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I started this blog in 2007, the day I felt like telling the world that Josh and I were celebrating our one year of dating. Blogging was just starting to take root. There weren't anything like professional bloggers, or books being made by bloggers, or ads on blogs. Life sure has changed since then, and not only in the blog world but in my tiny world too.

It's time to leave the baby's nest folks. So come and visit me over here now - for everything else, babies! moves! triumphs! and hopefully something just as funny as when we experienced this together.

www.joshandj.blogspot.com

Coming Soon, A New Address!

I've got something cooking. I've been slaving away these past few days, working hard on a new URL for the blog, one that no longer has my maiden name in the title. (I think it's time to let that go, don't you?). :p Truthfully, I would have done it sooner but I couldn't find a clever new name that suited my fancy and was also available. Apparently, the blog world is crowded!

Anywoo, turns out the simple was available and works best. A few more tweeks and I'll be ready to send you the new link. It's pretty much the same, with a bit of sprucing. Onward and upward!

PW's Hotel Butter

Have you ever had hotel butter? It's the special kind you get at fancy places that has herbs and cool stuff in it. I have always wondered about that butter and the Pioneer Woman answered. 

I made it last week and it's been sitting in my fridge calling my name. Tonight I bought really cheap red meat, pan fried it, and threw a slab of herby butter on there. YUM. It was lemony and and totally worth the extra lap I had to do on my run. 

There were days when I used to never eat red meat. I still don't lean towards it but that butter made it worth it. I think it would be the perfect touch to a hosted meal. 

Recipe here. Into my Paprika app it goes!

Hello October

Today is Cole's 1 month birthday. I would celebrate every new day but that might be a tad too much. Happy 23th day! 24th day! 64th day!

Seems like yesterday when I met the little wonder. Took this last week. Those tiny little limbs!

While Cole is celebrating his 1 month, this past weekend we celebrated another birthday, Josh's grandma. Life is so amazing isn't it?

Happy Monday friends. 

Blane and the Poop

I'm home because home is wherever Josh is.

I missed him terribly. My own sappiness annoys me. But yet, that was how I felt anyway. :/

I had a splendid time in LA - dinner with friends, dessert catch ups, Instagram fun, and mostly hanging with Aimee, Cole, and Blane. When you hang out with Blane you are always rewarded with something. He is the best reactor to things. Where Aimee and Josh are more reserved and private, Blane and I are most decidedly NOT. We always "feel" things and can be counted on for a good reaction. There is also nothing the two of us won't talk about so we often drag A and Josh into great conversations. And although they would roll their eyes, Blane and I know they love it.

Before I left for LA I found fake dog poop in the dollar section at Target. Of course I had to buy it for Blane. Last night I finally had the chance to use it. I put it on his doorstep and waited till he came home. He didn't see it initially so Aimee asked him to check the mail. STILL didn't see it so she asked him if the neighborhood cat was around and he looked down and completely had a cow. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Blane, talking to himself, "Oh my gosh, what the heck is that? what the heck is that? J! Come over here, what is this????"

I walk over there and he had grabbed his slipper and was beating the gelatinous poop, freaked out.

"WHAT THE HECK IS THAT! That is SO gross." Look, it jumps!"

He was making so much noise about it that a random stranger walking by asked him if he was killing a spider and if he was okay.

Aimee and I were laughing so hard we were crying. Sigh, good times.

Blane and I

Aimee is doing really well. How do I explain it? One summer we took a class together at community college and I had to pretend to I didn't know the girl who sat in the front row and kept raising her hand to answer all the questions. -_- Use that and apply it to motherhood. She's ace'ing the class, if you will.

Here's Cole. Initially he was sitting on my lap just relaxing and looking at me.

And then he was so comfy he fell asleep.

And the silly little guy stayed like that even when I stood up! 

Pure heaven. 

Tailgating 101

It's football season and I can't go a whole week without saying something about it. Especially about this past Saturday. We tailgated. Yup, like the folks down south who camp out all night, smoke meat fresh from their backyard or (in the interest of geographical fairness) like Raider fans who color their bodies and wear ridiculous outfits and yell and scream like there's no tomorrow.

Fanatics.

When you compare Josh's family to those type of fans, we are relatively normal.

I learned that tailgaters have a certain system. If you want to blend in you need 1. a tent with your home team written all over it 2. a portable BBQ 3. tables for setup 4. games 5. chairs 6. homemade food 7. a large flat screen tv 8. a satellite dish for the tv 9. friends

We didn't have no ordinary game day food. My MIL prepped all night so we could feast on beef, chicken, and shrimp skewers, spam musubi, chips and homemade dip, fresh cut fruits and veggies, and more. Family friends brought even more food with rice balls, mochi chicken, and dessert.

the girls

Josh's family. Do you think my white white skin gives me away as the "married in" one? :p

And the motley crew. Sorry, this is as good as it got. And no, the white guy isn't part of the family.

Being first timers, we did pretty well. Pretty much nailed it except for the flat screen tv and cable hookups. But that was okay, there were so many tv's around us it wasn't hard to see a score or watch a play.Tailgating was fun. HOT, but fun. I guess there's no looking back now. Fight on.

Excuses 1,2, and 3

I'm late posting today. 

Also, I'm good at stating the obvious.

But I have the best excuse, says the student to the teachers. And here they are excuse 1, 2, and 3.

1. 

2.

3.

I guess I take photos when he's sleeping. But there's something special when it's ultra quiet and his tiny body is snuggled up against yours, completely trusting you while he sleeps. 

Blissful.

A Real, Live Girl

Speaking of birthdays, 31 is fast approaching for me and although it's not near as special as your 1st, it is one I will remember. Oddly, I find myself eyeing girlie things. I've never been one to lean towards girlie (In fact, all of my necklaces are gifts from my mom) so I don't know what's come over me. Maybe it's because I don't want to look like an "old 31" or because I'm now back on my feet and ready to face the world or maybe it's because I'm turning into "a real live girl, Geppetto!". But for whatever reason, here's what currently strikes my fancy.

1. We make it a point to visit her every time we walk through Nordstroms, the Tory Burch Rachael Crossbody Clutch 2. A touch of fancy, thin but big (real) gold hoop earrings 3. Martina patent wedge because of its versatility 4. the Cece studded leather ballet flats for everyday 5. A simple, daily perfume because I think Josh would like it  6. A brow pencil because you'd laugh if you saw what I was using 7. Lulu's because it's time 8. and my only utility, a headband to cover my ears while I run.

Have a beautiful weekend ya'll. I'm headed to a tailgating party (betcha can't guess for who) and to see my nephew. Our two favorite things!