Juliette

In July, we had the chance to have a foreign exchange student from France come to live with us for about 3 weeks.  It was a GREAT experience and we are looking forward to doing it again.  We're hoping that Juliette will come to stay with us again.  We loved having her with us and had so many fun experiences!  She had a tutorial class during the day (9:00-4:00) where she would study English and then in the evenings and weekends, we got to show her "Californie".

Juliette, enjoying a helmet sundae at the Rivercats game

We went to Santa Cruz and went camping.  Juliette brought her friend, Aude with her and we all had a great time.

Santa Cruz-Big Dipper.  Juliette's face is classic!

 

 

On the Pirate Ship

 

 

 

 

 

At Old Sac

 

 

At the State Fair-  This picture cracks me up because Aaron's mom said she just had to take her picture inside the Mona Lisa.  Juliette didn't want to and I was dying laughing as Karen put her in the frame and pulled her hair through the face opening.  Hilarious!!

 

On the California Bear at the State Fair

 

I knew we would be showing Juliette California (she had already been to New York) but we ended up learning a ton about France too.  While there were a lot of things that I learned that I really liked about the French culture, I really came to appreciate living in America too.

 

Top Reasons I am no longer moving to Paris, France:

 

1. The popcorn at their movies or in general is sweet like kettle corn.  They don't have buttered popcorn.
2. They only have plain oreos.  (No mint, double-stuffed, etc.)
3. They don't have dipped cones!!
4. Rocky Road ice cream is not a flavor there.
5. They always dress nicely there.  No one ever goes out of the house in sweats or yoga pants (I live in yoga pants)
6. Their clothing, food, and just everything is more expensive.  They do not have outlet stores.
7. Their divorce rate is higher.  Juliette told me that one of the reasons for this is that both spouses work so much harder and they're stressed. They have longer work hours but they get more vacation time.
8. From what I understand, there are less ice cream places, less variety, and less flavors.
9. There are less restaurants and fast food chains.
10. I don't think you can get away with a bun or "messy hairdo".  You always have to do your hair nice and look chic.  That's why the French are so classy!  We are so much more relaxed here, but I like it!

London Room

Well today I'm playing catch up with my blog posts.  A while back, we finished the guest room.  We decorated it in kind of a UK Urban Rock theme.  I like the way it turned out.

 

 

I'm really proud of these.  The outer two were created by my sister, Em (awesome graphic designer) and I created the middle one.  I think they turned out really nice.

 

I re-worked this little nightstand and added beautiful new knobs.

 

 

 

 

4th of July Weekend-Donner Lake

This past Saturday for the 4th of July weekend, we got together with Aaron's family at Donner Lake for a family hike and a day at the lake.  It was so fun to get together and it was a beautiful day, however a little windy.  I brought the camera (of course) and got some good pictures of the baby girls (nieces).  They are sooo cute!!  I watermarked my photos again, not because I think I'm some kind of amazing professional photographer (because I'm not--I'm just a beginner and a hobbyist) but because I read online today that people steal photographs and then use them for other things.  So maybe this will help deter.....

Emilee and baby Chloe

 

 

 

Chloe is so photogenic.  She always smiles and makes photography easy!

 

 

We had to get swimsuit shots of the girls.  Look at those rolls!!

 

Love the hat!!

 

 

 

 

Camille in her "swimma".  So cute!

 

 

So Phil (Camille's dad) said she looks like a little old lady with the hat.  Now that's all I think about when I see these pictures and it makes me laugh.  But she is still a cutie!!

 

 

Aaron and his siblings taking dad to the "Shark cage".  I love the expression on his face in this picture!  Classic!

 

 

 



 

Love this one!  Aaron, Phil, and Mel with incredible balance!

 

Camille isn't able to sit up by herself yet so we had to improvise.  Look at that smile!

 

Camille just loves to stand!

 

I love how she is reaching for her mom in this photo!!

 

Chloe needs to be a baby model.  Whenever the camera comes out, she knows just what to do!

 

 

 

Aaron and I found these dresses when we were at Lake Siskiyou for the 4th of July and just had to get them for the girls.  We're so glad we did!!

 

I love my nieces!  So cute!!

Welcome Rowdy!!

2 weeks ago, we welcomed the newest member of our family, Rowdy.  We bought Rowdy from a lady in Auburn who had to sell her because she had to move to take care of her Grandma and wasn't allowed to have pets.  Rowdy is about 5 years old and is a purebred long-haired dachshund.  She is absolutely the sweetest little girl and we love her so much already!!  There was a little bit of an adjustment period between her and Minnie at first.  They fought for "top dog" a lot those first couple of days and we were worried they wouldn't ever get along.  But they love each other now and give each other kisses!  We feel fortunate to have this new addition to our family.  So sweet!

Kaylin's Baptism & Camille's Blessing

About 2 weekends ago, we ventured to Reno (yes, in winter) for our nieces Kaylin's baptism and Camille's baby blessing.  It was so fun to get together with family and be a part of their special day.  Becca was a gracious host as always, very accomodating, and cooked the most delicious food. (Who would expect anything less?!)  I took some pictures.  Here are the highlights:

Becca really wanted to get a few pictures with Kaylin and Camille together.  I really liked this one.  Kaylin is so loving with her sister.

 

 

I love this mom & daughter picture.  This was taken after Kaylin got baptized and she was so excited!

 

 



Kaylin in her beautiful baptism dress.

 

 

Kaylin with her new scriptures.

 

 

 

 

Camille's baby blessing photos

 

 



 

 

Chloe had been blessed a couple of weeks prior so we took some more pictures of her and the two cousins together.

 

 

 

 

Had such a great time with all my nieces and family.  Love these girls!!



Chloe's Baby Blessing

A few weekends ago, we attended Chloe's baby blessing (our niece from Emilee and Shane).  Em asked me to take some pictures of Chloe and they actually turned out cute!  I added a logo to my pics so that hopefully people can't snatch them on the internet.  :)