Christmas Tree

We decorated our big tree last weekend. I love our tree - it is a mash of non-matching ornaments that represent memories from past years. Decorating the tree is one of my favorite parts of Christmas!

Tonight we put up Chase's tree in his room. He picked a red and green and white color scheme. It is adorable.

We are all starting to get into the holiday spirit around here.

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving! Touch football with the neighbors and the usual giant family bash. Today we followed it with a second Thanksgiving with the other side of the family, Wreck It Ralph, and Christmas tree decorating. We are all in good spirits and enjoying the holidays already! Our family has a lot to be thankful for this year (family, friends, health, jobs, etc!) and we hope that everyone else finds themselves feeling as blessed as we do!

Halloween Sneak Peek

We went to a Halloween party tonight - it was fun to see everyone in costumes! The photo quality isn't great but you know how low light and phone cameras are.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter!

We kicked off the event with some egg dying (this year we went for marbled eggs - the trick to marbled eggs is to put 2 - 3 tablespoons of oil into the dye before you start dunking your eggs).

Chase took egg dying very seriously...

This year Chase's basket was hidden in the coat closet. He loved his basket and determined that the bunny must know him very well.

After the basket hunting G and I knocked out a 6 mile run (I just couldn't commit to do the 9 mile run that was on the schedule). We followed the run with a delicious family brunch. I love quiche.

Back at home we did a neighborhood alley egg hunt and potluck / happy hour. Just about every neighbor came and we played hard until bedtime. I love our block! I hid about 150 eggs and there were only 7 kids and 3 didn't want to hunt - let's just say the kids that decided to hunt ended up doing fairly well for themselves.

I hope everyone else had a wonderful day too!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from this spoiled girl. Nothing like ending a night with chocolate strawberries and champagne.

A Better 2012

Last night instead of reflecting upon 2011 we brought in the new year playing Magic the Gathering (I have been getting in touch with my inner geek again lately). Now it is 2012 and 2011 was somewhat of a bummer of a year so I am not going to waste any more time reflecting upon it. Onward I say!

So goals for 2012...(I only accomplished about half of my 2011 goals but we'll try to do better this year).

- Rock 30

- Read at least 12 books (an average of 1 per month isn't particularly ambitious but hey with how busy life is I'll take it)

- Finish at least 6 quilts or other sewing projects

- Finish a sprint triathlon (I am relying on one of my friends to keep me on track with this one - let the training begin)

- Train Stark (for once in my life I want a spectacularly good dog)

- Be more spontaneous

- Laugh a lot more then I did in 2011 (Capricious - I am relying on you to bring on the silliness)

And off we go...

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas morning around here. Chase said that Santa is a really nice guy! He got a bunch of legos, some superhero mashers, a Spiderman inflatable punching guy, and his big gift was a trampoline. Lots of excitement around here.

B got a Cotton Candy maker - so excited to try it!!! Santa brought me some awesome layer cakes and new scissors (those things could take a finger off)!

Here is a picture of Chase trying to explain to B that the coal B got in his stocking is really just candy.

Bugsy spent most of the morning showing his resentment about Stark's arrival by hiding from everyone. Jaxx spent the entire morning happily playing fetch.

Stark's favorite part of the morning was waking up Chase (he LOVES that boy - follows him everywhere - this AMs greeting was the most excited we have seen that pup)! He also did some gift opening of his own.

He opened B's gift uninvited...sneaky puppy.

Merry Christmas everyone! Family fun here we come!

Happy Chanukah!

Ornament Tree

An early Christmas gift card from a friend turned into this lovely thing!

Happy December 1st

I was so excited to get Chase his first advent calendar. I have memories of opening the little calendar windows as a kid and being so excited about what shape chocolate would be inside. It's all about the little things in life - I hope Chase enjoys his little daily surprise as much as I used to.

Happy Thanksgiving

This year was a somewhat tough year for us and yet at the end of it there is still plenty to be thankful for. How can you not feel thankful when you are surrounded by family and friends - the people in your life are really all that matter. So today I feel blessed and happy with everything I have, my life and heart are full.

Thanksgiving PJ Potluck

Chase had his class Thanksgiving PJ Potluck this week. It was over the top - one of the moms even made a turkey!

Here is a picture of Chase sitting on top of a bookshelf during story time before the feast.

Here is a picture of Chase and one of his best buds Aiden.

I am ready for our own little family feast tomorrow! YAY!