Here Comes the Jackpot Question in Advance:

{What did you do on New Year's Eve?}

I had a couple dates- which was very new for me. It's been years, I truly believe, since I've even stayed up to see the ball drop- let alone see it through with friends and family. This year, I did just that. Matt and I had a surprise birthday/New Year's party at our dear family friends', the Iwerks. They have a really big family. Really. Big. So there was tons of food and laughing and memories and catching up. It was fun. Really. Fun.










As you can see in the picture with all the shoes; there were a lot of people there. I loved it. I love large gatherings where you can tell people love each other and love getting together. Thanks! Iwerks' for letting us be a part of the celebration!!

We also spent a small amount of time with a few of my close girlfriends playing a hilarious board game called "What's Yours Like?" A card is picked for everyone except whose turn it is to see. Each card has an item that most people have (i.e. desk, favorite fruit, silverware drawer, etc.) You must give a single clue to what yours is like... and that person tries to guess what's on the card with the fewest amount of clues. Ok. That was a basically the rule book... So hopefully you got it. It was fun :) Lots of laughing there too. And who doesn't want to ring in the new year with laughing?

And the best part of my new year's eve? I didn't have to wonder whose arms would be holding me good and tight when it was exactly twelve o'clock that night :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree

It's Matt and I's first Christmas married! And I am SO excited to spend this most wonderful time of the year with him! We recently went out to find our Christmas Tree.

Growing up, this event was a favorite. We would go get the tree. Let it fall for a day. Then, in the evening we would fill up on delicious appetizers and treats, listen to Harry Connick Jr.'s Holiday album and drink eggnog. Bring out the ornaments and get to work! My parents always bought us a new ornament- every year- so we always have a lot to get on the tree.





This year, it was just Matt and I. We went to pick out a tree. And it was still SO fun for me! I still LOVE this tradition. It ended up falling into a funny, straggly-looking thing, but I think it's the best tree ever! And boy is it FULL of ornaments!



How lovely are your branches!

'Tis the Season

I LOVE Christmas. The warmth you feel coming in from outside. The extra amounts of hot coco and Peppermint White Mocha's from Starbucks. The family time. The creativity in gift-making and giving. The wrapping. I LOVE wrapping gifts.

This year I wanted to put a fun spin on using the traditional Christmas wrapping paper, and try some new things. I had a lot of fun doing it. I bought a few spools of fun ribbon. I also had a pack of vintage ornaments I wanted to use- they were my favorite part this year. Take a look :)







As you can see I used some different papers for wrapping. Regular Christmas paper. Hymnal pages from an old hymnal I've had forever. And atlas pages. (I collect maps and atlases, so I have an abundance)

Anyway, just wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas activities! Hope you're having a Merry one!

{the urge}

What is it that draws you to the noisy toys in the store? You know the ones I'm talking about... Their specific cardboard holder is plastered with those two simple words.. "Try Me". And you just can't resist, right? Or am I the only one? ... ... Didn't think so.

Last night I went to Target with my honey... I found these:


All different kinds. I tried them. And they were SO LOUD! But I just couldn't help it... can't resist the urge.

GO TEAM!

The first weekend in December changed my life. And I bet no one- not even you- could guess what had such an impact. Are you ready for this?? I went to my VERY FIRST professional football game. And I FREAKING LOVED IT! (my enthusiasm tends to bring out intense language) It was in Minneapolis; Vikings vs. Broncos. I cheered for the Vikes {my hubby LOVES them- bad or good... mostly bad} even though, I love Colorado- and who doesn't love them a little Tim Tebow?! Right? I know!


Here we are waiting in the masses to get in. It was REALLY cold outside.



Matt's good friend got us the tickets- with AH-MAZING seats! Lower level, end zone, 11th row. So close!



Us in our gear. Waiting for the game to begin :)







A look into a bit of the game.



And of course... They have a REAL Viking!

I really had a blast, learned a lot about the game and cheered with the best of them! I also had beer spilled in one of my shoes, and made fun of the "cheerleaders" the whole game. All this to say- I still hate watching football at home. And I'm patiently awaiting our next live kick-off! In the mean time... Tebow like there's no tomorrow.

Smile! You're eating Pancakes!

Matt and I have a disagreement. I say the new design of the Hungry Jack syrup spill-proof pour spout looks like a smiley-face.. and that they did that on purpose. Because eating pancakes and the like makes people happy- duh. Matthew just thinks it's design is to better serve the sticky substance an escape from the bottle. What do you think?






Uh huh. That's what I thought.

Deck the halls with bells of holly....

Yay for Christmas decor projects! Today is the first snowfall of the year... Even though I would hardly say it's "snowing". And I had nothing to do, but that of what I wanted to. So, I decided to work on (and finish) and project I've been not-so-patiently awaiting.

You see, about 45 miles from here, in a tiny little town called Bristol, there is some amazing thrifting and antiquing. Last time I was there I stumbled upon a zip-lock filled with OLD Christmas postcards. SO cool! Some of them date all the way back to 1902. I have always loved old things. I like to imagine the people they used to belong to. What their lives were like. The stories formed around the specific item. So, I bought them. Duh. And then... I made this...







Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaa.