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.

Shakespeare & Pinkberry

My parents treated us to the play, The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). We're driving to the play in this picture. It was funny and Justin even enjoyed it.

Afterwards we had Pinkberry for dessert and we treated my parents to that. Just look at those blackberries in my cup. So yummy.

Go Dodgers!

One of the first things we did when we got to Los Angeles was attend a Dodgers' game. Funny, neither of us care much about baseball or the Dodgers AND neither of us had ever been to a game. It was fun though because we went with great friends and ran into other great friends. The Dodgers lost. :(

modeling

This is me, modeling at Art Center of Williamson County.

Justin is set up to the left but he was taking the picture. Denise Mahlke even gave me the drawing she did of me. You can see it on the right (only half way in the picture). And you must be wondering about the huge cactus...I mean, we DO live in Texas y'all. Actually, no one had a good explanation for it...I guess it just sits there...but it wasn't a part of any painting or drawing from today.

4th of July

After working most of the day, Justin and I watched a movie and then went on a walk to see awesome fireworks from the various houses around us. We came home and sat in our driveway but we only had flowers, fire crackers and one lame sparkler left over from New Year's Eve. Our firework display was pretty lame but I thought it was nice just being together.

The firecrackers were really loud.

I wanted to make a red velvet cake, so I did. The "stars" are supposed to look like fireworks. The best part was the cream cheese frosting.

mailbox

Dad helped me reinforce the base of the post and I added just a little white paint. I think it looks so much better.

YW Camp 2007

me, Heidi Jarnagin, Kyndal Louk, Taylor Hyatt (all in my ward)

Our lonely camp while all the girls are doing archery, swimming, canoes, crafts, bb guns, etc.

Sarah Phelps, Peyton Green, Megan Richards (on her birthday Megan got a "heart attack" and a crown).

The girls decorated clothes pins and they turned out so cute (my idea, yay for me).

More girls working on crafts.

I was the leader over the Level 3 girls. There were 17 total and I had 3 other adults helping me....plus Youth Camp Leaders who loved nurturing the level 3s. The whole week was lots of fun. It required a lot of preparation beforehand and exhausting days during the week. I loved being there. Although, I also loved coming home to Justin and sleeping for 13 hours straight. Maybe I'll go again next year.

sunday

Our Crepe Myrtle tree has blossomed and I love the hot pink blossoms (behind us in the photo). Justin was the V.I.P.P. in Sharing Time at church and told the kids about his painting career, how he wants a pug dog one day and how he doesn't like celery, etc. I'm sure they loved it. I taught the lesson on prayer to the 14-15 year old girls. We miss teaching together on Sundays but, really, we're together enough during the week.

Oh, also, Justin and I coordinate our outfits (not purposefully) way too often. Today was one of those days. I guess black is pretty basic...but sometimes it is way too cute, it becomes embarrassing.

I'm going to Girls Camp for the rest of the week (18-22). I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post when I get back.

Have a great day!

bloomin' tree

The tree in our front yard has beautiful flowers. And my cute hanging ferns on the porch are doing so well.

mini cake delights

I found a recipe online for "cake balls" and it caught my attention. Turns out they are delicious...so I added a little twist to the recipe and changed the name to "cake delights." Much better. Decorating them is fun. All of them have chocolate cake inside but if I were to open my own "cake ball" shop, I would have at least 21 various flavors and intricate toppers.

Blanton Museum

At the Blanton in Austin, next to a Robert Henri painting. We're calling it a business field trip.

The stars at night...

This is at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum...we didn't have time to go in.

a couple more from the Vincent's visit

Sabrina & I (in my front yard)

Under Congress Ave. Bridge (aka Bat Bridge)

At Town Lake in Austin

Natalie: "Sylvia, what does the owl say?" Sylvia: "Who-Who!"