when the family gets together

So who do I thank for the heat wave over here in Virginia? When we came home last night from Phoenix at 9pm, our house was 71*. That's after 4 days of having the heat off. It's B-E-A-UTIFUL over here. But Phoenix was pretty lovely itself.

Evelyn was WONDERFUL on the flight over. We were super nervous because in addition to the 5 hour flight, we sat ON the plane for an hhoooouuurr before take off. Oh my, that was the longest hour ever. But Evelyn was such a trooper. We spent 4 days in Phoenix celebrating Jared's grandfather's birthday. It was good to be with family and to be able to pass Ev off every now and then. I think Uncle Travis was her favorite. Evelyn has two girl cousins that are all within 18 months of each other, so it was fun to see them interact. We even went out on a date for 90 minutes. Gasp! We've only gone out without her 3 times and she's always been left with family. But we made it through and I guess she cried a good majority of the time, so I don't see any more date nights in our near future. Oh well, I was happy to kiss that teary face when we came home and it was very nice of grandma to watch her!

We had two things on our agenda while we were out West: 1} In-n-out and 2} mexican food. We hit up our burger joint within 4 hours of landing. So delish! I used to mock those who raved about in-n-out but now that it's no where in sight - You don't know what you've got til it's gone, right? Ah, and mexican food! To taste the authentic tortilla smothered in enchilada sauce and cheese filled with high carb beans, rice, sour cream, and guac was priceless. I also got my first pedicure with all the Oakden ladies. I've had a manicure, like, maybe 4 times but never a pedicure. It was amazing! I never knew pretty feet could make me feel more confident, but it does?? 

Well, we said our goodbyes. It's always hard when you don't know when you will see each other again, especially with us being so far away, but the great thing is that when we came home to Va we felt AT HOME. That is significant, considering we've only been here for 4 months.

weekend

Perfection. That would be the word to describe this past weekend. Oh, I don't think my little soul has ever been happier. I dare say that my heart "grinched-up" this weekend and grew three sizes. How is it possible that my love for my little family continues to soar leaps and bounds? We didn't do anything extraordinary yet it all just seemed so magical. Friday night we threw together our first little fire after Ev went to bed. See our feet warming up there by the flames? Yeah, it was awesome. Oh, and I finally found THE chocolate chip cookie recipe. Like, "I have never tasted anything better and I can't believe I made it, we should sell these for $5 a piece" recipe. Saturday Jared had to work so Ev and I spent the majority of the morning in my bed snuggling to keep warm under the covers. I was tossing everything I could in the bed to keep her entertained {i.e. empty toilet paper roll, hanger, chapstick} so we didn't have to get out. It was fa-reezzing in our house. Our Saturday evening was spent in bed at 9pm playing Words with Friends. Sunday morning we again had family play time in bed for a good hour. I guess our bed is the place to be :) Ev ate a banana whole for the first time. 

Last night I interrupted Jared's reading and sat on his lap where I remained for half an hour talking about life. We mostly talked about our baby girl. And each other. We haven't had such a "slow" weekend in a long time. I loved it.

**Ev gets comments from people all the time out in public about her smiley happy face. She is super happy. Lately I've also been getting comments about her hair, or lack thereof. Well, I did find one strand today that is 1.5 in long. We're hoping that will replicate times a million in the near future :)

Fall.

It has arrived.

Adios

It's been 1 day shy of a week now that all of our belongings were loaded up on to a moving truck and hauled away. The apartment where we spent our first 2 1/2 years of marriage is now barren. It was harder on both of us than we anticipated. We both had our fair share of tears leaving the city and people we have come to love so so dearly.

Now we're soaking up family time in Clovis while our stuff is being transported. Ev is receiving more adoration than Santa Claus on Christmas morning. Anytime, anywhere she has someone ready to smile, coo, tickle or hug her. This is good. We've kept ourselves busy by lounging poolside, riding trains, wakeboarding and visiting our favorite Fresno foodspots [i.e. Arsenio's, Pearl Tea House, Red Robin, Rocky Mountain and mom's homemade cookin]. We had our second date night ever without Ev. We saw "Captain America" and walked around Edwards like we would when we were 15. On the drive back I even lifted up the armrest so I could cuddle up to my JO like back in the dating days. Remember those times when you so secretly wished for a handhold all the way home? Life was good.

So while we've left our beachside home, we haven't fully made our plunge in to the unknown and reality has yet to hit. To make sure we never forget our time in Santa Monica, I had my fabulous friend Amy take our family pictures on the most iconic landmark - the Pier. I fell in love with the pictures and all that they captured. Thanks Amy for giving my family this little piece to always take with us!

Vacation Storyboard

While traveling with a baby is the MOST exhausting undertaking, we'd do it again in a heartbeat.

We kinda fell in love with Salt Lake.

If SLC ever relocates to outside of Utah, we'll move there lickity-split :)

dad, dad, daddy-o

It was December of 2007 when I placed Jared's senior picture on my best friend's bed and left a note "I'm going to make beautiful children with this man someday." At the time Jared was on his mission in Mexico. I was in my senior year of college and getting ready to leave for London. We hadn't dated since Junior year of high school, yet I just knew he was the man I wanted to mix my genes with. He makes for one great father. Ev has him wrapped around her finger. Happy 1st Fathers Day!

I am also grateful this day for my loving father and for Jared's father who have both been so influential in our lives and have made us the caliber of people we are today. We both scored great dads!

we've got company!

Well, like I said, we had family in town this last week and it was blast. My parents took a little getaway trip to Chicago, so my younger brother and sister came to stay with us for the week. We made sure to keep them busy with LA sightseeing - Griffith observatory, Skirball museum, Hollywood, Getty Villa. We also couldn't pass up the opportunity to introduce them to The Griddle! We bought 6 pancakes for 4 people and we each took home leftovers for the next morning! 

Touring around LA again made me realize how much I am going to miss this busy place.

Tomorrow is Father's Day - Jared's first as a dad. Tomorrow is also the day I stop eating junk like a mad person and get back on my healthy kick. Having company always gets me sidetracked.

I've also been crafty lately. I finished a project over a week ago, but due to above circumstances I've been too lazy to blog about it. But pictures have been taken and perhaps will be the main subject of my next post. I like how it turned out.

Famfare Friday

I've decided that every Friday I will devote a post to family, particularly my family.

Because I had a rockin' childhood.

The pictures will prove it.

Ready? Let's start from the beginning.

Ok, so I don't remember anything from when I was a baby, but see!

With parents like that I'm pretty positive I had a great infancy.

Particularly because my dad was sporting a mustache.

And the fact that I had such a round face. I was a wellfed little gal.

My life gets more interesting as the years go on, don't worry.

Until the next Famfare Friday....

[my parents didn't know I was going to post this. But they look swell, dont they?]

Finger Lickin

This weekend we met up with my family in San Marcos where my sister and her husband reside. There were 2 objectives this weekend. My family's objective: smother the baby as much as possible. The Oakden objective: get down with some serious rib action. So both familial needs were satisfied at 

Phil's BBQ. Phil's has been the key to Jared's heart for quite some time, so we had to share with my fam.

Also, our cute little turtle is really getting good at holding up her head. That makes me proud and sad at the same time!

I'm too bored to update.

So all you're getting is pictures. I'm too tired to write.

Looks like we had fun, no? And this isn't even Christmas! This was the week before. Jared's parents are serving a mission on Temple Square for Church Security, so we got the "underground tunnels" tour. I will also mention that we partook of Kneaders French Toast, which may have been the highlight of the trip for me.

Give the Thanks

I think these pictures best showcase what I am grateful for this year. My photography skills. Wait, that would be a haaayy-no. I'm still learning this whole SLR camera thing. But the photographs do capture what I hold most dear, my family.  Being the oldest of 5, I have quite an attachment to the youngin's. It's hard to believe we are all growing up. My oldest younger brother is serving a mission in Colombia, hence his table setting being occupied by his framed picture.

My family does the tradition of saying 3 things you are thankful for before we feast, which pretty much turns into a testimony meeting. So I'm not going to re-preach my three things here, but rather highlight the little things that seemed too secular to be emphasized at the family fireside/dinner table:

1. A good pen. I have like 5 favorite pens that I whip out depending on what kind of paper I'm writing on.

2. The fact that when I inch forward in my car 3 inches, the other car behind me does the same.

It's a fun game I play with myself when I'm bored on the drive.

3. Dawn dish soap. It gets out EVERY stain. Just soak it on there for 10 min and wash it out.

4. My new found love for yams. Plain yams, not candied. They are like dessert.

5. Forever 21 cheap EVERYTHING. I can achieve a JCrew look in $30 rather than $330.

6. The color Gold. It makes my hair look blonde rather than brassy

7. Movie quotes. I think about 90% of what comes out of my mouth isn't an original thought of mine at all, but rather a movie quote that is most relatable to the situation at hand.

8. The show Modern Family. My brother had never seen an episode, so dedicated many hours over the break to its cleverness.

Although those are trivial things, they do make life a little better. 

I had much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season.  I am in awe at how blessed Jared and I have been, and we know it is not by our own fortune. 

Gratitude is a wonderful blessing.

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

Thomas Monson

Deal

My fam came down this last weekend to get one last hoo-rah in before the boy leaves us. Although we just had Saturday together, it was good quality time. Emerson, you will be missed.

Ok, so I'm hear to share a deal with you all. If you have not taken part in restaurants.com, you really should take advantage. I didn't think the website was real, but let me assure you that all deals are legit. So basically, you can buy a gift card to a restaurant in your area for cheap. Like a $25 gift card for $10, so you're saving $15. Not bad. But the website constantly has promotions like the one we picked up on - a $25 gift card for $2. Yes, $2! We bought 5 gift cards for the value of $125 for $10! That's a steal. And we've already used 3 coupons here, here and here! On Friday we hit up Bread and Porridge, and it was a fantastic meal, where i carried out leftovers and our $43 bill came to $18 [including tip!]. So seriously, check it out. If you type in the promo code FALL right now, you will receive the $25 for $2 deal. Try it!

A Trip Down South

We spent Labor Day amongst the San Diegan's with my sister and her husband. We enjoyed the newly renovated Mormon Battalion as well as Old Town. We had our first try at cinnamon and strawberry tortillas and fulfilled our stomachs with rock candy prior to our big lunch at Phil's BBQ. Until next time, you stay classy San Diego!

When you wish upon a star...

your wish doesn't come true. That's why I have a husband. I've caught the photography dream! I've been so enamored lately by the creativity that photography allows, so last Monday Jared agreed that I could purchase a digital slr camera from Craigslist! I'm so thrilled about this up and coming hobby of mine. You know what this means, local Santa Monicans [ok, primarily SM 1st ward]? I may be looking for your voluntary services so I can experiment on you or your precious child/ren! Come on, it'll be fun! Completely gratis until I can get a handle on this whole thing. Think about it.

The past two weekends we've been on the road with family. We spent a weekend beach camping in San Clemente with Jared's fam, which was a well-lived adventure with no pictorial evidence. I don't know why I neglected my camera that whole weekend :( Last Thursday we made our back up to Fresno. Jared had a nephew get baptized and my brother went through the temple in preparation for his mission, so it was quite the weekend of ordinances for us.

While on visitation with my family, my siblings were practically begging me to make a video with them. Once they realized how cool it was to be on film on the Oakden blog, they seized the opportunity and insisted we make a music video. [or maybe it was me doing the soliciting to them to make the video] Either way, it was a great way to spend a hot 100 degree afternoon. in the backyard. with 2 adults, 2 teenagers and a 10 year old.

Alot of this happened this past weekend

Where most people fear the damage of the sun's rays and frantically re-apply sunscreen every 30 minutes, I lather myself up with pure baby oil and enjoy my sun-kissed skin.

Much happened over this great memorial weekend, but let's keep it brief

partied hardy on Friday for JO's 24th!
gourmet hamburgers at THE COUNTER
redboxed New Moon
beach action
laundry
hamburger bbq with family
reboxed Monsters vs Aliens
CHURCH
made German Chocolate Cake
ate German Chocolate Cake
watched EXPELLED with friends
Hollywood with sister and bro-in-law
beach action
Abbot's pizza
mariachi band for friend's going away party
GRE study time
EXHAUSTED

Also, Jared and I are at a loss of what to do on Thursday nights, now that Community, The Office and 30 ROCK have ended their seasons.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

In high school I denied any notion that I was like my mother. In fact, I wrote a little book/diary that I entitled “All I need to know about parenting I learned when I was younger.” I wrote down all the good and bad that I saw in my parents, mostly in an effort to convince myself that I was wiser in my teenage years than they were was parents [scoff!]. In college I gained a greater appreciation for my mother, but still kept my distance from the thought that she and I could have similarities. Married life has COMPLETELY ANNIHILATED all previous efforts to disjoint myself from my mother. I now embrace the fact that I am destined to be like her. It’s rather odd the things that I have carried with me from mom:

1. I do not run the disposal with hot water because you told me it damages the rotary.

2. The first big purchase Jared and I made was for a sewing machine, so that I could emulate all the customized pillows and drapes that you so conveniently manufactured growing up.

3. I too have a binder for all my “how to’s” and dream projects.

4. I never iron my clothes after they come out of the wash.

5. I have treasured “THE BIG COOKIE” recipe and make it my trademark wherever I go.

6. I favor white dinner plates and bowls over multi-colored. White is classy.

7. I thought your favorite color was despicable when I was a child – who’s favorite color is black?! I, too, am now a fan of the dark side, mostly because wearing black makes me look skinny.

8. My greatest request on our wedding registry was a Kitchen-aid. Jared thought that was absurd because he never grew up with a mixer and I was requesting the top of the line. I learn from the best!

9. I know what a lemon meringue pie is and how to peak the frosting.

10. I know that I should always sift the flour [even though I don’t] and pack the brown sugar.

11. I use lotion to take off my eye make-up, not make-up remover. Jared thinks that’s crazy.

12. I never buy shaving cream because I was taught that soap does the job just as well.

13. I LOVE BALSALMIC VINEGAR. I used to think you were crazy for having a salad for lunch everyday drenched in the bitter dressing and pouring white vinegar in your water. Now I can’t wait for lunch time so I can sit at my desk and indulge in the tingling vinaigrette and work up a sweat. Why does balsamic vinegar make you sweat, by the way?

14. I love teaching.

15. I love this country.

16. I have a soft spot for Roger and Hammerstein movies. I loved when the movie catalog would come in the mail and you would let us pick a VHS to buy every so often.

17. I always serve dinner on placemats or a tablecloth, with napkins on the table, the knife and spoon on the right and fork on the left.

18. I wash our stainless steel pots and pans with Barkeepers Friend.

19. Our liquid dish soap is kept on the counter in wine bottle.

20. I now know why you savor your Michaels and JoAnn’s 40% coupons.

21. I live for basking in the sun’s rays [although probably still not as much as you]

While there are many more to name, I am glad that in these small ways I am like you. Thank you Mother!

Happy Mothers Day!

No Title.

So this morning Jared asked me what i was going to have for breakfast. My first response: Scrambled eggs with a protein shake and banana. OOO... wait, that might be too much protein. So I changed my answer. I told him scrambled eggs with a 1/4 slice bagel and a banana. NNooppee. That sounded good, but not as good as a shake and banana. Hmm. So I asked Jared what I should have. I think he answered me by saying get down the toaster. So I did. I guess that meant that I was going to have the bagel with eggs and no protein shake. Part of me was sad that I wasn't going to have my shake. The other part of me was glad that I was going to eat a carb for breakfast. For a moment I battled it out in my head. Until I realized that it was just breakfast. What a dimwit. I can make HUGE decisions with the greatest ease and confidence, but the most minute things I struggle with. Like this past weekend, Jared asked if we should take the toll road. After thinking about it for a moment, I reasoned that no we shouldn't. That is, until we approached the toll, my mind blurted out for him to take the toll road and he jetted across 6 lanes to make the on-ramp. I think I make his life a headache sometimes.

Since the last post: Jared and I met with a recruiter from a possible grad school in London. It's just a POSSIBILITY and we're not putting all of our eggs in that basket, but... come on - 3 cheers for LONDON! Jared's finishing up his junior year here in the next 2 weeks, so we're preparing for the GRE and a slew of grad school apps to start in the fall. I'm excited, to say the least! 95% of the schools we're looking at are located on the east coast. I've been dreaming of weekend trips to NYC, fall trips to the Appalachian hillsides to go apple picking and spending the 4th of July in the heart of America. Nostalgic for Virginia, can you tell? So I guess what I'm trying to say is I'll be happy anywhere!... so long as its New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachussetts, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Carolinas, Georgia OR London.

But in the mean time, we're living the life of a SoCalifornian. This past weekend my family came down for my cousin's farewell. I'm glad that both our families live relatively close. I think my favorite part of this weekend was my father's confession - the other day Jared posted on his facebook "I'm excited to get some pazookie tonight!" I don't know where my dad's mind was, but his first thought was, "oh, is that what kids call it these days?!" No dad, kids dont call "it" a pazookie, THIS is what we call a pazookie. Us and 2 other couples downed it in no time. It felt good.

Oh, and this weekend we were introduced to FRICKLES!! Frickles are probably our new favorite thing. They're fried dill pickle slices. MMMmmm it's the perfect combo of salty and deep fried!