A New Sheriff is in Town

My parents purchased a set of boy dress up clothes a few years ago. My Nephew still pulls them out every once in awhile. He had no idea I was watching him as he meticulously created his new persona.

Um... OK not so authoritative, but still cute none the less.

A little better... I think a "bad guy" would take this seriously. Granted his head is to big for the hat.

Please note the dagger, because he would want you to. It adds to the coolness factor so does the soccer ball shirt.

I love this kid and miss him A LOT! At least I have these pics to make me smile.

Thanksgiving Weekend

OK so it was 3 weeks ago but here are a few pics of Thanksgiving weekend.

Oh my goodness it is so much fun to have a baby in the family again. I am happy my sisters and I look similar because she had no problem letting me hold her even though I am never around her.

My Mom must have known that I was missing her cinnamon rolls. I didn't care that dinner was an hour away, I just had to eat one.

I could eat here everyday I am in SL, and have been known to do so. Nothing compares.

My Mom got a rockin deal on a Barbie condo and tons of Barbies/slash clothes. My younger nieces were in heaven! Not that there are plenty of toys in the play room but this is the newest/coolest item.

Obligatory photos of the Nieces and Nephews.. You must look and think they are the cutest ever.

I want this T-shirt

Chaos in the playroom. BARBIES and Train-sets. If Barbies weren't such a pain to dress the adults would be able to do something else.

The day after dying Ali's hair. She has so much hair it took ages to do. It's not that her hair isn't dark as it is, she just wanted it a bit darker.

All in all I am so glad I went. It has been a long time since I have been to my parents for Thanksgiving. I had a fabulous time with my family!

Puzzle Mania...

or is it insanity? Every year my Mother buys a new "Christmas" puzzle and every year we spend ridiculous amounts of time putting it together. I will never forget the Star Wars puzzle, I think we were all swearing by the time it was finished (it was basically black with pin dot stars).

This year she bought a box set with 4 individual puzzles thinking it would be easier. Was it? NO. There were so many critters in each one, ugh, birds, dogs, cats, raccoons and every piece looked like the other.

Then the confession came out.... My Mom doesn't really care for puzzles. Yeah I think she likes to watch us get frustrated, watch us compete to see who is the first to finish and watch us hide pieces from each other. Yeah we don't play nice.

Yet we had to finish them... so we must enjoy doing them. Regardless it is time well spent with each other.

It begins, this was the first. Melissa and I stayed up well past Midnight just to finish, our backs were aching, our eyes were tired, but we finished it.

First of four complete. Seriously I was so done with the birds and the rabbit looking squirrel.

Puzzle 2 under way. Another one that took forever thanks to a 4 year old who considered shooting pieces off of the table "helpful".

Puzzle 3. This had to be moved off of the table to the computer room. I didn't get to see the finished product because of my flight but it to was a killer. How many cats and dogs can be shoved into one puzzle?

Regardless of the complaining and aching backs these puzzles cause I am sure the tradition will live on. Why? We are addicted.

Table Decor

My Sister Emily came up with the place card idea for Thanksgiving this year and I thought it was such a cute idea.

She printed baby pictures of each of us instead of just our names. It was fun to remember how cute we all were. Plus it added to the fun table setting.

When my Nieces and Nephews came over later they would play the guessing game trying to figure out who was who. The only one they guessed right was Baby I other than that they had to really look at each of us long and hard before they got it.

Weren't my parents adorable babies!?!?! If you know my Dad you know his hair left him long ago, above is proof he once had gorgeous black curly locks.

A note about the Chocolate Turkey's also used as place settings. My Niece and Nephew noticed mine the day I was leaving and decided that I wanted to share with them. Apparently I tortured them while I was unwrapping it super slowly. My Sister Melissa thought it was quite funny that they couldn't take their eyes off it, while my mind was engrossed elsewhere.

Dean Martin - Baby It's Cold Outside

Christmas Season or Greetings Season, as one of my customers would say has officially begun.
Technically it's not as "cold outside" in Northern CA but the lights are out and the trees are starting to show in windows. So to start the season off I give you one of my favorite Holiday songs. I prefer Deans version over any other.

It's My Party

This year I threw myself a Birthday Party. I wanted complete control over the food and friends invited. It was a bit much to take on considering that week was completely full with church obligations, but I managed and I think it turned out well.

I made yummy appetizers and cupcakes. A new favorite are the goat cheese, sun dried tomato, basil skewers. They were delicious! Thanks Brian Boitano (yes he has his own cooking show), click here for recipe. I did modify to make them more bite size.

I found vintage Mad Libs and we broke into teams to play. It was fantastic fun!

It was a fabulous night to celebrate another year with great friends. I hope a few of my wishes come true, regardless it will still be a glorious year.

Part of the guests, most had left by the time the camera came out.