New House...(Apartment) Rule

Today was an extremely accomplishing day. 

I taught a class this morning and then headed straight to the studio (after stops at the PO Box & Bank).

I interviewed a new instructor and the cleaners were scrubbing away for about 3 hours this afternoon.

The entire day, I worked. 

I answered got so much done and it felt so good. I love going to the studio when theres no dance and just working. I like that part of it, I love it actually. I just wish I had more time for it so I could be as organized as I want to be. Beginning in January, I'll only teach for 12 hours/week so that leaves lots of office time! I'm so excited about that!!

Anyways...the reason for this post. Our new house apartment rule.

When I get home from dance, what we usually do is have the tv on, eat dinner (in front of the tv) AND I'll have my laptop in front of me where I switch (while eating dinner) from working to Pinterest to Blogger to working to........you get it. While I'm doing this, Matt is laying on the couch playing on his iPad. Remember...the tv is also on during all of this. Ew! Seriously it pisses me off how lazy that is. What a waste of our lives! I mean really. We'll be sitting there losing hours together. 

Now, we have a new rule and we decided on it together and are excited about it. 

I will only spend 1 hour PER DAY on Pinterest, Blogs, internet randomness/TV combined. Matt (while I'm home) will do the same. 

When we eat dinner, we will eat dinner. Everything else will be put away. The tv can be on, but really...do I need to be shoving pizza in my face while I'm answering work emails? No! People can wait until the next day to find out if it's okay to wear not wear tights to class ; ) 

I'm so pumped for this!!

It begins....NOW. Pizza's done :)

Bye friends :)   

Merry & Bright

This makes me so happy...not one of those presents is for me. They're all gifts I was able to get for people this year and I could not be more excited about that :)

See that big ole' silver bow in the left corner....theres a nice big box under it for my hubby, it's killing him to not open it now. I heard him trying to coax Avery into opening it today...nice try buddy! 

I also like that Cogsy Wogsy pulled out all of his holiday toys to get in the holiday spirit tonight while mommy and daddy drink hot chocolate (okay just me) and watch "Up" on ABC-Family! 

We also watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Shrek the Halls" :) 

I had a great afternoon teaching today. My preschool kids were so well behaved and we got so much done. My 5-8's Hip Hop class finished learning their holiday recital routine and they're just so darn cute. I have 10 girls and 6 boys in that class and it's tons of fun. 

Matt made a delicious dinner tonight, too. Soy Ginger Cod, baked potatoes and salad. Mmmmm! 

I have done nothing but blog and pin tonight and I am loving it...

  

Women Connect '12

I love blogging so much and unfortunately lately, I just haven't felt like my life is interesting enough to write about or really, for people to read about. Then I realized, that is not why I started this blog. It never started as a way for me to impress people or hope that people read it. It started because I like to write. It's my stress reliever. It's how I get through any tough time. I snuggle into bed with my journal (or now, usually my blog) and just let loose. All the mushy or super deep stuff is in my journal...sorry peeps. I still like this though. I still like having this outlet. Blogging has also helped me in another way. A way that I didn't know it would when I first began it. Through blogging, I have found some amazing women who's blogs I love to read; who's blogs have taught me a lot. I have learned everything from bible verses that make me feel better, to how to do the latest hair trend. It's also helped me to realize I am not alone in some of the daily struggles I face. So here...I am going to really get back into this. I am going to start blogging for me again. If anyone would like to read along the way, you are more than welcome. I've never been much of a private person. I like to share and not be alone through things, happy or sad. 

So here goes nothing, I am going to start with this fun link-up...Women Connect '12 hosted by one of my favorite bloggers who has mastered the art of being open and honest on her blog, Becky of From Mrs. to Mama. 

Here I hope to meet some more amazing women and read some more incredible real stories. Or, to find a few new bloggy friends that I can share things in common with in this time in my life. 

So, let's just start here...

I'm Chelsea. 

I am 24 years old, wife to my sweet husband Matt, pug mom to Cogsworth and a dance studio owner.

I am a lover of dancing and all things crafty. I like trying new recipes and have a love for all things baby. Though I don't have any babies of my own yet, I really hope I get to. That's what I want more than anything in the whole world, actually. 

Oh and how could I forget...my husband and I are just a little bit obsessed with all things Disney. We met while working at Walt Disney World and have since moved to Washington. We miss it so much but have had 2 trips to Disneyland and a Disney Cruise since leaving, so it's not so bad...

{One of our first dates, September 2008}

I'm from a small town in Wisconsin and call each of my parents every single morning on my way to work. I rarely miss a morning and if I do, I always call right after I'm done teaching my morning dance classes with my little ones. If they don't answer or talk to me for a day I get all weird and annoyed. I don't get to go back that often, maybe twice a year if I'm lucky. I miss my friends there but have been lucky making amazing friends here. Not many, but I'd rather have a few good friends than many okay friends. I have been getting really close to my mom lately through as she is full of some super advice lately. Not that she never had good advice for me before in my life, but I have definitely been listening a bit more lately. 

{September 2, 2011}

It's about to get real on this blog so be ready people. I like writing about new recipes or crafts I've made because I know there are other bloggers I can share them with. I like to write about shitty days at work because it feels good. I like to write mushy gushy about how much I love my husband because, I do love my husband. If I post random photos of our dog sleeping in unusual places it's because we think it's the cutest thing in the world and that's really all he does about 80% of the time. 

{example: Cogsworth in a pile of dirty clothes and flip flops sloppily unpacked from our trip}

This blog is about to get real interesting...not really for anyone out there but myself. I like to look back on my blog and see what we've done together. I have a horrible memory. Matt teases me about it all the time. That scares the shit out of me though. I don't want to forget all the small things. Sometimes, those are the most important. 

For any new readers out there, welcome. I'm so excited to have you and can't wait to hear your stories! 

Thanks for starting this, Becky :) 

ttfn, Chelsea

Just Call Me, Buddy...the Elf!

Buddy the Elf. That's me :)

I officially turned our apartment into the North Pole. 

I am extremely pleased with how cozy and awesome it feels here.

Our tree is up decorated and lit.

All of our presents have been bought...and wrapped and are under the tree.

 (minus 4 coming in the mail)

It's perfect.

I made the ornament garland and wrapped presents while we watch The Polar Express (Matt's favorite).

Yesterday I made our Mickey wreath which takes up half of our living room ; )

We also went to Snowflake Lane with Alex & Matt last night....followed by some delicious P.F Changs. Mmmmm Mmm! We had so much fun with them. We ended up staying there until 11pm just talking. We love them :)

Our Christmas cards should be arriving on Tuesday and I finished writing our letter last night. Tonight I am going to work on our address labels and get stamps tomorrow so that when they arrive I can address them right away and send them out in Wednesday's mail. I love Christmas cards and letters! I'll post our card and letter maybe next weekend. 

Snowflake Lane 2012

Today we went to see Chris & Katie and saw their brand new house! They move in at the end of December and it's absolutely beautiful!! 

Tonights to do list...watch Love Actually, eat a yummy dinner and read :) 

Hope everyone had a great weekend. 

-Chelsea-

Thanksgiving 2012

This year our Thanksgiving was celebrated with Matt's family at Mel & Clint's house. It was the first time the family had a holiday in their new home and it was a lot of fun. 

Clare Bear (age 3)

Caitlin (age 1)

Quenton (age 1)

The kids were able to really run around and explore Auntie Mel & Uncle Clint's house. They even got to meet their Great Dane, Chloe! {that was interesting lol}

Matt & Clint hard at work peeling the potatoes

Marie made a delicious dinner :)

My sweet husband hard at work with his potatoes (that are super yum)

Newlyweds on their first married Thanksgiving 

Us :)

Megan and Clare make the cutest place cards each year with the kids' hands.

Quenton snuggling with Uncle Matty in the morning :) 

It was a really nice family day that ended with games until midnight. 

The next morning Matt and I left around 9 and hit up Target on the way home for some Black Friday deals. We mostly just bought stuff for ourselves (fail). We're already done with all of our Christmas shopping! I'll save that for my next post.

Time to go write our Christmas Letter. Tonight we're going to Snowflake Lane and dinner with Alex & Matt. Tomorrow we are going to see Chris & Katie's house that they just bought, super exciting! :) 

-Chelsea-

So Thankful, Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

First and most of all, I am thankful for my husband. He has stuck by my side through the hardest and best of times. We have been through a lot together these past 4 1/2 years and I would not change any of it. He always knows just how to make me feel better. I have been going through a bit of a challenging time lately (not ready to blog about it) and I could not imagine anyone being able to take care of me better than Matt can. He always knows when I just need a hug, when I need to laugh or when I just need to be able to cry. He really is the best husband. I'm thankful that he loves me for exactly who I am. I can belt out singing, freak out like...well, a freak, move all of our furniture around to dance at 2am, spend way too much money at Target and shrink all of his clothes and still...he loves me so so much. I feel so lucky that he lets me be me. I know not everyone gets to have that, even when they're married and I don't take it for granted. I am just really thankful that I get to be his wife.

I am thankful for my dance studio. I am thankful that my dream came true and that I get to work with the most amazing families and kids everyday. I have the most supportive dance moms. I am thankful that they also let me be me. They have all stuck by my side while I try to figure out how to run my business, the studio and coach the team. Some of my families have been with me now since day 1. I love knowing that I get to see all of these kids grow up and be such a big part of their lives. I love these kids more and more every single day. We spend a lot of time together and I wouldn't mind spending even more :) I have the greatest group of kids. Two of my 12 year old girls told me a while back that I'm like their second mom. I don't think they realized how much that really meant to me. I love them just as much, if not more. I am so thankful for having all of them in my life. They are always making me laugh and have made me so incredibly proud to be their teacher.

I am thankful that because of the studio and our program, we are able to have a roof over our heads and food on the table without any worries anymore. We have been able to start saving and Matt and my siblings are going to have a great Christmas and I am so so so thankful for that. 

This may be silly, but I am thankful that we have the best dog in the whole world. Matt and I were talking the other night and agree that Cogsy definitely can feel my mood and knows what to do. Lately, he has been super in tune to knowing when I'm sad and he's the best little cuddle bug in the whole world. All he ever wants to do is just love us and I can't imagine not having him in this time right now. I need him just as much as he needs me. I have never felt close to a pet like that before. 

I am thankful for our families and how close we both are to them. I am thankful that they too have been super supportive. We have some amazing parents that are always teaching us everyday. Between the four of them, I am really thankful for all they have taught me and how it has shaped me to be who I am today. Because of them, we will be better parents one day. And because of them, we know how to love and be loved. We know how to treat each other and how not to treat each other. Both sets of our parents are so in love still and that is so rare to find anymore. I am truly thankful for that. 

I am thankful for my friends, new and old. For my friendship with Katie that has grown to be an amazing one and my new friendship I have found with Alex. I can talk to Katie about anything and everything anytime of the day and I always know that she really truly cares. Alex and I could hang out at the studio until midnight just talking (sometimes it gets close) and I love that so much. I am thankful that I have been keeping in touch with my childhood friends, whether that be quick texts here and there or phone calls. 

I am thankful that Matt and I got to spend some amazing time together on 5 incredible trips this year.  We visited Vancouver, Seabrook, Alaska, Whistler and Disneyland. And we'll get to have one more amazing journey before 2012 is over while we enjoy a road trip together to Wisconsin for Christmas. That's not bad for one year. We're getting as many in there as we can. We got a lot of places checked off our list and in doing so we created some pretty amazing memories. I am so thankful for that alone time spent with Matt. Those are really times I will never never forget. 

Okay, I'm getting super emotional now. Time to go to bed. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I am thankful that I will get to spend the day with Matt and our Washington family. I'm excited to play with Clare, Caitlin & Quenton :) I miss getting to spend lots of time with them so tomorrow will be fun.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

-Chelsea-

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I'm so excited that my favorite weekend of the year begins in just one more day! I love Thanksgiving weekend so much. Matt and I have so many fun traditions that I cannot wait to do again this year. Thanksgiving will be spent with Matt's family again this year, except this year we will be at Mel & Clint's new house. We will play games and sleepover that night. Friday...we love Black Friday. We always use it to get things that we have been needing around the house and the last of our Christmas gifts will be purchased for everyone. Our toaster crashed on us 2 months ago but we've been waiting until Black Friday so we can get an awesome one :) We also put our tree up and decorate that day! Saturday is always my Christmas craft day! Love that day. This year I have quite a few projects in the works and I cannot wait to blog about them. We also will be going to Snowflake Lane again! *drum, drum, drum, drum, drum-drum-drum-SNOWFLAKE LANE!* Ha, we've been singing that all month long getting pumped up about it lol. 

Here are pictures of me at Snowflake Lane in years past (apparently we just take pictures of me with all the characters lol).

Snowflake Lane 2009

Snowflake Lane 2010

Snowflake Lane 2011 (I can't find the pictures but this was right before we went outside, me and my mom) :)

Here are the crafts I will be attempting this weekend! Some are things I pinned last year that I am finally doing now.

I bought all the ornaments for this today. You string all the ornaments onto a ribbon and then hang from your curtain rod. I bought super fun colors that match all of our whimsical Christmas decor. I almost made it today but I'm going to save it for Christmas Craft Saturday ; )

I am going to make a massive string of marshmallows and hang it on our tree. I love when trees are fun looking and super full of ornaments. I'm going to watch Christmas movies and string away. I'm thinking The Family Stone and The Grinch might even make it out before then...tonight??? I convinced Matt to watch Elf with me on Sunday night, hehe.

I'm also got some clear ornaments that I am going to be filling with fun things like sequins. I'd like to make some Christmas cookies and wrap some gifts too. I bought Matt's big gift today. It's so annoying, he totally knows. I really wish we had kids this Christmas. He's no fun to shop for. He always guesses and then it sucks. Oh hey, I'm just going to save money forever to get you this present to have you guess what it is before I even wrap it. Lame! Grinch like if you ask me ; ) 

I also had to make a special phone call to a friend far away for his surprise gift. Plan is in action now. Yay, at least I'll have one surprise for him.

I'm just so pumped for this weekend! Nothing could break my spirit right now! 

I can't wait to gobble up some turkey. We're making the Nuts & Bolts tomorrow night. It's going to be hard to not eat them until Thursday. Yummmmmm

-Chelsea-

I Love Christmas!

We had a super chill weekend.

I've been doing all I can lately to make every single day a "chill" one. 

So far, so good.

Friday got a little too chill which made me super depressed feeling. Yuck-O. 

Yesterday we stayed home and I Christmas shopped online, created and purchased our Christmas Cards and finished the 1,000 piece puzzle of Cinderella's Castle that I bought in Disneyland. It took me a week and a half to finish and I worked on that bad boy for hours! See, super chill over here in the Lanese home. I love our Christmas cards this year, it has pictures from all 5 of our trips this year and a picture of us on our 1st Anniversary. One of those trip pics may actually not be of us but of Cogsy....  

I used MyPublisher for our cards. 

Last night I also enjoyed eating TJ's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream out of the carton while drinking my favorite wine...*sigh* My sister-in-law, Mel, let me know about a get deal Living Social was having and I purchased my favorite wedding photo as a 20X30 canvas. We're doing some rearranging and our photo gallery wall will no longer be existing as it does now. I am going to move 6 of the photos to our room to put above our dresser and I'm using the frames somewhere else. 

Today we went to Toys R Us (and maybe Babies R Us too because how can you just go to the one half??? I mean really?) We are on a mission to get my little brother (who is 9) the coolest Christmas present of all time. Leading right now is either...

1. Skylanders Giants Starter Pack

2. Nerf Laser Tag (like legit laser tag)

3. A bucket full of Lego pieces from the Lego store

I'm voting for #1, but Matt says no so far. We'll see...

I love Christmas shopping!!

We got my little sister, Cirrah, Dance Central 3 for the Kinect because lately she has been a dancing machine! Makes her Sissy proud ; ) 

Both of our parents presents have been bought. Obvs can't write about it on here...they'll read. Can't wait to give them to them. 

We got Avery the cutest most fun Tigger toy that raps lol. 

I just love Christmas this year. Just 4 more days until we get our tree and have our decorating day! We have to buy a fake one this year because we are going to WI and we won't be able to water it while we're gone. 

I know what I'm getting Matt this year even though I have told him at least 40 times that there is no way in hell I'd ever buy it for him. Hehe. He never asked for it, but looks at it online every 2 seconds lately. He'll be a happy man this year. He always makes sure that I have a good Christmas and the last two years I haven't been able to get him anything he really wants. That's my favorite part of Christmas, showing the people who you love that you know them and care about what they love too. 

Tonight we're watching Elf because I can't wait any longer. It cracks me up! 

I had fun making my Christmas list for Matt this year. Thank you, Pinterest! 

This is what I want most this year.

Lace from my wedding dress in a necklace. Then I can wear my wedding dress every single day :) 

You can find them HERE.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is just 3 days away! Crazy!!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend :)

-Chelsea-

Super Disappointed...

I am so pissed off right now.

I am having the worst day and the stupid weather is not helping. 

I had a not fun meeting this afternoon followed by some awesome lasting-all-day-long baby blues. 

We got home and checked the mail, after Matt tried to cheer me up by taking me to target (where I saw pregnant people everywhere and was reminded that we do not have a baby), and found that our wedding dvd's had finally arrived! Hallelujah! We went back out immediately to go to the post office where we then found we had to pay for his postage. Really? 

We just got home to put it in and...they don't freakin' work! 

After all this time and they don't even work. 

I am so annoyed right now.

(It doesn't help that its Friday night and I have to go teach a Hip Hop class all the way in Redmond)

For real. Worst day. 

I just feel like crying. I haven't cried in like, I don't even remember the last time. 

I used to cry every day. I really don't remember the last time I cried. 

Matt says it was like 2 months ago. Wow. 

I'm going to go lay down before I have to leave. I feel yuck again. I hate the yuck. 

I wish for like 2.5 seconds I could be someone who doesn't even want a baby...

-Chelsea-

Disneyland Tips & Tricks 2012

It's safe to say, Matt and I are Disney Pro's. 

We could start a touring service ; ) 

Matt has worked at both Disneyland (1 yr. 8 months) and Walt Disney World (1.5 years)

I worked at Walt Disney World for just under a year. 

We- are- obsessed.

When it comes to our Disneyland vacations, Matt doesn't mess around.

He knows exactly how to make our trip the best it can possibly be. 

While we were on our trip this time, every time we said "Oh, we should have..." or "Next time we're here...", I recorded it on my phone in a list.  

Here is what we came up with for our next trip to Disneyland.

Packing List 

(From our November Trip)

These are the things we would make sure we had with us for next time. Aside from our normal packing of clothes, pj's, underwear, socks, bras, etc....

*Tank Tops, Short Sleeve Shirts

*Cardigans, pull-on sweaters - it gets super cold at night

*Shorts for sure

*Tennis Shoes or comfortable Flip Flops

  (I made the mistake this time of just wearing my moccasins and I know better)

*Sunscreen!

*Water Bottles (You'll save a lot of money by filling your bottles up at drinking fountains! We bought lots of bottled water.)

*Cash! (We barely used our cards on this trip, instead we had cash that we took out before hand and then we knew...'when this is gone, that's it'! We used our card for our last meal and at the airport, pretty good!) ---side note, we did our 6-day vacation with $400.00 and a $50.00 gift card from a dance family! That included a fancy Carthay Circle dinner and souvenirs (puzzle, magnet & pen) because I can't resist.

*Athletic Shorts & T-Shirts. Sometimes, at Disney it's just nice to have a day of comfort.

*Hair Ties, again...it's hot!

*Band Aids - you will most likely get some kind of blister.

*Phone Chargers to bring with in your purse to the parks. Take 10-15 minutes to charge your phone if you use it for photos. There is an area on Main Street by the lockers where you can charge your phone. I wish I would have done this for this trip. My phone was always dead by parade time :(

*Sunglasses!

Now the moment you've all been waiting for.... 

***OUR TIPS & TRICKS***

*If possible, stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. You'll get more time at the parks and have an easier time if you ever forget something or need to go to your room. Matt and I do not ever leave the parks once we're there, but we would like to stay in the "magic". If staying on property is not an option, we recommend staying at The Anabella, which is just a 7 minute walk from the front gates of Disneyland. It's a really nice hotel. We have stayed there twice now. It's really pretty and well kept. Super easy to walk to and from. I would say it's not much farther away than the Disneyland Hotel is. 

*Get a locker once you're in the park! For just $7.00 you can rent a locker. You can find them in Disneyland on the right side of Main Street. You'll want to bring along hoodies, sweaters or jackets and it's annoying and hot to carry them along during the day. I even put my purse in there all day. Matt had his wallet and that's all we needed. I just carried my phone. Much easier to get on and off the rides too. I promise it's worth $7.00.

*Fly in at night. Once you arrive, just go to Downtown Disney for the night and enjoy the anticipation of being there. It sucks so bad to feel jipped with a half day. We arrived this time at 10am and didn't get to the park until noon. Boo! 

*Fly out in the morning. That way you can end your Disney vacation more magically. You can watch the parade or fireworks and soak it all in. Leaving mid-day is-the-worst. Leaving mid-day knowing all the guests around you get to stay is the worst feeling. I cried. It sucks leaving always, but we won't do that ever again. 

*If you can hold out eating dinner until after the park closes or want a yummy breakfast before it opens, we suggest Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. It's super cheap and delicious! We used to eat there at Disney World Downtown Disney and were so excited that we were there for it's opening week at Disneyland Downtown Disney. Yum! I believe breakfast sandwiches were $3.50 and regular sandwiches for lunch or dinner were around $6.50. Great price at Disney! 

*If you want to ride Radiator Springs Racers, you are going to need to get a Fast Pass first thing in the morning. I'm talking, very first thing you do. The line got close to 2 hours long without one. The Fast Passes were all out by 11am everyday. You can find the Radiator Springs Racers Fast Pass machines next to "It's Tough to be a Bug". We also suggest going through the line as a single rider. If you don't mind splitting up once you get in your car. Matt waited just 15 minutes in the single rider line while I was with my kids backstage. Great tip from my hubby ; )

*If you have young children or you want to ride on the Fantasyland rides, we suggest doing it this way. Arrive to Disneyland well before the park opens on a non-Early Magic Hours day. Maybe 30 minutes before it opens. You'll be closer to the front of the line. Once you get into the park, head straight into Fantasyland. Depending on the season, you can do all of Fantasyland in 1-2 hours! Ride Peter Pan's Flight first too, that line is always the longest. Usually around 40 minutes. If you do it this way, you will most likely get on within 5-10! 

*Guests who stay at one of the three hotels at the Disney Resort receive Magic Morning's for the duration of their stay. Know that during this extra hour at Disneyland, just Tomorrowland and Main Street, USA are open. Some mornings, Disney California Adventure offers this as well. If using this at Disneyland, I would do Space Mountain first. Then I would ride every other Tomorrowland attraction before heading to Sleeping Beauty's Castle for rope drop into Fantasyland! WaBam! You'll get on tons of rides before the park even officially opens. If you do not have a Magic Morning, you can still get into the park 30-minutes early always. You will have access to Main Street, USA and it's a great time to get a cinnamon roll, some coffee and get to the entrance of your favorite land for rope drop. If you like Indiana Jones, I suggest you head to the entrance of Adventureland! Get a Fast Pass for the ride, and then get in line for the ride. You'll get to ride it twice :)   

My husband is pretty proud of me right now for all my tricks and tips! I hope this helps in some way. I know a few friends and dance moms were waiting for this post. :) I'll do another one soon, we have way more tips!!! 

Feel free to "Pin" this post!!