The One when the In-Laws Came to Town

There's never a dull moment when the Evans' are in town! I was thinking I'd have 10, maybe 12, pictures to share from our activities today, but I guess we did a lot more than I remember cuz I've got 25 pictures in my "to edit and upload" folder. We had a fun-filled day!

As we were walking out the door this morning I took a picture of our wacko kitchen light.

Have you ever seen a light like this? It's nuts! We spent like $25 on new bulbs, replaced these ones and guess what? It still doesn't work. Blast. Next step: email the landlord...

Our first stop of the day was to drop Joey off at daycare. He has quite the reputation and was once greeted with, "There's the little trouble maker!" Oops. We like to take Joey to daycare every Saturday for a few hours (at $2 an hour it's such a deal for some "alone" time!) and usually drop him off right when they open at 8 am. I bet the lady thought she was off the hook today since we didn't drop him off 'til around 10... He's getting better at not being so hyper, though when we picked him up later today he was in the "rambunctious doggie room"...Sigh. Silly Joey.

After we dropped Joey off at daycare we drove down to Manhattan Beach.

I would love to live in one of these cute bungalows for a week or month or year or so.



Purty.

We walked to the edge of this pier.


Along the pier we looked out over the ocean and watched the surfers for a bit.


Everyone wants their own ocean view! I prefer the pigeon's view :)

The building at the end of the pier is a little cafe and an aquarium. This eel was four feet long and really gross looking. Like a giant worm.

This fish was getting a nice massage from a sea anemone.

Tons of starfish.


Me. And my slightly protruding belly!

After cruising along the beach for an hour we went to lunch at Cafe Rio. How could we not when we were in Manhattan Beach? It was good as ever. After Cafe Rio we picked up Joey, drove around the Rose Bowl, googled the "Gamble House" and realized it was right in the area so we went there. The Gamble House was where Doc Brown lived in the Back to the Future series. These are the beautiful steps leading up to the house.

This is from the movie:

And this is my picture:

This is where they filmed Doc Brown's garage according to the internet:

And this is my picture:


Super fun :)

We came home and took a nap for awhile then we drove down to Chinatown for dinner at Philippe's: the birth place of the French dip sandwich.



It was pretty good. Better than pretty good.

I'm not much of a pie gal, but this boysenberry pie was delish!

As we were finishing up one of the bus boys came by with a towel and motioned to me like he was taking a picture then pointed at us. Are we THAT identifiable as first-timers/tourists? I didn't even have my camera out or anything! Meh. I said yes thank you and gave him my camera and here were are.

Now we're playing games in good ol' Evans' family fashion and taking it easy. Googley day.

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The One with Tomorrow is Only a Day Away

Tomorrow I'm going to wake up and be my old self. I'm going to have energy. I'm going to have creativity. I won't have a single zit on my face. I won't have one hint of nausea. Because tomorrow is the first day of my second trimester. And life will be bliss. Right? I just don't want a repeat of what happened tonight......I worked a 9 hour shift today instead of my usual 4. Strike number one. I've had a headache for like a week now (oh yes, that will disappear tomorrow magically as well). Strike number two. After work I rushed home, picked up Chris, and we drove to LAX to pick up his parents visiting from Colorado. As we were driving along the curvy and winding (strike number three) 110, all of a sudden, out of nowhere (how does that happen?), I knew what was coming up. We were stuck in traffic and there was simply nowhere to go and I had nothing to capture it. I vomited all over the floor of the front seat of our car. Again and again and again. It was so embarrassing. And smelly. Welcome to LA Evans'! But tomorrow everything will change! I know it will! I will wake up a-new! Refreshed! Energized! That's what all the books say and books don't lie! So I'm going to sleep to make tomorrow come faster.

But just in case, I'm gonna to start carrying a plastic bag inside a paper bag with me everywhere I go...

PS and totally unrelated - hence the PSness - Have you been to the Hambly Screen Prints blog today? Hint hint wink wink nudge nudge!

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The One with Christmas in April?

You know how stores seem to get their holiday stuff in earlier and earlier every year? I don't mind so much, I love being amidst the most wonderful time of the year. I haven't seen anything Christmas related in stores quite yet (though I wouldn't be surprised!), but nevertheless, I'm still singing Christmas tunes in my head and wishing I could start watching my favorite Christmas movie classics like Home Alone and Christmas with the Kranks. Why, you ask? Because I just spent the morning emailing dozens of women across the US and Canada requesting they mail in their holiday projects to be published in the next idea book for Scrapbook Trends - Create: Holidays. (This is the holiday book from last year):

We sure do work in advance! Six months in fact. The calls for October and November are already up - (which is crazy to think that I'll have a wee-wittle one in my lap by the time those magazines hit the shelf!). I've always wondered what it would be like to be on the receiving end of a publication submission request. For nearly five years I've been the one sending the requests. It still tickles my innards every time someone replies that I've made their day!!!!!! (with that many exclamation points - the more the merrier). Now if only I still lived in Utah where they're STILL getting mounds of snow to match my festive mood :)

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The One with How I Told My Family

I feel like I go through phases of blogging - three days of scrapbook stuff here, three days of nothing much there, three days of pregnancy stuff now... It's how I roll aight!

So I wasn't planning on telling my family at all. I was just going to have them read the blog post on April 2nd and be surprised like everyone else. But the stars aligned differently. Eric, my brother, who I hardly ever hear from, let alone get emails from, sent me, my sister, my mom, and my dad (so my entire family) an email, or rather, just a link:

The link was to this:

Why Eric thought a LOST maternity shirt was worthy of emailing to all of us, the world may never know. It's not like he's pregnant or finds pregnancy interesting or anything. But as soon as I clicked on the link my hands started shaking and I pressed "reply to all" with this message:

Not 30 seconds later my mom replied back with:

And the beans were spilled:

It's actually been so much better having my mom and family know right from the get-go. I've been able to talk to her about my problems and worries and she gets me through the tough days. So that's how my family found out. And I'm sorry cousin Ashley for straight up lying to you about it when I accidentally forwarded you the email :)

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The One with Signs and Wonders

Seems like an appropriate title for today's post since that's all we talked about in Sunday School today - the signs and wonders Moses performed for Pharaoh.

So most of the time I think to myself, "Am I really pregnant? I can't SEE anything. I can't FEEL anything. Is there REALLY something going on in there?" I've only been totally reassured twice at the ultrasounds - the first at 8 weeks when we got to hear the heartbeat which was super special and the second time at 11 weeks when we got to see him move! (I will refer to my baby as a him until proven otherwise cuz that's what we think it is.) I guess my signs of pregnancy are subtle, though they are there and ever present, which is comforting and which I shall write about now.

1) My face is one big giant zit factory. OMG. Every morning three or four (or five or six or seven or eight or nine or ten or eleven or twelve...you get the picture...) new volcanoes erupt and it's just gross. I went to the dermatologist when I was like two or three weeks pregnant, in fact I didn't even know I was pregnant at the time, and got prescriptions for topical creams which I used up until I found out I was pregnant a week or two later, and the doctor even said I can continue using them cuz they're not harmful, but I ain't taking any chances. So my face looks like it did when I was 13. Covered in acne. I tell myself it'll all be worth it.

2) Bouts of nausea. I've only thrown up twice thus far (pllleeeeaaaassssseeee let that be all), though I feel nauseous most of the time. I have a pretty strong stomach and have only thrown up a handful of times in my life because it's one of my biggest phobias. I'd rather do anything besides throw up (not ANYTHING, but many many many other things...). So it must be a sign of pregnancy that I've thrown up twice. The first was right after I took my pre-natal vitamin. I don't know why then, at 10 weeks, when I'd been doing just fine taking it every single morning my body decided to reject it. But it did so now I've switched to Flinstones vitamins. Then last week, Wednesday night, I came home from work, ate some spaghetti for dinner then curled up on the couch to watch America's Next Top Model. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, I knew what was about to happen so I ran to the kitchen to do my business. But the kitchen light wouldn't turn on! It's still broken in fact (it's the WEIRDEST shaped bulb I've ever seen in my life and I'm not exactly sure where to get it replaced) but I've realized it was probably a blessing that I couldn't see what was exiting my body. It felt so gross. The texture. EW. Ok. I'm done. I'm making myself nauseous just thinking about it. Let's just say I won't be eating spaghetti for a really long time, which is too bad because it was a staple among my already limited diet.

3) I HAVE NO ENERGY. This is probably the hardest part of being pregnant for me. Normally I'm an up-and-at-'em kinda girl. I wake up around 6:30 and go to bed around 10 after an accomplished and productive day. Not since about week 6. Man. I wake up around 7, go to sleep around 8 (yes, that means I get 11 hours of sleep), and most of the day I can't find the energy or desire to get myself up off the couch. I've watched A LOT of TV. It's tough because I have work and scrapbooking assignments to get done, but I push them off to the very last minute and I feel like my creativity has gone out the window and it's never gonna return and it's just sad. This is what I always felt like when I was PMSing, and it only lasted for a day or two then, but now it's lasted for almost two months. I'm soooo hoping and praying that come the second trimester this Friday I will return to my creative, happy, and productive self because right now I ain't no ball of sunshine and I apologize to whoever may come in contact with me.

4) My clothes don't fit so good...Though I'm definitely not showing on the outside when I wear normal clothes as exhibited by this picture taken today after church:

I can for shizzle feel a difference when I get dressed every day. Much to my husband's excitement, my over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder (though in my case it should be referred to as a pebble-holder) is quite snug. I've always been much than less endowed in the chestal area (thanks for nothing Malm! :) so this is new and fun. My other secret is I don't button my pants (or zippered skirts) anymore...I physically can't! I do have a little pouch forming under my belly button, and though for now I wish it would become more pronounced, I'm sure in a few short months I'll be wishing the opposite for the sake of comfort. I always thought to myself that I would be one of those super cute pregnant woman wearing cute and bright clothes but the honest truth is I wear pajamas and sweatshirts 95% of the time. I'm so dowdy. I guess it's just that awkward stage when I'm not big enough to wear maternity stuff yet but my normal clothes just don't fit either. What's a girl to do? :)

So there you have it. My signs and wonders that there must be a baby inside. I can hardly wait til our next ultrasound on the 29th!

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The One with the First Crush Layout

(Is it fixed?)

Here is a layout I made about my first crush for the Showcase section of Scrapbook Trends April 2010. Photography by Katie Butler and Kristy Clarke.

FIRST CRUSH

Journaling says: Kindergarten is way too early to be thinking about boys, but nonetheless, I remember my first crush when I was 6. His name was Colin Willoughby and we used to play together on the swing sets and jungle gym at Strawberry Park Day Care. I also remember he would break the heads off my Barbie dolls. Signs of flirtation? I don't know...I remember that one day he didn't come to school and found out he moved. I never heard from him again. I tried looking him up on Facebook just to say hi (like he'd even remember me...) but I couldn't find him. That's okay. I'm so glad my mom took this picture so I can always remember my very first crush on a boy :)

Supplies: Cardstock: American Crafts, Kraft; Patterned paper: American Crafts, Elle's Studio, GCD Studios, Pebbles; Pearl brads, buttons, badges, felt flowers, fabric chipboard letter stickers, chipboard frame, pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Journaling spot stamps: Elle's Studio; Ink: StazOn

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The One with Army Strong

I thought I had mentioned something about the Army once upon a time, but maybe not. Back in February of last year when Chris found out he was accepted to USC he joined the Army. "Hooah!"

In return for the Army paying for tuition, books and any school expenses, plus a monthly stipend, after Chris graduates in 2013 we will go wherever they want us to go for four years. Too good of a deal to pass up. Chris gets to request 3 places abroad and 3 places stateside that he'd prefer to go, though we might not get sent any of those places and that's A-okay. Home is where the heart is. Our first choice would be Germany. Second choice Hawaii, naturally. After that I don't really care where we go, it's only for four years and it'll be a fun adventure wherever we end up.
People always ask if he'll get sent to war and the answer is no. Only 20% of dentists get deployed and even then it's not to front-line combat zones. A dentist has never been killed in the army. Or so they say... I've been watching too many X-Files :) Chris says they wouldn't waste all that money on a single individual just to send them into war. But then again, who knows what the future holds. Rules may change. But I'm crossing my fingers what they say is true. So, yeah, Chris is a Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. Hooah!

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The One with Basic Grey Cards

Depending on who you are/what you're interests are: I'm sorry OR you're welcome for all the scrappy related posts lately. Until I get my energy back (pleeeease come back soon, I need my mojo!) I'm posting things in my queue which are mostly cards and/or layouts.

So here are some Basic Grey cards that I made for the April issue of CARDS.

LOVELY
Card is 4.25" square
Patterned paper, button, jewel, chipboard journaling spot, letter stickers, dimensional flower sticker: Basic Grey; Pinking shears: Fiskars
Place a dimensional flower sticker on top of a chipboard journaling spot. Remove the jewel from the dimensional flower sticker, glue it on top of a yellow button, then adhere the button back on the dimensional flower sticker. Mat the entire chipboard journaling spot on top of a piece of brown patterned paper, then use pinking shears to cut around it. Adhere the entire embellishment on top of a pink patterned paper block then cut around it in a flower shape. Curl up the edges of the petals then adhere the entire flower onto a yellow patterned paper card base. Place "lovely" letter stickers around the curve of the chipboard journaling spot.
Use a pencil to curl the paper petals or simply roll the paper with your fingers.

HEY
Card is 4" square
Patterned paper, buttons, border stickers, chipboard (border, letters), rub ons (border, photo corner): Basic Grey
Apply a photo corner rub on to the top left corner of a cream patterned paper block. Cut the scalloped edge off a chipboard journaling block, cut it into three pieces and stagger them below the rub on photo corner. Set a flower border sticker below the chipboard scallops. Place a flourish border sticker across the middle of the paper block and add a row of colorful buttons above it. Apply a rub on border below the flourish border sticker then adhere a striped paper block to the bottom right corner. Set "hey" chipboard letters on the front. Adhere the entire paper block to a green patterned paper card base using pop dots.
Your scissors will probably get glue on them after trimming off the excess stickers, so use an adhesive remover on your scissors right after cutting to get rid of the stickiness and keep your scissors good as new.

FLORAL
Card is 5.5 x 4.25"
Patterned paper, buttons: Basic Grey; Border punch: Fiskars
Punch the bottom edge of a strip of brown patterned paper using a scalloped border punch then adhere it to the bottom edge of a cream patterned paper card base. Scatter colorful buttons across the front of the card. Cut stems and leaves from patterned paper and adhere them below the buttons to complete the flowers.
Layer buttons of the same color but different sizes to create more dimension and interest.

THANKS
Card is 4.25 x 5.5"
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper, letter stickers: Basic Grey; Floss: DMC; Scalloped circle punch (RIP, haha): Fiskars
Punch 13 scalloped circles from 13 different patterned papers. Stitch the scalloped circles to the front of a cream card, alternating them in rows of three and two. Tie the ends of the floss used to stitch the circles onto the card into bows. Set "Thanks" letter stickers on the bottom right corner.
Basic Grey papers are double-sided so you can punch two scalloped circles from each sheet of paper and use both sides.

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The One with the Abode Blog Hop

American Crafts is hosting a blog hop today! The designers were asked to create a project using the new Abode line. It's mostly themed around home elements. However, when I saw that this photo of the ferris wheel in Disneyland matched perfectly with the color-scheme, I realized this line is quite versatile. Ta da:

DISNEYLAND

Notes:
1) I watched Where the Heart Is while making this layout. Another stellar Natalie Portman movie.
2) I cut strips of patterned paper, sewed them around my picture, then distressed the edges.

Journaling says: One of the many perks of living in Southern California for these four short years is Disneyland is only a half hour away. Just one half hour and we're at the happiest place on earth. It never gets old, it never gets boring, there are always new things to discover.

Supplies: Cardstock, patterned paper, jewel brads, puffy flowers, ribbon, foam letter stickers, pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark; Paper cutter, scissors: Fiskars

Make sure to hop on over to the rest of these fabulous design team member blogs to see their Abode projects:

Kim Arnold

Moon Ko

Kathy Thompson

Katrina Simeck

Melanie Louette

Piradee Talvanna

Loredana Bucaria

Martha Bonneau

Nichole Duenke

Shannon Zickel

Beth Proudfoot

Paige Evans

Wendy Sue Anderson

Doris Sander

Mary Jo Johnston

Elizabeth Carney

Dusti Nakamura

Kim Watson

Holly Hanks

Danielle Layton

Kelly Purkey

Amy Tan

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The One with Hoppy Easter!

Hoppy Easter to you from me and Chandler Wandler.


HAPPY EASTER
How to: Draw an egg shape on a folded piece of white cardstock, cut it out leaving a little bit of the left edge in tact, then run it through a polka dot embossing folder to create a textured background. Die cut lots of small circles from assorted pastel patterned papers then glue them to the back edge of the front of the card. Straight stitch several times around the edge of the card. Tie green polka dot ribbon into a bow, adhere it on the card, and place "happy easter" letter stickers around the ribbon.

Supplies: Cardstock, ribbon, letter stickers, adhesive: American Crafts; Patterned paper: Too many to list :); Die cut machine: Cuttlebug by Provo Craft; Polka dot embossing folder: Provo Craft; Circle die: Nestabilities by Spellbinders

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The One with First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage, Then Comes...

Until October 15th, whenever I go home to Washington and visit my dad at work, I will be able to park in this specially designated spot:

Yup. We're expecting! A bun is in my oven! My eggo is preggo! There's a baby in my belly! I'm knocked up! However you want to say it! And we're so excited!

Our first baby is due October 15th but we're aiming for October 10th. How cool would it be to have a baby born on 10.10.10? The secret's out! Now I can really share what's been on my mind the past 12 weeks (or rather, 10 weeks, cuz they do weeks weird and give you two free ones in the beginning...).

We've had names picked out since before we were even talking about marriage: if it's a boy - Fox Thomas, and if it's a girl - London Catherine.

I've only thrown my guts up once, exactly one week ago, and it was right after I took my prenatal vitamin. I switched vitamins cuz throwing up is one of my biggest phobias. I'm so grateful I haven't been terribly sick. I'm nauseous like 24/7, but only had that one morning of actual sickness.

I've got plenty of stories and things I want to share, but I'll leave it at that. Hehe.

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The One with Going Private

Well folks, it's time for me to make this blog private. Too many people I don't know are taking a look-see. Please email me if you want to be included on the list which lets you access my blog.

















































APRIL FOOLS!
I ain't goin' private. At least not for now.
:)

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