And, at last...

JANUARY

I'm almost caught up here!

I'm gonna get most of January done in this post, so, enjoy the length of it. Just bask in it! Cuz now I'm going to really try to stay caught up.

Bread Making (first coupla weeks)

Lately, Brad and I have been very serious bread makers. And we have perfected the amazing rosemary bread you get at some Italian restaurants. You dip the bread in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and pepper, and oh my stars, it is truly the best discovery (food-wise) we have made together. And I think it has now been made 3 times in our little kitchen. That's a lot of bread for 2 people, just saying.

This is the rosemary bread. Oh, it's so beautiful to look at.

This is it, pulled out of the oven, ready to be devoured. And yes, we did eat both loaves. Not in one day though, promise.

Brad's never looked so happy...

I just look ravishing in my PJ's and with my mouth full of food, don't I?

Beach Day! and Tillamook (January 14th)

Maybe not all of you know this, but Brad proposed to me after a beach day and a little trip to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. He drove me 14 hours (from Utah) up to the Oregon Coast because he knows how much I love the ocean, and that my favorite ice cream is Udderly Chocolate, from Tillamook. Anyway, we decided to do it again, (this time without the proposal and 14 hour drive), and we had a blast. You may not believe me, but the weather was actually better this trip than that first one.

We finished the day off at a little tavern of sorts. Whoops. We drove 12 miles up the coast to in search of a restaurant, only to find it closed when we got there. So, we did what we could. Ended up being ok food. I mean, anything is if you fry it, right?

Here we are at the beach! A place Brad went camping as a kid. It was pretty cold, attempting to rain, a little foggy, and beautifully gray. Sorry the picture is a little crooked.

Brad throwing rocks. I never really got into that. But he's pretty good at it. Dodges the waves and everything.

I really just wanted the view in this one. It always looks better in person, but it was a pretty beach. Surprisingly, there were other people there. They weren't speaking English, so maybe it was there one chance to see the Oregon Coast before going back home after vacation.

Or maybe they just really like the beach.

Brad as a cow.

So glad ice cream is our exception to the no treat rule. Ya can't waste a whole year in Oregon not eating their famous ice cream. Simply isn't logical. If you look closely, you can see Brad's shoulder angel talking on her cell phone.

Here's the Pub and Eatery. I got fish'n'chips, and Bradley got shrimp. We shared a cup of clam chowder. It wasn't bad. And it was the one pub in this tiny town, so it was kinda fun watching people come in, everyone knowing each other by name.

Decorating (This past week we finished)

Brad got me a gift certificate to Tai Pan for Christmas, and I kinda went crazy. My walls have been totally bare up until now, so this was such a fun surprise for me. Tell me what you think!

Just a little mirror. I like it. Simple.

Picture hanger with picture frames. I actually picked out some pictures to go in them this week, and Brad put them in, so we have pictures on the wall! So exciting.

I don't know, I just really liked the idea of putting a little baby plant in a bird cage. I'm assuming you're supposed to put in a candle or something, but I thought this looked kinda cool. Our very first plant together! (it's fake)

I. LOVE. THIS. CLOCK. 'Nuff said.

Brad picked this out himself for a gift for me. I "love" it! I think he has good taste.

Ice skating (January 21st)

Yesterday (yes, yesterday! I'm officially caught up, hooray!!) we went ice skating. We met a couple of other couples, each with one child, and just skated around for a couple of hours. It was so cold! I couldn't believe how freezing I was. And both Brad and I hadn't been skating for a LONG time. Needless to say, we were a little bit wobbly at first. Then, as we inched away from the wall, and gained more and more confidence, we had a race! I totally won. But, I think Brad may have done it on purpose so he could come up from behind me to scare me. So rude.

Us on the rink. Notice, we are not hanging on for dear life...

So far, I'd say 2012 has been a great year. I'm working away at the OB/GYN office Monday thru Friday, and Brad goes to school/studies all the time. We are enjoying each other and our family around here. And missing our loved ones that are far away.

New Years

And Resolutions...

Those of you who know Brad know he's sorta big into resolutions. Every December is very intense, and many conversations begin with, "So, what're we gonna do next year? We hafta think of something!" And what is implied with "something," is "something harder than last year." Which, at the end of all the gluttony the Holidays bring on, seems completely logical, and even desirable... until you pinky swear the year away.

I thought I'd share SOME of the things we are doing, simply because it helps me stay on track. Some are personal, but some need all the cheering on they can get.

Here goes...

Physical health goals include avoiding desserts other than ice cream excepting holidays and birthdays. (I know, RIGHT?? I'm crazy! You all know I love me some chocolate! Or some pie. Or some CHOCOLATE PIE. Oh, man.) Also, no soda (that's more for Brad, cuz I don't really drink it anyway.) And I'm- drumroll, please- training for a marathon to take place July 4th. I know you're all thinking that's the worst time of year to run, mid-summer. But listen, it was like the only marathon not on a Sunday, and I'm gonna need all the help I can get from the Man Upstairs. Plus, I think it's quite flat, and quite close. Anyway. I'm very excited, and very nervous.

Also, one very important factor in choosing this marathon was the fact that you get strawberry shortcake served to you as you cross the finish line. Um, yes please. I'll run 26.2 miles for that!

Spiritual health goals are pretty personal, but I will say, Family Home Evening is my favorite one!

Let's see...Emotional health. I really can't say that I made any goals about my emotions. Mostly because I'd rather not take responsibility for them. Just kidding. I guess I didn't want to go any further than where I had already gone, goals-wise, because I'm already thinking I'm crazy.

I should prolly make Intellectual health goals, but let's be honest. I'm about as quick as they come. Any errors you may find in this post were put there on purpose. But actually, I suppose part of my intellectual health is my determination to blog once a week. I enjoy writing, and I think it's good for me. I'm not like my sisters, who went to college in English and journalism, so I don't have very high expectations. However, I DO feel like I'm at least making my brain work more then if I were to just watch TV or something.

Ok, also, FYI, I have nothing against drinking pop or eating treats. I just wanted to see if I could do it!

HAPPY 2012!

The most wonderful time of the year. (December)

Christmas.

I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday, because even if you do the same things over and over each year, it is still exciting and magical! This was our first Christmas, and it was wonderful.

We decided not to get a tree at first, because we would be spending the holiday in Utah. But, we had to have at least a little baby tree, so that's what we got. Most beautiful tree I ever did see, if I do say so myself.

We also had lovely stockings that Bradley pretty much picked out. They were stuffed full of fun little things, because we were extra good this year. Not a speck of coal.

Brad went to Utah earlier than I did so he could work and earn monies on his 1 month break from school. This is what happens to nurses at night...

I had to stay and work up here in Oregon, but was able to take a week off and spend time with my family, Brad's Dad and uncles and aunts, and some friends.

Lots of fun. May you have a Merry Christmas. (next year, I guess...)

Three month pic (November 27th)

This is just us, 3 months in!

The big two eight (November 18-19th)

Brad is too good to me, in case I haven't made that abundantly clear. I mean, how many husbands celebrate the birth of their wife two days in a row?? Mine does. And how many husbands give their wife a surprise party two years in row?? Mine does. He's just the bestest.

Aw. Isn't he sweet? My Blue Eyes.

Bradley, on the morning of my birthday, woke up early and made me a little "breakfast algorithm," so I could choose exactly what I wanted for breakfast.

Here it is!

For the evening, the plan was to go out to dinner together and then go ice skating. We went to dinner, which was a-MAZE-ing. It was just at a little Thai bistro, but the food was so good, I immediately began craving it once we walked out the door. I had yellow curry, which was a great choice. Once we were done, we called the skating rink, and they said they had a hockey game going that night. Wah wah. So, instead, Brad took me shopping to get me a birthday present of my choice. I chose make-up, which he thought was lame because I would buy it anyway, but what he doesn't know, is that I would have put it off, and felt WAY more guilty buying it, so it was the BEST birthday present. I think after that we went home...It's been awhile, I can't really remember.

The next day, we did the normal Saturday stuff. We had planned on going bowling with some friends that evening at 6:00, and right at 5:55 or so (5 minutes after we should have left), Brad up and goes to the little boys room in our apartment. Thinking it would only take a couple of minutes, I didn't worry. Ten minutes later, we were late, and Brad still hadn't come out of the watercloset. Oh man, how embarrassing to be late! I kept reminding him we needed to go, trying to be considerate of whatever GI upset must be going on, until finally he came out and was ready to go.

When we got to the bowling ally, our friends were there, but rather than buying a game and getting our shoes, they suggested we go straight to the lane they already had. When I got there, a whole crowd of people were there to celebrate my birthday!!! With my favorite cake and ice cream. SURPRISE!!!

I guess Brad really wasn't having too much trouble in the bathroom after all. He just needed to organize the last minute details without me questioning what he was doing.

There are 28 candles on that cake. It's the yummy, fudgy, rich, delicious chocolate cake from Costco. So good. And, in case you're wondering, no. I did not blow out all the candles.

Some friends from our ward, Devon and Mari-Michelle

Kirsten and Paxton, also from the ward

Kirsten's husband, Greg.

Kimmy, Brad's sister, my sister-in-law.

Nedra and Todd, Brad's mom and her hubby. They got me a way cute scarf.

Grant, our nephew.

His sister, our niece, Eliza.

Their baby sister, Amelia. And half the cake (on her face).

Ava and Mckenzie, their older sister, and my sister-in-law.

Brother-in-law, Todd. He was in the middle of getting a strike.

Ash, my sister-in-law. Ash, Kim, and Kenzie got me some running pants. I love 'em! They keep my legs nice and warm when its freezing out.

It was a great party. We had a blast together. I'm so glad to have these peeps around!

Girls weekend! (First weekend of November, 2011)

Two of my very best girlfriends from high school came to Portland to visit me, and we had a blast! Well, I did. I'm assuming they had an ok time, cuz we are already planning out next one.

They did some of the Portland stuff while I was at work on Friday, and brought me a doughnut from Voodoo's. I will not mention the name here, as this is a family friendly forum, however, it was pretty funny. We then went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner, and then came home and chatted with Modern Family playing in the background.

On Saturday we went to a Holiday Food and Gift Fest, which was fun. I almost bought a little santa, and regret that I didn't. We DID get some pepper jelly though, which was fun. We then just drove on some pretty roads, almost did a craft, and chatted. Then, that night we decided to go bowling. I think I didn't even break 60. I was TERRIBLE! But we had a good time.

Sunday we went to see the beautiful Multnomah Falls, and sadly, they had to say goodbye. It was fun. I sure like those gals!

Ashley, Me, and Kristin with our bowling balls. I really needed the bumpers.

This is Brad's contribution, actually. This picture was taken around the same time, and overlooking some of the same territory we drove through on our scenic drive. Brad took this from his phone while riding the gondola to OHSU.

Ashley, Me, and Kristin on the trail to the falls.

I thought this was kind of a quaint little trail.

Ash asked for this picture of mossy trees. I forgot how that isn't necessarily something people see every day. In fact, it's unlikely, unless you live in a damp area like this.

Beautiful. And breathtaking in person.

Such a good weekend. If anyone wants to come visit, I will show you an equally good time. Just let me know.

Two Months (October 27th)

This is us on our big TWO MONTH ANNIVERSARY (October 27th). You know how some people take a picture of their new child each month for the first year, to track their growth? Yeah...I guess that's what I'm doing here.

Actually, I really did want to post this back then, because it had been the best 2 months of my life, and but by now, it has been the best 4 months of my life. Love you, Bradley!

Ketchup (October 23rd-31st)

I've been a slacker when it comes to blogging. I think everyone goes through it, so I feel no shame. Only a little regret. Let's get crackin'.

Kruger's pumpkin patch update:

This apple was from the farm we went to. It was enormous. Maybe there is something to buying organic? What do you think, Dad? Anyway, mostly just fun pics that I wanted to add in.

Here, Brad looks like he's going to have a heart attack or something.

It's actually kinda hard to tell how big that sucker was from these pictures, but seriously. Be impressed. I was.

Halloween.

I've never really been into Halloween, to be perfectly honest. Most often my halloween costumes (at least, since my mom stopped making them), have been last second, throw-something-together-quick-before-I'm-late-for-that-party type costumes. Example: in high school my friends and I threw trash bags over our clothes, and we were "white trash."

This Halloween was no different, despite high hopes of it being otherwise. I don't even KNOW what I was (sorcerer/witch?), I just really wanted to wear some orange and black striped tights.

Brad was LITERALLY a last second costume, as in, we were already late when we were throwing his together. Can you guess what he was? Yup. The Iron Chef. Clever, eh?

But we had fun. We went to the ward Trunk-or-Treat and potluck where we got that professional pic (our first!), but ended up ditching out before all the handing out of candy because our nieces and nephew invited us to a Halloween party at their house. They had food, and treats, and games, and lots of fun.

Then, on Monday, we got to carve pumpkins. I love carving pumpkins, but I never knew how necessary those little $5 kits with all the different tools are for making a splendid jack-o-lantern. We made do with what we had, as it was already Halloween when we began the artistic process of carving squash.

This is how it all began. Here are our beautiful, locally grown, and carefully picked by us, pumpkins. Newspapers from coupon Wednesday cover the table. There are some old decorative candles we used instead of tea lights. And I have a knife and spoon.

The proper angle is absolutely necessary in carving the lid.

Brad scooping out the gizzards of the punkin.

I did a self-portrait.

So did Brad...

We're so cute.

We gave out ONE treat. All night long. One. Brad gave the rest to the undergraduate nursing students, who promptly gobbled them up. :)

It was a fun little holiday, and the perfect first Halloween as a married couple.