Gingerbread houses!

 We have a tradition of having a holiday cookie party every year for Christmas. This year, we switched it up just a little and decided to do gingerbread houses too! It was a lot of fun! My cute sister made our houses for us out of graham crackers. She is awesome!

The before....

The during...

 We looked up from decorating our houses, and saw Jules doing this. Randomly. we laughed so hard. I love that crazy girl!

 Plus, me and mom got photobombed, lol

 The after! 'Gingerbread Lane':

 My cute mama with her adorable house:

 And Annie with hers:

 Cutie-pie Jules decorating some cookies:

 And our lovely platter of cookies. My mom made all the sugar cookies. She makes the BEST sugar cookies ever!

 In other news, I'm 25! Holy moly! I wanted to take some pic of t he cute party my mom threw for me and my mountain of presents, but my phone camera was broken. :( So, instead, I offer to you, some pics of me modeling my presents!

Cute polka dot wrap shirt from my mom, with the necklace from Gabriel:

 A little bit closer pic of the necklace:

 Gray sweater with red tank from my mom, necklace and matching earrings from my sister Annie:

I also got the sweater and scarf that I'm wearing in the cookie pics, (mom and sister), another scarf plus a yoga tank and yoga pants from my mom, a raspberry colored scarf from Annie, and workout pants, earbuds, and workout headbands from Scott and Jana. Plus the movie Easy A from Gabriel along with the necklace. It was a wonderful day!

Annnddddddd, last but not least, the eBay Christmas party! Again, I planned to have a lot of pics but my phone is lame. So, I only have this one, dark pic. Haha. We had fun though, and it was so nice to see all my work friends that I don't see a lot anymore. So, here we are:

Turkey Day!

Thursday was, of course, Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving and I... we have had a rocky relationship. I have always wanted to love Thanksgiving. I mean, theoretically, there really should be no problems with it, as a holiday. Unlimited turkey? Gooooood! Grandmas stuffing? Goooood! Time off work? Goooooood! Alas, I have always hated Thanksgiving. To me, it was like, go be bored at Grandmas with annoying relatives and get some pie out of the deal. I longed for when I got married and only had to spend half a day at Thanksgiving. Then, I moved away, and discovered what a miserable thanksgiving really was like. I longed to hear my annoying aunt yammering and making awkward small talk with cousins I saw once a year. I wanted to have awkward small talk with anyone, really, and just not have to eat alone. Last year was my first T-day home, and it was seriously perfect. So, an enjoyable Thanksgiving is a brand new thing to me, but I was looking forward to it. I planned to go early to help my pretty grandma cook, cause she recently had surgery and had limited mobility in one arm.

So, before I left, I was apron-ready and prepared to cook: (Thanks to my madre for the most excellent apron)

So. We cooked. We whipped. We baked. We made a fabulous spread. I didn't take a single picture of the set table because..well, I was busy setting it.

Mom and Kelsey talking during dinner. When I took this, Kels was saying: 'And, My Little Ponies, are, like, soooo totally AWE-some!' I adore her.

 

THE cutest grandpa eva, carving us some more delicious turkey. Also being oblivious to my paparazzi ways.

Mom and Annie doling out the good stuff: (AKA pie. and whipped cream hand whipped by the resident whipping expert. ME!) While I was whipping the cream, me and my mom discussed if there are people in the world that have cool whip, and not like, real whipped cream on Thanksgiving. If you have one of those deprived, Cool-Whip-havin' families, I offer you condolences. Real whipped cream is where its at. On a piece of my grandmas pumpkin pie? YES, please! Best.thing.ever.

Two words: Food. Coma.

 

Ethan and Jules playing with their electronic devices. Haha! Whatever, it kept them quiet so we could talk.

Matt and the kids playing outside after dinner.  I later learned they were playing 'Warewolves and Humans'.
I WAS wondering why they were barking....

After Grandma's, we hit up my dad's for some more pie and did some Black Friday Gray Thursday (We renamed it) shopping. Me and Annie were out til 3:00 am! I was pretty impressed with her, since she is super pregnant and not usually out that late!

So, I feel safe to say, 2012 is officially the 2nd successful Thanksgiving! Since I never said it yesterday, I am so thankful for my family, that they are always there for me and love me no matter how crazy I am. I am thankful to have been born in a time with so many conveniences and medical advances, and to not have to have fought for freedom or walked across a plain like my ancestors did, and in a country where I have the right to vote, wear what I want, go where I want, and marry who I choose. There is so much to be thankful for, I could never type it all here!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and took more time than I did to tell your loved ones why you are thankful for them!

Girls night!

 Saturday night was Girls Night! It was my moms (belated) birthday celebration, so we wanted it to be perfect for her. :)

We started out the night with some lovely pedicures

 Mom and Annie waiting for their foot baths to fill with pretty blue water. :)

 Our cute tootsies! I'm yellow, my mom is blue and Annie is pink. we all got French tips but festive little annie got red tips instead of white. They turned out so cute but the lady doing the pedicure was sooo annoying! She kept asking if we wanted extra stuff( which was fine, I understand the upsell!) but then when I said no, she would try to convince me to do it and then be like 'oh, ok so you want snowflakes.'" ummm, no, crazycakes, just paint my freaking toes! So I spent almost the whole time warding off her snowflakes and eyebrow waxes rather than relaxing and talking to my mom. Lame. She did not get a very good tip. (Plus, sidenote, you should probably refrain from annoying someone whose foot is a mere few inches from your face.just.saying.) Haha.

 Next, We went To Breaking dawn, Pt. 2. It was good! I mean, bad acting in parts, cause, you know, K. Stew is in it and all, but i was impressed that they *finally* got her to stop heaving her chest like every line was the equivalent of running a mile. Homegirl must have soooome respiratory problems!

 In the theater with our awesome Twilight cups!

After the movie we hit up Sizzler for dinner, which I forgot to take pics at. It was SO nice to just sit and chat a bit, and of course we spent most of the time just laughing. It was SUCH a good night, though I'm a little sad the Twilights are over. It's the end of an era! Now we'll need to find some other series to dig into together. Looking forward to The Host already!

A few things, and I suck at blogging.

Picure this scene: 2 am. I am in my bed, trying to sleep. And all I can think about it this silly blog and how I have neglected it since I moved home. And all the things I *could* be blogging about. And the things I miss about Oregon, because holy crap I have been home for so long, and its almost Thanksgiving and things have changed SO MUCH in the last year. So, here are a few things.
First, my list of things I miss about Oregon. Its short.
1. My kitty. Well, truth be told, she belonged to Chris, but lets face it, she loved me more. I miss how no matter where she was at in the apartment, she would always come watch Teen Mom and American Idol with me. Yes, my cat loved trashy TV just as much as I do.
2. My friends. Of course, I couldn't stay just for my friends, and I'm SO glad to be home, but my OR friends were some of the best I have ever had. I love them.
3. Dutch Bros and Java Crew. I don't even drink coffee anymore, but I would kill a man for a frozen Almond joy form DB. With a pink straw.
4. Not pumping my own gas. I feel like this one kinda speaks for itself.

Things I do not miss:
1. Husband. Even my short, crappy rebound was better than my marriage. hmm.
2. My old job. I love eBay. Love. It is amazing to work for a company that cares about their employees and shows it. eBay is more stable and did a lot better through the recession, and through all the hard years, did not stop the extra stuff, bonuses, and employee appreciation like SOME companies did, Just sayin.
 :: takes another drink of the eBay Kool-aid::


 Ok, now heres some fun stuff. A couple weekends ago, I went to Witches Night Out with my Mom and sister. We had sooooo much fun! We saw Witchapalooza, the little dinner show they put on. It was so much fun to get away from the boys and kids and just have good, old fashioned girl time. I love them so much.

Me and Annie. She is so good at makeup and had little spiderwebs in the corners of her eyes.

Mom and Annie with one of the 'witches'

Me and mama with a very busty-looking witch

Waiting for the show to begin! We weren't sure what to expect, and I tried to get some pictures of the show but none turned out. Lets just say there was some Backstreet Boys, N*Sync, and New Kids On The Block that had me and Annie almost falling over laughing, I think we would definitely do the show again!

I solemnly swear to try to keep the blog more updated! Its just hard when, you know, 2/3 of your readership is already at the event I'm blogging! ;)

Carter Turns 3!

Today is Carters birthday (and a happy birthday holla at my niece, Juliet! Love that scurvy girl ;) ), and yesterday we had his party at Wheeler Farm. I can't believe how big tat boy is, it seems like he's changed so much even since I moved home in September. He is just the funniest dude, he has me laughing all.the.time. I can't believe how much I love that kid!

Snack table

Our new friend, the goose. He hung out to honk at us while we decorated to make sure it was to his goosey liking.

Its a cupcake cake!

Considering it was just me and my mom and sister, I don't think this kid is spoiled at all. Nope.

I love him. Lets pretend my hair isn't gross. ;)

Carter and his favorite person alive. It seriously doesn't get much cuter.

Me and my mama.

omg baby gooses are the best ever ever ever.

The kids feeding the geese

Carter kept saying, 'here ya go, little buddy!' to the geese. hahaha. How can you NOT love him?

'Would you like a snack, Mr. Goose?'

One more of me and the birthday boy!

I dont have any pics of present opening but he got quite the haul. From me, a Spiderman web shooter, Spiderman DVD, and some lame fishing game he wanted, ha. From Grandma, a Spiderman tent and a Spideman car/action figure and from his mama, some books and a scooter. He was soooo excited to open the presents and then lost interest after the first 2 or so. Crazy kid.
I can't belive another year has gone by and I'm so glad I could finally be here for a birthday of his!

Girls weekend in La-la-la-laaavaaa!

Last month, me and my favorite girlies (my momma and sista, of course!) decided we needed a weekend away. So we booked a trip to Lava Hot Springs in Idaho. I know, we are SO glam! Haha. We.had.so.much.FUN! I love hanging out with them, and it was nice to get away from all whiny boys for a few days! :p

Our luxurious accommodations! This motel was actually perfect. It was right across the street from the pools, clean, comfy beds, fridge for Diet Cokes... what more could a girl ask for??

Me and my pretty momma. Yep, we wandered around in bathing suits and cover-ups. Judge away. Its Idaho! ;)

We even gambled! Scandalous! 

Whatever, it paid off! (ok, I broke even but whatever. Winning is fun!)

My sister is so cute when she gambles!

We didn't actually mean to be color-coordinating.

It was the best weekend ever! I am so lucky to have such an amazing family. we were down a sister (miss you, Annie!) but seriously. There are a lot of families in the world where siblings argue, don't speak to each other over petty things, and have a lot of contention. I'm SO thankful, every day, that I made the decision to come back to mine, I'm thankful for them every day, and I don't know what I'd do without them!

/end Sapfest

Speaking of my amazing family, and because I am SOOOO proud of him, a couple weeks ago my awesome nephew Jared got baptized! I REFUSE to believe he is 8. 8! ::gazes off wistfully.. i remember the day he was born, just like it was yesterday. Seriously, might be the most beautiful newborn I have ever seen! *tear!::
Anyways. Here he is, lookin' all adorable with his new scriptures

With his proud pops! Cutest.brother.alive.

Siblings! I love that the (mostly) love each other

Jesus is all, hey y'all! Look how cute! Behold!

And, for no reason at all, other than cuteness, me and my mommy.

(Sorry the format is a little wonky. Getting used to the new blogger and Chrome!)
Thanks for reading! I'll try to be less boring in the near future, hopefully! Ha!