December 30, 2009

Christmas 2009

This year, Steve and I celebrated Christmas together in Seattle for the first time.  I had to explain some Erlandson traditions like drinking mimosas first thing in the morning ;), wearing Santa hats, and taking naps.  Steve fit right in!  We had a relaxing Christmas afternoon and celebrated a huge Chargers win in the evening.  







With the Christmas season starting to come to a close, I've been thinking a lot about what this celebration means.  This year I feel especially blessed to be living close to my family.  I'm also so thankful for the birth of Christ and what his coming to earth means to me in my life.  It means that something greater than me is ultimately in charge, knows my heart, and listens to my prayers and hopes.  I believe it also means that even when I struggle, or the world struggles, there is something greater in store for us. I'm thankful for this, and I'm thankful for Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

December 15, 2009

Our Engagement Shoot


Jamie posted a few of our engagement pictures and we're having such a great time looking through them!  Taking photos was such a fun experience because Jamie made us feel comfortable (even in the 29 degree weather!).  She is a great photographer!

See more photos here (and don't forget to watch the slideshow for even more) :)



December 14, 2009

Cupcake Update


I have probably gained eleventy seven pounds after all of the cupcake tastings Steve and I have done in the past few months. Ok, I guess we've only done 3 tastings (plus one unofficial one that my mom brought home), but that's probably too many. At the same time, we didn't find our favorite until the last tasting, so it's a good thing we tried all of our options! ;)

While Trophy was delicious (and arguably the best in town), we were thrilled with Splendid Cupcake, a smaller cupcake company by West Seattlite, Mimi. After a sneak peek at a fabulous 1st birthday, we had a private tasting at Mimi's home. Since then, we haven't stopped thinking about the chocolate cupcake with chocolate mocha frosting. Really. I can't stop thinking about it.

So, we've made our choice! And on another wedding note, last Tuesday, Steve and I took our engagement photos with Jamie, our awesome photographer. And did you see that last 10 on 10 post? 7 months until the big day!

Oh, and if you're wondering about that unibrowed Santa that's plunged into the delicious triple coconut Trophy cupcake? The girl at Trophy was giving them away. She drew the unibrow herself.

10 on 10: December










December 9, 2009

A Totally Trudelle November


I was lucky to spend a few weekends in November with Steve's family. Between their trip up to the Northwest, and our Thanksgiving trip down to California, great memories were made. There's never a dull moment when you're hangin with the Trudelles! The weekend before Thanksgiving, Chrissa ran in the NAIA Nationals Cross Country race in Vancouver, WA. The Trudelle's weren't used to the cold and rainy weather, but they survived! We cheered on the runners with free megaphones, ran around to keep warm, and watched Chrissa run a great race. Also, who knew that running fans were so crazy?








The following weekend we met up in Portola Valley for an awesome Thanksgiving weekend! Trudelles (and Koltavarys, Grays, and Nanuka too)--I am thankful for you! I'm also thankful for growing babies, kickball in the gym, good coffee in the Espresso Cave, a weird brain power game (that I still think is a scam :) ), and beautiful PV trails. Can't wait til next time!





{future sisters} ;)

December 8, 2009

Monkey Business!

{one cute monkey and his mom}

November 25, 2009

Month Recap: October 2009

Yes, I know it's not October anymore. In fact, it's almost December, but, as I was looking through my photos the other day, I realized that I never shared many of the highlights of the previous month. Despite contracting the swine flu (they say most flu's are of the swine nature these days), October was a great month!

October was also bittersweet.  Robin moved to London to pursue a great job and boys with accents (just kidding...).  I miss her a lot!  My sister (and roommate) left, right after we moved all of our things out of our apartment and into our mom's house.  I am now a resident of Sammamish and a  "boomeranger" (I recently heard that this is the name for grown children who come back to live with their parents) :)  I'm not complaining!  I love living with my mom!

October always means pumpkins.  Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin photos.  Lots of pumpkin photos.  I kind of went crazy taking pictures on the day that Steve, Trey, Mckenzie, Michael, and I went to the pumpkin patch.  Some turned out great.  Others are pretty awkward I think...


October was also Jenny and Wesley month.  I was lucky enough to spend a few weeks living at the Gough house while Jeff and the Republic went on tour.  There were so many great things about staying with Jenny--good chats, good food, comfy bed, playing with Wes, and even a sewing machine lesson.  This isn't my photo, but it does show you how much fun one would have playing with Wes in his play area!
Have I mentioned the food I ate in October yet?  Between living with Jenny, going on a trip with Katie, Jocelyn, and Jenny, and all of the aforementioned pumpkin treats, I've been eating like a queen. :)
{homemade pasta}


{chicken pot pies}

I also turned 26 in October, and I can't believe I'm past the mid-twenty mark.  I'm also almost at the year mark for writing on this blog.  Time flies! (I really didn't want to use that cliche, but how else do you say it?) :)

November 14, 2009

What is Marriage?


I'm pretty excited for this. :)  From Meg's blog, A Practical Wedding

November 11, 2009