I’ve been thinking a lot lately about a trip I took to Taiwan in the beginning of 2010.  It could be because I constantly find myself wearing clothes I bought there (amazing shopping btw), or because my new tattoo idea stemmed from my thinking about that trip (as far as the scriptures go).  My time there was life-changing & it will forever be one of my favorite places for many reasons.

I went to Taiwan with my sister and brother-in-law to lead worship for a conference.  We were able to spend a little over a week there before heading over to Japan and I have decided that I MUST get back someday…hopefully sooner than later.  My sister and I have even tried convincing our family to go there for a family vacation (I’m still pulling for that).  Since it has been on my mind so much, I thought I would share a few of my favorite photos – enjoy!

The area that we were in – Ximending, Taipei – is a center for a very large population of young people.  It is amazing.

Scooters.

Every 7-Eleven should have food like this.  I don’t know that I would try it, but they should.

The Starbucks was less than a block from our hotel – lucky me.

View from Taipei 101 – now the second tallest building in the world after the Burj Khalifa was built in Dubai.

Hey, there’s me.

Throwing down some tunes outside for a group of people in Ximending.

By far my absolute favorite photo of my nephew.

Have a gorgeous weekend!

Hello lovelies!  This week is about to take me out and it’s not even halfway over (I’m including the upcoming Saturday and Sunday in this as well).  In the current 7 day span, Friday is the only evening I am not going to meetings, birthday parties, practices, and more meetings.  I even had something scheduled for Friday and thank goodness it was cancelled because I’m pretty sure I will be sleeping the second I walk into my house after work.

I only have 2 hours left of work today (yes!) and then have to head over to my church where I am a youth leader and we are also having our family celebration for my brother’s birthday tonight as well when I am done with that.  Phew…busy day!

What better way to relax a little and have some fun then show you my most recent Instagr.ams?

New watches. ♥

Airport reading on my way to South Dakota.  My new barista-given name, Stromy.

In SD, we stayed in an older woman’s house – she had tons of great vintage things.  The pheasant was my morning view from the couch.

Wedding fun.

The nephew winning a medal for his flag football team – so cute!

Beyond excited for the Walking Dead premiere!  I need to renew my Nylon subscription!!

Fun thrifting finds – The car was not for sale.

Signs of Fall from my bedroom window. ♥

Happy Jump Day loves!

I know you have all be anxiously awaiting more photos from the wedding I was in last weekend.  My cousin, Elise, got married!  Unfortunately, there was so much work going on, I didn’t get a ton of photos – specifically since I was in the wedding and had to get photos taken OF me instead of the other way around.  Here is what I did manage to get (and also a few by Bre who I roped into photographing some of the ceremony for me):

The venue was absolutely gorgeous and we had perfect weather.

Love the ‘gift truck’….so cute – and I wanted to bring it home!

Pretty wildflowers.

Pretty bride.

So many phone calls for the bride.

Pretty tattoo and pretty bridesmaids.

Awwwwwww….

My cousin, Ross, and I strutting our stuff.

Father and daughter – so gorgeous.

Party time!

I didn’t write this note – but I agree fully with what it says.

The cousins…sort of the coolest South Dakotians I know.  There was a better photo of Ross and I – but it just wouldn’t be the same unless I posted his standard “I’m going to mess this photo up” face.

Congrats Matt and Elise!  Make up the spare bedroom…I’m coming back to visit next week!  That’s okay…..right??

Today is Friday for me and thank goodness, because I don’t think I can take much more.  The past week or so has been CRAZY and I am in desperate need of a vacation.  My sweet cousin, Elise – my dearest La Prima, is leaving me in singlehood dust and getting married on Saturday!  I will admit I am just the teeniest bit jealous…not of the guy of course, because that would be creepy – no offense Matt.  But I am honored to stand in her wedding and it will be so good to see family.  I think things will be crazy there too, like any wedding is – but it will be really great to get away from work for awhile, at least for the weekend and I can barely contain my excitement about seeing my La Prima again, after almost a year.  That’s too long Elise, you hear me almost-married-lady?

The above two photos could be twins.

Isn’t she the loveliest?  So full of joy at all times – she makes me happy.  Can’t wait to see you in a few hours Elise!

I am heading to the airport in an hour…love the airport – so excited to fly on the 16 passenger puddle jumper, truly – I am going to thoroughly enjoy it.

Happy Wednesday loves!

Hey guys!  This week has been very full, and very fun!  We didn’t get to go out of town on vacation this year, so it was good to have a week of fun here in the Denver area.  My in-laws came into town for the week (from Indiana), so we had lots of yummy meals, a trip to the mountains, and lots of Starbucks:)

Monday – Tristan’s parents arrived in the afternoon, and we spent time visiting and then made dinner – baked potato soup (made by me), bread sticks & caesar salad (made by Tristan).  SOOOO yummy – I really want one of those bread sticks right now!

On Tuesday we took a trip to Target where Grandma & Papa graciously let the kids pick out toys and got us all a Starbucks treat of our choice – Gemma and Guini picked cake pops, coffee cake for Gavin, an iced Caramel Macchiato for me, and a smoothie for Tristan.  I love family Starbucks days:)

Tuesday was also our 10-year-proposal-anniversary (read about it here), so Grandma and Papa let the kids spend the night at their hotel with them, and Tristan and I went to Village Inn for a dessert date.  We used to hang out at VI or Denny’s quite a bit when we were dating, so it was fun to revisit:)  Sorry about the blurry picture – I didn’t notice that it was like that in the dim lighting…why is it always so dim in there?

On Wednesday, we headed up the mountains.  We decided to go to Nederland, CO which is a little mountain town about an hour from our house.  I love living close to the mountains, but we hardly ever take advantage of that fact.  It was a perfect day to go – 73 degrees and overcast – gorgeous.  We had a picnic, walked down the reservoir a little ways, and got to ride on the Carousel of Happiness.  SO pretty!  After that we went to Buffalo Bill’s Coffee and got treats for everyone.  It was such a cute place – it’s inside old renovated train cars.  The coffee was good, and I loved the little map-printed cups:)

Later that night, I made a peach/nectarine pie (I didn’t get a photo, so I had to steal Stormie’s because she came over to use our computer that night).  It was good, and is now all gone:)

On Thursday night, we got to go to the Rockies game in Denver.  I love Coors Field – it’s so beautiful, and has THE most gorgeous view.  I am a little embarrassed to say that I haven’t been to a baseball game in over 10 years….we just aren’t really into sports, but it was still good to go and pretend that we were:)

To end the week, we went to the Mile High Flea Market (one of my favorite places).  It was kind of a bust though – not too many sellers, and a lot of the businesses seemed to be shut down for the day.  I didn’t end up buying anything, but the kids sure did have fun riding the motorcycle ride.  Later for dinner, Tristan decided to make his famous alfredo sauce, so that pretty much made up for all bad things…ever:)

Grandma and Papa left yesterday, and we were sad to see them go – it was a great week.  Now it is time to get ready for school – mixed feelings on that one:)

Love,

Stephanie May*

I only spent about 3-4 hours total in Chicago on the way to and from the airport, and the rest of my weekend was spent in Hobart, IN with my family.  Chicago was lovely…wish I could have spent more time there, but seeing the whole family was well worth not being there as long as I would like.  I had to go back to work today, but the rest of the fam will be there until Wednesday so they will be spending some time in the city.  Things I did get to do and see there:

So so delicious.

Lots of traffic.

Hanging out in the hotel…my sweet Grandma was amazed at my digital camera(she is still a 35-mm gal) and took this pic of me

It was a really fast, really fun trip…and now I’m trying to keep myself awake since I’ve wanted to fall asleep since 4pm today.  Time to snooze soon….

Love!

Stormie Dae

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This is not just my dream car…it is my dreamy car.  And isn’t it just?!

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I’m convinced the reason she looks completely content with life is because of the car. {Source}

I’m not really particular on the color, I think they’re all pretty amazing.  I just desperately long for one.  Someday….someday….

This one is for sale near my house…if only. {Source}

*Sigh*

Some days are just for dreaming of cars.

♥ Stormie Dae

I’ve never been to Coney Island, but I would love to go…and this photo shoot really really makes me want to be there right now.  Lemonade, cotton candy, roller coasters, doesn’t it all sound divine?

Oh, and I’m missing NYC quite a bit….and a Nathan’s hot dog from Gray’s sounds amazing.

Happy (almost) Summer to you!

Love,

Stephanie*

I like to take photos of myself in the car.  A lot.  Why?  Boredom?  Vanity?  Fun?  All of the above?

Hmmmm…am I the only one who does this?

And photos of *him* driving make my heart beat a little faster.

(All photos taken by May)

Hello lovelies!  It’s the middle of the week and in our fair state, today is FINALLY going to feel like Fall!  I’m crossing my fingers that the predicted 67 degree high will be a reality.  It’s a happy happy day for MayDae! (except maybe that Stephanie May’s hubby is leaving the country for a week today….but other than that!)

We had a very busy weekend that included a birthday party, thrift shopping, a couple MayDae photo shoots and a trip to the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market in the Denver area on Saturday morning.  Stephanie May* and I love attending markets because it gives us a chance to find businesses we didn’t know about previously, and it’s also a great place for ideas.  We had a great time and saw some really lovely things – here are some of our photos from that morning:

Starbucks is always a must at these types of things…or any type of things.

According to their site, Horseshoe is hoping to bring this market back as a monthly event starting next Spring and going into Fall…maybe, just maybe Stephanie May* and I will think about setting up a little MayDae section at one or two.  Would you come visit us?