Getting Ready...

I love this time of the year, getting ready for Christmas, making lists etc. I *love* getting out all of my Christmas crafting books and magazines and getting a few new ones to add to the collection. I have several projects (gift tags, advent calendar, canvases etc...) in the works, trying to get those finished. I plan to get the decorations up this week sometime and I can't wait. I *love* it. I usually put up at least 3-4 Christmas trees throughout the house. Pictures to come later.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For this I am so Thankful:
Photo by Marci Lambert.

I survived....

OK, I survived the *birthday weekend* two parties later. We celebrate a whole weekend of Lindsey's birthday, well it usually consists of a party for her friends (a scrapbook party) then a family party which is our traditional spaghetti dinner. Why spaghetti? Well for starters it is one of Lindsey's favorites and the real reason...when we brought Lindsey home from the hospital, that scary six mile drive, the one where you are thinking OH MY GOSH we are responsible for this tiny miracle in the back seat and traffic should be stopped so no other cars can come close to us. Anyway when we pulled into the garage and opened our car doors all I could smell was my Step-Dads spaghetti and meatballs, *SO YUMMY*, he makes the best, hands down. That was the meal we had our first night home with our little sweetie. Every time I smell them it takes me back to that day when we walked into our home together as a *family of three*. Just to keep traditions going, it was the meal we had when we came home as a *family of four* too. Thanks Bob! Your Spaghetti and Meatballs ROCK!!!!

When he wasn't looking I snapped some pics of him cooking:


I'll post some party pics later. I have to get ready for work now.

Happy Birthday Lulu!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful *eight* year old!

*Apple* of my eye

Well, at least one of my eyes, the other is reserved for my little *cutie pie*.

This and That

Lindsey's birthday party is this weekend and I think I am ready. I spent this past weekend preparing. My Mom and Step-Father will be in town on Thursday as will my Grandmother. Lindsey's party for friends is Friday night and her family party is on Saturday; our traditional Spaghetti dinner.

Halloween was fun, we had a last minute costume change, but it all turned out OK. However, let me say this, I miss the days of Lindsey wanting to dress up as Minnie Mouse, Belle, Jasmine, Little Red Riding Hood, and a Cheerleader. This year she was an Aqua Fairy, still not sure about that one. It was a very tween like costume and to be quite honest, it was not a battle I wanted to fight at 3:30P on Halloween. I let her wear some black eye shadow and lipstick too. I had a weak moment people. Truthfully, she looked kinda cool. David didn't freak out as I thought he would, he just goes with the flow; another reason I *adore* him. I thought for sure when he got home from work and saw her he would just go into shock, but he didn't, he could see how excited Lindsey was with her costume choice....and so they went trick-or-treating and scored some good candy. Mallory and I hung out at the house and greeted trick-or-treaters.

OK so here is a picture of Lindsey in her costume....READY? Are you sure?

We lost the wings, just couldn't get them to cooperate:

My *Aqua Fairy* gotta love her!!!!