baby, it's cold outside

winter wonderland

Snow much fun!

have legos, will travel

dog cousins

Thank you Santa!

Getting Justin to bed on Christmas Eve was a piece of cake. He put out cookies and milk for Santa and hustled right to bed. I could tell he was excited but I think he some how knew that the faster he went to sleep the better!  He got up around 8:30 - I was awakened when I hear him give a loud sigh followed by "ay ay yi"!

Justin dug into his presents as fast as he could.

This  box contained my favorite bubble bars from Lush!  Thanks Amanda!

After everything had been unwrapped Justin dove right into playing while I finished packing and loading the car.  We left the house just before 11 AM and hit up the Starbuck drive thru for drinks and some more breakfast.  Justin was not all together too thrilled about the long car ride that awaited him. 

 

We got to Spokane right around 5:00 where there were many more presents for him to unwrap.  Christmas 2010 was a success!

December 24

Christmas Eve morning found us at Starbucks to visit with friends Charisse, Greg and their baby Garrett.  The place was crowded, but that didn't matter - we had a fun visit until Justin decided it was time to go - there were legos at home waiting to be played with.

Garrett turns one next month and here he shows us who is #1.

At home we had plans to bake and decorate sugar cookies for Santa. 

Justin spent the afternoon asking me when he could open his Christmas Eve present {like every five minutes}.  Normally I would say after bath - but today since we were going out of town the next day, and since I wanted to give him time to play with his present I caved and let him open his present at 4:00ish. 

 

He got a huge marble racer, something he had really wanted. 

cats in the box

As soon as Paxil vacated the box - someone else took his place.

Justin has renamed the kitties -
Paxil is now:  Paxilicious.
And Lucy is :  LucyBomb
And Harlow:  BabyKittyTowel

He also has the uncanny ability to identify all the cats by their meow.  He knows their different "voices" and when one is outside the bathroom door at  bath time he can always tell me who it is that wants in.

Christmas Carole village

gingerbread head

Don't eat me....!

tree lights

Lego Christmas Bakery

Do you see Santa there?  He is the one with out pants on!  Justin got this Santa in his advent calendar.  On one of the days was a little shower, which I thought was odd - until the next day he got a nakkie St. Nick with a back brush. 

party planners

Today we headed up to Vancouver with Jamie for a party planning session with Nicole and Kyle.  After a yummy lunch at McMenamins we headed to the hotel where Nicole's party is going to be.  Justin is a huge fan of hotels, so that was fun for him. Next up was show shopping {cause Jamie and I need party shoes}. 

Once we got home it was time for more cookie baking and Justin's specific request for peanut butter blossoms.

 

I love pretty wrapping

cards

presents

New additions to my tree this year

I could not pass up this great knome when I spotted him this weekend.  His glitter hat is extra special!

This owl was purchased in October when the ornaments first hit store shelves and it looks right at home on my tree.

And this cupcake solider was too fantastic to pass up as well.  Why does he have a cupcake on his head?  I don't know.... but he is fantasticly odd and a perfect addition.

ornament wreath

This wreath was two years in the making.  In my blog surfing during the holiday season of 2008 I stumbled upon a tutorial and knew I had to have/make one.  I hit up the after Christmas sales and got a load of red balls at 90% off.  The balls set for 10 months.  In October of '09 I pulled the balls out and started making my wreath.  I didn't finish and it didn't grace my holiday decor in 2009.  But this year I was determined and now it is done and hanging and I love it!  I think it is just perfect.

a day to create

Today Rachel came over and we attempted to finish a project we started in early fall.  I had wanted to craft one of these little fabric birdies for everyone on my gift list and then some.  But I had no idea how difficult they were to make.  This is the only one I have complete.  It is Justin's. 

When I was done trying to make birds I headed for the kitchen do create something I knew I could finish.  I had to make more Austrailian Chocolate Balls.  Justin was my "candycane smash-man" - I love that he is so willing and able to help me out.  And he stayed in his pjs all day - well... until 7:30pm - when we finally headed out to Target for some Christmas shopping!

waiting to see Santa

hot buttered rum

wipers

Dear Rent-A-Man,
I could have used you this evening - where were you?  My car was in dire need of new windshield whipers.  I finally stopped procrastinating and bought a pair tonight.  Good thing too, because it is raining {a lot} and it isn't gonna let up anytime soon.  Anyway... I could of used your help.  I like to think that I can do anything, and I can - but this task I would have happily handed over.  Draping myself over a drippy car in a dark garage - no thank you. 

advent calendar

 This year Justin has a Lego advent calendar and I think it is the highlight of his day.