waiting

i know that if i stop waiting and actually do something, my final day and a half of work would go much quicker. but i'm just so distracted with thoughts of not being here and of what is to come in the next week and a half. i'm actually to the point where i feel like i'm so distracted, i might be losing some brain cells. does that make any sense at all?

and btw, the longer one goes without blogging, the more intimidating it is. i keep telling myself that i will be blogging the happenings of this year, but i'm like 'really??' when in the world is that going to happen?

here's something to look at...after almost 7 years, my family decided it was time to take family pictures. it happened mostly because daniel was getting ready to leave on a mission and we didn't know when the whole family would be together again...nonetheless, i'm so happy we finally did it. maybe in another seven years there will finally be some grandkids and a few more spouses in there somewhere.

just stuff

it has been so long since i've updated this, i'm at the point where i just feel too far behind to even try. this year has literally passed us by with barely an update. sad, since this has been quite a year. since the baldwin family vacation, we've almost (lame, i know) finished the house, nic had minor surgery, we've been home three times to celebrate many birthdays (Fletcher's first, Sum's 35th, Toni's 60th and Alysse's 2nd) and got to see my youngest brother tanner's first varsity football game of the year. my parents and the youngest (rach, dan and tan) brought my visiting cousin from denmark down to visit and to conduct a southern california tour in june. we got to see bri for a quick work trip in may, and nic's parents were down for a visit in september. in the midst, my brother daniel left on his mission to rio de janiero, brazil, my sister rachel moved in with us while interning for 8 months at disneyland, nic turned 30 (i'm still freaking out) and we just got back from 9 days in hawaii. we also got news that jon and kristin are pregnant with their second (congratulations!!!) and it's nic's great-grandmother's 103rd birthday TODAY. crazy, right? just thinking back makes me sad all over again that i don't have anything to document it all expect for a few memories that are bound to fade. maybe there's some pictures floating around somewhere.


on a more positive note, the weather today in so cal marks the beginning of my favorite time of the year. welcome rain, getting dark early, crispness in the air, halloween, thanksgiving, christmas, hot chocolate, cozy nights watching movies and spending even more time with family. i'm excited!!

I love these guys

Newport Beach, CA

My entire immediate family came down for a whole week for what we are referring to as our Baldwin Family Vacation. We vacayed from April 23-May 1 and we had a great time. Below are some of my favorite pictures from that week.



May 13, 2000

i just couldn't let today pass without saying happy anniversary to my sweet husband. while today isn't our wedding anniversary (or even our boyfriend/girlfriend anniversary!), it is a day that will forever be ingrained in my heart. 11 years ago today, nic swept me off my feet. i'm pretty sure there is a such thing as love at first dance. i love you honey.

Carl

sometimes life gets so hectic that it's easy to forget what it's all about. tonight i was reminded of a simple concept; specifically the pure love of a father to a son. i sat there and watched as carl took time out of his evening to skype with us so that he could walk nic through setting our downstairs toilet (yay!!). he was patient, informative and loving. i can't help but be so grateful for carl and his example to all of us, but especially to his sons. i'm so blessed to have married someone that grew up with a father that passed down all the qualities i hoped for in a husband.

thanks carl, for all you do.

daniel

my littile brother daniel (and first of the siblings to serve a mission) opened his mission call on thursday, to a very excited crowd of friends, family, computers on skype and phones on speakerphone. drum roll........

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!!

daniel reports to the Brazil MTC on September 7, 2011 and will be speaking portuguese. i'm so excited and proud of him!

it's official

we have our first completely finished room. welcome to the loft...

a few things i'm obsessed with right now...

1. american idol, season 10. i LOVE it again. it's been a few years, but it's totally back.

2. this particular contestant from the aforementioned obsession. i really love him. haven't felt this way about a contestant since carrie underwood. this guy is seriously talented.

3. top chef. nic and i haven't missed an episode all season. i'm crossing my fingers for richard!

4. pride and prejudice, the book. by jane austen. i just read it for the first time ever and i've already had to go back and re-read my favorite parts (a few times). i've been walking around for the last week telling nic that i love him. most ardently.

Seattle

Nic had a business trip to Seattle this week, so we decided to take the opportunity to do some traveling together. Work travel for me has already happened quite a bit this year, so it was fantastic for the two of us to get to go somewhere together. I joined him for a few of his meetings, and then did some exploring on my own. We flew in Thursday morning and joined the rest of his company for meetings in the early afternoon. Thursday evening we spent with his co-workers, mingling over a company sponsored party and exploring the city a bit. We ended up at an irish style restaurant with a guy singing awesome irish music and playing a guitar. It was so fun! Definitely one of the highlights from the trip.

Friday morning was spent in more meetings, and Friday afternoon I split off to do some exploring of my own. Seattle is home to the very first Nordstrom's (store #1), the very first Starbucks, and Pike's Place Market. Our hotel was walking distance from all of it, so even though it was raining, I didn't let it stop me from seeing one of the coolest cities around.

Friday night we ate dinner at a delicious seafood restaurant near Pike's Place Market called Etta's.

Saturday was filled with sunshine, the Space Needle, monorails and trains, fish throwing at Pike's Place, the best clam chowder we've ever had, honey sticks, an amazing french bakery which included fresh palmiers and chocolate filled crossiants, and a cheese shop where we watched cheese being made. Basically, most of day encompassed delicious food.