Bonjour, mamma.

Seriously DYING in anticipation for the Hobbit movie premiere this December.  I am currently rereading the book just to recap on any important details or insight.  Hobbits are such humbly intelligent creatures with very generous appetites (sounds like something that can be added to my eventual eulogy). & why CAN'T we have second breakfast in the U.S.? Fill up early in the day, eat a smaller dinner.  The hobbits know what's up. #LOTR

I guess the whole point of blogging is to write interesting & reflective posts that accurately reflect your life in a somewhat timely manner.  So to go off the grid a little bit, per usual, here are a few photos of me and Michael at the Lake in AZ this past summer.  We went with some friends who have jet skis and boats.  We really enjoyed ourselves.  I smothered my beau with plenty of SPF, put on my new mod cloth bathing suit number pictured here, and had some mid-day tequila shots to make everything even classier than it already was. P.S. babe, if you're reading this-- remember when we (1) thought it was an excellent idea to go swim to the rock in the middle of the lake and challenge our mental and physical strengths beyond human capacity?  Yeah, me too & and I still very sorry for that. #daredevils

Between weekend trips to Pasadena for some UCLA football, an awesome trip to Yosemite national park, and heading up north for some baseball games and red salmon curry in San Francisco, these two Vegas kids sure do get around.   Next month it's a cruise to Mexico with my entire family.  Michael is sharing a room with my dad.  He really, really does love me.  Ready to kick off this holiday season with salt water in my hair and super sore feet.  #nevergonnastop

Before I left for France, my sister and I said goodbye to one another for a painful 2 1/2 years as she went to volunteer for the Peace Corps in Uganda.  During her service, Chelsea built a turkey house for St. Francis' School of Blind, helped launch a solar micro-franchise for teachers in her community, and directed Peace Camp for victims of the LRA.  She has traveled to 27 countries and counting.   She comes homes for the holidays tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited, proud, or anxious.  It will be a holiday season filled with fine fare, laughter, and tons of great sister conversation.  I am so thankful that she is coming home safely.  <>< P.S. sissy, if you're reading this--you are such a freaking rockstar. 

I had a blast of a weekend.  I went to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to see the Bruins play with Mike and his family.  We went to Philippe's for more french dipped sandwiches and toured the new Pauley Pavilion on UCLA's campus.  To top it all off, we spent Monday at Knott's Berry Farm, the world's first theme park.  Here are two photos of Mike and I; one with a filter and one without.  I am not sure how I like filters anymore, so I will just post both of them.  Oh and by the way, although  this photo may appear to be one, Mike used his photoshop skills to merge them.  Magic!

 Our pumpkin baby.  A couple instagram photogs:  It's been about a year since I suffered from a second degree burn from baking a pumpkin.  Needless to say, I stayed far away from baking this year and refocused my attention on the tedious art of pumpkin carving.  People make pumpkin carving seem so effortless.  Are you kidding me? I gave up like 6 times.  We made Walter White from Breaking Bad & Frankenweenie.  I am quite impressed with the outcome. P.S. babe, if you're reading this--thank you for letting me bury my head in your arm in the haunted houses & for not making fun of me for plugging my ears and closing my eyes. #carveon <><