Best Year Yet

2013 was a huge year for Mike and I. It started off with me visiting my sister in the UK for New Years. It was my first time off the continent and I was so happy to spend some much-needed bonding time with my sister.

The next few months were busy but not very exciting as tax season hit and I got my first taste of what it was like to work 50+ hour weeks for two months straight. It wasn't my favorite thing in the world but I definitely felt myself settling into my role at EY and found a group I clicked with. I'm not overjoyed at the prospect of doing this year after year for the rest of my life and when the right opportunity presents itself I hope I have the wisdom and courage to take it - but for now it affords me the life I want and I'm beyond grateful for that.

May was a huge month between Mexico and getting engaged. I think I had a permanent smile on my face the entire month. Our trip to Mexico with our friends Drew & Danielle was just what I needed to relax and we had an amazing time. Just a few weeks later Mike surprised me by popping the question in Napa on a perfect late-spring day with our parents there to celebrate with us. I still joke with Mike that I have no idea what he said when he was down on one knee because I was in total shock and that he will have to write it down for me before he forgets too.

Summer is corporate busy season at the office which meant more 50+ weeks for me but we did sneak in some wedding planning and decided to buy a house (and launch the blog!). This house feels more and more like home everyday and love that we have a place to call 'ours'.

Labor day was spent at the Russian River up north with a large group of friends. Highlights included floating on the river all day, singing karaoke at a gay bar, champagne tasting at Korbel, and a certain fiance of mine cannon-balling into a hotel pool mostly clothed and running home sans those clothes and a game we like to call dancing-around-the-bottle. I think chants of 'River Mike' will haunt him for many years to come.

The year wrapped up with my 25th birthday, lots of wedding planning, a trip to Tahoe, holidays with the family, and of course our new fur baby Goose.

2014, you have some big competition for the title of Best Year Ever. It will be a close tie with the wedding, honeymoon, and digging into some of the big house projects we've been putting off but one thing is for sure, I'm excited for what this new year will bring!

Meet the Newest Member of the Family

This Christmas my favorite present has to be this little guy. A 5-month old Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix named Goose. Mike and I have been stalking all the dog shelters in town for the right pup and are so happy to call this one ours.

One of the many reasons Mike and I decided to buy our own place is so we could get a dog. Mike grew up with always having a (large) dog but Goose is my first and I couldn't be happier with the little guy. As we started seriously talking about getting a dog we both agreed that we wanted to adopt. People have the right to make their own choice concerning their pets but I just couldn't justify spending a lot of money on a dog when their are so many in shelters waiting to find a home. If you are open to having a chihuahua or pitbull mix, definitely think about adopting first. I was shocked to see how strongly these two breeds were represented in all the shelters.

Last night was our first night with Goose and he was an angel. The previous owner of Goose actually had rescued him from a shelter when he was 2-months old and did a wonderful job training him and obviously had loved him very much before she had to give him up because of her living situation. I was nervous about house training a pup but luckily she did that for us. He can be a little skittish but is also very curious & loving and doesn't bark -- not even at squirrels which is awesome because there is an invasion of them around here.

He's a tiny little guy but already proving to be a great companion. I'm working from home this week and he has been my shadow all day - following me from room to room and curling up by my feet. Mike has a dog-friendly workplace so Goose will probably accompany him to work a few days a week as soon as we get to know him/ his habits & tendencies a little better. 

We didn't set out to get a Chihuahua but I'm falling more in love with this pup by the hour. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and were able to spend some time relaxing with their loved ones.