New Years

.::Viral Friday::.

Happy end of the year! I can't say I am sad to see it go. It was a good year, but I am ready for another good year to see where it may take us.

I have seen this video all over FaceBook, and since it has my two favorite people in all of Hollywood in it, I decided it is worthy of this week's post.



PS Have you seen 500 Days of Summer? It is one of my favorite movies!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Disgusting

Two words: Bacon Soda

Gingerbread

What is Christmas/winter without gingerbread? Tis my favorite holiday flavor {besides egg nog}, and this year it has beaten out pumpkin. The day after Thanksgiving I wanted gingerbread everything! I was in a search of a great gingerbread-people cookie. I didn't have to look far, it was in one of my cookbooks and it is hands down the best gingerbread cookie ever!!! They are so soft and vibrant with flavor and spice. THEY ARE SPECTAAAAAAAAAAAAACULAAR!!! So good that I didn't want to decorate them and just let them be in their own natural, naked form.

If you would like the recipe email me... 

I am too lazy to type it up right now.

So this meant that I had to build a house for these men. I decided to put my stale graham crackers to use. I was really bummed because I was supposed to go to my friends house and all of us build our own together, but I was having car problems so I missed out. This is how it turned out...

 My lamp posts are made out of birthday candles and Gobstoppers. 

 A little snow angel!!! {I added the white pearls to add texture 

in hopes it would stand out more}. I love her...

They even shoveled their front walk way. 

P.S. Those stars are Ekemona's rice puff treats hahaha

Now, I am not saying that this is a good gingerbread house, but after it collapsing on me three times I am more then happy with the results hahahaha. Next year I want to try to be more legit and do one from scratch with blue prints ahahhaha. We'll see how that goes. 

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Holidays

...May your days be MERRY & BRIGHT!

In the Name of Love

At times I can't believe I am really a mother. I can't believe that I get to snuggle with my little Haolepino whenever I want, that I know what he likes and doesn't like or what he wants at that exact moment. I will just sit there and stare at him, thinking how lucky I am, thinking about how I never knew I could love something as much as my child. Every move he makes is brilliant or just too cute for words to articulate. He is the manifestation of pure happiness, love, and joy. He is worth every sacrifice, pain, or challenge I faced during pregnancy; I would do it all over again just to have another little nugget to bring so much positive emotions into our lives. He makes our house a home, a married couple a family, and with every babble he makes you can see his energy surge through and pierce our hearts with more love then I have ever imagined before. I am truly head over heels in love with him and I think he is perfect through and through... but I am his mother. It is biologically intertwined into my DNA. I CAN'T HELP IT!!!

I always say babies can move mountains, and they do!!! They can soften the hardest of hearts, they can bring people closer together, they can create a unity between spouses, they can make grown adults melt and crumble with the sweetest and purist emotions. If those aren't tiny miracles then I don't know what is!

"Babies are blessings!" -Brittany. I believe that to be true in every way possible.

Bad Santa

.::Viral Friday::.

Let's just jump right into it...


Dear Santa,

W.T. freaking-F.!!!! First of all, why do you think you can drive? Did you not see my post about the zombies? Secondly, why are you peeing in a parking structure, clearly a dressing room in the mall would be more suitable because there, surveillance cameras will not find you! Thirdly, how hard did you hit your head on that car, ahhahaha IT WAS AN EPIC FAIL!!! Fourthly, I think you have some serious issues if you are dressed as St. Nick and some guy still pushes you out of the way in fear of their safety! Last but not least, I no longer think you hold the authority of, "Who has been naughty or nice," therefore everyone {whether they believe in you or not} should receive everything on their Christmas lists! But seriously, thank you for the amazing laugh hahaha!! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Sincerely,
The World Wide Web... and also me!

THANK YOU, COME AGAIN

The best way to spread holiday cheer

 is signing loud for all to hear...

or by sharing this video!

Thanksgiving

So I know I am a little behind posting our holiday feast especially because it was almost a month ago and I already posted about too many Christmas things, but in case you care, this is how it went down:

I made three pies on Wednesday night

I didn't like the way this new crust recipe turned out. Can you see the shape of the acorn? Hahaha it's not just a giant gaping hole. 

We all spent so much time in the kitchen prepping dinner. Brittany made her famous silky mashed potatoes, McCall made some awesome stuffing and sweet potato side, my mom made one of the best turkeys and her famous stuffing along with gravy, and I made my grandma's famous rolls. My dad made this wine gravy which was delish!!! Someone also made green bean casserole but I don't know who that was. My dad usually does the turkey, but we all gave the guys a break and they enjoyed the football games. 

My parents hahaha aren't they cute!

Ella and Callum ahhaha his little face!

Lils enjoying the feast of all feast! 

Me and Gian!

After dinner we divided and conquered the movie theaters so we didn't have to worry about finding a sitter. Believe it or not, all the guys went to go see Breaking Dawn...so did us girls!

On Friday, we took family photos and then played an awesome game of laser tag. My sniper of a husband was literally MIA to me the whooooooooole time... seriously he was tagging people left and right. We played against two other random groups and it was hilarious.

 Later on in the week, Brittany and I got a deep fried tweenkie!! IT WAS AWESOME!!! Ohh don't worry, it sent us into a food coma about an hour later. 

 We decorated for Christmas and my mom brought in this toy car from the garage for Eke and Lily to play with. Hahahah doesn't she look amazing!! 

 Ekemona is in love with Brittany's cat, Tommy.

Max is his favorite snuggle toy!

 The boy cousins taking a bath.

 Koko made donuts and the kids helped decorate them... can you tell which one Hunty did? Hint, is has dark syrup ahahah.

 Tommy loved playing with Lily in the saucer.

Ugly Sweater Party

I personally really enjoy Ugly Sweater Parties...mostly because I like to dress up and second, I love to look ridiculous. Gian's work threw a great party last week with delicious food from Good Wood BBQ, and we had a great time. Please enjoy the heinous outfits we wore to join the festivities.

 MY HUSBAND... and the faces he makes. Isn't his sweater a Christmas wonderland? If you can't tell, it is actually a woman's sweater {which gives it a nice touch} and the turtle neck I am wearing is the matching set. 

 And this... this is how the turtle neck made me feel! I mean, if your going to wear something from 1991, then might as well do your hair too. I guess you're still suppose to look somewhat normal at these things... I GUUUUUUUUUUEEEEESS. 

My friend brought me this set to borrow and since we only had one, we decided to split it up between the two of us. Gian told me I looked too normal, like "What everyone would wear..." uhhhh I disagree!! No one wears snowflake turtle necks for a fashionable statement these days, or do they? PS I have no idea why I am posing like Spiderman... aaaaawkwaaaaaard! 

Last but not least, our little Haolepino's outfit for the night... no ugly sweater for him. A little secret about this outfit, it really isn't overalls. It is a sweatshirt onsie that has overalls printed on to it. It says, "I'm ready to play, but I like to cuddle!" 

Merry Ugly Sweater Month!! 

Share your favorite ugly sweater photos by emailing them to me. 

Apologize

Obviously I have been MIA and would like to apologize for leaving you to fend for your self in this cruel and cold world ahahhaha Just kidding! But it isn't you, it's me... I haven't been blogging, looking at other peoples blogs, or commenting on other blogs. I have been dead to the virtual world.

All I have been wanting to do is spend time with my family, and due to the late and glorious Steve Jobs, I have been able to use my phone for Twitter and Facebook to keep me somewhat in the loop of things which has given me reason to not touch my computer in over a week {not to mention our internet flipping sucks which repels me from my computer}. I have been sooo lazy, but guess what I haven't been too lazy or dead to do... CHRIS-To the freaking-MAS!!! Unlike last year, I had everything up and decorated on November 2nd, except for the tree... that was put up earlier this week! What a magical time of year this is!!!

 Banner made with Christmas scrapbook paper and Christmas ribbon

 Gian, mine, and Ekemona's stockings... Ohh I love them!!!

 Remember the wreath I made 3 years ago... well I decided to make a new one. SHE IS GLORIOUS, no!! 

 Don't judge my phone photography skills!!! Here are the lights that lead to our apartment... ohhh and the Diaper Genie! 

 My mom's nativity set from the 1990's.... I call it "vintage" hahaha

Ohh Christmas tree, ohh Christmas tree!!! Do you like how she is in our kitchen? The rocking chair has taken her most beloved spot, so this is what works. She makes a great night light for those midnight snacks! 

 Our friends opened this awesome store where you can make decorations like this!! 

{I miss judged my colors when picking out paint... I.ROCK!!!}

My Nativity set, hand carved from olive wood, straight from Jerusalem! It maybe my most valued decoration of all. My sister brought it back for me from her trip a while back. 

I saved the best for last.... the ever oh so beautiful mistletoe, finished with a glamorous giant crystal! Once a day I will stand here waiting for Gian to whisk me in his arms and dip me for a kiss ahhaah I am serious... I make him dip me! 

I'm dreaming of a whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiite Chriiiiiistmaaaas... or what I just like to call, "Christmas" {is anyone else obsessed with New Girl and Zooey Deschanel?}. I hope your holiday season has been MERRY & BRIGHT!

Modest is Hawtest

Due to the recent and most talked about dress code for BYU-Idaho my sister Brittany and I had an awesome discussion about modesty and what it really means to us. After putting into words our feelings and beliefs, I felt very strongly to share it with you - what my personal thoughts and feelings are around this topic.

First of all, the word modest... what does that even mean? Most people associated it with not showing too much skin or the way you dress, but we actually use the word modest in our daily vocabulary... "Ohhh she is just being modest. She is the best pianist I have ever heard!!" So what does modesty really define? According to Merriam-Webster, "freedom from conceit or vanity" or "placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth" {I would also like you to see the link for moderate... amazing!!!}


In our culture, modesty has been solely focused on sex and sexiness. In our religion, most understand modesty to not draw sexual attention to yourself, or make men feel uncomfortable about the clothes you wear, or needing to protect yourself from predators. I strongly disagree with that view. The guilt of a woman's beauty and body should never be placed on her as a burden, nor should it make her feel less of a person because of it. God does not teach in fear, shame, or anger; therefor, we should not teach others in that manner. Plus, I feel like those tactics would force a young adult to not have a full understanding of why it is so important to be modest.


My personal take on modesty is that it is to respect yourself and God... that automatically includes your body, but not only your body. I believe that trying to out do others or being competitive for materialistic or ego gains takes you away from being modest. If you want a brand new Porche and buy one... that is awesome!!! But first think, are you buying it because it has always been a dream of yours to own, or are you trying to keep up with the Jones'? Neither one of those are wrong, I am simply giving an example of what I believe to be modest. In my book, I would sum up modesty like this - the things we do, say or dress/purchase should not be coming from a place of competition, but from a place of passion and desire - a place that we know will make us feel better or happy with no expectations or strings attached, that by doing this we can sustain humility and veer us away from our egos and vanity.


Now to tie this all into apparel; the reason I choose to be modest is because I believe it to be a physical reminder of being modest everyday in all things, so in that sense I do take modesty literally. I do my hair and make-up because it makes me feel feminine and attractive, I wear the clothes I do because I believe it is my talent and passion. I find sure joy in putting together an outfit, shopping , or working on sketches and sewing. I believe this is my calling in life! I dress and present myself the way that will make me proud, and my standards are high because I too want to respect my Heavenly Father and of course my husband. Like I said before, I believe in taking the word "modest" literally in the way I dress because I believe it to serve a purpose as a reminder of the actual word modest and what it stands for and defines.


As far as skinny jeans go, they are the only thing I own and wear. I believe that a woman needs to express herself the way she longs and desires to. It is a form of creativity and identity - what we will be known for. My heart goes out to John Dexter, the manager of the testing center at BYU-Idaho. He had good intentions, but unfortunately it came across wrong and I too will admit I had my mouthful of verbal complaints with his reasoning and purpose by making the rule. He is a man, a honest worthy man who sees women in a rare and beautiful way... that I can respect and support. I just want to make it clear that it does not represent the LDS culture nor the LDS church and that skinny jeans are not banned from BYU-I but just from the testing center, which he, John Dexter manages.


I, personally, am grateful it has received so much publicity because it has allowed me to articulate in words why I choose to be modest. What are your views and takes? Do you choose to be modest, and why?