Bragging on my friends!

My dear friend Paige (who was also a bridesmaid in my wedding), got engaged on July 29th. I never posted about the proposal and now I'm wanting to share their stunning engagement pictures.

So I'll start from the beginning. Paige and I have been best friends practically since the first second we met. We started out in Azusa Pacific University's nursing program together, and we became inseparable. We had all our classes together, wrote notes back in forth during our classes instead of paying attention, we ate every meal together, met before our first class together, saw each other between every class, and lived together for one year. So naturally, I got to be a big part of the beginning phases of her relationship with Robby. Robby was devoted to Paige the moment he set eyes on her. Paige was hesitant. She's not known to be all in. She takes time before she really opens her heart. She protects herself. Robby was relentless. He didn't take no for an answer. He practically bought out all the flower shops in the area. It was nearly every day that Paige had flowers on her car from him. He brought her (and still brings her) shaved ice every time they see each other. This is her favorite--just the ice, no flavoring. Robby was patient. And he was honorable in his pursuit of her. He was not willing to let her go. Paige had fallen for Robby long before she let her mouth admit it. And as soon as her mouth admitted it, she shouted it from the rooftops. Anyone who sees Paige and Robby together can instantly see how in love they are. They make each other laugh. They are affectionate. They enjoy the same fun things in life. Robby let me be a part of the proposal and it couldn't have gone better.

Just look at the pictures. It was idyllic. Robby proposed at a Temecula winery where they later decided to get married. The proposal couldn't have gone better--Crystals hanging from a rose arbor; candles; rose pedals; champagne...it was stunning! Paige was shocked! Robby was charming! And check out that ROCK Robby picked out for Paige. Adorable, right? Such a sweet story! Now...get ready for their engagement pictures. They used the same photographer and friend of mine, Kelsie Pinkerton, of Pinkertonphotography. She did an amazing job capturing Paige and Robby's playful affection. Watch this slideshow of some of their engagement pictures. And then go follow Paige and Robby's blog so you can join their love story!

Here's one of my favorite pictures to inspire you!

Click below for the slideshow:
Paige and Robby's engagement slideshow

Enjoy! Thanks for letting me brag on these sweet friends of mine. I know you've fallen in love with their sweet story now, too!

My first married Christmas!

In the beginning of December, we celebrated the start of the holidays with my family at Disneyland. It was a blast. Disneyland in December is one of the most magical things I've ever experienced. They truly KNOW how to make it perfect. And after the fireworks in the evening, it snows on Main Street while playing beautiful Christmas music. This was our second annual Disneyland Christmas trip with my family. It was such a great way to start the holidays!

On the same weekend, we got the privilege of going to a nice brunch with Danny's family. An all-you-can-eat-buffet and with a gospel choir! It was a great time!
Danny and I got to go pick out our very first Christmas tree. The flash on my camera had just stopped working, but I still had to get a picture. This was after we picked it out and they bagged it up for us. Here it is all decorated! I chose to do an all white Christmas tree because it is our first married Christmas (actually our first Christmas day that we have ever gotten to even see each other!) So I wanted this to be like our wedding tree!

Some of my favorite ornaments:Here we are in front of our tree!More pictures of the house decorated:
My husband and I, in Arizona spending time with my family!We went out to one of our favorite Arizona malls with my parents!

5th Annual Christmas Tea with the girls in our family:At my parent's house:Me with my husband on Christmas Day. I love that sweet guy that I get to call my husband!
After Christmas, we took a trip up to Northern California to visit Danny's grandparents and other family members. It was such a relaxing and fun trip! It felt like a mini-honeymoon. I loved getting to spend all day, every day, with Danny---just exploring, taking pictures, taking walks and spending time together. Here are some of our pictures from the trip. Here we are with Danny's grandparents:
The tractor Danny used to play on as a little kid!
Our first married holiday season could NOT have been better. I truly was a blessing to get to spend it together with both of our families.

You're not going to believe this!

Without me knowing, my mom and sister made me this advent calendar! They used the colors from our wedding--including fabric and ribbon from the wedding. If there are any two people who know and understand how much I love Christmas, and how much I want my first married Christmas to be so special and sweet...it is my mom and sister. This advent calendar is just one of the millions ways they've made these first few months of marriage special for me.
It's all hand-made! Isn't it the greatest present ever?
There are 25 pockets--one for each of the 25 days of December. In each pocket, there is a verse, telling the story of Jesus' birth. And, by no surprise, the verses are backed on paper from the wedding!
Along with the verses, there is a little gift in each pocket. So every morning, Danny and I read the verse and open the gift that coordinates with each day of December! It's the sweetest way for us to be able to spend our mornings! And every day, I feel so loved by my mom and sister, who put so much thought and detail into this unique and perfect gift for us. Now you have to see all the pockets close up. The first one is Danny and me on our wedding day in the gazebo. The second one is an adorable candycane heart.
The third pocket says "Reids est. 2009" and each letter is cut out of a different fabric. The fourth pocket has cute button snowmen! The fifth pocket has a Christmas Starbucks cup. I'm such a huge Starbucks fan! Pocket six has my favorite Christmas word--JOY! The 7th pocket has a wreath on it--does anyone recognize the wreath from Starbucks? Day 8 has a cute angel on the pocket! Aren't these all so cute? Skipping around a little, the next row down as 11, 12, and 13-- a Christmas tree, sparkly snowflake, and a big bow with wedding ribbon! Pocket 9 has cute little mittens on it. And the 10th pocket has a sweet heart.

Pocket 14 is one of my favorites-we had a candy bar at our wedding, so these are the little jars with candy in them. And then a cute shepherd on pocket 15. The 19th pocket has a tiny little gnome on it. And pocket 20 is a sand dollar which was another theme from our wedding.
Pocket 16 is heart with a fabric bow--made with stuff from the wedding. I love pocket 17--it's a snowy cabin scene with a sparkly Christmas tree.
The 21st pocket has cute pjs. I love that one. And pocket 22 has another perfect heart with ribbon.
Pocket 23 is a little beach scene--the surfboard looks identical to Dannys. 24 has the cutest hanging ornaments, so unique. And pocket 25, of course, has little baby Jesus!
Now is that just the cutest thing you've ever seen, or what?!?! There will be many more Christmas updates, but I just couldn't wait to share this!

Danny and I picked out and decorated our first Christmas tree together. We put up our Christmas lights outside, and decorated the inside of the house...so many more updates coming soon!

34 days until Christmas!

There have been so many posts about the holidays. And it made me excited--I wanted to blog about the holidays too. Christmas is, hands-down, my favorite time of the year! It feels so magical and special EVERY YEAR.

My family has made it so special over the years---
--As kids we all slept in front of the tree the first night we got it and on Christmas Eve! My sister and I still do that! :)
--Putting up the tree was always one of my favorite things. We would go pick out the tree together as a family and then bring it back to the house, turn on Christmas music, and open all our boxes of ornaments and decorate our tree. And then we would turn off all the lights except for the lights on the tree, and we would just sit on the couch and stare at it.--The girls in our family always have a baking day! I love baking day--it makes the house smell good, and then there are fun treats out for anyone who comes over.--On Christmas Eve, we always get a new pair of fun Christmas pajamas. I know I'll keep this tradition with my kids because I have loved it so much.--We have special Christmas blankets that we sleep with during the month of December, and we take them with us when we go looking at lights!--We love going shopping because everywhere is decorated so beautifully for Christmas!--The girls in our family get all dressed up one day before Christmas and go have a fancy afternoon tea. This will be our 5th annual this year. The group keeps getting bigger as the boys in our family get married. This year we have one new member, my cousin's new wife, Andrea. I posted about their wedding here.
This year I started making some fun Christmas words for decoration. I bought a ton of fun Christmas paper and then just thought of all the Christmas-y words that I could. Here are some pictures. Today my church back home had a craft fair and my mom took the word banners to sell them at the craft fair. Everyone was loving them--so fun! I made some holiday spending money. They're fun to hang on a tree, or use to wrap a present, or hang on the wall! I made one for our house, too. I'm taking custom orders so let me know if you want one! ;)It's our first married Christmas and I know it's going to be so special. We get to buy our first Christmas tree, hang our first set of Christmas lights, and over-decorate our house!!! I can't wait. We get to start once we get home from Thanksgiving.

Tell me your favorite family traditions, and recipes, and memories. I love to hear the different ways everyone celebrates!

Michael & Andrea

I promised to post about my cousin's wedding and now I'm finally getting around to it. It was a beautiful wedding, at a southern California vineyard, Wilson Creek! There's something about family weddings that just feel extra special. I felt so happy for Michael and Andrea! Here are some of my favorite pictures.CoraKingston Photography

Me, Mayla, Kristen, My mom, My sister, My sister
My mom & dad. My dad did the ceremony!

These lined the aisle! :) They were beautiful. CoraKingston Photography!
Michael waiting for his bride!
The ceremony!
Beautiful Andrea!

After the ceremony! CoraKingston Photography!
My handsome husband and me before the reception!
Two of my favorite girls--Tara and Erica! This was toward the end of the reception!


It was a wonderful wedding. I love getting to be a part of such an important day. I am looking forward to our next one!

Morgan Elizabeth King

I wanted to ask all of you to keep my best childhood friend in your prayers. My friend, Morgan, got hit by a motorcycle while crossing the street last weekend. It was Sunday night, after my cousin's wedding (I'll put pictures up from that soon). She and a few friends were walking to get food in Downtown Temecula, CA. When they went to cross the street, no one saw the motorcycle coming, and it hit Morgan.

Here's an article about the accident: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/temecula/article_d6b4e984-6bbe-51ad-a954-4a7007799f61.html

She was in ICU up until yesterday. She just got moved to PCU-Progressive Care Unit. She is a little bit more stable at this point, but still in very serious condition. She sustained serious injuries including compound fracture of the tibula and fibula, Grade 4 Liver Laceration, 3 breaks in her pelvis, contusion and hematoma L5 Spine and a great deal of internal bleeding. :(

Here's another website if you care to keep up with the updates on her condition: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/morganking

Thanks for taking the time to read this. And please keep her and her family in your prayers!

Wedding Video

Our videographer, Davis Paul, just finished putting together a wonderful video from our wedding day. He just put some of his favorite shots and clips into a short 3:45 minute video. I absolutely love how it turned out. Now all of you who weren't there can get a little glimpse of our wonderful day. Can you tell how happy I am? Eventually I will have all the footage from the day, but here's a little teaser for now.

Amy & Danny Reid from Davis Paul on Vimeo.