Snowy Days

This year instead of spending Christmas in SLC/Idaho I went to D.C. and New York to spend it with David, Brooke and Melissa. It was a lot of fun to change up my Holiday habits. Because I am camera happy this post will be about the first few days in D.C.

It was luck that when I booked my flight I picked Sunday instead of Saturday to fly east. Who would have known that they would have been hit with the "Blizzard of the Century". Anyway because I flew on Sunday I managed to get on my flight unlike all of the Saturday fliers. I was greeted with snow upon my arrival and a lot of it. Because D.C. is not accustomed to such a large amount of snow in one day everything was shut down. It was peaceful, quiet and very cold.

Now this is my 6th winter in Northern California, I guess in my blood has gradually thinned out, I also own "light weight coats" and no snow boots/shoes. This posed a problem because the first couple of days I attempted to walk (more like slid) down to Shirlington Village just for something to do and froze there and back. Thanks to Brooke she loaned me her coat to keep warm and I bought a pair of boots that I don't really need now.

On the third day I had to get out of the house. I braved the cold and went into town to visit the National Museum of the American Indian, which surprisingly I had not visited with the exception to eat in the cafeteria (a must do if you are in the area) and to see the Hirshhorn.

I spent hours at the NMAI, it was pretty cool, I highly suggest you go. And what can I say about the Hirshorn, it is a favorite of mine if you like Modern Art it is also a must see.

I love visiting D.C. for the museums they are amazing and best of all FREE!

Great texture at the NMAI

I love the architecture of the NMAI. It is very thoughtful.

This cracked me up. Only at the Hirshhorn would someone make a snowman sitting and waiting.

The Hirshhorn

One of the Smithsonian buildings

Loved that the trees were decorated. I want these stars.

December Happenings... mostly in photos

December was a very busy month but I managed to have time for friends and parties. Below are some of the few things that happened in a two week span....

Jentri & Shane came to Oaktown! Since they moved a year ago they have been missed. We enjoyed Vietnamese Food, putting together a puzzle with Marielle and Sam, they were there to console when I was asked out by an elderly man, and a photo shoot in Jingletown.

A tile wall in Jingletown, let artists take over a part of town and it will be a very colorful place

Jentri kindly letting us practice taking portraits

A Birthday gift from A-gril and Marielle was a ticket to the Nutcracker. I love San Francisco's version. The costumes are gorgeous especially the flowers! It was a fun night out with the girls!

No A-Gril and I did not plan on wearing the same colors but it happens more than you think.

AC was so excited to give me my Christmas gift that she insisted that I opened it in Sacrament meeting. She and her brothers worked really hard to make this for me. I adore it!

Christmas isn't the same without a musical party. The Hayes invited a few of our musically inclined friends (and a few of us who are not) to perform for each other. I read a story as did a couple of others and the rest either played or sang. It was a fun night for everyone!

We always have a fun Church Christmas party. A lot of talent surrounds us. I loved the Christensen's take on "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"

The CUTEST Mary and Joseph ever!

T and the garbage can... He couldn't wait until it was empty to take a ride

All in all it was a fun and fabulous month in Oakland.

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.

Raven Haired

I am tired of my brown hair fading to red so I tried black. Maybe it will fade to brown and then again it might not.

So far 99.5% of the consensus is good, they other .5% doesn't count, that person is socially awkward.

It makes my eyes pop and goes well with my skin, so it's a keeper. Maybe just maybe this is what my Grandma Ermine looked like.

Noah And The Whale - Blue Skies - Live In Session

Noah and The Whale's new album The First Days of Spring will break your heart and start to mend it again. It is extraordinary, stunning, yet simple masterpiece. I have been absorbing it for a month now and every time I listen it becomes just what I need it to be.

It must be listened straight through a few times to get the beauty behind it. The mini Film that coincides with the album is perfection also. I highly recommend this album and their previous album, which I thoroughly love, Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down. They are both must listens (and own for that matter).

Go here or here or anywhere else you buy your music to get yourself a copy, and prepare to break your heart.

A Letter to the Birthday Fairy

Dear Birthday Fairy,

I am writing to let you know that I would like to reject a gift you gave. You know the one you put in my left eye, which then promptly shared with my right eye. It is a gift that I did not wish for nor do I want. Pink eye is not the way I want to begin a new and exciting year. Yes I do know it is pink eye because the strange little Doctor I saw confirmed it. So please remove the gift so that I can enjoy my Birthday week.

Also when you come to take the gift back, please leave some $$ because I now need to replace my eye makeup and as you know it can be a bit expensive. I am also not to happy about starting out the new year makeup less for the next few days. I will cope because I am a trooper that way, but if I run into the hot guy in the building, I will be a bit dismayed.

As for the other gifts, I enjoyed them immensely and they are all well received.

Sincerely Yours,

Me

Happy Birthday....

to Me!

My Mom loves this picture of me and so do I. She said she always thinks that I am about to do something mischievous.

Today is my Birthday and it is a pretty great day to have one. Who else can say they share it with Dia de la Muerta (Day of the Dead). Kinda cool don't ya think!

I am taking it easy tonight with Cactus Tacos and a movie, Thanks Anne. (partly due to an eye infection which has made for an interesting day). A party will be forthcoming.

Thanks for the Facebook love and phone calls from loved ones! You all really know how to make my day.

Halloween-The Cliff Notes Version

Yep I dressed up this year. Believe me it was hard to figure out a costume since everything is now in the "sexy" style, but after trying several, Olive Oyl won out.

Friday at work I was somehow put in charge of a potluck party. It was fun but really when did I become the event planner. Maybe I'll get a raise.

Friday night was a fabulous party at a Marielle and Sam's house, it was fun to hang out with friends and eat yummy food.

On Halloween there was the Carnival and Trunk or Treat put on by the primary. It's amazing how many kids show up for this every year, it really is a fantastic party. I loved seeing all of the kids creative costumes; my favorites on absolute creativity go to these two:

Turning J's standing wheel chair into a Chariot. She loved it and so did every one else!

T is currently obsessed with garbage cans and when he saw what his dad created for him, he about passed out with excitement.

Halloween night was spent at Masha and Chris's watching It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, eating delicious food and hanging out with amazing friends.

All in all it was a wonderful Halloween, I am currently suffering from a candy coma but will hopefully recover soon before the Birthday festivities begin.