Christmas Decorations

It took me much longer than I thought, but I finally got all of my Christmas decorations up. A lot of them were homemade, so it took a couple of weeks to make everything. I had to share-- Mom-- I told you I'd send you pictures!

I love all of the decorations we have- many as wedding presents. Recognize anything?

Below is a great Christmas card holder idea I got from good ol' Martha Stewart. Easy and cheap!

Gotta love a tree with the lights off.

The Big Game

What is it with guys feeling the need to dress up for games they watch in the living room?

I'll admit, it's cute. And no- this is not the facial expression that describes how these two felt about the results of the game last night.

Surprise Un-Birthday Party

On Nov. 1st, we celebrated JD's 30th birthday. Yes, his real birthday is Dec. 1st, but last year the finals looming made it a little more difficult to kick up our heels and party. So, I decided to take the challenge and throw a surprise party for the man who seems to always figure any other surprises I try to pull off.

Here is his first reaction. Looks mighty confused!! Can I just say I got him goooood!!!

The next picture is JD wearing his party hat. The party was pirate themed. Fitting.

And of course the birthday created a lovely excuse to have a BBQ in November. I've never had a BBQ in November. You'd think it would be too cold. But no- it was in the upper 90s. In fact the heat kept popping the balloons.

Cute Kate

Some of the party crew- someone must have said something very intellectual and thought provoking here. Only the most dignified conversation will do at a pirate party.

I spotted these suckers at the dollar store and couldn't resist. They were the reason behind me making the kids goodie bags. When I see some clothes or shoes or kitchen gear I want, I debate a bunch before deciding. But these things were an instant- must have!

Below- Liza modeling her new frames.

Halloween

This year JD and I were invited to a Halloween party put on by a couple of our friends. It was so much fun and so fun to watch all of the kids play. Here are some pictures:

We had the best costumes- I must admit. JD was a lumber jack and I was a Redskins football player.

Don't mess!

The men bobbed for apples while the women took pictures and then disappeared once the men declared it was their turn. We're not stupid!

Do you think my friends would mind if I stole their children?

Halloween pinata

My friend Lori's baby dressed as a flower. How cute is that!?!

And the best pictures of the night-- Kate (my friend Tennelle's daughter). I was going to lick up the sprinkles, but she beat me to it.

It's Worth It

So I have a pretty good job as a special education teacher. The position I have right now is working with one high school girl with autism. She's a great girl and it's a fun job. However, as always, there are days where I would rather be doing something else. Like shopping, sleeping, watching Project Runway....

But today I was rewarded. The student I work with is so much in her own world that I spend most of the day trying to get her out of it. She quotes movies endlessly and can't focus. But every once and a while, the fog lifts and I see the girl underneath the autism. Today was one of those days.

We were working on some math and all of the sudden, she stopped, looked at me and said "You my best friend, Santini."

Melt my heart!!!

Sister, Sister!

This week I was a lucky girl! My dear sister Paige came for a visit. We haven't seen each other in a year!!! It was so great to see her and I'm so glad it will only be 3 months until I see her again.

We stuffed our faces with a new discovery- Senora Hot Dogs and Mexican Mango-coconut-slushy-ice cream-stuff.

The hair do attempted above didn't turn out so good. She ended up totally fro-dified.

Trail Dust Town

I've been driving by this place every day for the past year. I've been very curious. So we went and were pretty much disappointed, but the there were many picture opps!





He's a natural!