (which I love) I bought it and brought it home to remind me of a new favorite place.

It was sad to say goodbye to my sister and her cutie.  We use to be around each other every day in collage and hanging out with reminded me of how much fun we can have. Emily- I already miss you like crazy.  I may have to come back soon.  There has to be so much more we can go see and do. 

Thanks for a neat getaway and for all of the fun memories.

The Long Awaited and Highly Anticipated Itzhak Perlman Concert

 I bought tickets for this a long time ago...like last year long time ago and a few weeks ago it finally came.  To hear the"best violinist in the world" with my mom and my sister was such a treat.  He has been an idol of mine since I was tiny and watching him play and interact with the audience over the years has been really inspiring. When I found out he was coming to play with the Seattle Symphony I jumped online and grabbed just one ticket.  After i told my mom I had to grab another because she was coming!!!  Then Audrey and Matt bought tickets and then the Teeples and Josh Weed bought some.  Suddenly there was a group to go with and it couldn't have come sooner.

 My family traveled from Utah and got here just in time to leave for dinner at Wild Ginger in Bellevue.  After some seriously amazing food we made our way in the Teeple's van to Benaroya Hall.  We found our seats and waited.

 He came out slowly, slower then he has in the past, with his crutches.  For those who don't know he had polio when he was a child and since then has not been able to use his legs.  He sits to play and everybody loves him.  He was given a standing ovation before he even played anote...and every time he turned towards the audience everyone would stand and clap.  He's older now and not as exact about his playing but his spirit is still there and his ability to move people is still a huge part of him.  He played one piece (4 seasons) and then conducted the rest of the night.  If only I had been given that opportunity to play in that symphony orchestra.  What a neat, life changing experience for them. 

 It was a very special evening with the people I care about most.  They all love music and they all love him.  I'[ll never forget this.



I'm so glad you all came with me.  Until next time right?

Overalls, Big Bangs and Bunko

I hosted a Bunko night at my house a little bit ago and decided to mix things up a little bit.  I asked them to bring their yearbooks and dress like they did in high school and the provided music, treats from our past and prizes we would have loved back in the day. The night was hilarious.  Some of the highlights were: 

Dancing and singing Boyz II Men at the top of our lungs...

 Dumping Pop rocks into our mouth and then adding soda to the mix...

Laurels secret love obsession with her bangs...she even admitted she would still wear them this way if she could get away with it.



The 3D yearbook owned by the cheerleader...

Big League Chew Bubble blowing contest...



 Tami's secret love obsession with her overalls...she still does wear these.

Actually playing very little bunko...



 Noticing that some of us have not even changed...

Just hanging out and being 17 again.  Thanks ladies!  You always make me laugh!

This Is What Our Valentine's Day Looked Like...

Plus 5 hours of solo violin playing at an Italian Restaurant here in town followed by a surprise ice cream sundae prepared by my valentine.  Oh and some flowers.  I love loving my family.