Movie Night at the Woodhouse's

Recently, we decided to finally take advantage of one of the many free Netflix trial offers that come to us in the mail. While setting up our account online and browsing through the hundreds of movies to choose from, I started to think of some of my all-time favorite movies we used to watch growing up. I have watched all the movies below a million times and could watch them again and again. I may just have to invade my parents' house sometime soon and ask my dad to bring out the old popcorn popper, whip up a batch that's topped with melted butter and salt, and dish it out to my siblings and I in plastic sour cream containers. I love this memory. :) Anyway, if you haven't seen any of these, you are really missing out- and are in for some serious laughter!

1. Harry and the Hendersons.

Whenever Jeff and I take a certain road on our way to the mall, we drive on a 'Harry Henderson' road. Jeff has started to ask me where we are every time we are on it, just because he knows I love to say, "This is the Harry Henderon road" and laugh at myself. This is the kind of road that is a little narrow, and bordered by tree covered rain forrest areas on both sides- one that looks like Harry himself could jump right out in front of you. What a great movie. You will want a Bigfoot for a pet after watching this one..aaw Harry.

2. Mrs. Doubtfire.

This is one of the first movies I made sure Jeff and I had in our collection when we got married. If I have some cleaning to do or need a pick-me-up, this is the one I pop in the DVD player. The funny parts in this movie never get old. When we were little, my brothers and I would sometimes hang out around the dinner table after everyone else had left and end up laughing hysterically about something. Our animated quotes from this movie were the source of that laughter many times. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us prolong the "whose turn for dishes?" conversation with some good fun. I am sitting here giggling thinking of my favorite parts...!

3. Overboard.

Alright. When I finally got Jeff to sit down and watch this with me, he couldn't stop laughing. This was also a favorite that was quoted at the table, and Ty, I have to call you out on this one- my little brother Tyler does by far the best Goldie Hawn impression you have ever heard. I can hear it now, "I got poison oak too!..." You just have to watch it. There has not been a better romantic comedy since!

4. Three Amigos.

"Mount up!" Lucky day, Dusty Bottoms and Ned Nederlander: 3 lovable cowboys! Almost as lovable as El Guapo and his sweater. What a classic.

5. A Christmas Story.

This is perhaps the best of them all. A few years ago my Dad started a holiday tradition of a movie trivia game for all the couples in the family. This was the first year's pick and the award went to Nik and Ryan. Oh and my parents now have a leg lamp just like the one in this picture, courtesy of my sister a couple Christmases ago. (Great job Sis!)

We also loved Back to the Future, The Three Stooges, Flubber, the Home Alone series, The 3 Ninjas and Annie. We are in the middle of movie-watching weather so go grab one of these and laugh a little. :)

Date night at DQ

Since Jeff and I started dating we have learned date night does not have to be huge in order to be memorable and bring us closer. Last night it was getting late, so we decided to keep it simple and head over to Dairy Queen for a blizzard.

This is an especially sweet little date for us because it is one of the first we ever went on. One night in our early dating stages, there was some confusion as to whether or not we had a date set for that night. Nervous and excited, I sent Jeff a text message and of course, he had been thinking about it too. It was a little late that night too, but we were anxious to spend time together, so we headed to the Dairy Queen in Federal Way. This marked the beginning of our mutual appreciation for Reese's blizzards.

I remember each of us got a small one and sat in a booth talking past closing time. (I guess we weren't at the "large blizzard, 2 spoons please" stage yet.) :) The girls working there told us we were welcome to sit and talk while they cleaned up the place- so we did. I love those happy, 'this is the best,' 'I can't stop smiling' feelings you get when you are in a new relationship, and I love that I still get those feelings on our dates now. Of course, we absolutely have our disagreements and not-so-good days like everyone else (but my first thought isn't usually "Ooh, I cannot WAIT to blog about this..."). But we have so much fun together. And I'm grateful for the sweet moments like the few steps and a twirl we danced to Keith Urban in the middle of an empty Dairy Queen last night. -And we are both very grateful for Reese's blizzards. :)

...Love you honey. :)

Turning house into home

There is a certain rush I get strutting down the isles of Lowes with whatever items I went there for. This is probably the carpenter blood I have in me from my amazing Dad (hi Dad!). I just love feeling like I am set, and off to do a project by myself that I can proudly show my hubby when he comes home from work. We have had our fun learning how to do things together, but sometimes I get an itch to do something while he is gone. Oh- there is a commercial that has been playing for Lowes that I absolutely love. It is the one that shows the young couple that just bought their first house and is always calling their parents for advice and help. My favorite part is when she is standing in front of a neon green wall and sobs, "But it's green...I mean REALLY GREEN...!" It makes me laugh. Luckily Jeff and I have not had anything crazy happen like them, but my Dad is always ready, willing and excited to guide us in the right direction.

I have learned since we moved here that decorating....well, it's not a strength of mine. Picking out wall colors and puting the right things on the best walls is darn frustrating. And all the empty space and the large to-do list makes me anxious sometimes. I've been kept awake at night thinking about little things I can do to start making our house feel more like a warm home. I have a few ideas and have realized that it won't happen overnight. So, I'm being easier on myself and have decided to take one thing at a time.

These are a couple of my recent projects. Small, but I am happy with them.

Thank you to Dad for introducing us to a stud-finder and hooking us up with some sweet materials for hanging our heavy bathroom shelf. The color we painted the downstairs bathroom has really grown on me (I was, at first, feeling somewhat similar to the "neon green" girl mentioned above). Finishing that bathroom and getting bar stools are the next couple things on our list. And if you are wondering who those cute people are in the picture frames- they are the pictures that came in the frame. Ours are still getting printed. Ha ha.

Until next time...happy decorating!

Camerota Day

There are people everywhere! Cute little curly haired children with names like Presco and Angelina are running around, Filbertos' Pasta, Meatballs and Lasagna is on the table, the guys are playing Boccie ball out in the backyard and Nonie is running around telling everyone, "EAT, EAT!!" Yep!- It is the annual Labor Day Italian Camerota Family Reunion! (Camerota is Nonie Louise's maiden name.)

This year I think I made major progress in matching names with faces and piecing together the family tree in my head. I had fun getting to know more of the ladies of the family- We chatted in a circle while the guys played football- in which Jeff had some pretty sweet plays! (Give me a J, give me an E....!) Another highlight was being able to feed and rock baby Juliette to sleep. We've got to get us one of those! :) It was a great party!

I snapped my camera a few times during the football game hoping to get a few decent shots. Lots of them were blurry pictures of someone running by. But check this one out- ALL of our Rice guys in one shot!

(From left to Right) Mick. Jeff and Critty had fun with him, I guess it had been a while since they played football with their old man! When they were done I asked Mick, "Did you win?!" He looked at me and said "I survived." (This just popped into my head- I just love those sweaters of his. In the warmth of the Caribbean, he would tie one around his neck. With his blond wavy hair and aviator sunglasses, I told Jeff his Dad looked like such a handsome young buck!) Then there's Giovanni, the Italian pug. He kept up with everyone! Next: Critty. This was his last day before heading back to Portland for school. Last: Jeff.

Yes, this is Nonie and Grandpa's backyard. What a view!

And the night wouldn't have been complete without some of Joanne's famous cupcakes. Amongst them this time: Reese's and Oreo- gourmet style. They looked like $100 and tasted like them too! Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Bummer

It has been one of those days. I am a little hesitant to end my streak of upbeat posts, but hey, we all know these days happen and I think writing about it will help put me at ease.

I went off to work today and on my break saw a few missed phone calls from Jeff, and then I got to the text message: "Someone bashed in our back window". Greeeeaat. Apparently nothing was stolen, the window hadn't even caved in (yet). Someone just felt like breaking a window and ruining our day. I hate to say it, but it did indeed. So, I spent the rest of the day making a plastic window, vacuuming up glass, and figuring out things with insurance while Jeff was off making some $ for us. Much worse things have happened to people in the world today, i know, so I can't complain for too long. So that I can steer away from these negative thoughts, here are a few positives:

1. I am really looking forward to having a girls trip with my Mom and good friend Katie at the end of the month. We are going to General Conference in Salt Lake. I can't wait to be there. Just thinking of sitting in the Conference center, listening to the music and the speakers brings joy to my heart. I love listening for what my Savior has to teach me. It is one of the greatest places on earth. :)

2. I LOVE Fall and am so excited it is here! I am so happy to lay in my bed reading when it is cold and pouring rain outside. Jeff's season is summer, and fall is mine. This is my happy, all is well weather. Bring on the cozy sweaters, pumpkins and movie nights under blankets!

I just heard Jeff pull up. Here's to a better day tomorrow!

HAVING FUN... at any age

At one point while spending an evening with my Dad last night, he said, "Linds- funwise, I really don't feel my age!" And I am so glad. These pictures from Oliver's 1st birthday party show it too. Hey, someone had to show Oliver how it's done! I love my oh-so-fun parents!

Proud parents Ryan and Nikki with the Birthday boy Oliver!

Danny, Jess, Reece, Maddy, and Taylor.

(All photos in this post courtesy of my Sister Nikki and her fab photography skills. Thanks Nik!)

More about last night-(Because these fun nights need to be remembered!). Jeff's big birthday present this year was some new golf clubs. He got to use them last night at Northshore with his Brother and Dad. This time I actually had the day off and was able to drive up with Jeff so I stuck around and walked a few holes with the guys. Jeff decided after he parred the first hole that I was good luck. Awesome! So he let me putt the ball in the second hole. After trying to tee off at the third hole and whiffing it three times in a row, I decided I had had enough golf for one day and headed off to my Parents'. The boys and Mom were at work so me and Dad got some quality Daddy-Daughter time in. We went to QFC, got some stuff for a salad and of course, chocolate ice cream to go with our brownies at home. Yum, Yum. We talked and talked and then watched some TV before Dad headed to bed since he had to work early the next morning. That left me sitting on the couch by myself. I felt like a teenager again, like I was going to head up to my bedroom soon and go to sleep too! I love, love, love that house and all the memories there. Thanks Dad!

Gio the Pug

(Oh that face!)

Alright- the Rice family had a lot of fun this week. Mom and Critty went to the US Open in New York, saw Federer and Nadal in person, saw the sights. Lucky. Joanna MOVED to New York to room with a friend and embark on some new adventures. And since Dad is not home enough to take the puppy out- guess who got to watch him?! YEAH! US! If you can't tell, we are pretty excited to have been able to do this. We are actually pretty bummed that as I am typing this, Mom and Critty are on their way to come pick up the sweet pooch.

I have never had a dog so I had no idea I would have so much fun. (That was of course after I got over the initial shock of picking up doggy poo. I think I walked in the house after the first time and said to Jeff "that was foul.") Jeff on the other hand grew up with a pug. Jeff always thought Gio was a wild dog but those two guys bonded this week. Jeff has come to the conclusion that he is a sweet puppy that just really loves people. Here are some memories of our week with Gio:

1. Gio barking at something outside just as I went for a bite of my egg sandwich. Eggs flew. I have never scrambled to pick something up quite as fast.

2. Turning into our neighborhood late at night after work to see Jeff running around with a leash in his hand. I looked ahead of him to find a prancing pug that looked so happy and free. He had escaped! (Don't worry, he jumped right into my car!)

3. When either of us were tired and went to lay down for a nap...Gio seemed to be tired and ready for a nap too...he was always at our feet, and SUPER excited to see us when we got home.

4. We took him to my Nephews first birthday party. He saw some of the guys playing with a hacky sack and wanted in on the fun. He took it and again, pranced around the backyard. Then later he tried to get the Doberman to play with him. Sweet Max wasn't really in the mood. This Puppy had no care in the world- even when a dog 5 times his size was chasing after him and growling. (We are starting to sound like terrible puppy sitters!) P.S. Max is normally the most gentle dog on the planet. Poor Dog was just in a bad mood because he was dealing with a bad cat scratch and his paw was wrapped up in a sock to keep him from scratching.- Love you Max!

5. Checking Email, blogging and reading my scriptures at night with a sleeping Pup on my lap.

We will miss those big brown eyes and nightly cuddles! But we will still get to see him all the time so its okay. Thanks for letting us watch Mr. Gio!