Merry Christmas!

Photo Card

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I finally gave in and ordered cards this year!  I am promoting ShutterFly!  Check it out...they have so many selections to choose from.

Halloween 2011

Maycee Moo and mommy dressed as a roman.  

Maycee was a little cow this year!  Regardless of not feeling very good all weekend, she had a blast!  We had a trunk-or-treat at church and all my bro's (minus one) came with their families.  The lady I visit teach called it "the mob".  haha, there were a lot of us!  And for Halloween night, we got to trick-or-treat in Grandma and Grandpa Wanlass' neighborhood with cousin Nixen.  Lots of fun houses to visit.  And Maycee got lots and lots of candy!  She was so darling.  She didn't even want to hold mommy's hand to walk up to each door.  She lead the way for Nixen and would say "treat" when the door would open.  So funny!

Cayleb is a ninja!  oh yeah!!

Lauren was a little devil!  She's such an angel, though!

Emmalee was a witch, Nathan a zombie, and Connor a vampire!  So cute!

Halloween night:

   

Ready for Grandma's!!

Nixen was a skeleton, Shanna is a cook, Grandma was a grandma!

Enjoying their candy!  Notice the drool on Maycee's tummy!  I love it!!  haha

October is almost over?

Is it really October 31st?  Woah...the year is almost over!  Where has the time gone?  Although, I'll admit I am very excited for the holidays.  I'm mostly excited to watch Maycee enjoy them.  For example...TONIGHT!...HALLOWEEN!! She has no idea what's coming.  Candy, candy, candy!  Her favorite thing these days. Oh boy.

I will be putting up Halloween pictures in a couple days.  For now, I have to share that we got family pictures over the weekend by my friend Elizabeth.  She has really blossomed as a photographer and she did a fantastic job on our pictures.  Here are two...I stole them from facebook.  I will post more once I have them in my possession.  To check out her work, visit emhlawlorphotography or follow her on facebook by clicking here.

Good morning, blogging world!

I have really been lacking in blogging lately.  Main reason is I have been so overwhelmed with many things.  Don't even need to go into detail.  Just been very busy.  Ridiculous.

Today is Shem's birthday!  Crazy to think that he is 30!!!  We both can't believe he's out of his twenties.  He definitely acts like he's still about 20 years old.  I guess that's fun for me.  :)  Today we don't have much planned.  Last night, Maycee stayed over at her grandma Wanlass' house.  It is so quiet in the house.  Shem is at the chiropractor and I get to be in my little cyber world for an hour or so.  So fun.  ha.  So time for updates...  I'll go by each person, starting with the cutest!

Maycee:  oh goodness, this girl is growing like a little weed.  It's funny, she is very tall, but her weight doesn't match her height.  She is getting so skinny.  Her 12 month clothes fit her in the waist, but aren't long enough to pass for pants.  So, I finally drove over to Once Upon A Child and picked up some cute 2T clothes for.  Oh my goodness.  I am way in over my head.  I get so caught up in the good deals that I forget about functionality for her clothes!  Haha, oh well, I picked up some pretty nice clothes including a darling roxy valour sweatshirt that conveniently matches a roxy sweatshirt of my own.  And just yesterday, we finally busted out her pink converse shoes that I had purchased a while back in anticipation of her wearing them this fall.  She loves her shoes.  In fact, she gets mad at me when I want to take her shoes off when we are inside.  So, considering how many funny things she does, I decided to make a little list of what she is like at her age (good for the record):

-coloring, holding the crayon almost perfectly
-saying sentences like "where did it go?"
-loves to be naked
-loves taking baths
-can feed herself with eating utensils
-finally likes apple juice
-wants to run and play outside almost all the time
-can open doors (yikes!)
-flushes the toilet for fun
-can't stand to have dirty hands
-loves to put her shoes on, even if it's just before bedtime
-is OK with me putting headbands on her...finally!
-does not like to wear dresses
-folds her arms when we say prayers and says "amen"
-can't seem to part from her pacifier
-is obsessed with reading books, especially about animals
-gives the best hugs and kisses (very wet ones, hehe)
-is a little cookie monster
-loves both her mommy and daddy very much, even when we send her to time out
-can do a monkey impression almost perfectly

I could keep going because each day she is doing something that surprises us or is learning something new.  She really is a little sponge and it is so fun.  My favorite thing she does is if I ask her to say something she tries very hard to repeat it back.  She is becoming this little person and communicating so well.  It sure is easier to take care of her, but frustrating too because of how opinionated she can be.  I have learned so much about myself and have gained a better understanding of love and patience because of her.  She is such a happy and perfect little sweetheart!!

Shem:  Not much has changed with him, other than the new decade he's entering.  He is plugging away in his overtime school schedule.  Seems to be doing well in his classes and is glad to be moving on in education.  He is ready to be at ASU anyday now.  AND...I am so thankful for his ability to do side jobs similar to his previous business.  We have been so fortunate to have him work and bring in some extra money.  It is a blessing that he and I both have skills that can help support us.  One more thing, he is also becoming more and more set on Aeonautical engineering!  I can't wait to see where it will take him!  Oh, and he and I are obsessed with Prison Break!  We have netflix and are so sick of the crappy movies, so we decided to start watching series.  Oh my goodness, this show is for us.  We love shows about the legal system and prisons.  Plus, we both have crushes on Lincoln.  He is the man!  haha, it's been fun to watch this show together and spend time together (something we don't get to do much).  Too bad there are only 4 seasons.

Andrea:  Well, considering I am writing about myself, I could go on for a few paragraphs..but I won't.  The most important things for me have been my new calling at church.  I was called to be the Primary pianist!  It has been a total blast and blessing at the same time.  For the past few years I have been wanting to further my talent of the piano, but have not found the time to dedicate to it.  Because of this calling, I have not only excelled in my ability, but I have discovered confidence in playing in front of others (something I have struggled with since I was a child).  Other than that...school is great, as far as clinicals go.  I started at the hospital this week and was so happy to rekindle my desire to be a nurse.  Since school started this semester, I have been down on myself with not doing as well in the academics.  I feel much better now that I am able to connect academics with actual practice (being at the hospital).

Well, that's it for now.  I have taken billions of pictures this past month, but have not had the time to dedicate to organizing them.  I have a few pictures that I want to add, just for fun...totally random, though.

My favorite!

She's pretty cute, isn't she?  Haha, I love her crazy personality!!

Next...me!  Shem took this photo...little did he know that this is his birthday present to him!  A picture of his wife.  hehe, I'm tricky!!  Plus, this is one of few photos of myself that I actually like.

Lastly....the Couch's had a mini family reunion.  Yup, we FINALLY got to spend a few days all together as a complete family.  All 4 kids with their spouses and their children.  My parents were in heaven.  And we attempted to get a good family photo of all of us.  9 grandkids and all....the best we could do with a tripod and a amateur photographer like myself to "direct".  

From left to right, top to bottom:  Randy, Debbie, Chris, Sharina, Andrea, Shem.
Brayden, Scott (dad), Nancy (mom), Jason, Alaina.
Connor, Nathan, Colin, Maycee, Sienna, Cayleb, Lauren, Emmalee.

I can't resist

Recent work.  I know, i know...I said I was done.  This has been entirely just to "keep up" my talent in photography and this is family/friends.  (Riiiight)  And, Breann's hubby, Ben, was so kind as to help me retrieve LR.  This is perfect.  Been a better week with it in my life.  A good break from school/hw, too.  Thanks to you all for being my subjects.  I love photography and photographing beautiful people like you!  :)

Sherra S. and family (aka my awesome sis-in-law and darling nieces/nephew)  I'm going to miss you guys so much!

Drop. Dead. Gorgeous.  Mom of 3 and smokin hott!!

So, this cute little family has been living here in AZ while their dad has been serving in Afghanistan.  I can't wait to photography the WHOLE family together.  They miss Adam and are happy to be going to NY to see him as he returns.  Family will be reunited and will be living together again!  So exciting, yet it will be a great loss to not have them around anymore.  :(  Love you!!

Breann B.  Founder of Get Craftlicios AZ.  Check it out!

Isn't she so cute!!  Breann, I want your hair!!

 

What a cutie!

My darling niece, Lauren, just turned one!  She is child number 3 for Jason and Alaina.  I took a few pics of her for fun. Just a few to share.

August!

I am not in the mood to sit and write.  I just want to put some pictures up.  We are not exciting people, but we adore our little Maycee.  I can't help taking pictures of her.  She's my favorite subject.

We are coming to the end of our long week back to school.  Shem is busy.  I am busy.  That's about it.  Lot's to learn and we are both one semester closer to the END.  What a relief.  Maycee is adjusting well and finally getting back into the swing of things with a routine.  She has an ear infection, but the antibiotics are working wonderfully.  We are so ready for a break, already.  Can I say burnt out?  Shem and I have been enrolled in school non stop since Jan 2011 (for me), since Fall of 2009 (for him).  I am thankful for Shem and his hard dedication in school.  He is amazing.  He can't wait to start at ASU.  We received his letter a few weeks ago for acceptance into the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering.  Pretty darn awesome if you ask me!  Go Shem, go!!!

Getting ready for bed. 

Maycee loves her daddy lots.

She put herself in timeout.  So pitiful.   

so sad :(  

This is what she looks like by the end of the day.   Cute.  Messy.   Fed.

Trying to escape.

Dramatic = little girls

Pinning

Ok, so now I understand the addicting nature of Pinterest.  Ashlee invited me to join and I am so happy she did! I have to peel myself away from the website or else I will become a zombie and my mind will turn into mush.  No, not really...but, I'm pretty sure I am in love with the site.  I never understood what is was fully until I became a member.  It is a site where you can "pin" things that you have an interest in.  These pins can be categorized into different folders so you can be very organized.  By pinning a item, it allows you to collect all your favorite web links and have them in one place.  I know that I have found sites in the past from perusing on the internet.  I close all tabs and don't think much of it.  Days later, I will realize, "Wait, what was that link?"  and I have totally forgotten by then.  Poop.  The beauty of Pinterest is I don't lose those great ideas/inspirations/needs/wants.  It gives me the opportunity to not be such an air head all the time!  I love it!  It's invitation only...so I can invite anyone who asks.  Email me at andreawanlass@gmail.com!

celebrating 2 years!

Shem and I had the opportunity to go on a weekend get away up to Sedona for our 2 year anniversary.  I can't believe we are in our 3rd year of marriage already.  Seems like we got married just yesterday.  We were married August 6th, 2009, in Mesa, AZ.  It's been a fun and interesting 2 years.  I'm sure what we've experienced, most people don't experience all of it within the first 5 years of marriage.  Doing our best to focus on the positive is all we can do to keep ourselves happy and going each day.  Luckily, we are fortunate enough to find a LOT of positive things to keep us sane!  :)

As for our trip....we camped in Oak Creek Canyon.  We camped at a designated camp site, which was a big mistake.  We had telephone wires strung over the top of our site and the LOUDEST neighbors.  Enough complaining.  It still was fun spending time with Shem.  ALONE time, for that matter.  That's something we don't have much.  We had a lot of fun away from tv and other distractions.  The weather was fabulous, too!  Such a relief from the typical 100-degree weather.  It dropped down to the high 50's at night.  Ah, so nice.  Can't wait for fall!

WARNING:  There are a billion pictures attached to this post...just saying.

Best cherries ever!! 

I love detail.  

Notice the campers in the background?  haha

Yeah, this is definitely "roughing" it.  Bah!

We took a hike around Broynton Canyon.

See Shem??  He wanted to get in the shade cuz it was so darn hot.  We took our hike around 2:30 in the afternoon.  And, of course, he has to patiently wait for me to take a million pictures. 

I just love how "patient" he is with me.

Before I decided to add to it....

Yep, I left my mark.  :)

These picture have not been edited to appear more red.  I just love how much red there is, even within the greenery.  So unique.

Driving back to camp at sunset.  

Hummingbird feeder at the check-in gate.  

A visitor.  In fact, we counted a total of 3 skunks lurking around our site.

Our anniversary morning!  I cooked crepes and bacon for breakfast and Shem cleaned up.  

This is how he cleans while camping...soapy water warmed over the stove to get the pot nice and clean. I love it.  

At a scenic lookout just before Flagstaff off the 89-A.

On our way to spend time at the creek.  

Berries!!  Reminded me of Oregon.  I used to go on hikes and eat the berries when I was younger.  Although, these berries didn't look as good as the ones I used to encounter.

Self portrait!  Yay!  

This was the best pool of water we could find.  There were a ton of kids drinking and being disrespectful so we decided to head out early.  It still was fun, regardless.

Snoopy rock!

Hangin out in town.  :)

Round candles!  We got to watch one being made.  Totally hippie.  

Biggest geode we've ever seen!

Sedona Sam telling us our fortune.  Reminded us of the movie "BIG".  

Crabby waitress + no listening skills = blurry photo.   I was too afraid to ask our waitress to take more once I saw this photo.  Now I wish I would have been more assertive.  :(
We went to this resturaunt on a whim, intending to eat somewhere a little nicer but sushi is our fav so we couldn't resist!

Shrimp Tempura

Vegas role and Monte Cristo.

The beautiful view from our table.

Our lovely site at night.  I love playing around with the camera settings when there is no natural light.

I was freezing both nights once the sun went down.  Shem kept me warm by making a perfect fire.  :)

S'mores!!  This is the way poor students eat..cheap chocolate, cheap grahm crackers, cheap marshmallows...mmmm, delectable.  

Leaving Oak Creek Canyon :(  Such a beautiful drive.

Cathedral Rock

Bell Rock:  the last scenic shot I got before we headed home.  

Theeee best jerky we have ever had in our lives.  Seriously.  A little pricey for so little, but it's like crack...addicting, but worth every ounce (to the addict)

I heart Sedona.  It is such a relaxing town to visit.  I also love vacationing with Shem because we love having time away from living with family.  We have perfected the art of having a RELAXING vacationing.  :) I love the time we spend together while away from our crazy lives.  Happy Anniversary to us!