June 2008 Archives

Two years ago today I stood on a beach at sunset and married my dream girl. It's hard to believe we've already been married that long! At the same time, it seems like we've done an awful lot in these two years. We got a puppy, got some major projects done around the house, traveled half way around the world, and even managed to have a little baby along the way.

Tonight Charlotte and I will go camping in the mountains, leaving baby Sophie behind for the first time. Last year, we came up with the idea to spend the night of our anniversary somewhere other than our bed at home. I'm looking forward to sharing an evening together and celebrating. Other holidays are a lot of fun: birthdays, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, etc. But I feel more like celebrating our anniversary more than any of the others. After all, I really didn't have much to do with myself being born, I wasn't at the first Thanksgiving, and I am not a signer of the Declaration of Independence. But I did have something to do with Charlotte and me getting married.

I love the life we have made together and feel like I do a pretty good job of being thankful every day. But tonight... we celebrate!

Our friends Kevin and Marjorie invited us on a road trip to Moab, Utah. They were planning on going out there to celebrate their 5 year anniversary and thought it might be nice for our families to go out there together. They have a 17 month old daughter, Camryn, so it was fun to get the girls together. We've taken several trips with those guys over the years (Vegas, Sante Fe, camping) but this was the first one we all took as 'parents.'

We took separate cars and just met up at the Gonzo Inn in downtown Moab. Scott and I were excited to take Sophie and the Element on their first road trip! Sophie was amazing and slept most of the way. When she was awake she just played with her toys and made happy little squealing sounds. Most of our time in Moab was spent lounging by the pool and in the pool, out at restaurants, and napping. We did get to go for a little mini hike and try out the new baby backpack that we got from our neighbors. Scott wore it and Sophie loved the scenery from such an elevated viewpoint. We took some nice pictures and got to enjoy nature.

Overall, a fantastic weekend and thanks so much to the Noleens for inviting us!

It has been two weeks since I sold my Mini. I was waiting to post an entry about it until I got a picture of the new car, a Honda Element. When I got the Mini I knew I would probably only be able to drive it for a year or two, since we were considering starting a family (actually I found out I was pregnant a week after I got it). It was my dream car, though, and I had to have it!

A few months ago we were doing our finances (taking a new look at things since I haven't been working) and I decided it was time to sell the Mini and get something that was more practical and would decrease our monthly payments significantly. Hence, the Honda Element!

Yes, I was sad to see the Mini go - but it went to a good owner, another designer who seemed excited about the car (when he contacted me later, he said his wife was trying to take it over, she too fell in love with it). But... oh how I love the new Element. It's big, spacious, a smooth ride and I just love how I can throw anything and everything back there, whether I need it or not - the stroller, the car seat, the Baby Bjorn, the diaper bag, camera backpack, blanket, tent, whatever! Not to mention the interior is made of rubber or something that can literally be hosed out when the kiddies make a mess. Not to mention, for an SUV it gets pretty decent gas mileage (25 miles per gallon).