California Trip, Week 1

We were lucky enough to spend two weeks in California for Christmas. We had a wonderful time introducing Mercedes to friends and family! Enjoy the picture overload!

Mercedes' first flight! She hardly fussed on our way to California, save for when it was 2 a.m. our time and we were trying to get her to sleep. Thankfully, she did take a nap in the airport during the layover. 

Visitors

We've had fun recently with both my parents and my cousin Kourtney, and her husband Alden, coming to visit us in Amarillo. Both visits we didn't do a whole lot except for visiting — but honestly, that's the way we like it!

While my parents were here, my mom helped me nest by shopping and decorating baby girl's room. And my dad spoiled us, too — impulsively, which is what he's known best for!

My dad impulsively buying us a new TV. Mom helping set up the nursery. 

2013: Highlights

For me, 2013 was a year of many ups and downs. There were a few heartbreaks and also a handful of triumphs. Read on for a recap of my last twelve months.

January:
The year started off with a bang when I found out I was pregnant. I was shocked, thrilled and absolutely terrified.

February:
February started off without a hitch, and I felt incredibly lucky on Valentine's Day to be celebrating a new chapter in our lives — I even made a card themed around how big our baby was supposed to be that week: an olive. Unfortunately, a few days later, I was devastated when I was blindsided by the beginning of a miscarriage.

NYE 2013

Despite the both of us battling a week-long's illness, by the time New Year's Eve rolled around we were both feeling stir crazy. We headed up to Oklahoma City to join hundreds of others during Oklahoma City Art Council's Opening Night. We purchased a wrist band for the night and were then allowed access to roller derby, live music, magic shows, etc. It was nice to celebrate the new year with so many others in a festive atmosphere, and oddly enough, it's the first time Nathaniel and I have actually celebrated New Year's together. It was about time! And miraculously, neither of us wimped out before midnight!

 We watched a roller derby match. It was surprisingly easy to get into the fun!

Miami 2013

After our trip at Disney World we headed down to Miami to spend more time with Nathaniel's side of the family. It's been a while since we've been to Miami and we had a blast catching up with family and old friends. We are really grateful for our loved ones there and feel like we are leaving a bit of our hearts in Florida every time we come back to Oklahoma.

While in Miami we talked our heads off and ate more food than was even remotely reasonable. We slept in, went to the mall, walked around Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and generally just enjoyed ourselves.

At Vizcaya. So beautiful and peaceful.

Disney World 2013

We headed to Florida the week before Christmas to enjoy some time at Disney World with our families. And when I mean family I mean like Nathaniel's third cousin and their best friends, totaling up to 20 people at some points. It was loud, crazy and totally awesome. Sadly, we did not get a group photo. But at least we have the memories!

My parents with Pooh and Tigger, and me and Nathaniel with Pooh and Tigger. Once we noticed both Nathaniel and Tigger were "wearing stripes" there were a lot more shenanigans going on than just smiling and posing!

Thanksgiving in Lubbock

We had the chance to head to Lubbock, Texas, to spend time with our families for Thanksgiving. We spent a lot of time eating food — of course — shopping and watching movies. Love the chance to spend time with family!

After shopping with my brother, Tyler. He was so psyched for new drum gear.

Oklahoma Arts Conference in Ardmore

I went to the Oklahoma Arts Conference in Ardmore this week and had the most incredible time learning about Oklahoma's arts community and networking with other artists, arts administrators and advocates. Oklahoma has a wonderful community of people striving to improve their communities and the state at large through the arts. I am grateful to be a part of a city and state that truly values the arts and recognizes the many ways arts benefit us as a community! The conference is coming to Norman in 2014, too...can't wait to see Norman's fabulous arts community be shown off to the rest of the state!

Always,

2013 Jazz in June

The weekend of our birthdays we spent the evening enjoying Norman's Jazz in June. It was a lovely evening in the park listening to live music. Read the story I wrote on the event here.

With my love.

And the music! LOVED The Dirty Dozen Brass Band!

Always,

Taylor + Logan

I woke up bright and early June 1 to get ready to be a bridesmaid in Taylor's wedding. We all had a blast getting ready in anticipation of Tay's big day!

Myself and the bride.

I think we were all well and ready once the ceremony finally came around and it was perfect! The weather was beautiful and the pastor's delivery even sweeter. The entire ceremony focused around the marital covenant and its connection to the Savior Jesus Christ. It was simple, tender and so sweet. I'm so grateful I was there to witness and support my dear friend marry the man of her life! Marriage is such a gift and I know they will make big things from it!

High school friends :)

To top off a perfect ceremony, the reception was awesome! The food was delicious, company great and the music kept us dancing all night! And did I mention the view? The reception was at a lighthouse, right on the water...so breathtaking!

With the bride, with my love, at the reception.

You can check out some of the professional photos here.

Always,

San Diego Mormon Battalion Historic Site

Before we headed to the rehearsal dinner on Friday we wandered to the San Diego Mormon Battalion Historic Site. The site was very well done — both adorably entertaining and informative. It was interactive which, really, is perfect for any age range. I would definitely check it out if you're in the San Diego area.

Nathaniel dressing up as a battalion member.

Kayaking in La Jolla

The Thursday we were in San Diego we headed to La Jolla to go kayaking in the ocean. It was an incredible adventure — exciting, peaceful, educational and shockingly beautiful! I'm so glad we purchased a water proof camera for the experience. It was well worth it to have the memories captured!

It was a little scary to kayak out over the surf and admittedly it took me a long time to get use to the rockiness of being in a kayak — especially a double kayak!  

Disneyland and San Diego Zoo 2013

The day after we arrived in San Diego for Taylor's wedding we headed to the San Diego Zoo. The weather was lovely and it wasn't terribly busy — it was perfect! We both had a blast seeing the animals and just being together.

At the zoo.

Taylor's Bachelorette Party

Remember when I was asked to be a bridesmaid? The final days of being a Clark finally arrived for the future Mrs. McBride! We arrived in San Diego just in time for me to head out to the bachelorette party. We — the bride, bridesmaids and a few friends — spent the night in Downtown San Diego dancing, bar hoping and all around just having a good time! Definitely a success celebrating Taylor's last week of singledom!

Always,

Texas Trip

While we were in Texas for Allison's wedding we figured we'd continue our road trip to Houston to visit family. First on our agenda, was hanging with my cousin, Kourtney and her husband and our friend, Alden. While Kourtney was at school we ate lunch with Alden and then took a tour of Alden's dental school. It was fun to see all the fancy, high tech stuff Alden gets to work on for the next few years in preparation to become a dentist.

We left Alden for a bit and headed to Nathaniel's aunt's house. I've never met this portion of Nathaniel's family and he hasn't seen them himself for a good, long time. It was good to catch up even though storms were raging on our way there — so much so streets were starting to flood.

Nathaniel with his family!

Allison + Diego

My sweet friend and former college roommate Allison married her honey, Diego, in Palestine, Texas, on April 26 and we were able to go and help her celebrate. The grounds were beautiful, the ceremony was sincere, the bride was gorgeous, the couple happy and the party filled with laughter and dancing — a great time for everyone!

Congrats you two, love you both!

The beautiful ceremony site at Elmwood Gardens.

2012: Highlights

Honestly, 2012 has largely been a blur for me. Let's recap it, shall we, before I lose track of 2013, too.

January:

I wrote story after story and enjoyed a visit from two sets of friends! I got my first real taste of Oklahoma weather, and was deeply touched by a group of local students and their teacher.

February:

We headed to Lubbock to celebrate my only nephew's first birthday, watched my brother jam out with his band, and laughed at the weird books I get in the mail at work. I got a double-dose of Disney, both at work and in Orlando.

Allison's Wedding

While we were in California for Christmas we were blessed to attend the wedding of my sweet high school friend, Allison. The two of us were on swim team together and enjoyed many, many hours together in the pool, talking at school or giggling at sleepovers. It made my heart soar to see her with a man that makes her so happy! Congrats, Allison and Josh! Thanks for letting us be apart of your big day!

During the ceremony

On Those I Love

One of my favorite parts of going back to California is catching up with friends and family I love most. I got my fill of both during this trip.

With high school friends Taylor, Jesilyn and Rachel.

Monterey 2012, part two

On day three in Monterey, we visited the Carmel Mission then headed to the Monarch butterfly sanctuary in Pacific Grove. The butterflies were just warming up when we arrived. I was amazed at how difficult they were to see from the ground. The butterflies spend the night clumped up together high in the eucalyptus trees — they look like leaves. Pretty clever disguise if you ask me!