First Layouts of 2014

I made up for last month and created three double-page layouts in January -- the first of 2014!  I am hoping to get 50 single-page layouts done this year.  This first layout that I completed shows off cute (though staged) pictures of our walks around our neighborhood.  The layout on the right is inspired by Blue Fern Studios's January sketch and features their beautiful page chains chipboard that I decorated with Perfect Pearls.  The layout on the left is based off of C'est Magnifique's January sketch.  

My second layout shows off the last pictures from my trip to Chicago with Rachel.  This layout is inspired by Scrap Around the World's mood board (below).  I love the pastel colors and how it feels so soft and beautiful, so I tried to re-create that feel in this layout. 

Last but not least, this third layout chronicles pictures of Jesse and I from our 10 years of marriage. Awww.  I took cues from CSI's case file 106 and used their colors, a grid design, numbers, and chose a background paper with pre-printed journaling of something good -- how adorable we are!

Howdy Partner!

I made partner!  Woo hoo!  Here are picture pictures of us anxiously awaiting the good news while the partners were voting.

Christmas Pictures

We spent Christmas at my mom's this year.  Because Christmas was in the middle of the week, we had a few days just to hang out, play board games, build gingerbread houses, and go see a pirates exhibit.  If you look closely at this first picture, you might wonder how I have 4 legs.  I don't (at least not yet), I am merely sitting on Jesse who is mostly hidden in this picture!

For Christmas itself, we followed our traditions and enjoyed our time together!

December Recap

The holidays are over and life is getting back to normal, which means I have a little time to blog.  This was the second Christmas that we got a live Christmas tree.  We almost didn't do a tree at all because by the time we had time to get one it would only be up for a week, but Jesse insisted, claiming that you absolutely had to get a tree or else that means you have given up on life (and that's a no-no).  We got a very pretty and fat little tree and a new Frosty Friends ornament that reminded us of Olaf from Frozen.

We spent Christmas with my side of the family (more on that later when I get pictures together) and then went to Indiana.  We stayed with Jesse's dad in their new house, which was very pretty.  We played music, watched movies, rock climbed, and tried out new restaurants.  It was great to see everyone!

It's Winter

It's December, and here in Albuquerque winter weather is well underway.  This picture was taken out of my office window just last week.  As you can see, there is nothing but white (and reflections of my office) past the ledge.

This is what I can usually see past the ledge!  Despite all that white, we only got a few inches here and there and now it is almost all melted.  A little snow is still big news in Albuquerque!

Pop Pop

Jesse had a work trip in Maryland last week, and was able to take another day to stop by and see his mom, Pop Pop, and Uncle JP in Delaware.  We look forward to seeing all of you again at Thanksgiving!

Soccer Tournament

Jesse's team played four games this weekend for the end of the season tournament.  They ended up with 4th place, and I attended their final game (as I shivered under my blanket).  Jesse played really well, and looked good doing it!

Last place beats DNF

On our Europe extravaganza Dave and I drove the Nürburgring in a rented VW Scirocco.  It was a lot of fun, and despite one harrowing incident involving screeching tires and a fast approaching grassy knoll, we had no accidents.  The same cannot be said for the folks in the video below.  This montage gives you an idea of the mayhem that is tourist driving on the Nürburgring.  By not ending up with my hazards on in a barrier, I can say that I drove better than most in this video. 

Take a look and you'll see how our planned four laps could have been stopped short.  Note, according to Autoblog none of these crashes resulted in serious injuries.  I can't say the same for the crash that stopped our fun.

Street Fighter

Have you ever seen Jesse dressed up for Halloween?  Me neither . . . until now!  Seeing is believing:

Be Happy

I was able to squeeze in one layout this month.  I don't have the opportunity to use pink a lot, so I was very excited to use pink in this sister layout of Rachel and my weekend in Chicago last year.  I used My Mind's Eye's October sketch as my inspiration.

I also made this card for Scrapbook Express's October card sketch.