Recipe Exchange 2012

We're gearing up for another recipe/ornament exchange so I thought I would share last years invites with you -since I never got them up last year and this years will not be custom made....boo

 

I forgot how much I loved these! Maybe I will be on the ball again next year. One can only hope.

I also put together a cook book for all those who attend. Which is lots of fun to look back on. 

Will you be hosting a fun gathering this season?

 

Happy Halloween!

I enjoyed Micah's birthday mobile so much that I ended up switching it up for a Halloween one. It only took a whole month to get a picture of it! 

We dressed the kids up on Saturday to get pictures of them. If one child is hard to photograph two is nearly impossible! Ever since seeing this video on youtube I knew I wanted to dress them up as bear cubs.

 Micah's outfit was re-purposed from a sleep sack Mum made him after he was born, it was WAY too large (obviously) I redid it into a pants suit and added the hood with ears. I also made Isabella's pants and both of their shoes. Lets just say this is a good example of why I don't sew clothing.

 Also I think Micah grew since I made his outfit last month. But I am still happy with them since they are just costumes! Isabella was a little irritated about the whole thing. Micah on the other hand seemed to really enjoy tromping around in it. And doing anything but sit still.

Hope you all have a good holiday!

Micah's Easter

It was so much fun to see Micah hunt easter eggs- 18 months seems to be a perfect age for this- they get the point of finding them and that there are gifts inside but they are happy to share them, throw them and let others little ones take their eggs without any fuss... which was super cute! 

I wonder what it will be like next year! 

Someone had a very Happy Easter!

Can you tell? I have more photo's...  but I am being uber slow about getting through them so here's one to hold you over. 

**more album photo's have been added to bottom of post... because you asked nicely...haha**

*for family above does in fact show a picture of me pregnant it was taken St Patricks Day weekend... not that long ago... so it's kind of an updated picture for you. *

Christmas Tour {Corinnea's House}

I decorated a little bit last year but my heart wasn't in it. This year, for the first time in about 8 years, I decorated. I wanted to do more, but there's always next year right? 

 I love chandeliers. Decorating them is so fun. Jess found this garland for me at Michael's, I added some mini glass balls and a pearl garland given to me by a dear friend (thanks Vicki!).

 I bought a tree from Costco this year. This thing better last, just sayin. It comes pre-lit which is amazing. I also received an early gift from my hubby and Jess in the form of a new fireplace surround and mantel! You can see an old version of this area here. Huge improvement no? I kept meaning to do a big reveal but life just keeps happening.

 I love it. 

I love this room. 

No, it's not really cold enough for a fire but I don't care. 

 My tiny German village found a home on the top of my cabinets. I may leave it up for awhile. I'll add green rolling hills when spring comes. 

 I have these cool mirrors gifted to my by my mom in law. Jess accessorized it with my ridiculously heavy glass balls I collected in Germany. 

 I even pulled out the snow babies this year. Anyone else ever collect those? I guess I should have taken a closeup.... they are frolicking on top of the hutch.

 This is a favorite view of mine. I love the layers.

 For my dining room chandelier I placed two dowels across the opening and strung a million balls from them. I may leave these up year round too. 

 This wreath is new. I found it at Micheal's and embellished it with the ribbon and sparkly purple branch things. I strung small snowflake lights through it but forgot to turn them on for the photo. Target had a cute selection of battery lights this year. 

This is my view as I sit here and write. Well, except now my feet are propped on the table and the coffee is almost gone. 

Thanks for taking my little tour. 

Christmas Tour { Jessica's House }

*oops! forgot to post this!*

We just thought it would be fun to give you a Christmas tour of our houses... mine isn't much different from last year but I tried to tweak everything just a little to make it fun and fresh

The biggest change was the ribbon. I went to Michaels in search of the ribbon I bought last year, I just needed a little bit more. Wouldn't you know I actually found it... but I also found this beautiful glitter ribbon. And since it was on sale and the stuff I bought last year wasn't I decided it was be meant to be! 

This stuff is gorgeous, it sparkles like crazy. 

I redecorated my chalkboard wall. There was a slight issue with the chalkboard pens... apparently if you leave them on the wall for over a year they don't wash off... which is why I keep redecorating the same trees, it's not a big deal- it's actually kind of fun- I just wish I had done a better job drawing them!!

We have a cousin (2nd?... not sure) that knits everyone stockings.  Mine went missing sometime after I moved out... I've been searching for it for 7 years (seriously I know that it is SOMEWHERE!!) so I finally broke down and asked and she was kind enough to make and ship me a replacement in less then a week. Which is unbelievable awesome and kind of her. I am no longer the lone stocking-less person in the family (boy does that sound akward).

And just to source a few things- because I always want to know when I see things on blogs

The garland and wreath are from Ballard Designs and is super realistic looking I want more!

The snowflake lights are Smith and Hawkin from Target - a few years back. 

The glitter pine cones are from Crate and Barrel - this year. 

The LED lights on the wreath are from Target - this year

My felt garland from last year was relocated from last year- I think I like it here better!

And my favorite the tree. Which is from Costco and I LOVE it. And yes I decorated it with all the same ornaments as usual we just put the less breakable ones at the bottom. Micah has been doing pretty well with the don't touch command- not that he is perfect or anything!

And since I never send out Christmas cards.... Here's a family shot for everyone!

Thanksgiving Weekend

The Friday after Thanksgiving we headed down to the 'happiest place on earth' -- Which just happens to be 2.5 hours from our front door. My Grandmother and visiting Uncle and Aunt instigated the craziness. And it was a crazy - just so you know the park is slightly busy after Thanksgiving. 

 Micah's favorite ride was probably the carousel... but only if Grandma rode with him

 Uber being crazy with Micah at the swiss family tree house

 The main reason for the trip was to see Disney all done up for Christmas - The castle was beautiful!

 The light parade was fun

 They did a fantastic job with the fireworks

 13 hours wore the boy out. He huddled down right before the fireworks and decided it was time to sleep! 

Well this is just my side of the trip... I haven't gotten a hold of all the additional photos taken... but going through mine was daunting enough!

Micah's 1st Birthday

We had planned for the birthday party to be outdoors but unfortunately the weather threatened to be nasty so we ended up moving it inside just to be safe. So there was a lot of last minute re planning of the decorations. Uber and a friend ended up being in charge of the garland and I have to say  I love that they decided to deck out the front of the house!

 lebkuchen were worn

 as well as lederhosen (outfit courtesy of Mum's amazing sewing skills) but don't worry only by the wee one. 

We tried to get a mini photo shoot in but there were a lot of distractions... wind... dogs...

 This child kills me. 

 Mustaches which had nothing to do with the fest they just seemed like they would be fun

 and they were!

 Micah enjoyed his gifts

Though not so much when I put him in his gift...
**Disclaimer** there were awesome balls in this box... he should have enjoyed this!

 Kubbs was played - have you all heard of this game? It's Swedish and it is a blast- dad made our set. 

 Micah wasn't sure what to do while everyone sang to him 

 He was also rather miffed about the large cake in front of him, like we were playing some sort of trick on him.

 He was more than happy to feed it to other people 

 But we found out he is more of a chocolate boy.