christmas wrapping

I love Christmas wrapping and seeing how everyone wraps their presents. This probably stems from when I was little and my grandmother would bring her beautifully wrapped presents to our house on Christmas morning. To her it was an art form and she never failed to impress me. Here is a round up of some pretty packages this year.

via: ohsobeautifulpaper

Miu Miu inspired via: 100layercake

via: apartmenttherapy 

Fifth and Hazel via: houseofsmith's

via: The City Cradle from theageoftheaquarius 

Couldn't resist putting up these Pom's via Babble which my mom used back in the 60's. We were on a really tight budget and all she could afford to wrap with was yarn. I will never forget her sitting down and showing me how to make these little puff balls out of yarn. When I was in Anthropologie recently they were also selling a lot of yarn like items to wrap with.

 Lastly these vintage stamps also from Anthropologie would be pretty on packages too.

paper-stitch love

This is sweet.

via: 100layercake

thanksgiving day fun

We had the happiest time together this year because Danielle was with us after 9 long years of being in DC on Thanksgiving. So excited she lives in Santa Barbara now and we will be able to spend all the holidays together! We went to my brother's house and Terri cooked a delicious turkey with the rest of us bringing side dishes. With the five of us, spouses, our kids and spouses and their children we are getting to be quite the big group. To add to the fun we have 3 more babies on the way. Laci, Aubrey and Emileah due in May, June and July. Some highlights of our day.

my girls and their guys

Noah hanging out with Liam who was a little under the weather.

Noah soon finds another partner in crime Liam's little sister Kenna. 

They were having quite the time together.

Kenna making it clear that the women in our family can hold their own with the guys!

As you can see from here Emeri loves being in a sling. Brittany didn't bring hers that night but thankfully Aubrey loaned her one she had. We had been trying to get her to sleep for quite some time but she was resisting. In about 2 minutes after this picture was taken she was fast asleep. Since she was a newborn her favorite thing is to ride around on mommy and fall asleep in her baby carrier. 

Lastly I am so thankful for these two sweet little ones!

Happy Birthday Brittany!

What a difference a year makes. This was last years Birthday with Britt. She had a date with her IV pole to help her sustain her pregnancy because of her Hyperemesis. No fun at all, but the result of her hanging tough and making it through her difficult pregnancy.

This beautiful sight, her holding her sweet little baby girl in her arms. Sometimes life can be so painful as it was last year but other times like this year it can literally take your breath away with JOY!!

Halloween 2011

A look back at some of my favorite photos from Halloween week.

Emeri looking up to her big brother before heading out to Trick or Treat.

Noah loves everything about flying since his dad has his pilot license and he has been around planes since he was very little. So it was fitting he dressed up as a vintage pilot for Halloween.

Emeri having fun on her very first visit to the pumpkin patch.

Noah and Emeri with their very own pumpkins. The pumpkin masterpiece 

on the white cake plate was painted by Noah :)

Lastly, love this pic I got of the whole family!

party hat

Adorable party hat from Oh Happy Day!

my buddy

I spent Halloween week at Britt’s and I got a ton of cute pics but this one of Noah is one of my favorites. He found a fun backdrop for his stickers and had me take his picture. Noah and I hung out together a lot because Emeri is nursing and likes to be in a baby carrier on mommy. One thing I love about Noah is how he connects so well with people. Every morning when he woke up he would call out grandma, grandma and then come downstairs to find me. He would come and lay down with me and give me a few minutes to wake up. Noah’s an early riser, as in sometimes it’s still dark outside! Then he would say to me do you want to watch TV or eat.....your choice! Noah entertains Emeri too as a lot of times she will start giggling and I look down and Noah is doing a funny little dance or something for her. It is just the sweetest thing. I had just a perfect week with the whole family. Going to the pumpkin patch, painting pumpkins with Noah, trick or treating, seeing Noah play baseball, cooking some yummy meals, shopping at the new Hobby Lobby with Britt, photo shoots at the Lake and loving on Noah and Emeri all week long. Today when Britt called me Noah said he wanted to talk to me. He got on the phone and asked me when was I coming back. I told him I would always be coming back to see him forever and ever! Then he said I’m sad that you are not here now.....awww that just broke my heart but the truth of it is I feel just the same way. It’s hard to say goodbye even for short times to people you love so much!