ELIZA

For those of you who know me, you know that I hate the idea of blogging, myspace, facebook and the like. This would explain the lack of posts as of late. The only reason I started this whole blog nonsense was out of love for my amazing husband who insisted that we have one. Funny thing is...I doubt he will ever know I even posted this. That is how often he has even visited the blog on his own accord. I love you Brandon! Anyway...despite my disdain for blogging, I had to post the following suggestion:
READ ELIZA!
It is a relatively new and super hip magazine. It has incredible photography and some amazing writers including the fabulous Gretta Whalen. I could keep talking it up but I think you need to check it out for yourself at the following website...
http://www.elizamagazine.com/
Below is a description of what you might expect to find in ELIZA. So read on. Piper and Starc...this post is especially for you. You are two of the most fashion savvy people I know.

ELIZA Magazine is created for women who want to be stylish, sexy, and engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and lifestyle. In a media culture that frequently objectifies and commercializes women and their bodies, ELIZA strives to provide an alternative to the current mainstream media that emphasizes sex and skin in order to push products or sell magazines.
ELIZA magazine brings you "Fashion without Fiction." We are realistic about everyday women's price points, showcasing pieces that are worth the big price tags and discovering deals at your local department stores that are just as hip. We are realistic about women's bodies: we don't retouch bodies, and we mix real women and professional models. We are realistic about women's interests, featuring fashion and beauty information, current issues, and real life problem solving, all while keeping perspective on what's really important in life.
Each issue provides exciting and informative features in Fashion, Beauty, Health, Entertainment and Lifestyle. Some of our staple articles include: History Repeats Itself—fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O. and how their style translates today. Fit to Be Tried—everyday women modeling classics they love. Saving the World One Issue at a Time—highlighting various social causes and how to get involved. Guys Guide—mini-tutorials on what matters to men and why we should know about it. The Least You Should Know—useful information about everything from changing a tire to your personal finances. Plus health tips, entertainment picks, and breathtaking fashion stories by ELIZA's innovative team.
The ELIZA reader is educated, creative, fashion-conscious, and on the hunt for clothes to feel comfortable in. We continue to pick up the scent of fashion and modesty and deliver it to your door season after season.
Coming up for Summer:Our summer issue is packed with fabulous fashion: the Menswear Trend, Rock Boho, Fashion Eye on Michael Kors and Gwenyth Paltrow, Gidget inspired swim spread, Summer Must Haves, Doris Day Fashion Icon and the Floral Trend Alert. We let you in on the best lip glosses out there and how to get the most radiant summer skin. For the intellectual in you we have a Summer Book Guide, What to do about Cambodia, Feminism, and of course, much more.

So after the big day was over...it was on to the real fun!!
They are out of order, but you get the idea. We went to Victoria, BC and this was the view from our balcony at the English Inn....that place was incredibly beautiful.

This was the ferry ride over to Victoria. Good times playing war, speed, and indian poker!

Brandon and I can never stay away from the kitchen...apparently not even on our honeymoon. We got some fresh salmon from Pike's Market in Seattle. Lucky for us our hotel room came equipped with not only a stove, but never before used pots and pans!! Good thing...we had the best salmon of our lives that night!

We had a lot of fun at the Seattle Aquarium and on top of the Space Needle.

Who said it always rains in Oregon? We had nothing but great weather! Believe it or not, it was raining until the moment we stepped out of the car. The clouds parted and we had a perfect day at Haystack "Goonie" Rock!! The picture below is actually the same day driving along the coast. So beautiful!

Just a sneak peek of our wedding day!

These photos are courtesy of some of our friends and family. We haven't gotten our photographer's photos yet. Those will come soon. We hope you enjoy these until then.

The lame tag!

Please keep in mind that I am on vacation, so it is even more loaded with stuff than usual. Also, the only reason why I followed through with this Piper is because my purse got soaking wet and I had to empty everything out anyway to dry. So here it is:

1. Birth control

2. Checks

3. Map to Powell's Books in Portland

4. Bag of my aunt Kelli's jewelry

5. My calendar 

6. Temple recommend

7. Travel book for Seattle

8. Wallet

9. Stamp

10. and let's just say a lot of other unnecessary crap..you can see for yourself in the picture

           ...Love you Pipe!

Showers...showers...and more showers!

Since, Brandon and I only have 4 DAYS...I thought I should update the blog with what has been going on over the last few weeks. Good news is...there will be no showers the weekend of the wedding, which was a fear from the beginning. I was spoiled with 3 showers....crazy! My sister is awesome! With a little help from my cousins they got some of my college friends together and the best part was Brandon's sisters, Michelle and Emily, were there. My best friend Cami and her Mom and several other ladies from my ward back home threw another little shindig for me. Then, I had a surprise part from my co-workers the was fun! Here are a few pictures of the events. Also, stay tuned for the very funny video Brandon made for the shower. He's adorable.
My awesome cousins...Juliann, Becky, and Jamie...my amazing sister Piper is in the middle next to me. Check out all the pregnant bellies!
The coolest sister-in-laws ever!! They traveled all the way from Michigan and St. George to be in Provo. And bonus! my adorable new niece Lauren came too! By the way...congrats on the baptism!

These are my two hottest cousins Stacie and Shanna...so fun to have you there...and extra thanks to you two for finding the best lingerie EVER!
Thanks Jenn, for always making me laugh. You are the best! So glad you are going to be there this weekend!

This is my sister Piper and my mom. They are the best! They have helped me so much!!

These are two of my best friends Gretta soon to be Whalen and KatieMae used to be Whalen Bone. Thanks for going the distance to be there for me! Love you girls!

I was obviously very excited to get this gift!! Thank you everyone!

This is my amazing cousin Lisa and her new adorable baby Ryan.

My favorite gift! Thanks Lise!

Brandon showed up at the end. Everyone was so excited to meet him.

But I don't know if he was too excited to be there, especially after all of our deep dark secrets were shared. :)

But overall, it was fun meeting new friends. Love you Jenee! I can't wait to see everyone again in a few days!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We love you!

How we met...

Believe it or not...Brandon found this old lamp one night on his way home from work in the backyard of Tia Rosa's and thought it would be a cool addition to his house. It brightened his day because work had been particularly long and gruelling that evening, and on top of that he was recovering from being very sick, so this lamp was a pleasant surprise. He took his apron and dusted the mud off the lamp so he wouldn't get his car dirty...he likes to keep it in immaculate condition....and to his astonishment, a magic geenie named Jared came out and told him he had one wish. Brandon tried to argue because he thought it was unfair he should only get one, not even phased by the fact that he was talking to a geenie that just came out of the discarded old lamp. He thought geenies were entitled to grant three wishes, and what kind of geenie has a name like Jared, but nevertheless, he was granted one wish. He knew he had to make it a good one. So he wished that a beautiful, talented, intelligent, and fun girl would be waiting for him on his bed ready to play, explore, serve, cleanup after him, and love him unconditionally forever when he returned home from his long day of work. Brandon was a bit skeptical of whether this would work or not. He didn't think such a girl could exist and besides, this geenie had only been able to grant one wish as opposed to three. And with a name like Jared, he might not be able to be trusted. But whether Brandon was just really lucky or was a very good boy this year, his wish came true, because Katie Kirkland was sitting on his bed waiting for him when he returned home from that long, hard, bizare day of work. So, thanks to that magic lamp and the geenie Jared, they are living happily ever after.

5 ways to sum up Katie

1. Raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California as the oldest of three kids.
2. Gaduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in English.
3. Currently teaching special education at Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona.
4. Traveled to over 17 countries.
5. Loves to snowboard, cook (especially with Brandon), read, sing, listen to music, play piano, ride bikes with Brandon, watch movies, sew, play games, and enjoy the company of family and friends.

5 ways to sum up Brandon...

1. Brandon is the youngest of five and is a product of the Pacific Northwest...having a love affair with the city of Portland.
2. Brandon is a straight A art education student planning on becoming a high school or college art teacher as well as opening not jsut one, but several of the coolest, hippest, yummiest restaurants in the country. He is currently waiting tables at Rancho de Tia Rosa. Brandon has been serving tables since he was 15.
3. Brandon served his mission in Nashville, Tennessee.
4. Brandon is a man of many talents: cooking, painting, drawing, photography, woodwork (he just made us a bed frame), making people laugh, and teaching.
5. Brandon enjoys to play basketball, cook, paint, draw, photograph, create, imagine, play video games even if he hates to admit it, golf, and rock climb.

A map....

This is a map to the Civic Center in Rancho Cucamonga, California where we will be having our reception.

It's official!

We are getting married in the Redlands Temple on March 8, 2008 at 11:00 am

We're getting married!!!

This picture was taken only hours after we got engaged! Brandon proposed by stashing the ring in the bottom of my stocking on our Christmas morning 12.23.07. What an awesome surprise! We finished opening gifts after we celebrated a little :) and made breakfast and then headed up to Brandon's parents house to share the good news before I had to drive to California...alone! How cruel! We are so excited! 3.8.08 cannot come soon enough!