Wishing for Griswold-like Lights

The Hottie LOVES to put up Xmas lights. Don't let him fool you. He may say he doesn't...but, he's like a kid in a candy store during this week of EVERY year.

We put our lights up the weekend following Thanksgiving - just like about every other person in America. Our lights take several days to complete. You'd think we'd end up like the Griswold's. But...no. Not that the Hottie doesn't dream about that...we just don't have that many lights.

Every year we talk about getting more...but, who wants to spend money on more and more lights??? Especially when what you have is sufficient?

A few years ago our neighbors (that we don't know) had these candy cane-like, sparkle stakes. Not like the standard ones you see....WAAAAY better. We admired them for years. Then, two years ago...after Xmas, they placed them out in their bulk garbage pickup.

Whaaaat???

I made the Hottie go get them and bring them home for the next year. He reluctantly did just that. Well, guess what?? We tried to use them last year and they were broken. I guess that's why they were at their bulk pickup. I guess that's what we get for trying to steal our neighbor's trash.

Today, I was at Walmart (my fave) and I found the standard (but, still lovely) yard candy canes. For $2.50!! It was a sign. I scooped them up and bought them. The Cuties were excited. They know their daddy is not satisfied with just a little bit of lights. And, of course they want our house to light up the entire neighborhood.

Brady noticed he could make a heart by placing two candy canes together. The Cuties waited for the Hottie to get home and yelled..."Surprise!! We love you." The Hottie was thrilled. And, he can't wait to put them up. Hopefully, this will hold him over until next year.

But, you gotta admit...the most festive houses are the best houses.

p.s...not that you're surprised, but the Hottie has a diagram of where each strand of lights belongs...with pictures. And, each strand is carefully rolled up, taped, and given a letter to correspond with the diagram. Don't you totally think we were seriously made for each other??

New Moon

Yes, of course there was bound to be a post on New Moon.
Remember how much I love this?
If not...remember me here?
Well...we've taken it to a new level.
We saw New Moon.
Opening night.
Midnight showing.
At the Cine Capri.
Yes...we purchased the tickets months ago.
Yes...we waited in line for perfect seats.
Yes...we're nerds...
(or at least the Hottie thinks so)
Was it everything I thought it would be and more?
Sadly, no.
Was it good?
Yes.
Do I finally understand how books
are SO much better than the movie?
Definitely.
No worries...I'll still be there opening day for Eclipse...
just maybe not at the midnight showing.
That was tough!
But...to be fair...
I do fall asleep by 8pm every night,
so midnight was certainly a struggle.

Traditions with the Tree

In our family, we have a tradition - the tree goes up right after Thanksgiving. Decorating the tree is one of my most favorite holiday traditions. This is how it goes...

1. The Hottie pieces the tree together

(yes, we have a fake tree. A Costco special. We love it. But, I do miss picking out the perfect tree each and every year.)

2. The Hottie locates the Christmas boxes.

3. We put in Christmas Vacation...can't decorate the tree without this favorite Christmas movie.

4. I unwrap every Christmas ornament as the Cuties and the Hottie scoop them up to find a perfect location on the tree.

5. The Star on the top completes the tree.

6. We finish the movie and admire the tree.

This year, the Hottie wanted the job of unwrapping the ornaments. So, the Cuties and I did most of the decorating. Once the middle and the bottom of the tree were looking mighty festive - we needed the Hottie's help for top. So...we switched tasks. I love unwrapping the ornaments. Something about unwrapping each one brings back memories of every single ornament....where did we get it? how long ago? was it made? awwww....LOVE IT!!

Growing up - our tree was filled with an eclectic assortment of ornaments. All different, many homemade, many crafted at school with beads and construction paper and pictures. I remember thinking how when I had my own tree it would be beautiful with matching ornaments....just spectacular. And, now many years later, although those matching trees are beautiful - nothing beats our own very eclectic, some homemade, some school crafted tree. Every ornament has a meaning and I love it.

When the Hottie and I were married we worried about what ornaments our tree would have. The first year we had about 12 ornaments, many of which were decorations we saved from my bridal shower. Today...the ornaments are plentiful and I love it.

Before the decorating begins...

Our tree is very athletic, but of course we have a favorite team...

But, we don't play favorites - you just won't see us with a Yankees ornament!

Gotta love the home team and my Alma mater...

Some of our collection...

Some that were gifts...

Some that the Hottie made as a kid...with a little Celtic flare...

Some with our first "child"...

Some school crafted favorites...

One that has a special meaning to Bryan and his late Grandfather...

One of our favorites...a wedding gift...

One that although it is several years old, takes a whole new meaning this year...

Some personalized faves...

We don't have many traditional "ball type" ornaments, but this is one of our favorites...

Some that are not really ornaments at all, but bridal shower packaging decor...I received tons of these at my shower and have saved two that we use as ornaments...(our first year - the tree was FILLED with these)

And, of course a snapshot of the empty tissue paper after unwrapping all the ornaments...(I guess I'm a little neurotic, but are you really that surprised?)

Finally, the Cuties proud of their tree...

I will say that this year was surprisingly and uncharacteristically calm. No crying fits and lots of smiles. The Cuties must be getting older.

How I love this season.

Me Thankful - Monday

Do these look familiar?

Well...these are the looks I get from others

when I discuss my baby name choices.

Not everyone likes my choices.

I now understand why people keep

their name a secret till the big day.

Maybe I should try it.

But, would I seriously be able to keep that a secret till May?

Yeah...probably not.

Guess what I'm thankful for?

It's my turn to pick the name.

My choice.

Me likey, me picky.

So...if you don't like my name choices...

suggest something else for consideration please!!

Muchas Gracias!

p.s. I'm sure most of you are wondering how in the world I let myself...1) be photographed looking so absolutely beautiful and 2) actually had the guts to post such gorgeousness on the public blog...yep, 100% me - take it or leave it!!

UPDATE: The Hottie wanted to make sure that I mention he gets full VETO power. That he does!!

Me Thankful

Yes, it's been awhile.
I've been sleepy.
And lazy.
And trying to catch up on hours of DVR.
And looking at the Toys R Us BIG book with the Cuties.
I am soooo far behind in blogging.
And...I've got a list of "To Do" blogs.
Do you know what that looks like?
Scribbles and scribbles and scribbles of ideas.
That seem to add up...
but very few ever make it to the blog.
Today - I am focused on Thanksgiving.
This week actually, I am focused on being Thankful.
And, thankful....I am thankful for so many things.

Today, I am thankful for SUNDAY NIGHT DINNERS. This kind of weekly tradition started several years ago. I am not quite sure how it came about. It was kind of by accident. We all started going to my parents for a good 'ole home cooked meal. It just happened we always went on Sundays. Then...we continued with the next Sunday. And, the next. And, the next. And pretty soon....we called it Sunday Night Dinner. I love it. The Cuties love it. And the Hottie especially loves it.

Tonight was the best kind of Sunday Night Dinner. Why??? Because it involved my very favorite meal. French Dip. Deeeeeeeeeeeelicious. I do not know anyone that makes French Dip like my mom. I love it. And, tonight seemed especially delicious. Ooohhh and to get into the spirit of Thanksgiving, my mom even had pumpkin pie for dessert. Mmmmmmmm. I was literally in heaven.



Sunday Night Dinner is very casual. And, really anyone is invited. The best part is just the family time. The catching up. The gossiping. The boys watching sports. The girls chatting and chatting. The kids laughing and playing. Tonight we were joined by MaryLou, Bart, Aunt Karen, Robin, Aaron, Lincoln, and London. It was extra special and extra fun. The more the merrier.



Thanks Mom and Dad - I really, really love Sunday Night Dinners. Yes, of course I love the meal...but, I love the company more.

We're...

Totally Shocked,

Completely Ecstatic,

Freaking Out,

Nervous,

Jumping for Joy,

Believing in Miracles.

We're....

yep, expecting #3.

EDD 05.30.10

Yippee!

Cardinals Tailgating

Today, I was formally introduced to Cardinals Tailgating. Not just any tailgating...but, tailgating on the GREAT LAWN. Wow....can you say A-MAZ-ING!

We met up with my cousin Jessica and her husband Jeff and several of their family members for the real tailgating experience. We met them in the middle of the GREAT LAWN. Definitely...it is GREAT! Hundreds of canopies...people with set-ups better than Zipps...and waaaaay better than my living room. Of course, the Hottie was in HEAVEN. You name it...it was there:

TVs

Satellite

Cornhole

Grills Galore

Free Stuff (and I love free stuff!)

BBQ food

Breakfast burritos (that's what we had....DELISH!)

Basically, people set-up their space better than a living room. It was amazing. I loved it!! Of course, we left feeling like we NEEDED to have season tickets and NEEDED a parking space that included the GREAT LAWN. But...considering we have neither, and those lawn seats are based on tenure...I'm thinking that possibility is WAY out of our means. Oh well...it was nice for the afternoon!

After living the dream for a bit...it was time to head over to my work tailgating event in the East lot. It was nice. It was fun...but, it was no GREAT LAWN. I am certainly very thankful for the tickets that my work provided, but...maybe it was the energy the GREAT LAWN provides - I'm not quite sure, but even the game wasn't as fun as the tailgating. As for our seats - everyone is right...there really isn't a bad seat. And, considering we were about as high as you can get in the very corner of the stadium - I would know. Thanks Prog for the tickets - you're the best! And...Jeff and Jess - thanks for much for the most delicious burritos EVER...if we ever have great lawn seats - YOU'RE TOTALLY INVITED!