Happy New Year!

photo taken by Bryan Kuntz

Christmas

This year our house was much friendlier than last year...it was pretty empty and lifeless in '06. We'll upgrade to a bigger tree next year.


Justin and I spent the evening together catching up on 'Heroes' episodes and had left over lasagna and hot apple cider throughout the day. As we started our gift opening we heard carolers outside our door. Our friends down the street, Becca and Gabe Black (and his family), came by and brought us homemade bread and jam, plus sang to us in Spanish. I haven't had carolers come to the door since I was in High School at least. It was a nice evening.

Justin and I fill each others stockings each year and Justin wanted me to look inside mine on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning. I found a little piece of paper that sent me on a treasure hunt for my gift. I was so surprised that he got me an original painting by J. Matt Miller. The painting is of one of those nesting Russian dolls. I loved the painting when I first saw it and it is even prettier and more nostalgic in person. I was thrilled...I think secretly Justin wanted it too.

I was very pleased to have gained more Christmas decorations this year. Judy sent us a beautiful nativity that is just my style. Next year I'll have to arrange it more like the official photo on the website (below). And Toni sent us the tile with the words "Wise men still seek him." I'd been wanting one of those since I saw them at other peoples' houses and was excited when she sent it way before Christmas so I could enjoy looking at it. The other little tile is a nativity scene too. It was a gift from the Relief Society Enrichment evening.

After Justin got an art book and an art supply gift card and catalog from his Mom... he just wanted to sit and look at every page.

lightbulb snowmen

I made these two little snowmen ornaments from light bulbs. I wanted to make ornaments as gifts for two special girls I know. They didn't turn out quite as I had imagined but cute nonetheless. I found the idea and directions here.

Gratitude book

For one of our YW activities we made mini paper bag scrapbooks and called them gratitude books. I finally finished mine...notice how the pages get simpler at the end of the book. Even though the pages are small...they still can become time-consuming. I loved putting it together though. I like the different papers, ribbons, beads and flowers...I can see how scrapbooking can become addicting and expensive.

Matt Clayton Photography

www.mattclaytonphotography.com

For those of you who don't know...I have a very talented brother-in-law... no, not you Joey, I'm talking about photography, not cold fusion. Matt is a photographer (among other things) and I am always impressed with is work. Justin and I are on Matt's website in the couples section. Matt took some great couple photos of us last year around Thanksgiving and this is one of my favorites. Lots of his photos can be seen in Square Magazine of which he is editor-in-chief. Check him out...

Halloween

All photos taken by Kristen Duke

CA Coast Trip

This is my favorite painting that Justin painted on our CA Coast Trip.

To see photos of our trip...click here.
To see paintings from the trip go to...www.justinspaintings.com click on September 07

Battery Point Lighthouse (Crescent City, CA)

Justin and I are headed down the CA coast for about 3 weeks. Here we are in Crescent City. It was chilly and overcast but so fun to walk around the lighthouse.

new friends

Ben, Jocelyn, Natalie, Justin, Liz, Reed
(Note to Lizzy Cala Price...I'm wearing the earrings you gave me for my birthday)

So, Justin and I met the Stallers and the Hansens at church. They came over tonight for dinner. We had Papa Murphy's pizza...Stallers brought soda and Hansens brought salad...I made Texas sheet cake...we are in Texas aren't we? We played Uno and talked a lot. By the end of the night the women were chattin' in the kitchen and the men were off in the dining room...It was fun to get to know them. We're all in a similar stage in life (the no kids stage) so that helped with making connections...and not worrying about paying a babysitter or anything like that. I loved it.

Brian tries sushi again

Kris and Brian. Brian hasn't LOVED sushi in the past but was willing to try it again. He likes it... sort of.

Affordable Sushi at Kabuki's on our last day in Los Angeles.

my cousin Reagan

Natalie and Reagan...late dinner at Canter's with friends.

Karl, Natalie, Reagan, Vern

Los Angeles from the 101

North of Leo Carillo Beach 2

It was a perfect spot to spend the day.

I loved the stacked rocks and took too many pictures of them.

Justin painted and I explored ...

...and waited...

but it was so fun to watch the paint become a painting..."rocky beach."

North of Leo Carillo Beach

I'm taking a picture of Justin.

Justin is taking a picture of me.

Guitar Hero

Brad brought Guitar Hero and it he is so good at it. Vern was a close second. Justin picks up on things pretty quickly and I got a couple notes right. It was really fun though. We totally pretend ROCKED OUT!

Oldham's BBQ

Justin prepared and barbecued the salmon.

Justin & Natalie

Dad, Brad, Justin, Hai Minh, Grandpa Oldham

Brad, Amy, Vern, Mom

Mom and I did the shopping, she set the table, everyone helped in some way. It was a nice Sunday afternoon.