Christmas Eve/Christmas '09

We aren't your typical family when it comes to traditions on Christmas Eve, well, unless you all talk about who did the biggest idiot move of the year and get a cup as an award for it. Oh, and unless you play a rousing game of charades that people tend to get a little too fired up about. :) Well, whatever your traditions are, that's ours, and we love it. :) Heres a peek at our holiday.










































































Happy New Year everyone! xo

back from Seattle

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, we did! Its always cozy to be back at my parents house, the same house I grew up in and have always known. Now we're back in Oregon, in our new home and glad to be getting back to normal. Will post some Christmas stuff soon but wanted to say "hello," a week without blogging is just plain crazy!

2 years ago today...

...we packed up our cars and moved out of our Pasadena cottage that we called home for over 6 years. Saying goodbye to Pasadena was hard, and it included saying goodbye to this one. My friend Sara is such a blessing to me, she was in town for a wedding and was able to spend a couple hours with me before she had to catch her plane back to Cali. I haven't talked to her since I dropped her off at the airport a few hours ago, but I'm pretty sure she missed her flight b/c we got carried away with chatting (the traffic didn't help). Before we got in the car I snapped a couple pics for proof that she was in fact here (our visit went so fast!). It was great seeing you friend, I miss you everyday. xo

just some random thoughts

There are many random thoughts in my mind so..I figured I'd share. (and this is the first time in a long time I don't have anything to blog! truth be told...I kinda like it :)).

*This is the first time since 1996 that I haven't had to fly over the holidays...and I like it!

*Now that I'm back in the NW I have a new appreciation for Fred Meyer and am not sure how I'll live w/out it if we move.

*I never posted the results of B's 3 year check up, she was in the 30% for weight (which is HUGE, she has never been out of the 10%!) weighing in at 29lbs (and some odd oz), and in the 85% for height, can't remember the inches...I'm lame.

*I'm going to a Christmas party tonight, I am bringing a chocolate dipped pear for my hostess gift, I think it looks scrumptious.


*Kelly is in town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*I just finished my Christmas shopping and am SO relieved. I am making Christmas a lot simpler this year, had to happen and I'm glad/thankful.

*I love getting my mail this time of year....seeing Christmas cards makes my heart smile.


*I haven't done laundry in a really long time and I need to.

*I've gotten some smokin' deals at Old Navy lately...if you haven't gone, I suggest you do!

*my skin looks bad right now

*I'm thinking about cutting bangs...thoughts?

*I'm growing out my hair for the first time in a long time....it gets in the way when I shoot and I'm looking forward to having more options.


...........................I took a break and now I'm back..............................


*The Christmas party I went to last night was amazing, it was a Danish celebration and 15 ladies sat at a beautiful table and ate a 7 course meal and we literally were eating for 6 hours straight. It was divine.

*I'm loving my husband even more today b/c it was my morning to get up w/ B but I got home late and was so tired this morning so he got up w/ her and let me sleep until 10am. (THANKS bear!!)

*My baby has another fever...hoping she doesn't have yet another UTI, those are getting old. Poor girl.

*It was fun to sit by Kelly and Abby last night and giggle for hours, fun times.

*My Christmas wish list was kinda long this year...I'm really anticipating some new slippers, anything in particular any of you are hoping for?

*Since I bought my Uggs a month or so ago they haven't come off my feet, I think its some of the best money I've spent.

*I wonder how long I'll take Brennan to get her picture taken w/ Santa? My mom made me and my sisters go until my oldest sister was pregnant with her first child....I'm thinking that was too long. (but it is hysterical to look thru all the years and years of photos now)

*I think I accidentally deleted all my photos I took of my birthday this year before uploading them..bummer.

*I wish I could hop over to the Dominican Biblical Institute and have tea with all my Irish homies. I miss that/them terribly.

*It was almost 2 years ago that we packed up our stuff, left southern California, and moved to Bass Lake, it seems like forever ago. I want to re-live those 4 months again, but I want it to be the exact same.

*I want to go shopping with Lauren (specifically in Santa Monica).

*Have you guys tried the frozen mac n' cheese at Trader Joes? Sooo good.

*My in-laws took B this week so I could get some stuff done, can I just tell you how nice it was to walk thru Target alone?! I was hearing all these other kids screaming and moms freaking out on their kids and I was so thankful for the peace! (thank you Kemi and Doug!!)

*I really need to get my Oregon drivers license.

Ok, this post is getting too long....I'll wrap it up. Happy week of Christmas everyone! xo

Santa comes to Pre-school!

Brennan's pre-school teacher asked me to come take pictures on Santa day, it was fun. Brennan wasn't shy one bit and when it was her turn she walked right up there and told Santa she wanted a doll house for Christmas! (she settled for the teddy bear he had in his sack though). :) Its so fun to watch the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a child.

(I know not all parents want their kids photos online and since I haven't asked for permission I'm not sharing too many)