my favorite Christmas cookie

accidentally perfect

I hung my wreath on the front door tonight.  I was admiring how when you stand straight in front of the door the Christmas tree shines perfectly in the center of the wreath. 

O' Christmas tree

office holiday cheer

Today was the annual holiday party at work.  I was primarily responsible for organizing it and my week at work just flew by in preparation.  I set up this dorky backdrop since the Oregon civil war game is tomorrow - I always think cheesy pics are better with cheesy props.

little laptop is sad

Despite having anti-virus software my little laptop got bite by a bug.  I wasn't confident in my ability to remedy the problem, but I did and now we are back in business.

ahhh good times with bubble boy

Justin is a creative little ladd and I often induldge his notions.  Recently he wanted to bring in sheet of paper into the bath with him.  It was a sort of game where he would float the paper until is started to rip and then he would wad it up and start over again.  It reminded me of being in the 3rd grade and I spent hours coloring on kleenex with my markers and then I got them wet, watched the colors bleed and then let them dry.  I need to take the paper wads to the recycle bin, and I will, but until then they serve as a sweet reminder of good times.  

And speaking of good times.  One night while slatering {or attempting to slater} Justin with "itchy cream" before bed he was giggling because I was tickling him in the process.  After a good laugh Justin said, "ahh good times!"  It was perfectly cute and I have no idea where he got it.  I smiled big inside.  He has declared "ahh good times" after several laughing fits and tickle sessions and it is so cute.  Recently he was goofing around with Jimmy in the car, they were cracking each other up and Justin uttered his phrase and Jamie heard - she thought it was just as great.  As did Amanda when she heard it.  It is hard to describe unless you get the priviledge of hearing its presciousness. 

For good measure I have another good Justin story.  He was in the bathtub and I was trying to wash behind his ears.  He promptly stopped me and told me that I had just "popped his bubble!"  "This is my bubble, don't touch it!  See the sign?!  It says 'No Girls'!"  He explained how he was inside a bubble and if I tried to touch him I would pop his bubble and that just wasn't okay.   

three beggars

moving onto the next item

It always feels good to cross something off the to-do list.  Tonight I did just that!  The invites for Nicole's 40th are officially done!  I still have a mess to deal with, but the actual task is complete and I feel good.

fancy feet

Let's eat turkey

The turkey was still slightly still frozen this morning when it was supposed to be going in the oven. We froze our hands trying to pry the frozen carcass apart so we could pull out the neck and giblets.  A long soak in the sink helped and the bird hit the roaster slathered in butter about an hour behind schedule.

On the menu:
Roasted turkey
Gravy
Mashed potatos
Cornbread dressing
Green bean casserole
Glazed carrots
Peas
Cranberries
Rolls
Pumpkin cheesecake
Tirimisu cake
Cranberry cocktails
Noodles {for Justin}

Brandi, Chuck and Max {their exchange student from Germany} joined us.  I was so busy in the kitchen that any plans I had for photos disappeared.  Luckily Amanda picked up the camera and snapped a shot of us in the kitchen.   

  And another of Justin and Max playing a soccer game.

We had a nice time!  But what a lot of work it is to pull a meal like this off.  And since I am not known for taking the easy route in the kitchen I was ready for a nap come meal time.

So thankful for this guy!  He is awesome!

ouch

Today was Justin's 5 year check up.  A shot was immenent and he knew it.  I thought he would only be getting a flu shot.  I was wrong - he actually needed 2 vaccines.  Bummer.  We had been talking about how shots are not a big deal, they don't really hurt, it is just the anxiety over them that is the bummer.  He wasn't buying it - I hated that he was worried, I understood why though.  We headed to his appointment.  He got weighed:   37.8 pounds (29% percentile).  He got measured: 43 inches (69th percentile).  He got three shots, 2 in one thigh, one in the other.  It sucked!  I hated seeing him so freaked out and scared. 

After the appointment I got duped into a trip to Toys R Us for legos.  We also went to Freddies for a few last minute Thanksgiving items, including these flowers.  Later in the evening I could tell Justin's legs were hurting from his injections.  He was limping, he had those - sore, punched in the leg - legs.  Amanda was on the train coming down from Seattle and he was eager to go to the train station and pick her up.  As we walked from the car to the station I could have sworn that it was snowing.  I think I was just imagining things though.

disappointed

We didn't get inches of snow like I had hoped for overnight.  The same skiff remained from the night before. 

please let it snow!

They forcasted snow today.  Snow to start at 11am.  Then it was pushed back to start later and later.  I was dreading what could have been an ugly comute home with slick streets.  It didn't happen.  I saw reports all evening on facebook of falling snow.  But my neck of the woods had none.  I wanted snow.  Lots of it!  It wasn't coming.  I headed upstairs to take a bath, it was raining.  I got out of the tub and found this.  Just a skiff.  And it was mostly hail.  I am craving a winter wonderland.

the LEGO Lair

Justin turns FIVE

Justin wanted mini cupcakes for his special day.  White ones, with no frosting.  His wish was my command - I would have made anything he wanted, but was semi-greatful he went with something super simple. 

We also frosted and decorated a small cake {we needed something for candles, afterall}.  And I made a few frosted cupcakes for me.

Justin spread his present opening through out the day.  He got a lot of legos, which thrilled him to no end - and they kept us pretty busy all day long.  I think it was his definition of a perfect day. 

Justin didn't want a big party.  But he did want a party.  He decided his party would start at 4:00 and he invited his dad over.  Justin asked me all day long "what time is it?", "how long until my party?"

Justin blew out his candles and we celebrated his fifth year!  I wonder what he wished for?  More legos I bet!

paper towels

I like to think of myself as somewhat "green".  I recycle, a lot.  I really do think about the enviornment and my impact.  But one thing I can't seem to get away from is my love of/ use of/ reliance on paper towels.  I use them to throw down on the counter for sandwich makin', or cheese slicin', or use them for general couter wipe downs.  I know there are greener alternatives out there, I just haven't been able to make the switch.

for pre-school {birthday cupcakes}

They are celebrating Justin's birthday tomorrow at pre-school and asked me to bring a treat.  Justin voted for chocolate cupcakes with white frosting.  I threw on some blue sprinkles and the yellow lego-dudes and called it good.  They are cute, simple, and sure to be a hit! 

scenes from my cell phone

Traffic recently has been a bear.  Simply horrible: morning and night. 

My  boy and I headed to the mall tonight to pick up his five year pictures from the portrait studio and we stopped for some dinner at the California Pizza kitchen.