It's Almost November!

We recently (ok, in July) upgraded from our point and shoots to a digital SLR camera. we ended up going with a Canon, and have been VERY happy with it. We have a vacation coming up in January, and wanted to make sure we gave ourselves enough time to play with it and learn how to use it well. Here's a few shots!

They Go to California

Almost two months ago (wow, time flies), we spent five days in Southern California. We had a fantastic trip.

We went to a Twins/Angels game with Tyler's friend Ben and his girlfriend Jacqueline. Ben just moved out to LA this spring, so it was great to see him. The Twins lost, but we got to see Jered Weaver's no-hitter - which was very cool. We'll get to check another stadium off our list when we go to Kauffman Stadium in a couple of weeks here.

We decided to drive up the coast to Santa Barbara. I noticed tons of people pulled off with cameras pointed toward the water. I asked Ty if we should stop, figuring there had to be something out there. We pulled off, not knowing that the rest of our day would be spent following a pod or two of gray whales. They were within 100 yards of shore at times. We would pull off, watch for awhile, and then drive up a ways longer to watch for longer. We got to talking with a few locals who were doing the same thing, and it ended up being a really great day that we couldn't have planned.

So big and awesome. There were at least five, possibly up to nine.

 On the way home, we stopped just south of Point Mugu to watch the sunset.

Another day, we drove down to San Diego. We were on the hunt for Hard Rock drumsticks, a Starbucks mug, and La Jolla. After literally 17 calls to various Starbucks locations, we were able to consider all three things a success.

We spent our last day in Hollywood. Walked Hollywood Blvd, and ended up going to see Avengers (for the second time in the less than 48 hours it had been open) at El Capitan Theater. Definitely a worthwhile experience. There was something neat about seeing the movie where it had premiered just weeks earlier. Oh yes, and we were lobster-like.

Tyler & I have decided that traveling is a priority. We have been able to see places ranging from Greece to Turkey to Seattle to Mexico, and many in-between. We know we are very fortunate, and are working hard to be able to take the trips that we do. Next on the list? Kansas City, then Hawaii and hopefully an east coast trip.

The Wedding Video is Finally Posted

Click on the image below to see a highlight video from our wedding.

The Christmas Recap Is Very Belated

Christmas this year was quite crazy - but just fantastic:) Neither Tyler or I had any time off work, so everything was squeezed into a short amount of time.

First, we Tyler bought Justin Bieber wrapping paper. We watched Elf and had a Christmas wrapping party (don't judge the tree, we have judged it enough for all).

 
The weekend before we spent with my dad, brothers, step-family, grandma, aunt and cousins. Since I was 4, we have gone to a dinner theater every Christmas - The Season's Dinner Theater.

Tyler and I just filled stockings for each other, since we had bought a new TV on Black Friday. We did our little celebration on the Thursday prior to Christmas (clearly, we are the perfect, very photogenic couple).

After a week of work, we left Friday evening and drove to Ontario, WI to see my mom and celebrate Christmas with her, my brothers, step-dad and sister.

A drive home on Saturday night preceded Christmas day spent with Tyler's family. Sherlock Holmes II happened - and unlike two years ago - the reels were in the right order. It made for a much less confusing movie.

I would say that our first married Christmas was a success.