summer of big fun 2009

The boys arrived today for one month of fun and adventure! We are going to have a great time...they have new matching superhero pjs, we are going camping over the weekend and that's just the beginning. Stay tuned for updates of our totally awesome summer.

the quigley's first house guests

My former roommates, Erica Brown and Kristy Dimmick came to town a couple of weeks ago. They joined the Farrar Family for our Curry Fest and got a taste of Sunday night at the Farrar's (it can get pretty crazy). I took the girls to close by Edmonds to see one of favorite views in town. They really liked the Pacific Northwest and thought it was really pretty. After Edmonds we picked up James at our house and took the girls by the Seattle Temple. The gates were closed but we still wondered around and got some great photos.

Sunday night we stayed up super late talking. I love having house guests! I worked Monday but the girls explored the city. The weather was perfect and they had a wonderful time. They are professional travels and did great on their own. We all met up for dinner, with the Nylands, in downtown Kirkland. We got take out from that Greek place we like and brought it down to the Marina. We walked around a bit, a frozen yogurt and talked some more. We didn't stay up as late on Monday. And then the girls left Tuesday. It was a super short trip, but so fun! (Kristen we missed you). We love having visitors, all are welcome!

pizza party

I made this, from scratch...and it was dang good

the poster says how I feel, I love doing things for my family and they love when I do:

James suggested we make pizza dough in the bread machine, I thought it would be too much work and rolling the dough would be too messy. I was wrong. James was right! It was wonderful and so delicious. My parents stopped by after the Temple and my dad ate dinner with us. I grew up with my mom making her own pizza dough, it was fun to do the same for my family. I think we are going to make homemade pizza a new Quigley tradition.

date night challenge

A sister (family marriage therapist, 39 weeks pregnant with her 2nd son, super cute) in my Ward issued a challenge to all of us in her marriage class at Enrichment Meeting earlier this week. The class was called "An Enduring Happy Marriage" and it was really good. At the end of it she challenged us to 4 weeks of date night with no media. I think that means no TV, movies, DVDs, etc. She said we can rent a movie and watch it during the week but just not on date night. Sounds fun, huh? A little bit of a challenge, I like going to the movies or watching a movie in bed, but the Quigleys are up for the challenge...anyone else want to join us?

So last night on our date we stayed local and ate at a delicious Greek restaurant in downtown Kirkland. It was so warm and lovely, we took our food outside and ate at a little table on the sidewalk. It felt like we were on vacation. We walked to the waterfront and people watched. People watching, btw, is often better than the movies. Boy, did we see some characters last night. We talked a lot, sat silent and just watched, so peaceful and wonderful. I love date night with my sweet husband.

easter

We started the week before Easter with Family Home Evening lesson on Jesus Christ. I hung a ribbon by the fireplace and for family scripture study all week we read about an event from the last week of Christ's life each night. We hung the coordinating picture up on the ribbon as a reminder all week long. It was really great, we also tried to focus more on the Savior (Mr. Easter Bunny doesn't get to stop by the Quigley house, but Santa comes for Christmas!). We had a family Easter egg hunt on Saturday, but Sunday was church, talking about Christ and a family dinner. Oh, and we had the boys for Spring Break this year, which meant they were home for our first Easter as a family.

date night

James found this place on yelp

we got a sample platter...it was okay

you eat with your hands using a pita bread like food (except for really spongy and a little sour) to scoop up the goods

the show is about to start

Date nights are very serious business at our house. We try to go on a date every week, our dates are mostly simple, dinner and a movie type. And sometimes we try new things, like Ethiopian food. That was interesting! Then we came home for a short nap before heading to the theater for the 12:01am showing of X-man. That was a great date. Last week we went to the Temple and then out for dinner. Anything goes. We take turns planning, we have a monthly date budget, we have specific date night rules (like no laundry or cell phones, if we eat dinner at home it has to be by candlelight, etc.) and we try to dress up. I love date nights with my sweetie and I am SO grateful that they are important to James. What are some of your favorite date night ideas?

i'm back and i'm married!

For those of you without facebook or who don't read Jacob and Lindsay's blogs #1 Shame on you #2 You are missing out on darling pictures of my amazing wedding...We get our pictures from the photographers tomorrow, so I will be sharing them soon. You all know how often I post these days. Oops. Sorry.

Let me just tell you that everything was perfect. It was just as we had dreamed. Perfect. Really. Lots of friends and family came into town. We celebrated all weekend long. I loved my dress and I thought I looked pretty. James was handsome and so happy (still is!). Natalie, my family and so many helpers made the reception amazing. The food was great, cupcakes darling and delicious...serious every detail turned out better than I could have hoped. I am so sad its over, I can't believe it. I miss it, I miss the party. I miss the honeymoon.

Speaking of honeymoon we do have those pictures. Want some?

We went to Mexico and loved every second of it. I love James and love being married, this was our best idea ever!

march 21st!!!

We set a date. We are so excited!!! You are all invited to our big party...the reception will be on Friday March 20th in Kirkland Washington! Hope to see you all in less than 50 days (augh! there is still so much to do before then).

remember me?

I'm still here, mostly just hanging out with this guy. Look how handsome he is, who wouldn't want to spend every moment of her life with him? The wedding plans are coming along, I'll write an update soon. December was wonderful, I still want to blog about that....goodness, January is almost over. I better get on it. Love you all. Happy New Year.

perfect

James picked it out all by himself (with a little help from Linds, via the iPhone). We never went to look at rings together. He wanted the ring to be a symbol of his love for me...that is exactly what it is. Our love is pretty much perfect too.

aloha!

Did I mention that I am going to Maui tomorrow? Well, I am. Lindsay needed me and I am helping out. I love to serve others. My fiance will be staying here, alone, without me.

thanksgiving 08

Thanksgiving feels like it was months ago. Honestly, where does the time go? James and I, along with our two friends Sydney and McCall Biddle drove to Fruitland on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Tons more visitors followed and we had a glorious vacation. We had a great time, I love this time of year! Thanks Farmers for hosting. We love you.

Pit-stop somewhere in Idaho

One of James' favorite things about being at the Farmers- their lego collection!

Kaitlin and I during the celebration preparations

This years Thankful Turkey...we even added more feathers

Joslin's new hair (I guess KK has new hair too), Linds even came

Silly girls

James made some mean mashed potatoes

(James' hand is slimy with turkey juices, yuck)

James was happy to be at the Farmers for Thanksgiving

We relaxed on the couch after dinner before we stuffed ourselves again with dessert

With 29 people at Thanksgiving dinner this was one of the smartest things we did

Rick's extended family came by one afternoon and played a hard core game of flag football

I did a little bit of crafting, James and Duncan Biddle helped

The teenagers (and KK) slept in the attic, I lost track of how many girls were sleeping up there

The little princess, thanks Claire for sharing your room with James

Sunday after church before James and I left, there was even more people than this most of the weekend

I didn't realize James had such wild hair that day

Little did I know I'd be seeing Lindsay in Hawaii 3 weeks later!

I love these girls!

i have a secret...

you'll want to go here to find out my secret (well its not really a secret, I want the whole world to know!)

today is monday

I forgot my cell phone this morning. Dang, I hate being without it. I slept in a little (we had a crazy weekend and didn't get anywhere enough sleep, I thought I deserved a few extra minutes) and used of some of my workout time by doing so. By the time I realized I was cell phone-less I figured it would take 10 to 15 minutes to go back and get it, time I already used up sawing logs. So, I didn't got back...James being the super hero that he is took time out of his day to bring me my cell phone. I feel connected to the world again. Thanks dear for all you do for me.

and the winner is

Number dos!

a decision has been made

I went to the Eye Doctor the other day and I picked out my new pair of glasses. I will post a picture when I get them (in 7 to 10 business days) to let you all know what pair won! Love you all.

we need your help

Yesterday there was an accident...James thought a tickle fight would be a fun activity. He didn't realize that I am hardcore, I play by no rules. I hate tickle fights. It got heated, the 5 seconds that it lasted until this happened:

The glasses lost (this made my sweet boyfriend really sad, he didn't realize he has super human strength that can snap a pair of glasses in two like a crisp carrot and he almost cried)

So, needless to say we went looking for glasses for FHE tonight. In honor of Election Day please cast your vote (every vote counts!) for one of the following:

Those two pictures are of the black, skinnier frames...More classic, appealing to the masses, and perhaps a little more polished. Let's call them the Oh-Momma! Glasses.

Now these two pictures depict the glasses with perhaps a little more panache...as if I got them at say...Saks Fifth Avenue for say...$150,000. At first, we didn't know if we liked them as well, but they just kept creeping up on us and they may just be our favorites...although we shall let the pundits decide. After all, polls are for chumps. Ironically, these are labeled Divine Chocolate. Take that, Michelle O.

Ready Set Vote!
(Obviously James helped with some of the above text. Thanks honey!)

halloween 2008

Warning: There are a lot of pictures in this post, but you'll just love 'em.

Halloween started last week with Nicki's big Halloween Bash. James stayed home with the boys and I went with my family. It was a great party.

The best costume ever...can you guess what they are?

The wild party goers!

At the party...

The party (minus James)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Andy Shaw

I like my hair down better

Pigging out at the party, there was so much good food

We made caramel apples with the Nylands last Saturday. I don't think I've really ever done that before. It was a little messy. I don't know how people make them look so good, ours were kind of sloppy. But they tasted dang good. Did I mention I love fall?

This is what we started with

Thanks guys for your help, so glad you came over

The madness

Too much fun!

After we used caramels it was a free for all with all of the leftover fixins'

This is what we ended up with

The boys and I made Mummy-dogs after Church on Sunday. The boys enjoyed making them and surprised James with a spooky lunch. Its the little things, that make such great memories.

Caramel Apple face- yum!

For Sunday dinner we all pitched in and had a Halloween feast. Check out more pictures here.

I forgot to be afraid...(this picture reminds me Bella and Edward)

Halloween soda, I forgot these for our dinner. Dang. We drank them a few days later.



We finally carved our pumpkins on Halloween Eve at my parents house. James spent a lot of time on his pumpkin and it's awesome. He's so creative. Good job honey.

We roasted these pumpkin seeds and they are so good

Total concentration (James' pumpkin phase one)

Phase two

Phase three- the masterpiece

For the Farmers!

I love this guy...and James is pretty great too

I even wore my pumpkin PJ's

Actual Halloween...last night. Up until an hour before our Ward Party we didn't know what we were going to "be." James sewed himself a pirate blouse(?) out of a t-shirt sheet. Sorry honey, I can't remember what its called. The looked hot. I was a witch. Obviously. I even wore fish net stalkings...don't even worry that we wore our costumes to the movies with Monica after the party. (We saw Secret Life of Bees, so good!)

Cute idea: Church tables over in plastic table clothes, it looked like a pumpkin patch