Getting Back in the Game

I can't believe the last time I've wrote on this blog! I feel guilty for abandoning it, and not documenting the wonderful summer and fall we've had. 

So, this is my attempt at getting back to this blog writing thing. 

I hope to go back and share our past adventures and keep track with what is going on with our current life. 

I don't have much time tonight now to write, but here's a quick list of what's been going on. 

1. We moved back to Georgia after living in South Korea for about 2 years. 

2. We visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando with my younger siblings and my cousin. 

3. Took a trip out West and visited my dad, Matt's family, and my Idaho family. 

4. Visited Yellowstone, Devil's Postpile, Yosemite, Jackson Hole, the Tetons, and Disneyland

5. Had a family reunion with Matt's family 

6. Started graduate school and almost finished with my first semester 

7. Trained for a half marathon - race day is Thanksgiving! 

8. Saw my sister, Chantal, and her daughters for the first time in years

9. Started looking for apartments 

10. Getting excited for our 5th wedding anniversary 

My Visit Home: Georgia On My Mind

Like usual I had a great time visiting with my family. Here are some pictures of the last week in Georgia. 

See you in a year Georgia family 

MIA... Sorry

If you haven't noticed, I have been a missing from my blog the last week or so. I will try to be better while I am on my mini-cation, but I have been busy! 

In case you are wondering here is what I have been up to: 

Packing up and leaving Hawaii

{After living there for 4 1/2 years. It took 3 suitcases and many many US postal boxes, but I finally got us all moved out of Hawaii. There were some tears, but I am excited for this new adventure.} 

Flying to Atlanta and upon arrival realizing one of my suitcases did not make it. 

{The one with the shot glasses I have collected while in Hawaii, and the one with all my clothes. Of course, the clothes did not bother me, but the shot glasses did. Which lead to a complete melt down in the airport! The good news is my bag was found, and has returned to me.} 

Driving to Missouri for an Asian Baby reunion 

{post to come later}

Hanging out with these lovelies. 

Totally relaxing at the pool. 

Eating WAY too much Chick-fil-A 

Seeing my BFF 

Going to WAY too many doctors appointments 

And Skyping with this hunky man. 

I have been having a blast, and kinda don't want this trip to Georgia to end. 

But I do need to get back to my husband! 

Our Georgia Visit- Part III

Our vacation to Georgia continued with more family time and some gathering of some old friends. 

December 28

Friday- Abuela, my mom, Olivia, my cousin Aspen, and me went to Canvas By U! This is a place where you take a paint class for 2-3 hours and the instructor walks you through how to make a specific painting. 

I have wanted to do this for awhile and this was the perfect opportunity. My friend Brooks is an instructor at Canvas By U!, so we had a little girls afternoon painting. 

I think everyone's paintings turned out great. 

Later that night, I had a small get together with my family and a few friends from high school. We ate dinner and visited the night away! It was great to see everyone.

This is Aimee Jarvis, soon to be Craig. Aimee and I met Freshman year at Kell and have stayed close since. She just got engaged and is getting married this May! 

December 29

Matt and Joe went rock climbing. And Mom, the kids, and I went for a mani/ pedi and did a little shopping. 

December 30 

Sunday I had lunch with Brooks, Elise (another friend from high school), and her sister Alyssa. 

We then took family pictures at Roswell Mill (pictures to come soon). 

Our Georgia Visit- Part II

Matt and I had such a great visit home. We did so many things that I wanted to break up our trip into parts. With parts I am able to go into more detail and not bore you to death with really lengthy posts!
You can read about our part I here and our Christmas day here.

December 26 
The day after Christmas was Beth's birthday, so Matt, Olivia, and I went to her house for dinner and games. Her mom and boyfriend, Eric surprised Beth by inviting a few of her friends from church.

Beth turned 26 this year, and I am so glad I was able to be home for Beth's birthday!

Here are some pictures from the night.

 A few years ago, Beth's Aunt made this cake for Beth's 22 or 23 birthday. I loved it so much I made it for one of Olivia's birthday parties. 

To make it you just make one 9in round cake for the bottom and a batch of cupcakes. 

6 on the bottom

4 in the middle

1 on top

Use frosting and m&ms to decorate- or anything else you think would look cute! 

 One of the gifts I gave Beth for Christmas/ Birthday was a vase I bought from Etsy. The front said 'Best Buds' and the back said BFF est. 2006

If you like this vase you can find it here. 

 Because Beth's birthday is so close to Christmas, we also exchanged Christmas gifts. Beth gave me a pashmina she bought in Paris, a Keep Calm and Carry On Sign (I know I have a couple, but this one was small enough to make it to Hawaii), and this cute owl ornament! 

 Look at that handsome man! He is holding a new video camera from his parents! 

BFF est. 2006 

(There are no pictures of Olivia because she was the camera girl. Olivia got a new camera for Christmas, and I think she did a great job taking pictures!) 

December 27

Matt and I went to Les Miserables with Abuela. Later that night, Matt and I went over to my Fahey grandparents for dinner. Dinner was great and it was good to see my Fahey family while we were in town. Grandma Fahey also gave me a bunch of corks to use for my cork art. 

What is cork art you say... Well, it this awesome world of crafting that is all about using corks. This might not seem like such a big deal to you, but since I don't drink and therefore don't have easy access to corks, it is a lot harder than you might think! Anyway, Grandma Fahey started me off with a bunch from her collection. I want corks that have come from actual bottles, not the ones you can buy from Target, so if you have any that you would like to donate to the cause please send them to me! 

(Me, my Grandma Fahey, and my Great-Grandma - Nana Ruth Earl- she is turning 94 this year!) 

Georgia Visit Part I

Matt and I arrived in Georgia on Wednesday, December 19th. For the first week, my mom and little Asian siblings were in Idaho so we stayed with Matt's parents. (However, these pictures do not include our time with them!) Matt was really happy to be home. He had seen his parents in April, but he has not been home to Georgia since the wedding!

Our first stop was, of course, Chick-fil-a! Yum Yum! Then it was off for a little nap because I was tired from the flight and the time change.

Jessie and Jake, my cousins from Florida, came up for a few days and it was great to see them. We tie-dyed shirts together, went shopping, ate at Canyon Burgers, experienced a blackout together, had a game night which included a rousing game of sardines, (A game where Jake and I clung to each other in the dark!), and just all around had a great time. I am so glad they were able to make the trip up. I had such a great time visiting with them.

Ever since Jessie was born we have been really close and I have always enjoyed spending time with her. And that has not changed, but the last few times I have hung out with Jake I have realized how awesome of a young man he has become.

I also was able to hang around my Stewart cousins (Coda, Aspen, Sage, and Ava). This was Matt's first time meeting Ava. During the blackout, we gathered around the table and played Apples to Apples and Taboo and Sage was awesome! I was so impressed with his vocabulary skills.

It is so strange to see all my cousins growing up without me. In my mind, all my cousins cease to age while I am away in Hawaii.

These first few days really started our trip off good!