Christmas 2008

Here are some pics from Christmas 2008. We had a great time this year even though the crowd was small. Yes. I said the crowd was small...Feliz Navidad!

Group Picture

Tio Ben and Sam

Marissa, Mom and I

Marissa, Merrean, Kiersten and I. I am the oldest cousin (at the ripe age of 21).

So many changes...

We have had a lot of changes gong on around here - the most significant? Me going back to work FULL TIME! Wow. It has been quite a big change for us. I knew how to have a career. I knew how to be a mom. But I did those separately! I am combining them now....and will have much more to say about that another time.

Another thing that has changed? I stopped sewing and made some cards!

I decided to join a Christmas card swap with my girlfriend Yesenia in Chicago...she's coordinating. This is what I came up with...in about 45 minutes using pre-cut papers from the dollar section at JoAnn's.

Glad to ink it up again. But will go back to sewing soon...

A family affair...

I had to share the latest from Christy.

She's so gifted. Thank you, Christy! Love you.

http://bonifaciophotography.com/guilford/

For the Sam fans...

A recent favorite of the two babies in the house. LOVE IT!!!

Seattle continued....

I don't know why it's taken me so long to add a few more pictures from Seattle! Lots going on here...

Well, Matt and I spent Tuesday driving and exploring the Northern Cascades National Park. Here's a few more shots we got along the way.

Documenting gas prices as we cruise...the owner came running out and asked what we were taking pictures of. Specifically, we were capturing the shed that functions as a drive-through coffee stand, but thought gas prices were interesting too.












The place where we stopped for pizza before the long drive back to Seattle. YUM!! It was soo good after a hike.

Tropical Tree Frog Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

Hi All,
I am going to join the mix on this costume give-away. I think it's adorable and her work is just beautiful. If you blog, check her site and join in!

Tropical Tree Frog Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

by: Chicolino

Anne Marie is finally opening her shop this weekend! It's called Jack N Jill and it's a really cute children's re-sale boutique. If you are in Knoxville you should stop in! You'll love it.

These are some of the things that I made for Anne Marie to consign. We shall see how it goes! She advised that I make a label and so I called it by: Chicolino. Chicolino is a made up name my parent's gave me and it's still my name to this day. :) Sam has many of his own. I guess it's family tradition to make up a name for your little person.

Nursing Cover

Compact Diaper and Wipes Holder

Imagination Apron

80's Ladies...

We had a girl's night Friday and look how pretty everyone looked! It wasn't really a Halloween party as much as a themed night. We have an awesome Christmas party planned...and it involves Christmas sweaters. And I thought it couldn't get any better than this.

Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Once you enter the blog world, you can explore so much! One of my favorite bloggers Pretty Ditty recently shared a recipe for Iced Pumpkin Cookies from All Recipes (I LOVE All Recipes) and I was definitely interested. I had already purchased two cans of pumpkin for my pantry because I love pumpkin flavors in the fall.

WOW! These cookies are awesome. I have tested them out - the only thing I did different from the recipe was use 1 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice and 1 tsp of cinnamon since that is what I had on hand.

By the way, click on the Pretty Ditty blog and explore her stuff. It's soooo cool.

Enjoy!!



ICED PUMPKIN COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.
4. To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

Take a moment...

I hope this can touch your heart just like it touched mine.

Monday in Seattle

We were fresh and ready to go after a good night's sleep! Matt and I decided to explore Seattle a little more...

Visiting Impress Rubber Stamps - I love this invitation idea...

The famous Space Needle...

Eating at the Sky City revolving restaurant...

On the observation deck...

Cruising the Seattle Harbor...

Interesting sight: This thing scares me! It drives into the water. You couldn't PAY ME to get in that thing...

Bill Gates place...apparently it goes on forever, but it looks like a private paradise...

My modern dream home on the water. Check closely in the window. Apparently a renowned paleontologist lives there and has his own creature featured in the windows...

And here is what we were cruising in...she indirectly pays the bills around here. Isn't she beautiful?

Our first Day in Seattle

Matt and I flew from Knoxville to Seattle a few weeks ago...the alarm went off at 3:45 so we could get ready and catch our 6 a.m. flight. All to get to the other side of the states at brunch time!

How could we sleep? We had to explore. It helps that Matt flies to Seattle all the time on business, but he's never stopped to smell the roses.

Eating lunch at the Cheesecake Factory - I LOVE their salads.

At Pike Place Public Market. The original and best Farmer's Market. Check out the beautiful items for sale...

Fresh fish...

Ugly fish...

Beautiful flowers - $5 for a bunch!!! I would have flowers at my place all the time...

Breath-taking produce...

Fresh pasta...

Lot's of people...

THE original Starbucks...

A feast for the eyes...

Good night Seattle!

My pics from Christy

As you have seen, Christy and I had a date a couple of weeks ago where we took pics of each other and also went out to dinner.

Here's the shots of me...I hope to give my blog a makeover and maybe use one of these for my profile.

Happy Friday!

To Seattle and Back

Boy do I have a lot to share with you!

Matt and I spent last week on our first trip ALONE together in a looong time. We flew to Seattle, Washington and had a busy week of touring, eating, hiking, eating, crossing the US/Canadian border, eating and shopping.

It was such an awesome time together and I plan to create a picture book/slide show when I sit for a bit. I have been working on getting ready for a garage sale this weekend...PURGE, PURGE!!!

So here's a sneak peek of our trip to the Northern Cascades National Park. Matt and I spent last Tuesday driving through and went for a hike...can't remember the name of the trail, but it was awesome! I will let you know the name after I talk to Matt.

Nevertheless, it was just so beautiful and relaxing for us and reminded us of our need to visit our local national park for hikes more often. I just think it's such an amazing opportunity to soak in God's beautiful creation and what an amazing opportunity for us to live in America where we can visit so many regions our our beautiful country for FREE (your annual payment to Uncle Sam not withstanding)! Don't take it for granted! We have the freedom to cross state lines and explore freely in our country...Wow.

One more thing. I was sooo excited to finally get my National Park Passport and begin documenting my trips to our National Parks!

I know. Such a dork. But I think it's cool.