25 [happy birthday landon!]

Today is Landon's 25th birthday. Quarter of a century. Halfway to 50. Can rent a car without extra charges. TWO-FIVE.

I'd love to put into words why I love Landon. Why he's the best thing for me. But words aren't really capable of summing up something like wanting to spend the rest of your life with someone. That falls more in the "inexplicable" category. But here are some things that make him great.

Because he's humble about his strengths.

Because he gets ticked when he sees our neighbors littering.

Because he knows that Baby Swiss Cheez-its are the best way to remedy any stressful situation.

Because he washes the dishes 98.6% of the time, without me asking.

Because he lets me talk and talk and talk and talk even when he's tired. 

Because he has direction, focus, drive and goals.

Because he's even-keeled (except when our neighbors litter, of course).

Because he always offers to eat the burnt grilled cheese, quesadilla, etc.

Because he can't do a thing in the morning til he's had his juice.

Because he fills me in on things like Jeremy Lin, the weather in Oregon and the state of the NCAA.

Because when I say "I look like trash," he doesn't say something syrupy-sweet like "No, Katie, you look gorgeous," he says, "Hey, I like trash."

Love you Landon. Let's grow old together. Then we'll really look like trash.

xoxo.

love notes [one].

In honor of Landon's birthday (which is on Valentine's Day), I thought I'd do a little love notes series over the next week. Landon and I started dating four years ago, and I sure never imagined I'd be sitting in a little house with him in West Texas four years later. I mean, I imagined the "him" part, but not the rest of it.

Landon and I shared a love for good music even before we had that somethin' somethin' for each other. So without further ado, I present the ultimate Landon+Katie playlist, a compilation of the songs we listened to when we were first dating (to be fair to Landon's musical reputation, the Alicia Keys and Chris Brown songs are my additions, but my former roommate can attest to me listening them non-stop that year). Back then I had rounder cheeks, tanner skin and Sarah Palin glasses. Those things have changed, but the way I feel listening to a good song with Landon hasn't...

xoxo.

P.S. Want to know a secret? That top left photo was taken an hour or so before I finally let Landon kiss me (gasp!). He had tried a few days earlier and I cut him short. To be fair, it was my first kiss and I was nervous as all get-out. I had to have my best friend give me a pep talk beforehand (thanks, Mar!). TMI?

P.P.S. Want to know another secret? Landon is wearing MY clothes in 2 out of the 5 photos above. Impressive or disgusting that he could fit into them? You decide.

vday bday.

landon's birthday is on valentine's day, so i had planned for us to rent a tandem bike on coronado island and ride around for the afternoon...hence the tandem card! the bike shops ended up not having any rentals left once we got there, but we still had fun walking around and sharing a scoop of lemon gelato!

part of landon's bday present, a framed picture of us and lyrics from the song "home" by edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros...for our first place!

a fun afternoon!

the sweetest name.

i was pleasantly surprised to receive a few valentines with a very valentine-appropriate name.

wax paper hearts.

for valentine's day, i made wax paper crayon hearts for the first-graders. who knew shaving crayons and ironing wax paper could be so fun! this is my favorite new craft!

heart shaped potato fries.

in honor of v-day, i made heart-shaped potatoes for our family dinner this week. made for a yummy dinner with some steak, spinach salad and a french baguette! and of course the best part is good company...my roommates!

big thanks to renee for cutting out all the potatoes!