It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I think I'm finally getting into the Christmas spirit this weekend!

I found some great deals on Black Friday, saw a cute Christmas movie (Four Christmases) with my good friend Jen, put up the Christmas decorations with Andy and...woke up to snow this morning!

A perfect day for snuggling in and enjoying a warm cup of hot cocoa! Let the Christmas countdown begin!

Thanksgiving 2008

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Des Moines at Andy's parent's house. We had a nice day of eating delicious food, relaxing, and just enjoying the day. It was exactly how Thanksgiving should be- and I hope everyone had a safe holiday!

Jack and Evie as little Indians~

Evie isn't too sure about her new 'hat'~

Amazing turkey brined and cooked by Andy~

Way too much good food~

Let the Good Times (and bowling balls!) Roll...

Andy and I met some friends out Wednesday night for dinner and bowling. $5 martini's do not equate to a decent bowling score! I think my high score was 58. But hey, it's the fun that counts right? We had a great time catching up with everyone before the holidays.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Dinner at Legend's~ Gotta love those bowling shoes!

Jenny got a strike! She's my hero!

Crawford in the zone~

Inspiring

Every year, my company creates an 'Angel Tree' during the holidays. A Christmas tree is decorated with Angels that contain gift ideas for the Des Moines Boys Home, a group that takes in and caters to teen boys that have been exposed to horrific living conditions. They shelter and school the boys until they are 18 years of age. It's a great charity that I'm happy we can be a part of.

The heartbreaking part of the Angel tree are the gift suggestions from the boys- most ask for warm clothing, hats/gloves, one boy asked for his own 'blanket' and this year, the Angel I choose- a 12 year old boy asked for the book 'The Audacity of Hope,' by Barack Obama.

Here are teenage boys that have been exposed to years of abuse, poverty, and who knows what else- and instead of video games, electronics or some outlandish gift, they are merely hoping for warm clothes and some words of insight.

Even though it's just one gift, I hope the book will uplift and inspire.

Taking my mind off the economy...

Okay so I don't know about you guys, but I'm down right tired of watching the news lately! Tired of the layoffs, the foreclosures, the bailouts, the political fights... I need to get back to the basics. I need to start my 'grateful' list every day and keep on adding to it!

Every day, I'm thankful for my amazing hubby, who keeps me laughing and who treats me like a queen. I'm so thankful for my wonderful family and all my awesome friends- who continue to uplift and support me through anything. I'm so thankful that I have a job that I love- with benefits, friends, a free parking space. I'm thankful for my health- the fact that every day I wake up and can see, hear, taste, smell... I'm so thankful that I have a car that got me to work today and didn't have another flat!

My knuckles hurt as I'm knocking on wood while typing... but I just need to remember- stop, take a breath, and enjoy this day for all it has brought to me. Oh- and getting my next 5 lb. loss star at my WW meeting today helped too. :)

May God keep us and bless us as we live through these crazy times...

California Fires

Andy's parents received a phone call last night from family that lives in California. The border of their town was on fire- even the high school was burning. As of last night, they were spraying down their roof with water; their house was okay- let's hope the fires can get under control before it hits them. Please keep them and everyone affected by the fires, in your prayers!

Just like mama used to make...

Almost every special event since I can remember, my mom has made the BEST lasagna ever known to mankind. Better than any Italian joint in NYC- and lately, I've had a hankering for it. So I decided to whip out the big guns, and try to make it myself!

It didn't turn out too bad- however, my notes for next time: add more mozzarella and don't use 'oven-ready' noodles. Oh and this batch didn't have Baldy's 'special touch.' :)

And yes mom, I did recycle the jars and noodle box!

No Spring Chicken

Okay. I'll admit it. I'm OLD. Usually on a week night I'm lucky to make it past the 9:15 p.m. weather report on FOX.

But once a month, I chug a Red Bull and meet my girlfriend's from Drake out for some fun and feasting! Last night we met at Latin King- and had a great time! I even did my Weight Watcher leader proud by skipping dessert. And you know that rarely happens with me!

Here's our group shot:
Then afterwards, (I know! There is an afterwards, even on a school night!) I met my good friend Annette and her sissy out at a new place called SkyBox. Loved the atmosphere- lots of black, silver and sage blue. We had a great time too!

So yes, after a fun night of 'girl time' my alarm went off WAY too early this morning. After all, I'm no spring chicken!

Rare...

It's very rare that once I read a book, the movie that comes after is up to par. Well that didn't really happen with the Secret Life of Bees. The movie was so good! Alicia Keys was my favorite character and Dakota Fanning oozes competence.

The underlying theme is a little girl's quest to be loved. I found the scope of the Civil Rights Movement to be a true testament of our times. The movie made me realize that all anyone ever really wants is to feel like they belong and to feel loved. As we look at our society today, I think we need to remember that all anyone wants is to be loved and to share their love... and who are we to deny others that right.

So if you're in the mood for a great read this winter, check out the book at your local library and get ready to shed a tear or two while watching the movie!

Winter Necessity

Now that the cold temps are here, Andy and I tried to brainstorm ways to keep our energy bill down this winter. We are going to hold off on lighting the pilot light to our fireplace, keep the thermostat down low (low as in LOW) and we decided to invest in an electric mattress pad. We tried it out today and it was wonderful! I hope it's enough when the snow hits...I guess we'll just need to throw another blanket on!

Happy 1st birthday Evie!

Friday, November 7th was Genevieve's 1st birthday! We celebrated yesterday with cake, ice cream and punch. I can't believe she is a year old already! Poor sister wasn't feeling the best but she was a trooper! And is the proud owner of a new PINK wardrobe!

Here are some pics~

The 'before' cake: The 'Diva' cake:

Evie and Gpa Wallace:

Me and the birthday girl:

Presents!

I think the cake was a hit:


The 'after' cake:

You know there's a 5 year old in your house when...

*There's a Kid's Cuisine meal on the kitchen table and only the pudding has been eaten

*There is tupperware and a turkey baster (aka bath toys) in your tub

*Disney movies are playing nonstop in the family room and 'Sprout' is on the bedroom tv

*There's a Thomas train track running through the living room

*There's a Happy Meal box in the garbage can and a noisy Happy Meal toy that keeps going off everytime it's stepped on...

Andy and I got to babysit Jack Friday night and we had so much fun! We saw Madagascar: Escape to Africa and loved it! We also played on the Wii and ate junk food- the perfect night!

Here is Jack displaying his overnight bag~

Just a friendly reminder

Don't forget your civic duty!

May the best candidate win!

Adventures in Colorado

Destination: Denver, CO

My dear friend, Annette and I had the most AMAZING time traveling to Colorado this past weekend! The weather cooperated and was a sunny 72 degrees every day we were there- Mother Nature knew we had sight-seeing on our agenda!

Friday we stopped in Castle Rock for lunch at a cute place called Rodney's, (Ro for short!) then headed to Seven Falls. The waterfall was so cool as were the rock formations and juniper trees!

We then headed to Pike's Peak- Definitely the highlight of the trip. It took one hour to drive all the way to the top- and was a chilly 27 degrees! Without tights, it was freezing! Not to mention we both got really dizzy from the altitude. But the views were priceless- the pictures don't do them justice!

We then ventured into Manitou Springs and enjoyed some shopping and dinner at the Keg. Splendid filet mignon burgers! We decided to head back to Denver and after checking into our hotel room (with awesome vaulted ceilings) we hit LoDo (lower downtown) for some Halloween fun! We made a stop at Delaney's and then headed to the Wyncoop Brewing Co. We ended the night with a 'carriage' ride back to our hotel. Carriage meaning 'boy on bike carrying a basket for passengers'. Oh what a sight!

Saturday we enjoyed breakfast at the Delectable Egg with the most amazing pumpkin pancakes. Who knew?! Then headed to the Aveda Spa for our pampering! What a treat- can't wait for the West Des Moines location to open! Then we shopped along the 16th street mall and headed back to our room to get ready for the live comedy show! We saw Matt from Big Love and Jaime from My Boys perform- great acts! Afterwards we headed to Pasquini's Pizza- coolest new pizza joint in Denver! We topped off the night with a stop at Coyote Ugly and Jazz at Jack's.

Sunday we enjoyed a lavish brunch at Rialto's, walked to the capital, did some sight-seeing and caught 'Zack and Miri' at the Pavillion.

Denver was amazing and will definitely add it to my list of must-do's again!

Here are some pics!
At the airport~ Mountains!!

Hilarious!

We did it!

Wine tasting on Halloween!

'Taking the stage!'

Best Italian!

Sight-seeing~