New Year's Eve!

My nephew had never stayed up for New Year's Eve hoopla, so we were determined to give him the whole experience!

We basically played games, ate snacks and rang in the new year with noisemakers and sparkling cider. Here is out photo journal of the evening...

Game faces...

Pictionary was a hoot...

Grandpa said his New Year goodnights at about 10:57 p.m.

When the ball dropped, we went wild!

...complete with pop rocks outside. Grandpa is asleep in the trailer behind Kelly, and he never heard a thing!

Happy New Year! Here's to a fabulous 2010!

25 in 2009

25 in 2009

Things I've Never Done Before

This list was so fun to put together for 2008 I wanted to do it again. It's not as exciting as last year, but I did find several things I had never done before. Now I need find some new things to do in 2010!

1. Participated in a Healthy Living Challenge

2. Lost over 20 pounds

3. Received a real ruby when my daughter won a poetry contest

4. Went walking in the rain just to get my exercise done for the day

5. Led a Healthy Living Challenge

6. Recorded a CD with my choir in Segerstrom Concert Hall

7. Chatted on-line with an author I admire

8. Had a root canal

9. Visited the Santa Barbara Mission with my 4th grader

10. Ate Sprinkles cupcakes

11. Had a lead acting roll in a community Independence Day Program

12. Attended a Civil War Reenactment

13. Spent nearly the entire summer traveling to visit family members

14. Tried a strength training work out

15. Rode the subway in San Francisco

16. Went to Disneyland with girlfriends on my birthday

17. Gave an interview and appeared on ABC World News

18. Rode roller coasters with my 7-year-old until I got sick (literally)

19. Learned choreography from a professional Broadway production

20. Donned pink spandex and sung lead vocals for a community production

21. Blogged for an entire year

22. Lost my appendix in emergency surgery fashion

23. Learned to "choose the better part"

24. Watched brand new baby guinea pigs born

25. Spent New Year's Eve with my sister and nephew

10 Pounds and Counting...

Okay, so I don't really know if I've gained 10 pounds, but it sure feels like it. My sister and I have so much fun together and when she's in California, we visit all the great places to eat that she doesn't have in her neck of the woods. For some reason, I am WAY over-doing it this time. I'm not sure where the disconnect has occurred, but I think I'm going for some record. Little phrases keep entering my mind...

Edna Mode from The Incredibles when she recognizes Bob Parr after many years and exclaims, "My gosh you've gotten FAT!"

or that lovely children's book, I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie

Oh, and there is hard evidence that I have been way bad. Am I posting pictures about our adventures at Disneyland? No. Outings to the beach or fun parks? No. I give you only a montage of epicurean delights. (We've been shopping too, but we usually don't take photos of ourselves at Target...maybe that would be fun?)

Exhibit A (See yesterday's post at Rainforest Cafe. See's Candy outing, not pictured).

Exhibit B

Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport Beach

(Gelato place next door, not pictured.)

Exhibit C

Ruby's Diner on the Huntington Beach Pier

It was a lovely raining evening and there was absolutely no wait! Who else would be crazy enough to walk the pier in this weather?

Here is the hard evidence. There is no food left in my basket. Nope. None.

At lest these cuties know when to stop. Aren't they adorable? Yes, the hub too.

So what will it be tomorrow on New Year's Eve? We'll probably stay home and play games. And make brownies with chocolate frosting, whip up some French onion dip and prepare homemade tacos. I am utterly hopeless.

Until January 4 when I put my game face back on and whip myself into shape. For now, I'm enjoying my sister, my nephew, shopping at every possible place we can, and at least three times a day...eating.

Visiting With Sis

My sister and nephew are here for the week! What a treat! When we're not shopping we're usually eating at fun places that they don't have in New Mexico. Here are some fun pics from the week so far...

Gavin and Michelle at Rainforest Cafe

Kelly was off that day so he came too...

We exchanged presents one evening...

And a trip to In 'N Out is always on the list of places to eat.

Christmas in Photos

December 23 - Neighbors visit bearing gifts...

December 24 - Kelly makes famous cinnamon rolls with our girls and neighbor Sarah...
and then sword fight ensues with wrapping paper rolls...

December 25 - Ahhhhhhh! It's Christmas!

Webkinz Citrus Dragon! Woo-hoo!

Heather checks out new family computer...

The candy cane glasses crew...

Christmas isn't just for little kids ya know...

Aunt Beth and Uncle Kevin flew in before major gift unwrapping began...

Heather opens Sally from Grandpa. Just what she wanted!

Christmas dinner was smoked turkey, stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, Trader Joe's vegetables, rolls and all the usual condiments. Very, very yummy. Compliments to chef Hub.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas with all our love.

Can you feel it?

There is magic in the air...

We're so excited.

Average vs. Extraordinary

These sunset photos have nothing to do with my post, but look how beautiful. We have had several evenings of spectacular sunsets and I LOVE them. The moon was awesome tonight too.

Okay, so. Average vs. extraordinary. Here is a picture of my holiday goodies prior to being delivered. Yummy treats, cute red Santa bows. Nice, right? My effort was commendable. I am totally not looking for compliments here, I am just illustrating the facts. I am pleased with my output mostly because it's what I can do.

Average

Two neighbors dropped off goodies this afternoon. Both neighbors represent the Extraordinary in their goodie compilations. Can you believe these offerings?

Extraordinary #1

Extraordinary #2

I don't think I could ever do a plate as beautiful as these samples. I don't think I could watch them being eaten after all that work! Can you imagine doing this for all your friends and neighbors? My feet hurt thinking about it. I am in awe. My girls love things like this too. They devoured their teddies for dessert tonight. If you are interested in a hillarious read about holiday goodies check out Segullah's blog post for today http://segullah.org/ I laughed out loud several times. The title has to do with holiday goodies so if you click and it doesn't go there, you can arrow back to the previous day's post. What is your opinion on holiday goodies?

Baking

It's fun and I love it, but man did it make me tired. It must have been the mini loaves, the dozens of muffins and the six cakes that did it. Or it could have been doing the laundry and trying to wrap in between. Then there were the dishes. I keep thinking that I'm feeling great, and then I appear to do too much and run out of gas early. I hope this is just a side effect of the surgery. Otherwise I'm getting old and I'd rather not have to come to terms with that yet.

Holiday Piano Recital

Our piano teacher gathered her students for a holiday recital including cookies and hot cocoa. Isn't that so fun? She is our leaf pile neighbor as well and quite the queen of fun activities. Wait 'til you see the mattress slide on the Holbrook's stairs--that post will come soon. Anyway, here are my cuties. Jenna was fine to dress up, but Heather was not stoked. She thought "festive" meant just Christmasy and not "nice". They ended up being the two fanciest, but that was okay. They looked so sweet in their dresses.

Jenna introducing her pieces...

She played Silent Night and Home for the Holidays.

Heather introducing her pieces...

She played O Christmas Tree and Jingle Bells.

Here are Michelle and her students. So much fun and lots of talent.