The Swapp Blog.

thief of hearts.

2012-01-27T12:44:00.000-08:00

My tiny newborn baby is now a 1-month-old MONSTER.

Not literally a monster, people.

She's too cute for that.

I just can't get over how big she is already.

At one month:

All of her newborn clothes and diapers are getting bit more...snug.

She is ALMOST sleeping through the night. I thought we had made it, but those babies - they love to throw you for a loop just as you think you have them figured out.

She is smiling socially. And I can't get enough of it.

She LOVES her baths and showers. She especially loves having her feet dipped in nice warm water.

She is very alert when she is awake. She has been since day one, but it just seems to increase more and more (which I think is the idea).

She definitely recognizes me and my voice and it completely melts my heart.

She noticed Charlie for the first time! She just stared and I'm pretty sure she was thinking, "What is this big, black mound of puff staring me down?"

Everyone says she is a mini-Swapp, and I thought so, too, until Grandma sent me my newborn photos - Afton is SPOT on her mama. Pouty lower lip and all.

She really likes to surprise you and tinkle when you are in the midst of changing her diaper. Always a fun surprise.

She still makes goat noises. Tom is worried that will be her nervous twitch throughout life. Like, on her first date she'll go "baaaahhhh" in the middle of a sentence. Dads.

Speaking of Dad, she LOVES to curl up and sleep on his chest.

She started cooing yesterday - and you can bet I cooed right on back.

other things of note this month:

Ed and Jayne got home from the DR! Since they'll be leaving to serve as Mission President in June, Afton and I are getting in all the time with them we can.

Besides that, life is pretty routine around here. Lots of sleeping, eating and repeating.

baby overload.

2012-01-09T20:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, Afton has officially taken over our lives and, thus, our blog.

Please don't mind if each and every post from here on out basically revolves around her and each mini-accomplishment.

Like smiling at me the other night.

I am one proud mama.

Afton.

2012-01-02T19:25:00.000-08:00

Afton Nicole Swapp

December 20, 2011

1:48 pm

7 lbs 3 oz

19 1/2 inches

Tom and I checked in to Littleton Adventist Hospital the evening of Monday, December 19th. My doctor had informed me very early on in my pregnancy that due to my blood clot disorder (specifically the blood thinning injections I was on), that I would be induced prior to baby girl's actual due date, which was December 29th. I was more than okay with that, especially as the big day drew closer and closer. What mama-to-be wouldn't love knowing exactly what day her babe was going to arrive!? Granted, we were going a little stir-crazy around here the few days prior...I spent a lot of time just standing in her nursery and thinking about how different life would be once she was finally here.

We got to the hospital at 8 pm and by 9 I was in the glamorous hospital robe and had been given a dose of medication to get my cervix dilating. I was worried the process was going to be LONG - I was only at a 1 when the nurse first checked. My mom and sister had come along as well, but as we learned this process was not going to be moving along quickly, they headed back home while Tom and I tried to make ourselves comfy for the night. Could I sleep a wink? Of course not. I remember being so nervous for the entire process - I have a hard time with "fear of the unknown." But it was amazing how as each major step passed, I felt more and more capable of getting this baby here safely. I sat in my hospital bed and chatted with Tom and then to myself as he dozed off for a few hours. At 3:30 am on the 20th my water broke! I was just hanging out in the bed when it happened and I said, "Tom...Babe! (I had to wake him up) I think my water just broke?!" I called the nurse, and sure enough - the excitement had begun. I was barely at a 2 when this happened, so knew I still had lots of time and waiting to go.

Once my water broke those contractions decided to set in. For about two and half hours I hung out on the medicine ball and watched my contractions on the monitor as Tom applied counter pressure to my lower back. At about 6 am, my nurse came in to do all of her routine work (blood pressure, dilation, etc) and said my doctor wanted me to get me started on Pitocin. JOY. I was already in quite a bit of pain, but I knew once I had the epidural I was bed-bound for the rest of the journey. In my mind I pictured wandering the halls of the labor and delivery floor through some contractions, bouncing on the medicine ball through others, taking a shower or even laboring in the jacuzzi tub... Yeah - those ideas flew out the window right real quick. But I really wanted to try laboring in the tub before I got the epidural. Tom and my nurse walked me to the tub through some nice contractions (with all my wireless monitoring strapped across my belly since I was hooked up to the Pitocin). I finally got settled in the tub and told Tom, "Oh my gosh - this feels amazing. I can push through this a while longer," when BAM! I heard the Pitocin machine kick on and administer the first dose. And then the nasty contractions started. I very quickly told Tom the tub was not going to work for me and that I wanted the epidural ASAP. Briana (my nurse) and Tom hauled me out of the tub - and had to practice patience with me as I had a couple of extremely painful contractions while trying to get out of the tub.

Within minutes the anesthesiologist was in my room. Bless his heart. I vaguely remember scratching something that looked like my signature on a line as he went over the obligatory paperwork. Then he got me prepped for the epidural. I really wasn't worried about the pain that some experience with the epidural. I just knew that I wanted it from the get-go and couldn't wait to have it in. I had pondered the idea of a natural birth, but as I thought about the entire birthing process, I knew that induction was not going to make it any easier - I was forcing a baby out that wasn't necessarily ready to come! And I knew Pitocin was not going to make it any prettier, so I did the best I could without the epidural, but I was SOOO happy when I got it! The sweet anesthesiologist was explaining every step to me - "Okay, now you'll feel this...And this is what I'm doing now..." and I remember wanting to say, "I don't care. Just get it in." Finally, relief. It was amazing - I still felt every contraction (PRESSURE!!!!) but I could breath through it and not feel like I needed to cry every time. It was about 7 am at this point and Mom and Sister came walking in to the room just as I was getting settled back in bed. Oh, and I was still only dilated at about a 2. AND - my nurse was off at 7 am and said she thought there was a good chance she'd see me again when she was back at 7 pm that night. I almost cried. She said that once I finally got to a 4, it would take about an hour for every centimeter after that. I loved that nurse, but I REALLY did not want to see her again.

I laid in bed and tried to rest, but I really did still feel every contraction coming on good and strong. My sweet mom fed me ice chips as I focused on breathing. I remember telling her how much pressure I was experiencing with each contraction - A LOT, A LOT, A LOT. She said that was good and that probably meant baby was bearing down more. At 8:30 am, my new nurse, Paivi, check my dilation and what she said blew me away. Seriously. I wish someone had gotten a picture of the look on my face. I had gone from a 2 to a 9 in an hour and half!!! Whoopty - whoop! I was ecstatic!!! Baby girl's head was still really high, so Dr. Watson wanted me to try "passive descent" - which basically means waiting a real long time while baby drops down lower. The pro - waiting longer meant less pushing - so I was good with that.

At 11:15 am my nurse told me I could start pushing. What?! I momentarily panicked. Okay - I got the Pitocin, I had contractions, I got the epidural, I felt more contractions, I munched a lot of ice...But pushing!? That was the real deal! But once I started pushing it was all I wanted to do every time a contraction came. And every time I did I had a room full of amazing supporters cheering me on. Mama stood by my head and just kept telling me, "Push longer and harder than you ever thought you could. Get that baby girl out." How do moms know EXACTLY what you need to hear? Tom and I joked about what he was/was not allowed to say. He was amazing through the whole process. Just sweet words of encouragement, especially at times I really needed it. I remember looking at him as he was helping me push and the look of concern and love he had on his face. This was it - we were going to be parents! I also remember wanting to scream at someone to rip the clock off the wall because all I wanted to do was see what time it was - but I kept that to myself and pushed and pushed and pushed... And pulled and pulled. Oh yes - my nurse decided to have me pull back on a blanket as she did the same every time I pushed. FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS. That's right. That's a lot of pushing. I was so tired I remember just wanting to stop and cry - and that was after only an hour (and I was SO sore and swollen the next day. Who knew my face could look like Mr. Toad???) Dr. Watson came in about an hour and half into the pushing and that gave me an amazing boost of confidence. I knew he wasn't going to make me push for that long unless he knew I could deliver her without any complications. So I just kept pushing.

Finally my family started letting out squeals of excitement and Tom told me, "I can see her head, babe." And I pushed and pushed. And finally the doctor was making jokes about being her hair stylist (What!? My baby has hair!?!?!?) and I wanted to punch him because I was REALLY not in the mood for jokes. A few serious pushes later and she was finally here!!! Dr. Watson looked at me and said, "You want to hold her? Grab under her arms." Most amazing experience of my life - I reached down and pulled that baby girl all the way out and brought her up onto my chest. I was instantly in love and would give anything and everything to her and do anything I needed to to protect her. After years of fertility struggles and miscarriages, our sweet baby girl was finally here. She is such a little miracle and we truly could not feel more blessed. As arduous and uncomfortable as the entire process was, I would not trade it for ANYTHING. ANYTHING. She is the most amazing gift and I don't even know how to put into words the overwhelming love we feel for her. She is seriously a little miracle. Apparently the second I had her in my arms, I looked at everyone and said, "So, when can we do this again?"

Oh, and she sounds like a goat. So now "BG" stands for baby goat. Man, I just love her.

And her name - in high school I knew a family that named their youngest Afton and I fell in LOVE with the name. Then I met Tom and found out that was his grandma's name. Just meant to be. And Nicole is tribute to a special little lady that introduced Tom and me. Thank you, Chelsea-mate Nicole! Hopefully our little one lives up to the amazing women she is named after.

my homie.

2011-11-29T19:12:00.001-08:00

this was the day tom swapp told me he loved me. october 13, 2006

this was his first trip to gilroy to meet my family.

this is us with my (then) brand-new baby niece. over 5 years ago! we joked around about our "insta-fam." now we JUST celebrated our 4th anniversary (on thanksgiving, no less) and we couldn't be happier knowing that we'll get to have a babers of our own in just a few short weeks. well, people tell me it's a short ways away, but i just don't believe them. i am SO ready for her to be here. i can't tell you how excited i am to see how quickly tom is wrapped around her tiny finger. i might cry. that's allowed, right?

baby showers galore.

2011-11-27T19:19:00.000-08:00

i don't know if anyone else is feeling this way, but i feel like every woman i know is pregnant or JUST had a baby. it's so great. we counted and there are some-14-odd women in our ward who are having kiddos within the same 12 months. must be something in the water out here.

my good friend, heidi, JUST had her baby girl a few days ago! i cannot tell you how excited i am that she and i get to have little girls together (and that tom and i will finally be in the inner "we-have-kids" circle at church). she and i got a bit crazy and threw each other little baby showers. these are some of the photos from hers (and of course i didn't think to take photos of the actual party. preggo brain to the extreme).

and these are the two showers heidi and my dear friend, lexy, threw! they are both too thoughtful. this little bg is seriously already spoiled.

a lady in my ward makes these amazing cakes. oh, to have baking talent.

and the shower hosted by lex! she did too much - i'm not lying. like, i walked in with a diet coke and offered it to her and she looked at me and said, "oh yes! i didn't sleep last night." the woman knows how to host a MEAN party.

magleby's rolls, anyone?

nbd - just hand-stamped those and the napkins herself.

i died a little when i saw these. ALMOST too cute to eat. ALMOST.

and sister came to visit that weekend! i sure do love her. we got lots of projects for bg's nursery done. and we ate mexican food. and i almost passed out during my first non-stress-test at the doctor's. it was fantastic.

candied almonds? i'll take 5 - bags, that is.

the lovely hostess and some huge preggo lady.

we are so lucky to have so many friends and such a great family that are excited for this little girl. i can't tell you what a little miracle she is and how blessed we constantly feel that we finally get to be parents to a sweet (fingers crossed) little one. i figure we had such a journey getting here that she must be one serious angel baby.

new england.

2011-11-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

here i am...still trying to be a better blogger.

tom and i love the fall. LOVE IT. and since we knew my traveling days were coming to an end (at least until babe is born), we figured we'd better squeeze one last trip in. where to go in the middle of fall? why, boston of course!

sweet dan and jamie were nice enough to let us stay with them. jamie makes a mean oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, folks. and even when you've been good about not eating raw eggs your entire pregnancy, when she whips up a batch of dough it's real hard to resist just a smidge bit. also, the cooks are excellent hosts. don't be surprised if we show up at your door again next october.

on our first day in boston, jamie took us to the adorable neighborhood of beacon hill. i told tom we could move there. he just looked at me and said, "yeah...okay." no one takes me seriously. after we planned our future lives in this quaint little part of boston, tom and i made our way to the freedom trail.

we saw paul revere's house.

and some amazing cemeteries - which normally give me the creeps, but this one was pretty nifty.

sadly, i don't have pictures to document our great dinner with the cooks and nixons, but it was delicious and fun and all good things! and seeing all their kiddos made me even more anxious for our little one to get her booty here. and did i say how cute eliza bay is? jamie introduced tom to her as "tom," but she called him "thomas" the entire weekend. i think she may have stolen my husband's heart.

day 2: new hampshire and vermont! we dropped bryson and eliza off at dan's parents house and the four of us headed up to vermont. i know jamie was disappointed in this year's leaf turnout, but tom and i were in heaven - i promise! we mid-westerners don't know any better. the entire weekend was just beautiful and we fell in love with this part of the states.

we stopped at a cider apple mill. and maybe ate WAY too many hot cider donuts. and discovered that i'm not so good at math when tom and dan were trying to estimate how much money the mill brought in on donuts alone and i rang in with my guess. let's just say - i was not even close.

he just loves it when i make him my model.

while driving through vermont we stopped in sharon to see joseph smith's birthplace. it was so sweet, peaceful and quiet. and i think the senior missionaries were bored out of their minds this day - so go visit and give them some more people to talk to!

dear denver, what do we need to do to make you look as beautiful as this?

that is just a cute family.

we also wandered around a maple farm and taste-tested cheese and maple syrup! and tom and dan rekindled their bromance. precious.

case in point.

i don't have any photos of our stop at the von trapp family lodge or the most ridiculous restaurant ever in stowe, but both events were certainly noteworthy. and if you're wondering about the restaurant - it's called "gracie's." named after a dog - which normally i'd be all about. but this place REALLY loved dogs. and for two pregnant women, reading a menu that made all the options sound like puppy chow did not sound so appetizing. but the the von trapp concierge SWORE this was the place to eat in stowe. needless to say, it was an adventure.

on sunday afternoon (once we were back in boston), we ventured over to lexington/concord to see the north bridge. tom swapp loves him some revolutionary war history.

just some big ol' pregnant lady on a bridge. who does that?

on monday, tom and i made our way up the coast of maine. this photo is me being not-so-sure about eating a legit lobster for the first time. would you think less of me if i told you i almost started crying as i learned how to pull the lobster apart? oh, you would? okay, i won't tell you then.

ogunquit, maine. tom and i took a little walk along the coast. and i started a new game called, "if i go into labor RIGHT NOW, could you deliver our baby?" tom is not such a fan.

cape neddick nubble lighthouse.

and this one is just for posterity. you're welcome.

then vs. now

2011-10-18T17:07:00.001-07:00

cruising around at about 7 weeks. wearing a BELT. at my HIPS.

29+ weeks. how much more space can she take up? and, bg, i apologize now that we are your parents. just a classy bunch.

beaver creek, colorado.

2011-10-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

i was recently introduced to the wonderful world of blurb books (thank you, jamie!). and that if i am a good blogger i can have one of my very own (well, i will buy myself one of my very own). hopefully this won't be similar to my adolescent attempts at keeping a journal; religious entries for about a week and then, if i was lucky, once a year. here it goes.

i snagged this photo off the interwebs.

since we live in a state with such a pretty fall, we decided it might be fun to go explore the mountains not too far from our home. although tom traveling all year has really been the pits, we have not complained once when we've been able to use and abuse his hotel points or airline upgrades. we thought maybe we'd stay in vail for a night, but let's be honest - that's child's play. we kicked it at the ritz in beaver creek for a night. thank you, marriott points!

this was actually day two of our quick getaway. we drove through leadville and tom was all about stopping at the national mining museum. so we did. and we had to PAY to get in. i got my money's worth out of watching the sincere interest tom showed in every little chintzy display they had. i wish i had a million more pictures just to show our kids one day. maybe dad will take them on a field trip. and not only did we learn all about mining (complete with three fake and very creepy mining caves), we also learned that the stegosaurus is colorado's state dinosaur. i know that's going to come in REAL handy someday on jeopardy or who wants to be a millionaire?

bg and me in all of our 28-week glory!

we drove into vail saturday night and enjoyed dinner at "the george." not sure if that menu man was real excited about his dinner, or real angry.

homie and me.

a quick shot of beaver creek. it reminded me so much of deer valley. have i mentioned how much we miss midway?

on a final note, please enjoy this photo. noelle sent me this glamourous faux fur coat a few months ago as a mama-to-be gift and i figured, "what better time to wear it than in vail?!" the best part? it's maternity. just call me rachel zoe.

a few months closer.

2011-09-07T21:22:00.000-07:00

i got to go come this past weekend (to shoot a childhood friend's sf wedding - basically amazing) and while i was home, my sweet mama and sis threw me a little baby "sprinkle." how stinking cute are they? can you tell they had way too much fun with the planning?

special order donut holes from THE BEST (no argument) donut house in the world.

lovingly decorated by bg's auntie.

seriously - jensen girls are ridiculous.

and it was sister's 24th birthday! thanks for sharing, sister :)

and i got to see bestie! and her baby bump! she is due on FRIDAY people. it's not right for people to look that good this far into their pregnancy. don't you kind of want to punch her? but you can't, cuz that wouldn't be right. she's pregnant, for crying out loud.

the lovely hostesses...

the entire weekend was so fun. all the fam was home and we ate lots of mexican food, the boys played lots of madden and real life tennis. and i did lots of snuggling with my newest niece, palmer. i wish i had pictures of that. oh, and aaliyah told stacie she dresses cuter than me. i'm pretty sure that was only because stace was wearing a shirt with ruffles that day and i was in a boring buffalo plaid button up. i should know better than to dress so plainly around a kindergartner. can you believe the next time i go home i'll have this baby girl!? 16 more weeks.

oh yeah...

2011-07-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

back in may we took a lovely little trip. only now am i feeling like i can look at pictures without wanting to puke. why? oh, i was like 6 weeks pregnant. and not feeling so hot. and just mainly wanted to sleep all day long. besides that it was pretty fantastic.

so, crepes and baguettes were literally the only things i ate the entire trip. needless to say, i will never eat them again. a shame to be in PARIS and not want to eat. didn't even try a macaroon!!!

immediately after i shot this, hubs said, "get me food. now." haha. again, wifey had some serious food aversion.

but look how happy i was!

our last sight in paris.

our first stop in london with the lybberts (who come back to the states this week!)

on our way to les mis. AMAZING. amazing. amazing.

b.g.

2011-07-18T17:21:00.000-07:00

no name yet, but it's a GIRL!

for now, she is being referred to as "b.g." - for "baby girl," of course.

she is such a little miracle.

or, as toni would say, SUPER AWESOME MAGIC BABY.

december.

2011-07-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

cannot get here soon enough.

we couldn't be more excited.

charlie can be awesome. when she wants.

2011-06-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

paris.

2011-05-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

i can't believe our time here is almost through. a least we have the PARIS FLEA MARKET tomorrow.

and so i don't forget my favorite moment of the day:

tom and i got to walk the catacombs today. creepy, right? as we were walking through, i turned to tom and said, "it IS friday the 13th." he looked at me with a little terror in his eyes and said, in all seriousness, "that's not good."

birthdays in bath...

2011-05-07T14:54:00.001-07:00

are not so bad.

ladies - assistance needed.

2011-04-18T21:29:00.001-07:00

i'll warn you - this is a more-so-than-usual shallow post. please help me with the next hair decision. tom is not much assistance. and the only other female living here is a dog that can't speak. (not that any dogs can speak.)

thinking i'll keep this coloring through the summer.

i've always loved halle's hair, heaven knows i wish i had her face. only thing is, i can't rock her little pixie bangs, so i would def have to sweep them back everyday like you see in this photo. luckily, i have discovered AMAZING texturizing powder that would give my limp hair the look i want.

or stick with a softer short cut? again - wish i had that face but my family's chipmunk cheeks just get in the way ;) i have been growing out my bangs thinking i want to do something like this, but i do love to go big or go home when i get my hairs did.

okay, judge me for being so lame.

and then share your thoughts.

how many more days?

2011-03-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

photo from our hotel's site

fact - i actually know how many days. exactly. can you blame a girl? it will be so nice to spend more than three days in a row with tom. oh, and i suppose the sites and company and food will be pretty great, too. i cannot wait.

monterey.

2011-03-25T07:55:00.000-07:00

okay, i may have gone a bit overboard with the iphone "hipstamatic" app while i was home, but who doesn't love a good square format!?

anyway, no trip home is complete without a visit to monterey. it rained literally all week in gilroy. no complaints - it was absolutely beautiful and green. go figure, monterey was rain free when we went on tuesday! perfection. z had the best time chasing the seagulls down the pier and devouring calamari at old fisherman's grotto (that kid is going to be shocked when he realizes what it is he's eating). aaliyah could only be bribed with promises of cotton candy...which she calls "hot'n'candy." don't you just love her?

quick aaliyah story - sunday morning tom and i got up early to head to sf for will's baby blessing. aaliyah sat in our room playing barrel of monkeys while we were getting ready. i walked in the room from taking a shower and aaliyah looks at me and says,

"ummm...where were you?"

"in the bathroom taking a shower," i said.

"and tommy was in there with you???" she asked.

"yep."

"okay, that not appropriate. hims could see you naked."

don't worry - she is only FOUR. what!?

a bit closer.

2011-03-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

it's been so fun to be in our own home and decorate and make it feel cozy. granted, we have SO MUCH MORE to do, but for now, i thought i'd share some of our progress. maybe someday it will all be done... maybe.

kitchen:

unfinished project example: cabinet around sink still needs finishing.

family room:

this living room has been so tricky. not in love with the end tables (luckily a cheap craigslist find, so i'm not sad about replacing them). any suggestions?

tricky family room part 2: mantles. what am i supposed to do with them?!?!

tricky family room part 3: no clue what to do over the tv. not loving the shelf. maybe a collage? feeling that could be a bit nuts...

master bedroom:

yep, that's really how chuck hangs out on that chair. ALL the time.

guest bedroom 1:

guest bedroom 2:

i'm telling you - so much more to do (and buy...ugh). art, mirrors, dressers, rugs, pillows. does it ever end? well, i guess if it did end then what would i have to bug tom about? man, i present such good arguments.

on food.

2011-03-14T23:20:00.000-07:00

swapps LOVE it.

exhibit A: since tom has been working in miami, he has had the opportunity to try lots of yummy restaurants. ty was sure to take him to houston's on one occassion - and i'm pretty sure he's been once a week since. naturally, when i got to go visit him, we made sure to visit the delicious place we thought was only a southern speciality. flash forward to march 6th - abbie and i are on our way to the MRS. colorado pageant (SO wishing i had pictures from that night). i'm taking her to cherry cricket (a must for any visiting denver) and happened upon what? a HOUSTON'S! right here in our neck of the woods! i immediately called tom to share the thrilling news. that's how much we love it. i was naughty and dined there without him this past saturday (he had a ski date with robbie, so denver-friend, lexy, and i had a date). who knew crispy chicken tenders could taste SO good. only sad part? denver version doesn't have miami version's killer key lime pie. to be expected, i guess.
exhibit B: for those of you who have not been so blessed to meet mama swapp, let me just say, you are missing out on some of the most amazing meals of your life. her pull-apart bread is one of my favorite things in the world. since we're missing them (serving a mission in the DR), i decided to try my hand at her tasty treat. first time EVER making bread. not too shabby, if i do say so myself. killing me not to eat multiple slices at every meal. self control, swapp. self control.
exhibit C: WARNING - this is tragic. please do not proceed if you can't handle unnecessary waste of an entire bag of ghiradelli chocolate chips.

i'm not so into peanut butter. but there are about three things that i LOVE it with. one is mom's peanut butter goodies. i never make them because tom doesn't love them like i do. he thinks i put too much chocolate on top, so that means i end up eating the entire tray by myself. and that, my friends, is no bueno. anyway, lance and mai invited me over for dinner saturday night and i brought the dessert to share. mind you, i haven't made this in at least a year or two and i am SO excited about it. i pull the dish out of the freezer and start cutting...only to immediately shatter the glass. shards everywhere. delicious treat in the trash. tears. not my best day. okay, maybe i snuck in a little nibble while we were cleaning up. as far as i know, no glass shards were consumed.

toni...

2011-03-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

a day late on the blog, but celebrated yesterday. and this gem? circa 2004.

toni - happy 26th birthday.

love your guts.

thank you for teaching me so many things:

*the wonderful world of mac

*the airplane dance

*that it's okay to say weird things like "aliens" and "reading rainbow;" there is someone in the world that thinks just like me

*how to have invisible boyfriends, although i never mastered that

*the joys of otter pops

*that sometimes a bestie pretends she's asleep

*how to enjoy a good scary story - you are the master

*and try to not be such a woos about it...working on that one

*eating donuts at 3 am is COMPLETELY acceptable; as long as it was accompanied with a late night swim, tanning session and movie night

*sometimes boys we date look like cartoon characters (ie "land before time"), and that's okay!

*and sometimes they wear puka shell necklaces, and that is NOT okay.

*that toppenish is AMAZING.

*joint rides on a bike in the middle of the night in the middle of the summer only to go to they gym is one of the best things to do.

i could go on and on...it's a bit ridiculous really. i'm not one for pda's, but thank you for always making me feel like i'm important to you. you have this way of making the person you're talking to feel like everything they say matters (even though 90% of the crap that comes out of my mouth is real pointless).

so when can we buy our hawaiian bungalow? matt, tom - don't be mad. it's inevitable.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

in keeping with tradition...

2011-03-08T19:50:00.000-08:00

via this is london

via this is paris

newest swapp tradition? some crazy awesome annual trip. last year thailand. this year, londy and paris. on our way in less than 60 days.

can-not-wait. some time with the hubs sprinkled with visits to see these people and this person. yes, please and thank you.

new directions.

2011-03-08T15:52:00.000-08:00

once i sell that rug (see post below) i think this is where our living room is headed... i really dislike living rooms (who even uses them anymore?!?!), so hopefully a fun, peppy room like this will at least be welcoming.

rug for sale.

2011-03-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

so i bought this rug. and i really loved it (and still do), but it's just too light for this room. and i'm crazy, so i feel like a louder rug would be more appropriate for our house.

that being said, any takers?

it's from west elm. 8x10. it's been sitting in our lonely, unfinished living room for the past few months...and it needs a new home that will give it lots of love and attention. the texture is amazing and it's a surprisingly soft little treasure. let me know if you're interested and we can discuss price/shipping and all that jazz.

dyl.

2011-02-23T19:58:00.000-08:00

photo by carolina reed

would someone like to tell me when my baby brother started to look this... MANLY? how did this happen so quickly? is this what parents feel like?

rough life.

2011-02-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

oh, please don't bother moving, sleeping beauty. it's obvious you've had a very exhausting day.

florida and other adventures.

2011-02-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

what started off with a very quiet, lonely drive to utah turned into something like this:

lots of snuggling with sister, both on my part and chuck's (please note the way she has her paws wrapped around the pillow. that's a new move). and lots of consuming mexican food. mostly on my part.

i got to spend an evening with these beauts. seriously, megan b. i miss you. and i need more bailey in my life.

chuck met her lover, ATLAS! oh my gosh - those two were inseparable. and while it may look like atlas is attacking charlie in this photo, it is actually a display of love.

after a few days in utah, i left pup with sister and flew to orlando to meet tom... and the jennings!!!

the first night we were there we explored downtown disney and rode a harley. nbd. and i consumed my weight in ghiradelli ice cream.

now let's start off with the details of an AMAZING disneyworld experience. i had never been to disney world (my family would always hit up disneyland) and i was a bit worried i wouldn't like world as much as land because i had heard others say it can a bit overwhelming because there is SO much to see. but let me tell you, if you ever need to go - you HAVE to go with the jennings. on friday when ty and tom picked me up at the airport, ty gave us the rundown for the next day...and it was perfection.

we started the day off at hollywood studios (as soon as the gates opened) and booked it to toy story mania (quite possibly my favorite ride now. "i yanked the thang - i yanked it!"). the boys had hopped in line before rach, jackson and i caught up. but since we were carrying the cutest baby ever, everyone was kind enough to let us jump in line with our boys. and of course they had grabbed fast passes before the ride so we could return in a few hours for a second round.

tom, rach and i were able to pretty much walk onto tower of terror. awesome. and then ty, tom and i took off for rock'n'roller coaster. the wait was 30 mins. but do you wait for rides when you're with the jennings? don't be ridiculous. the three of us hopped in the single rider line. as we're walking through some doors (approaching the front of the line), tyler jumped over the railing and walked through the other door just as it was closing. tom and i were clueless, but ty played it cool. a few minutes later, our line started moving...then it became clear the single rider line was still going to take a while. then ty comes strolling up in the next line over and we realize he hopped into the regular line! he let us in front of him and the three of us got in the same car in less than 5 minutes. are you kidding me?!

next park: animal kingdom. we grabbed fast passes for the jungle safari and just explored while we waited. i know a gorilla isn't something to write home about, but look at how his arms are tucked up underneath him! i loved him.

as we were waiting for jungle safari, the line just came to a dead STOP. we kindly asked the lady working the line what was going on? she didn't know, but let us out of the line and led us to another line that was actually moving, no questions asked. seriously, this stuff NEVER happens.

and let's just admire baby jackson's adorable face.

see, ADORABLE!

tyler, tom and i got in line to ride mt. everest. a lady gave us fast passes as we were walking up, but they weren't good for another 20 mins, so we walked into the single rider line again. we waited for about 5 minutes before we saw the fast pass line and the guy collecting their tickets. tyler simply asked if we could use our fast passes now and - of course - the guy said yes. on the ride in less than 10!!! ridiculous. i asked ty if every day of his life was the efficient and lucky. he laughed, but i was being totally serious. i told him he could come up with a life plan for me, because i have no idea how the jennings are so lucky!

we then left animal kingdom. literally as we were packing up the car, it started sprinkling. the SECOND we were all in it started POURING rain. no joke.

we were able to go back to the jenning's home, eat some lunch and take a little rest.

as sweet rachel was always the one who had to go through the long "bag check" lines, we snapped a quick photo as we walked into magic kingdom later that night.

jackson admiring the bubbles.

so lame, but it's a small world has always been my favorite ride. mom says when i was little it was that ride over and over, as well as the tea cups. tea cups!? i don't know if i could do that now. bless my dad's heart for taking me on that one 5 times in a row when i was little.

no line for it's a small world. fireworks. no line for pirates of the caribbean. a little rain. a stop for dole whip (YUM) and back home.

jennings family, we cannot thank you enough for making that such a fun weekend. i mean it. it was so fun to experience disney world for the first time with such well seasoned professionals! and i am still dying over the late night conversations the four of us had. rach, i wish we could have recorded our husbands' stories. epic.

tom and i drove down to miami (where he is currently working every week). i mostly hung out and explored the city while tom worked. but on saturday we headed to south beach, coconut grove and coral gables. here tom is at the biltmore golf course. only appropriate.

i was reprimanded for not getting cooler stuff in the background. my bad.

look at that bum! and the hotel is lovely.

wow. that was a lot of information.

projects.

2011-02-16T20:17:00.000-08:00

let me start out by saying i am the QUEEN of half finished projects. the QUEEN. i should take a picture of my "craft closet" and you would know exactly what it is i am saying to you. but last night i was a whole new woman. three projects. check, check, check. this silhouette project is just one that i've been meaning to do for about... six months. i finally thought, "hey! i could probably do this on photoshop!" so i did. and it worked. basically, i kicked butt. okay, okay - they're not perfect. but considering the fact that it was about 10 pm and i was half awake (wait...i'm never tired at 10. i have no idea what i'm talking about. scratch that)... umm.

they're done. what more can i ask for?

maybe someday i will post photos of the other projects. i have about 50 more to go.

inspiration.

2011-02-01T09:37:00.000-08:00

laybabylay

no, we aren't ready to decorate a nursery yet. but we do have a stinking living room that has sat basically empty for the past four months. it's quite pathetic, really. "welcome to our home! we have no furniture!" is what our house says when someone walks in the door. sure, practically every other room is almost done being cozified, but that dang living room...bane of my existence, i tell you.

good news is, i think i've finally chosen a decorating path. note the photos. i am so in love. i get to go spend a week with husband in miami, soaking up the rays. when i get back, i will use that sun tan and turn it into energy to get this decorating ball rolling. what, you didn't know tans give you energy? yeah, you totally do. it's science or something.

planning a trip.

2011-01-24T15:58:00.000-08:00

family.

2011-01-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

being home for christmas was just about the best thing ever. lots of sleeping in and lots of mexican food. oh, and lots of booty (aka "hand and foot." my family just calls the card game "booty" because that's where we typically place our foot (second set of cards) during the game - under our fannies. yes, we're strange).

i just love my family so stinking much. and this is mostly a shout out to mama and papa j - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY (on wednesday). they just celebrated 31 years. i think that makes them old? or wise? or both? i love you two!

also, how can i have a california backyard like this in colorado weather? let's make that happen.

merry christmas.

2010-12-20T19:12:00.000-08:00

our holiday issue model, charlie.

wishing you and yours a lovely little holiday season. we will be enjoying time with friends and family and hopefully eating lots of delicious things. no need to ask why this is the best time of the year.

snow!

2010-11-16T15:17:00.001-08:00

i kind of love colorado. we were so spoiled by an unbelievably beautiful (and WARM) fall... and a california girl will always appreciate that. but, sometimes i really love the snow. and chuck apparently loves it too. mostly she just loves to eat it. and even though it means the onset of chilly weather, i was excited when it finally came. so, when is christmas? please get here soon.

slowly but surely...

2010-11-05T10:32:00.001-07:00

the house is coming together. it feels like it's an never-ending process and i'm pretty sure tom is sick of my endless "to-do" list. actually, i know he is because every saturday he does not look so happy with me when i review all the projects i have for him to complete. yes, i try to help, but i seem to just be in the way... my bad.

neither of these rooms are near being complete, but i am happy with the results thus far. for those who follow the "all legs on or all legs off" rule for furniture, please ignore the chairs in the photo above - i am so sloppy. and how does charlie sneak in to so many pictures? weasel.

sometimes we do fun things.

2010-11-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

it's rare, but we do get out and do fun things every now and again. ;)

for starters, we had our very first house guests in october! mr. okafor and his lovely wifey came out to colorado to watch his brother play against cu. texas tech won and we were oh so proud to have been cheering with the raiders. plus, anthony got a turkey leg and i got m&ms. all in all, it was a pretty good day.

the night before we ate at ted's montana grill (AMAZING!) downtown and sat night we ate at pappadeaux's. i love, love, love that place. i swore up and down that night that i would never eat again, i was so full. yeah, that didn't last long.

raider red.

the lovely okafors. we're strongly encouraging anthony to come to colorado for law school. it would be fantastic to have them nearby. we had one of the best weekends with them - no lie.

luckily, not a freezing day. SO happy.

oh, and just for kicks - we also have been spending LOTS of time with charlie girl. here we are on our way to one of tom's softball games (i love saying that he still plays softball because that is what he was doing the first time we met).

for someone who doesn't want anything to do with raising the dog, he sure does give her lots of time, attention and belly rubs. she loves him best. i'm a bit jealous.

and this week, we had tickets to the lady antebellum concert that tom won at a charity auction. but, we decided a nuggets game was more up our alley. so we ditched the concert and watched the nugs lose by ONE point. awesome. this is why my heart still belongs to the lakers.

mamacita.

2010-10-26T13:17:00.001-07:00

this is so so very belated, but happy 50th birthday to the best mum in the whole world. cliche? only if it's not true. and it's true. so be jealous that you didn't get her for a mom. :) we love you!!!

chastised.

2010-10-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

seems i'm in trouble for not sharing updates on the home. we still have minimal furniture, so for now, i will just share photos of what it looks like at least finished. and someday we'll have a kitchen table.

family room "during"

family room after (the walls look a lot bluer than they are in real life)

master bedroom before

master bedroom after (not a HUGE change, but my favorite room in the house)

so, now you've seen our house. maybe come visit?

talk chow play house.

2010-10-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

i will admit it. there are days where i miss utah so much i could cry. i really, really miss midway. it was a good place. and one of the perks of the lovely valley? a dear little friend name bri. bri has so much style and taste that i can't even begin to tell you how much i admire her. whenever i think about how i want my home to feel, i try to hone in on my inner-bri. her house is beautiful - so comfy and cozy but oh so charming; the perfect example of a momma who knows how to make a house a home. and that girl can COOK. tom and i were always grateful receivers of anything that came out of her kitchen. some favorites? texas sheet cake and her white chili - TO DIE FOR. so, i will let know of a little, wonderful secret - the blog she and her sister started. could the title be any cuter? not like it was a surprise - that's bri, through and through. so, please, peruse, and then get your butts in the kitchen and whip up some white chili. you can thank me later (and then i'll pass that message along to bri).

waking up with charlie.

2010-09-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

one of her favorite (and best) tricks.

la casa.

2010-09-08T20:53:00.001-07:00

approaching move-in date...

kitchen BEFORE

kitchen AT THE MOMENT

don't judge me.

2010-09-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

but i would dress like her everyday if i could.

back to midway...and other adventures.

2010-09-08T20:30:00.001-07:00

tommy boy and i made our way back to the motherland for labor day weekend. oh, what a much needed respite (not that things are bad in colorado - i just like the word "respite"). i will tell you - when we dropped down from evanston back into park city, ashley swapp got completely misty. and completely teared up when we got to midway. could there be a more beautiful place? and i got to LIVE there for 2 1/2 years!?!? i know i appreciated it while i was there, but there were certainly times i took it for granted. and there is just something so nostalgic about that valley and our cozy little cabin we called "home." i have to stop now or i'll cry again. on to the photos...

first off, let's take a moment and adore my puppy's cuteness. seriously - too cute. she's REALLY good at giving high-fives if you ever meet her and should want one.

view from swapp cabin. sigh.

dallas and kimber and babes surprised stacie by coming into town for her birthday! i would share birthday celebration photos but SOMEONE has yet to e-mail them to me. you know who you are cough cough STACIE cough. oh - this is z and me at SWISS DAYS! aka (in the words of tom) world's largest enrichment activity. whatevs.

we decided to take the long (but beautiful) way home through rocky mountain national park. on the way out, you drive right through estes park and we stopped to enjoy the quaint little town and recharge. you can only imagine how cranky i can get if we don't get food every few hours.

nbd. just some MAJOR elk.

handsome and the rmnp.

why can't i ever look normal? all i know is - it was FREEZING. i decided the tundra is not for me, in case tom ever decides that's a good place to move. notice how we are ABOVE the tree line? i am using lots of CAPITAL letters tonight - must have a lot to emphasize.

so, funny (but not really) story - we hiked up this little trail and asked a guy to snap a photo. he says, "sure! oh - move over this way and i'll get those awesome clouds in the background." to which tom replies, "you mean those billowing clouds of smoke?" (we had noticed them driving up the mountains and discussed they were most likely from a fire.) another guy says, "no...we've been watching those for a while....they're dust clouds." and tom says, "uhhh... i'm pretty sure that's from a fire." and the guy says, "that'd be one huge a$$ fire." tom whispers to me, "i'd bet him $1000 it's from a fire." well - we should have bet and we'd be up a grand. sadly, those clouds are from the massive fire here in boulder. so sad that it is such a huge fire. i can't imagine how the people who have lost their homes are feeling...

another photo of the smoke as we were on the other side of the mountains...

and some happier things to note:

*stacie's b-day dinner at RED IGUANA. legit

*spending time with swapps and jensens

*a great surprise (more to come later)

*a near-death hiking experience. wait - that wasn't so happy.

*MIDWAY.

*strawberries and cream and scones at swiss days

*time with the fullers and adorable baby wes

*time with some of our favorites in midway and their two cute baby girls (and the one who wanted to come and live with tommy and me...melted my heart)

*my first ticket...AH. lots of tears shed.

*a real precious baby blessing - i love that little family (and their not-so-little atlas puppy dog)

*belting glee numbers with the hubby - we make quite a rachel and finn.

midway, you are always in my heart.

another birthday.

2010-09-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

it was your birthday

i think you are so special

this is a haiku

now will you e-mail me those pictures?

love,

sister.

twenty eight.

2010-08-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

the younger years of the swapps (well, jensen-swapps). we were just babies. bahaha.

happy birthday to my favorite. reasons why i love you:

1-9. you are just the best ever. simple and true.

10. you have the cutest nose i have ever seen.

xoxo,

homie.

i am so mean...

2010-08-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

...but that bow in charlie's hair may be the cutest thing EVER.

plus it matches her collar. you bet i teach my babies to accessorize.

but it didn't stay in for long. sad. apparently puppy-antics aren't so bow-friendly.

a trip home.

2010-08-12T21:11:00.001-07:00

first trip to big sur. yes, i lived in california all my life and this was our first adventure there.

sand dollar cove. my mom is so friggin cute.

i'm in that picture, somewhere.

oh! there i am.

mama j LOVES her some beach combing. not kidding. when she is an old lady i will tell her great-grandkids how much she loved to walk on the beach and explore. i love that about her.

workin it. before our deathly hike down to gem cove.

we have a problem here. i am the elder sibling, but the baby of the fam really likes to pick on me/make fun of me. NOT COOL.

stace found a hermit crab. we named him "alfredo," in honor of derek. when it was time for back to school shopping, derek would always choose those pencils with names already written on them - would he buy "derek?" nope. ALFREDO.

i kinda really don't like little things crawling on me. creepy.

sweet baby alfredo.

la playa!

and now, some aaliyah photos, simply because no documentation of a trip home is really complete without them. above - i didn't even ask her to pose. the girl just knows how to work it.

she has this bright pink "sharpay" dress but one of the straps was broken. so, i pinned it back together for her. you wouldn't believe the admiration and love i was showered with once i fixed her favorite dress.

sweet moves.

and just the baby bro, being manly. a senior this year - i can't even believe it.

adventures not pictured:
* garlic festival.
* lounging pool side and eating at taquerias daily.
* crafting and sewing and painting.
* arroyo seco (with the lovely toni c). really sad i don't have pictures of that. it deserves a post in and of itself. quite the adventure.

where has he gone?

2010-08-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

if at any point on a weekday night or weekend day/night i am wondering, "where is my husband?" i simply have to remember he is probably out turning this:

into something like this:

not a pretty site, but hey - has to get worse before it can get better, right? i do occasionally help out. but a girl can only pull out so many nails and keep the pup out of the mess for so long.

still lots more to go, but we're hoping to be in sometime around labor day! i am so excited i could cry. but crying is for pansies. so i may just get misty and then think of something else to distract me... oh, what's that charlie? you are so cute? okay, here i come to play with you.

while ashley is away...

2010-08-05T21:02:00.001-07:00

tom will do lots of sneaky things...like drive all the way to utah to pick up...

HER!

this is our new baby girl, charlie. tom and i had already decided we would get her but i thought we were going to wait a couple more weeks to actually get her. little did i know! i flew back to colorado on tuesday (after a gloriously long stay at home with the fam in california) and tom called and said he'd just see me at home after work. okay, nothing suspicious. i am unpacking all of my stuff in my room and hear tom walk in the door. i yell, "hey - what are you doing home?" and run up the stairs to say hi...BAM! cutest, sweetest, puppy dog in his arms with a big red bow around her! i'm telling you - this kind of stuff only happens in movies. i am obsessed with her, as you can imagine. tom did such a great job keeping the surprise. he was already best husband ever. now he is SUPER AWESOME best husband ever.

and now, i will be the crazy dog lady that proceeds to tell you why her pup is so great as if she's my own child:

1. she has such a sweet, mellow personality and loves to snuggle by your side, but also loves to play and slide across the kitchen floor.

2. she is quick learner. after 1 day she knows how to sit!

3. sadly, she thinks the rug is grass and has succeeded in peeing on it 3 times. the positive? she's so cute i can't get mad.

4. softest little coat EVER. i just want to snuggle all day, but tom has made me promise i won't let her lay in bed with me when he leaves for work in the mornings. that is a really hard promise to keep.

5. she's just so dang cute. AH!

puppy dog.

2010-07-23T23:42:00.001-07:00

let me start this by saying - brewhahah. i have won! husband caved in and we're getting...HER! isn't she beautiful? if you ask me, her name is charlie. if you ask tom, she doesn't have a name yet. i cannot wait to bring her home. she lives in utah right now, so we have to figure out when we can go get her, but still...she's ours. all ours.

doesn't your heart melt a little each time you look at her? i am such a proud mommy.

(i sent my mom this photo and said, "what should we name her!?" mom's response - "'illcraponyourcarpet' is cute.")

rockies.

2010-07-19T16:48:00.001-07:00

i can't actually remember which day we went to this game (tom makes fun of me since all of my days now run together and feel like saturdays. well, except saturdays are great because tom is home and he is stuck with me ALL DAY. it's the best). anyway... rockies game. with new friends. quite good. and, yes, i ate nachos. and, yes, they were delicious.

please don't mind my gums. they take over my mouth.

just some people we met. i convinced them to take a picture with me. i think they felt sorry for me.

sadly, lexy can't walk. so logan carries her everywhere like this.

the boys (we missed rick's wifey - sorry we ditched you macquel! next time!).

website madness.

2010-07-12T14:08:00.001-07:00

look at what's finally up and running! hoo-rah.

buena vista.

2010-07-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

believe it or not - some other couples in colorado have decided that it's okay for us to hang out with them. so we've been on our best behavior. :)

drew and sally invited us up to "camp" at his grandma's cabin in the mountains behind buena vista (the locals say "BEW-na vista." yeah, we're hip like that in colorado). i was prepared for a few nights of roughin' it. au contraire. this cabin was the most amazing thing i have ever seen. probably 100 years old, but SO charming and adorably decorated. drew's grandma is an inspiration to me. i wish i had more pics of the interior, but i only took my 50 mm lens, so the wide angle shots just weren't going to happen.

we stayed up WAY too late every night playing every game imaginable. "curses" must be played with the macnicholas' and don't ever think you can beat the ward's at a round of "mad gab." you will lose. REAL bad.

oh, and if you ever want to scare your husband with a freaky mask, talk to sally and lexy. they have just the plan.

drew's family's cabin. try to tell me you're not CRAZY in love. i freaked out for a good 15 minutes walking around the place and "oohing" and "aahing" over every little detail.

seriously? does it get any cuter?

some 4-wheelin' action. tommy is so classy (notice sweatshirt tied around the neck). also, i drove for about 2 minutes. we didn't crash and/or die in those two minutes, so i feel i accomplished something.

this may not be sanitary, but it sure was fulfilling.

chipmunks and i have same same cheeks. now you know my secret.

lexy, the chipmunk lady.

after my disappointing experience with tigers in thailand, i was starting to get frustrated when NONE of the chipmunks would eat out of my hand. you can only guess how giddy i was at this moment.

swappage.

lex and log.

sal-gal and drew.

some cool kids.

how can you NOT love her?

2010-07-08T09:22:00.001-07:00

i just received the following e-mail from my mom:

"I forgot to tell you . . . When I got home from work on Tuesday, Aaliyah greeted me and said, “I didn’t get to go to my swimming lesson today.” She looked SO sad . . . I said, “Did you sign up for swimming lessons, sweetie?” She just said, “No” and walked away . . .

That girl is so random . . ."

jealous.

2010-06-16T12:50:00.001-07:00

i know i shouldn't be because tom and i just got back from a radical adventure, but this picture makes the philippines look like the COOLEST place on earth and i am really jealous. i really love sister and i'm so glad she is back in the US of A. and i am grateful for skype so i could see her precious face (and the gift she brought me... brewhaha). and i am grateful for the fact that stacie still wore earrings on the beach. so stylish.

possible family room...

2010-06-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

between editing photos, reading, playing with my nieces, and (attempting to) exercise, i find my thoughts usually drifting to our home and how i want it to feel. shout out to toni here - i love what she said about the memories our homes hold. i was lucky enough to have lived in the same house since i was five, and the fam is still there. i want our home to be a place where our future kids and puppies can play. where our kids can explore their creativity (and tom would probably like a little room for rough-housing and ball throwing). anyway, i think i feel good about this as a basic idea for our family room. funky, cozy and just a TEENY bit feminine (shh...don't tell tommy).

good news.

2010-06-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

let me start with the most important update - i have finally found a fantastic chocolate cookie recipe that doesn't leave me in tears...it may just leave me with a few more pounds. darlene - thanks for the recipe. you have saved my life.

second. when we moved to denver, i came as an unemployed woman. tom told me my job was to find a house. find a house we did (official as of yesterday! won't move in until late summer/early fall. promise to post photos then), which now means i have LOTS of free time on my hand. and what do i do with this time? make crap. let me tell you - there is nothing that brings me more bliss. tom likes to call me his "stay at home wife." yes, i'm going stir crazy and looking for employment, but in the mean time, i will make crap and photograph it (can you tell how much time i have? HELP).

future bedroom.

2010-05-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

i may have a bit too much free time on my hands. after an otherwise productive day, i decided to compile my own storyboards for our (hopefully very soon) future home. i can't wait to live in this room.

happy weekend to me.

2010-05-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

this pretty much sums up my weekend at home. i miss those munchkins already. is his stance not amazing? AND he can throw like a champ. she, on the other hand, would rather go through my luggage and make sure she approves of the clothes and bathing suits i brought with me. yes, we are definitely related.

it was SO SO SO great to spend my birthday with my fam and my favorite people. matt and toni - you have NO idea how happy i was to have you guys all day. sewiously. yes, i missed tommy, but hopefully my bragging-of-eating-at-delicious-mexican-taquerias will convince him to come back with me again...which is in two weeks. ATHANKYOU.

and for all northern californians that have never had to leave, consider yourself lucky. i think flying into san jose may be the prettiest thing i have ever seen. why did i ever leave?

thailand.

2010-05-03T14:13:00.001-07:00

i still can't believe we really went - and that it's already over. and that this is the real color of the ocean there. i think i'm ready to go back.

sub.

2010-04-12T17:46:00.000-07:00

my dearest subaru forester,

you have been such a good car. i really love you. even when our friends in college would make fun of you and call you "ashley's granola car" i still knew you and i had a special bond. you have been such a trooper these past six years and i couldn't ask for a better driving buddy. but, a recent problem has arisen - "check engine light." and that light is now going to cost me... $1400. i love you, sub, but i don't have to like you right now.

yours,

ashley

"i said shut up. i got a lot of things on my mind."

2010-04-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

once again - name that quote, and we are insta-friends. i know, i know. my sense of humor revolves solely around movie/music quotes. i can't help that i was blessed with an uncanny ability to memorize things quickly...VERY quickly.

for example - the address on the first home we've ever MADE AN OFFER ON. (that number is 20338.) yep, swapps are growing up and getting mortgage payments. insert minor heart attack/reality check. don't worry - tears of stress have already been shed, but now we are just hoping to find our perfect little home. i'm liking colorado (but REALLY missing sister....changing subject). this area has LOTS of yummy places i like to eat, and i no longer have to drive 45 min + to get there (that tops the list, and i'm not ashamed). colorado has weather that i can dig - snow this morning? GONE this afternoon and replaced with beautiful sunshine. nice people and i am a fan of the diversity out here. lots of cute homes to look at and a great set of in-laws that help with the hunt. baseball games (finally). AND i get to be that really annoying fan who goes to...hmmmm.... nuggets vs lakers games and CHEERS FOR LA. brewhaha. and i think i will find more things.

all i'm missing - beaches, jensens and gilroy donut house. can we bring those things a few states east?

and, for mama j who is so easily bored with my blog, here are a couple of things we did prior to our move:

i was lucky enough to shoot this wedding in cali. please notice morgan's amazing "batman punch."

we got a new sister-in-law. they just got back from hawaii...jealous.

this is just homie and me. kickin it like we do.

and, finally, the lovely swapp ladies. the entire swapp clan got together for lance's wedding. can i just say - a blast. i think those two little girls are pretty entertaining.

the time has come.

2010-03-17T20:53:00.001-07:00

for another chop, chop, chop of the hair. done and done. tom says he likes it...and he's not a very good liar, so i believe him.

finally, something of interest.

2010-02-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

no, we did not have a run in with john denver. but his name has a major part in the reason for this post... and i just think this picture is incredible. i know what kind of gold chain the husband is getting for his birthday.

i digress...

the swapps are moving to colorado! we are so extremely excited...i don't think either of us can explain that in words. utah has been wonderful and we've especially grown to love our little town of midway and all the great people we've come to know. we'll miss the beautiful springs and falls out here (the snow? not so much. luckily, colorado is a bit more temperate. ahhhh yeah).

for those who care - this entire process happened really fast and we know it's what is right for us. not only do we get to be close to family, but this is a great opportunity for tom, we'll be able to settle into our first home and...i've been promised a puppy. that's really all i needed as far as convincing goes. i'm such a pushover.

we will leave the beehive state at the end of march... until then, i will continue to loose sleep at night. why? oh - not like i stay up thinking about how i'll decorate our home or anything...that would just be ridiculous.

time well wasted.

2010-02-19T21:49:00.000-08:00

yep. this is what the image of my screen looks like. and sweet tom indulged me while i explained to him the master plan - and he even pretended to be interested. i think i'll keep him around.

excited, you could say.

2010-01-28T16:38:00.000-08:00

so, today was starting out as not so much the greatest day of my life. i feel sick. like really yucky. like i went and laid down on a patient bed in the cast room yucky. like i had to leave work early yucky - and cried the entire drive home. longest 25 minutes of my life. but then, i watched you've got mail in my jammies (such a sappy movie, but who doesn't crack up every time you hear tom hanks say, "don't cry, shopgirl." seriously - you know you do) and ate chocolate chips out of the bag (negating all of my working out yesterday). and then...i signed up for a letterpress class on saturday!!! i cannot wait. the above picture is what we'll be making. i told tom i think after this we might have to buy our own machine... so, maybe he thinks that's taking it a step too far?

regardless...he has had a dinner planned with some friends FOREVER and although i am feeling quite, well, yucky, i am going. because that's what you have to do sometimes - just suck it up. and then further your argument that your husband OWES you a porty for valentine's. oh yes, don't think i wouldn't stoop that low.

yesterday.

2010-01-17T16:25:00.000-08:00

yesterday was the day - skiing finally clicked. this little hill is NOTHING - a baby. i was dominating the steepest of the green. okay - maybe not that impressive, but i was a mad woman on that mountain.

why, why, why!? fists pounding on the ground

2010-01-16T22:30:00.000-08:00

anyone close to the swapps has probably heard me complain multiple times about one certain...mmm...frustration - my ability to make a killer chocolate chip cookie. let's discuss: mama j. has MASTERED her recipe - and i mean MASTERED. she says it took years of fine tuning. i say, i don't have years. i have seconds. when i want a good cookie, i want it now. of course i have tried her recipe...a million times. didn't go over so well during my college days (dang altitude differences between california, hawaii and utah) and it's only gotten worse as we've been living further up in the mountains. and i have tried just about every cookie recipe you can find on 1. chocolate chip bags 2. flour bags 3. butter flavored crisco tubs...you get the picture. my friend in high school brought her mom's spectacular cookies to school now and then. and i was craving them. so i asked her, "what's your mom's secret recipe?" do you want to know this answer? recipe off the crisco tub. think i tried it? you know it. think it turned out anywhere near as good as her mom's? oh no. that would be too perfect. then kimmy brought AMAZING cookies to noelle's birthday party - AMAZING. tom and i couldn't stop talking about them. thick and delicious. she shared her recipe, and i gave it a whirl. and, wha wha wha, they turned out flat and crunchy. i have tried margarine, butter, more flour, less sugar, flattening the cookie dough, putting the dough in the fridge beforehand, up the heat, down the heat. i am telling you - i feel like i've tried it all. conclusion, i'm not supposed to eat anymore cookies.

on second thought, i will continue to blame it all on the oven and just eat the dough. the dough is the best part, anyway.

the hunt.

2010-01-09T16:19:00.001-08:00

i bought these dishes last year. i love them lots and only bring them out when we have company (yes, they're that special to me). sadly, i only bought eight. and i am hating myself for it. anyone know where i could find four more? or maybe somebody has four they would want to sell me? that would be splendid.

sometimes i finish projects. only sometimes.

2010-01-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

sometimes i have at least five DIY projects that really need completing. sometimes i just think about how much i need to do to finish them, and then they're never finished, and then i add on two or three new projects. and then sometimes mama j comes into town and proves her handiness (not like it needing proving). regardless, i (aka WE) completed two of my projects. you can see them here, if you'd like. a new lamp shade and four new gray chairs and i am a happy woman. and not only is my mama a craft woman extreme, but she also does our laundry, helps me make the bed, cooks, bakes AND does the dishes. why didn't i fully appreciate this about eight years ago? i told her she could move in. we'll see what happens.

considering...

2009-12-27T13:53:00.001-08:00

Death of the Virgin. Caravaggio

Whenever I talk about this, I really want to do it... But I just haven't pushed myself yet. So, here it is - I'm thinking about going back to school to get my Master's in Art History. Any thoughts? Words of wisdom? Anyone want to tell me I'm crazy?

things that make me happy.

2009-12-22T17:19:00.000-08:00

quite often, i find myself thinking that i have nothing worthwhile to blog about. but tonight...oh boy, do i have a good story...

guilty. tom walked in to the house and asked, "what are you doing?" and i responded, "taking pictures of my newly dry-cleaned blouse!" and he said, with a look on his face that implied he thought i was a complete weirdo, "why?" and i said, "because it makes me happy!" it really does. it wasn't that long ago that i avoided purchasing anything that said, "dry clean only." now, i throw caution to the wind... largely due to the fact that tommy prefers to have his dress shirts laundered...yep, laundered. wifey isn't allowed to touch the dress shirts. long story short, it makes me so happy to get a top back that i love, especially when it's one i love so much that i'd even take a picture (or three) of it.

also, this tree makes me happy:
too bad we still don't have a star for the top, eh? also, THREE MORE DAYS! that makes me very happy.

hello, it's me.

2009-12-18T22:56:00.001-08:00

yep, that's true. the swapps have made it through two years. and have i shouted it at the tops of the blogging world mountains?! nope. but here i am, saying it was lovely and i think he is lovely (still). and the lovely cake? compliments of (my soon to be sister-in-law!) mai. isn't she quite the bakerella?

i wish i had something thrilling to share, but we've just been looking forward to the upcoming holidays. we get to see tom's family over christmas, and then some of my family over new year's. i cannot tell you how very, very excited i am. really - really -really. got it?

also, i will have a VERY funny story to share, but it will have to wait until after christmas, because i don't believe in spoiling surprises.

thanksgiving.

2009-12-01T22:48:00.001-08:00

what a week it was. we were on "jensen rotation" for thanksgiving, and i couldn't complain. the weather was B-E-A...utiful. i still tell tom, on a far-too-regular basis, "today would be a good day to move back to cali." i usually get looked at like i'm psycho, but he loves it more and more each time we go back. how could he not? mama j spoils him rotten, he gets to play football with my bros, uncles and cousins AT LEAST once a day and we get to hit up at least two or three of our favorite taquerias in town....all while enjoying upper 60/lower 70 degree weather. NO NEED FOR MY SKI JACKET. that is heaven on earth, my friends.

my cousin, rach, got married on saturday (same day as tom and me! well, same saturday, at least) and guess who was lucky enough to shoot her wedding?! TOM! haha - i kid, i kid. that would be me. it was wonderful and beautiful and all things a wedding should be. the reception was perfect - just an intimate gathering of family and a few close friends. funny thing - she married a kid that dallas, kim and i had met while we were out at byu hawaii. small world.

anyway, i just thought this picture was funny and that some others might enjoy it. we have a lot of adventures coming up with the holidays, so maybe i will take more pictures? who knows. it's a surprise.

a change of future plans.

2009-11-16T21:48:00.000-08:00

so, at first i thought we were going to italy (aka "the old country..." i may have just watched goodfellas for the first time. don't judge.) and while that still needs to happen in the swapps' near future, it looks like vacation 2010 is taking place HERE:

(that's my thai buddy with his thai boat on some water in THAILAND)

i will admit, it took some convincing for me. i mean, positano? i was liking that idea. but, thailand does have lots and lots of appeal. ELEPHANTS, for one. BEACHES, for two. JUNGLE TOURS, for three.

only problem is...i don't so much dig the thai food. maybe i'll get real skinny (bonus). or just pack my own burritos. yeah, that could work.

(i'm just hoping we don't have any sort of brokedown palace mishap. i mean, that would just really put a damper on the entire trip.)

megan!

2009-11-13T23:23:00.000-08:00

megs - happy birthday, girl. i love you lots and lots. but you already know this. so rather than express my admiration for you through words, i leave you these:

and this one just for good measure ;)

you are my favorite adopted sister (and soon-to-be mommy...well, not my adoptive mommy. you know what i mean). HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

sad. and happy. and anxious.

2009-11-13T23:04:00.001-08:00

i really, really wanted this fabric for some projects around here... and i knew it would cost a bit more than normal, but worth it. right?

turns out i could even get the fabric through a cute interior design lady for 40% off retail! fantastic, right? yeah, fantastic...until you find out that it will still cost you $185.40...per yard. i was glad i was sitting down when i read that.

next step? find new fabric. any suggestions? i was digging the colors in that fabric. no other word but "perfection." (and by the way, stacie - yes, i am still about about "digging things." i dig that i dig it. )
on a happier, not so completely devastating note - these beauties are on their way to my house. cannot wait. do i have any idea quite where i'll put them? of course not. but i sure am excited.

april.

2009-11-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

if you haven't noticed, the swapps' lives are pretty boring. so we need something to look forward to. planning this trip just MIGHT be the trick. you know i love me a countdown chain.

the giving tree.

2009-11-02T21:32:00.000-08:00

i love this book. that's all.

our favorite little halloween kiddos.

2009-11-01T12:01:00.000-08:00

maddy, ella and max. cute little ones trying to stay warm in the freezing minnesota weather. is max not the cutest eeyore you've ever seen!?

little miss aaliyah's video to derek...who is on his mission in guatemala.

the hogle.

2009-11-01T11:47:00.001-08:00

i forgot about these photos and figured i needed to update the blog before mama j reprimands me. here is a little storyboard on our trip to utah's hogle zoo with my brother and his family while they were in town in september. i miss them lots...and lots and lots.

aaliyah was pretty freaked out by this elephant, but we convinced her to take a picture on it. we are so cruel.
we turned around and caught aaliyah trying to scroll through the pictures on the screen like an iphone. that girls has the "swiping" motion down.

her mom told her to smile, and this is what she did.

don't you just love him!? i do. and dallas, i love you, too.

buster talking to his daddy about his belly button.

sweet little callie and her ice cream cone.

not sure why this picture is blurry like crazy, but i love zebras. and i took about 50 pictures of this one.

weaseling a cool kids drink.

i like that he looks like, "what? do i have something on my face?"

she's my buddy.

zander attacking auntie stacie's earring. VERY entertaining.

kimber is such a good mommy.

two of my favorite girls.

the cutest little family!

the many faces of aaliyah.

2009-10-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

so, this little one just had her third birthday. i can't even believe it. i remember when i got the call that my first little niece was FINALLY here - and i immediately made plans to fly back home to see her sweet little face. and now look at all the things she can do with that face!

it's not like we're related or anything. i love you, princess!

we also had another little niece that had her birthday last week, and a new baby nephew (sam! i love that name) born last month. ry and jenn - we need pictures stat so we can show them off. ;)

we zip lined.

2009-10-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

see us on the zip line!? we are itty-bitty.

i forgot about these photos until today. here we are back in august enjoying a little pc olympic park adventure with baby dylski. please notice his very handsome j. crew jacket. i am SUCH a good sister. we are so lucky to live near and work in such a beautiful place!

yes. i am this boring.

2009-10-08T21:16:00.001-07:00

i'm aware that i any free moment i have now is spent looking at decorating blogs and furniture websites, and then spending my priceless sleep time thinking about how to arrange these things in my home. do i need help? or, would someone just like to buy me this couch? that might be good...i need it in a bad way.

ps. in laws are in town! we made delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (shout out to abbie m!) i leave for cali for the weekend manana. sister and i watched grey's...and i teared up, like always. my quilt is ALL done - pictures to come soon. besides these fun things, this week has been pretty funky, but hopefully the weekend will make it all much better. or that couch - that couch could make it all better...wait - ashley - you can't buy happiness. ;)

conference weekend.

2009-10-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

i love conference weekend for multiple reasons:

1. good messages, of course.

2. rainy weather.

3. driving the alpine loop between morning and afternoon sessions.

4. time for crafting. (above) - that would be my current project. it's taking forever, but i hope the end result will be worth it.

this may be a problem.

2009-09-28T20:12:00.001-07:00

i am in the midst of purchasing my next DIY project. what have i become?! like i even have any free time these days...

...anthropologie knobs - i love you. you will have a safe home soon.

any paint color suggestions out there?

DIY - not for the faint of heart.

2009-09-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Early last week, I received the following e-mail from Noelle:

"In 4th grade it would go something like this ...

N: Hi, is Ashley there?
A: Hi, it's me.
N: Hi Ashley, it's Noelle. From school.
A: I know silly.
N: Well, I asked my mom, and if it's okay with your mom, do you want to come over for a playdate?
A: Hell YEAH. Wait one hot minute, I'll ask my mom.
N: Ok.
A: (muffled hand over phone screaming downstairs) HEY MOM, CAN I GO PLAY AT NOELLE'S HOUSE THIS WEEKEND?
.....
YEAH, HER MOM WILL BE HOME.
YES. I PROMISE TO CLEAN MY ROOM.
OK...
(removes hand from phone)
Yes. I can come. What time..... "

And that was the beginning of this endeavor:

i apologize for the sheer crappiness of this photo.

Worth every moment...Mind you, so far there have been about 540 moments (if you'd like to consider "moments" as "minutes"). For a much more entertaining account, read her take.

conversation with my sister.

2009-09-21T22:50:00.001-07:00

me: home safe?

stace: i almost hit a coyote!

he was a baby coyote.

well maybe a teenager coyote.

me: WHA!?

stace: and he had a dead rabbit.

and he dropped it in the road.

or maybe it was a fox.

ya - i think it was a teenage fox.

list of "to-do's"

2009-09-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

1. learn how to shoot film (maybe 50% digital, 50% film?) i love this picture i took back in april. tom doesn't like that my new goal involves spending more money...go figure, right?

and another belated.

2009-09-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

it was my lovely mama's birthday. and since i know she is a TOTAL sucker for boyz II men and that she'll probably cry when she hears this song, i think it was a good choice to post. momma - i am truly lucky to have you as a best friend. happy (belated) 29th birthday ;)

today.

2009-09-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

belated. birthday. holler.

2009-09-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

busted. i may be the world's crappiest sister. i thought of the immediate need for this post, and here i am, a week later, letting baby sister know how much i love her! i would say "i hope your birthday is the best!" but i think it was pretty decent. pf changs and wonderful baking books? how could it go wrong?

i love you lots. sorry that my brain is...well, i'm not quite sure where it is, but thanks for loving me anyway. you're my favorite sister! happy belated 22nd, colored tape.

have a crafty weekend.

2009-09-04T21:52:00.001-07:00

i will be in colorado...and when i get back i just might:

1. have a completed project to share

2. a completed purchase to share (this is a good one. i can't wait! it's already in our possession. *giddiness*)

of course, i've already started a new project (see that little "yoyo?")....and it looks like i'll need about 900 of those to finish it. basically, it'll be done when i'm 254. i did the math, people. maybe someday, if i still know how to use a camera and the computer at that age, i'll share pictures of that project.

ps. picture taken with my new phone. not too shabby, right?

sometimes...

2009-08-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

a girl has to kiss a frog...and sometimes those frogs are chained to benches.

i'm not really sure what that means, but i think she's pretty cute.

my husband is cuter than yours.

2009-08-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

what? you mean to tell me you don't dress like this everyday?! i don't believe it.

so, maybe i'm a bit biased, but it IS his birthday, so it's allowed.

happy birthday tommy boy! i love you lots...and lots and lots.

cookie love.

2009-08-16T22:04:00.000-07:00

happy two year, mr and mrs. cook!

please come back to this state soon so we can see your beautiful and handsome faces.

we love the lybberts.

2009-08-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

all i know is this - if nothing else, i am grateful i married my husband because he has some of the most incredible friends. i cannot say enough about them (we have both been blessed with some seriously amazing pals...), but i would like to say that noelle plans and hosts the most splendid of get-togethers. put an idea in this girl's head, and it will be done. no questions about it. i absolutely love that and sincerely wish i could be more like her. instead, i will happily partake in whatever delicious food and wonderful gathering she has in store. and i am hoping her newest of vacation plans will work out for the swapps...

thank you, lybberts, for a fantastic night! please stay put in utah for a long while so we can continue our weekend (and mid-week) adventures...and see layla. :)

love,

tom and ash

for your viewing pleasure...click here.

today, i was that lady.

2009-07-30T21:16:00.000-07:00

you know how sometimes you find yourself behind a driver that leaves their blinker on for at least 5 miles? and the whole time you are driving behind them, you are wondering if and when they're going to actually change lanes? or maybe you're like me and you think to yourself, "obviously, this person doesn't have a clue their blinker is still on. that means they probably shouldn't be driving."

well folks...today, i was that lady.

that's right. i went a good mile down highland drive with my right blinker on. why? i was pondering the delicious cookie i was devouring. you think i'm joking, but i'm not.

so, what has this taught me? don't judge people who leave their blinker on. they're probably just enjoying a calorie-filled snack...and that is no crime.

and another.

2009-07-25T23:43:00.000-07:00

talk about a busy couple of weeks. but, then, let's talk about a seriously awesome wedding. i love these two.

heaven in a plastic cup.

2009-07-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

isn't she a babe? she is.

don't worry - i tried to eat that by myself. not so successful.

try to tell me you don't love toni's expression.

see - friendly!

okay, we all know i am a bit particular about certain things. one of those things is shave ice. when i hear, "oh, such and such a place has the BEST shave ice!" i say to myself, "doubtful. seriously doubtful." when you have the opportunity to live minutes away from here, nothing else can ever compare. but, i have to admit, i was pleasantly surprised when we tested out this little gem (down in provo - across the street from helaman halls) with our besties matt and toni last week. DELISH....and legit. ice cream on the bottom? check. people - that is the only way to go, i am telling you. and my favorite feature (besides a line considerably shorter than one you'll find in haleiwa)? holes cut into the tables to fit the cups. genius. pure, freaking genius. and another plus - the owners are adorable and so amiable. i think i would like to chat with them anytime. and maybe i will.

more to come.

2009-07-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

i've been having a bit of fun with the camera lately. and i've just scored a full-time job (yay!) and the boss man of the house has informed me that any "extra" cash i make can go back into photo fun. new lens? film camera? i am seeing you in my future.

in the meantime, check out the excitement we've been capturing around here.

see my gorgeous sister here.

see fabulous headbands and adorable girls here.

see a beautiful wedding here. and here. and here.

and there will be more to come...can i get a hoo-rah?!

and what's a post without a picture, right? see the fun we're having!?

The Swapp Blog.

thief of hearts.

baby overload.

Afton.

my homie.

baby showers galore.

new england.

then vs. now

beaver creek, colorado.

a few months closer.

oh yeah...

b.g.

december.

charlie can be awesome. when she wants.

paris.

birthdays in bath...

ladies - assistance needed.

how many more days?

monterey.

a bit closer.

on food.

toni...

in keeping with tradition...

new directions.

rug for sale.

dyl.

rough life.

florida and other adventures.

projects.

inspiration.

planning a trip.

family.

merry christmas.

snow!

slowly but surely...

sometimes we do fun things.

mamacita.

chastised.

talk chow play house.

waking up with charlie.

la casa.

don't judge me.

back to midway...and other adventures.

another birthday.

twenty eight.

i am so mean...

a trip home.

where has he gone?

while ashley is away...

puppy dog.

rockies.

website madness.

buena vista.

how can you NOT love her?

jealous.

possible family room...

good news.

future bedroom.

happy weekend to me.

thailand.

sub.

"i said shut up. i got a lot of things on my mind."

the time has come.

finally, something of interest.

time well wasted.

excited, you could say.

yesterday.

why, why, why!? *fists pounding on the ground*

the hunt.

sometimes i finish projects. only sometimes.

considering...

things that make me happy.

hello, it's me.

thanksgiving.

a change of future plans.

megan!

sad. and happy. and anxious.

april.

the giving tree.

our favorite little halloween kiddos.

why, why, why!? fists pounding on the ground