Tis the Season!

This week has been CRAZY busy!!!

Tuesday was Lindsey's Birthday!

So we got all doll'd up and went to San Francisco

We had dinner at First Crush, it was delicious.

After dinner we headed to The Curran

To see The Book of Mormon.
Hellllooo Hilarious.

Here are all the ladies.
Such a fun night out.

I miss going to the Theater.  It truly is one of my favorite things to do in the entire world.

Happy Birthday Linds!!

Wednesday night was the Tree lighting ceremony.

Where we ran into Frosty...

And Aunt Casey!

And Brit spoiled us with Light Brights

And we got a little crazy...

Saturday Morning was The Day....

We made the trip to see the Big Man in Red

And clearly were thrilled to be in our Sunday Best.... 

I love that I bring out the joy in my children.....
Can you feel the love?

Madeline was NOT having it this year....
(secretly this made me happy...I love love love screaming Santa pictures and was hoping this would be my last year obtaining one....)

But after a little coursing.....

She agreed to sit.

You see....if you don't tell Santa what you would like....It may not be under the tree on Christmas Morning.....
and Maddie wasn't about to take the chance on missing out on a Pink Kitchen....

so

She obliged...

But she would NOT look at Santa...all conversation with Santa were made with constant eye contact with Mom.
However...Jack on the other hand was my perfect child..
Can you see the Halo?
 Oh it's there....
His internal monologue went something like this...
"See Santa...I'm the perfect Brother, I love to hold my Sister's hand all the time, I never push her or steal her toys.....I help my Mother and do all my chores around the house....Please bring me an Automatic Nerf Gun Blaster so that I can aim it only at low household furniture and never EVER directly at my Sister's head..."

:)

Regardless.... I got my Santa photo.

Hoo. Ray.

Saturday night was December 1st.
Which means...

The start of the Advent Calendar!
I'm very spoiled as you know... Mimi fills the Advent Calendar for us every year.
The kids are so excited every night to open those doors.
This Year Madeline got to go first.
Woot! Woot!
For the Start of Christmas!

Sunday was my second annual 5 Favorite Things Party.

Per the Ush....Girls Only.

Madeline put on her party dress to join in all the reindeer games.

Here are the ladies enjoying delicious wine provided by Lynne. Thanks Lynne!

These were my picks this year

Here were the rules:
  Each Girl Brings 5 Gifts. Each Gift mush be exactly the same. This year we had a total of 12 Girls. The Gift must cost $10, and you must use every penny of that $10.  There are 2 prizes.  
1) Favorite gift
2) Best use of every penny of their $10

My first Gift was from Casey.

I LOVED it.
Mustache Wine Glass Markers, nail polish, cute mason jars filled with polish remover, cotton balls and emery boards.
Adorable.

Lindsey picked Casey too...

Maddie got some cuddle time with one of her favorite Aunties..

Mary's gift was a huge hit....again.

Mom did quite well herself

Laura loved her gift from Brit

And then it was my turn.

This year I gave the gift that keeps on giving....
;)
Wine and Cheese....

Entwine wine by the Food Network
and
My homemade Mac and Cheese.

Some people were very excited....

No group photo this year...
*fail*

BUT

The party was a success!

I can't wait for Next year!
I'm already thinking about what gift I'm going to bring....

Week one of Christmas to down..
3 to go!!

Mother's Day 2012

Mother's day weekend started at the lake!

We decided to drive up and surprise my Mom this year for Mother's day.  I even convinced my brothers to make the drive, so Mom would have all her kids Mother's day weekend.

She was so happy.

It's so nice when you can bring some joy to your Mom.  

Maddie couldn't wait. 

She had to get in the Tuba.

She is a water baby.

Opa let her drive the boat.

She thought that was very cool.

Daddy gave lots of rides on the JetSki.

But Maddie thought Daddy went too fast

So she opted for a slower ride...

Henry tested the new dog ramp.

He loved the lake.

Madeline had her fill of fun..

So we headed back to Mom's for some sleep.

I didn't think of taking a photo of us until 11 at night.

We are both completely wiped out in this photo.

(I showed up to surprise Mom in the shirt above.  I found it at Old Navy.  It says "I *heart* Mom"  She loved it.)

Sunday Morning we had a champagne breakfast complete with gifts. 

Three Generations

Here is my new handbag.

Let me bring it in closer for you.

Eat your heart out Kate Spade.

;)

Jackie made me a wallet to go in it.

And both of them were interviewed by their teachers about Me, their answers are hilarious.

Mom also interviewed the two of them, and framed their answers for me.

So nice!

Since it was Mother's day, the kitchen was closed.

MMMMmmmm  Pizza.

Ollalieberry Pie.

Tart but delish!

A Quick Hi to Gram.

And two kids ready for Night Night.

I feel like this weekend had 100 hours packed into 48.

I'm exhausted.

But so Thankful for all that I have.

Happy Mother's day to all my favorite Mom's out there....You know who you are!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend!

Weekend in Pictures

Lately I've been cooking... A. LOT.

So Friday night was homemade meatball night.

Wanna know what goes good with Meatballs?


Ketchup.

Henry aka Meatball thief.
(He enjoys Heinz on his)


Saturday was all things Mom.

Mom-O de Mayo if you will.
Momare loves her some Margaritas on the rocks.

I made her a german chocolate cake for dessert.
(her fav-I'll take my daughter of the year trophy now)

Ben not to be out done...and since he works for Safeway....

Sunday Morning this was dropped off for My Mothers enjoyment.

Mom and I went early to The Alameda Antique fair...no photos to share...we were in and out in no time...no great finds this month...maybe June will be more successful- that place really is the more the merrier....

Daddy had to work all day Sunday
So upon my return from the fair, it was Just Mom.

We enjoyed the weather.
It was SO beautiful today.

Nothing like biking in Glittery slides....

Mr. T. C.

Game time....

Cupcake Bandit

And finally some down time with Daddy.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend!