Day 190

What a crazy couple weeks in the "new" Waycott household! Chris and I have been busy getting ready for the holidays and trying to orchestrate all of our destinations for the upcoming events. We embarked on our 9 year anniversary of dating; however I was told that those anniversaries do not count anymore. That's just nonsense!

As many of you should know, my sister is expecting another baby this December... the first boy on the Goldstein/Gold side! We celebrated his upcoming birth with a scrapbook baby shower at a local shop in Valencia. We had a wonderful time and Chris and I are extremely excited to be Auntie Jen and Uncle Chris again. We're looking forward to Lil' Frazi's arrival in late December; however I'm convinced he's coming sooner than Staci and Frazier think!

We've broken another milestone! We've been married for a little over 6 months. It's hard to believe that a little over 6 months ago we were hauling over wedding stuff from our tiny apartment to our parents house to get ready for the big day. Nothing was really done in celebration of the 6 month mark; I ended up with a nasty stomach flu that put me in bed for 24 hours. What should have been a nice steak dinner was a cup of lipton soup. {YUM}

We celebrated our first "married" Thanksgiving, and nothing really was different, other than we had a few extra family members at this year's festivities. It was great to finally meet a few of the Waycott's and reconnect with those I see so regularly. Of course the ritual of HATE YOUR NEIGHBOR {also known as GET NANCY} was played. I came in last place; yes last! I always come in last... I always think it's who I'm sitting next to, but now I'm beginning to think I should play GO FISH instead. So I have a few weeks before the next game, I may brush up on my skills. For Thanksgiving dinner, Chris and I made homemade Butternut Squash Soup. It was delicious and a BIG chore to make. The recipe is quite easy, it's getting to the melon of the squash which was the hard part. We brought over a huge stock pot of soup and it was about finished by the time we cleaned up. We may have to experiment with some more with additional soups in the future.

There wasn't really any big shopping this year on BLACK FRIDAY; thanks goodness too! It was so frigid to stand in line. We heard there were some awesome deals on televisions and kitchen appliances, but luckily we had been fortunate enough to get most of those items from our wedding gifts. THANK YOU!

Last night we attended our 10 year high school reunion which was a blast from the past. I never thought 10 years would have come that quickly, and that I would have attended; nonetheless, Chris. Last minute, we got ready and headed over to the event. It was so great to see some old high school friends and of course the ones I see on regular basis! I was happy to see that everyone was a little more 'grown up' and eager to reconnect with everybody! After all was said and done, I was extremely happy that we attended and look forward to the next one... maybe 15 years but definitely 20 years! I feel a little like my parents, they are always getting together with their classmates from '75!

Lastly, my favorite part of the holidays is decorating and I FINALLY got to do it yesterday! I look forward to it in October when the department stores are hauling out their trees and placing those extra lights around the stores. I ask every day from November 1st through Thanksgiving Day when I can bring out our Christmas tree, and every time Chris says AFTER Thanksgiving! Luckily, Chris and I have everything so organized so it really only takes about 2 hours from set up to tree topper. We always throw on the holiday music and light a gingerbread candle just to get into the spirit of things here. I love the smell of the holidays! This year we documented our set up process for you to enjoy.

Chris and I are so very blessed to have each and every one of you in our lives. You have touched us in so many different ways and have left an impression of memories for a lifetime. We wish you all a very joyous holiday season filled with love, laughter and of course sweet treats. Nothing screams more like the holidays than sweet treats! You know this household will be filled with them. So here's to another 4 weeks of 2010; we'll be sure to make each day count! We love you all!

xxoo,

Mrs. Waycott

Day 173

9 years ago TODAY, Chris 'asked' me to be his girlfriend... little did he know that he would be stuck spending the rest of his life with me. Here's the story in case you hadn't heard...

It was a rainy Sunday in November. I worked at a local day care facility inside the gym taking care of babies and kids while "mom and dad" worked out. This day was like every other. I would get to work, play with the kids, talk with the other employee's and get spit up on. It was pretty chill and every-so-often Chris would come by and say 'hey'. This particular Sunday we made plans to attend a show {concert to those of you who think it's going to the movies} at The Troub to see THE ANNIVERSARY. Chris popped in towards the end of my shift wearing a baby blue jacket that he had recently purchased at Skidazzle. When he came into my work, he was soaking wet... but hesitant to remove his jacket. My co-worker had noticed something handwritten on his tee shirt and asked Chris to remove his jacket to read it. As Chris took off his jacket, it was clearly written on a baby blue tee shirt "Jen will you be my girlfriend"... it was one of the most romantic things that had ever happened to me. OF course I said YES; after all, we're married today!

We headed down to The Troub to see one of our most favorite bands, THE ANNIVERSARY... and that's the story.

I am so grateful to have you in my life today and so happy you 'asked' me to be your girlfriend. Did you realize that only 7 1/2 years later you would ask me to be your wife on a similar tee shirt? I love you Mr. Waycott. Happy 9 years being together and for MANY more to come!

Day 163

Happy Halloween {be-lated} and with that being said, I guess I can start saying Happy Holidays! Over the weekend, Dad and Karen hosted yet another successful pumpkin carving party, fit with delicious chili, {so I heard, because I don't like chili} spinach dip, the new favorite mummified weenies, red velvet cake pops and snacks to feed an army.

We kicked off our day at the pumpkin patch with little Layler's, where we picked out our pumpkins and took some annual pictures. Layla posed a few times before running like a maniac through the pumpkin aisles, and I managed to get a cute smile out of her since all she does is give crazy faces. As Layla and Chris were horsing around the patch, Kim and I had some serious business finding the perfect pumpkin... I was destined to win this year. Every year, I show up, participate with the most amazing design ever AND lose! I just don't understand. Do these other participates not like my designs?

For the past 4 years, I've tried different techniques and this year was quite a year. I used my first dremel drill and got my hair caught in it. Chris saved the day and got it untangled. I also tried scraping the pumpkin to get a 'glow' and realized it wasn't deep enough. The winning pumpkin was from the Gerardo's... they carved the quintessential haunted house with the bats flying in the sky. It was pretty good! Kim came in second with the Evil Queen and Staci came in third with INAPPROPRIATE. No, I will not post it! I should have asked if I received any votes. Here's my pumpkins from the past 4 years, and have to say my favorite is "Allan".

2010: Dia de los Muertos

2009: "ALLAN" {this is my dad smoking his cigarette, AND I should have won this }

2008: Cheese and Mice {mine was #6) and was very MARTHA STEWART of me

2007: Self Portrait {can you see my flower in the hair? No this was not a winner}

Layla showed up that night as Cinderelly for the pumpkin carving contest. She was so stinkin' cute!

On actual Halloween, Chris and I took Layla trick-or-treating! We really hadn't gone since we were kids and had a great time with little Layler's. We went to a few houses by Dad's and then went around the neighborhood where Layla lives. She was so concerned over the monsters {one showed up at the house in costume} and she told her story to every house we went to! At one point, "the monster" had been on the same property as us but Uncle Chris made sure she didn't see him. He saved the day! After all was said and done, Layla ended her night with a full bucket of candy and a sugar high. Glad I get to leave that house at anytime I want!

Chris and I had a fantastic, non-stressful Halloween with our family and look forward to the many traditions in the years to come. So bring on the Holidays, we're ready for you, especially you THANKSGIVING! We're looking forward to seeing some family members we haven't seen in a long time {if in fact, at all}.

xxoo,

Mrs. Waycott

Day 153

Happy 5^th Monthiversary! Cannot believe that 5 month’s have flown by. I’ve been going through our wedding pictures every week and keep finding some great shots from our ‘first look’. This is one of my favorites that captured the moment of seeing Chris for the very first time. His smile is the most genuine smile I’ve ever seen.

Over the past 5 months we have been really focusing on getting back to normal, because as you all know, the wedding process sure makes you kooky! Both of us are looking forward to the holidays and seeing some family members that we haven’t seen in a few years (or at all, that’s me!). We’re beginning (yes, I said beginning) to re-organize all the wedding stuff and keepsakes from our day. We watched our wedding video last week for the very first time and loved every second of it. The footage is exactly how I remembered it. We’re so in love. We cannot wait to carry on the tradition of watching it on our yearly anniversary!

Well the next few months are jammed packed and so excited to keep everyone in the loop!

xxoo
Mrs. Waycott

Day 147

Happy Birthday to the love of my life, Chris! Today, he turns 28! Yay to joining the Twenty-Eight is Great club! Enjoy your day and may this year be truly your best year yet. Looking forward to some great friends and some drinks tonight! Love you boo!

xxoo

Your Wifey!

Day 144

Some of you may know that Chris and I are big hockey fans (Chris played roller his entire life and a bit of ice in his 'older' years). We both had a common love for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim as they were the main team featured in one of our favorite movies. After we met, we became real Anaheim Ducks fans (although we still call them our Mighty Ducks) and started going to the games on a regular basis. We have a countdown for the season opener and ALWAYS go to Fan Appreciation Night (no, we haven't won a single thing at any of these games after all these years and yes we are bitter about it). We follow the players on a day to day basis and have to say the highlight of the season is watching The Element as Tim "mie" Marchant interviews our favorite players. A couple years back, I quacked like a duck and won tickets and a zamboni ride during intermission (I didn't want to ride the zamboni, so Chris took my place). I have to say, I do make a great duck! We love it when Parros cuts his hair for Locks of Love but still keeps that gnarly stache or when he scores his first goal of the season because really, he's just our fighter in the group.

Chris and I have had so many great nights watching the game from our own ice box at home and even more at the actual venue. We get into the game so much that at times Chris looks over at me and is like 'is that my wife?' I do love me some fights! We have some veteran players that we became huge fans of and some rookie players we are excited to see grow into their positions. This season is going to be great and are so excited to go to our first game this season for Chris' birthday. So here's to the DUCKS season, may it be filled with many W's (that's wins in hockey talk) and some bonus hockey (that's overtime in hockey talk)!

DUCKS GAME 2008

CHRIS PLAYING ROLLER IN '99

DUCKS GAME 2007

xxoo

Mrs. Waycott

Day 142

Over the past few weeks, Chris and I have been experimenting on some new dinner options. Every week I create a 'menu' for us to help grocery shop and keep that ever popping question under wraps "What's for dinner tonight?", but this time was different. Instead of making the 'menu' for a week, I wrote it up for a month. Let me tell you that was quite a task. So figuring out a month's worth of different dinner options I phrased the question "Chris, what do you want for dinner?" He responded with one of the most surprising answers I had heard in a long time. He said SUSHI! So I placed it on the menu with a big smiley face. That day was Saturday. Chris went to the market to grab the necessites after reading the "how to" book on Sushi. Yes, we have that book and it was a gift from Xmas '09 {thanks Mom and Dad}. He prepped his station and went to work. I was quite surprised with his sushi making skills, he didn't leave anything out! I have to say, it was one of the best sushi rolls I've had in a long time! So thank you Itamae Christopher, you make the best sushi!

So what's for dinner tonight you ask? Cajun salmon with black beans and rice! Delish, I know!

xxoo

Mrs. Waycott

Day 123

Happy 4 monthiversary Chris! This picture just summed up the entire day and makes me smile every time I see it. Here's to another month down and many many more days of love. I love you with all of my heart.

xxoo

Your Wife

Day 119

It's been a while and every time I load content on the road, it somehow never shows. So here's the quick recap of what has been going on since our last post...

In August, I traveled a lot for work. I was in New York one week, back in LA the next and off to Vegas the following. After an exhausting work schedule, we celebrated Brad's birthday in Del Mar, CA for a day at the races followed by a mini concert by WEEZER.

A few weeks passed and it was finally Labor Day weekend. I took a few days off from the craziness at work and enjoyed a long weekend with the Waycott's in the Big Bear cabin. It was such an enjoyable weekend just hanging out on the deck and enjoying the lake water in the distance. The weather was incredible! We could not have asked for a more enjoyable time. We packed up (realized we were out of water on Sunday night, OH NO!) and headed home.

The weather has started to break a little out here. We can really enjoy our last days of summer with mild temperatures and I know Chris and I are looking forward to the fall time. We have lots of things planned in the next few months; DUCKS season begins soon, so lots of hockey games and of course Chris' 28th birthday! My favorite holiday is approaching, NO not my birthday.... Halloween! We need to figure out our plans and costumes. Chris and I always step it up each year, so this year might be the best yet. We have a trip planned to The Grand Canyon during the late fall and we're celebrating our 9th year together! Can you believe we've been together that long? We're really excited to celebrate our "firsts" with Thanksgiving and Christmas and I'm sure there will be a ton of things along the way!

Looking forward to sharing a lot more HAPPY moments in the days, months and years to come!

xxoo

Mrs. Waycott

p.s.- We're working on our Thank You's- taking much longer than we thought, but check for them soon in the mail!

Day 104

Day 100

A lot has happened over the last 100 days! Chris and I finally got our

marriage certificate this past weekend which makes us officially

husband and wife! It was the best feeling and of course I had to double

and triple check to make sure everything was spelled correctly {just in case}.

About two weeks ago we received an 11lbs box full of our pictures from

the talented Stephanie Williams Photography. We have to pick out 40

images from the batch for our wedding album; let me tell you, what a chore!

So yesterday, we spent a few hours going through the hundreds of photos

trying to pin down the top 40. We ended up with 43 and hopefully they can

edit from there.

We celebrated my birthday; YES, the big 2-8! We’re closing off our 20’s

and feel really good about it. This is just the start of our lives and

are so excited for all the new opportunities that are coming our way.

After all my traveling this month for work, we spent an entire day

with our best friend’s celebrating Brad’s birthday. We took him to

Del Mar – A DAY AT THE RACES. After 4 hours stuck in traffic and

a small detour through Laguna Beach, we got to the race track after the

2^nd race. We bet on a few races and really enjoyed our time. On the 9^th

race, I had a feeling on a horse, so Chris and I tripled our bet and won

a little over $200.00. We were on cloud 9! The night ended with a

short concert by WEEZER and dinner at Kitchen 1540. It was a nice meal

despite the horrible service we received. All in all, a wonderful way to

celebrate Brad’s birthday!

The next few weeks look very busy! Chris and I are spending

Labor Day weekend in Big Bear! Very excited for a nice and relaxing 4

days hanging out on the lake. I’m co-hosting a baby shower in a few

weeks, lots of pictures to come! Can’t wait to meet baby Bode in October!

Promise to keep up on the blog a little more often! Lots of pictures to come soon!

Xxoo

Mrs. Waycott

Day 71

Good-bye LA, hello New York! Yep, it's true, I'm back in the big city for work, again!  Here's just a quick look at what my next 3 days look like. The weather here is amazing, wouldn't trade it for any other August show! StacyA and I are making do around town and experimenting in some new eats, and being sure to take advantage of the Mr. Softy trucks at night. Oh thank heaven for soft serve!!! Definitely missing the Mr. but making every second count. Hoping that I can come back to this sweet city with Mr. Waycott in a few months to actually explore the city, and not just the Javits Center. Well, off to sushi with StacyA!! Looking forward to coming home on Wednesday!!! Yay!
Xxoo
Mrs. Waycott

Day 71

Day 65

WOW! It's been a while since our last post. Here's a few pictures to speed things up over the last 2 months {yes, you read that right, 2 months of blissful marriage} ... Beware, there are a TON of photos, be prepared to view/read for a few minutes!

July 3rd, 2010- We hung out with the Moser's on our stay in "the valley" hang out {pre-fourth of July festivities}. We headed to Gyu-Kaku and ordered a bunch of meats to cook on our 'pit'...after we finished our lunch we added a nice order of 'smores which Chris accidently dropped in the pit...pretty disgusting! Stacy and I dropped the boys off at home while we went shopping. We could not find one thing to buy- WHICH IS VERY ODD- so we went to William's Sonoma and bought a Sangria Mix, Nacho Pan, Cookie Cake Pan and a Cookie Cake Box Mix! You know you're getting old when you leave the mall with a William's Sonoma bag. After 3 hours of prepping our AMAZING nacho's we finally ate at 10:00 pm. WELL WORTH THE WAIT!

July 4th, 2010- Happy Birthday America! What a relaxing 4th of July weekend! This was one of the first years that Chris and I really didn't make any plans for the big day. We decided to hang out at my parent's house, BBQ and watch the fireworks our neighbor's shoot off outside our front door. The boys dug out Bocci Ball and played in the backyard with my sis, Layla fished in the spa, I drank spiked lemonade, my parents bickered {as usual}, and the in-laws came over to hang out as one big happy family....all in all, a fantastic and normal day in the Goldstein household! It even got nippy at night, so we brought out the snuggy and extra blankets to warm up!

Weekend of July 18th, 2010- For my 28th {surprise} birthday weekend, the Moser's and Chris took me to The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. All I have to say is aaahhhh! Brad and Stac picked us up at 7:45 am for our short drive up the coast. They didn't tell me where we were going; although they indicated that I need a swimsuit and some basil. Come to find out the "basil" was a joke... thanks Brad! We arrived at the Inn just in time for pool time. The weather couldn't have been any hotter, err I mean perfect! It was about 100 degrees outside and the pool made it feel like 75. We spent all day in the pool having adult beverages and a quick lunch on the terrace. I have to admit, I was in paradise. Are you asking if we applied sunblock throughout the day?? Ummm, nope and got sunburn {tan} to show! Stac and I went back to take a cat nap before dinner while the boys continued to drink and play some put-put. I woke up and found the boys at the bar talking about 'manly' stuff. After Stac woke up we headed to the driving range to hit some balls. NEVER LET BRAD HIT BALLS WHILE DRINKING! I have about 6 minutes of video shot of him missing every single swing. He blamed the torn up grass, but I'm thinking it's him. We got ready for dinner {realized we were all pretty pink} and had a delicious meal. The property was so enchanting. It was pretty late when we headed back in. Everyone passed out immediately. I kept telling Chris that we needed some earplugs for Brad's snoring- OOPS we forgot them! After about 10 minutes I gave up and decided to sleep outside on the chase lounge. I considered it sleeping under the stars, until 5 am hit and I heard the sound of golf balls being tee'd off every 2 minutes.... I wanted to die. We woke up, had a great breakfast and headed to our 'activity'! Stacy set up a craft hour at their Artist Cottage. I LOVED THIS PLACE! It's a sanctuary to everything creative. We painted silk scarves and have to say it was so much fun. It wasn't until 1pm that we left the Inn- we had such an amazing time even though we got a little too much color! Thank you Brad and Stacy for such an incredible birthday!!

July 24th, 2010- Mom invited Staci and I out for a birthday brunch in Long Beach. It ended up turning out to a festival benefiting the teacher's in the area with all proceeds going to their foundation. This phenomenal 'food truck' palooza ended up being the major event. We food truck hopped for a few hours. We decided to try a little bit of everything and shared along the way. My favorite was this Chinese Asada Taco...DIVINE!! After we left Long Beach {with a small detour to Sweet and Saucy Shop for some cakeball lollies} we headed to SCV to hang out with The Dell's! Unfortunately Melissa and I forgot to document our day, but check out her post here on what we did!! Girlie Day

We left the Dell's around 1am knowing we had a big day with Dad's salsa festival in just a few hours.

to be continued...

xxoo

Mrs. Waycott