I'll have to make this short and sweet! This was taken at the cabin Sunday evening. So peaceful. The frozen lake with all those colors = amazing. We have no snow up here in MN which is rare but I'll take it! The 40 degree temperatures are more than OK with me too! I know it won't last long so I'll just enjoy it while it lasts.
I am counting down the seconds until this work day is over. Then I will be freeeeeeeeee!
Saw this on Ashley's blog as well as Katie's so why not! Here are my Christmas Traditions!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate fo shiz! Egg Nog makes me think of liquid eggs, ugh no thank you!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He wraps them, in Santa paper duh! The stocking stuffer's are all naked presents though...
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White! I love the classic, simple look of white lights. Anyone else think the led lights are blinding?? Like the colored led lights? Burns my retinas. Or maybe, because I live in MN and won't see the sun until April, I'm turning into a vampire?
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No but I should dang it! A green tortilla chip doesn't quite cut it...just sayin.
5. When do you put your decorations up? The day after Thanksgiving!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? I love a good ham. I would be a terrible vegetarian.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?Every year on Christmas Eve, we would go to my Grandparent's house in Minneapolis with our whole extended family of my Mom's side. I'm talking like 33+cousins it's a BIG family (my Mom had 6 siblings). Us kids would all "play" in the basement for hours, actually we were told to stay down there (smart) while the adults hung out upstairs. After dinner, we would be responsible for clean up (again smart) and after that it was present time (you better believe the dishes were done quickly). One year while cleaning off plates, we heard bells outside and a thud, I remember my girl cousins and I looking at each other all wide eyed thinking "could it really be him?" Like 15 minutes later we heard that famous "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and clear as day bells ringing in my Grandparents living room. We all took turns sitting on his lap, taking pictures and reassuring him that we were on the "nice list". After Santa left, we ran outside to see if we could see him flying away with those reindeer. No such luck, but we did see reindeer prints on the roof of the house. We were sure of it!! On our drive home that night, I remember watching the stars the whole way home hoping to catch a glimpse of that sleigh.
Funny the things you are so sure of as a kid!! I hope I can create these memories with my kids, grand kids etc.
For no reason other than I apparently want to embarass myself, here is me as a first grade, Santa believing child. I like to call this beauty "mullet Dottie." You know you all have a pic like this...I hope.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was probably like 9, I think. My neighbor was a couple of years older and broke the news. After arguing with her for days, telling her I've seen him, I've seen photos of the North Pole, she's stupid, etc. I think the next year I believed her. I started to watch for details closely and realized Santa wrote just like my Mom in cursive. I've always had a knack for attention to detail...(This is why I write out my kids names' left handed.)
This note was found on my Husbands pillow case last year! Too funny!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, we currently have 5 places to go for Christmas so we have to use our time wisely. This year we are doing a Christmas Eve Brunch with my Aunt then, Christmas Eve Evening is spent with my Husbands family.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With lots and lots of white lights, tons of ornaments from my childhood, the kids special ornaments and "normal" ornaments, ribbon, bows and this year some pieces of cranberry. It's so pretty! The sight of your 1 year old chucking your ceramic ornaments across the room, not so pretty! I feel like the lady in this video (That Erica posted yesterday, watch it if you haven't already!)
Here is "The Tree". This was before the ornaments but you get the idea.
This is the "other tree" in our basement. Kid tree if you will. I just let her do what she wanted with it.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it ONLY around Christmas, but then DREAD it and I'm ready to move south.
12. Can you ice skate? Hellz to the yeah! I grew up ice skating every weekend. We would go to Open Skating for hours on Saturday and Sunday's. Was one of my favorite things to do.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? The one that sticks out in my mind is the Speak and Spell. Remember that one?? That was my version of the iPad. Ha, ha!!
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with family and taking way too many pictures!! The conversations and laughs are what life is all about!
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Sugar cookies with homemade frosting that my Aunt makes. I'm gaining lbs just thinking about them!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Elf on a Shelf is climbing the ranks at our house but I also love giving ornaments to my kids every year and seeing taking them out year after year and thinking about the memories that are tied to them!
This is Wilbert...our Elf.
17. What tops your tree? A snowman holding a star.
18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? Giving! Not going to lie though, I know what 2 of my gifts are this year from the husband because I am a super sleuth and I'm pretty excited! (Not that I searched for them, a box was delivered with the company name on it and the other one I guessed as he was looking for the store!)
19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Normal ones, yum! Chocolate ones, yuck.
20. Favorite Christmas show? Christmas Vacation!!
21. Saddest Christmas Song?Hmm, not sure.
22. What is your favorite Christmas song?Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas is Youuuuuuuuuuuu!"
One of my favorite things to do around Christmas is eat bake cookies. Every year, our family gets the ladies together for a day of wine, baking and football in between. Since the Viking's are not worth the mention, I will skip them and go straight for the wine and cookies, photo re-cap style.
First things first...you will need some wine eventually.
I know, this is not a wine glass but it was festive.
Then you jump up and down when your future sister in law brings in a cheese ball.
Sugar cookie rolled in sprinkles with peppermint kiss.
These were voted "Prettiest Cookie". They were also my 2nd favorite cookie. Yummm!
These were good too! I think chocolate espresso type of a cookie with powdered sugar.
These were chocolate chip cookies made with Andes Mints. So good!
Toffee cookies.
These are my favorite. Ginger cookies with white chocolate chips. Be still my heart.
These are the "good for you" oatmeal/buttah cookie. We turned them into sandwiches because we were running out of room to store cookies.
The oatmeal again, frosted and sprinkled...
Ok. These are a tie for my favorite. Peanut butter blossom? Yes please!
Russian Tea Cakes. Can't have Christmas without them right?
Carmel puff corn. Yummmm!
If these sugar cookies won't turn you into a diabetic I don't know what will...
{Can you tell this was Ella's specialty of the day? Screams 7 year old doesn't it?!}
SO
MANY
COOKIES!!!!
He was not having that necklace.
6 hours and 700+ cookies later? We were done! Now, I wonder where that extra weight gain comes from?
The gray hair. Again. Found his way back to my head of color.
{Insert American Pie song here only change the words to: The day, the music gray hair died.}
While washing my hands in the Loo today, I did what every other women does. Look for gray hair, blemishes, food in my teeth, you know, the usual. When I saw this:
{Excuse the cyclopes look I have going on.}
So I try and get it and miss... Ends up looking like curled ribbon.
I will get you. Then I will chemical the crap out of your friends. Watch out. I'm coming for you.
1. What is the best compliment you've ever received?
That I've done a great job raising my kids (so far). They are my life and I always worry about their future. I try to teach them everything I know, even if it is hard to talk about. Like the talk, I like to remind my daughter of that one quite a bit. She's a freshman in High School so I know kids are starting, have or are thinking about IT. Makes me freak out a little bit just typing that.
2. SEAT BELT?
Always, always, always. I've lost a close friend due to a car accident and had be been wearing his seat belt, he probably would have made it.
3. Fill in the blank.
You know your comfortable with your spouse when you _____________.
Ask him to help trim your area. Hey, I was pregnant, couldn't see very well and it was not an easy task. We still laugh about it.
4. Someone gives you a gift wrapped in a 6 inch square box, what is it?
A nice card written by my Husband, letting me know I can quit my job and stay home with my kids!!
5. You are at Chic-fil-a, what do you order?
I wouldn't even know what to order. Never been to one. They don't have dem der places like that up hur in Minnesotah.
I can't believe I'm actually going to write this but since I just came from the powder room, I apparently need to get a few things off my chest.
There are some behaviors that take place in the, umm... ladies room that really make me uncomfortable. Key word here is "ladies room". I do not have any of these issues in my own home.
Away game - I just can't do it. I will make myself sick all day, refraining. IF it's an absolute emergency and emergency only, I will quickly change my shoes {you know you look at people's shoes at work if you suspect something} and will frantically make my way to the elevator to get to the bathroom 3 floors away where I will then PRAY that no one comes in, this is practically the secret bathroom but it has happened before. I was once stuck in a stall, waiting out an old lady who took FOREVER to change out of her gym clothes. Pretty sure I was sweating but I was waiting her out that's for sure.
Flatulence - I swear sometimes I have the maturity level of a 14 year old boy. I just think its funny. BUT when its taking place in the stall right next door, makes me uncomfortable. Now when my baby boy does it, I laugh and think of how funny it is. There is a difference there.
Now, I'll move on to the thing that really makes me uncomfortable. Say you've drank a gallon of water and you need to empty that bladder, nice and quick. The instant you walk into the bathroom, your trying to figure out what stall NOT to go in, for fear of suffocation. {I have found this time of year to be the worst. People are eating crap.} Only to find out the culprit is still in there, with you. DUN, DUN, DUN. {Almost the same feeling as being chased here.} Your frantically finishing up your business, washing your hands and trying to beat them out of the bathroom simply because, here it is, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH THEM.
Why on earth would you leave the stall when you just hear someone washing their hands. Hang out a second would you culprit? You just made it awkward for me.
Talking on the phone while your in the stall? That's definitely a no, no! Don't make feel bad for flushing. Thank you very much.
So there's more that bug of course but the subject is actually grossing me out now... My Husband is going to love this post.
So, my oldest Taylor went out of her way this year to make sure her Christmas list was distributed to Parents, Grandparents and well, anyone that will listen.
If I could only get this type of enthusiasm on the homework end I just may consider buying it all for her. No judging please.
I give you, Taylor's Christmas List 2011.
Ok, kinda hard to read on here but this one is a doozey. I will re-write this so you can read it.
Silver sparkly uggs {How many Uggs does 1 girl need?} Grey uggs {Ditto} new phone {Nope. She currently has my old Blackberry. Works just fine. She says it shuts down. I say its from over use. She'll have to patiently wait until the contract is up.} new perfume {This could work} water bed {Nope.} ipod touch {Negatve. She had one of these too. Stolen out of her locker 2 years ago.} new computer {Heck to the no. She got a brand new laptop last year. Not my fault she opens every virus her friends post on facebook.} scarves {Good idea, then maybe she can stop taking mine...} earrings {Sure thing} chi straightener (zebra or cheetah print) {GOT THIS ONE!!! Every morning I have to hunt for mine. Drives me nuts.} Lil Wayne Carter 4 CD {meh} Yoga pants {we can do this} sweat pants {now we're talking} Coach purse {Nope, I don't even have one.} Coach shoes {If I can find them at DSW maybe}. Converses {Maybe.} high heel boots {Just bought her a pair.} new house {ha, ha}
Sephora Gift card
Victoria's Secret Gift card
Wet Seal gift card
Delia's Gift card
Hollister Gift card
I mean really. Could you say no to this face??
So all you ladies with little girls this is what you have to look forward to my friends. Start saving now.
I joined Raven and Lindsey on their glamorous blog swap "How the Glitz Stole Christmas". This was my very first blog swap and I couldn't have been more excited about this. I mean, who doesn't want to meet some fab new friends online and send them gifts?! It's pretty exciting to be watching for that package too, not knowing what's coming. Like a kid on Christmas.
I was paired with the very lovely Ophelia from Always Ophelia. She is such a sweatheart and I can't wait to get to know her more through this lovely little blog-o-sphere. Isn't she just adorable?!
Let's get down to the goods.
Lovely card.
Black Beanie hat that she made?!? WITH silver specs in it. Girls got some skillz, she's going to start her own etsy shop too!! I've already been wearing this, up in yeee hawwwww Minnesota, it's freaking cold. Holy crappy photo below...yikes. Well, you get the idea.
Pink glittery makeup bag. I die. Love it.
Blog Swap 2011 glittery ornament?! See - she's the best!
Silver Star glitter box. Already using this for some jewelry!
Silver bow barrettes. I will have to keep my eye on these. My daughter has already worn them once.
Glitter magnets!!
2 glitter polishes. One in purple, one in silver multi-color.
Eye shadow galore & sparkly lip gloss! No excuse for ugly this month!
Thanks again Ophelia!! You made my day.
Also, thanks Raven and Lindsey for being complete geniuses and coming up with this swap idea.
Saturday evening we had two parties to attend. First, a family Christmas - no photos to show for that because my paparazzi like skills seem to be lacking... Then, we had an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. I will re-cap that since I can jack some photos from Facebook.
The Ugly Christmas Sweater party involves the people who grew up on my Husband's childhood street, Sunset Drive (sounds like a movie kinda). He grew up in a smaller town and all the parents of the "kids" still live there. Every year, they get everyone together with their families and show off their best "Ugly Christmas Sweater".
As soon as we got there my oldest, Taylor went straight inside the Grandparent's house and went to bed. Here we learn a lesson...Never let your teen's have a sleepover the night before any event that requires them to be awake i.e. Family get-together. She is not in any of these pictures because she was getting her much needed beauty sleep.
Now, onto the photos.
{my Brother in law}
Look at his Santa shorts over his jeans. Oh yeah, his sweater says "Happiness is a homespun Christmas."
{How adorable are they? This is the Hubs Grandpa and his wife. I really want that apron...}
Grandpa had a flask on Saturday night. No joke. He carefully measured enough for 2 drinks and that's all he brought. He also planned out how many hours they would be staying. When they arrived around 7pm, he said to the girl who took their coats "Now, put ours on top of the pile. We will be leaving at 10pm." You know what? At 10pm on the dot, they were saying their good bye's. He's a man of his word that's for sure. I adore these two!
{Men in tights}
This has turned into anything embarrassing outfit now. Last year, my father inlaw dressed up as Uncle Eddie from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. See him below from last year.
{far right, that's Uncle Eddie my father in law.}
{Our family, minus Sleeping Beauty}
We got the crew together for a family photo. Notice, 2 are on Skype. That's my other Brother in law Ryan, and his beautiful girlfriend Angie who just moved out to Durham. Don't they photograph well? We had them on Skype all night. Just hanging out on the counter. So they were in Durham, NC but also MN at the party with us. I love Skype...Bringing families together since...{insert whenever Skype first launched.}
{The whole group. I love this photo}
Note the screaming baby {my Son Jack}, the couple making out, Skype couple again and a whole lotta bunny ears. All in all, a fun night and something we look forward to every year. This year, my Father in law pictured on the bottom, laying down, had 2 bells on his breast area. While we were playing dice {we love games, charades or dice at every family function} he kept flicking his bells to ring them. I was dying. Someone must have slipped him a cake shot. I will leave you with that mental picture of my father in law flicking his bells.
