Welcome Home Elder Tyler!

My nephew Tyler returned from serving his mission in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 8th. We are so happy to have him home. It was great to chat and to hear him talk a little about his mission. I love it how missionaries can talk about mission stuff forever and ever... and love it just as much as they did the day they got home. :) Congrats Ty for returning with honor! Love ya. 

Win a KINDLE FIRE!

As most of you know, I am a graphic designer. During the day I design for Covenant Communications. An LDS book-publisher. A fantastic job, I am really lucky! Anyway, a book that I designed the cover for released this month (Feb. 2012). It is an intriguing story. I just listened to the audio book while we drove to San Francisco, it kept our minds off of the long drive. I don't know why but I am interested in stories of people who were aboard the Titanic. 

I loved how the cover turned out... but the main reason for this post is so that YOU can watch/share the book trailer, and WIN a Kindle Fire from Covenant Communications.

Rules and details of the contest can be found here.

Below is the book's trailer.

ENJOY!

Sweet Valentine! (Friend Party)

 My cute friend Lex, decided to have a friend Valentine's Day Party.

It was so much fun. See that bowl of chex mix... only pic of it that I had... but seriously that stuff is amazing. Thanks, Ash.

She got really creative, and decked out her house with hearts and cute banners.

Cruz and I brought Pavlova. 

All the treats were so yummy! We had a sugar rush for sure.

Ashley B. Made these cute cupcakes with chocolate hearts.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lex made these super yummy jello parfait.

Lex, also gave us these fun valentine's with mustaches on them.

I "MUSTACHES" you a question...

Will you be my Valentine?

This was such a fun little party. I loved that it was a few weeks before Valentine's day (02.04.2012)... it got me in the spirit of this lovely holiday. :)

LOL. Got to love these friends...!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE.

and...
a little love note for the husband-o.


dear husband-o,
i ♥ u.
i love you the mostest-er!
thank you for the sweet card, and valentine's day surprise.
you are the best.
i hope you have a wonderful day.
i am excited to go to San Fran with you tomorrow.
hugs, and kisses.
—love, your wife-a

Arrrrgggg, it's Free Valentine Printables!

My friend had an early valentine's party this past weekend. (I'll post pics later.)  It was fantastic. She asked us to bring some valentines to share. So, I sat down at the computer and came up with these. Since they were from both Cruz and I, he informed me that they couldn't be too girly. LOL! So, I went for a pirate theme, I really liked how they turned out. :)
(I also learned that in Venezuela, kids don't hand out valentine cards, like we do here in the states... so when I told Cruz that we were to bring little valentines he was kind of confused. He said in Venezuela, you only give a card to your boyfriend/girlfriend... not to classmates etc., honestly; I think he found it a little odd that we have this tradition. For me, I think it's great to share a little love once and a while!)

I thought they'd be fun to share them...

enjoy!

Download your own set here!

I think this red one is my favorite.

Oh, and do you want to make little envelopes for these little valentines??? Go here...

ps... I started with a 6x6 square, and it worked pretty good for me! For this size i don't recommend card stock.

Happy Valentine's Day!

celebrate!

 I didn't really have anything BIG planned for my birthday... little did I know.

When I got home from work, my handsome husband was already home from work... and ready to party. He had the gifts all wrapped, and everything set up. ;)

Cruz really knows how to make my birthday fantastic. He always has a surprise up his sleeve.

 He remembered that one random day I had said I wanted some baking supplies. Love that! He also had these beautiful roses sent to my work. A fun surprise. The picture doesn't show, but they were really pretty, and the vase was a fun square shape, and had some fun twigs coming out the top. ♥'ed it.

 After opening the gifts we went to dinner. We went to Gloria's Little Italy, which is very yummy. If you haven't tried it, and you are in Provo sometime you should. It is tasty.

 I recommend the bruschetta... so delicious.

 When I got home, some of my adorable friends were at my house to surprise me. :) I loved it. They had chatted with Cruz to get the details worked out, and they sure did a fabulous job!

 Have your cake and eat it too.

FRIENDS!
(PS... see that cute banner, Lex made it... I thought it was festive... don't be surprised if you see it again for some other party. It is too cute to not use it again.) 

 I love how ridiculous this picture is.

 This birthday was the year of FLOWERS. It was perfect. My house looked like spring... and those tulips are still as pretty as ever. Thanks Kristi!

 The Saturday after my birthday we gathered as a family... at La Jolla Groves. Seriously, beautiful and mouth-watering food.

It was a fantastic birthday. I loved all parts of it.

Thank you Cruz for all the work you put into my birthday. You are a great party planner. ;) I love that you took the time, and energy to make it all happen. Love you the very MOST!

I really didn't think he could compete with last years b-day... but I think he did.
i loved 2009 b-day celebration as well. (See... isn't he the best!)

NEW!

I have a new blog header. I think i love it, it feels good to have a little change. :) Let me know what you think!

{ Let me know if you need a new blog header, I'd love to design one for you. }

Oh, and speaking of NEW... we have a new car! It is lovely. We got her the day after my birthday... kind of a little extra birthday present. (More to post on my b-day another day...)

We have been a ONE car family for about 18 mo. that is a long time. I am so thankful that my co-worker Kathy, who was a lifesaver; and let me ride to work with her. It was really fun to get to know her better. She tells the best stories, and never complained about all the crazy road construction.

I am also super thankful for my parents letting me barrow their extra car all the time when I needed to run places, or when the car-pool at work didn't work out. They would always make it work, thanks Mom and Dad. Love ya. Thank you to all the other people who gave me a ride, when I needed one.

So far Maxinne is loving us right back, she has a few extra bells and whistles. I think our other car Max is a little jealous. I can't wait to take Maxinne for a little road trip to San Fran in a few weeks. We have to go re-knew Cruz's pass-port... so were making a little trip out of it. It is great to be able to just go, when you need to GO, and not have to think of how you will get there. Hooray, hooray for a new car.

Oh, and not too long ago I also got a new hair cut. I am kinda loving it too. I went short, and it has been a good 5 years since I've had my hair short. Shoulder length hair is short for me. :) 2012 is welcoming NEW things!

p.s..... happy GROUNDHOG DAY!