Monday, December 29, 2008

There's No Place Like Home


I don't think there is anything more comforting than Christmas with your family. Christmas is magical and fun - add your family and it's all the better. Every time we go home (Christmas or not) my parent's don't hold back on the fun (and food), and there really isn't much resistance from us girls.  I guess it's their tactic - leaving us always wanting more. 
I'm glad to say that I assisted in Colin's first white Christmas. Seattle was so white and full of snow we we're actually worried we would never make it. While cabin fever did set in around day 3 we still loved every minute. I can regret the extra lbs later...


Lets Start it off with double of the girl who 
has never shied away from the camera!!!


She takes so many pictures it drives her husband to drink!
(J/K - it's one of the many root beers consumed)


Dad and his girlfriend Lilly

Hey Mom, I know about this party....


Colin's first snow man (well, Hockey Man)


Adam, the snow native, showed him how it is done.


Mama getting ready for WhirlyBall. 


WhirlyBall involves electric carts, plastic scoops, a wiffle ball, 
and apparently when you play with competitive boys, lots of bruises.


We were all still friends in the end.


Dad making his famous pancakes


Snow from the Car

It's tradition to all get pedicures together while we're home...


Yep, even the boys!


Sisterly Love


Bro-Mance 
(they were sharing the blanket before I took the picture)


Girls doing a little shopping

Laura couldn't pass up another photo-Op


All that fun was exhausting...


Close your mouth Mary!


Thanks Mom and Dad for a Great Christmas!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year


This really is my favorite time of the year. Even in Arizona when our winter lows are at 50 degrees I still love Christmas music, dressing in fuzzy sweaters and making festive gifts. I hope each year that I will gain new Holiday Inspiration for something creative to make or yummy bake. This year, I was thinking more on the "Budget Friendly" side of things. I can't quite let go of giving holiday cheer altogether, but I was sure I could be a little more thrifty in my finds. Admittedly, I have a tendency to go over-the-top and spend much of my days scouring the Internet for the latest in all things holiday. I'm constantly getting sidetracked by the beautiful things I have found. I need to remind myself that delight does not reside in things, but the real gift that Christmas brings...hey, I can rhyme!

Nothing says Happy Holidays like Homemade Treats and Ugly Sweaters.....



Sugar Cookies Made with Love


Red and Blue was my theme this year







Ugly Sweater Party - I think we won!


Someone couldn't get enough of the photos...


Lloyd Christmas was the hit of the Party


Now tilt your head to the left - Yeah, that looks good


Wow, That Was Swell!


I feel so warm and Fuzzy in my Poinsettia Ensemble



Saturday, November 29, 2008

Love is in the Air

Something about this time of year brings out the love in everyone.... well at least a big handful of couples I know. So here is a little tribute to all of those celebrating their anniversaries right now. Congratulations, you're a great example to Love's Possibilities...



Happy 5th Anniversary Chad and Ashley!


Happy 1st Anniversary Kelli and Doug!


Happy 2nd Anniversary Jenny and Skyler! 


Happy 5th Anniversary Laura and D-Dally!


Happy 6th Anniversary Rebecca and Jared!


Happy 2nd Anniversary Sarah and Tom!
(sorry guys, I don't have a wedding picture of you)


Happy 2nd Anniversary Sissy and Adam!


Monday, November 24, 2008

Tagged

I was tagged by my friend Aimee... thanks Aim!

You are suppose to just copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.

1Started your own blog
2.
 Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band 

4.
Visited Hawaii
5.
Watched a meteor shower
6. 
Given more than you can afford to charity
7. 
Been to Disneyland ... and Disneyworld!
8. 
Climbed a mountain
9. 
Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. 
Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. 
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. 
Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. 
Been transported in an ambulance
47. 
Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. 
Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud 
54. 
Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. 
Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. 
Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. 
Got flowers for no reason
64. 
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. 
Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. 
Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. 
Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. 
Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. 
Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. 
Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. 
Had chickenpox
89. 
Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. 
Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one

94. 
Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. 
Been stung by a bee

Now I tag Kelli and Terina!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Proof is in the Pudding...

Our dear friend and my Young Women's president Heather Gunnell was gracious enough to take pictures of Colin and I. Well, we did pay her, but it was well worth it-- now that I think about it she deserved so much more for such uncontrollable customers. I have only seen a sneak peak at some of the photos, but she has an enormous talent and along with that talent is a great deal of patience. Colin and I, as I am sure you know, aren't super focused and can get distracted. Heather fought through it all and kept clicking away. She even laughed at all of Colin's Zoolander poses... thanks for humoring us Heather! If you are feeling like you would like your beautiful, or in our case, silly-mugs captured in time you should contact her at Heather Gunnell Photography









Saturday, November 15, 2008

100% Chance of Showers

This weekend was busy and fun. Part of the fun was getting to throw a shower for my friend at work. Angela is the funniest and feistiest person you will ever meet - she had us all laughing uncontrollably when she opened her gifts. Angela does all of the accounting for my weddings... poor girl. This spunky New-Yorker will be such a great Mom even though her little boy wont be able to get away with much. We love you Angela and will try not to screw up our accounts while you're gone.


Lisa and Pat (my Co-party-planners)


Hey, how did that boy get in here? Oh, it's okay, it's just Ken !
(Angela's buddy at work. He takes most of the beatings)


Mama Miele 
(she is so funny and only speaks Italian,.We now know where Angela gets it from)




Eating and Chatting... ladies are so good at this. 

Hali and her E-Harmony shot. 
Do you think this one will work Hali?


Angela
Can you tell she is annoyed I made her pose in front of the pots I made?


Lisa, Angela and Mary


Hey Alexis! Where are you going?!


Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Humble Thanks...


I want to say just a quick and humble thank you to all that made my birthday so special. I can't believe the outpouring of love I received, almost like you were a little worried about me. I'm thinking a few of you thought I might be standing on a ledge ready to jump. No worries, I proudly embrace my 30's with excitement for what lies ahead. I can't believe what amazing family and friends I have collected in the last 30 years -- it makes me so proud of me! 

Mostly, I owe my sweet husband a thank you for doing all in his power to make me feel like princess for a day/weekend. It didn't take all of my 30 years to find him, but I gladly would turn them in to make sure I did. Since my birthday I have had this quote swimming around in my head...

"Marriage is perhaps the most vital of all the decisions and has the most far-reaching effects, for it has to do not only with immediate happiness, but eternal joys as well"
-Spencer W. Kimball

Thanks Colin, I wouldn't have changed a thing.