Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Kiss Me At Midnight!

I drove to Arizona on Tuesday to be with my favorite little guy in the whole world. I can't think of any boy I'd rather spend New Year's Eve smooching! Hope you've all got someone to kiss when the clock strikes twelve. Happy New Year's Eve!!!

PS- Happy 20th Birthday Kellie Bellie. I love you and am so excited to spend your special day with you in Arizona. Have fun at the ASU parties and try to stay out of trouble! :)

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

O Captain! My Captain!

The HOBBY yacht set sail for one more Christmas harbor cruise Monday evening and guess who got to man the ship? You guessed it! Pappa Hobbins handed over his captain's hat and let me steer us through the harbor. It was such a thrill. And I just love how Markus Alejandro (Mexican name his children have given him...he's not Mexican) is proudly smiling at his newest First Mate. I hope I made you proud Pappa Hobbins!


Monday, December 29, 2008

After Christmas Party

Saturday evening the fabulous Lauren and Steve Bennett hosted an After Christmas Party. And who wouldn't wanna come with an invite like this...

"The presents are all unwrapped...the bank accounts are tapped. The tree is almost dry...but my friends don't cry. We know the egg nog is done...but now begin the fun. With New Year's still too far...it's time to get in yo car. Please bring your favorite treats...don't forget your dancin' feets. Come on down to the Geeves...for some Karaoke and Cheese!"

We all had a fantastic time socializing and visiting with friends from up and down the coast, even some I haven't seen since the Provo days. And in case you're wondering, the answer is yes. Yes, Allie was my date for the evening and E. Hatch was okay with it. I just love my roomie.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Allie got a Scoot Scoot!

Look what Allie got for Christmas! A pink scooter named Sally! Saturday afternoon we took her for a spin along the coast and rode her all the way down to the San Clemente pier. That thing was so fun! We had perma-smiles the whole time! I've already decided that I'm gonna save my pennies to buy Sally a boyfriend. I can just see it now: Sally and Skeeter Scooter.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Run Around The Lantern

Friday morning I rolled out of bed, jumped on the scale, and just about died. Bad idea. Christmas was not kind to my hips. So I laced up my running shoes, loaded my iPhone with some new tunes, and hit the streets for a morning jog. While running through the Lantern District I couldn't help but snap a few pics of the harbor and this gorgeous place I call home. People must've thought I was a tourist, whipping out my camera phone as I enjoyed the scenery. I didn't really care. Just counting my blessings and naming them one by one.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Home For The Holidays!!!

Each year on Christmas day the entire Messick family gathers at Grandma & Grandpa's house in San Clemente for treats and eats. Every year you can pretty much expect the same thing: eat food, open presents, eat food, play with presents, eat food, and go to the movies. But this year was different. A good different.

All the Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins had arrived and were seated around the Christmas tree. But before we tore into our gifts, the patriarch of the family, Grandpa Messick, gathered everyone's attention to share some thoughts from his heart. In all my twenty-six years I've never seen my Grandfather so overcome with emotion.

With tear filled eyes he expressed his remorse for feeling sad the past few days as he talked about the current state of the economy and all those who have recently lost their jobs. He shared his sorrow for those who would have little for Christmas this year, and for those who would simply go without.

He then talked about his gratitude for rich blessings and the gift of family. He shared with us his deepest feelings of love and admiration for his family and counseled all of us, especially his grandchildren to love our parents and always stay close to our families, no matter what trials might lay ahead. He reminded us that while our parents might do dumb things sometimes, they are our family and will always love us and never let us down.

Next, he opened up the scriptures to Luke 2 and read a few passages of the Christmas story. Again he wept as he expressed his love and testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us. Fervently he counseled us to show our love and gratitude for the Savior and to remember Him always; through the good and the bad.

I have never felt such love on Christmas day as I did that very moment. My love and appreciation for my Grandpa, my family, and my Savior increased ten fold that day. I hope each of you will take time this holiday season to express love and gratitude to your family and most importantly to your Savior for all they have done for you.

This world might be a scary place right now, but I believe that if we will continue to put our faith in our Savior and stay close to our families, as my Grandfather counseled, we will surely find peace, love, and joy throughout this new year. May the blessings of this season be upon us all.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A Festival of Lights

Christmas Eve in my family has always been reserved for driving around town and looking at lights. We usually pile in the family Suburban after dinner and head to Nellie Gail in Laguna Hills where the lights are always the best.

This gorgeous house was by far my favorite! I loved all of the white lights and the way they went around each and every window. It was absolutely beautiful. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas Eve filled with peace, joy, and LIGHT!!!

A Ritzy Reunion

Britt is back in town! Brittany Watson was my very first friend at Dana Hills High School almost TWELVE years ago. Wow we're old! Although she lives all the way in D.C. now, she's always been one of those friends where you can be apart for an entire year and then sit down and have a conversation as if you just talked yesterday. I just love this girl!

We decided to meet up Christmas Eve morning at the Ritz Carlton to enjoy some first class service, a delicious breakfast, and a spectacular view. As we ate, we caught up on each others jobs, families, and of course our love lives. We always have the best girl talk!

When we were in High School, Brittany and I would come to the Ritz with all of our friends after the football or basketball games to come and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, or play a game of charades with Lisa Kudro (true story), or to just wander around the grounds. I've had some great memories here at the Ritz with this girl.

A Five Crowns Tradition

Yet another Messick Family Christmas Tradition. This year marks our 4th Annual Christmas Dinner with the Messick and Goettel Family at Five Crowns, a gorgeous English Cottage Style Restaurant in Corona Del Mar.

With our candlelit table nestled close to the fire, we enjoyed a four course meal fit for a king. Decadent Hot Chocolate, an English Garden Salad (Literally! There were pansies and daisy petals sprinkled on top), Filet Mignon, Goose, Swordfish (and more). All topped off with a rich Chocolate Souffle, a la mode of course!

My beautiful Sister Kellie made it home from school just in time to enjoy the festivities. Isn't she cute!!! It's so fun to have her home for the holidays. I still can't believe we'll be celebrating her 20th birthday next week!

Oh, and you're gonna' love this. Some mothers discipline their kids when they play with their food, but mine just asks if she can join in. Gotta' love the hot cocoa mustaches. It's a good look for you Mom.

And it was so fun to have Colby (aka-Elder Goettel) there with us who recently returned home form the Canada Winnipeg Mission. That's where I went!!! Colby served in all the same areas I did which made it fun to name drop and see how the members and investigators are doing.

What a fun evening of holiday traditions. Hope your shopping is done and you can enjoy this Christmas Eve! If you live in Southern California I hear it's gonna be a wet one! Merry Christmas!!!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Dear Santa,

My little nephew Dallen has been an awfully good boy this year. And since this Christmas he will be far away from me in Texas, could you please make sure to give him a little kiss from his Auntie Aubrey when you stop at his house Christmas Eve? Thanks Santa!

Love,
Aubrey

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Happy Birthday Jesus!

It's just another Messick Family Tradition. For almost 15 years now, the Messick, Hawkins, Koch, Roche, and Goettel Families have been getting together every Christmas for our Annual Christmas Party.

We usually begin the night with a visit to Ages, a local retirement home, to sing Christmas carols to the residents. It's so fun to see the excitment on their faces as they sing-a-long to the familiar songs.

Next, it's off to the Roche home, or whoever is hosting that year, and enjoy a delicious potluck style dinner and enough sweets to give even Buddy The Elf a tummy ache til New Years.

This year was extra special cuz Parker and Jessica Wells brought their brand new baby Sienna. It was my first time meeting this little cutie and I just fell in love with her perfect little everything. Isn't it cute how she's just staring at me. I think she loves me!


And finally we end the evening with a little celebration to Jesus. The famous Laurie Roche always makes a birthday cake and leads us in "Happy Birthday Jesus." My poor roommates are so embarrassed I'm even posting this video, but I think it's funny and kinda sweet. Hope you don't find it too sacreligious. We only mean it in the best way, even though my mother is dying of laughter when I pan her way. Enjoy!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Larry And His Flask

Meet my Uncle Billy and his band. Saturday morning I got a call from Billy (the only guy without a seven year beard), saying he was in town, just passing through on his music tour through the western United States. I was still wet from my shower but told him I'd throw on some clothes and meet him at my parent's place for some pancakes and eggs.

We hadn't seen each other in six years so it was a fun little reunion. Unfotunately, one of the band members wasn't feeling well (see head poking out of van) so I didn't get to hear them play. But if you're curious and want to hear their sound, visit thirdseven.com.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Long Beach Christmashup 2008

What better way to get the holiday weekend started than fun friends and some southern cooking at Lucille's BBQ in Long Beach. I'll eat anything smothered in barbecue sauce. And that's the truth!
With full bellies we made our way over to the Sommer's for the Friday night agenda: The 5th Annual Christmashup Holiday Dance Party! Cuz that's the way we do it in the LBC!
Thanks Kent & Nellie for putting on a fabulous holiday party. The glow sticks were a total hit! I am so loving the month of December! Merry Christmas!!!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

100th Annual Newport Boat Parade

Every year for the last 100 years, millions of viewers have enjoyed watching beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Unfortunately, due to the severe weather, the parade was canceled for tonight only. Just our luck! But it's ok because we still had ourselves a blast cruising through the harbor, looking at all of the Christmas lights, playing games, eating pizza, and sipping hot cocoa. It may have poured, but it certainly didn't "rain on our parade." It's always a good time on the HOBBY yacht!!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Twenty-Five @ Mosun

Twenty-five was a great year for me and I hope it will be for my dear friend, Miss Adrienne Curry! Tuesday night a few close friends gathered at Mosun in Laguna for some Sushi and to celebrate the birth of this beautiful woman. Gentlemen, she's single. Hurry up already! And what Tuesday night would be complete without a little 80's dancing at Oceans? You know we had ourselves some fun. Happy 25th Birthday Adrienne!!!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Puttin' On The Ritz

Every year I make it a tradition to go see the holiday decorations at The Ritz Carlton in Dana Point. So Monday night after our Ward Christmas Open House, we gathered the few faithful to join us for some more holiday festivities.

This year the Ritz is all decorated in PURPLES! Just look at those gorgeous flowers. I'm in love. Shades of plum, violet, magenta, and lavender! Purple just so happens to be my very favorite color...for now. It changes from season to season.

Next stop on the list was the GIANT Gingerbread House. This year instead of doing their usual Gingerbread "House," they constructed a Gingerbread Sandcastle. How appropriate! It's completely edible (we're all still a little skeptical on the windows), and is made of things like waffles, cream puffs, ribbon candy, donuts, and more. Oh, and don't mind our ridiculous Prom poses. Sometimes we just can't help ourselves. And people wonder why I'm not married. "GROW UP!" No thanks.

Monday, December 15, 2008

For the Love of Pockets

Sunday evening I joined a few friends at the Emmett home for some holiday treats at Kristin's Annual Christmas Open House. While there, she snapped this cute pic of Brandon and me and it reminded me how much I LOVE any and all dresses with pockets. I mean, pockets on pants are great, but they're so much cooler on dresses. So roomy! Just think of all the things you can do WITH pockets that you can't do without. You can warm your hands, or keep some lip gloss in them. You can even grab a cookie and save it for later...which I may or may not have done. Okay, gross. I didn't do that. But I could've if I wanted to. If you ask me, the world is a better place because of dresses with pockets.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Best Lights In Town!!!

Saturday night after the Ward Christmas Party we all decided to go see my favorite house for the holidays. I grew up across the street from these people who do the most spectacular, over the top Christmas light show you've ever seen (or never seen.) The home owner is an Electrical Engineer and designed and built the entire thing himself.

The best part about it is when you pull up to the house, you turn your radio station to 90.5 FM and the lights simultaneously flash to songs such as Carol of the Bells and The Grinch. Check out this awesome, but not so high-quality video I found on youtube of the lights in action. Turn up the volume. It's pretty incredible. I'm not gonna lie.


If you live locally and want to check it out for yourself, it's located at 5 Tunis, Laguna Niguel in the community of Marina Hills. It's definitely a sight you don't wanna miss! Bring along a cup of hot cocoa, a few dollars for their CHOC donation box, and enjoy the show!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

We're All In This Together!!!

High School Musical
The New Class

Saturday night for our ward Christmas Party Talent Show, the cast of High School Musical rocked the house. I'm not ashamed to say I'm a HSM groupie! Turn up the volume and check out our ridiculously awesome video...


Now that's talent!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Christmas Cruise '08

Ain't no party like a Newport Christmas Cruise party! The fabulous Pierside and Seacliff wards hosted their Annual YSA Christmas Cruise in the Newport Harbor and invited us to come along. With food catered by the Newport Rib Company and a dance floor at the bow of the boat, we were all happy sailors!











Thursday, December 11, 2008

Google Yourself

So, the other day I might have googled myself. I know, kinda weird. But my friend Karly told me she found something interesting on the web when she googled herself; something that she never even knew existed, so I thought I'd see what I could find on myself. As I started scrolling I found the usual: my Canada Winnipeg Mission site, linkedin profile, facebook page, blog, Dana Point Turket Trot race time (not too proud of that one), etc...

But then I came across the site for the Mesa Arizona Temple with my name listed in the description. Why? Well, several months ago while visiting my sister and brother in Arizona, we went to the temple and after a session I took a few shots that turned out awesome. So, I submitted one to the church and until now, had no idea they were added to the Mesa Arizona Temple website. Cool, huh! Click HERE to see my photo with credit to my name and everything! Just scroll down and it's the 8th picture on the left. Then try googling your name. You might be surprised at what you find.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

ATTENTION ALL FEMALES:

You must read this book! For this month's San Clemente 5th Ward Book Club we read Dr. Laura Schlessinger's book "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands." Okay, now before you go laughing at us for reading a book we obviously have no business reading, hear me out. We will be married someday (power of positive thinking). Therefore, we need to know what to expect someday in that future marriage, and how to properly care for and feed that future husband, right? And, from our discussion tonight, I think it's actually helping me and others in our dating life. Yes Mom, I am working on it. Despite what many of you think, I am trying to give her grandchildren someday. Anyway, I loved the book! I thought it was a fabulous read and would highly recommend it to any and all women, married or single. I think it's full of wonderful counsel that, if applied, will lead you to a most successful marriage relationship. And after having listened to Dr. Laura on the AM radio for years, I rarely if ever, have heard her give ill advice. If you'll read this book with an open mind and a humble heart, you'll love it. It'll motivate you to be a better spouse, lover, partner, companion, listener, communicator, sympathizer...you get the picture. It's good. Read it.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

You could be a part-time model.

I know, I'm an obsessed Aunt. Deal with it. On Thanksgiving day, our talented cousin Jason did a photo shoot for Jacki and baby Dallen. I think they turned out absolutely adorable. I could kiss that little face all day long.