2012 || A Year In Review

12.31.2012

I know a lot of you are new here.
I know a lot of you probably wonder what the heck do these people blog about.
I know a lot of you are probably like "These people are so silly, what posts should I read?! There are way too many good ones!"

Whether you thought one of the previous statements above or are D. None of the above or E. All of the Above we thought we would help you out. Here are our top posts from 2012 first in a list and then one from each month. Enjoy.

January: This is the month where I decided to start blogging. That is right it has almost been a WHOLE year. And at first Deidre was going solo. A lot of posts with no substance. Whatsoever. Just jokes. But my post on Virtue definitely started me into a good year. To prepare me for Miss Idaho, for assemblies, for marriage, and to be an example.


February: In February baseball season started. Which meant Adam was gone a ton. So I went to Idaho a few times to do assemblies for my Miss Idaho platform S.T.A.M.P. Out Bullying.


March: A lot more of baseball and pageanty. A trip to Portland to see my brother and go to some of Adam's games. Miss Idaho orientation and the Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen pageant. And of course, the ever popular Mustache March and March Madness.


April: A few more baseball games. A few more trips to Idaho to prepare for the pageant. And a change to win the lottery.... pretty much sums up April.


May: There was a lot going on this month. Lots of Miss Idaho preparations form walking to talent to raising money. ENGAGED [you can find the link below]! I got engaged. And that was the best moment of this month. And from here until wedding month. My time is pretty spent in wedding mode, pageantry, and work.


June: Miss Idaho and wedding planning. We also took our engagements and ordered out invitations.


July: I crowned the new Miss Magic Valley, had a bridal shower, and MORE wedding planning.


August: Marriage. Honeymoon. Nothing can top that. Moved into our first apartment.


September: Lots of football games. Which meant opportunities to eat cougar tails.


October: A very special birthday and birthday redo from my handsome husband. Halloween. Which means costumes.


November: Laid off from work. Found a new job. And Thanksgiving in Idaho!


December: A trip to California to spend our very first Christmas together. But not before opening some gifts here!


And then a few more for good measure!

The Obvious:
Our blog really picked up a ton as we were planning our wedding and getting married. So it didn't suprise us that some of our most popular 2012 posts had to do with just that. Marriage. Also... we wrote mostly about marriage and love and all that for a solid 4-5 months... so that made it obvious.

His Side Engagement
Her Side Engagement
His Side Marriage
Her Side Marriage
Wedding
Wedding Overload

The Not-So-Obvious:
This gems made it through all the marriage and love posts into the eyes of many viewers. They are the Aladins of the group... aka. The diamonds in the rough. Or... the rough in the diamonds, whatever way you want to look at it.

Claw Hand
Hair
Miss Idaho Prep
Dating Past
Melted Cake
Sleep Walker
Skinny

Have any posts that you liked on Love, The Skinnys in 2012? Most memorable? Most hilarious? Most ridiculous? What is the best post on your blog? Let us know so we can go check it out!

Love,
The Skinnys

The Big 12 of 2012

12.30.2012

Adam and I were talking about this last year and how crazy it has been. Last week we spent the holidays in California with his family and quite a few conversations with, "I can't believe it has been a year since we met you Deidre..." or "Isn't it crazy last year when you visited for New Years you were just dating and now you are married?" Well... Yeah. It is crazy. It has been a crazy year full of adventure and excitement. So now... we bring to you...

THE BIG TWELVE OF 2012!

12. A day at Disneyland on one of the busiest days of the year. How the heck were we supposed to know they would hit theme park capacity at noon!?

11. We had our first of many weeks apart and Skype dates... pageantry and baseball splits up a couple more than we care for, but you gotta do what you gotta do!



10. Summer nights filled with fireworks, softball, snow cones, and mini golf.

9. Deidre learned all about baseball. And actually loves it.

8. Adam learned all about pageants... and thinks that are crazy!

7. The blog hit 500 followers. Humbling. And appreciated.

6. Deidre placed top 10 at Miss Idaho, won the community service award, and the Spirit of Miss Idaho. And officially retired from pageants.

5. Cruise. Cruise, cruise, cruise. We loved it. We want to go back. ASAP.


4. Adam spent last season as the Saturday starter for the BYU Baseball team and in November was announced the closer for the 2013 season.

3. Engaged. Simple as that. His and hers stories to match.

2. Our first apartment. Together. Which means. No more honor code hour for one of to walk home across the parking lot at midnight.

1. The biggest and best moment of 2012... well that is easy. Marriage. On August 16th we entered the Salt Lake Temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. And we are happily married. And in love forever.



All in all we had a great year. We went from dating, to engaged, to married, traveled around, had adventures, ate great treats and foods, and so much more. What did you do in 2012? What are you top moments?

Love,
The Skinnys

Fashion Is Back, Maybs.

12.29.2012

It has been a long while since I did a fashion post. Sorry about that people. But I have a good excuse. Remember when I switched jobs? Well... during that time I didn't get ready for the three weeks in between jobs. So, unless you wanted to see the leggings and sweatshirts I wore. I don't know, maybe you did? If you did... let me know! Either way. Here is a post of my new dress. Starting with the least flattering picture, so scroll past is quickly, thanks.




 Dress: Soel / Cardigan: Target / Scarf: Soel / Shoes: Forever Young

I have a few good ideas of how to wear this dress now that I have it... so don't be surprised if it shows up again. Especially as soon as I find my long sleeve grey shirt. Somehow it has disappeared. If I had anywhere to go for New Years, this would be the dress... but once you become wed there aren't as many parties. Anyone got any ideas for me!?

Love,
Deidre

SKINNY'S BIRTHDAY!

12.28.2012

Remember this guy?


Well... if you don't let me tell you about him.
He sometimes blogs. (I know, you are probably wondering where the heck he has been, maybe if you clap loud enough he will blog again!)
He plays baseball. Right handed pitched. BYU. Fancy.
He comes from a huge family - 11 kids. He is second to last.
He grew up in California.
He served a mission in Mexico.
He eats like crazy.
He always does the dishes.
He knows someday he will get a chance to wrestle Chuck Norris. And he will win.
He is kind.
He likes ESPN, the color blue, donuts, calories, and Modern Family,
He is loving.
He wants to travel the world.
He has some good dance moves, just ask him.
He works hard. For today and for our future.
He is a gentlemen.
He goes by Skinny on the baseball field. And at our house. And anywhere his teammates are.
He loves the gospel.
He loves me.
He is the most perfect man.
He is my husband and the love of my life.
AND.
He is celebrating his BIRTHDAY!

I hate to get all personal. But hey. This is my blog. So you can skip this part if you want. Adam! I love you so much. I am so lucky to have met you and be married to you now. You are the perfect example of a gentlemen. You have always been kind and caring. You never say a negative thing. You always watch out for me and take care of me. I appreciate how hard you work, in baseball, in school, in our relationship, and in the gospel. I appreciate the example you set for me and for those around us. I know you will be an amazing father whenever that day comes, because I see how you treat everyone around you. Thank you for being far better than the man of my dreams. I love you. I hope you have the best birthday. Ever.

Stop in and tell him HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Because not only will Skinny (aka. Adam) appreciate it, but so will I!

Love,
The Wife

Dear Aloha,

12.27.2012

It is your favorite time. Again! And I am late posting it. Not because I am lazy or forgot but I have been at Disneyland all day! More on that later. But now, link up. Make some friends!


Aloha Friday Blog Hop
Grab our button!!
(If this button is too small or too big, click HERE to view all the different sized buttons you can use instead! )

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.whatjeanlikes.com/search/label/aloha" title="Aloha Friday Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee419/whatjeanlikes/AlohaFridayBlogHopbutton.jpg" alt="Aloha Friday Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div&gt>


                               


       Love, The Skinnys      One Haole Girl         A Little Bit of Brandy  
             

       Simply Heavenly Food         Hope & Sugar             PonderWonders             
                                             

The Aloha Friday Blog Hop is more than a "Friday" hop, it's a way to share aloha and friendship to our fellow bloggers all weekend long!!  I consider this particular blog hop to be more of a weekend hop because Fridays are so hectic that a lot of people function on what we like to call "Hawaiian Time" here in Hawai'i which means they link up on Saturday or sometimes even Sunday which is just fine and dandy with me!  That's why I keep it open from Friday through Wednesday because I sincerely believe, the more the merrier!! 

Can you believe it's the 36th Aloha Friday Blog Hop?!  My how time flies!! 

{ Just A Few Simple Requests }  

Follow your Aloha Friday Hop hosts and team members.
{You can follow us via GFC easily by clicking on the "Follow" link under each of our buttons above!}
(Please leave a comment with a link to your site and we will be sure to follow you back)

Link up your family friendly blogs
(Or other sites and projects you'd like to share)

 Share this hop so that others might join in.
(If you'd like, you are welcome to post this hop on your site and/or add our button to your site!)

 Visit at least three other blogs and let them know you've come to share aloha.
(How lucky are we to start our wonderful weekends together, let's have fun with this)


Stay tuned for the AWESOME December giveaway at the end of this post!!


The last Aloha Friday Blog Hop had 243 lovely participants.  It's really helping us all get more followers and more exposure!!  Make sure you link up because every single button in the last link up was clicked at least 5 times, some as many as 100 times.  It really helps get you followers!

If you're interested in co-hosting next month's Aloha Friday Blog Hop, please email Jean@whatjeanlikes.com for more info. 


Here's the extra special addition to our lovely hop. It's an oh-so-easy opportunity for you lovely participants of the Aloha Friday Blog hop to get some exposure to your blogs!!  What do  you have to do to enter?  Just link up to the Aloha Friday Blog Hop Below!! It's that easy!!  No extra forms or hassle, just link up!  Each week we will pick a linker to featured at random and invite you all to say ...
Aloha Hoapili
  Grab a button if you were featured this week!
Aloha Hoapili translates as Hello Close Friend. So, without further ado let me introduce you to this week's featured friend ...
Mama Harris at Mama Harris' Kitchen.
Mama Harris blogs all about yummy recipes and her love for her slow cooker.
Want a little taste of her blog? Check out these posts to find out what you've been missing:
Hearty and Comforting Shepherd's Pie.
Pull-Apart Sticky Buns.
Sweet Beef and Broccoli.
If you're not already a follower than you definitely should be! Now, let's link up and start spreading that Aloha shall we?
Link up below and click "Read More" after the linky to enter our awesome December Team Givewaway!!

get the InLinkz code
Giveaway Time!

Enter our lovely giveaway by clicking the "Read More" link below...

What's the prize you ask?  Well, just the opportunity to share your lovely blog or website with the world on 5 different sites.  But wait, there's more! 

Five of our lovely hosts are so generously giving away free ad space on their sites as well as featured posts/guest posts for your site on 3 of our blogs as well!  It's a lot of great opportunities for exposure to your lovely blog!





a Rafflecopter giveaway

National Kiss A Baseball Player Day

What is NKABPD? Well... I didn't even know that acronym existed until I got this on my Facebook wall from my thoughtful husband.


That little sneak! He just wanted a kiss. Not that he wouldn't have gotten one anyway, but I wanted to make sure it was extra special so I "had to stay late at work that night", or in other words sneak to the store to pick up some supplies. Then while he was in the kitchen get his late night snack I set it all up. Starting with this on his pillow.



Now don't get any ideas. "There is more where that came from if you know what I mean," only meant there was more. Meaning kissed hidden throughout our small apartment for him to find. One in the sheets. One in his scriptures. One in his computer. I hid a few in his drawers.



And then a bunch in our bathroom. The bathroom was more fun because he doesn't always look in all these places right away. Some spots hold things for getting ready for bed, some spots for getting ready for the day, and some just hit and miss depending on if his lips are chapped or not.


Happy National Kiss a Whatever Day to you. Because there always seems to be a reason for a kiss!

Love,
Deidre



© Deidre Emme. Design by Fearne and Breezy & Co.