Lovin' Life.

Sup y'all. Its been a while since we've posted on the b-spot. Nat and I have been crazy busy these last few months... but we are finally feeling settled and we are absolutely loving our life back at the beach. There is so much to talk about, I don't really know where to start. I don't really want to overwhelm anybody so as quick as can be... here are a few of the major events within the last few months.

I graduated.
We sold our condo.
I quit my job.
We had a garage sale.
We moved to CA.
I started a new job.
We found an apartment.
We never want to leave.

Nat and I feel really blessed to be where we are. Not just because we're by the beach, but also just how the last few months have played out. Finding a job the suits my personality so well, selling our condo smoothly (relatively), and finding a place to live that is close to work, close to the beach, and close to friends and family. 4 months ago I thought I might be taking a 45 min subway into downtown Boston for work at a really stuffy consulting firm. Instead, I drive 8 minutes to work never hitting traffic, park in my own spot, stay as long as I feel like staying, come home spend time with the Nat and Beck, go the the park, maybe play some tennis, or paddle out for a sunset surf session. Granted, work will not always be as relaxing as it is right now... I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

Welp. Here is our little home by the sea...

The Patio/Community:

Looking out of the Living Room:

The Lemon Tree:

The Herb Garden & BBQ:

View "straight out":

View to the "Right" (Tennis anyone?):

The Market (Grocery Store), Dry Cleaners, Business Center, Hair Stylist, and Administration Building:

View to the "Left" (Fashion Island in the Distance)

Living Room Wall:

Reading nook:

The Kitchen:

Where mama works her magic.

Neat-o Rack-o Spice (I picked it out):

Living Room Couch (super comfy):

Beck and Dad:

Nats Disclaimer: "Decorating is still in progress... but we're getting there."

It's been awhile....

Sorry to not update in so long! How fast they grow- Beckett now has 7 teeth, can stand up for a whole second and a half, and can grow a five o'clock shadow :)
We've been in limbo for the last month, trying to move and find a place to live. We are moving into a darling Newport Beach apartment in a week and a half and I promise I'll pick up blogging again when we're settled. Until then, have a happy Valentine's Day and eat lots of chocolate ladies!

Christmas in Seattle.

This year Clark and I decided to make the trek up to Seattle to spend Christmas with my dad's side of the family. We stayed with my Auntie Lynda who was the most AMAZING hostess! (Thanks auntie!) It actually even snowed on Christmas day, something that hasn't happened in that area for years and years. It was the perfect day. Here are pictures of my little Beckett's first Christmas morning....

Family fued III. My cousin Joey got us the most recent version. We are FF fanatics.

SIGHT SEEING AT PUGET SOUND
My dad drove us around the darling town of Puget Sound where he and my mom went to college. It sits right on the water and is the cutest old harbor town. Apparently the school was ranked as a top ten party school when my parents signed up, but by the end of their schooling it was ranked high as an academic school. I couldn't tell which my dad was prouder about....

My dad's fraternity house (where he lived), Beta Chi.

This bush was my parent's "spot." They have a picture in front of it too.

My mom's house during college.

Picture of the Sound (a couple block's from my mom's house).

EMP (EXPERIENCE THE MUSIC PROJECT)
We love going to the EMP in Seattle. It has all sorts of Rock and Roll memorabilia, but our favorite part is the little jam session rooms. We spend 99% of our time playing around on instruments.

Me trying to remember my guitar lesson days. My dad amazing as usual.

Clark learning the drums.

Classic picture of my cute dad.

IVARS SALMON HOUSE
My dad's favorite restaurant in Washington. The food is seriously amazing.

I love that little food face!

My brother Trav.

Look at that salmon please! And its wild. I loved it.

Sisters

Outside on the dock. No Clark's hair is not bleached, I tried to lighten the picture so you could see the city behind us.

MHYRES.
This restuarant has been in the family for generations. It was the first restaurant in Port Orchard and is the oldest establishment in all of Kitsap County. My grandpa just sold it a couple of years ago, but we still go visit for tradition's sake. My great great grandpa started it and there are pictures of my ancestors throughout the restaurant. The Rylanders are small time celebrities when we go into this place.

Beck with his great grandpa Dick

We've been elfed!

Click HERE to see our little jig.

Thanks Jonina for the idea.

Thanksgiving.

So I had my first try at a turkey this Thanksgiving. Clark and I decided to stay home and I was soooo excited to make my first thanksgiving meal. After debating all week long (or maybe longer) over which turkey recipe to go with, I finally turned to trusty ole Bon Appetite and made their lemon herb version (with the lemons baked under the skin- not the most fun process). Not bad for my first time! But the sides are always the show stopper for me. Sweet baked yams, garlic mashed potatoes, spinach salad with bacon and pears, oh and of course stinko (Rylander family fave). Our table has never seen so much food!

Boston.

Last week Clark had an interview out in Boston and we decided to make a trip out of it! Boston is my all time favorite city for so many reasons, its so clean, so unique, so walkable, so historic, so charming... I could really go on and on. Needless to say, I was in heaven. We saw the fall colors, had a lot of New England Clam Chowdah, rode the "T," walked around Hahvahd, ate Boston Cream Pie and tried to squeeze in a little of the freedom trail. I would just love to live there! Here are some pictures of our adventures...

The fam at Harvard... it is the most gorgeous campus I have ever seen.

Clark and Beck in front of Harvard Library.

Walking around Cambridge. Do you see those streets? I did not see one stroller that wasn't a bugaboo... it's a must have when the streets are made out of brick.

Beck's hoopty ride. We put the stroller in bassinet mode for most of the trip and he was kept oh so cozy and warm. He took the best naps ever that week! The sounds of the city just lulled him right to sleep.

Clark's sister Suzanne lives in Connecticut so her whole family was nice enough to come up and see us. We spent a whole day with them at the Museum of Science. Thanks Liddles!

It's always a thrill to see your name on a sign.

I am holding a Cannoli from the famous Mike's Pastry Shop in Boston's North End (Little Italy). The store is behind me, but you can't see it that well.

The fam meets Paul Revere.

Can you see why I love it there so much? It is so picturesque, you feel like you are walking around in a storybook or something. Sigh. Perhaps someday I will live there... or perhaps I'll just visit a lot.

Sharks and Mermaids and Pirates, Oh my!

Beckett's first Halloween and boy was he cute! We couldn't get enough of him in this shark costume. Bennett Lark and Sadie Holmes came over to play and all three looked so darling! I've always loved Halloween, but having kids around (to dress up) makes it a million times better.