Where has the dating gone?

Yes, I know we're not married yet and already the dates have sorta disappeared. Not entirely, i've just managed to turn them into something productive so we don't cut in to our precious "wedding planning" time. Now, Kiel and my dates consist of registering at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond, picking out wedding bands (this is a future date, prob. next week), going to subway after getting our marriage liscense oh and Kiel's favorite, painting my room before I moved out of my, now, old apartment (after 2 hours he begged for us to go). Mind you these are all on his days off since we don't see each other otherwise. Dont get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I actually enjoy all of these things and no matter what we are doing we are always laughing!

Here is a list of my top 5 favorite dates with Kiel, when things were a little less productive and a little more romantic:

5. Location: Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

Activity: Getting pizza at CPK's. Driving in the ritzy neighborhoods and checking out the huge mansions, we probably saw a few celebrity homes but I don't know whose. Then we stopped at Beverly Hills Park to take a stroll around the beautiful fountain.

Cost: $ for pizza, $ for gas, pretending that you live in those huge mansions...priceless!
Total: $$

4. Location: The Grove

Activity: We went to The Grove during Christmas time. I had been asking for weeks to go because I heard that it snowed every night at 7pm during the holiday season (yes it's fake, but only in LA would they have a scheduled time for snow.). This place is the cutest place during the holidays, they have a giant Christmas tree, Santa's house, a fountain that puts on a water show and lights everywhere. After exploring the place we ate at The Cheese Cake Factory and had the most amazing peppermint cheesecake for dessert. I've been back four times since (to the grove, not the cheese cake factory). A really fun date!

Cost: $$ for dinner, getting to dance around in fake snow, priceless
Total: $$

3. Location: Bask n' Robbins, and the church parking lot in WC

Activity: To be honest, I can't completely remember where we were coming back from but it was probably ice cream since we like it so much. Anyway, Kiel whipped a romantic idea right out of his sleave and instead of heading to where I lived at the time, he drove to the church parking lot, arranged for his mp3 player (or whatever it was) to play "Hanging by the moment" by Lifehouse and another song, I think by incubus and then asked me to dance. So we did, just us and the stars. I know, can we say...Awwwww!

Cost: $ for icecream, seeing how romantic your boyfriend can be on a whim...priceless

Total: $

2. Location(s): Yoshi's, Pizza across from yoshi's, Yoshi's and Barnes & Nobles

Activity: Our very first date ever!

Kiel took me to Yoshi's Jazz and Japanese food restaurant in Oakland for our first date. We bought tickets for the Jazz show and then went across the street to eat at this amazing pizza place that served deep dish pizza. We each had our own mini pizza (that was a time when I could finish all of my food.) it was so good, I think I had garlic chicken. Anyway afterwards we went back to Yoshi's and watched the show. I don't know much about music, but I think the band was pretty good. Afterwards we walked to Barnes & Nobles and looked at books. That was probably my favorite thing about the whole date, you can really learn alot from someone from there book choices. I learned that Kiel was obsessed with cars. He new every make and model in this car book without having to turn the page. Afterwards he dropped me off at my house and even though the date was going on 5 hours long, I invited him to watch some t.v. while he waited for his sister to get off of work at Apple bees. We watched Laguna Beach, and since I am such a reality t.v. junkie, it was a perfect way to end a perfect date!

Cost: $$ for dinner, $$ for tickets, connecting with someone on the first date, priceless!

Total: $$$$

And of course the number 1 date, would be the night he proposed....

Location: Cafe Pierre, Manhattan Beach pier

Activity: Kiel made reservations at Cafe Pierre and we had a wonderful dinner. It was so good and the ambiance was perfect! After dinner we walked around the pier and rested at a bench overlooking the ocean. When Kiel was sure that no one was around he popped the question and pulled out a beautiful ring to "seal the deal." It was the best date ever!

Cost: $$$ for dinner, $$$$$$$$$ for the ring, watching a man squirm in his pants all evening, priceless
Total: $$$$$$$$$$$$$

Skin Care Anyone?

I have a new job and once a month they let us order any skin care item we sell for free, I also get a 50% discount on any dermstore.com brands. So family and friends check out the links below and let me know what you would like. If you need any suggestions, I can help (I have become quite the skin expert!).

Tip to staying young forever: Make SPF 30 your BEST friend and not just in the morning, re-apply through out the day.

http://www.iqderma.com/
http://www.dermstore.com/

I Got Nothin'

I have nothing to complain about, check out the view from my balcony.

and if you want to be even closer, just take a walk down to the pier and you will be able to see this

Life is sweet!

I need to make an announcement

Kiel and I just signed an 8 month lease to Ocean Club apartments in Redondo Beach and I can't wait until we live there together in just a little over two months!

Soon it will no longer be yours and mine but just OURS!

As most of you know and those who don't won't find out by reading this but I'm blogging about it anyway...Kiel and I are engaged! Can I get a big Woo Hoo!?! Lately my life has been busy with all of the things engaged couples do; getting to know each other's families, wedding planning, registering, getting a marriage license, engagement pics and trying to find a place to rent that will take a big fat 100lb dog. I just want to list a few of my favorite memories about this journey so far...

Here is what people said when I sent out an email with an attachment of the RING:

"Well Done! A true conquest for the both of you. Now the real fun begins...planning the parties...the dress!!! I'm here for you!!! We will talk soon. Until then, hugs and kisses to you both. Congrats!"
Monica

"OMG!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BEAUTIFUL! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH AND CAN'T WAIT TO TALK.ENJOY THIS TIME AND BE IN THE MOMENT.ANY HELP YOU NEED, I AM HERE :)XXOO"
Therese

"Beautiful! Congratulations!!!
- Lisa

"CONGRATULATIONS!!!"
-Marcie

"Honey, the ring is GORGEOUS!! I am so happy for you I don't even have the words. Can't wait to talk to you today. Can you believe you have that big rock on your hand and you are ENGAGED! Finally, haha! I love you, Congrats, this is the start of YOUR life! Enjoy these next few months till the wedding - they are going to be the most fun you've ever had - until your wedding night of course. Yee haw!!!! xoxo"
-Sunni

"Congratulations, kiddo! I'm happy for you!!!! Nice rock!"
Keri

"Holy cow that's pretty! Congratulations! When do we get to see it in person?"
Karen

The most popular comment amongst most of our friends is "you two are going to make gorgeous babies" I just got a note from the temple and in it Sister Aaron wrote "p.s., you two are going to have beautiful children" Aww! the pressure, but I am confident we won't disappoint! I mean look at him...

Isn't he adorable?

Anyway enough about that! Kiel and I got our marriage license and it was a lot of fun. Here we are signing the paper work!

We also took engagement pictures, I will post some of those later. I want to thank our photographer Sarah Krause, it was so much fun! Yesterday we started registering, I doubt Kiel had as much fun as I did but it was still a blast! Did you know that there is a systematic way to register? According to Kiel, zig zagging around the store and scanning things is not the most efficient way of doing things. I agree, but trying to bring order to MY chaos and to get me to decide on what dinner plates to choose is a lot harder than it looks!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Kiel and I had the most romantic valentines ever post a very busy week in the East Bay. The highlight of the week for me was getting our marriage license and taking engagement pics.

Kiel, signing his old life away ;-)

Love day was spent mostly in the car as we drove back from the East Bay to Los Angeles. The drive consisted of great conversation, Britney Spears music and few stops at the gas station.

When we finally arrived in Los Angeles, we decided to watch T.V. but it turned into major nap time. We were both really tired and Kiel had to work that night. When we woke up we decided to go eat at my favorite fast food place, Arby's. There is an Arby's a few blocks down from where I live, I usually go through the drive thru, but since it was Valentine's day and Kiel doesn't like food in his car we decided to dine in. If it wasn't for the two bums in the restaurant the place would have been empty. Oh well, I ordered my favorite thing on the menu and we sat down and ate. Kiel got hustled for 6bucks from one of the bums who just bought a small drink and kept the rest for a rainy day and then we got out of there. It probably wasn't the most romantic evening but it made for a good memory that I will remember forever.

Our first Valentines together!

Because it's Love Month

WARNING

i believe holidays should have a month of celebration! That is why I celebrate my birth for a whole month ;-) It is also why my blogs for the month of February will be themed and the subject is L.O.V.E. so get over it all ready ;-)

Happy Love Month Everyone!