All Done!

Well that didn't take half the time I thought it would take! All the decorations are packed away until next year, and the only thing left to do is put the tree in the attic. And take the lights down off the roof. But I don't DARE get up on the roof without someone here to help... so that will be my hubby's job tomorrow!

So, now it's on to posting the pics from Cooper's photo shoot. Well, I spent about an hour this morning trying to get the pictures to upload clearly, and unfortunately, it wouldn't work. So, to see the photos click here and watch the slide show! This is the "official" photo shoot, decked out with red velvet bows (that my mom made), props and a real life photographer! Mandi, a girl that works with Kelly, is studying to become a freelance photographer and has even photographed a few weddings over the past year. She does an amazing job!! Jan, Kelly and Mandi's boss, and Mandi's mom's best friend, asked if Mandi would take some candid shots of the pups for their family's New Years card this year. What a blast we all had watching the pups sit (or squirm) for their photo shoot. There were probably 20+ people that showed up to watch this event!

Here are a few other photos from our visits with Cooper over the past 4.5 weeks! I can't believe how big he's getting!!

What goes up...must come down!

For the next three days, I will be undoing everything I worked so hard at getting "just right." It's time for the unwelcome task of taking down the Christmas decorations. I have to admit, this task is here a little early this year, however, I need my house in normal working order before my life as I know it gets turned upside down. On the to-do list today (and tomorrow, and the next day) :

• Workout
• Run a few remaining errands
• Pack away Christmas wrapping supplies {which is currently taking over our study}
• Wrap and put up all my holiday platters, snowmen, stockings, tree skirt and holiday decor
• Disassemble garland on the banister {and find additional storage space for it somewhere}
• Remove ornaments, lights and bow from the Christmas tree {I'll have to wait until Kelly gets home to take the Christmas tree downstairs}
• Pull up all the Christmas lights in our front yard and attempt to squish them back in the original box they came in {unlikely that this will actually work}
• Cram, shove, jam, squish, etc. everything Christmas related into our tiny upstairs closet! {But hey, I'm thankful we actually have the storage space for it all this year. Last year I had to make it all fit in the ONE closet Kelly and I shared in our tiny 890 sq. ft. apartment.}

A few other fun things I'd like to indulge myself in are:

• Catch the re-run of the season premier of The City {see my previous post}
• Watch The Sound of Music, start to finish, for the first time ever!*
• See White Christmas for the first time ever!
• Cook a good, wholesome, healthy meal for my husband {which I rarely ever do!}
• Get my car washed {it's beginning to look embarrassingly white trash!}
• Post pictures from the two photo shoots with Cooper

* For whatever reason, The Sound of Music has been the topic of several conversations I've had lately. At the office yesterday afternoon...during lunch with some co-workers...at the gym last night with my Mom. I don't know if it's because it was just on TV or if it is a holiday must-see, but I am definitely going to check it out!

Speaking of holiday "must-sees," Kelly and I made it to all of the blockbusters at the movie box this year!

• Weekend before Christmas - Seven Pounds
• Christmas Eve - Slumdog Millionaire
• Christmas Day - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Day after Christmas - Valkyrie
• Weekend after Christmas - The Spirit* and Marley & Me

* Kelly watched The Spirit while I was frantically reading the final chapters of Marley & Me. It was a good thing Santa brought us movie tickets this year :)

Well, I'm off to get started on my many lists of things to do! I'm sure I'll be back later with updates on my progress.

Have a great day!!

I totally missed it...

I can't believe I missed the season premier of The City! It's an MTV spin off of The Hills featuring Whitney and her move to the Big Apple to pursue her fashion career. I will definitely be watching the re-run on MTV today! Watch the trailer below to get a sneak peek of the fashion filled, totally dramatic life of Whitney and her new adventure in NYC!

MTV Shows

O Christmas Tree!

Well, since I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off in the weeks leading up to Christmas, I was never able to post any pictures of our Christmas tree. So before December is over and Christmas officially comes to a close, I have here, our Christmas tree...

And our first fire...

And remember when I told you about our super productive Thanksgiving Break? Well here are a few photos displaying the fruits of our labor. (Some of the photos include our Christmas Party decor...)

Master Bedroom

Guest Bedroom

View from the front door

Little "dip" table

I can't believe the holidays are already coming to a close! I still have so many Christmas movies I want to watch :) I was able to sneak in all my favorites:

• Little Women (watched this on Christmas Eve with the family)
• Polar Express
• Home Alone
• Miracle on 34th Street (I didn't get to finish this one, but I did record it, so I might be able to finish it tonight. Kelly can endure it. After all, I was able to endure the Cowboys game last night. OUCH!)

Where did December go?

I feel like December came and went so fast! Do you feel that way, too? I was fortunate enough to have the majority of the past two weeks off from work, and loved every minute of being home (and running around town!) One very important thing I got checked off my list was beginning (and finishing) this heartbreaking novel! I sat on the couch for five hours reading my heart out... and 45 minutes after I finished it, Kelly and I headed to the movies to watch the next showing of Marley & Me. Some might not share the same excitement (or emotion) about the book, but it just describes our current situation so perfectly. Kelly and I have been dying to read it/see it before we bring Cooper home. Here's a sneak peek at last week's Saturday afternoon...

What are you Christmas Traditions??

I was tagged by Jen last week to do my Christmas Survey. So, I'd better hurry up - there are only 2 days left until Christmas!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Definitely wrapping paper...its much more fun unwrapping!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? I aim for the day after Thanksgiving... however, the past two years my Mom and I have made it a tradition to hit the "early bird specials" on Black Friday, so the tree usually goes up the weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the first two weeks of January. This year, we will definitely have our Christmas stuff put away the first week of January because Cooper comes home on January 9th!

5. Do you like eggnog? Ew sick, absolutely not!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Oh my gosh, let me think... I remember getting this awesome sweatsuit that I wore practically everyday for a year! That was the same year my brother got a basketball goal and we spent hours trying to learn how to do a lay-up in our driveway.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Our Dads can be hard to shop for sometimes!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Mom! I secretly try to pick up on little hints here and there to get her those extra special gifts!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but one day we will!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail for sure...mine went out the first week of December :)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A purple ceramic pumpkin. I got this at a White Elephant gift exchange - however, I didn't know it was "white elephant." So I brought a normal gift while all the other gifts were "gag." As you can tell, it scarred me for life.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Little Women! Even though this isn't really a Christmas movie, my Mom and I watch it every year at Christmas and it always reminds me of the holidays. So does Gone with the Wind. But I do like Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone and The Polar Express (yes, I know I'm 25.)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? As early as I have every one's wishlist! I try to start as early as I can to get the good deals and avoid the crowds :)

14. Have you ever re-gifted a Christmas present? Yes, the purple ceramic pumpkin. And now I'm a firm believer of not buying a "good" gift if everyone else insists on bringing a "gag" gift. See the scarring?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? There is so much yummy food at our house... sausage rolls, puppy chow, toffee, queso, sausage balls, and the list goes on...

16. Lights on the tree? A MUST! White/Clear only.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Do You Hear What I Hear, Winter Wonderland, Nutcracker medley, Joy To The World, Mary Did You Know, All I Want For Christmas is YOU...I love all Christmas music!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year we'll be staying home. Next year, who knows!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course, there's...Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph!!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Last year we had a star, but this year we have a bow.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas morning!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Crazy drivers, long lines and of course, the annual grinch!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love red and gold! Our tree is filled with red/maroon/gold ornaments and has some poinsettias in it!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Mom's brisket with mashed potatoes, corn and rolls!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Brighton jewelry, dress clothes, Miss Dior Cherie perfume, pajamas, a new robe, house shoes, pashmina, gift cards, anything really!!! (Except the purple ceramic pumpkin :) )

I'm tagging anyone else who hasn't shared their holiday traditions!!

Holiday Hustle and Bustle

Oh.My.Goodness! I can't believe I've been away so long! So much has happened in the month of December, I hardly know where to begin. {Aren't you loving all of this holiday hustle and bustle? This cold weather really gets me in the Christmas Spirit.}

I'm writing to you today from Puppyland! Since the last time I wrote about our precious puppy, so much has happened! If you recall, we were originally going to get a girl puppy, but now we are getting an adorable boy puppy and we're naming him Cooper! It's amazing how fast these little tykes grow. They are 3 weeks and 3 days old today! They've had their dewclaws removed; opened their eyes; started to walk; playing with each other; trying to bite (but this is mostly at the air since they don't know how to officially bite); and have started to eat mushed up puppy food (Gruel.)

That is where I come in. I am at the puppy owners house right now (her name is Jan) and I am puppy sitting all 7 of these precious gems! Jan and her family had to make a quick trip to Houston and so she asked if I could sit with them in the meantime. It has been quite an adventure I have to say. Fortunately, my brother came over to help me corral the pack! They've eaten three times since I've been here and I am totally wiped out. You first have to puree 1 cup of puppy food with 3 cups of water and then one by one start feeding each puppy. This is always fun as you never know which pup is going to dive right in or become totally disenchanted with the whole thing. They get the Gruel on their face, in between their paws and all over the ground. But I have to say, it's so rewarding when one actually stands at the bowl and eats completely on his own! Then after wiping them down, you have to pick up another one and do it all over again!

Other than puppy-sitting today, Kelly and I have been able to spend a lot of time with the pups! We get to see them about every 3 days for a couple of hours. On Saturday night I got to hold Cooper for over an hour. I just soaked it all in as I know these days won't last long!

We've done two photo shoots with the pups and I'll update this post with the pics when I get back to my computer!

Stay tuned for more puppy updates!

Deck the Halls

When I asked my husband if he would hang the Christmas lights on the house, this is the picture he sent me of the final product:

YIKES! Actually, he just sent his photo to me in an email. Whew! But would that be a scary thought if that was what your Christmas lights looked like! Needless to say, I put my foot down on this one!

Happy Birthday Mama!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear MAMA!

Happy Birthday to you!

To the woman I admire and look up to; my best friend; workout partner; a shoulder I can cry on; a friend I can laugh with; my continuous cheerleader and support system; I wish you a happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day filled with love and celebration!! Thank you for being the “bestest Mama in the whole wide world!”

Love you!!