Gingerbread Houses

Monday night Nate and I invited a couple in our ward over to decorate gingerbread houses. For weeks we have been talking about inviting a couple over for an FHE activity, and we finally did something about it. We did the gingerbread houses the old fashioned way-from scratch. This was a first for me and I was nervous but I think they turned out well.



We had a great time decorating and socializing with the other couple in our ward. Our house is on the left. I think they both look great!

Dumpster Diving

As part of our assignment on the ward activites committee, we were asked to be in charge of planning the program for the Christmas party. We decided that were were going to decorate the stage like a family room and have a grandparent read some Christmas stories to the children. We made arrangements for a Christmas tree, armchair, end table and lamp; but there was something missing. We needed a mantle to hang stockings!

We went on a quest for the perfect box, but we were struggling. While looking at the options at Home Depot we asked an employee if they had any used boxes in the back. They didn't, but he suggested that we try the dumpster at Pier 1. We did, and found the ultimate box cache.

We found the perfect box seconds before the rent-a-cop pulled up and we took our treasure home to create the perfect stage prop.

I think it turned out pretty well.

We Bleed Purple - SF Style

A week and a half ago my family came out to visit us! Eric and Maren came on Friday and spent the night on our floor, then we were met by my Dad, Mom, Grandpa and Grandma on Saturday morning. It was fun to drive through the city and listen to my Grandma point out all of "the homeless."

The official purpose of the visit was to see the Weber State Wildcats play the University of San Francisco Dons. We all got decked out in purple and went to the game on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately the Cats lost, but it was fun anyway. We ended the evening with dinner at Scoma's, and since it was on Dad's dime we splurged and ordered oysters. They weren't half bad with enough horseradish on them.

The short visit ended Sunday afternoon with a great meal cooked by Jaime. It was fun to have some visitors and do some sightseeing with the family.

Birthday Wishes

Today is a significant birthday in the life of someone significant to me - my mom. I won't say how old she is turning but she is considered a grandma to three of my nephews. However, I do have to say my litle sister keeps her energetic and young.

My mom is an amazing person and has been a great mom. She has instilled many values in my siblings and me. I think I can speak for us all: WE LOVE YOU MOM!!!

Remember the Day....

Last week Nate and I finally received the disk that contains the photos from our wedding day. After going through nearly 1,700 photos, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share the photos on our blog. I tried to keep the ones I posted to a minimum but narrowing it down from 1,700 was a challenge for me.

As I was looking through the photos, I was struck by awe at how beautiful the flowers were. Our florist, Lori Tolbert, did an amazing job!

Brunch and Temple

Reception

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

"O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree; Much pleasure thou canst give me!" Last night Nate and I went to find our 1st Christmas Tree. Up until now, December hasn't felt too much like Christmas with the weather in the 50's and no snow. Picking the perfect tree was a tough one. We went to the local Trader Joe's and after looking through every tree found the PERFECT one, not only because it was the perfect size for our apartment but also fit within our budget. (Okay, there really weren't too many to choose from.) We then spent the rest of the evening decorating it.



Afterwards, we opened our first Christmas present! Last weekend my parents gave us a gift saying we could open it whenever we wanted. Then almost every day I have talked to my mom since (which is everyday), she has asked if we've opened it yet. To my delight, it was a nativity set! Now we have two Christmas decorations in our apartment: the Christmas tree and the nativity!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

LA, Baby!

Jaime and I took a little road trip this past weekend down to Southern California to see baby Isaac Bryce Callister. It was a great trip for a few reasons:

1. we met Issac for the first time
2. we got to be with Jessica and Bryce
3. we hung out with Christian, my college roommate
4. Jaime delayed receiving a calling for another week

Christian moved to LA in June to become a Commercial Real Estate Broker. As it turns out he is a good host. He graciously opened his studio apartment and gave Jaime and me his bed for the weekend. Saturday morning he woke up early and made us breakfast then showed us the hot spots in Santa Monica.

Us with Christian at the Farmers Market on the 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Pier

The rest of the weekend we spent with Jaime's family taking turns holding the baby. Sunday Isaac was blessed and we had a nice picnic in the park. It was a beautiful day. Unfortunately the weekend flew by and before we knew it we were on the road back home.

Jaime with Issac - Notice how peaceful he looks

Another picture with Isaac - this time not so peaceful.
I like to think that he was hungry and it has nothing to do with the person holding him

New TV Addiction

A little behind the times and as late adopter groupies, Nate and I have officially become addicted to the TV series Lost. We were given Season 1 for our wedding and it took us a few months to start watching but once we did we couldn't stop.

And now, after losing a few bids on eBay for Lost Season 2, we finally were victorious and should have the next season on its way in the mail. We can't wait to get it. Although, we'll have to keep our watching to a weekly minimum since Nate should be studying for the CPA exam he is signed up to take in January and well...I should probably do more productive things with my time.

Singing Beauty

Another fun thing Nate and I were able to do on our short trip to Boise for Thanksgiving was attend one of my little sister's performances. She is part of a singing and dancing group called, "Showtime Company." When my parents first signed her up, she acted as if she wasn't excited to be in it but we all new with her love to perform in front of people and her natural ability to ham it up on stage, she would end up enjoying it. You can tell by the smile on her face that she loves performing and the group.


Her group performed at Boise's Festival of Trees on Saturday. Growing up, I always thought festival of trees was unique to Boise and it was a play off of Boise's tag name "City of Trees" Nate kindly informed me my long time notion was false and other cities do the same thing. I guess I didn't get out much. After browsing through all the trees, I decided the rubber duckey one was probably my favorite. People are so creative!

Thanksgiving

This year our Thanksgiving holiday started at 6:00 am on Wednesday morning. We flew from Oakland to Boise and we wanted to give ourselves as much time as possible given that we were taking public transportation to the airport on one of the busiest travel days of the year. It turns out that our worrying was for nothing. BART was on time and we made it to the airport and through security almost two hours before our flight left. Better early than late, that's what I always say.

Thanksgiving was great. We made the drive with Jaime's family from Boise to Rexburg Wednesday afternoon, then finished the last hour and a half to the West Piney Girl's Camp Lodge in Swan Valley, ID Thursday morning. The drive was a good lesson in Idaho history because we were sure to stop at as many historical markers as possible.

At the site of the Teton Dam which failed in 1976. Just one stop on the Idaho history tour

We spent Thanksgiving with the extended Jacobson family. It was a good experience for me to finally meet the aunts and uncles, even if it was a bit overwhelming trying to remember Blaine's 10 siblings and their spouses. It is especially intimidating when you meet a new uncle over an intense game of Rook. The Jacobsons take their Rook very serious and you feel like your worth as a person hinges on your strategy in the game.

Warming up for a Rook game by playing a little speed. You can tell by Jaime's face that she just wiped the floor with me. (Sorry no pictures of an actual Rook game, everyone is too intense to remember to snap a photo.)

Thanksgiving was a great holiday for us to escape from our daily grind in California and reconnect (or connect for the first time) with our loved ones. We are grateful for our family and all the support they give us.

Two Nephew Birthdays

My brother's two little boys celebrated their birthday's this past week. Ryder turned one on November 12th and Tyson turned four on November 13th. They are the cutest boys so I thought I would post some pictures of them.

Happy Birthday!!!!

G-OLD-en Curry

Last night Nate and I tried our hand at making curry. It was a first for both of us made easier by a box of curry paste I bought awhile ago and carted with me here to San Francisco-one of the few items in my cupboard to make the journey.

Part way through the dinner, I started thinking back to how long ago I purchased the box. It really didn't seem to long ago until I started putting together a bit of a timeline. Running to the trash I pulled out the box and looked at the "Best Before Date." When I saw it, I was almost too embarrassed to show Nate. June 13, 2004. Yikes! Hopefully I didn't poison him. We figure I bought the box the summer of 2003 and have carried it around with me since. I always knew I wanted to make curry sometime and just couldn't part with it. It tasted good. I wonder if it would have tasted that much better 4 years ago?

Golden Gate

We were a little bummed that we didn't have time to share a proper San Francisco experience with my parents before they left, so we had one without them.

We woke up to a beautiful, clear Sunday morning and we decided to make the most of it. After church and a quick lunch we took the scenic route from Millbrae, along the coast, and across the Golden Gate Bridge.


The viewpoints were especially crowded with people both enjoying the perfect weather and trying to catch a glimpse of the oil spill in the Bay. Neither Jaime nor I could see anything, but when Jaime was at the pier on Friday she could smell oil.

I "Wood"n't Say It Was A Bad Weekend

Last weekend my folks (Doug and Annette) came to visit us. Actually, the official purpose of the visit was for my dad to attend a banking conference in the city. We tried to show them a good time, but unfortunately I was scheduled to perform an inventory count iat a lumber yard in Modesto, CA. The count took longer than anticipated and I ended up spending 4 hours on Friday night, then leaving at 6:30 am to continue the job on Saturday. I never thought my accounting degree would land me in Modesto, sweating like crazy, and armed with nothing but a pen and tape measure. Stay in school, kids.

So all I had time for with my parents was a nice dinner on Thursday night, and a quick dinner Friday. Jaime, on the other hand, spent the entire afternoon shopping with her mother-in-law. Just what every newlywed dreams of. (Just kidding mom, she had a good time)

Sorry no pics of the visit or the lumber yard. We're still new at blogging and don't have our cameras at the ready 24/7.

A "Spook-tacular" Time

The Saturday before Halloween, we were in charge of helping out at the ward Halloween Party and Chili Cook Off! Nate and I pulled out the beautiful kimonos my uncle Dallin and his fiancee, Ai, had sent to us for our wedding. Though our Chili didn't win a prize, we should have won one for our costumes. :) We were a hit with all the Japanese members of our ward. We had several people come up and take pictures of us to send back to their friends and family in Japan. All commented on how beautiful the kimonos were. Thanks Dallin and Ai!

1/4 Century

Last week Jaime turned the big two-five. We decided to make her feel better by celebrating with a group of kids half her age at High School Musical: The Ice Tour. It was "Fabulous" as we "Bopped to the Top" to discover the 'Music in Me".

HSM was actually the Saturday after her birthday. To celebrate her actual birthday, I hurried home from work and frosted the cake Jaime had made for herself. I'm no professional cake decorator, but I think I did a pretty good frosting job, despite the claim from Jaime that I stacked the cakes wrong. You can judge for yourself.

Exploring the City

One day, while waiting for a prescription to be filled at Costco I came across a small box titled, "City Walks: San Francisco." Intrigued I grabbed it and read, "Skip the dull tour guides, ditch those unruly maps, and experience San Francisco like a native - on foot!...each card in this deck outlines a self-guided walking adventure, with a detailed map on one side and insider information on the other...you'll discover the locals' favorite places to eat, drink, stop, shop, rest, walk, and play." So, I bought it. I figured it was a great and inexpensive way to get to know the city-not to mention healthy with all the walking.

So, a few weeks ago Nate and I grabbed one of the cards as we had a free afternoon and started to explore. The card we grabbed was Chinatown I (Grant Avenue). We took BART into the city, which was only my second time ever to use BART. I love public transportation. It adds to the whole big city feel. Our BART station is actually pretty nice. It's the last stop south on the peninsula so doesn't get as much traffic as the others. I was intrigued by the bronze statues they have displayed on the platform area. I wasn't quite sure why they are located where they are but we took pictures next to them anyways.

Once we got to Chinatown we started at the dragon gates, the entrance to the infamous Chinatown, and walked up Grant Avenue, which happens to be one of San Francisco's oldest streets. From the card we learned that San Francisco has the world's largest Asian population outside of China and makes up close to 1/3 of the cities' population. (I believe it!)

The whole street is filled with Chinese paper lanterns, store windows are packed full of ornate ceramic bowls and jade carvings-plus it wouldn't be complete without all the cheap tourist items. Some buildings on the street have their own oriental flare with the upraised roofs. Even one of the playgrounds contained Asian looking jungle gym sets. The playground we saw, which is one of the only open spaces in Chinatown was one of the city's first civic centers during the Gold Rush.

Overall, the evening was great and we learned a lot! Hopefully we have as good of a time on the next 49 cards. Stay tuned for more San Francisco "insider information".

Dragon Gate entrance to Chinatown

The two of us about to start our walk up Grant Avenue-passing the dragon sentinals

One of the many ornate carvings in the store windows

Just having fun with the tourist merchandise

The lanterns that were strung across the streets plus the ornate architecture

The Chinese playground