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!