Allen and Becka York

Next stop...Maui!

2010-02-23T21:50:00.000-08:00

Aloha...

After the excitement of our wedding day, we had even more to look forward to. We left for Maui the next day. Allen and I didn't have a lot of plans for what we wanted to do in Hawaii, we just knew that we wanted to relax and enjoy our first vacation together as husband and wife. We had the best time. Exciting, mellow, and relaxing.

After the arrival to our condo we headed to Kimos for a mai tai. Delicious!

We splurged and went for the convertible. Totally worth it!

We spent a lot of time snorkeling while on the Island. One of our favorite snorkeling spots was in Napili with the giant sea turtles.

Allen had never been to a Luau, so it was a must-do. Our concierge suggested we go to a sit-down Luau. In the past I had been to buffet style Luaus, with long tables and hundreds of people. This Luau was much more intimate and relaxing. The show was very up-close and personal, and we enjoyed a five course meal with dishes from Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, and Tahiti. We finished off with a desert that was delivered to our table with "Congratulations" written in chocolate sause. It was special. On top of it all, fresh flower leis and all-you-can-drink cocktails!

July 11, 2009

2010-02-23T20:49:00.000-08:00

On July 11, 2009 Allen and I were married. Our wedding was amazing and we felt so blessed to have been surrounded by so much of our family and friends. For many weeks after we continued to talk about how much fun we had! It was a joyous day and although the wedding was fabulous, we were looking forward even more to the new beginning of our life together as husband and wife.

Nearly a year ago...

2010-01-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

It has been nearly a year since my last blog post. How did time pass so quickly? Since February of last year, so much has happened. My beautiful niece, Amelie, was born on June 7th. She has brought so much joy to our family; it has been a glimpse into the reality of how deep a mother must love her child. It's been precious watching her grow these past seven months and Allen and I look forward to the many years to come with the little munchkin.

Valentine's Day!

2009-02-17T23:10:00.000-08:00

I know that many of us perceive Valentine's Day as another holiday created by our consumer culture; another excuse for us to buy cards, chocolate, and flowers, and to make that dinner reservation...but I still enjoy it :). I went so many years without a "Valentine", sometimes moping in my singleness, and other times rejoicing in it. I remember what it was like dreaming about love and what it would feel like. Love is so much more than a dream or a feeling. Love is action. Allen and I celebrated our second Valentine's Day together and it was so much fun. I enjoyed the little details and the planning. It wasn't about the gifts, although the flowers were lovely, but it was about the conversation, the hugs, the kisses, and just being together. I'm in love, and I never knew that I could love anyone like this. I'm blessed to have found the man I will marry and I truly believe that we are the perfect match for each other. Love to you all.

Happy 2009!

2009-01-23T20:05:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve was a blast. We started off at Luciano's, an Italian restaurant near downtown. The tables were decorated with balloons and party favors, the disco lights were going, and the music was playing. I didn't expect the place to be so festive, but with the owner, Luciano, anything is possible. Luciano is a little Italian man who looks exactly like Einstein.

After dinner we went downtown to The Poet and the Patriot and then ended up at Cypress because The Red was packed. We met up with Emily, Shera, and Nate York and danced the night away. I'm excited for 2009!

Go Niners!

2009-01-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

Mark and Marcie Kubisch invited us to go to a 49ers game with them, and it was awesome. Allen was super excited and it was my first pro football game. I'm not a huge "sports person", but I love watching live games, and the hot dogs and cracker jacks were quite yummy. The 49ers won!

Christmas 2008!

2009-01-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas was great. Lots of family time and lots of food. Allen and I celebrated Christmas Eve with his family in Prunedale, and we celebrated Christmas day with my family. Christmas was very mellow this year which was nice. I'm looking forward to next Christmas...our first as a married couple!

Celebrating Allen and Michael's birthday at Tyrolean!

2008-12-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

Allen and Michael turn 29! To celebrate we gathered at the Tyrolean, one of Allen and Mike's favs, with good friends, good beer, and good food! Everyone had a great time. Earlier that day, Sara and I made an apple and a berry pie for the boys since they both prefer pie over cake. It was the first time I made a pie from scratch, I was very proud. Everyone had a great time and the staff at the Tyrolean were amazing...very friendly and fun! We love that place. Enjoy the last year of your twenties boys!

The Johnson Farm with the Yorks

2008-12-08T20:48:00.000-08:00

On Sunday we went up to the Johnson farm in Boulder Creek with the York Fam. We had a great time. Jim and Connie picked out their tree, Ryan, Emily, and the boys picked one, and Allen and Michael picked out one for their house. I'm holding out on a tree this year...it'll be more exciting next year when Allen and I get our first tree together. The kids had a blast, they took a hay ride, and enjoyed feeding the goats. We all enjoyed some warm hot cider and cookies too! I'm really enjoying the Christmas season this year...no bah-humbug for me!!!

Christmas in the park...

2008-12-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

Instead of buying gifts for friends this year we decided to celebrate Christmas by having a nice meal together and then taking a stroll around Christmas in the park, downtown San Jose. It was nice spending time with our friends and wandering around the winter wonderland. We had dinner at Sonoma Chicken Coop and it was delicious. Nothing better than enjoying the Christmas season with the ones we love.

Christmas in San francisco...

2008-11-30T22:45:00.001-08:00

San Francisco is already festive for Christmas! The tree is lighted in Union Square, the ice skating rink is a popular activity, and Santa is spreading his cheer. Allen and I had dinner in San Francisco after our day trip to Point Reyes at a delicious Indian restaurant called Chutney. After dinner we walked around Union Square. Christmas was in the air!

Tom Killion in Point Reyes

2008-11-30T22:24:00.000-08:00

Allen and I decided to purchase a Tom Killion art piece for Christmas this year instead of buying gifts for each other. We found out that He was having an open studio at his home in Point Reyes this weekend, so we took off and headed up north. We both had never been to Point Reyes, plus what better than to purchase a Tom Killion piece from Tom himself. It was a gorgeous drive up Highway 1 to Point Reyes which is about an hour north of San Francisco. The drive was a bit windy, but well worth it. Tom Killion does woodblock prints in both black and white, and color. Allen fancies the colored prints, and I love the black and white pieces, so we ended up purchasing one of each. Plus, Tom had his press up and running and allowed us to make a print ourself from one of his older woodblocks, so we have a little keepsake too. It was an awesome experience meeting Tom Killion, and purchasing our first piece of art together!

Tis the season...

2008-11-30T22:08:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving is over, and you know what that means! Christmas is approaching! Time to cut down the tree. My sister Jen was in town this weekend, with two of her friends from L.A. One of her friends had never been to a tree farm before, so we decided to cut down our tree again this year at Crest Christmas Tree Farm in Bonny Doon. This year was a special year because my parents agreed that we could get a ten-footer which has been a dream of mine since I was little. I've always wanted a tree that went all the way to the ceiling. It was difficult finding anything over 8 feet at Crest, but we finally found one! I recently had a realization that this will be my last Christmas as a "kid". I'll be married next year, which in my family means that I'm not a kid anymore. So what better year than this one to have a huge Christmas tree...

Auntie Becka & Uncle Allen

2008-11-28T08:54:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be an aunt! Just found out that Heidi is preggars. I'm excited, probably more excited than she is at the moment, but I'm sure it'll sink in for her soon. Heidi is due towards the end of May so the baby will be here for the wedding. I told Heidi that the baby can be her bouquet if she'd like. I can't wait to be an aunt. I already consider Wyatt, Cody, and Wesley my nephews but there's just something about my own sister having her first baby. He/She will be the first Lister baby and I can't wait to meet "it". I think Heidi will be a good mom and I'll be there to help her whenever she needs it. I'm gonna spoil that kid rotten. In the photo: Lister girls- Jen, Heidi, Becka

Drea's wine and cheese birthday party

2008-11-25T17:32:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, we celebrated Drea's birthday with a variety of cheese and wine. We decided to dress up a little as well. I ended up looking like Cruella Deville, but it was fun wearing red lipstick for once. Allen wore a sexy, red turtle neck...raaar.
It was great spending time with friends and celebrating Drea. We ended the night with some interpretive dance and singing to Moulin Rouge.

Brooke is married!

2008-11-25T16:55:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Brooke and Shaun! The wedding was held on November 8th in Lodi, CA. The wedding was beautiful and Brooke was gorgeous!

Our New Blog

2008-11-19T16:40:00.000-08:00

I wanted to start a blog for Allen and I so that we can share all of the excitement and changes of life with our family and friends. Hopefully as time goes on we will keep up on this blog thang and update regularly.