Christmas Morning

Our new toys!

Excellent Christmas morning!

The morning started with hugs and the realization that we are very blessed to have what we want and need, but we have our wonderful lives with each other. Listening to the morning radio, we reflected on the tragic events of the recent news. We shed some tears for lost lives and what seems like a world in despair.

A feeling of hope and love replaced the solemn, and we put on the Christmas tunes and coffee. This has been the best Christmas for us, personally. Just spending time with my husband is all I really want. (But I love my new Tiffany necklace!)

 We opened our gifts and ate a huge brunch. Belgian waffles, veggie sausage, Boar's Head real bacon, biscuits and gravy and eggs--I hooked it up! The best part of the morning was giving Bully his present: a "dinner plate" of squeaky stuffed toys. When I saw this at Target I had to. HAD TO. Not only do I love things that look like food (see above turkey towel and all those rice krispy turkeys I make), I love giving Bully stuffed toys. It's messy, but it's his favorite!

See how he enjoyed his dinner plate:

"Ohh a present! Papa, will help me open it?"

"Mmmm... corn!"

"Mmmm... turkey!"

"Have you any chives for my baker?"

"Pass the rolls, please."

"Mmmm, dinner rolls? Are these Sister Shuberts?"

"Well, I'm stuffed!"

 Merry Christmas! Wishing you all a warm, kind, and compassionate New Year.

Love, 

Shawn, Leilani & Bully

Christmas at our house!

Only a couple days left until Christmas. The weather has been a cool 60 degrees. We're pretty ready, this year- all presents, bought, sent. Cards are sent, and I only lost a few addresses. The tree looks plump. Maybe next year we wont get such a big tree. It makes our presents look a little wimpy!

This year we went shopping together to pick out all the things we wanted and needed. It was perfect, though there are no surprises. Oh well, I know exactly what's under that tree, but I'm practicing willpower for Christmas! 

Bully is in the Christmas spirit, too. Got his jingle bells on...

the lighted Christmas balls have been improved:

 and the kitchen has seen some action. I love this turkey dish cloth:

What a great year it has been. Shawn and I are grateful for everything we've accomplished this year and years leading up to this. We are somewhat settled, and the next step, well, we'll see.

More Christmas Lights!

We added 2 lighted balls per tree. There are 5 more on the floor that need to be chucked up there. It's not easy, as every ball must be connected to another strand. We bought ten extension cords that won't fit, so it's been trial and error. Our living room is littered with empty light boxes!

But our yard is so pretty!

Christmas lights: in progress!

We were so excited to put lights on our palm trees this year. OUR PALM TREES! Each of those three words is something we're getting accustomed to saying. So, to get in the Christmas spirit, we decorated today!

If you know Greensboro, North Carolina, where we used to live, you know of Sunset Hill's Christmas light balls. We tried to re-create those here. We watched the YouTube video on the lawn and got it right after the first ball.

and the lights...

with a few added balls

 I think we have a very tasteful light show. We'll add more balls, and suspend them from the foxtails. The magic is in the suspension, as they appear to float. Right now they look like coconuts, which is appropriate, too.

This house 2 streets down did a cool thing-fish!

and here is the video. The story is very heartwarming. It makes me nostalgic for this neighborhood and these huge trees. Shawn and I are determined to start in up our neighborhood, bringing the tradition with us. Hope it catches on!

Three years

Year three came to a close yesterday!

 I really didn't make a big deal out of it like our first and second anniversary. I even forgot to look up the traditional wedding gifts for the third anniversary. I really could have used some leather leggings!

Since we just came back from two major trips to Mexico and Illionois, work full time, and bought a house this year, we didn't need a big celebration. Does this mean we're old married news?

Actually, we've decided our gift to each other is another four point house inspection to protect our home owner's insurance, and Maria, our maid. That sentence was so mature, I almost didn't write it.

Since our anniversary fell on a Tuesday, and we were both free for the evening, we opted for the local weekly Food Truck festival. We can do a fancy dinner anytime. So we brought our dog and had an outdoor meal. Pizza, a burger, AND a chicken and waffle. (I'm supposed to be jogging not blogging  right now.)

Somehow I got Shawn's sick germs (and I haven't even kissed him for 3 days!). We came home and relaxed on the couch with hot tea and See's. Really, the best ending to a night. Well, if circumstances were healthier, I can thing of better things to do. But I have my sweet hubby here and we're playing tea.

These cute ring mugs were a wedding present. Cute bling addition to our stacks! Counting the ink, that SEVEN rings total.

A Celebration explosion of a weekend...

see Shawn's ring tat?

 I celebrated my birthday publicly for the first time in a couple years. In downtown Chicago. In style. In sequins to be specific!

My mom and my sister's "family in law" met us in the city for a night and sights the next day. These are just the pic's from Shawn's iPhone. I actually didn't bring my camera- out of character, I know. I had so many gifts in my carry on!

The next day we witnessed my sister & her husband get legalize their marriage with a judge and a little party. The whole weekend was a blast, and I'm seeking out pics from others. It was really great to be a part of a big family again. We've always felt far away from our families, but we're determined to travel more. I may have to look into first class after this last flight. I managed to sleep in the weirdest positions and woke up sore! Well, maybe window seats.

Congrats again, Otrezas!

Thanksgiving 2012

Last year Shawn & I went to Embassy Suites and had Thanksgiving dinner by ourselves. This year his mom flew in. The morning was spent taking a leisurely walk down to the bridge. The fish were jumping and everyone was out walking their dogs. 

Lunch was delicious. We dined at Riverside Hotel, Thanksgiving style. Byron, our server, was so gracious. I'm telling you, we'll do this every year, unless we're with a big family. 

We came home, put on stretchy pants, and napped.

Shawn gave us a little country concert.

And I made three six layer bean dips and my annual rice krispy treat turkey ( see 2010s, 2011s) for work's potluck. The only mess I made in the kitchen. But less of a mess with help of the Cusinart from mom! 

Now I love a well set table, and that's the best thing about a big dinner to me, but for now, we're taking the easy route. One of these days, we won't be tied to work, and will have a big family dinner. I miss them!

And now here's what I am thankful for:
- My family getting bigger and spending quality time.
- Our sweet little home that we own.
- Prosperity in our jobs
 -My wonderful Hubby being so sweet to me every day
 -My beautiful Bully
- My civil rights and liberties and much much more!

Mrs. Wedding ring gloves

I made them myself!!

Oh how I love all things bridal, newlywed, and pretty. And funny how I wanted nothing very bridal for myself, and dreamed of eloping. (We didn't, though.). 

I saw these gloves at anthro in 2009, and I thought they were adorable, but not for me. 

from a beautiful mess blog

I think I've lost part of that demure quality about myself. I didn't want to attract much attention. I totally would rock them now. The bigger the better! 

 But they are not available. 

So I made them.

and they cost about three dollars!

Materials:

thread & needle:: I had

gloves:: $1 from Jo-ann

crystal button:: $5.50 for 2 from Jo-ann

buttons:: I had.

They are so easy to make and will be lovely gifts for any Mrs! I will gift this to my newly married sis next week. (Surprise?!)

Veteran's Day

This is my sweetie after his first six months of deployment in the United States Navy, over 20 years ago. I am thankful for him every day, as well as the veterans benefits that we receive. For instance, our little house was easier for us to purchase with a VA home loan. And our auto insurance is super cheap. 

On this day we did some yoga to start the morning.

 These are the palms above our deck. With a little insense, the yoga station on Pandora, and a breeze, it's the best yoga studio ever.

I felt like serving him a hearty breakfast of Huevos Rancheros. It's the least I can do!

Have you thanked a Veteran today?

Highlights from Grace & JP's wedding

 I don't have a lot of compelling pictures yet. We were running around all day: from the salon to the ceremony. Here are some great highlights, and I'll share more when we get the photographer's shots!!

The ceremony was lovely. It was full of sand and sentiment. 

Something blue

Our dad and half brother in attendance

It was also my Uncle's birthday!

 The cakes

More family

The rest is either in memory or will pop on facebook or youtube. Which means we had too much fun!!!

 Congrats Grace & JP!