October 27th is not Halloween

Although it was according to our ward.

We had our ward Trunk or Treat last night at a park nearby our apartment, and it was so much fun! I love going to these things to see all the darling little children with they're darling little costumes. I saw bumblebees and pumpkins, Thing 1 and Thing 2, a whole family circus, zombie pirates, and of course all the most famous characters from the Hunger Games. I was so glad we were able to attend and see everyone. Even our bishop dressed up as a knight. It was so fun all around!! Ander and I went as a guitar hero and a peacock. I borrowed a stunning peacock costume from a client/friend of mine and it was a big hit. It was complete with a tail, a hair plume, tutu and corset. I don't think I've ever had such an easy time acquiring a Halloween costume.

We brought May-May along as well since the whole party was outside. Of course she was either terrified by all the small children that were screaming, "DOGGY!" while pointing at her, or completely stoked when being loved by all the adults. It's not that May-May doesn't like little kids, they just make her very nervous. Little hands usually equal pain.

I also decided to make our car trunk a gaping maw of a mouth. That was really fun. I found that idea on Pinterest.

After the party started winding down, we were asked to perform our now famous Thriller that we had done at the youth dance we had chaperoned a week prior. With my car volume cranked to the max we busted out MJ's moves in the parking lot much to the delight of all the kids (and adults) around us. And this was wonderful because one of my friends got a great video of the performance, which I will acquire shortly, so you will actually be able to see us this time!

But our wonderful evening did not end with the goodbyes at the Trunk or Treat. After we took our furry child home we headed to downtown Austin to spend time with my sweet cousin Eliza and he beau Rick. They had been busy at the Austin Comi-con all day long, so we all ordered in Chinese food and shot the breeze in their little hotel suite. 

It. Was. So. Fabulous. I hadn't seen Eliza in so long!! She was radiant and happy, albeit she was as sore as ever from her personal trainer. She and Rick are so happy together and I was so proud. They are a hilarious couple, and we were cracking up all night. Eliza and Rick told us all about their "boring" lives in LA, awesome Comi-con moments of the day, Eliza's sweet Golden Retriever and the hoops both Eliza and Rick jump through to get their eyebrows waxed with the "Star Plucker" Anastasia. According to Eliza, she's a magician. She even worked wonders on my Auntie Judy's tiny little eyebrows!! Eliza seemed incredibly interested in my eyelash extensions until she found out I can't use oil on them. Oil breaks down the glue on the lashes, so her magic cleansing oil would be out, and she would have none of it. Apparently Rick also likes to use emoticons in his text messages, which is something I never would have guessed. We really had so much fun. Rick is a total cornball and Eliza is as animated as ever. She and I are a lot alike... it's awesome.

My favorite thing all night long was when Eliza told me she thought that May-May was a Shih Tzu named "Doodles." Priceless.

When Ander and I got home we were sooooo tired. We slept like babies. But I just can't get over what a wonderful evening we had last night. And a big thanks to Eliza and Rick for having us over and chatting with us all night. I really appreciated it. Sometimes a night comes around when you can't believe how perfect everything is. Well, that night was October 27th, 2012. Such a refresher from the mundane lives we've been leading here in Austin lately.

And I want to send you all off with the fortune that Rick got last night from his fortune cookie. "Good thing are being said about you." See y'all next time!!

This very moment

There was something on my mind today.

I couldn't quite think of what it was until one of the clients I saw today asked me where I was from and how long we'd lived here in Austin. I had to pause.

Four years ago at this very time my brother Joseph, my husband Ander, and I all drove into Austin Texas. Joe came to leave, and Ander and I came to stay. The next four years have brought us some amazing and some not-so-amazing times.

I miss my family greatly. I wish every day that I could see their faces and feel their arms around me. Moving here was one of the biggest decisions I've ever made in my life, but it was also one of the best. Being here in Austin just makes our visits home to see family all the more important and memorable. Austin has offered us some amazing opportunities, and who could forget that we got our adorable May-May here too!? Yes, Austin has treated us very well over the last four years... from giant bugs to giant bass, I think we can finally call ourselves Texans.

Here's to another great year!

This is Thriller

Ander and I chaperoned the Stake Halloween youth dance last night... and we had a surprise in store for them...

(If for some reason the video isn't working, you can also find the video here)

I know it's kind of crappy quality. It was really dark and I had to try to lighten up the contrast with some software. But the kids got a big kick out of it. Ander and I practiced this dance for weeks before we actually performed it at this dance. It was a blast. Although one of my Mia Maids tried to do it with us at the beginning, and she kept asking me to teach it to her until I finally told her she had to just let us do our thing. I felt badly telling her to leave us alone, but if she hadn't have moved I probably would have hit her with my crazy stylish moves. Oh well. I apologized after we finished.