We Joined The Circus For The Day {Trapeze Adventure}

I thought it would be fun do something daring for my Mom's birthday this year. We were driving around town one day and we saw a circus trapeze near our local fair grounds. My mom said "Oh that looks like so much fun! Sign me up!" So I did. Was she bluffing? Nope. I got two lessons...one for me and one for Mom. We even invited my 70 year old step-grandmother. How awesome is that!? 3 generations joining the circus for the day. We loved it. Next comes sky diving.

^^^ Me learning how to catch. I got it on my first try {sorry I had to brag}

^^^^^^ Our hubby's came to watch us. Dan, Dad and Grandpa.

^^^They even let Daniel give it a whirl. What a trooper...and he's afraid of heights! He did a back-flip on his first try!

^^^Bette on her 70th Birthday! No that's how you do life! And below, My fearless Mom on her back-flip! All smiles. She amazes me.

What a fun day! Here's a little clip of my first time catching^^^

Life Lately According to Instagram

So much has happened in the past few months! I wish I could keep up with all these posts! Here is what we've been up to lately. Follow along on instagram if your heart desires.

@abitofbeesknees 

on Instagram

~ Early morning Espresso con panna pick-me-ups. Dan and I love our espresso maker

~ I made some white ceramic branch spoons!

~ Diggin' my new wax stamp.

~ Enjoying our CA winter with some mango smoothies in the backyard...sorry North East.

~ Shenanigans at our friends wedding

~ Mom's tea roses and dragon fruit from our favorite Asian Market.

~ Hiking in Idyllwild and surfing in San O

~ A cooking class and the soco farmers market

~ Our new favorite breakfast recipe {eggs over sauteed kale, caramelized onions and sausage}

~ Avocado honey. Yum.

~ Cortaditos and beach camping

~ Rosemary cranberry skewers and painting with Mom

50 Ways to Celebrate Life

 

 

1. Surround yourself with positive people.

 

2. Get involved in a charity or volunteer work. Do something good for your community.

 

3. Breathe deeply. Deep, slow belly breaths are good for reducing stress levels. 

 

4. Eat healthy foods. Your body will thank you immensely!

5. Laugh, laugh, laugh every day!

6. Dance! Turn up the tunes and shake it!

 

7. Have a yard sale. Declutter your home while making some money or you can also donate it!

8. Redecorate a room. Change can be a good thing, even if it’s just rearranging the furniture.

9. Go to your local farmers market for fresh produce. Support your local farmers.

10. Go out to dinner with friends and try new exotic cuisines.

11. Indulge in a piece of dark chocolate cake and cup of coffee while watching your favorite show, reading a book or sitting on the porch etc.

12. Travel as often a possible. See new places and learn about different cultures. Be humble and open to different ways of life when visiting other countries.

13. Take a slow walk with someone you love. Hold their hand.

14. Grow your own garden. Plant flowers, fruits, veggies and herbs that you like to smell and eat!

15. Clean the house while listening to your favorite music. It’s nice to feel organized.

16. Treat yourself to an item that you’ve been wanting for a long time. You’re worth it…you work hard. It’s ok to get something nice for yourself once in a while.

17. Spend time with your family.

18. Play a classic board game ex: Monopoly, Pictionary or Scrabble. Have a game night with your family and friends.

19. Drink red wine…one glass a day is great for your heart

20. Go on a date with your spouse, bf/gf or a lovely friend.

21. Write your letters by hand -- it's becoming a lost art and handwritten letters are beautiful and personal. Someone will definitely cherish your effort.

22. Learn something new {outside of your box}…Latin Dance, Trapeze or Karate. It may just be the greatest thing ever!

23. Keep a journal. Write down your thoughts, ideas or feelings.

24. Go for a bike ride. Bring picnic supplies.

25. If you’re tired, take a nap. You need it.

26. Exercise and establish healthy habits.

27. Take a mental health day.

28. Sleep in on the weekends. If you have little ones, take turns with your spouse. “You take Saturday, I’ll take Sunday.”

29. Get a massage, take care of your body…it's got to last you a lifetime J

30. Wear sunscreen, protect your beautiful skin!

31. Literally "smell the roses" when you take a walk. Enjoy them.

32. Have a technology-free day, weekend, or week {this is a hard one}. Go and spend a day outside at the beach, hiking, riding bikes etc.

33. Spend quality alone-time with yourself.

34. Call someone just to tell them how much you love them.

35. Snuggle and kiss babies as often as possible.

36. Have a spontaneous day. No schedules allowed. Follow your heart.

37. Reminisce with friends over old pictures.

38. Stay in your PJ’s all day.

39. Smile more.

40. Read a book. A real book. With pages.

41. Close your eyes, get in a quiet space and meditate, pray or reflect on your day and the people you love.

42. Once in a while be sure to take a leap - a big giant leap- do something that’s scary and watch how life supports you! You’ll never what will happen if you’re too afraid to make a move.

43. Write love notes.

44. Tune into the fact that there is only one you and you are here for a special reason. Leave every place better than you found it.

45. Do something nice for someone else. Share your gifts.

46. Forgive. Grudges weigh on your heart…life is too precious to spend it unhappy

47. Host a party and cook an outrageous meal to share with the people you love.

48. Give long hugs.

49. Follow the path that matters most. What makes you happy? If you're happy, the people around you will be happy too. 

50. Be grateful for EVERYTHING that has been brought into your life. Even challenging times can shape us into stronger, wiser people.

Picture:art

Our Wedding

I can't believe it's been one year since we said "I do". Thank you for being the greatest husband I could ever imagine. Being married to you has been the best year yet. You make my heart melt every day. We have so many exciting years to come. I am thankful for every moment we have together and I look forward to experiencing all that life will bring our way. I'll love you forever Danny. Cheers to our 1st year! Here's our story and some pictures from when we first fell in L-O-V-E!

To all of you who read A Bit Of Bees Knees, this past year has been a busy one... we got married, honeymooned in Europe {awww so amazing}, settled into our little rental house, tore down our own house and started building 2, I traveled to Israel, switched jobs from nannying to manufacturing medical devices {how does that happen?} and tried to find time to write in-between the craziness. We were so busy that I never found time to share pictures from our wedding or honeymoon! Here are some of our favorite moments from our wedding day. We hope to share  some pictures from our honeymoon in the months to come...10 countries and 17 cities in 30 days! We've got pictures galore! What a wonderful year. We have so much to be thankful for.

{My lovely Bridesmaids}

My bridesmaids arrived at my parents home for makeup and hair at 6:00AM! Wow that was early, but we used every bit of time. My Dad made us breakfast and a few of our groomsmen surprised us with coffee...how sweet was that!? These girls are my support system. They make my day. I've known some of them since I was 3 years old! I can count on them for anything. I love these ladies.

{A pile of bridal essentials!}

Makeup, camera, cellphone and chargers, garter, perfume, letter for the Pastor and Wedding Planner, sunglasses, Family Bible with fake rings for the Ring Bearer, signs for pictures, fancy wedding shoes and my ballet flats for some seriously groovy dancing. Check and Check! 

{My Dress}

My Mom, Grandma and bridesmaids helped me get ready.

{The Studly Groomsmen}

Meanwhile, the guys got suited-up at our little house. Apparently they only needed 30 minutes to get ready. I heard there was a lot of relaxing, video games and food involved. Nice.

{It's almost time!}

  

{Here we go!}

{Bring on the tears!}

I was so excited that my heart felt like it was going to explode. I had waited for this exact moment for so long and it was finally happening! Many brides had told me that they didn't remember walking down the aisle -- they were so excited and nervous that it all seemed foggy when they tried to remember details. I used the last 3 minutes before I walked down the aisle to pray. I wanted to collect my thoughts and be thankful for all those years that had led up to this special moment. I wanted to remember every detail; the way Danny looked at me, all our friends and family in the church and holding on to my Dads arm. I wanted to be present. And I was. It was a really beautiful moment. Sure, I was crying...and it wasn't the pretty kind either {it involved chin quivering and a red face}, but I wouldn't have changed it for anything.

{Our First Look}

 {We do!}

 {The whole crew}

All the littles in our wedding were kids that I have nannied over the years. I love these babies!

{While we were taking pictures, our guests were at the cocktail hour}

So many neighbors, friends and family helped decorate our wedding. It was a team effort!

{My Mom used baby pictures of Daniel and me on our table numbers. Too Cute Mom.} 

{Getting ready to make our entrance with our wedding party}

{Our First Dance and Mother Son and Father Daughter Dance}

{Our beautiful cake made by a beautiful friend}

{White Sangria and Tea}

{Cutting the cake! Proceeded by smashing the cake into each others face. Real classy. But that's how we roll...we try not to take life too seriously}

{I made wooden silhouettes of us on the band saw. They came in handy as décor  for our wedding table}

{We made an horsd'oeuvres display with the picnic basket that Dan used when he proposed to me.}

{And we used my late Grandparents military suitcases as a card box and placed a picture of them next to the table}

{Some of our funny friends and family}

 

{Time to dance!}

{Someone looks really happy}

{Some of my sassy nanny babies on the dance floor}

{Bouquet toss!}

 {Too much fun}

{The Garter Toss!}

Photography: Dennis Tom | Invitations: Christina Pecora | Church: St. Andrews Presbyterian Church  | Venue: The Oasis Center | Catering: Stonefire Grill |  Cake: Katie Wahrenbrock  |  Floral Design: "Flowers by Becky" and my neighbor Ernesto | Linens & China: Baker Party Rentals | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero {Beatrice} | Veil: Handmade by my Aunt Cheryl Ohlhaver | Tux Rentals: Friar Tux |  Hair & Makeup: Kenya Haynes   |Videography: Riley Hayes, Connor Luckey and Jake Carroll.