gift wrapping 101

Happy Holidays Everyone!

christmas memories

Christmas is the time of year for so many things; among those is childhood memories. Every family has traditions that are special, but most of the traditions tend to be inside jokes, so if you're not in the family, you don't really get it. Well this post is just that sort of thing. A Garfield Christmas was on our yearly repertoire of holiday movies and we would laugh and laugh and laugh at this part, something about their lips is just fantastic. So, Zac, this one's for you. Happy Holiday Memories!

happy birthday mom!

Today is my mom's birthday and what better way to celebrate a birthday than by having a party. So I invited her closest friends to gather and celebrate her life. When I sent out the invites I asked everyone to list five things they loved about her so the night went as follows: laugh, cry, laugh, cry, laugh, cry, laugh, hug. Of course I think my mom was wonderful and amazing in every way, but it's so nice to know that other people felt the same way about her. As we sat around eating one her favorite little dishes and listening to some of the funniest stories about her, I felt so lucky to have been blessed with such an incredible mother. Family, loved ones, good friends, old friends, meaningful experiences-these are all that really matter in life. Is there anything better than having someone that positively affects your life and makes you a better person? I think not. So with that, I'd like to say thanks to Marilee, Joy, Marilyn, Karen, other Joy (even if it was just in spirit) and Carrie for making mom's birthday party one to remember.

turkey day

What an amazing Thanksgiving weekend it has been; relaxing, fun, and wonderful! Thanksgiving was nice and relaxing, Curt's fam came here so we were able to just hang around home. My Top 5 for Thanksgiving Day:

1. Of course, being with loved ones. That's always the best part of any holiday.

2. Eating my weight in food. 

3. Preparing the delicious feast in our great new kitchen.

4. Watching everyone play the Wii. Yep, even Brad and Grandma Eva. So there we are, playing Wii Sports, when Curt's 90 year old grandma comes downstairs. She sees us playing Wii Bowling and says, "Oh, I've played this." Of course we're all thinking she's talking about real bowling. Oh no, she's played the Wii before! And the best part... (don't hate me Stace) she wasted Staci. She was amazing! I just laughed and laughed laughed. Ok back to the list.

5. We put up our little christmas tree that night, it was great.

The rest of the weekend was filled with yummy food, making goodies, watching christmas movies, decorating, and playing Lego Star Wars with Stace. Thanks again for coming over Stace, it was good times. I hope you all had a fabulous Turkey Day!

thanks & giving

Thanksgiving is upon us. I love Thanksgiving, it's such a stress free holiday. It's just so wonderful to get together with people you love, eat lots of yummy food, nap, eat more yummy food, relax and get geared up for Christmas. In fact, the only thing I don't like about Thanksgiving is the fact that the Cowboys play every stinking year. Bleh. Being this time of thanks and giving, I have been thinking of all the wonderful things I have in my life and my list goes a little something like this:

-wonderful friends and family who love me (especially Curtis)

-adorable dogs who think that I'm the most amazing person

-living in a great community and country

-being able to buy a Mt. Dew whenever I want

-always having enough food to eat (usually more than enough)

-having a nice, warm, safe house

-being able to go to Disneyland often

-the package of christmas tree peeps waiting in the cupboard. mmmm.

-fuzzy slippers

-fantastic christmas movies like Elf, Christmas Vacation & Mixed Nuts

-having a vehicle to take me where I want to go

-working with people I enjoy

-being able to throw parties whenever I want

-guitar hero (and other awesome video games)

-music. music. music.

-hoodies

My list could go on and on, I'm so blessed and have so much to be thankful for. I think everybody should make a "thankful list", it's good for you. So with that said, make yourself some hot cocoa or apple cider, make your "thankful list" and then watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. 

kitchen remodel

We did it! And now we're back to the land of the living! Of course, I'm talking about our kitchen remodel. For the past two weeks or so it totally consumed Curt and I. We did find little bits of time here and there for sleeping and eating, but not much. We have been wanting to remodel our kitchen since before we got married (almost six years) and now it's finally done. Things I know for sure: (1) If you can make it through home remodeling with your spouse and still like each other when it's over that's a pretty good relationship indicator that things are going well, (2) In the event of a home remodel project, your house will completely look like rubbish, especially the parts that aren't even being worked on, and (3) Home remodeling is like having a baby. While you're going through it you're stressed, anxious, on edge, exhausted all the time, sometimes you may even feel sick, and you always think "what have i gotten myself into?" which is often followed by an explicit (even if it's only to yourself). But when it's all over and done with, it was absolutely worth it and the next time a remodel is hanging in the air, you grab it without a single hesitation. 

Curt and I video documented our remodel as we progressed through the stages. So without further a do, I give you the kitchen remodel of 2008 (aka The Final Frontier).

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Episode 5

Episode 6

halloween carnival

The Halloween Carnival was good times! We had a great turn out and everybody enjoyed themselves. Thanks to all of you who made it so much fun! Here are some pics from the photo booth. Enjoy.

Luckily, Action 3 News was at this momentous event and caught a lot of great footage. For more exclusive coverage of the carnival click here. Action 3 News.

spiders and cats and bats...oh my!

As I've previously stated, I'm a big fan of Tim Burton. This is one of his early films, before he had worked on any big movies, and I totally love it! Yet another movie infused with the halloween spirit.

eye candy

Clue has definitely been the movie of choice this halloween season so I've decided to delight you all with a tasty little tidbit of eye candy. Enjoy! And if you haven't seen this movie, put it on the top of your list.

pumpkinpalooza

Friday was the first annual pumpkinpalooza party and I'm happy to report that it was a huge success. We ate a fantastic dinner, had yummy halloweenie treats, watched Clue and carved pumpkins (of course, what would a pumpkinpalooza party be without pumpkins). This is me, Staci and Alison with our super cute pumpkins!

Instead of carving pumpkins, Paul and Curt just played on their macs, but had a great time all the same.

I'm sure there are many more pumpkinpalooza celebrations to come in the future. Maybe even other palooza type parties, I mean who wouldn't want to go to a -palooza party, it just sounds fun. You should all try one.