The Birthday Girl

Now it's MY turn.

And look what I am getting:

Her name is Pepa (we will be changing it)... She's a 8 month old Pit bull Mix. She was found wandering in the street. The people who took her in have tried for a month to find her owners. They finally got her shots, spayed, and then posted on Facebook that she was looking for a home. Somehow, my cousin saw it - reposted it as her status... and now I am one happy camper.

She's a little timid around us tall folk, but LOVED Nic. I think some super lovey dovey floor time will be just the thing she needs. She sure is pretty.  We need to decide on a name. She's only been called Pepa for a month... so I am sure it's gonna be fine. I thought Pippa? But, the family isn't crazy about it. I also offered up Honey, Hazel, Stella, and Sophie.  Any suggestions?! I like name, names. And it should flow with Milo (the other dog). So that when I yell for them, it works. Right?!

So.  34.

I wonder what this year will bring.  33 is my favorite number and turned out to be a really good year for us. Good stuff on the personal finance front, got my MBA, bought the house, didn't kill anyone. Yep, pretty good year.

There are a few things I want to focus on this year - you know, it being the year before I turn **THIRTY FIVE**.  I need more than a few hours sleep to think about that stuff, though.

On the docket for today... My family is taking me to see Tangled and then out to dinner!  Tomorrow is Nic's birthday party for our extended family; we should have some fun.

Sunday, I plan on never stepping foot outside of my bed. =)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

The Birthday Boy

It's Nic's birthday. I love to torture him.

Just kidding! ;) It wasn't his turn today. We were waiting on big brother, Alex, to get his bottom braces on.
The ladies at our wonderful ortho office put a movie on for Nic and made sure he was super comfortable during our wait.

Hard to believe my little man is FOUR YEARS old!

Happy Birthday, baby Nico!

Another first...

First... let me give tribute to our finished Thankful tree.

We spent yesterday just hanging out  - I made French Toast for breakfast, we cleaned up and did some chores, then worked on stuff around the house (nothing crazy - very relaxing). 

For dinner Marcos grilled burgers & dogs... I put the french fries in the oven! ;D After dinner, we migrated to the formal living room and opened THE box.

The box has been sitting there - ready for some attention - for a few weeks now. The time had finally come.
I know I mentioned this before - this is our first Christmas tree ever. The kids and I were super excited!
After bending and twisting each of the branches just so, we started to add the ornaments.  

UMMM. Nic just HAD to get in this picture! ;)

Once the tree was complete and looking mighty fine, I started to work on the wreath I was building from scratch.

Finally, we add a few more festive things to the front porch. We plan to add tinsel strands, Christmas lights, and, of course, snow on the windows.  I will be sure to add a complete "after" picture - hopefully next weekend.

Today, Marcos is at work, I am going to settle down and watch Eat, Pray, Love on DVD and then make Chocolate Chip cookies later this afternoon.

Another LOVE-filled day, with not much to do but enjoy ourselves.

I am thankful for my husband and my three beautiful children. I am thankful for this LOVELY house and what it means to us. I am thankful for this holiday season - and the firsts we get to experience.

Life is really, really good.

Cookies & Christmas - that's what Nic's thankful for

Here it is - Thanksgiving Eve.
I think I am just about ready to host my parents and grandparents tomorrow.
This being our first T-day in our new house - I am feeling anxious & excited.

The kids and I have been preparing all day.

We made a Thankful tree. The older kids wrote on their own leaves things they were thankful for.
I wrote down Nic's thoughts. After cookies and Christmas - it went all downhill from there (e.g. Spongebob).   We cut out extra leaves and set them, along with markers and tape, on the table in the hall so that our family can add to the tree as they see fit throughout the day tomorrow.

We then made some turkeys to hang on the wall.

Finally - I just took my pumpkin pies out of the oven.  I made pies last year (first time ever) but they were with store-bought, ready-to-use pie crust. This year, I wanted to make it from scratch. I found a KitchenAid mixer recipe - and IT WORKED!   Look at these sweethearts.

Impressed much? Yeah, I didn't think so. =)

Well, back to dressing my dining room table; I want it to look fantastic. Just getting started...

I hope you all have a wonderful and loved-filled Thanksgiving tomorrow! You deserve it. =)

P.S. Sorry abt the picture quality - still having issues with my camera's memory card. Had to use my BBerry.

Brrrrr!!

I swear - it has to be 20 degrees outside. It's gray and overcast. And cold!!
Okay, it's probably not 20 degrees out; it sure feels like it, though.
And if it feels like it's that cold outside, you can imagine what it feels like inside la casa. Right, 21 degrees.
Brrrr.

I want me 100's back!! And my Mr. Sunshine.

Speaking of misters...

Have you met my brother? His name is Jesse. Today he reenlisted in the U.S. Army for another two years. He joined in 1993 straight out of high school; this new reenlistment will take him to retirement!

Jess has completed three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan (and has been stationed in Saudi Arabia and has done "day trips" to the likes of Colombia). He is a Medic, and this past year was certified nationally and in the state of North Carolina as a Paramedic.

I'd be proud of him - except for the fact that he still insists that I was found under a rock.
So, for his accomplishments, I am whelmed. Not over nor under. Just whelmed.

Do you think I should put the heat on?! My toesies are cold.