California Engagement Party

Geoff's parents hosted an awesome engagement BBQ for us last weekend! We are SO thankful for Barbara and Roger and all of the work they put into the day. The weather did NOT cooperate, although I guess it could have been worse. It definitely was not a beautiful California spring day, but the rain held off for the most part and regardless everyone had a great time. The BBQ was almost 4 hours long and Geoff and I could not believe how quickly the day went by. It made us realize how much we'll have to appreciate and take in every moment of our wedding reception in hopes that it doesn't fly by too quickly.Showin' some love to my future neice/nephew.

Geoff's sis, Mo with Amelia and her corn muffin!


Mom and dad Abo flew in for the weekend to celebrate with us! Here's dad hangin' with his son-in-laws!

We ate leftover Armadillo Willy's for DAYS. Even typing that makes me feel a little nauseous.

Lebanese Horseshoes in action.


The Bride and Groom!

Welcome Baby Porter!

Porter Elliot Abodeely was born today at 8:31 am, weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces and 18 1/2 inches long!

It's amazing that I can love someone that I've never even met! I'll be home in 3 weeks to snuggle and love my first nephew! CONGRATS JJ AND PIPER!

Not what you are looking for, but good

I know this isn't a juicy update with pictures for you to enjoy... but I thought I'd share this with my readers! WE LOVE FREE!

FREE KFC (Click me!)

Keep celebrating!

Michelle and Shawn's wedding was absolutely incredible! Their love shined through in everything they did from the African dancing, drumming, cake cutting to first dance. I am so happy for the them... the night was successful, they planned the whole thing themselves and it was unique and special and totally perfect for THEM. It totally inspired Geoff and I to make our day special and meaningful. Michelle's dress was so beautiful and was made with the lace from my mom's wedding dress and the gold silk that Shawn brought her home from China a few years ago. The dress layed perfectly over her 5 month baby belly! (Not sure if I've even blogged about that.... they are expecting!!!!!! Yeayyyy!!!!!)
My parents rented a house on the beach where we all spent the weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect and the sun was shining on us each day!


Geoff took a dip every morning - he's crazy. He made JJ go with him!

We spent a few hours on Friday setting up at the wedding site! It was absolutely incredible... check out that view!

Not a bad location for our weekend home!

Michelle and Shawn Smolinski!

Michelle learned how to play an African drumming song and played it for Shawn.

This is what we did the next day. I love California!

Let's celebrate!

Last weekend was our first of many celebratory weekends for 2009! Geoff and I flew home to Seattle to celebrate JJ's 30th birthday and also the arrival of their new baby boy! Their friends threw them a great shower - of course, I didn't bring out my camera, but you can see Piper's growing belly here. Mama Abo saved just about everything from our childhood so the weekend was filled with lots of great family memories - how cute is that little baby Abo will wear an outfit or two that JJ wore?!
We also headed up to the island for cake tasting with our dear family friend Laurette who will be making our elaborate and delicious cake for our wedding! The other big project this weekend was phase I of building our arbor for the ceremony! Geoff was super man and did a fabulous job envisioning what we'll build and together we forged the woods (I mostly took pictures).

My dear friend Patrice and her ADORABLE daughter Payton came over to play for a few hours. We had a nice time catching up and hanging out - I hadn't seen PJ since she was a wee little one, so it was fun to meet her as a big girl! Geoff thinks she's the cutest thing around and was happy to teach her to fly a kite.

On Sunday before we came back to sunny Cali (I'm loving this spring weather!) we stopped at the Mulkiteo Roasting Company where we'll be having our wedding brunch the day after the wedding. The big test was the coffee (the food was unreal!) and from the look that I captured below it seems as though it's a big thumbs up.

This week is a short work week for us because we're off for another Abodeely celebration in Santa Cruz this weekend! Stay tuned for updates on sister Michelle and Shawn's wedding!

Great weekend!

We had a great weekend and the fact that we had today off made it even BETTER! There really is nothing better than a 3 day weekend... I wouldn't mind working longer days to just have an extra day on the weekend. I actually feel caught up on sleep and ready to go back to work tomorrow.
St. Patrick's day weekend is always a fun one and this year was no exception. Geoff and I celebrated our three year anniversary by going to our friend's annual St. Patrick's day party (where we met), going on a hike, out to a nice dinner and a lovely surprise this morning with breakfast in bed! All that (plus more!) in one weekend... it was perfect!


We hiked around Mt. Hamilton. It was FREEZING, but so gorgeous with all of the rolling green hills.

Read carefully - we couldn't resist!


Not sure what I was doing here - it's oh so country western!

At our friend's St. Patrick's Day party! (I just realized I haven't posted about Geoff's rugby injury that ended with 30 stitches - check out that scar.)


Geoff brought me breakfast in bed this morning with a sweet anniversary card. What a lucky gal I am!

4 EVA

I haven't posted in 4 EVA (name the movie...) so I thought I'd drop in and say hi. My friends have been great bloggers lately, and I've been a bit of a slacker. It's time to watch some crappy TV, so I'll quickly bullet point the top three things on my mind right now...

• My student's mom was diagnosed last weekend with liver cancer. It's not good... and I've been trying to grapple with the idea of how to deal with my student when his mom does pass away. Sadly, he's exiting my program this year, so I probably won't be around to help him. I'm worried about him and his family right now.
• Recently I've been thinking about how I want to get into photography (thanks to Melissa!). I'm debating on if I should should off until after the wedding, mostly because right now is not a great time for me to buy a nice camera.
• Geoff and I are about 98% sure we want to go to FIJI for our honeymoon! If only there was more time in the day to research and begin booking our flights and accommodations!

"It's a great time to buy!"

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that, we'd be able to afford a mansion! We've recently been pre-approved for a loan and have begun house hunting. My online searching has brought me to this one house a few times and in the desciption of the house it says "more than a fixer-upper, it's a project of a lifetime." WOW! Now that's one we can't let pass us by. (Insert frustrated face here!)

Bodega Bay

We left for our getaway to Bodega Bay on Monday after a rough 2 days of food poisoning hell. This is the first time I've ever got it and I hope it's the last. It made for a very unromantic Valentine's Day, but Geoff came up with the great idea to bring our fondue fixings on our trip with us, and bless his heart he acted like he didn't mind cleaning up my vomit on what's supposed to be the most romantic day of the year.

The first day and 1/2 of our trip to Bodega Bay was torrential down pour, but that didn't stop us from enjoying our time. We spent Tuesdays driving up the coast heading towards Armstrong Woods Redwood Reserve park, home of impressive redwood trees that are over 300 feet tall. We felt like little ants as we walked through the park and enjoy the trees and the RAIN. A lot of RAIN that made the trees very happy and made us wet and soggy. The sun did shine for us on our trip and the ocean was sparkly blue and the hills were lush and green.... we even flew a kite on the beach! The little towns around there are small and precious and you could feel how the hard times of the economy were just slamming the little businesses. Quite sad, so we did our best to spur on the local economy and bought a few trinkets to remember our trip by.
We got a lot done on writing our wedding ceremony and it's really starting to feel like we are getting MARRIED. It was fun to put our minds and hearts together and see what we could come up with. We both have a good vision of how the ceremony is going to play out, but we still need to work on the details. Getting away to do this was the best idea ever, and since we still have to finish the ceremony we're thinking getting away again in the near future is a must-do!

Ski week... perfect

We have a week off and I could not be more happy about it. I didn't realize how much I need this break until today. It's been a long week at work and not only do I need a break from my students, I'm sure they need a break for me! It's really amazing how well timed our vacations are.... when you feel like you can't take one more day there's usually a day off around the corner!

On Monday Geoff and I are headed up north to Bodega Bay for a 2 night getaway. We are going to spend most of the time writing our wedding ceremony and are looking forward to being just the two of us, for two days, with no distractions. I know writing our wedding ceremony is going to be a huge project, so I'm trying to remember to take it slow knowing that it doesn't have to be finished right away. I think it's going to be a really good time to reflect and step away from planning the wedding, and focus more on our relationship and how it came to be what it is today. <3

:-)

Last weekend I went on a play date with my friend Jill and her one year old, Brooklyn. Isn't she ADORABLE?! It's fun to see how much she grows and learns each day.... she's spunky and super fun to play with! I hope she thinks the same of about me. :-)

More pics....

I wanted to add a few pics onto my last post. Looking back at the pictures I feel so blessed to have such amazing family and friends supporting Geoff and I in this wild and crazy adventure of marriage! Unfortunately I wasn't able to get pictures of everyone... but here are a few good ones!


My dad gave a very touching toast to me and Geoff.

My girls (and my sis!)

The Pease's and The Abodeely's.... aren't we lucky!?

The whole Abo family together! It doesn't happen often.... but it's so special when it does! 2009 is quite a year for us!

Yummy spread!

My dearest girlfriends from college - Alison and Stacey.

Update

Ok, I've been a bad blogger. There has been a ton of stuff going on and I know I'm going to forget to talk about things! Before I start, I'm home sick today (ugh!) so I have to apologize because my head is a bit fuzzy and I'm sure this post won't be the best. I'll try not to write too much and put up mostly pictures!
The biggest event** since I posted last was heading to Seattle for a long weekend for our engagement party! My whole family was in town and Geoff's mom, step-dad and brother came also. It was a love filled, fast paced, totally exciting weekend! We also celebrated Abo family Christmas - you gotta love Christmas in January!

Anne, my dear childhood friend, flew in from Arizona for the weekend to celebrate with me and Geoff. It was so wonderful to spend the day with Anne and celebrate with her on Saturday night. It's amazing how you can not see someone for years and instantly be back to being close friends, like we've never missed a minute together.

The in-laws walking the streets of Seattle!

Me and Mom at Macy's.... of course there was registry touch-ups that only Mom's can help with!

Our engagement party!

HAVE I TOLD YOU THE EXCITING NEW!?!?!? JJ and Piper are pregnant and I'm going to be a real AUNT for the first time! Baby boy Abodeely is due May 21 and I know the two of them are going to be the most amazing parents.... I hope they are prepared for the amount of spoiling involved with the FIRST grandbaby!








**Of course, the biggest event was the swearing in of our new PRESIDENT, Barack Obama!

The holidays... in pictures!

I hope all my dear readers had a fabulous holiday season! It's hard to believe that the celebrations are over (atleast for awhile!) and we are 5 days into 2009! It's gonna be a GOOOOOD year! ;-)

We spent this Christmas with Geoff's family and it was nice to stay local and take part in Beckstrom/Pease family traditions. I feel so blessed to have such fabulous in-laws and I look forward to many more holidays to come with the family!

Christmas Eve dinner.... Preparing the butter molds for my (once again) delish Aunt Jo rolls.

Christmas morning at Barbara's house.... check out those dutch babies! Yummmm.

Geoff's brother gave us pig pot holders that we registered for - it was a great surprise to get them early!

The stocking in the middle with the stripes was a gift to me from Mo (Geoff's sis).
It made me :-)

We rang in the New Year at Cassandra's house with some friends.

(Geoff later regretted this move!)

New Years with my fiance! I get to marry this man... I'm pretty lucky! :-)

Look out!

I'm famous!

Ok, not really... but I sent in my favorite ring picture to my cheesy wedding blog and they published it!! I took it with my little point and shoot camera and sent it in on a whim and they picked MY picture! I'm so excited you would think there was a cash prize or something. Geoff just reminded me to "thank the little people".
I've always wanted to be a photographer, so I think this is a sign that it's time to follow my dreams. Check out the link!

http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/12/28/reader-ring-shots-part-ii/

Aunt Jo rolls.... by popular demand

Dough will keep in fridge 5 days, yield 40 - 45 muffins.

10c flour
1 handful sugar (Aunt Jo size hands... my mom uses 2 handful, I use 1!)
2T (heaping) salt
1c warm milk
1/4 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1 pkg yeast
1/3c vegetable oil
5c warm water

Mix flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and powder together in a large bowl. Mix dry yeast and 1/4c warm water (not too warm - don't kill the yeast!) together in a small bowl and stir to mix. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Mix milk, water and oil together in another bowl so that they are luke warm combined. Add liquids, including yeast mixture, to dry ingredients and mix with hands until wet. Dough will be lumpy. Cover loosely and store in fridge at least overnight or until ready to use.
Spray muffin tins, add dough till about 3/4 full. Bake in pre-heated oven at 400' for about 20 minutes. Broil till more brown on top of desired - watch carefully so they don't burn.

Enjoy and be sure to thank Aunt Jo! Also, by family tradition we serve our rolls with butter in the shape of something festive. I bought these this year to keep up with the cheesy tradition.