Highlights of 2011

As the new year approached, I started thinking back over 2011 and all that happened, and I thought I would highlight some of my favorites here for you.

January:

 I turned 27

 February:

I was privileged to be a part of the birth of my second nephew, Nathan James

I was thrilled to be a part of my cousin Brian's proposal to his girlfriend (and one of my best friends) Danielle

June:

Matt & I had our wedding rehearsal...

...which was followed by a great rehearsal dinner.

 And our amazing wedding...

Maggie Sottero gown

Just before walking up the aisle with my daddy

Moment I have dreamed of my whole life

Married to my best friend

Surround by our best friends and family

One of my happiest days

With my nephew and love, Ben, as our ring bearer

My Uncle Phil was our officiant

All of our beautiful flowers were the work of some close family friends. Couldn't of imagined anything more perfect!

In love

 And our honeymoon in Maui...

Laying out rain or shine

Private beaches for snorkeling

Organic lavender farm

Amazing views and amazing meals

 And we got our miniature dachshund puppy and named him Hunter...

 July:

Made new friends at my new job

 October:

Started a new tradition of going to the pumpkin patch

We celebrated our engagement anniversary with our first trip to Napa:

November:

Family reunion with family from Denmark

December:

Our first Christmas. I added to our homemade stocking to continue my family's tradition.

Hunter loved Christmas too. Mainly all the wrapping paper to destroy. (Here he is with one of his favorite towels to cuddle with)

We can't wait to see what 2012 holds! Happy New Year everyone!

Changes & Wisdom

As the new year rolls around, Matt and I are looking at making some changes. We're not really ready to talk about any of these upcoming possibilities (and NO, they DON'T include babies - unless they're your babies) but we ask that you support us with your prayers for wisdom, guidance, and timing. Thank you and we'll keep you posted!

Our First Christmas

Growing up, Matt always had an artificial tree and I always had a living tree. My family tradition was to either cut down a tree at a local tree farm or go to a local store and buy one. Matt and I decided together on a live tree and headed out to buy one at our local Home Depot on Saturday night. In a short matter of time we picked out a Douglas Fir tree in the 5-6ft section and had it trimmed and ready to put in the Jeep and take home. We spent the evening setting it up, stringing on the lights, and decorating it. I had already decorated the house the weekend before, so with the tree, everything was complete for our first Christmas together! 

Here are the pictures:

Keeping presents under a tree when you have a puppy who loves paper is not a good idea. Keeping them here for now. 

Our tree

Tree with stocking in background

A family of stockings. It's Fabulich tradition to make them. :)

Here's the one my mom and I made for Hunter

And the one my mom and I made for Matt

Tree

First ornament we hung was a wedding picture in a 2011 frame from Crate & Barrel

This is a Lennox ornament my Grandma gave me years ago and I finally have a tree to hang it on!

An ornament from the Daroca family

Two little ornaments I bought for myself last year :)

We decided on a cheap tree skirt this year in case Hunter tried to eat it

Our new bookshelf we got on Black Friday. The DVD case normally goes where the tree is so we moved it here for now. 

Kitchen table decorations: dark chocolate espresso beans, chocolate truffles, hurricane with candle from Crate & Barrel, and a basket of cinnamon scented pine cones. 

Coffee bar on top, and wine bar on first shelf. Family photos below with Matt's books. 

Living room

Here's Hunter sticking his tongue out. He enjoyed the decorating party we had. 

Hunter- 7 months old

Celebration in Napa

A few weeks back Matt surprised me with a getaway weekend to Napa to celebrate the anniversary of our engagement. I was super excited because we have always wanted to go wine tasting, we love traveling to new places, and he made a big deal out of something he knew was a big deal to me. Love that! He went above and beyond by booking a beautiful and luxurious hotel, as well as a fully stocked limo to take us around Napa for the day! (Matt also knew I had never been in a limo and had always really wanted to.)

The day started out cool and then warmed up nicely. Our limo driver was very helpful in suggesting places to go and tips for different wineries. He also looked like Zach Galifianakis (guy with the beard from The Hangover) and was hilarious. We had a great time hanging out with him and had some good laughs, especially when Matt poured me a large glass of water only for me to find out it was vodka. Seriously- it was in a crystal bottle and all. Who thinks that is water?! Apparently my husband. HAHAHA! Luckily I caught a large whif of it first and realized his error before taking a drink.

Our limo driver suggested a great deli to stop at for lunch and have a picnic and also suggested a great place for us to go to dinner. So we made reservations and later that night were dining at Morimoto Restaurant in downtown Napa. We both had what was one of the best meals we have ever had and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. It's worth the extra cost to have a memorable meal together. We ended the evening by walking around downtown Napa, getting mocha's at a local coffee shop, and then hanging out at the hotel bar where we made friends with the bartender and got a personal sampler where we found some new favorite wines.

The next morning we had breakfast and then headed home to pick Hunter up from the Petsmart Hotel where he did great on his first overnight trip from mom and dad. Overall a fantastic weekend!

Mumm Napa

Mumm Napa

Mumm Napa

Mumm Napa

Frog's Leap

Frog's Leap

Silver Oak

Coppola

Coppola

Coppola

Almond Mocha

*And yes, Matthew has quite a full beard as I'm sure you'll notice. There is a contest at his work for charity where they are growing beards and then shaving them into mustache's. It will be gone when he comes home from his next China trip. Thankfully. :)

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Ever since Ben was born, I have gone to the pumpkin patch in October with my sister and her family. We always take lots of pictures and enjoy the hay, animals, and atmosphere. 

Ben less than 1 year old. Our first time at the pumpkin patch together:

Me, my sister, and my nephew Ben

Ben 1 year old. Just learning to walk and explore:

So strong! 

The 3 of us

This little boy LOVES pumpkins

Practicing to be a regular farmer

Ben 2 years old: Becoming such a big boy!

Still loves his pumpkins :)

Looking so old. Miss my wee little pumpkin of the past but so proud of his growth!

This year I wasn't able to go with them since I have moved and I was having a really hard time with that. Matt and I talked about it and it turns out Matt hasn't been to a pumpkin patch in over a decade and really wanted to go with me! So after consulting Google we went out in search of a farm. After one disappointment in Mountain View we finally found what we were looking for in Morgan Hill. I may be missing my old traditions but a large part of marriage is starting our own traditions and I'm really looking forward to continuing this one and am so grateful for a husband who supports me and takes care of all of my needs- even if they're only silly little pumpkin ones. :)

80 degrees felt more like summer than fall but it was a beautiful day! 

They had a train ride and a hay ride

Our family of pumpkins (Big one is Matt's - he's quite proud)

Beautiful day with a Radio Flyer full of pumpkins

First year together at the pumpkin patch! (Matt needs to stop losing his sunglasses - haha!)