Author: Jake
We had a great weekend, with all sorts of patriotic activities. Sunday night, Reagan threw a bachelorette party for her friend who is getting married next weekend. I took the opportunity, while she was out, to build and install her new desk in the former guest bedroom.
She didn’t waste any time putting it to use.
Monday, we barbequed on the roof with our friends Joe, Jen and Frank (plus Nikki the dog) and lit sparklers. The sunset was basically the most amazing thing ever. Here are a few images from the festivities.
The shot below was some team work. Reag wrote “Happy,” Jen wrote “Fourth.”
The next photo was all my idea (haha). Frank shot it for us.
You will probably recognize my hand style on this one.
Author: Reagan
Some of this post is going to be scary! You’ve been warned, friends.
Day three in Paris was a Sunday, and true to what I heard, everything is closed in Paris on Sundays. We went to TWO bakeries I was dying to try, and both were closed. I was so bummed! And Jake was literally sneezing blood from allergies, so he wasn’t happy either. Man, poor Jake. I am so glad I don’t have allergies. Basically none.
So, we walked around for a little bit, found a breakfast cafe, ate omlettes and hopped on the train to see the Paris Catacombs. This was the only above ground metro station we saw while we were in Paris. There is only one in all of Manhattan, at 125th and Broadway. It’s nice to wait for your train and still be outside. I like what I see.
This is the scary part. BONES!
The Paris Catacombs have 6 million people worth of bones down there. It stretches for miles and miles underneath Paris.
The craziest thing for me about the catacombs, is that the bones are beautifully organized. Almost like art! 
It really was creepy down there! These bones were hundreds of years old. It was kind of sad to think that they were real alive people.
While we were walking through, there were drips of water coming from above. One landed on my head and I scrame. Scrame is the past tense of scream.
One of the craziest parts of the catacombs, is that when you come above ground again, you are in a totally residential neighborhood. I don’t know if I’d want to live above that. Plus, look at the adorbale balloon arch! Thanks to my good friend Jon for suggesting we see that catacombs. It was one of the coolest/most interesting sight of our whole trip.
Next we walked up to the Luxemburg Gardens. This kind of reminded me of Central Park in a way. There was a big lawn where people were working out, laying around, eating picnic lunches and kissing. We got a picture but I can’t find it.
My favorite part of the Luxemburg Gardens, was this fountain right in the middle. There were kids everywhere with little toy sailboats. They would push them futher into the fountain with bamboo sticks. I really adored watching the kids there. So cute! We could have stayed there all day watching them play and laugh.
This little spot was so cool! There was so much shade and the reflection was awesome. This was the old person hang out, btw.
Next we went wandering around the Marais for a while. We ate lunch and did some vintage shopping and then went back to our hotel to freshen up and clean the possible bone dust off our bodies. Bleh! We picked up some picnic foods and then took the metro to Butte Chaumont! We loved that park! It was definitely a locals kind of park. I think we were the only non locals there. This park is huge and so interesting. There are hills and pathways and ponds and bridges all over. In fact, the hills are high enough that you actually can get a pretty nice view of Paris. It was probably the best picnic spot we found.
We ate our cheese and grapes and jam and baguette and chocolate filled cookies (they were amazing! they were store brand even haha!) while the sun went down. I saw some young girls practicing roundoffs and cartwheels at the bottom of the hill. I could not stop myself from doing a few. It’s been years! I can’t believe I used to be able to do a roundoff back handspring combo. Granted, the roundoff back handspring combo was only possible on a very good day, I was always a little timid with it, but now I’m so rusty! I want to take a tumbling class like old times!
Welp! That’s all for Paris day 3. I think we went back to the hotel and watch funny french tv. We watched this show where a woman cheated on her husband with another woman. Then there was a woman dressed like a ninja. It was a really good show.
PS click here to read about my upcoming shopping even at HomeGoods!
Author: Jake
These are shots of just a few of the awesome mothers who have been a part of my life.
Happy Mothers’ Day!
Author: Reagan
I’m flying out today to be with my family. My Grandma’s funeral is tomorrow morning and I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s wonderful and hilarious memories of her. Such as, she once told my cousin that she doesn’t use her turning signals because (in her words) “It’s no one’s business where I’m going”. Hahaha
I’ve felt peace about her passing, but I know it will be hard to be there and not have her to chat with. I can’t imagine going to Utah in the future and not seeing her. Those are the things that make me the saddest. I’m going to miss her calling me “dolly”. I’ve always loved hearing her call me that. Just one of those adorable Grandma things..
I’m with piper jane this morning, getting in some snuggs before I fly out. I have loads of photos to share from the weekend still, because her cuteness was epic (talk about cutin’ around!), but I’ve been a little preoccupied with last minute traveling and working until 10 last night.
So in the meantime, here is a cute little cartoon-y thing Jake made of our family picture attempt on Easter morning.
(My Easter dress was generously sent to me by Shabby Apple, and I’ll be reviewing it soon.)
Author: Jake
Author: Jake
We have already had a pretty busy week, this week. I worked late yesterday, but still managed to fit in a winter line launch party for Flud Watches. Then Tuesday night, Reagan and I attended a (work related) holiday party at Rockefeller Center. It was at one of the restaurants that is adjacent to the skating rink. Skating was included in the party festivities. I went to this party alone a couple of years ago, and Reagan really felt bad, because I don’t really even like skating, she does. Plus she had been begging me to take her. So I hope that this year makes up for it. We brought the point and shoot, but it died after the first shot. So, all of these pics are from the gritty lil blackberry cam.
Apparently Reagan, at some point today read a Facebook blurb from my sister about cherry limeade. She said that she had been craving one, ever since. So, that is what she ordered at the bar. The bar tender was a little bit stumped at first. But after she explained it a little bit, the mixologist (yes, I am using that term, because the dude earned it) came up with a pretty fancy looking drink that seemed to satisfy Reagan’s fever. Try to ignore my totally serious face, below. I was focusing pretty intently on keeping a steady arm for the photo. Doesn’t Reagan look cute though?
Reagan on skates, below.
In addition to all of the festivities of the last couple of days, we also finished our Christmas cards tonight! Man, I’m feeling pretty productive, right about now.
Here is a link to a couple more crappy blackberry cam shots of Reagan posing with her skates on.
Author: Reagan
i really have had a hard time getting into the christmas season this year. november felt like october, and then up until yesterday, december was about 55 degrees. so, it got cold, and even snowed a little yesterday. i know it’s crazy, but i actually like the cold a little bit. i mean, i like the cold in december, but by the end of february i never want to see wool/boots/hats/gloves again. with jake’s help i put up the tree on friday morning, worked on christmas cards for and entire day, started christmas shopping and made a christmas playlist! it goes like this…
~Lady Gaga-Christmas Tree
~Weezer-Christmas Song
~No Doubt-Oi to the world
~Run DMC-Christmas in Hollis
~Elton John-Step into christmas
~Paul McCartney-Wonderful Christmas time
~Bandaid-Feed the world
I know what you are all thinking (and if you are NOT thinking it, you really should be…), Lady Gaga for Christmas? Yes, i know. it’s kind of really terrible. because, the song is not wholesome. She is mixed up on what goes on beneath the mistle-toe, because it is really just supposed to be one kiss. generally, i do not like people like lady gaga. but then i stopped fighting it, because i realized that there is no one like her, not even madonna. she is much more talented and much more mysterious/interesting. Also, i know a few of her friends, so i kind of feel like i know her, even though i dont really at all. so that is what i have to say about her christmas song. not really for the carol singing….lady gaga i love you so much.
on bandaid. jake and i decided we are going to write a christmas song that is all christmas-y and then, bam, you throw in some random current controversy out of no where. we are spending christmas alone, so expect a lot of that type of thing.
on the christmasettes. i have bad news….the christmasettes will not be touring this season. i heard they broke up. (dont fret, this split is not permanent)
*we worked really freaking hard on that routine.
Author: Jake
This is the first year, since Piper has been around, that we have been in town for Thanksgiving weekend. In the past we have spent it in New England with our Boston friends. It was kind of nice, not to be traveling, this year. It was extra nice to be able to see Piper on Thanksgiving. Of course, Reagan whipped up a festive turkey headband for Piper, at the last minute. Piper wasn’t too keen on having it around her head. But she was a good sport for the photo. We had a lot of fun teaching her about why we celebrate the first day that people ate turkey.
Something happened during our visit that was extra fun for me. I finally figured out something that makes Piper laugh. Normally Reagan is the only one that can crack Piper up. But yesterday, when I was holding her. She started tapping me on the mouth, like she does quite often. As she was doing this, I started pretending to eat her fingers. Apparently she thought that was pretty funny, because she started cracking up. Then I started cracking up. Good times had by all.
BTW, Reagan is now officially obsessed with her iPhone, which is where this photo came from. She has an application that renders photos to look like old Polaroids.
Author: Jake
This was our Halloween costume, this year. I’m normally not a person who likes dressing up for the holiday. Since I have been married to Reagan, I have had to defer. I will admit it was a lot of fun, this year. Even though those pants (which actually belong to Reagan) were way too tight, and uncomfortable, I put them on for two nights in a row. Friday night, some of our friends threw a Halloween party, with a bunch of our friends from the neighborhood. It was a lot of fun.
Saturday night, we went to the Weezer masquerade party at the Hammerstein. Weezer came out dressed as insects, hahahaha. I was also able to put up some football stats on Saturday night:
Rivers Cuomo, completed passes: 1 of 1
J. Breinholt, passes recieved: 1 of 1
Rivers decided to throw a football into the crowd during that line in “Pork and Beans.” Thanks to all of the training as a kid (of repeatedly jumping while standing in the middle of a rock show, wearing boots with 2 inch heels), I pulled in Rivers’ pass, with little effort. I wanted to pass it around the crowd, but Reagan snatched it out of my arms before I could. I should also add that she brought that football into the bed with her, when we got home, and cuddled it all night long. Hahahaha.
More photos, if you are interested.
Author: Jake
For halloween, Reagan made Piper into a Garden Fairy. As usual, the costume preparation began months ago. Reagan was watching tutorials on wing building, etc. The photo above is of Piper’s hair being done. We gave her a quick bath, when we first showed up, and then Reagan put her hair straight into perm rods, so the it could dry all curly. See below for the finished product.
Then we had story time, afterward.
We had a lot of fun on Halloween, with Piper. This was the first year that I was able to be there and see her dressed up. It was also fun because Piper’s little friends, the carter girls came up with us. Piper loves it when other kids come to visit her. I think that it really made the difference in Piper’s demeanor on Saturday. When we arrived, she was sleeping. Piper never wakes up on the right side of the bed, hahahah. But even after puking and being suctioned repeatedly, she was still a good sport about letting us mess with her for about 30 minutes while we put on her costume and took pictures. She is such a little sweetie. Reagan and I both loved this shot, of Piper, just bein’ a kid.
Go here if you want to see a butt load of more photos from Piper’s Halloween.
