Wedding Invitations

I mentioned a while ago that I would share my (mostly) homemade wedding invitations and then it completely skipped my mind. I have to say that I am definitely not the craftiest person in the world, but with the help of a few of my girlfriends and the girls on the Hawaii knot.com message board, I was able to come up with quite the creation. I realize the quality of these images isn't the best, but you can get the idea of what I was trying to come up with. Faux airline tickets was fitting for Steve and I considering we met in the airport security line, we love to travel, we're having a destination wedding, etc.



The temporary crafting area (aka our dining room table)



Ticket/Invite holder



Two ticket stubs included in each invitation - most of our guests don't know this, but the 15A and 15B are the seats we sat in the night we met.



RSVP/Response cards :: Vintage Hawaiian postcards - 20 different designs



And my favorite part :: the personalized postage for the outside main envelope. We had asked out parents for a wedding photo and didn't tell them what we were going to do with it. Through stamps.com we were able to get these made and I love the end result. My side got my parents stamp and his side got his parents stamp. Needless to say, both sets of parents were shocked and very excited when they received their official invitation.

:: Merry :: Merry ::

We hope you all have have a wonderful and safe Christmas (especially for those of ou that are traveling) and are able to enjoy the snow outside (mainly for those of you in Seattle).

* photo taken at the Seahawks vs. Jets game this past Sunday

*Love*

The Soon-to-be-Rinabarger's

Annual Holiday Party

Every holiday season I look forward to our Friends Christmas Party. Due to the snowstorm on Saturday night, for a split second, I thought we may not be able to make it to the party. However, once again, we braved the weather - I felt like we were in the twilight zone driving across 520 from Bellevue - and made it to the party. The only thing I'm sad about is that I missed out on the sledding extravaganza down the side streets of Eastlake Ave. On Sunday morning at our girlfriends gift exchange, I voted this year my favorite party thus far. Kristos on Eastlake did an awesome job and I would recommend this location for any group get-together.

The Spears Family

On Saturday morning, Steve and I braved the snow and headed east to Salish Lodge to meet up with the Spears family for a winter wonderland photoshoot. I would have loved to have been able to take more photos outside, but with a baby (turning one this Friday), below freezing temperatures and blustery winds, it made for a 90% indoor shoot, which ended up to be perfect because as most people know, The Salish Lodge is absolutely beautiful, especially during the holidays. Nichole, Jay and Ayva were the perfect/adorable subjects - I don't think we heard one peep out of Ayva the entire time, she is was quite content and happy to have her photo taken.

Passionate

About photography and my fiance. I adore Steve for many reasons, but one thing in particular that I love is the fact that he enjoys venturing out and taking photos just as much as I do. He had to go out an buy a second camera (still learning to use as it's much more complicated than our d40x) because we would bicker over who had the better eye at any particular moment.

Snow Day!

I don't think I have been this excited about a snow-day since elementary. Something about the snow is so calming to me - calming when I'm NOT driving in it. With so few cars on the road, I love the silence outside. I walked to the post office and then to the grocery store to pick up a few extra items that I need for baking as I'm planning on making the following today: Jamie's /Grandma Amy's Ginger Cookies, Margie's chocolate covered pretzels, Chex Mix and Peppermint Bark Chocolate Cookies. I also picked up some pork to make BBQ pulled pork in the slow-cooker.

Waiting Game...

Just sitting here in Bellevue anxiously awaiting this "snowstorm" that the weathermen have been warning us about all week. I had dreams about staying home today and baking Christmas goodies - so much for that plan...maybe tomorrow? I'm sure a couple of the school districts are now questioning the decision they made to give the kids a "snow-day" even though there isn't any snow on the ground. I guess it's smart to take precautions, but this seems a bit crazy to me.

We took this photo a year ago while visiting some friends in Sunriver, Oregon. Central Oregon always gets the best snow - I'm dreaming about it now.

It's (finally) beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Between attending a Christmas party and cheering on the Cougs to a victory at the Cougar Hardwood Classic, we finally found time to buy our tree and decorate the condo. I love that the day we decide to decorate, there is snow on the ground - snow always makes being indoors that much cozier. We've been having fires in the fireplace a couple of times a week and I have to make the recommendation NOT to purchase the Duraflame XTRA - they burn horribly and take way too much effort.

Happy Friday to all...

...And to all a good night

* This coral was in place, just like this, on the end of the jetty at Olowalu - from what I'm guessing, the wedding the night before. I would love to believe that it just suddenly appeared this way out on the rocks...

Recipe Swap 2008

Thanks to an idea from my wedding photographer/friend Shelby, I've decided to join in with a few of my other friends and post one of my favorite recipes of the holiday season. The first recipe that came to mind was Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, but I've already shared that one, so the next recipe on my treat list is one that I know Stacie and Avery share my deep love for - the ever original and famous, Chex Mix! I realize this choice seems a bit boring, but I'm telling you - homemade Chex Mix is much more delectable than the store bought stuff. I make this every December and usually share a bit with my family and friends, that's if I don't devour it all myself (eek).

There are obvious variations (I nix the Cheerios) one may make this recipe, but this is how I enjoy it best:

Ingredients:

3 - cups Corn Chex cereal

3 - cups Rice Chex cereal

3 - cups Wheat Chex cereal (these are my favorite part)

1 - cup mixed nuts

1 - cup pretzel sticks (for some reason, the least favorite ingredient)

6 - tablespoons butter

3 - tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 - teaspoons seasoned salt (I prefer Lawry's)

1 - teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 - teaspoon onion powder

Directions:

Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, and pretzels; set aside. In an ungreased large foil baking pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. I usually add more Worcestershire and Lawry's (on top of the mixture) about half way through the baking time. Store in airtight container.

I have yet to make a batch this year - photo via

As most of you are aware, this recipe is posted on the side or back of most Chex boxes, but I add a little more seasoning. One day, I'll make a a personal batch with only Chex pieces.

Sit back and relax

*view of Lanai from Olowalu

I realize I've already posted a few photos of our wedding location, but after my first in-person visit to the site this past Saturday, I just had to post a few more. I'm slightly obsessed with the Olowalu Plantation House/Grounds and if I suddenly become wealthy, I will do everything in my power to purchase this land. A majority of the photos I took on this trip were of Olowalu, but I'll post a few of the others later.

Just Bee-cause...

I love this perfect hibiscus and couldn't resist watching this hungry little bee eat

See ya' dreary/rainy Seattle weather

Maui - here I come!

I can hardly sit still at my desk right now because I'm so anxious to go home and start packing - yes, I haven't even taken the suitcase out of the closet and I leave tomorrow morning.

Below are a few things I'm looking forward to enjoying over the next few days...

• Sorting through a few wedding details and meeting with my planner
• Relaxing and catching up with Carrie
• Laying out and reading a couple of books...perhaps Twilight will be included
• Experiencing the Grand Wailea
• Seeing the sun for the first time in a few days

* photo take by Steve on our trip to Maui in March - Molokai in the background

The Newest Member of the Burrell Family

Congratulations to Steph and Leroy on the birth of their gorgeous and angelic baby boy, Jacob Henry born on November 18. He was the picture perfect baby during this little photoshoot at their house this past weekend...perfect until we turned him over on his back and he had a little accident. He even went into these poses with only a little help and slept peacefully while Steph and I joked that we should put some lettuce on him and act as if he was an Anne Geddes baby - ha!! Never will I do this.

Poor little Benny isn't getting quite the attention that he's used to, but he was still a sweet little pup.

Bald and Beautiful

Accessorize an adorable baby with a decorative headband or "hair pretty" as Miss Addi prefers them to be called. After seeing multiple photos of baby girls in adorable headbands, I visited the fabric store (four times this past week) and bought the supplies to create some of my own. Next up was to find a model, and as I was long overdue for a visit with Miss Maddy, I headed over to the Johnson's and enjoyed a fabulous dinner and had quite the photo session.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a safe and blissful Thanksgiving day. This year, along with most years, I am thankful for the love that I receive everyday from my family, my fiance, my soon-to-be in-laws and my friends. Today, I will remind myself (as I do often) of how lucky I am to lead the life that I do.

The Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie reminds me of celebrating Thanksgiving as a child and even though I'm no longer a kid, I still enjoy wathing it at least once a year.

The Peters Family

On this past (beautiful) Sunday morning I met up with Billy, Nadine and Will at O.O. Denny Park in Juanita to take some fall photos. Will is such a cute and fun little boy with the most beautiful blue eyes. Despite the chilly temperatures, he was a trooper. Nadine - thank you for contacting me, I had a great time with you guys.

Congratulations to the Peters, who are expecting baby #2 in April!