This Time Last Year

*warning. Things are about to get sentimental.

On January 2nd, last year, my car broke down. I frantically called everyone I knew to try and help me and the person who responded was my Papa and my best friend. My Papa immediately came to the theatre (where I was stuck) and tried to figure out the problem on our hands.

That was a year ago.

On February 15th, he went to Heaven.

It still amazes me how much can happen in one year. This time last year my Papa was still here with me and was able to help me fix my car. He was the ultimate fixer.

I guess what I am saying, is that life is unexpected. As much as I love being a planner and knowing what is coming up, I never really know what is going to happen tomorrow or the next day. Only God knows the path.

This time last year my Papa was here and now he has gone before me. I'm grateful for every moment I was able to share with him and for every wheezy laugh I got out of him.

Hello 2012.

Happy New Year from me to you

Happy New Year!!!!!

Piggy back rides.

Sheridan and I.

(yeah, this happened. Dirty Dancing jump=genius idea)

I don't know about you, but my new years eve was rockin'.

(and I hope yours was as well.)

I spent the last 2 days in the company of close friends

and new friends as we holed up in a cabin and rang in

the new year! These are people I am so comfortable

with it is like being with family and I am incredibly

blessed for that. 2011 brought a lot of heart ache

and happiness and for that, I am eternally grateful.

2012, let's do this!

The Before Shots

Remember when I said I get to design my room back home

because my sister stole my old room?

Well that time finally came! We have been non-stop

busy getting the room as close to finished as possible.

We are missing a few more pieces to the room and we

need to hang a few more pictures but then I can reveal

the "after" shots.

I'm SO excited!

My sisters room was painted this fairytale/garden theme

when she was in second grade and I felt horrible painting over

it all, but it was time. Mostly because it will be a guest room

when I'm not home. I'm not so sure the guests will all want to be

living in a cloud. (Although I thought it was pretty fun for awhile.)

Every piece of the room was painted. Even the ceiling fan and the

air conditioning vent. Talk about a hard core

painting job!

A Thursday Afternoon

New hurr. (hair) And yes, those are my new Disney pajamas as well.

Oh yeah, and may I introduce you to Baby, my camera.

the cutest little street you ever did see

my go to place for tea and a fruit and cheese platter

I have decided two things.

1) I love my town and this beautiful place called Northern California.

2) I am a Thursday person.

Good things happen on Thursdays. Example: We finished

painting my room and I found a special something or two for

the room. (Pictures of the Before room will be up tomorrow.)

Contain your excitement.

Right now I'm sitting in my new room and listening

to Frankie S. sing me sweet songs on my record player.

Also, what are you doing New Years Eve?

Reflecting on Christmas

This was the first Christmas without my Papa and feeling his presence around

us was truly magical. His favorite drink was a Manhattan and

so the entire familymade the drink and one was set by his picture.

The rest of the evening was spent

twirling in my Christmas dress, loving being with cousins, getting bumped up

to the adult table (this was HUGE), and admiring the books all the aunts made

for my Grammie to remember Christmas pasts with Papa.

It was a beautiful evening. I hope every one of you had a

wonderful evening as well. :)

Merry CHRISTmas!

Here are some photos from my Christmas thus far.

From my house to yours...

Have a very merry Christmas and celebrate with the ones

you love. And please help me pray for those who are

not having the Christmas they deserve.

I'm baaaaaack!

I am back from the happiest place on Earth and Newport Beach! It was

a wonderful vacation and I loved spending every minute with my family.

As much as I LOVE Disneyland, I was definitely ready to come home yesterday

and spend Christmas at home.

And now today is Christmas Eve (and also one of my best friends

birthday!!) and this is where I will be for the next two days...

sitting in front of our tree sipping some hot cocoa.

Tonight my family goes to mass and we usually open one

present before tomorrow. Then we'll watch The Family Stone

and go to bed with sugarplum dreams in our head. :)

Merry Christmas Eve!

I am the ultimate loser because I left the connector for my camera

to download pictures onto my computer and so now I have to figure out

a way to get all my pictures from the trip onto a computer for all to see!

Phew! Wish me luck!

Clothing Obsession

I know I have posted on my obsession with

Kate Middleton and Pippa's clothes before,

but they just posted a compilation of her outfits on People

and I honestly wish I had each of her outfits.

They are classy and beautiful.

Her wedding dress takes the cake for most beautiful gown

for the year in my book.

I dream about this dress.

And the flowy-ness of this one.

Red hat and shoes? Genius!

And now Pippa!

I want this coat.

and this coat.

I may or may not have a coat obsession

and I am totally ok with it.

Whose clothes were you crushing on this year?

P.S. I'M GOING HOME TODAY! :)

Ryan Gosling... and Cats?

Yesterday, my friend stumbled upon this tumblr

and let me just say, it is brilliant.

I don't know if you all have seen the Conan interview

where Ryan Gosling let out the Disneyland cat secret,

(if not, check the video below)

but this person took that idea and ran with it.

And it's a beautiful thing.

Enjoy!

Ryan Gosling and Disneyland.

Is there anything better?