long winter's nap

the holidays are for lounging, resting and relaxing right?

that's what mowgli seems to think.

but, we don't mind one bit, because our exhausted school brains

and sore ballet muscles are accepting every ounce of rest they can get. 

mowgli met so many people at lovebird's family's christmas party-

it took the energy right out of him.

he managed to crash right in front of the christmas tree, 

not minding the big red bow we tied on him.

he was in for a long winter's nap.

it's a tuff life, when you are the center of attention-

having everyone awing over your cuteness,

petting you at every chance and playing with you endlessly.

he is certinaly spoiled.

i'm not sure lovebird and i can give him nearly as much love, 

 as all of his adoring fans, friends and family are giving him, 

when we go back home.

a few things are for certain:

we love mowgli, christmastime and long winter naps. 

oh, and mowgli has decided this is his favorite time of year too-

he can't seem to get enough of the snow.

in between his naps, he joyfully pounces in the snow.

it's like pulling teeth to get him to come back inside. 

obviously, we are all completely satisfied with how this christmas break is going.

hope you enjoy your last day of 2012!

see you in the new year!

xoxo

things of today.

today:

i hate goodbyes. 

{saying goodbye to my parents is always the hardest thing.}

i'm going to sip on a warm drink.

i'm planning on a big cuddle session with my pup.

i'm wearing this pair of boots.

{boots: one of my favorite perks to fall's weather.}

i'm missing crew. a lot. 

i'd give anything to sleep in.

i'm longing for a pair of polka dot tights. 

i'm dreading going to school. {this is very unlike me.}

my nails are nail polish-less. this is rare, i tell you. 

i'm hungry for a good book.

i'd hang out with her, if we lived in the same state. 

i'm in love with lovebird. 

{but technically that's every day, not just today.}

i'm oh-so tired. 

i could spend the rest of my life in this beautiful season. 

i'm thankful for my parents. 

{mom & dad: thank you for this incredible week - and for all you did for us. i love you.} 

what's your today?

happy friday, by the way. 

xoxo

outweighing tiredness.

ah! a whole week has come and gone,

and i only managed to post a couple of times.

life was awfully crazy this past week.

we, as ballerina's call it: "theater week."

meaning, we live at the theater for the week.

nothing but dress rehearsals, make-up and tiredness. 

i debated moving an air mattress into my dressing room-

i was that tired at the end of each night.

{which explains the lack of blog posts. ops!}

on top of many hours at the theater,

being a mum to our new pup was quite tiring in itself.

if i wasn't out walking him or playing with him,

i was spending all my minutes thinking about {and adoring} him.

or... worried that he was okay in his kennel all alone at home.

puppies are the best thing in the world- hands down.

but, they do take tiredness to a new level. 

lastly, on top of all of that, my parents came into town on thursday.

it's always the biggest treat when they visit.

they met their first grandson {aka our pup},

went to my performance {they've always been my number one fans},

and we all enjoyed a day in gorgeous yosemite.

it was a week to remember.

nothing beats the thrill of performing,

hugs from your parents {who live too far away},

and cuddling a ball of soft puppy fur. 

every ounce of tiredness was forgotten thanks to these great things.

happiness is love, life and family.

{and of course- husbands, ballet and puppies.}

hope you had a lovely weekend.

i'll be catching up {on lots} of your fun posts from last week.

xoxo

{picture above: courtesy of milano photography}

drum roll, please.....

just like that.... we became a family of three.

obviously, we are elated and totally in love.

he's stolen both of our hearts already. 

i'd reveal his name... but, i think i'll wait until monday to do that.

{we are pretty sure we've picked it, but we'll make our final decision this weekend.}

as a side note for our future little ones {as in kids, not pups} to read:

this is a big day in the history of the stice's.

lovebird agreeing to a dog is a big deal;

just ask anyone who knows him.

i knew i could soften lovebird's heart and convince him that we "needed" one.

however, i'm not sure i did the convincing.

i think our new pup convinced him in just the last 24 hours. 

our pup has lovebird wrapped around his little finger paw. 

we're happy he is ours to keep forever.

we can't wait for all the future adventures and memories with this little guy.  

happy friday, indeed.

plans for the weekend...?

nothing but playing with our new pup.

i mean just look at that face,

how could we not?

hope your weekend is lovely as well.

your always welcome to come over and play with us.

just bring a doggy treat, and i'm sure our pup will invite you right in.

xoxo

fly me home.

i felt like i was shot out of a cannon this weekend.

i jumped on a plane {way too early in the morning},

finally landed in the beautiful city of salt. {aka: salt lake city},

raced to special events, such as ballet performances and baby blessings.

then finished the weekend off with my lovely parents on the couch.

sundays are the best, especially at home. 

i hope you had a lovely weekend,

minus the feeling of being shot out of a cannon. 

xoxo

recap through pictures.

my mom's visit through the eyes of my instragram. 

 the week with my mom went a little like this:

{in no paticular order}

1.the two of us in our matching ray bans. 

thank goodness we live in two different states. 

2.ranuculous flowers. simply my favorite.

thank you walnut creek, for planting them everywhere.

3.mini diet cokes. or rather the perfect size.

what could be better? 

4.just my mom, "being a little midge."

inside joke between our little family.

5.mac lip stick. i could never have too many shades.

6.a delicious pick me up during our eight hour shopping streak.

7.yesterday's books: a used bookstore here in town.

aka: my mom's second home on earth. {arguably her favorite home.}

8.we were on a quite the search for the "perfect" purse this week. 

i fell in love with this one. {my birthday is coming up. hint hint.}

9.not-even-a-day-old kitty.

i about died. if only i could convince lovebird we needed him. 

10.the most delicious artichokes for easter dinner.

as sick as he was, even lovebird snarfed one down. they were that good. 

well, that's a wrap.

it was a lovely trip and now it's back to reality...

which, thankfully it's still spring break! 

xoxo

instragram user name: eleasejane 

a little "midge" is coming to visit.

{adorable wreath my cute mom made and sent me for easter}

happy weekend.

{and happy spring break to me}

today is a quick post due to two things:

1. i woke up with lovebird's sickness. 

2. my dear mother is flying into visit us today.

{a very last minute decision.}

can you say awesome?

what a perfect way to start spring break:

sick and in the arms of a mother. my mother. 

surprisingly, i'm not joking.

this is a dream come true for me. {okay fine, minus the sick part.}

now, if i can just boot the sickness by easter that will be perfect! 

please send happy and healthy thoughts my way,

as i will send them back to you.

xoxo

goodbye, elder.

goodbye to you.

this goodbye was a hard one.

by far the hardest one i've experienced in life so far. 

it's not forever, but two years is forever to me.

you are my best friend.

you mean the world to me.

i am happy for you.

i am praying for your strength, courage, and safety.

i miss you already and it's only been five days.

{725 more to go.}

you'll be an incredible missionary.

the people of mexico will just adore you.

you'll be missed at home, dearly.

but, you are in the right place doing the right thing.

we all love you.

thank goodness for your cute friends waiting at the curb to embrace you.

they helped my goodbye end with a smile and 

gave me the comfort to know you'd be perfectly alright in this new chapter of your life.

p.s. i miss our little texting convo's, but i'm looking forward to exchanging letters. 

i know from experience, letters helps your love grow.

airport post.

what a weekend.

it started off with performances of rat pack. 

 i then hopped on a plane to fly home, 

"hosted"a party, 

made a drastic change,

{you'll see after i show lovebird tonight.}

said a big goodbye to my best friend in life,

and am now waiting patiently to get back home to my lover.

i can't wait to get home.

but, i'm certainly sad to leave my family and home.

i have lots of pictures and events to catch you up on.

please be patient with me

because i also have lots of homework and studying to catch up on.

{which, unfortunately has to take priority.}

until then, enjoy the little tidbits of my trip from the pictures above.

i promise to be a "good" little blogger and post the details soon.

i hope you are having a happy wednesday!

it's snowing {more like 'dumping'} here. 

i'm so happy i got to experience a little snow storm 

before i head back to sunny california. 

xoxo

birthday boy.

happy birthday!

you're 19. let's parrrtaaaay!

half of me says you're still a baby. and the other half says you're an old man. 

where has all the time gone?

{you know, when we used to be this big.}

you leave for your mission in exactly 18 days. craaaaazy. 

i'm already panicking over missing you too much, anticipating awesome letters from you,

and expecting you to be a strong cookie out there.

"you're my favorite brother."

{well, at least today you are.}

i love you dearly.

you are my best friend, and will be till' i die. 

i hope you have a happy birthday.

full of cake and ice cream, 19 spanks, and a party with those you love. 

p.s. feliz cumpleaños. 

cheers to a new year!

{last pictures taken of us in 2011.}

i am not the biggest fan of new years eve.

you can call me scrooge. i don't mind.

the two best things about the holiday are:

1. wearing all things that glitter and sparkle.

2. eating delicious food.

don't get me wrong...

 the countdown to midnight, the kiss triggered by the strike of a clock,

 the fireworks and the lovely friends and family 

we find celebrating with are oh so great. 

but..... there is something that just doesn't click for me.

i sometimes think ordering in chinese food, snuggling on the couch

while just the two of us countdown and ring in the new year would 

make me fall in love with the holiday.

that being said, we did have a fun time last night.

it was spent with family up in park city and midway.

we ate lots of yummy {and expensive} food.

we laughed until we were blue in the face.

we cheered on the utes in the bowl game.

we raced down to celebrate midnight with dear friends.

and we came home to fall asleep talking about things in 2012.

two.thousand.and.twelve.

it's here already. 

we've quickly said goodbye to 2011.

funny how that happens.

it was a year full of all good things.

{staring school for me. new job for lovebird. house guest for a month. trips home to utah. friends tied the knot. more friends engaged. contract with cwb. holidays. visits from family. our one year anniversary. romantic getaway to monterey. got a piano. moved apartments. straight a's. lovebird's quarter of a century birthday. made new, and now close, friends. lovebird tore his cal and got surgery. crew going through the temple; crew getting his mission call. many day trips to our city: san francisco. new church callings. and the list goes on.}

we fell in love all over again in 2011.

and plan on doing just that in 2012.

365 days: so much to do, see, explore and feel.

we are anxiously awaiting everything that comes our way

whether by choice or by fate. 

happy 2012.

cheers to the new year! 

santa claus

santa was a genius this year.

he was efficient, thoughtful, creative and generous.

his little idea was awfully awesome:

"something you want."

"something you need."

"something to wear."

 "something to read."

want: vintage rayband sunglasses.

{can't go wrong with a pair of sunglasses}

need: new scriptures.

 {bigger size upon request. and with my married name}

wear: a few items i've had my eyes on.

{leggings and colored jeans}

read: to kill a mocking bird. 

{50th anniversary this year}

it has been a lovely christmas here in utah.

we have been busily visiting family and places in our "old" city.

i'm sorry for the hiatus in blog posting.

i guess that's what happens when you are distracted by family and friends. 

we are here for a few more days,

so i'm not making any promises on posting until i get back to california.

i will do my best.

i hope you all had a magical christmas.

xoxo

playing catchup.

is it weird that i feel guilty when i don't post something for a couple of days?

i wish neglecting the blog wasn't a result of life being so busy.

however, being busy for the holidays is something i truly love.

the hustle and the bustle of it all.

running here and there. wrapping this and that. going from party to party.

this weekend {and now week} has been crazy busy.

we spent a beautiful day in san francisco eating seafood, walking, shopping 

and exploring the crazy city with my family.

last night we hosted a little christmas party for my friends from my ballet company.

we did a little {white elephant} gift exchange.

we ate homemade lasagna and yummy goodies all while playing apples to apples.

and lastly, we visited one of our favorite families who just had baby #4.

we are so happy for them. congrats tui's! 

due to the"big event", we lucked out and got to babysit the three other kiddos.

who we try to steal and call them our own.

{i'll post pictures soon amongst getting approval}

after all the business that the holidays bring in,

lovebird and i find ourself cozying up next to our christmas tree and a fire...

sitting for more than five minutes on the couch. it's a miracle, i tell you. 

"say cheese"

life as a ballerina, according to my phone:

{here are lots of pictures from the weekend of performances}

sorry for the lack of posts this weekend.

i've been a tad bit busy with performing, family in town and finals.

so for now, pictures will have to do. 

nutcracker has come and gone already. crazy.  

i hope you had a lovely weekend full of christmas parties and peppermint goodies. 

we {my family and us lovebirds} are headed to san francisco tomorrow.

crewser's first trip there. any suggestions out there? what to show him in one day...?

{happy holidays}

can you believe christmas is in one week from today?

i can't. however, i'm greatly anticipating being home for the holidays. 

summertime is a busy time.

it's been a busy summer.

which is a complete understatement.

working like a crazy women.

road trips and visits home.

weddings galore.

  housesitting three houses at the same time.

lovebird's surgery, 'sytycd' parties, keeping up on cleaning.

days at the pool, dates with friends, and teaching piano.

which makes our long summer days seem short.

which makes our summer months pass by too quickly.

which also means fall is around the corner. literally.

lovebird and i went "home" to salt lake for a couple weeks.

we had a blast. enjoyed our visit with loved ones. and ate far too much.

here's to seeing those we miss and love...

cute cousin patsy.

isn't she adorable?

{and yes patsy, you made it on the blog ;)}

more pictures to come, as soon as i can run away from

the business of life and sit down with enough time to download photos

and write up a post to do our trip justice.

love you all. sorry for being too busy to neglect this blog world.

light me up

hello. happy friday.

it's been a busy one over in this neck of the woods.

my biggest brother is in town, which leaves no time for blogging.

only time for: movies, eating (far too much), trips to san fran, and....

hanging our patio lights. 

{since lovebird is a gimp at the moment, a brother's help was well needed}

 i hope you had a lovely day.

i'm off to bed early tonight, resting up for a long day spent in the city.

farmers markets, golden gate park, thrift stores, yummy food, lots of walking,

pictures, paying too much for parking, union square,

more walking, and fisherman's wharf...

here we come!

creations

wowzer! i am breathing. i'm shocked that i'm still alive.

my body kills due to soreness and the fact i haven't had a day off of dance 

in who knows how long... until now. and because of that, i am so grateful to
be sitting here, doing absolutely nothing. 

pure joy, my fiends.

don't get me wrong, i love dance. but i was in need of a break. 

the weekend was great.

my family came into town for my shows. oh, how i love them.

it was nice to have them in the audience,

but even nicer to just spend time with them.

we had a wonderful weekend. lots of eating, sprucing up my home,

shopping and of course dancing.

my little home seems so empty now that they are back home again.

like the stinker that i am, i forgot to whip out my camera and take pictures.

i am an idiot. and i'm already regretting it. 

however, thanks to some other peeps, here are a few shots from the shows.

 {pictures by bicek photography and milano photography}

lovely weekend, to say the least.

and now that it's over, i will have time to blog again. yay.

bottom line....

i love my family, adore my husband and am going to cherish every

minute of my break. my body needs it. 

peace. 

family spells christmas

i had a moment today.

in fact, a very uplifting one.

today, as i sat the table for my family of eight for Christmas eve dinner

i realized at that very moment that those were the most 

important people in my life.

family.

i am so lucky to be able to spend the holidays with my dearest family.

i am much anticipating their company.

my heart aches to those that aren't as fortunate to look across the dinner table

and know that they have a family who loves them with all of their heart. 

i certainly consider this one of my richest blessings.

my heart also aches for the homeless, the needy, the orphans and those

lonely souls out there at this time.

i wish with my whole heart, that there was something great enough that i could do 

to replicate what a home and family feels like.

i know this may be deep.

but i had to "record" my uplifting moment of the day.

it was too important to go unnoticed. 

please cherish your family as you have a lovely Christmas.