Christmas Party

Each year we host a white-elephant gift exchange with an intimate number of friends. It's our holiday treat to ourselves because being as Andrew is self-employed we don't exactly have a company party!

From the beginning group there are only a handful of the "originals" because sadly people have moved and each year we miss those that can't come.

Every year has gotten better, I should say funnier!

Last year, was a crazy year and it was the first year we didn't have our party and I looking back I missed it so without hesitation we decided to resume the tradition!


After my final, in preparation for the party I baked some scrumptious treats and tried a new cookie recipe that has an unexpected surprise inside (I will share Tuesday). Carson was a awesome helper rolling peanut butter kisses in sugar for me and opening most of the kisses himself! He had a lazy day with dad in the morning while I was test taking hence the scraggly hair and pj's...don't we all love days like that?

I put together the ornament favors and this year I was boring, no theme sorry....that I forgot to give my guests as they were leaving...oops! I guess I was having to much fun to remember!

After everything was ready to go, as always I anxiously awaited the arrival of our friends, some couldn't come at last minute and they were missed but we didn't let that stop us, let the games begin!


Have you ever wondered how do astronauts relieve themselves while in space? Well, Britt is holding the solution...inappropriately because she thought it looked like a horn!

Catherine REALLY wanted the present she opened but sadly did not get it, I promised it for her birthday so I really hope they still have them!

We had a great time and hope our friends did to.
Merry Christmas and to all a good night!

Labor of Love

So we have (practically) finished the baby room. I think it looks great but I am still not loving the color...it's a bit much but I am not repainting as much as I would like to (if someone is feeling ambitious let me know). We'll call this lessons learned: just because you like the picture in the catalog:

doesn't mean you should copy it, stick to what you think. I would have done that we would have a mellower ballet slipper light pink up instead of some shade of cotton candy....I think it's the lighting because it is the exact same color as the picture above, weird.

I also don't think it doesn't look quite so bright in person but maybe that's me trying to make myself feel better. Oh, well. Everything else I think turned out just as I had imagined!


Andrew painted the crib white, thanks honey!


I craigs-listed a new arm chair, sewed curtains, bought bedding,


and my personal favorite, this chandelier that my Dad came over and put up for us and even added a dimmer which will come in handy late at night when you want light but not very much.


The only thing left to do is hang a couple pictures which I still to get white frames for, make a pillow for the arm chair and add her name to the walls.

Now if this baby isn't a girl, we're in BIG trouble

Most of you know that I like to think I am crafty but this blog put's me to shame and gives me great ideas! If you want to be inspired, check it out at All Things Thrifty...this is my fav!

Let it Snow!

While this is not exciting blogging, it is rare news...it snowed last night! The last time it snowed in Sacramento I was a kid and it never made it to cover the grass. This morning, there is a light blanket of snow on the grass and rocks and Carson was pretty happy when he woke up and looked outside excitedly saying, "it snowed!"

It's not much but we are easily impressed!