Sarah: Big Year

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

I took an unintentional leave of absence from the blog for the holidays I guess. It certainly wasn't planned, but I'm glad it happened. It was nice to just take a break and focus on on the holidays, my husband, & our families. 

For both Christmas & New Years Eve, we just chilled out at home. Everything was low-key, lovely, & perfect.

2011 was a big year:

I made a commitment to take care of my body & followed through on it//I finished up my degree & graduated college//I helped Kels pack up her stuff & move to Uganda//I ran my first 5k//I watched as my sister gave birth to my first niece, Luisa//My husband lost his job & we made a really big decision//Frank & I traveled to Uganda & I met my in-laws for the first time! And I love them//I saw the source of the Nile//My womb was blessed by one of my husband's aunties//We packed up our cars & moved across the country//We almost moved into our cars while living in San Diego//I became an official Californian//I had a big personal revelation//I got new glasses//Kelsey & Denis came to the US//Kels & Deno got engaged//

I think 2012 is going to be an even bigger year. Bring it on.

Kelsey: Wedding Help

I have literally planned nothing weddingish. And I intend to put that off for as long as I can because planning sucks! I hate to plan anything! Even a wedding! I thought maybe I would get engaged and then I would suddenly love to plan a wedding. Stupid. I don't. I can't wait to marry Denis. I could skip the wedding part... unless someone else will plan it. Eh Sarah?

What I don't understand is this, because I was born with a uterus I should posses the skills to plan an event for hundreds of people? What? I do not. I posses the skills to bear children, event planning is not included in that package. (Our wedding will not have hundreds of people, but I'm just saying).

I do possess the skills to decorate.

So I am focusing on that part.

And I could use help.

I went to Sephora the other day (cards on the table I have been to like Sephora 3 times in the past month). They have these beautiful giant white and gold paper flowers in their windows for Christmas.

So pretty right? So after Christmas they give some to employees who want them and the rest they throw away! And I want them! But I will be gone for the whole week after Christmas which is when they say they are taking them down. Plus I am guessing I would need to get some from like 12 Sephora stores. So if you live near Sephora and will be around on the 26th would you collect some paper flowers for me?

Email me if you score flowers!

Thanks friends!

Sarah: Oldies but Goodies

Look what I came across today! These pictures of Kels & I were taken by my good friend Margaret. She took them for her photography class my junior year (so about 3 years ago--wow! three years?! time flies...).

Look at Gordon! That picture captures him so well as a kitten who was incredibly playful, curious, & loved water. These photos were taken during the 9 month period Kels & I lived together & shared a room. Really, where our friendship was cemented. This is where we first got Gordon, battled a crazy roommate, & discovered our kindred spirits. As you can see, things have changed since then. Kels went to Uganda that January (and met Denis & is now engaged!), I got engaged that March & married in August, we both graduated college, Kels moved short/long term to UG, I moved to San Diego...I'm thankful to have these photos to look back & remember these times. Thanks, Marge.

Oh! By the way, Happy December! I love this time of year. I've been listening to Christmas music nonstop : )

Kelsey: A week in instagram

Really its more like a couple weeks. So we arrived and we were all yay America! And then I got malaria. And then I got better and then we got engaged, yay engaged, and then I got bronchitis. Denis has been extremely patient with me being sick for like 3 weeks straight. He has been busy learning to drive on the right side of the road. Tonight we cooked Ugandan food for American family, made me so homesick for Uganda.

Flowers are still in bloom! We arrived early enough in the fall to see the colors. I love the colors! When we first arrived and were landing in Newark the forests were completely red. It was beautiful.

Hello beautiful backyard. Do you want us to play soccer on you?

Family photo fun.

There we go, everyone looking the right way except for Will.

We made a spur of the moment one day road trip to Michigan and got to see Stef!

Guys. You might think that you have had good waffles. But you have not. These waffles are a Todd Little specialty and I do not think I am exaggerating when I say they are the greatest thing in the world.

Obviously only to be enjoyed with real maple syrup. If you have fake maple syrup in your fridge you walk over there and throw that in the garbage right now. Then you hang your head in shame. Only real maple syrup is acceptable!

Gordon's name means handsome, but we should have named him "looks sweet but is actually pure evil." This cat has been terrorizing large dogs, including Becky's adorable puppy!

I pretty much love all large bodies of water, but there is a special place in my heart for Lake Michigan. 

Denis and Santa have really gotten close lately.

Becky's super sweet puppy Daisy! She is very excited!

Grammy and Pop-pop. I found this old picture of my Dad's mom and dad. They were pretty amazing. 

Why do people drink real champagne? After Welch's invented fake champagne I see no reason to ever suffer through the real stuff. I love me some sparkling grape juice. 

Thanksgiving! My aunt and cousin set a beautiful table. So warm and cozy and thanksgivingy.

I might be taking a lot of pictures of my ring. I keep thinking I will not be that girl... and then I am. I have been engaged for a week and a half and I have so far gotten chocolate and paint all over my ring.

There he is. :)

Kelsey: Announcement

I have some news...

Denis asked me to marry him!


And I said, Yes.


:)