Yes, we felt it!

I'm sure many of you have heard about this morning's SoCal earthquake and to satisfy your curiosity - yes! We felt it in a major way!

We're about 30 miles from the epicenter of the quake and definitely got a much better shake than the last one we felt.



Actually, I will admit - I got a little freaked out! Mainly because of circumstances, but none the less, my heart was still racing for a good bit after it was over!

Of all places, Adam and I were at the mall (what are the odds? I can't think of the last time I was even there!). He had gone on to a different store while I was trying on a couple of things in the dressing room of a store on the upper level. That's probably the last place I would want to be if I could choose. Again - what are the odds?

Once I realized what was happening and started processing that it seemed pretty powerful, I did manage to get into the doorway (is that really what you're supposed to do? I'm not even really sure?). All I could think about was how many obstacles there would be for me to get to Adam if things got worse - out of the dressing room, back into the store, out into the mall, into another store (all while wearing a shirt that I would be stealing at that point - yes - I took time to consider this) ... in hindsight I realize that I didn't think once about where the nearest exit from the building might be. Hey - we may go down but at least we'll be together!

Yes, there was a little bit of falling debris and a large poster of a suited woman fell in The Limited so we were much surprised to find everything in perfect place when we got home!

While part of it is kind of fun and exciting, there really is lots to be thankful for that no one has been hurt. I think I'll take these over hurricanes and tornadoes ....

Do you ChaCha?

So, a few weeks ago, we were sitting around with Ryanne and Jonathan talking about our good intentions of running a 10K sometime this year.

I wonder where there are 10K's in Orange County?

You should ChaCha it, says Ryanne.

What?

Yeah - ChaCha it.

Again, this may be old news to everyone else but it was the first we had heard of ChaCha.


Essentially it's just a question answering service. You can text (242 242 - get it - Cha Cha) or call (800-2Cha-Cha) or even enter a question on their website and you get a text message response within a couple of minutes.



It's amazing! Here's some of the things we've asked it since we found out about it:

What time does the Costco in Irvine close on Sundays?
Where are the 10K's in Orange County this year?
What time does the Starbucks in Foothill Ranch close? (which lead to the post below)

There are real people aka guides on the other end who search your question and send you back a response. In fact, we thought it was so great that Adam signed up to be a guide so he could be the person on the other end of your question now! You get paid $0.20 per question that you answer and he's earned more than $100 so far by just answering a few questions here and there in his spare time! Yay for the new laptop fund!

It's really fun and incredibly useful when you are out and about or don't feel like walking over to your computer to even google something - just one more thing to add to the instant gratification of our culture! Yesss!

Starbucks + Pinkberry?!?

Tonight, Adam and I went to a photographer's meeting for local photogs (yes - we're turning into photo geeks just in case I wasn't one already). On the way home we stopped at Starbucks to grab a drink and process some of the info from the meeting.

Naturally, I was quite surprised to see Pinkberry's logo on the menu as we walked in.

What? Pinkberry at Starbucks?

I don't frequent Starbucks all that often so maybe this is old news to everyone else but I was quite suprised and delighted to see their latest menu item Sorbetto featuring a Pinkberry flavor.




As a non-coffee and non-tea drinker, I'm always excited about their little concoctions that exclude these two items. We got to try a sample and I have to say yum! We tried the Pinkberry flavor and the Mixed Berry Citrus flavor and I was really impressed with both!

This is brilliant, I thought. Especially since it will bring Pinkberry goodness to those who don't have one in their area!

But it was not to be: "Now at select Los Angeles Starbucks".

Sorry East-Coasters! Hopefully the trend will spread quickly!

Meeting Eli

We just got home from another great few days in Nashville. We were busy with lots of shoots (see photoblog) but still got to spend some time with family and friends.

We were so excited to get to meet Eli Adam Hester when we were there!


What a precious family of 3 and we love him so much already! Adam keeps freaking out about how much he looks like Jordan.




I love this shot that Ryan got of us - we're going to be really great parents some day!

Welcome!

Welcome to new bloggers Rachel and Jaime! Yay for more friends in this world!

I got my iPhone ...

... imitation!

Yes!! I'm moving up in the world today with my new cell phone - the new Verizon Dare.


New every 2!!

Girls' Dinner!

Last night we had a really fun girls' night out at Prego. It was so fun spending time with wonderful friends!!


Oh!! Prego! Get it? Get it?


It was a great dinner with great company and also meant that I got to check one of these off my list! Yay!

We finished the evening with crepes at the Spectrum! What a fun night! I think we should make this a monthly tradition!!

I keep forgetting to tell you

This happened at my house:


Adam was microwaving something and the plate just neatly split down the middle.

I've been so fascinated with it that it's been sitting on our counter for multiple months mostly because I keep meaning to blog about it.

I don't know why it's so interesting. It's just kind of cool. Thought you might want to know.

I shouldn't be a citizen

So, I just took this test that Jess had on her blog - apparently it's the new Citizenship test that will be issued this fall . . . and I didn't pass. 65% does not equal citizenship - I hope I don't get deported.

I'm not afraid to confess my own weaknesses, so here's what I didn't know:

When was the Constitution written? I was only off by 11 years

How many amendments does the Constitution have? Again, only off by 4!! I should get half credit for that!

What territory did the US buy from France in 1803? ok, probably should have gotten that

We elect a US Senator for how many years? also should have gotten this

Who was president during WW1? WW1 - not really my specialty

How many justices are there on the Supreme Court? I almost picked the right one on this

Who is the Chief Justice of the US? Not gonna lie - total guess

In my defense:

1) I haven't had a history class for 10 years!! Somehow I wiggled out of it at good old SU.

2) Here's the class where I was supposed to have learned all of this - no wonder I was off a little. And there was a cute boy who sat right behind me everyday so how's a girl supposed to concentrate?

Happy 4th!!!

Edit: I also just remembered that my senior year I dropped my AP History class and ended up taking an Independant Photography study instead . . . see! It was all predestined!! If I knew history/government I would be single and unemployed!!

Yay for Baby Rutenbar!

Monday night we threw Courtney's first baby shower - it was so fun to all be together celebrating and made it seem more real that she's going to have a little one so soon. YAY!

I made a couple of fun little contributions and once again found how refreshing it is to make actual things rather than just making things digitally!

A couple of cakes!




Some baby-themed chocolates:


A diaper cake that Allison and I put together - very fun and easy!


We had dinner out on Brittany's back patio which was great! Some fun friends - Jaime, the-mom-to-be Courtney, Allison, Jenny, Brittany:


Then we split into small groups and decorated personalized onesies for the baby and Court picked her favorite. Here's the winner! So great!!


The Dorman girls:


Opening gifts:



Jaime and Courtney with their bumps!



Brittany, Ryanne, Courtney, Jaime, me, Allison:


We can't wait to meet Courtney's little girl in only about 2 months! Yay!