12.30.09

My mom came up yesterday for the day. You see, we looooove Dexter in our family, but my parents' got rid of their premium channels and my mom wasn't able to watch this season. Travesty! I think she would get extra annoyed/jealous/anxious when Gina and I would talk about it and how good it was.

There was an easy solution though. She had a long Christmas break, so she took one day to come to our apartment and watch the entire 4th season on demand. We thought it would probably take her 2 days, but she was a trooper and finished it all in 1. I think it was a mixture of the episodes only really being about 45 mins long and not being able to stop watching when it was so good! It worked out well too because we were at work all day and she had work to do, so she could multitask.

Have any of you started watching it yet?? I think it is about time. Just think, you could watch all 4 seasons in just 4 days! :)

12.29.09

One thing I will miss about the mall during the Christmas season: See's Candy! I bet you just think this is just another chocolate/candy shop and might as well be Fanny Farmer or Buddy Squirrel, but you would be wrong! These suckers from See's are so freaking good! They actually give them out as free samples, so every time I would go to the mall, I would lurk around the kiosk until they would offer me one. :) Every time I would act surprised and thankful also...ha! If they only knew! St. Nick brought us a whole bag of them too, so I will be able to enjoy them for a little while longer still, even thought he kiosk is now gone.

And not only are they delicious, I think they are a great long lasting, low calorie dessert! If you are watching your weight, but craving chocolate, these only have 80 calories, taste super rich (almost like a hot chocolate in a sucker form) and take a long time to finish because they are so big. They have 3 other flavors too...the butterscotch is good, but the caffe latte and vanilla are not so much my cup of tea.

Make yourself a mental note to have one of these next Christmas.

12.28.09

Another one turns the big 2-9. Only one more year in your 20's, Meghan! Live it up! I stopped by her birthday lunch to wish her a happy bday. Wouldn't you know this was one of the few times I didn't have either of my cameras with me though. That hardly ever happened this year surprisingly. Thankfully Emily had hers and I was able to get my pic of the day. Whew! Close one!

12.27.09

On Sunday night, I headed to Milwaukee for our friend Christmas celebration. It was sort of thrown together at the last minute this year, so we didn't really know who to expect or what kind of treats everyone was bringing. The good news is only 1 person wasn't able to make it! We had a small gift exchange where everyone brought a $10ish gift of one of our favorite things. It was such a great idea! Not only were there some great items in the mix, it made shopping for the gift a lot easier. I brought 2 pairs of Commando underwear (actually a $60 value, but I got them on sale for $5 each! woohoo! Love that brand and that price!) I got 2 bars of soap from Lush, which I love! There was some bronzer, some lip conditioner, and a Bruegger's GC in the mix too. I think we are going to make this theme annual!

Once again, I was having too much fun chatting, that I didn't get any pics during the thick of the party. This was after mostly everyone had gone and Maureen was showing us a bridesmaid dress she is wearing for Rachel's wedding. I kind of love the lighting you get from a laptop...and I LOVE Meghan's xmas decor this year.

12.26.09

This is the second time this year that garbage on the side of the street was worthy of a pic of the day. The first is one of my fave pics of the year.

12.25.09

Coop and Mom in their Christmas outfits! We had a pretty low key christmas this year actually. Instead of driving all over the state making it to every Christmas celebration, we took our time getting ready on Christmas morning, and then made our way back to Madison and celebrated with Jon's family. It was niiiice.

12.24.09

Christmas Eve is always celebrated at my parents' house with the whole family on my mom's side. I really wish I had a better Christmas-y picture, but I guess I was just having too much fun partying and didn't really take many good pics.

We changed things up this year and played a little family trivia game that my cousin, aunt and sister put together. (That's what this picture is all about) It was so fun and we all had a lot of laughs reminiscing.

12.23.09

Here are all our gifts, wrapped so pretty under the tree. I really wish I didn't finish my shopping on the 23rd so I could have enjoyed looking at the presents for a longer time!

This was wrapping paper I bought last year actually and had a TON left over. I like that it doesn't scream, "Christmas!". I found a sheet of felt letter stickers on clearance at Archiver's, so I decided to make the little tags out of them. I used my fiskars extra large circle punch to make the circles. (I bought that thing for a wedding project, but have used it so many times! A great purchase) I think they turned out so cute! I am also pretty sure I am one of the few people I know who appreciate the art of a nicely wrapped present...

12.22.09

It took me a few years to come around to the skinny jean trend, but now I am the proud owner of not 1, but 3 (!!!) pairs! Who am I? I just couldn't deny how well my boots fit over these jeans any longer, so I jumped right in head first...and I LOVE them. The verdict is still out on whether I am gutsy enough to wear them sans boots...because lets be honest - skinny is really just a cute name for tapered.

12.21.09

So, a couple months ago I would be what you would have called a casual Beyonce fan...but then I caught this special called I Am...Yours that was on Thanksgiving and I am semi-obsessed. I didn't delete it off our dvr and have watched it at least 5 times since. Basically, I love it and love her. Then last Saturday while listening to Beyonce radio on Pandora, I heard an eerily familiar live version of Hello. I rushed over the computer and realized that a cd/dvd exists of the concert! It was the best news of the day and I made sure to go to my local Best Buy that same day to buy it. It now plays on repeat in my car.

12.20.09

Doing a little photo editing

12.19.09

Meghan, Tom and I went to the Governor's mansion on Saturday to check out the decorations. (They have it open to the public a few Saturdays out of the year, I think). The decor was kind of lacking, but the mansion was gorgeous...obvi. We also met the First Lady and acted like fools taking dumb pictures like this one. ha!

From there, we shopped all over town, until we dropped. I should clarify. I big Meg & Tom adieu around 9pm and I continued to shop until midnight. MIDNIGHT, people! That is how late both Target and Old Navy were open.

12.18.09

Forever 21 has mostly hits, but also a few of misses.

Meghan tried to tell me this wasn't that bad. Are you serious??!

12.17.09

Here is our xmas '09 xmas card! It was a little less creative than past years, but I still liked it. i sort of ripped off a design I saw on Minted that I really liked. I decided I could design it myself and not have to pay $2 (or whatever obscene amount it is) per card. It turned out pretty good I think! I made some fun front and back labels for our envelopes too. Making the labels is really half the fun for me. Isn't it fun when you get a letter in the mail though and the envelope is just as pretty as what is inside it? I think so! Most people probably don't even notice though and I waste too much time doing it, but oh well. It makes me happy :)

12.16.09

Are you in there, little Dexter?

:)

12.15.09

Last Tuesday we had our work Christmas pot luck and white elephant exchange. I was asked to take a pic of the whole group, which is how I got this shot. Otherwise it might have been a little weird for me to bust out a camera at a work luncheon, wouldn't it? I'll answer that - yes, it would be. Anyway, I am not a huge fan of pot lucks - something about a bunch of crock pots and food from a bunch of different places kind of grosses me out.

12.14.09

I had a request from a reader (Meghan. again. Geez, get your own blog, lady) to post a pic of our tree. So here she is! It might be a little anti-climactic, sorry. It is a little sparse this year.

12.13.09

On the heels of my last post re: Nancy & Tyler's FHP, I just HAD to give some props to these adorable favors Nancy had for everyone. She ordered these stickers from Tiny Prints and had chocolate covered pretzels and peppermint oreos for everyone to talk home. I mean really, top notch job, Nancy.

12.12.09

This was taken at the fabulous holiday party that Nancy had (and that I helped make the invitations for way back when). It was so fun! Look at El in her sequined dress! Lookin pretty fab if I do say so myself. Nancy and Tyler put on a good party as well. They whipped up together some delicious apps and drinks and I gladly helped myself to a few champagne cocktails, thankyouverymuch. Yummm! The company wasn't too shabby either. It was so great having everyone (for the most part) in the same place at the same time. It seems that that doesn't happen very often...and taking into consideration the impromptu Charlie Brown Theme dance off at the end of the night, I think everyone had a fine time!

This is going to be the "Annual Fabulous Holiday Party", right Nanc? ;-)

12.11.09

This cracked me up.

12.10.09

I really like the way this turned out. Like, pleasantly surprised. I snapped it real quick over my lunch hour and didn't expect much. Now I feel like I want to blow it up and frame it.

And now onto more important things: I love Step Into Christmas by Elton John so much. It is definitely my top 5 favorite xmas songs. Maybe even top 3. I could listen to it all year. Also in the top five is Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) by Darlene Love. She performs this song every year on Letterman's Dec. 23rd Christmas tradition show, which I make sure to watch every year. I also really love God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah MacLaughlin....and the whole Mariah Carey Christmas album (obvi)...and basically anything Harry Connick Jr. does...

12.9.09

We got just a little bit of snow last night and today (sarcasm). I'm not sure how much exactly, but I think it was around 18 inches. Needless to say, we both had a snow day. Let me clarify, we both got to stay home, but Jon had to work from home still (sucka!)...but at least he didn't have to drive across town. I, on the other hand gladly took my third day off (woohoo!) to lounge around and watch some daytime tv, start cooking dinner early, and to watch Gran Torino. Somewhere in there, we both took some time to dig our cars out of their parking spots also. Well, Jon had the better shovel, so he did most of the work. I took pictures :) I always have my priorities in order.

12.8.09

The big storm is a-comin! We went out today to buy ourselves new brush/scraper things (what are those things called?) They have come along way since I bought one last...which was probably at least 5 years ago. The ones we got have an extension on it! This is an amazing advancement for shorties like me.

Also, I've had off yesterday and today...and I am assuming we will have a snow day tomorrow. Woop Woop! 5 day weekend for me!! I am really counting on that snow day though, so it will be a rude awakening if it doesn't happen...

12.7.09

Like I said, I'm not too into decorating for Christmas this year. Even the tree decor is minimal. I still stuck to my themed christmas tree decor though.

You see, for now I'm not a fan of random ornaments everywhere on the tree. I like a uniform and purposeful theme to the ornaments on the tree. This year, I went for silver and light gold glitter ball ornaments and a bunch of frame ornaments. I got a bunch of frame ornaments last year after Christmas on super sale with the intention of having a "picture tree" this year. It's always fun when I bust out the Christmas box and remember I bought these things the year before. I printed all the pics in black and white also - because remember, this tree has a theme! It looks pretty snazzy if I do say so myself.

12.6.09

We were setting up to take some family pictures, so I had Gina sit down so I could compose the shot. Obvi these were tests, so she wasn't expected to smile or anything. The result though, had us in histerics. Does this not look like one of those old photos that you dig up of your grandma?? You know, those black and white ones from like the early 1900s where no one is smiling? It even looked that way before I put this vintage action on it, but now it totally does!

12.5.09

We had so much fun on our little trip up to Green Bay. Cooper quite possibly might be the funniest person I know right now. He is constantly saying and doing things that are so hilarious. Even though he says very few words, he still was just cracking us all up all weekend. Mostly, I found it funny when he would try and imitate us. He has been wanting to do things the adults do for a long time - i.e. eating with real silverware, not eating food cut up in small pieces, etc. but now he tries to do the same thing we do too. For example, I was laying on the floor on my side, propping my head up with my hand and he layed down next to me and tried to do the same thing. He totally concentrates the whole time figuring out how to position himself too. It's classic! He tries to cough into his arm too, people! He isn't even 2! The waitress at the restaurant we went to for dinner Sat night even laughed at that one.

On Saturday night, we went to a Christmas celebration at Lambeau where they had a bunch of activities for kiddos. Cooper got to met Santa, or "Ho Ho Ho" as he calls him. He loved it and even gave Santa a five 5 when he left.

12.4.09

We went to Green Bay for the weekend so Jon could meet Fisher mostly. This is Gina and Todd's dog, Madison. She is a puggle and to me, she looks like an old man in this picture. Ha!

12.3.09

This was our first snowfall! It came rather late this year, which was fine by me! As I am typing this though, we are experiencing a winter weather advisory and are expecting major inches.

12.2.09

This is love y'all.

Jon was home from work on Wednesday and without going into too much personal medical history, found out that cherry juice is really great for what he has...so he called me at work and asked if I would stop and get some on my way home from work.

ummm, anyone who knows me well knows that I HATE anything cherry. So picking this up, bringing it home, housing it in our refrigerator and pouring it into glasses I might use again is seriously grossing me out. If it is any consolation, it doesn't seem like Jon thinks it is tasty either and is merely choking it down for health reasons. I still asked if there could be a designated cherry juice glass. I know. I'm crazy.

12.1.09

I put up our Christmas tree last Tuesday, but I'm thinking that is going to be extent of Christmas decorations I'll put up this year. I'm just not really feeling it this year.

11.30.09

No story for this. I can't believe that it is already December and this project will be over in just a couple week. I don't know what I am going to do with myself! On the one hand, I might actually be crazy to do it again...on the other hand, I have to admit, some days it has been really annoying. Overall, I am super glad I did it...for multiple reasons. Without the practice of composing, shooting and editing almost every day, I dont think I would know as much as I do today.

Which brings me to 2010.

I don't think I am up for another 365 project. I might be up for a 52 project though? Like maybe have an assignment for myself every week? We'll see...

11.29.09

We got a new car! holla! It's been a long time coming. We have been lazily shopping for cars for about 6 months. I always knew that one of the times we went out, it was just going to feel "right" and it did! We checked out this car on Wed night right before they closed, had the paperwork filled out and picked it up on Saturday when we got back in town. The salesman we worked with was just about the nicest guy I have ever talked to also - and that's saying a lot for a car salesman I think.

It's so awesome. We feel all fancy in our new ride since we both have been used to driving old cars. We still have one of those old cars obviously though, so we are crossing our fingers, knocking on wood, thinking positive thoughts, saying a little prayer and everything else that she can hold on for another year at least. Here's hoping!

11.28.09

This is Meghan's niece. I want to pinch her cheeks and steal her away, she is so cute! Not to mention, a very fashionable 2 year old! I loved her pierced ears, sweater dress, tights and tall boots.

11.27.09

Jon and I went to dinner with Meg and Taylor on Friday night. Meghan gladly obliged to be my subject for my pic of the day after this little project came up in our conversation.

I mentioned I still needed to take my pic that day and that maybe Meghan would like do be in it. She was all, "but you don't have your camera here"...and I was all, "who do you think I am? I have that thing with me ALL THE FREAKING TIME!" We then busted out with a kind of obnoxious series of pictures in a somewhat crowded restaurant. Some of the funniest ones were blurry because I was laughing I think, so this one won out.

As a side note, this is the first year in a while that we haven't gotten up super early for Black Friday shopping! Our partners in crime, Gina and Todd, weren't in town for Thanksgiving this year, which I think is the main reason we didn't go. It was pretty nice to sleep in...but something tells me we'll be back at it next year.

11.26.09

Jon's dad carving the turkey on Thanksgiving!

The meal that Jon's mom and dad make is so good. Probably the best I have ever had. I contributed with a vegetable medley casserole. We needed a little something to warm our bellies while we were watching the Packer game before the big meal also though, so I made some Tastefully Simple artichoke dip as an appetizer too...which is always a huge hit.

After our 1:00 "dinner" at Jon's fam, we headed to Milwaukee for round 2. This is not new. We always make it to both Thanksgivings, but this year I really over did it at round 1 and was so full when we got to my aunt's. Oh well...seeing the fam was more important than the meal anyway.

11.25.09

What a yucky day! I much prefer the rain to snow though - although, it did snow a little bit on Wed night - but nothing stuck. Wouldn't it be awesome if it only snowed like once this winter?? I would love that.

11.24.09

Someone I know who reads this (ahem, Meghan), told me that she does not appreciate when there is no story to accompany a picture. Sooooo.....let's see.....Has anyone started watching Dexter yet? You should. It's soooo good.

11.23.09

I am making my big return to the field after 10 years, so I dug my cleats out of storage. This team I am playing on is coed and has very mixed skill levels. It shall be interesting. No matter what though, I am pumped. Here's hoping my knees stay intact :-/

11.22.09

Another installment of my images of Madison: Octopus car wash.

11.21.09

So this is exciting. This restaurant used to exist on East Wash. Jon and I went once a couple years ago after I saw a write up about it and their wood fire pizzas. It was super tasty, despite the fact that they served their sodas in glass bottles. (the glass bottles are cute in theory, but not that cute when there aren't free refills and they aren't out of a fountain. ya heard?) Anyway, it shut down for reasons that I do not know, but recently reopened at Hilldale Mall!! Wahoo! The restaurant is in a pretty cramped space, but I think my margerita pizza made up for it - despite the fact that they STILL don't have fountain soda...this time it came out of a can. Jon might beg to differ though. He did not enjoy the close quarters or his panini.

11.20.09

11.19.09

I dug a vest out of our closet that I haven't worn in a few years and found this treat in the pocket! (That's always so much fun, isn't it?) Payton and Riley are two girls I babysat for in college. A few years ago, their mom had another baby, so I went over to see the fam. Payton slipped this note to me during my visit. So sweet.

11.18.09

I stayed the day in Green Bay on Wednesday to wrangle Cooper mostly while Todd was at work. The two of us went to Sesame Street program at the library where we saw Elmo and Cookie Monster....and wooo boy, was that exciting. The look on his face was priceless when Cookie Monster touched his hand.

Once Coop was down for a nap, I tried my hand a little photo shoot with Fisher. Look at his tiny little sleeping face!!

I headed home after dinner, but we'll be back in a couple weeks so Jon can meet him too!

11.17.09

I took the trip up to Green Bay on Tuesday after work to see my new nephew!

Fisher Kenneth was born on November 10th, weighing in at 6lbs 12 oz and 18 1/4 inches long.

Oooooo, he is so cute! He smells so good, he has loose wrinkly skin and I love him and miss him.

11.16.09

11.15.09

our long day out the day/night before called for Culver's on Sunday.

11.14.09

This chica is celebrating the big 3-0 in a couple weeks, so in celebration her husband, Mike, threw her a surprise birthday/Badger tailgate celebration. A fine way to ring in one's 30s if I do say so myself. We had so much fun! Sometimes I really do love this town.

I am breaking the rules for only the second time this year and include 2 pictures for this day...because on our way downtown, we stopped to get gas and witnessed a truck blow up! We saw the small fire starting up under the truck, then watched it go up in flames, then the gas tank blew up and the ground literally shook. Before it was completely in flames there was a guy up in that crane and jumped out of it to escape the flames. It was a really intense 5 minutes until the firefighters showed up and made it all better.

11.13.09

Jon has been sick.

again.

I am REALLY trying to avoid him as much as possible because I DO NOT want his germs to get in the way of me going up to Green Bay on Tuesday to see my new nephew!

11.12.09

Ex-cuse me, but will you please look at these amazing invitations!

A couple weeks ago, Nancy and I went to Archiver's to get some supplies to make invitations for her holiday party. You see, for years Nancy has wished she could attend one of those chic, fun holiday parties you always see in magazines, but that no one ever really has in real life. (No one we know has them anyway) Completely bummed, but not discouraged, she decided to take matters into her own hands and throw this very kind of party herself! And since this is going to be such a classy affair, an evite just wasn't going to cut it. This is where she commissioned my help to put together a super cute invitation to mail out.

We have to extend some credit to tiny prints for some of the inspiration. Most of it was all us though. Actually, it took us longer than I'd like to admit for us to arrange those dots in the perfect way. And you can't tell in this pic, but those dots are fun shimmery paper. Isn't it the best? And you should see them with in their black shimmery envelopes and coordinating labels! We were so proud of ourselves.