Our December in a Nutshell

Like everybody else this month has been uber busy for us with all the craziness that the Holidays bring. I can't believe that it is only 4 days away until Christmas!

We knew being in California during Christmas time would be different this year with being away from family and friends and the weather being in the 60's-70's everyday but what we didn't expect was the Christmas decor. The other night Caleb and I decided to go down to Abbot Kinney in Venice to have dinner and browse the shops.Well while we were there we ran across some great entertainment. You be the judge and tell us if this is.... normal?

I wish you could have seen all the different type of weird mermaid men

These pictures were taken in completely different stores. We couldn't figure out if these are legitimate Christmas decorations or if they are having some sort of weird Christmas decoration challenge. 

A few weeks ago we went to the coolest Bethlehem experience. A church in Manhattan Beach puts on this event called a Journey to Bethlehem. They recreate the city of Bethlehem like it would have been when Jesus was born, they give you sheckles (money they used back then) and you can go throughout the town and buy food that they had back then or make little gifts such as clay pots, bracelets etc. It was the neatest thing, we really had a great time, I think we were probably one of the only people without kids there but we had fun none the less. 

Caleb with the camel

Baby Jesus

Last weekend Caleb went to Christmas in the Park in Dallas with his work and he came back a TV star.... not really but he did make the local news.... well sorta...

You can check out his big debut here  .... You can look for my brother (in the background) Our friend Tobin and Caleb right around the 1 minute mark. I don't know why but I have played it over and over again and laughed just as hard every time. I think its because Caleb looks really confused.

A couple of nights ago we made our traditional Gingerbread house. I always forget how time consuming and messy they are, I think if I could remember this from year to year it may not be a tradition anymore but it makes for a fun night and great memories!

Working

Still Working

Finished YAY!!

I fly out tonight to go back to Texas and Caleb comes in to meet me on Friday. We can not wait to be home for Christmas and to have over a week to spend with all of our family. Since I'm leaving tonight we had our little Christmas last night! Here are a few pics: 

After Christmas is New Years and this new year I have a list of things I want to accomplish not really resolutions just things I would like to do this year:

1. Run a 5k, 10k and possibly a half Marathon. (I am not a runner AT ALL so this is big for me.)
2.   Visit San Diego Zoo
3. Learn how to surf
4. Learn how to use Chop sticks like a pro (I can eat big things but I want to be able to eat rice and such)
5.  Drive across the San Francisco bridge 
6. Learn to cook different cuisines from around the world
7.  Be an Extra in a TV show or movie
8. Visit another country
9. Pay it forward at least once a month 
10. Experience Christmas time in NYC
11. Volunteer more. 
12. Become more eco-friendly
13. Keep a calendar 

What is your New Years Resolutions or Goals?

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Thanksgiving Break

We had our own little Thanksgiving just the two of us on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I made everything from scratch myself and I must say I have a new found appreciation for all the Mothers and Grandmothers who do this every year. I worked on this dinner for hours and I mean hours. In the end everything turned out alright except the dressing. It looked good had good flavor but the texture was mush. I definitely put too much broth. But you live and you learn right?

Also no one ever shows you the aftermath that cooking a big Thanksgiving meal does to your kitchen but this is what happens...

So not only do you cook for hours you get to clean for hours too! Isn't growing up so much fun? wah wah wah

After our big dinner we got out all the Christmas stuff and decorated the house! Of course we   made our traditional apple cider to drink while we worked =)

He likes to pretend like he doesn't love it as much as me

I love putting Christmas decorations up and every year I get so excited and this year wasn't any different. But I must say that I am having a hard time this year staying in the Christmas mood. I think its the climate out here. I love the weather but it is just so weird to have all my decorations up, along with wearing shorts and going to the beach. Its just weird. I'm so hoping that when we get to Texas for Christmas that it will be cold. I need the cold weather for it to actually be Christmas! 

Since this Thanksgiving it was just the two of us and he had several days off work we took a spur of the moment trip to Las Vegas... why not make the most of it? So we joined everyone else who didn't have plans for Thanksgiving touring Las Vegas. While we were eating lunch one day Caleb asked me "Does anyone here know that it is Thanksgiving?" and this answer to that I'm quite sure is a big fat NO. It was crazy everything how everything was open as usual like there was no holiday at all. 

We had a great trip and it was nice just to get away for a few days and take a mini vacation. I'll leave you with a few pics from our time there. 

Okay I have to tell you about this Hot dog. Its from Pink's which they have a couple here in LA and I have heard about how good they are and every time we drive by there is always a really long line. So they must be delicious right? No they were terrible, worst hot dog I have had in my life. The skin was so tough I couldn't even bite it I had to cut it to eat it. Terrible. Don't go if you ever see one. 

Texas Weekend Y'all

This last weekend I was able to get to go back to Texas and visit. It was so great to get to see so many friends and family, I have missed everyone so incredibly much. This weekend also happened to be my baby sisters 10th Birthday. I honestly cannot believe that she is actually a decade old. She is not suppose to be this old yet, it seems like just yesterday she was born. 

Here she is 10 years ago. And if any are confused by this picture no I am not the one that gave birth to her, not sure why I was the one is the hospital bed... Also dont judge I can't help she was born right in the middle of my awkward puberty years. 

and here we are after 10 years, I love this girl just a little bit. =)

She had a great Birthday party- going away party. They are moving to Florida at the end of this month so she will be starting a new school in December. She had 13 girls come over for the slumber party. I am really glad I opted to stay at my Grandma's house... a few hours was enough of 13- 10 year old girls running around screaming for me. 

No cake this year, Cake balls was what she wanted and they were delicious! 

Wonder who she got this from? and yes we got her other stuff than just TOMS. 

13 girls 

It was so hard telling them good-bye knowing they are moving to Florida and we are in California. We cant get much further away from each other than that. It's going to be strange during the Holiday's this year not having them around. But I am so thankful for such awesome grandparents and in-laws who I love like my own family.

Our last lunch before I left, of course we had to be twinkies =)

I was so worn out from this quick trip. I was trying to see so many people in so little time I didn't get hardly any sleep. I came home and crashed and I may or may not have slept for 15 hours. Only a few more weeks and we will be back for Christmas! =)

We are going to have a non- traditional Thanksgiving this year being that we will be out here in Cali without any family. I think we have to have some kind of Thanksgiving meal so I am going to attempt a traditional meal all by myself tonight. I called my Granny to get her recipe on how to make her dressing (she of course makes the best) and I was on the phone with her for about 25 min just getting the directions. So we will see how long it takes me to attempt at making this. I know it will not turn out like hers but I'm just praying that it is edible. We are also putting up the tree tonight, which is my FAVORITE thing to do all year! 

We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and is surrounded with lots of love from family and delicious food! 

Planes, Public Urination & Star sightings... sorta

Last week I was fortunate to get to go to Dallas for a "Style Your Sole" party at a very large Methodist church in Highland Park. The event was awesome. With over 500 pairs purchased by individuals within the church, TOMS will now be able to donate over 500 pairs of shoes to children in need! We had 20 amazing artists for the event to paint shoes, or if people wanted to design their own TOMS, we had tons of supplies to style with. I had an amazing time and got to see some friends as well!

What made my trip even better was my flight back home to LA. When I fly, I usually mind my own business and occasionally make small talk to the person next to me, but this flight was different. I was honored to sit by an amazing 87 year old grandmother who was as spunky as Jenna! I finished reading "Start Something That Matters" a very inspiring book by the Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS, Blake Mycoskie.  I offered them my copy of the book and began to tell them the TOMS story. She loved the story, said she would pass the book around, spread the TOMS message, and also buy a pair for herself! This lady had amazing stories about her son-in-law working for IBM as they invented the first computer, and how living in a fancy nursing home is great place to meet new friends! She also ushered up advice on where to sell TOMS & how the lady sitting in front of us needed to find a beauty parlor. Her jokes were quite comical on wanting to ask the lady "where do you style your hair" or "when is the last time you have used a brush?" This flight home brightened my night and showed me that you're never too old to be full of life. This lady impacted me with her sweet and funny ways, and I hope I inspired her to think about how 1 pair of shoes can change a life in a huge way! 

On Tuesday morning, I saw something that changed the way I will look at public mailboxes for the rest of my life. I was driving to work and pulled up to a red light. While I was waiting, I was soaking in the beautiful sun and world around me. Then reality set in when I saw a man reaching for his zipper. My mind was saying "don't do it...don't do it..." and then he did it! This man "drained the dragon" right there on a USPS mailbox. I couldn't help but laugh so hard that he probably heard me. I know this because he jerked a little, which wasn't a good idea for him!!

For the month of November I have been growing a mustache for MOVEMBER! A killer mustache is a great way to start a conversation and tell people about 

MAN- Cancers!! This sounded like a great plan, but unfortunately my mustache hasn't really gained me any street cred, except for being extremely creepy. But I am bound and determined to at least raise $100 for the Movember cause. So if you would like to donate, I'd be extremely grateful! Here is the link to my Movember page! 

Since I had to go to Dallas for the event last week I was able to take today off from work. Jenna and I made the best of it. This morning we packed a lunch and headed out to the beach. We had such a great time soaking in the sun, sharing stories, and of course...laughing! We bought a frisbee not too long ago, and that was the first thing I packed! I couldn't wait to show Jenna my mad frisbee skills, in hopes her love for me would grow even deeper (I can't say that they did).  Even though my skills didn't impress her much, we had an amazing time!

After lunch, we headed down to Manhattan Beach for a "lighting of the pier" night. Nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit like hot apple cider, carolers singing, and Christmas lights all around!

Sunset before the Pier Lighting

Jenna eating Pizza from this amazing little Italian place in Manhattan Beach

Christmas Carolers 

Lighting of the Pier

Being in LA from day 1 has provided Jenna and I the opportunity to see more famous people than ever before, and tonight was one of them...well kinda...

We were about to cross the street when I recognized a familiar voice coming from my left. I looked up and there he was...Kasey from the Bachelor Pad reality show on ABC (I only watch because Jenna made me watch it and its too much of a train wreck to quit watching). I literally laughed out loud when I saw it was him. Jenna tried to take a discreet picture...only problem...her flash was on. He was pretty much blinded for the next 5 minutes due to the flash going off right in his face! HAHA.  This guy is hilarious (only bc he is so cheesy) and seeing him was the cherry on top of an amazing day!

That's all of our adventures lately and I know we will have many more to share!!!

Visitors, Low Calorie Food and The Otter

Life has been pretty eventful lately. We've had visitors, amazing burgers, and some outrageous parking fee's! 

Our first visitor from Texas came to visit us. Mad props to Tiffany for making the short trip! We enjoyed every minute of it and had a lot of fun. Our first place to eat with her was the best. It is now a requirement that every person that comes to visit must eat an Umami Burger. Grass fed, USDA beef. It's such a good burger, you'll probably come back to CA just to eat there instead of visiting us...

Here are a few pictures to entice you (pictures could never do this burger justice though)

Oh I forgot to mention the ketchup it was also to die for.. along with the sweet potato fries..

While Tiffany was here we decided to do some "touristy" things. A major disappointment was the Hollywood walk of fame. Not near as glamourous as I had hoped. We were there for a mere 45 minutes and we all agreed we had enough. If dirty streets, people wearing costumes from party city, and charging you to take pictures of them is your thing...then you will have a fantastic time. 

In other news we learned another California lesson the hard way. I needed to go to the mall to get some face wash so Caleb and I went to the Santa Monica Promenade. We ran in for about 15 minutes...came out and Caleb couldn't find our parking ticket. So we tell the attendant we lost our ticket. That will be 9 dollars sir, What 9 dollars for 15 minutes of parking??? Needless to say Caleb was not a happy camper. We are also now in the market for lanyards that we can wear around our necks at all times to put our parking tickets in. 

We have a Farmers market every Saturday morning within walking distance of our apartment. We love going there because it makes us feel healthy with all the organic choices of fruits, veggies, beautiful fresh flowers, & healthy food vendors. Well we happened to find the one unhealthy food vendor there, The Crepe Cafe. Caleb and I are both in love and this is going to be a major problem. Who doesn't love a "bad girl" crepe (their title not mine), a mouth full of strawberries, dulce de leche, & powdered sugar, all in a hand held crepe? Its like the Texas state fair every weekend in our very own backyard.... This is going to be bad...very bad..

This last weekend we also finally found a church that we really enjoyed. It's a smaller church than we are used to, but it is mostly people around our age and seems to have the exact things we love...A passion for Jesus and loving people! Can't ask for much more!

On a final note, a funny thing has happened lately regarding Caleb's iPhone case. Both of us have the "Otterbox" on our phones and these are really popular amongst our friends and most people in Texas, they are great, though large, they are pretty much indestructible . Evidently the Otterbox hasn't marketed to California people because he came home the other day and said he pulled his phone out at a meeting and his phone became the topic of discussion with questions like, "Is that thing radioactive?' or "what is that thing?" We've gotten a pretty kick out of it...but Caleb said not to worry, he's still the "cool new kid on the block!" 

I'll have a side of..."Get me the heck out of here!!!"

How many guest appearances can I make on the blog without being called a guest? In fact, the question should be...why did I ever consider myself to be a guest on my own blog? Anyways... I am back and have some random thoughts to share. Life has been pretty busy lately, but the other night something random happened that had Jenna laughing pretty hard.

It was 6:00 am and a loud crashing noise came from within our apartment. I was sound asleep, but the word on the street is that I sat up screaming"Mom...Mom!?!?!" I didn't even remember yelling that out as I sat up, but apparently I really miss my mom! After searching the house and finding out that a command hook had failed me in keeping my broom on the laundry room wall, I was finally at ease and Jenna just couldn't stop laughing about the moment. 

This weekend we checked out Malibu and I really should have rethought UTA and gone to Pepperdine. Poor kids...they must hate being forced to play outside and roll around on the beach all day long. Life must be hard. Pepperdine is outrageously gorgeous, and their tuition proves it.

After a day out we went to meet up with some friends at a restaurant in Hollywood called "El Compadre" or so we thought. The night before on Friday, Jenna had this cool mexican food place up on her laptop, assuming it was the right place I typed the address into my phone...no big deal. Google maps can get you anywhere right?? We exited off the highway, rolled through some neighborhoods...that I am pretty sure I've seen on COPS before, and arrived to our destination of...."El Tepeyac Cafe". I know what you're thinking..."Caleb, you automatically knew you were in the wrong place...right?!?!"

Wrong!! We walked in to look for the party, all the while, we were being eyed up because we were the only "Caucasian" people there. I called the group we were supposed to be meeting up with and sure enough I get the devestating news. They were in West Hollywood. We were in Boyle Heights. Never heard of it? A simple google search will tell you a little bit about Boyle Heights...

We were definitely in the right place for either a good dive restaurant or a drive by shooting... not really sure!

Well...11 miles and 45 minutes later we finally wound up at the right restaurant and it was amazing! The food was great, we were able to met some new people and we had a really good time. Jenna and I laughed all night about our little side trip. The food smelt really good at "El Tepeyac" so who knows we might take a visit...just when it's day time!

To wrap up this blog, I wanted to share my new favorite hobby called straight lining. Some people at TOMS introduced me to this today and I see it as a new challenge. You just tie this tow rope to some tree's and try your best to balance and walk across. They said it's really fun on the beach because the sand offers a softer landing, but we found a pretty sweet place right down the road from HQ. Take a look at this girl. This will be me some-time soon!

Traveling mishaps + TOMS + Chicken & Waffles

I know what you're thinking. "Is Caleb ever going to write a post?" I have good news. I am sitting down tonight to write about my adventure from Dallas to LA, my first day at TOMS, and what these past 2 weeks have been like (a whirlwind).

After loading up the Penske truck, my dad and I headed west.

I'll shed some light on a few useful traveling tips for traveling across the country. Trust me, it's better to learn from me than on your own.


1. When towing your car behind a moving truck, don't always assume the Penske people attached your car correctly. Always double check their work.
2. Always bring a jacket, not everywhere is 110 degrees like in Texas.
3. Make sure you get the right size truck, and make sure the inside is clean, before having to go back 2 times to get that "perfect truck".
4. Whenever you see a "Meteor Crater" exit sign, don't assume you will get to see the giant hole in the ground for free.
5. When an overloaded, oversized, diesel truck is about to tip over on the highway. Slow down, don't try to pass.
6. When you see other competing trucks (in my case U-Haul & Budget), you must race them down the highway. There's no questioning this...you just have to do it.
7. When a McDonald's in Albq., NM accidently puts a bug in your meal, don't ask for your next meal to be free. You'll probably get a business card with a hand written note that doesn't work in LA.
8. Read every parking sign in LA 3 times, then read it again just to be 100% sure you won't get a $68 parking ticket.

I really have no other way to explain my first day at TOMS other than truly amazing and welcoming. After kissing Jenna good-bye and leaving the house dressed up like my first day of school, I found a place to park (which can be difficult). I walked into HQ, took a tour, met a lot of people (whose names I am still learning), and found my desk! It was a busy first day covering everything I will be doing, but Allie T. and others around me made it a great first day.

Last Tuesday, I set out for a red eye to Atlanta to help with the Catalyst Conference. This is one of our biggest events of the year and it was helpful to see what all goes into making this happen. It was good experience and a lot of fun as well. I was starting to shake a little due to Chick-Fil-A withdrawals, but I loaded up in ATL and I think I should be okay for a while! After a hard day of setup, we went to a famous place in ATL called  "Gladys Knight Chicken & Waffles". I cleaned my plate and even downed a side of Mac & Cheese! This was probably one of the best meals I have had in a while! It was truly a great treat! The next 2 days at Catalyst were great. I was able to share the TOMS story to people who didn't know about it, as well as talk to others who are just as excited as I am about it. I enjoyed being able to hear  Katie Davis and Francis Chan speak. Francis Chan is an amazing speaker, but better than that, he puts his faith into action and truly lives out a Christ filled life. I saved the best for last and that was TOMS Chief Shoe Giver, Blake M. and he did an awesome job of representing TOMS in front of 13,000 people. He talked about giving sight to people in need and it almost made me cry. (Here's a cheap plug, but if you haven't heard TOMS sells eyewear now and helps give sight to a person in need, One for One)

After Catalyst I flew into Dallas for an amazing wedding for now Chase & Stacey Oliver! They had an awesome wedding and glad I was able to be there for it.

Well, my long overdue blog post is done, and I probably won't make an appearance for a while. So I hope you enjoyed it and I'll leave you with some pictures from the last few weeks!

Our booth display at Catalyst.

The start of a long day.

Our Start Something That Matters wall. People could write what mattered to them...apparently "Yo Mama & Name badges" matter to people! haha

Blake speaking.

Some amazing chicken & waffles! 

No More Boxes (YAY)

In one of my previous blogs I wrote about how I couldn't wait for the day that we didn't have any boxes in our house anymore... well folks the time has come and it feels even better than I thought it would! (Disclaimer: this doesn't mean that I have everything put in its place or hung on the walls yet, just that its not sitting in boxes)

I know everyone is disappointed that you get me again and not Caleb, I promised he would write a blog about his road-trip to California and his first day at TOMS.... and He still is going to just not as soon as I said he would. Poor guy has been so busy this week. He has promised to write one as soon as we get back from Dallas.

Yes, we are already coming back to Texas, to the land of delicious Tex-Mex and BlueBell Ice Cream. One of my best friends Stacey is getting married this weekend and I cant wait to watch her walk down the isle, I know she will be a stunning bride!

Caleb is going to be wore out by the time he gets to the wedding. I dropped him off at the airport at 11 pm tuesday night for him to fly to Atlanta. He arrived in Atlanta at 6 am checked in at his hotel go a little rest, worked setting up the TOMS booth all day Wednesday. He is working all day today and most of tomorrow then he catches a fight back to LAX and waits to catch his flight from LAX to Dallas for the wedding. Whew I'm tired just typing all that, I know he is going to be beat.

This is Caleb leaving on his first business trip

He is in Atlanta for the Catalyst Conference which is a super cool conference for young Christian leaders (can you tell I'm a tad bit jealous). They have tons of great speakers, I can't wait to hear all about it when he gets back. Here is the website if you wold like to know more Catalyst Conference.

He sent me a few pictures of them setting up the booth I'll share them with you

You are probably just as curious as I was about what is up with these socks... evidently they all wear socks when they are working hard putting together the booth... I'm assuming because TOMS can make your feet stink really bad... I'm still not quite sure on this..

This weekend we had a lot of good "Californian fun" we rode bikes down to Venice beach and the Venice Boardwalk. Venice Boardwalk is definitely an experience. Remember in one on my previous blogs how I talked about Crazy people and people smoking funny things.... well I found them.... ALL of them. It was a pretty unique experience and we saw some cool street shows. Also had many people soliciting marijuana to us. Here are the reasons you may need marijuana:

You can click on the picture to read it better. I specifically liked how cancer and AIDS were on the same bullet point.... as if those are at all related.

After Venice beach we walked down Abbot Kinney which is a really cool street lined with lots of cool restaurants, vintage shops, art shops etc. We ate at this really good pizzeria. Speaking of shopping (this is such a LA newbie story) a few nights ago Caleb and I went down to the shopping center in Santa Monica and we were in Steve Madden and low and behold Steve Madden himself walks in. Just walked in causally off the streets. Crazy!

 Also something really cool about the parking garage at this shopping center if you cant remember where you parked you just type in your license plate number on this big screen and it automatically tells you where you parked!

I know we are way to easily amused... and yes even though we live here we still act like tourist and take pictures everywhere we go.

We tried out a new church this weekend and it was pretty good, we are going to try out a few more in the next few weeks. Its really hard for us because we base everything on The Hills, we love The Hills and I know we will not be able to have the exact church here in LA but I know that God will lead us to one that we love just as much, it will just take time. We are praying for open minds and that we will find a church home soon.  

I am still on the job hunt, I interviewed with a nanny agency last week but right now they don't have any openings in West LA. I have an interview with another nanny agency on Monday so hopefully between the 2 of them I can find a job rather quickly. Please pray for this, its rather crucial that I find a job soon (not to mention I am bored out of my mind during the day). I know God is in control and that he will provide, he always has and he always will, this I can be sure of. 

My taxi should be here any minute to take me to the airport but Ill leave you with this picture I took while on a walk around our neighborhood.... it was just a subtle reminder that I am no longer living in Texas. I think they breed Prius' out here.

3 Prius' parked in a row