Condolences

This gorgeous bouquet of roses came today.  Not FROM Doug, but TO Doug.  



I was thoroughly confused until I read the card.  

Dearest Doug, 

      

This is a hard letter to write.  We're full of sympathy and remorse for your loss. {huh?}  Kobe is a BAD MAN. {oh!}  We saw that in the Judicial Court here in Denver.  You saw it on another one.  

With Love, 

Feuld

The commercial production company that doug works with in Denver sent them over because Kobe Bryant kicked our trash last night in game 5  and tossed the Spurs out of the playoffs.  

Funny and clever, very clever.  We like those guys. 

At a Blockbuster Video near you.

Behold, the first feature film Doug ever shot! (4 years ago) And now you can buy it at Blockbuster...how wierd is that?

If you do go buy it or rent it I wouldn't necessarily recommend watching it, but just fast forward through scenes and notice how beautifully it's shot. Jon Heder is really funny in it and I love the look of it, but sadly i can't stomach the entire 90 minutes.  (oh, that sounds terrible.)

That's ok, though. It was a first time for many of the filmmakers so we can just give them a thumbs up and move on. 

Actually, Peter Debruge, a critic from Variety said this about the film, and I think it's the most accurate (and most positive review out there.)  "Black" is director, Andrew Black.  

"Black possesses an impressive visual instinct, enhanced by Doug Chamberlain's cinematography, which distinguishes the film from other modestly budgeted indies."

Wahoo! Go, Doug, Go!

a big announcement

No....I'm not pregnant.

But we will have to be change our blog address to the AVON files because on July 1 we will be leaving Zelzah Avenue permanently. We signed the lease today on a little 4 bedroom house about 15 minutes from here.



The kids are pretty excited about this part. I think there's room for a trampoline.


But we're happy and sad all at the same time. We have some wonderful friends in our ward that we HATE to leave.

Now let me tell you who I won't miss. The 36 residents of Encino Woods, that's who. 

Although, for the first few weeks you may need to call me at the most inconvenient time and ask me help you with something really stupid so I don't go through withdrawls.  Not sure I'll be able to quit cold turkey.  

Just kidding, It has been a good run and a good job for us. But, in the immortal words of The Byrds, (or the scriptures) 'To everything there is a season, turn turn turn. ' and it looks like our season is changing, so on we go. 

Hello!

traveling

Doug once described a particular condition of mine as Wanderlust. And it's true, the travel bug bit me a long time ago. The weather tab in my phone tells me the weather for Encino, London, Paris, and New York so in case i decide to jump on a plane I can know what kind of weather to expect on the other end. Practical, isn't it.

In 2006 we went to Australia with Doug when he was working on a Quaker Oaks commercial. It was the most incredible trip of my life (especially since most of it was on the production company's dime). It was also my first taste of going abroad and I liked it. It was sort of like a teaser, though, I got a little bit and now I want more.

In 2007 we went to Hawaii and that, of course, was absolutely dreamy (though a lot more expensive since we had to pay for it ourselves...go figure)

Now this morning I read two blog posts of people's various travels. One went to Laos and Thailand and the other toured Europe with their 9 month old baby. The pictures are gorgeous and the cities look amazing!! And it made me realize that i would give up a lot of other things in life if I can travel. I always told Doug that my exchange for coming to LA to help him pursue his dream would be world travel. (Of course it couldn't be undying love and total commitment to our marriage. What do you think I am, dumb or something?)

Australia proved to me that my kids are great travelers and Penny took the 20 hour road trip to Grandma's B-day in Utah at 4 weeks old like a champ. A true Buck/Chamberlain.

Anyway, I think want to plan another family trip somewhere. Even if it can't come to fruition for a while, I'm going to start planning.

Where would you go on your dream vacation?

No host Ikea Party

Isn't this the funniest idea? Our friends in Auburn sent us pictures from their Dress Up Ikea Party. Check it out. They all dressed up, dined on meatballs and lingonberry sauce at the bistro and then brought a bunch of games that they played in the various living rooms on the showroom floor. Apparently, they didn't get kicked out or arrested or banned for life. Sweet!

Irony

Remember our old friend  F. Sammy, the one who filed an extraordinarily bogus law suit against our building that put me through some major emotional trauma?  Remember how she won 82000 dollars after all was said and done?  Well, this afternoon she sent her daughter Destiny to my apartment to ask me if her mom could borrow 20 bucks. 

Ha ha ha, fat chance.  Maybe you shouldn't have snorted your winnings! 

oh, wait.  was i supposed to learn patience and brotherly kindness through all of that drama?  I guess i still have a ways to go!

I guess I got what I asked for...

It's been over 100 degrees pretty much all week. Phew! It's been so hot, i've not been able to get my sweaty little fingers to blog even the tiniest of events.  We did have quite the week, though. So much so that i think i've worn poor penny out. She spent all day saturday and Sunday sleeping and crying like she just needed some serious quiet time. Oh, the life of Baby #3.

Sophie and Owen had basketball games on Saturday.  Owen touched the ball 6 times, a big deal for him.  Sophie played some really awesome defense and made 2 baskets.  wahoo, way to go little ballers!

We went to the zoo for the first time in  long time on Tuesday. We met a bunch of friends there after school and had the best time ever.  The weather was gorgeous and all the animals were feeling so  frisky. The zebras were playful and jumping all over each other, the gorillas were slapping the windows, and all the little animal babies were about. Oh, it was cute. 

Tomorrow is the big game 7 between Spurs and the Hornets. Uncle Rossy sent Penny some Spurs swag so that every member of the family has something to wear on game day and all will be right with the universe {and the Spurs will feel the love and take those hornets OUT!}



You think she's a Lakers Fan? I floated that idea to Ross but i don't think he bought it. Good Luck, Spurs!

Remember when it was warm in Southern California?

We were getting used to doing things like this awesome car wash at Brooke's house. I hope the warm {but not too warm} sun returns soon! I'm ready to get some summer on.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!!

She is 11 years old today, Yikes! There is NO WAY I am that old. A hem...but enough about me

Sophie is the coolest, kindest, most creative girly girl I know. I like her as much as i love her and that is a LOT. As Owen would say...I love Sophie as much as space.

She brings so much happiness to our family and I hope she has one fabulous year as an 11 year old.

Blessing Day Panini Luncheon

An idea lifted from one of my go-to blogs.

Penny's Big Day

A post full of pics, that's what this is...

What a great weekend we've had.  Everyone was here, G'ma Chamberlain, G'ma Terrie and G'pa Charlie came in on Friday night and Saturday morning and my brother, who happened to be with his family at Disneyland this weekend came up in the afternoon.  We swam and played and ran all the kids totally ragged until it was time to make the cowboy bed and have a good old fashioned cousin sleepover.  Caroline asked if girls were sleeping in the bed if it should be a called cowgirl bed.  oh, too cute. 

And then Sunday.  A really great day.  Doug gave Penny wonderful blessing and she was so good and so quiet through the whole thing. Then we all came back then we came back and had a yummy luncheon before Doug had to take off to Denver to shoot a commercial.  We miss him already. 

Our awesome friends Clint and Yvonne... Clint came on zero sleep because he was up all night finishing a movie. They wrapped at 7am and the two of them were at church by 9.  Phew!  What a trooper. 

The wonderful Taits... soon they'll be blessing a baby girl of their own.  What?  You can't tell she's pregnant?  I know, it's pretty incredible.

This was at Penny's meltdown and I was making everyone take pictures with her before they left. Grandpa was the lucky one to get her at the low point. 

Oh, don't we have the cutest grandma's?

My little brother, Carter and his wife Erin. Their 3 kiddos were running around with my kiddos have a grand time.  Having them here made the weekend so much fun.  We LOVE you guys!

Can someone teach me to double up my pics side by side?  I sort of hate all the scrolling. 

20 lbs to go!

Since I'm officially on the 'LOSE', I'm also on the hunt for good healthy recipes.  Everyday Food is one of my favorite recipe magazines because most of the time the recipes are simple and they always use fresh ingredients.

 Right now you get this sweet apron free when you get a subscription so I think it's time I officially subscribe. I've been buying as I see them at the grocery store but it's SO much cheaper online.  

Anyway, if you guys know of any other recipe sources or awesome food blogs, let me know.  

There is one I like called Lee Lou Ann.  Today she has a post on homemade baby food.  Yum.  I'll have to check that one out. 

Pretty Please?

I am always looking for design inspiration and SFgirlbybay had this link to The MidCentury Modernist. I love these photos!