Christmas Craze

So normally i would do a throwback Thursday post, but seeing as i haven't posted for a while, figured i would catch you up on whats been going on.

For starters, Today i took in everything for my adopt a family. If your not familiar with this, basically you sign up to provide a hamper for a family in need. Minimum requirements are one weeks worth of food, plus at least 1 gift for each child under 18. It does get a bit stressful making sure i have enough food and gifts for the family, but once its done and i get to take it all in, its so worth it. It feels so great knowing that family will go by later today to pick up all the stuff. Christmas time most people are stressed about getting presents for everyone, which i am too, but we sometimes forget to appreciate just what we have and to love the ones around us. To have the chance to make someone's Christmas a little better, means more to me then any gift i could ever receive.

Also, last weekend me and my mom were busy making homemade chocolates! I always get so motivated and excited to make them every year, But after the first hour, i find myself hating it. Making chocolates is actually pretty easy, but its a lot of repeating the same steps. I start to lose my focus. But we had a helping paw this year!

Yes of course miss Bella was there to help out. She's always interested in what were doing.

After all the chocolate making, i had my get together with the gang for our gift exchange. 

It's always so nice getting together with these ladies. We don't get together often, but we sure appreciate when we do. 

So that's what i've been up too lately. Trying to get everything done in a short amount of time. I need to remember to stop and breathe. Christmas wouldn't be the same without all the amazing people in my life. This weekend is going to be another super busy one. I have my work Christmas party, Bowling and then a friend's dinner party. Talk about crazy. But i can't go wrong with being surrounded by so many people i love!

Oh yea, and Bella got a new sweater!

XoXo - Sara

Throwback Thursday (1)

So since it's Thursday, i thought i would do a throw back from summer a couple years ago!

This throwback is an adventure day when me and Shannan decided to take a trip to the mountains. And judging by the henna on my hand, I'm guessing this took place shortly after Stampede.

The really nice thing about living in Calgary, is having the beautiful mountains only about an hour away. It's nice to escape to sometimes when the city life get's too crazy. This waterfall has been flowing as long as i can remember. I used to come here as a little kid with my family. I love returning to it and just taking in it's beauty. Oh and the beautiful Shannan it has sitting on top ! 

That waterfall is located at Sibbald Pond. Also a good place to do some fishing. It's not the biggest body of water, but i like how calm it is. There's also picnic tables around if you wanted to pack a lunch and spend the day in the peace and quiet. 

Also by Sibbald is an area that has a great look out point and some nice trails to follow. Always a good time to go exploring through the bush!

Shannan is always goofing around and doing strange things. That's why i love her!

So let's throwback and remember those hot summer day's filled with adventure!

- XoXo Sara

Mexico Vibes

So this chilly weather has me really missing the heat. Calgary can get really warm in the summer, but nothing compared to how hot it gets in Mexico. Last September i had gone to Cabo, Mexico with my best friend Shannan. I've known Shannan since my elementary days. I was so happy to take that trip with her. That was also my first time on a plane!

I think my favorite part (besides the food) was all the activities we got to do. One of them was a dolphin encounter!

We learned a lot about these beautiful creatures and got to get up close with them. Was such a cool experience. It's really amazing what they're able to do! Another fun activity we got to do was get up close with camels! Yes, camels! 

This excursion was really unique and gave us lots of cultural experience! It started off with a tour through the desert and learning about the environment. We also got to have authentic Mexican food for lunch which was truly amazing! Oh yea, we also got to RIDE the camels!

Riding a camel is nothing like riding a horse. For one it's super high up! They had stairs for us to get onto the camel. Also they're such gentle creatures that its such a smooth calm ride. Not what i was expecting. It was an experience ill never forget.

This was our group for the excursion. Really nice people and we all had an amazing time. That funny looking truck is what we got to ride around the whole time in.Not quite a smooth ride as the camels. The last excursion we did was sail boating and snorkeling!

Im not a fan of boats at all, so my nerves were a bit on edge for this excursion. But i tried to ignore it and just enjoy the ride. It was amazing to be surrounded by such blue water. Not to mention how warm the ocean water was. So incredible. We got to relax on board and enjoy some food as we made our way to a little cove to go snorkeling!

Snorkeling was a blast! Was amazing to have fish swimming around your legs. They also love crackers apparently. Shannan was a really strong swimmer so she did great. Myself on the other hand, i can swim, but i have a fear of deep water. Even though i could see the bottom, a life jacket was much needed to keep my nerves at ease. 

Shannan volunteered me to try paddle boarding. I'm glad she did, i didn't think i would be able to do it but after a while you start to get the hang of it! It was so cool! I'd for sure try it again if i had the opportunity.

Mexico is one trip i will never forget. Sometime's you just have to push yourself to do something even if your afraid of what's to come. It just may be the best experience of your life.

- XoXo Sara

Nicole - Maca

So let me introduce one of my Best Friends. Her name is Nicole. I became friends with Nicole about 2 and a half years ago when she started working for the same company as me. 

Our friendship started forming immediately. We've become so close over the years, i can't imagine life without her. I feel like I've known Nicole all my life. If i could describe our friendship in one word, it would be goofy.

Our entire friendship has been filled with laughter. No one can make me laugh as hard as she can. Some of the things we laugh about, might not make sense to others at all. She for sure brings out the goofy side in me.

We have so many things in common! No matter what's going on in my life, i know Nicole can relate. I can tell this girl anything. Aside from all the goofing around we do, some of my deepest conversations have been with her. What ever has me down, i know talking to Nicole about it will always make me feel better. No matter how bad my mood, she can always make me laugh.

This photo came from one of the little photo shoots me and Nicole like to do. It's always a blast going some where random and taking some cute pictures. Usually we go to a park.

Now your probably wondering what's with "Maca". Well somewhere along the beginning of our friendship, we discovered how much we both loved Macarons. Those little french colorful pastries of heaven! If you haven't had one, go do it. Right now. After we had a trip downtown to get some of those tasty treats, our nicknames came about as Nicole-Maca and Sara-Maca. Totally unique, just like our friendship.

This is a photo from this past summer when we did Rugged Maniac. This photo is not only adorable times 10, but it also shows our friendship a lot. I've overcome a lot of hard obstacles with Nicole by my side. I feel this photo is very fitting of that. Also, who doesn't love to crawl through a mud pit?! Minus the barbed wire, my bun kept getting stuck =/

But this is my best friend. I wouldn't trade her for anything. <3

- XoXo Sara

Feeding the Bear

So since i got little Bella bear 6 month's ago, its been a struggle finding a food that she will eat. We've gone through at least 5 brands of kibble.  She eats it only because she has too, but not because she wants to.

Recently I've decided to switch her to home cooked food. She has actually been eating more but we've also discovered how picky she is. So far I've learnt she hates rice, and loves sweet potatoes. It'll be a process to find the foods she likes and dislikes.

Still feels like yesterday that i just brought her home. Me nor my family have ever owned a dog before. We've only had cats. So it's a big learning curve for all of us.

As hard as it is some days, i wouldn't trade it for anything. I strongly believe everything happens for a reason. I know Bella was meant to be in our lives. She has found a big place in all of our hearts. Still can't believe she will be 8 months old in 5 days! I still remember my little teddy bear Bella.

Her color changed a lot since she was a pup. But her personality is still a spunky, goofy girl. She would love nothing more then to have someone play with her all day. 

So the journey continues, and here's to hoping we find the right food to feed this cute little Bella bear!

XoXo Sara

Christmas Chaos

So it's about that time of year again, when things start getting real crazy. I really don't know how people stay calm around Christmas. I'm the type of person who stresses very easily, so Christmas is a nightmare for me. 

On top of the usual present shopping and holiday activities, i also do an adopt a family hamper every year. This will be my third year participating in the program and i plan on continuing it for many years to come. The first year i got involved was a really hard year for me. There were so many bad events and negativity that year, that i decided i wasn't going to end it that way. I wanted to end it on a positive note, and that's when i started with the hamper program to help families in need. 

Despite all the crazy thing's going on this time of year, it's important to stop and enjoy it too. I'm very excited because this will be Bella's first Christmas! My cat Snoopy has become a bit grumpy around the holiday's. He's not one for crowds. But if its just my main family then he's okay. But he does have a Grinch outfit to suit him.

He pulls it off quite well! He also must live up to the title "Lil' Grinch". Every year we go through the struggle of him stealing bows off the presents,

If there is a bow, he will steal it. Or i don't even know how many time's I've given out present but had to apologize for the teeth marks in the bow. But now, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Snoopy stealing the bows.

XoXo Sara

The Gang

So most of us all have that one group of friends that always sticks together. This is mine. Here is the gang:

Starting from the left, is Me, Cherry, Chi, Jen, Kendra. I don't even remember how long ago this photo was taken. But i do remember going to Walmart and buying bubbles and junk food. (because why not?!) I've known these ladies since Junior High. Grade 9 was the year our group became more of an official thing.

I had the privilege of graduating High School with these ladies. We all looked stunning the day of our banquet. The best memories i have from grad are with these guys. I was dealing with some difficult things the last year of school, but i was lucky enough to have these ladies by my side and reminding me of the happiness i still had.

In this photo we have myself, Cherry, Chi, Navi, and Kendra. Navi occasionally hangs out with our group, but usually she's pretty busy. Cherry does have a real name, its Charnjeev. She got the nickname Cherry back in Junior High and it just kinda stuck. Sometimes its hard to get everyone in our group together since there's so many of us. This photo is from a day we went to play mini golf. Jen was unable to attend.

Our usual place for our dinner gatherings is Cactus Club. The food is amazing and its got a nice sense of class to it. We have dinner here as a group once a year. It's usually around Christmas to do our gift exchange.

On those days that majority of us are free and we plan something, we always find something interesting to do. Some days we would just get dressed up and go take some nice pictures in the park. Like this one. Yet another day that one of us was unable to attend. But we make the best of it. Day's where all 5 of us are available, is a rare occasion.

Even though our group may not get together very often, I'd still be lost without them. Through all the big events going on in our busy lives, we have all been there for each other. When life get's too stressful, its great to get together with these ladies, have a few laughs and just escape reality for a while.

What ever life has coming our way, we will always go through it together. Can't wait for all the adventures that the future holds for our gang.

XoXo Sara

Frosted Beauty

So the other day i took my puppy for a walk, it was a frosty morning so i was all bundled up for a cold walk. But i had to stop at take in the beauty. It's amazing how much different everything looks with a little frost.

This is the park i usually take Bella for a walk in. I've always thought this park was really pretty, but it looks absolutely amazing in frost! It really was beautiful!

All the small bushes i normally would not think twice to stop at, made me stop that day. They really stood out!

Considering i took these pictures with my phone, i think they turned out beautifully. Here's a shot of my sweet Bella girl!

Bella is a purebred Pomeranian. She is almost 8 months old. Can hardly believe it! Feels like yesterday i was out having frozen yogurt with my mom, talking about puppies. You can research all you want about taking care of a puppy, but when it comes time to doing it, its a whole new ball game. As hard as it is, i wouldn't trade it for anything. She has added so much happiness to me and my families life. Couldn't imagine being without my Bella bear <3

XoXo Sara

My Cupcake's Birthday

So as mentioned before, last weekend was a bit of a crazy one. Besides the mountain journey, i also had my best friend's birthday party! This is Jamie. We've known each other since Junior High. High school is when we really connected and became best friends. Honestly, if you can make it through high school, and still be friends afterwards, you'll be friends forever. 

This girl has been with me through some of the hardest points in my life. Without her, i don't know where i would be right now. At a particular low point in my life, if it wasn't for her i never would have thought things could get better. She really was that one person that made me feel like everything was going to be okay. I couldn't imagine life without her, and i was so thankful to get to spend her special day with her!

Before all the birthday celebrations could begin, the ladies had to get ready. Might i add, this took them HOURS. I'm the only one in this photo that was ready to go. Looking fabulous is a process.

Once all the gal's were finally ready, we started the night off at 80th and Ivy Modern Kitchen. This was my first time at this place, and it was amazing! It's got such a comforting vibe that makes you feel one with everyone else in the restaurant. There was also a band playing that were super awesome! They even bought Jamie a shot for her birthday! 

Not sure which shot number this was for Jamie...But she took them all like a champ! If i was in her place i would probably be on the floor at that point. We had so many laughs around the table. Here's the best photo we could get of the guy's:

The first on the left is Jamie's special guy. He's very sweet and treats her good. (He'd better or you know who's coming after him!) Beside him is his friend Matt. This was everyone's first time meeting Matt, he was a very chill guy and very social. Beside him, is my goofy boyfriend mr Tyler. He looks quite scared by the guy across the table from him. Last but not least, that is Jake. Jake is Jamie's sister's boyfriend. Did you get that? I know sometimes that sounds confusing. And here is the Ladies!

The only one missing from this photo is Jamie's sister Tracey. I'm not quite sure why she wasn't in this photo...But you'll see her in one below. The one on the far left is miss Shannan. I've known Shannan since grade 4...i think. It was honestly so long ago that i don't remember her not being a part of my life. I spent my childhood with her, and wouldn't change any of our memories together. Once Jamie moved back to Calgary, her and Shannan moved in together. Im so glad they've become so close! And for me i have 2 of my best friends in one place! I love both of them to pieces.

This is the best shot of the whole gang that i could get. There's moment's you wished you had a selfie stick, this was one of them.

I tried my very best to get everyone in this photo. After everyone's tummy's were full and Jamie had enough shots, we made our way to the club and danced the night away. Such a great night with so many great people. Happy Birthday Jamie! I hope you had an amazing time! Can't wait to fill your 24th year with love and happiness! 

P.S. "Cupcake" is our nicknames. 

<3 XoXo Sara

Hearts in the Mountains

So last weekend was a busy one. So many adventures. But i think my favorite one was hanging out in the mountains with this handsome guy <3

So to get this blog rolling, let me introduce this man you'll be seeing a lot of. This is Tyler. He's one of the most sweetest guys I've ever met. It's unfortunate to have to go through so many bad relationships to realize what you deserve. We all have a past, and i know for me, mine has a lot of heart ache. But after all those times of being knocked down, i finally have someone who is there to lift me up. I don't know what i would do without him.

We planned a nice night away out at Lake Louise. On the way to our destination, we stopped at Lake Minnewanka, what a beautiful site!

While taking in the beauty of the lake, we found a fallen tree down by the water to sit on. Me being a girl who likes cute photo's, wanted to set the timer and take a stunning shot. But i'm not the most graceful person. It was a struggle for me to get on the tree before the picture was taken. Needless to say, there were a few failed attempts. Like this one...

Tyler tried to help. But it was too late. BUT i did eventually figure it out and we managed to get a cute shot after all :)

Cute Right?! Was worth the struggle.

Here's a nice photo that Tyler actually took for me. 

There's nothing quite like the mountains. Something just so huge, that makes you feel so small. All the natural formations around it, there's nothing that compares to the beauty it has to offer.

Overall, i wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

Being surrounded by such beautiful nature, and the man who has my heart, words cannot describe the happy feeling. Also considering it was November and we were able to just wear sweaters, i call that a big win. Winter's in Canada usually aren't so nice. I give that day a 10 out of 10 <3

XoXo Sara