Double X and the Mrs.

2009-01-28T21:58:00.000-08:00

Well, life lately has just been so crazy I've hardly had time to do anything let alone get on here and document it all. Or I could just be making all that up.

I did finally attain a job. I'm so excited to start working again! I am lucky enough to be joining San Diego Magazine's 2007 Best esthetician Heidi Olden at Urban Calm.

Although I've got the job nailed down training doesn't until next week so I've had A LOT of time on my hands. Taylor (who's training for her new job just started this evening) and I have had about two weeks of great cooking endeavors, trips to the gym, checking myspace and facebook far too often, texting each other while twelve feet from each other in the living room, being introduced to the world that is reality tv, and constantly keeping the laughter going. Sean of course has been keeping himself busy with work and playing Lego Star Wars.

My most recent creation is some pretty phenomenal vanilla ice cream made with the ice cream maker Amanda got us for our wedding. Taylor and I have also spent time making healthy versions of chicken Parmesan, chicken fingers, Greek salad, and meatloaf. For Veronica's first birthday I made my very tasty (and apparently fame gaining) spinach and artichoke dip. Sabina I will get that recipe to you soon!

Oh, and my first (yes, this my first try at it) attempt at deviled eggs was received quite well. Sean reluctanly, yet so kindly agreed to try one and he ended up eating half the plate.

Well, in addition to improving my posture, another New Year's resolution of mine is to increase the publications of blog entries. We can just cross our fingers and hope it'll happen.

Amman Part 1

2008-12-16T11:16:00.000-08:00

During our first few days in Amman we've mostly been playing catch-up with our sleep. The ten hour time difference is wrecking me. We did get out of the house for a bit today and what else did we see but American fast food places.

The first was KFC, followed by a trio of Popeyes, Burger King and the ever so heart clogging Hardee's.

We went to the largest Starbucks I have ever been to. It was two stories of the ever so comfortable comtemporary seating, wi-fi hotspots, and chill music. And of course, my latte tasted exactly the same.

Jabri is a restaurant Sean would frequent in his younger years to get his ever so tasty shawarma.

As our travels of Jordan begin tomorrow, I'm hoping to get some great pictures and at least partially entertaining scenarios to go along -- I'll try to spare you of more stories of sleep and American fat pill restaurants.

San Diego Zoo

2008-12-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

Moving down to San Diego and getting settled in has been a bit of a long road, but that doesn't mean there isn't time to take a break and go to the zoo. Grandma and Grandpa, Mel, and Charlie and I spent a nice short afternoon viewing all the cute (and not so cute) and cuddlies.

We can't wait for the Rue's to come down so we can make another visit.

We're still here

2008-10-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure anyone is quite as terrible at keeping up on the blogs as I am. In my defense, without new photos it's not quite as motivating. And I'm not sure playing Wii and cleaning the house are exciting enough to have the privilege of being blogged about. Anyhow, that's what we've been up to. That and just spending time with our friends as much as possible before we leave in less than two weeks now.

We did have to go out and buy Catan so we won't have withdrawals. I know we'll find people to play with...we're more worried about Ashley and Kelly. Oh, how we'll miss the constant bickering and name calling, Kelly's made up building costs, and all the diluted theories on how to win. Thanks goodness for Catan Online.

The big day

2008-07-31T10:21:00.000-07:00

Lisa has been so kind as to send me the pictures on her blog, (which you should still check out, just because it rocks). So below are those beautiful picures as well as a few photos that have been sent to me by other friends and family.

Lisa, you've done a great job of making our wedding look much more glamourous than it actually was.

Thank you Lisa!

And then of Course we have more!

Our first dance

Telling the kiddos that they're just going to have to wait for the cake

We Are Family!

Sean on the dance floor!!!

More to come!

And...we're moving

2008-07-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

In all the excitment of the wedding, I forogt to mention that we're moving to beautiful, sunny San Diego! The whales vagina, as it were. We're not sure right now exactly where we're going to live or any of that good fun, but heck, it's gonna be great.

Wedding Stuff

2008-07-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we're REALLY bad at this whole blogging thing. I don't have any pictures to post right now (maybe tomorrow), but I do have the link, once again, to Lisa's blog. She snapped a few fancy photos of our day and thought we could share. Check 'em out. http://www.jlphotografia.com/theblog/. There will be more of the weekend fun to come so keep checking.

The models we are

2008-06-11T22:23:00.001-07:00

Over Memorial Day weekend we went down to Monterey and hung out with Lisa and Lefty. Janet and Lisa snapped a few photos of us so I thought I'd put a few up. You can see some more on their blog, http://www.jlphotografia.com/theblog.

I'm trying

2008-06-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

I know. I've been VERY bad at keeping up with this. I think the main thing is that I haven't quite figured out my camera yet, and it's just not as fun without being able to put photos up. Oh well. So Sean has already taken leave and is back to work. He was able to take a short trip down so Southern California to see his uncle and a couple friends, and we made it to Monterey to see Lisa and Lefty. Good times. And of course we've been doing what we do best...playing board games and watching lots of movies. Playing Catan at the Rue household has become a regular thing. Wow. Now that I've read it out loud, I've come to realize it doesn't sound quite that exciting.

Last night Sean finally was able to watch Everything is Illuminated. A top choice of mine, and a great film if you're looking for something different. And I believe the next film on our list is Death at a Funeral. Gotta love Blockbuster Online.

Frick'n finally!

2008-04-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

So, Sean is finally home! We've been spending the last few days making the rounds to see most everyone. Well, that and cleaning the house...still. It seems to never end. Anyway, I'm still figuring out the new camera which means no new photos yet, so instead I'm going to pass along a couple links for photo slide shows from Marc and Gina's wedding.

The first are an incredible group of photos taken by my cousin Melanie, which can be seen at http://www.goodnickelsphoto.com/MarcAndGina. The second a-mazing group of photos were taken by Sean's sis and her bff Janet. They just started up their very own business after 10 years of knowing each other and the talents one another have, and are very eager to play with their new equipment. Theirs can be seen at http://www.jlphotografia.com/. Click on client login then enter mgmckenzie as the password and enjoy.

If anyone is looking for photographers (weddings, baby's, family portraits), Goodnickels (Mel and Phill) are available in the San Diego area. JL Photografia is available in the Monterey, Carmel, San Francisco and Sacramento areas. Okay, well there's my plug for my super talented family. Now go enjoy the photos.

Still waiting

2008-04-18T11:37:00.001-07:00

It's been a little while since the last post and I thought some sort of an update would be welcomed. As of right now, we only have about a week to go. Unfortunately that means we're still waiting for Sean and he's still just in North Carolina doing his thang. But he is SO ready to be home with life back to the norm. And of course since I've been putting it off, I am now busy trying to get the house in order. Lisa and Lefty got to see first hand how bad it's gotten...eeek! I just need to find time between work, the gym, and sitting in front of the computer googling everything that comes to mind.

Flight of the Bradleys

2008-03-31T23:30:00.000-07:00

Well, we've had quite a busy week. I spent the last week in Washington with my family for Marc and Gina's wedding. We had a pretty marvelous time. And of course, Sean spent the week making his way back into the country! He's at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina where he'll be spending the next few weeks. Once Sean is back home we'll finally be posting more pictures.

Homeward Bound

2008-03-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

One of several photos Sean took while on patrol in Haditha.

Sean is on his way home! He's left Haditha and is waiting now for the next few days to get a flight into Kuwait then after a days wait it's on to North Carolina. He's very much looking forward to being home. I'm so grateful time seems to have gone by quickly. I've certainley had a good bunch here to keep me company. Thanks guys!

And so we begin...

2008-03-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

With all of our family and friends scattered these days, the idea of keeping us and our updates logged just seemed to make sense. We'll now have our exceptionally exciting days of movies, board games and going to the gym available to you.