This guy doesn't get near enough face time around here, but of all days to do it, it's today! He's turning 31, so be sure to tell him how old he is (wink wink) and a happy happy birthday. Without boring everyone with a confessional about how much I love him (which is a lot) and how amazing of a father he is (which is very true) and how I don't feel like I deserve him (which I don't), I will leave it at that. 

Russ got a new snowboard for his birthday, because we both agreed his board from high school has seen it's day. Now we just need to find a free day sans babies to get out there. Ha! 

Happy birthday, Russ! We all love you dearly!!

I'm Glad He Was Born

Today was Russ's birthday! I love when January 21st comes around each year -- because it is the perfect time to spoil Russ rotten! Boy, does that guy deserve it. I really don't know what I'd do without him by my side. I have always been grateful for Russell, but I have to say life lately has really taken that gratitude to a whole new level. I am so lucky. 

We had a fun weekend celebrating Russ and his birthday. Saturday we went to dinner at Pizzeria 712 and a movie, Sunday was dinner with the Lewis family, and tonight was cake and ice cream with a few friends. Such a great weekend.

Here's a close-up of the cake, just because that is necessary, obviously. And that is the top of our soon-to-be-finished island! Baby steps...

So in closing, happy Martin Luther King, Jr. day... and most of all... happy birthday to Russ! Here's to an awesome year!

Russ the Spudman

For the last few months, Russ has been training so hard for the Idaho Spudman triathlon. The Spudman is an olympic length triathlon (1 mile swim, 26 mile bike, 6.2 mile run). Russ definitely doesn't mess around... especially for this being his first triathlon! Usually Russ is the supportive spouse on the sidelines cheering me on during a race, but I had a blast being on the other side. Not only was it nice not feeling completely exhausted and like I kind of want to just lay down on the side of the road :), but I loved seeing Russ achieve something he has worked so hard on. And he did amazing! He is one speedy athlete.

Russ before the race with his awesome orange swim cap.

The Spudman is one of the most organized and well-planned race I have ever seen! And believe me, I've seen some pretty poorly organized events. It's a huge race with around 1,600 people, but everything was totally seamless. And I was so happy that I even got to catch Russ at every transition point. He always flashed his classic Russ-smile. 

We still don't know his official finish time -- the number below is not accurate as he was in the second wave. But either way, he did amazing. I keep asking him if he wants to another one now -- I still haven't gotten a definitive answer. :) 

 ... all I can say is that hopefully he is up for another one, because next time I want to be out there with him! He totally inspired me. I'm so proud of my triathlete!  

THREE

3 years ago today I married my best friend, the love of my life, and the best husband I could have ever dreamed of. I'm so incredibly grateful for these last 3 years, and I can't wait for the many years to come! Life sure can be a roller coaster, but luckily I have Russ by my side, and I know with him anything is possible. 

Happy 3 year anniversary, husband! Hurry home! 

wedding day // 1st anniversary // 2nd anniversary

Surprise Party!

Russ had a birthday, shout hooray!!

When I asked Russ what he wanted to do this year for his birthday, he shrugged his shoulders and said "oh, we don't need to do anything. I had a party last year." .... hem hem .... queue awesome wife duties and plan a surprise party! I do have to say that Russ is so much fun to plan a surprise party for because first off, he's totally oblivious to the quiet planning and running around I was doing all week to get everything together. He was legitimately surprised. For example, I completely ran out of time by Friday night, but I still had to make my little "poof ball" decorations. The problem was that Russ was home all night with me and I made them in front of him. When he asked what I was doing I just told him I was making them to put in the guest room. He just looked at them, a bit confused, and said "ok." Really Russ?? Paper poof balls in the guest room? I just let out a sigh of relief that he never pries and totally trusts my design decisions. :) Second off, he loves parties. He had a perma-grin the whole time. It's the best.

The party was so much fun. Thank you to everyone who came and helped surprise Russ. He loved every minute of his 28th birthday party. We are so grateful for our amazing family and friends.

(Seriously Natalie, I couldn't have pulled this party off without you!)

Happy Birthday Russ! I sure do love you!

A Head of Hair

My husband has a very healthy head of hair. I'm not exaggerating one bit. Let's just hope our kids are blessed with his genes in this area. Lately he has let it grow longer than ever with a curly fro and mountain man beard. He was going in for a hair cut tonight, so I made sure to snap a picture last night as he was checking his head of hair out one last time. 

I sure do love this guy.

{I think the picture turned out really nice, don't you? ... hahaha... Napoleon Dynamite anyone?}

First Time for Everything

Would you believe me if I told you that before yesterday Russ had never ever made sugar cookies? Like he'd never used a cookie cutter in his life. Well by golly, we ended that! We made ooodles of cookies last night for friends and neighbors (using my favorite recipe compliments of Sheri Bird). Judging by this picture, I would say he had fun, wouldn't you? He particularly enjoyed making his "gingerbread army." I loved spending the evening baking, frosting, singing, and dancing in the kitchen with my favorite person in the world. 

Another first for us? Shoveling the driveway on our very own house! We woke up to a blanket of snow. It made me feel that much more  in the Christmas spirit (even if I was sliding around trying to get out of our neighborhood. Oy. I need to remember my snow-driving skills from years past). 

Is it Christmas break yet?!? 

I Appreciate Him.

This is my bearded husband enjoying three delicious scoops of Gelato from Costco. Who knew Costco could be so fancy? 

Our offices are pretty close together, so we try to meet for lunch once in a while, whether it's bringing our PB&J's to a park or supporting one of our favorite dining establishments (ahem, Costco). Yes, we're classy like that. Just get me the cheesiest cheese pizza with a Diet Coke and you've got one happy girl.

As we were leaving I was digging through my pockets to find the receipt for the lady to check and Russ was kindly holding my Diet Coke, my purse and pushing the cart. The lady looks at me and says "I bet you've never appreciated him more than you do now." It took me a minute to realize she was talking to us. Of course it wasn't until I got to my car I wanted to run back and say "Huh? What are you talking about? I always appreciate this guy! I mean, he meets me at Costco and buys me a Diet Coke! What more could I want?!?"

It's the little things that really make you appreciate life, ain't it?

The Monopolizer

Look at that face.

That's the face of a very, very serious Monopoly player makin' a sweet real-estate deal.

Who here loves Monopoly? I have a love-hate relationship with this game. When we were newlyweds of maybe a month or two and had just moved to Texas, we bought the game with a gift card from our wedding. I was so excited to find a game that we could play together. Ha! Wasn't I surprised when we sat down to play one Sunday evening and I saw a side of Russ I had never seen. The sweet, loving and light-hearted Russ turned into a super intense, deal-making, dominating Monopoly player. I admit that the fact I was getting dominated every. single. time made me not love the game so much, but let's just say the air would get a teensy bit tense and Monopoly soon became a game I hated.

But Russ loves it.

Like a lot.

So sometimes we still play. He usually dominates me, except like on Sunday when we sat down with our friends to play. You would have thought it was Christmas morning for Russ and Dave. Too bad Danielle and I totally dominated their Monoploy-playing lives. It felt good.

Have I mentioned we've had some house guests lately? One of my best friends/former roommate Danielle, her husband Dave, and their adorable son Cameron just moved to Utah from New York City and have been camping out at Casa de Lewis while they get things settled. We've had some good times. I mean, how could you not with an 8-month old who smiles and waves the moment you walk in the room??

The {Mountain} Biker is Back

Before Russ and I met he used to do weekly mountain bike races. We then got married and moved to Texas where a mountain could not be found. Russ often talked about these races so nostalgically. I was sad I never got to see him in "his element."

Wednesday night was another affirmation of how much we love being back in the mountains. Russ was like a little kid on his new bike. You see, for the last few years Russ has often mentioned how much he would like a new mountain bike. I told him that if we ever lived in a location where the bike could actually be used, he could buy whatever bike he wanted. Hmm... maybe that was one reason he took this job in Utah?

Either way, it was worth it. Seeing Russ ride and compete, doing something he completely loves, made me so happy. And plus, how can I complain when I get to read a book on the grasses of Sundance with this as my view while I wait for him to cross the finish line?

Oooo! Speaking of races, tonight we are off for a weekend at Bear Lake where I will finally get to run my half marathon I signed up for a few months ago. I am filled with one part excitement, one part dread, and one part nerves. Welp, wish me luck!

Life on Turbo

I'm missing this guy today.

After a crazy, crazy week of working, packing, and goodbyes, Russ pulled out of our little red brick house and drove away from San Antonio. His last day at Ernst & Young was on Friday, he is driving to Utah all day Saturday and Sunday, and he starts his new job on Monday. Talk about fast-paced living. As Russ says, "we live our life on turbo." We seem to be pros at packing huge life changes into short periods of time. Like when we got married, for example. We got engaged, both graduated from college, got married, moved to a new state, and both started our first careers within a period of 4 months. Whew! I'm feeling very much the same these days.

I'm ready for life to slow down a bit, to relax, and to have a Saturday to myself (which I haven't had since February). Yes, life has been crazy, but we've managed to have a little bit of fun here and there. Last weekend we spent the afternoon with some of our friends in a park near our house. For the first time in a while, I felt carefree and so relaxed. There's nothing like spending some time on swings to make you feel like a kid again...

... or playing with little puppies helps, too. Brittany and Dallin got a dog, and I'm pretty sure Russ is obsessed.

... oh, and those little babies are bound to bring a smile to your face. Morgan and Karen's little baby Carter is such a beautiful baby who falls asleep in your arms. It's priceless.

So we have one more turbo-charged week ahead where I'll finish off busy season (HALLELUJAH!), Russ will start his new job (no big deal), and then we will be reunited for a short time. Until then, you might just find me on the swings trying to feel like a kid again.

New Horizons

Hello Blog world.
This is Russ.

I have come back.

With a major announcement.

I have a new employer.

Camille and I will be returning to Utah as I begin my new job with Adobe Systems in the Salt Lake Valley. I will be working as a Test & Target Consultant. We will be moving next month and I will be starting my new job this month. We are very excited to move closer to family and start a new career. We will miss all of the friends we have made here in San Antonio. It has been a great experience being a Texan and working at E&Y.

And yes that is a double rainbow.

all the way.

Role Reversals

You guys, I just watched the Cougars fight till the end in their final NCAA game and lose it in overtime. It is such a sad moment, but they fought a good fight. As I've been sitting here literally freaking out, I've been thinking how tonight we've had a little bit of a role reversal. Russ has been calm and stoic and I've been yelling at the TV whilst standing up and shaking my fist. Since when did I freak out while watching sports? Something's off...

I've also seen a role reversal as I'm in the middle of busy season; now that Russ is home he has been my saving grace by managing to get dinner on the table. Or do the dishes. Or both. Man, I owe that guy.

Or how about these boys wearing our purses? Even thought the picture is posed, the fact that they were all wearing our purses at the same time was not planned. Sometimes role reversals really lighten the load. (pun intended)

It's over. It's finally over.

This is how we're feeling right now. We are both jumping for joy (literally and figuratively) that this weekend has come. Before I go any further can I please talk about how funny this picture is? First of all, how freaky does my leg look? I didn't know I could/should bend like that? Is that normal? Also, Russ's face is very, very animated... almost creepy. Everything about it just kind of cracks me up.

Ok, moving on. Why are we jumping for joy? Let me tell you. This is the first Sunday where it isn't the "night before Russ leaves." Russ has been traveling with work for almost 3 months. Think back to New Years Day... yep, that's how long it's been. He spent 2 months working at Dell in North Austin, 2 weeks in Denver, and this last week he was in Dallas. He'd leave Monday mornings and come home Friday nights. This is one aspect of our lives that I haven't revealed to the world wide web, for obvious reasons. I have literally been living alone for nearly 3 months.

Luckily I have a job that keeps me busy during the day, but the nights have been rough. I hang out alone, come home to an empty house, go to bed alone, and wake up alone. I can honestly say this has been the hardest and loneliest 3 months of my life, and I am so, so, so glad it's over. I'm not usually that dramatic of a person, but even I knew it was bad when I would randomly cry on the way to work, sitting at work, or at home. Geez, just writing that sounds dramatic, but it's true. It has tested me in ways I didn't think possible -- it has tested my optimism, patience, our marriage, our communication, and more. It has also proven that I would be terrible in any long-distance relationship. It's been hard on both of us. For Russ, he has been on the road, living in hotel rooms and eating out for almost every meal (which gets old fast). I, on the other hand, have been living alone in a city with no husband or family. Yes, I have friends (and amazing ones at that), but they have husbands and families of their own that I didn't want to impose on.

But it's over. For now.

I'm sorry for airing out my dirty laundry, but it's my blog and writing this kind of stuff down every once and a while is therapeutic. Isn't it funny how you can look at someone's life (via blogs/facebook/etc.) and think their life is peachy-keen, only to find out they have been fighting the biggest battle up to that point in their life? Yep, that's been this here blog as of late.

Thanks for being there for me, my friends. You know who you are.

Marrying Up

Last week my Dad told me I married up. 

He obviously meant it in a very nice way and nothing degrading to me at all. I'm glad my Dad likes my husband. It really means the world. The funny thing is I think I've known this fact all along, but to have your own father tell you is, well... it's honest. Hopefully everyone thinks his or her own spouse is "the best husband/wife in the world," so I'm not going to say that. All I know is that my husband is the best husband I could ever have for me.

You know those weeks that are a little sub par? And even though the weekend is meant for fun times and partying, you know those Fridays where you get off of a crappy day/week at work and all you want to do is literally hide under a blanket for a while? Yeah, I did that. I literally came home, ate dinner (that Russ had thrown together... again, I know, I married up), and then hid under a blanket on the couch for 15 minutes.

I know, you're thinking... "get a GRIP Camille! You sound ridiculously dramatic right now."

I was. I was being dramatic.

But this is when that whole "Russ is the perfect husband for me" thing comes into play. He knew that was all I needed. I needed a moment to hide from the responsibilities and hard facts of life (like, for example, finding out we owe $2,000 in taxes... ouch). Hiding under a blanket helps a bit.

Thanks for marrying me Russ. Here's to a happy Valentine's weekend. It's gonna be great.

Russell Had a Party!

Russ turned another year older and wiser this past weekend. The main thing he wanted for his birthday was a big party. A big party with all his friends where we could grill and chill. So that's what we did. We had a big barbecue and had a blast. Mother Nature decided to cooperate and gave us a sunny 60 degree day in January. It was fabulous.

Burgers were eaten.
Balloons were popped.
New friendships were made.

We were so grateful to everyone who came. It was another good reminder of how blessed we are to have made such wonderful friends in Texas. You really can live anywhere as long as you have friends to rely on... and to party with of course.

Thanks again to everyone who came! We really had a fun time, and most importantly, Russ felt like "the man" as he got to hang out with his friends on his birthday.

In closing, I'd just like to say "Happy Birthday to Russ!"
I am grateful for Russell.
I'm glad he was born 27 years ago.
I hope his 27th year turns out to be the best yet. I think it just might be.

(PS. Isn't little McKinley Elise the cutest? I may be biased, as we share the same middle name. But no one can argue that her eyes suck you in, and she happily lets you hold her all day long.)

Ok, the end.

I miss this face

As much as I'm grateful for technology, for some reason this just isn't the same as the real thing.

Good afternoon. My name is Russell.

My dream came true!!!! When the movie "Up" came out, I couldn't get over how funny the little "Russell" character is. It may or may not have been because my husband is named Russell and all I would envision is Russ as a little boy saying the very same thing. And then Russ was asked to help the Webelos in the Boy Scout troop at our church and my vision became a reality. He is required to wear the shirt, carry the book, the whole she-bang! It makes my day. Now only if we could get him a dog named Doug... or perhaps a bird named Kevin?

In case you are having a hard time remembering little Russell from "Up," I've included the following clip for your convenience. Enjoy!

The cipher to my code

Hello everyone,

So I have the answers to my riddle that I posted on Sunday. BTW that was the most fun post I've ever done and really loved reading the responses to it.

1. Camille. I guess growing up with a foosball table in your basement, and Jace as a little brother makes one competitive player.

2. Camille, she has never sworn.

3. Russ. What can I say, I have good taste.

4. Camille. Her favorite subject was math and she really was math student of the year.

5. Russ. I got out of school for a day to go work some word problems and hang out with my friends. Who wouldn't join?

6. Camille. One day Camille's good friend Danielle greeted her a little too warmly and cracked her laptop screen on accident.

7. Camille. She loves solitaire and will win if you let her play for more than 10 minutes.

8. Camille. She would hang out with her friends and play Halo on the weekends.

9. Russ. I have old computers from Desktop Distribution that followed me from college and are still going strong.

10. Camille.

Thank you to those who played my game, and I will see you next time I surface for another post.

Happy 011000100110100101101110011000010111001001111001 Day!

If you are confused about the title of my post, do not dismay. Today is 10/10/10. I overheard a guy at church behind me say that it was binary day. Then I got to thinking that I should post about this. BTW this is Russ if you couldn't already tell. Also the picture above is about the most complicated sudoku I can do and will ever be interested in. So in celebration of 10/10/10 I have decided to setup a little game for our readers. Below are 10 things you may or may not know about Camille and I. Read each one and put a 1 down if you think it is Camille and a 0 if you think it is about me. At the end, you will find out something pretty cool.

0001. One of us is an intensely competitive foosball player and can beat any opponent faced. This is performed without even having to spin the rods.

0010. One of us has never used a swear word, although there have been some very close calls.

0011. One of us is a furniture snob. Pottery Barn outlet only.

0100. One of us loves math and was the math student of the year.

0101. One of us participated in the Junior Engineering Technology Society in high school.

0110. One of us had to repair a screen on a laptop because of a friend hugged a little too hard.

0111. This person's favorite game to play on the phone is solitaire.

1000. This person used to play Halo in high school with friends on the weekend.

1001. This person hasn't bought a computer in 5 years

1010. One of us plays the guitar.

Ok everyone so here is the breakdown of scores and what impact it will have on your future:

0-2: Have you h@ck3d every technology you own? You know my mind.
2-5: Work on your twitter skillz. Once you get up to 6,000 followers, come back to me.
6-8: You are on the path to great craft-dom. Spend some more time on Etsy.
8+ : Go buy yourself a diet coke and some sour patch kids cause you are Crazy about Camille.