Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

This Christmas was unlike any other. For starters it was at my aunt and uncles house who live on the North side of town. Normally we do Christmas eve dinner at my grandma's house who lives in Alamo Heights. This was a much appreciated change because it meant I was able to split my time between my family and the Rafie's much more easily since we were on the same side of town. Another great thing that made this Christmas special was having all 16 cousins together at once. We haven't had that happen in years! Christmas day was exciting because we had two additions, Ercelia and Ashley, to our morning tradition of opening gifts and eating breakfast. It was refreshing to be around a ten-year-old who still believes in Santa. After breakfast with my family Andy picked me up and we went to his family's apartment to open gifts. It was a big change from last year's Christmas morning when we were in a huge home opening gifts. It was amazing to see how unfazed his family was despite the cramped situation. It was a great reminder to be content in all circumstances because we are so blessed and some family have much greater things to worry about.

What a year to be thankful for. So much has happened in this year, and I want to take a minute to sum up the highlights!

I celebrated my one year anniversary at my first official job!

I bought my very own brand new mountain bike!

I fractured my zygoma.... bone in my face.

I got engaged!

I went to the ER for the first time in my life.

I highlighted my hair for the very first time!

Andy and I got our first home!

I road tripped to Colorado with Andy and Kennedy!

Andy and I camped at Enchanted Rock with Kathryn and Phil!

I started a blog and have kept up with it for the most part!

Andy and I were featured on Style Me Pretty!

Andy and I celebrated our three year anniversary!

We loaded two trailers full of furniture and moved out of State!

 My BFF moved back to Texas!

The list of highlights could go on and on... I am grateful for so much. My family and my fiancee. My dog and my new huge backyard that kennedy can play in. My amazing group of old and new friends. I think 2013 was good, but 2014 has so much in store for me. I cannot wait to see what this new year will bring!

XoXo- 

Ilianna 

Life Lately, and my decision to continue blogging.

I contemplated throwing in the towel and calling it quits on my blog, but after some thought I have decided against it. My initial reasoning for wanting to stop blogging was because I felt I didn't have enough cool or exciting content, but then I realized that I was forgetting my original purpose for having a blog! My blog was started to document my life just as it is. So if from time to time the content is lackluster or a little boring, that is okay. My life isn't always action-packed and bursting with fun, so I should not make it seem like it is by only documenting the fun times. I want to give a real picture of my life so that years from now I can read back through my blog and see exactly what I was doing in my 20's and 30's.

So this is what I have been up to lately: A little bit of cooking, some exercise, family time and an entire week with Kennedy!

My dog knows how to smile for the camera!

Homemade sweet potato and black bean burger. Click link for recipe: http://cookieandkate.com/2013/sweet-potato-black-bean-veggie-burgers/

We were exhausted after a 4 mile run!

I joined a running group with my friends from church!

Sunday Family Hangout at my grandmas house!

House Sitting in Boerne

For the past ten days a friend of mine has been housing sitting for some family friends who went on vacation to Lake Tahoe. I was told they had an awesome house with a lot of fun toys to play with, but I didn't know HOW AWESOME it actually was until I got there.

So for the past two Saturdays Kennedy and I drove out to the house to play with friends and enjoy the scenery. This house is straight out of Texas Monthly. It is cozy, but at the same time elegant!

This is a cute and creative way to take notes, memorize scripture, etc. I just loved this idea!

This is the rabbit Kennedy tried to attack. Luckily for the cage nothing could happen, but the poor rabbit must have been scared to death! 

I think she was curious and it came across a little too aggressive!

This 4-wheeler thing was the best past of the house! We all had fun riding on it and driving to the top of the hill to watch the sunset.

View from the house.

Another view from the house. 

There were bible verses throughout their home

Then later that weekend, Andy and I and Seth and Brooxie grilled and had dinner on the back patio!

Tastiest salad I've had all summer!

Life Lately, According to my iPhone.

Boerne, TX sunset. 

We got to take this 4-Wheeler thing out on Saturday night it was so fun!

Andy caught me napping with my mouth open :0 and this is my finger that I cut on a knife. I had to get stitches!

Elia's 28th Hello Kitty Birthday Party.

The rabbit Kennedy wanted to attack!

The cutest copilot!

Colorado Part 2: The Continental Divide

Hello! Happy Monday! While in Colorado a few weeks ago we decided to hike the Continental Divide. The snowcapped mountains, the clear lakes below and the crisp cool air created trifecta of beauty. I had never seen such breathtaking views in my entire life. While hiking up the mountain I soaked in God's beauty and thought to myself that nature is a perfect display God's majesty. Scripture even says so!

The earth is filled with the Lord's glory. Habakkuk 2:14

What great deeds are done by His hands. Mark 6:2

Towards the end of the hike we decided to take the FJ Cruiser down some rugged terrain instead of walking back down the mountain. We packed in seven people plus one dog into the car and begin driving down the mountain screaming and laughing with each and every bump that we drove over. We were almost back to the parking lot when one of the guys suggested turing left for just a little more adventure. Somehow we missed the sign that said "4-wheel drive recommend" and proceeded down the trail anticipating some more fun! It wasn't long before we encountered another car on the narrow trail, so they reversed until we reached a wider part in trail. At that point we veered left to allow the car to pass, and just as we moved out of their way we lodged the FJ Cruiser into some deep mud and immediately were stuck! 

After several failed attempts Mr. Rafie went into town in search of help. About one hour later he returned with a man named David that he found in Alma. David was so kind that he even stopped in the middle of grilling to come and help us out. He came prepared to do whatever was necessary to pull us out of the mud. After attaching some chains and shoveling out some mud we were pulled out on the very first try! It was hilarious how muddy everybody got and how much fun we had trying to get the car unstuck. We laughed and laughed and definitely made a memory that I don't think any of us will ever forget!

Our trail guide! 

Trying to use sticks to shovel out the mud!

Somehow they each wound up with one muddy foot. 

And here are a few other photos random photos from the vacation.