New Years!

Yep, we rang in the New Year out in Wrigley with 50 of our closest friends...er umm 50 of our fantastic hosts' friends. :-)  It turned out to be a pretty good night....ok yes Jen drank too much-yes she did throw up, yes before even getting home, and *sigh* yes in a cab. But to clarify she threw up OUT of the cab like seconds after getting into the cab....umm whoops. So New Years ended for me promptly at 12:08am give or take 4 or 7 minutes-double whoops. I partly blame the all you can drink, the 312's, the switching to cranberry and vodka(sssss) and maybe drinking like once a month these days.  

 Whatever I cured the hangover with Avatar in 3D/IMAX and a good run-although thanks for all the other suggestions-

Twitters friends-

And Facebook lovers-

The good thing about the whole night was although I was clearly over served (not my fault) I still remember most of the night which in my opinion is the best kind of drunken nights Plus it marked the second year in a row with the best new years kiss a gal could ask for. Heres to many more my love!

And on to the highlights and to help me remember a little bit more....

Tammy, Mary, drunky, Amanda

Getting Happ(ier)

Annnnnnnd she is done.

Happy 2010 Kids... 

Going Overboard!

At Navy Pier!!
I went Sunday with my sister and Taylor and by Taylor I mean my 5 year old niece...there was some confusion...(dorks)

WHAT A GREAT PLACE FOR A KID!!! They have SOOO much going on for families, I LOVED IT. Winter Wonderfest is truly a great place to spend the day (indoors)!!! Although I was most excited for the Blackhawks Indoor skating rink that was probably Taylor's least favorite activity. We were on the ice for 3 minutes tops. (A lovely 19 bucks well spent-UGH)

But here we are lacing up....

On to the ice we go!!...oh yea did I tell you my sister is quite the photographer? ;-)

HA- she meant well though. And so did Taylor, "These shoes hurt"...waaa. I give kids credit that age who actually start playing hockey-what troopers! But besides the indoor skating rink there is plenty for kids to do, tons of inflatable bouncers, slides, rides, mazes, photo opts, cookie decorating, etc! I Taylor could have stayed longer! So get the kids together and head on down to the Pier!
For more info go to:-http://www.navypier.com/

And I leave you with my favorite jumping bean having a ball in the "Candy Cane Bouncer"

And here in the "Snow Hill Mountain"

*no children were harmed in the filming of these videos....

Survey!

I owe this one to Shannon!!!  Feel free-copy and paste baby! 

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper!  I love, love, love wrapping gifts..I hate this year I don't have many to wrap. :-(
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial –*SAD SIGH* I've grown up with a real tree EVERY YEAR, first week of December would be a trip out to go cut a tree as a family, one I can't wait for Mark and I to start with our family (waaaay down that road) But I went with an artificial tree this year, I just HAD to get a tree up as soon as I can (umm Thanksgiving night). But the thought of lugging up a real tree 15 floors then disposing of it-properly aka-NOT tossing if off the balcony onto Michigan Ave just wasn't working.  Trust me-our house WILL ONLY HAVE REAL TREES.
3. When do you put up the tree? Apparently Thanksgiving night. :-) 
4. When do you take the tree down? Umm can I just leave it up all year?!

5. Do you like eggnog? Nope, not one bit, if you want me to go all health nut on you I can....just know it's not on the food pyramid as recommended.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?  Hmmm probably a purse and matching wallet (such a girl) I remember when my mom finally let me bring the purse "out"with us places...god I was so cool.  That or my own cordless phone for my room.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Hmmm hate to say it but I'm really good at giving gifts-I pick up on stuff and make the most of it...I'm guessing the hardest would be my parents but only because they have everything and hate when I spend money on them...
8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself, all freaking year long! :-)
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope, but my parents have some pretty sweet ones...crazy to think they are over 26 years old...
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? If I get one more group email card I'll gag-MAIL it b*tches...don't get me started on my thoughts on MAIL!!!  ;-)
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Ummm a stuff animal bunny when I had begged for a REAL one FOREVERRRRR. (#39)
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? ELF. Is there more than one?
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Umm Novemberish....I'm pretty good. I'm so my mom.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Gifts-no...paper, bows and such yes...again so my mother's daughter.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Nothing special...nerd alert: I love all the fantastic salads prepared-I'm too lazy to make them for just me.
16. Lights on the tree? Do people really have trees up without lights?  Just take the tree down people.
17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Anything by Trans Siberian.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Wherever my family is will get me there.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Vixen, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen… and RUDOLPH! (umm yea I completely 100% copy and pasted this from Shannon) ;-)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning-duh...Santa doesn't get here in time for us to open gifts Christmas eve

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Weather. 

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? Hmmmm classic red and gold so it seems this year! Uhh do I need to tell you my favorite ornament

24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? ehh nothing...just a table full of family :-D

25. What do you want to do for Christmas this year? Be no farther than 4 feet from Mark and/or my mom.

26. Favorite Christmas tradition growing up? Advent wreath my sister and I did...it was a paper chimney that had mini ornaments that hung on this wreath...
27. Favorite tradition now? Movie night after all the family fun is over...just Mark and I-his pick this year!
28. Favorite Christmas Memory? The ones to come..... ;-) 

Tbox 2009!

It's a bittersweet moment....Tbox has come and gone...nothing but success but now a rough 355 days left till the next one.....granted I have yet to ever make it "wire to wire" (going to all 12 bars and still somehow be alive) I do love a good bar crawl.  
For those of you who don't know what the Twelve Bars Of Xmas is, here is a quick recap....bar crawl...starts 8:30am...Wrigleyville,IL....opening ceremonies at 10:30am followed by everyone splitting into 4 large groups (total attendance this year well over 7000) on to their next bar...this year's theme was High School.  
My friends who were in the "Royal Court" were given "Team Rydell High" which OH MY GOD is from one of my favorite all time movies-Grease, so of course I jumped at the chance to be Sandra Dee...the rest of the gals were "Pink ladies" and the boys were Rydell's finest football team...
Now on to the highlights:

Opening Ceremonies-10:30am complete with Mark's friend 

Harold (TBOXer #1) taking center stage..

Sandra Dee with her PINK Ladies...

And oh man what could make this girl happier than a pack of penguins!!!!?!?

Yes, the penguins made my day-but what a great time, getting to see friends from all over (yes people fly in for just this weekend), walking the streets of Wrigley with over 7000 people all dressed in the holiday spirit (how couldn't a holiday obsessed gal like myself NOT like this!?)!!!  If you missed it-mark your calendars for next year!  It never disappoints!  :-)

Mail!!!

Yes I love the holidays-duh....Christmas Trees.....Christmas Lights....snow (once it's on the ground and I'm off the streets...but most of all I love-

CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!!

(if you don't see yours get to stepping-need the new address? let me know!) 

Granted I love personal mail/letters all year round but it's something about getting mail this time of year that makes me super warm and fuzzy inside. I love sending them, I love getting them and I love the fact that it isn't another bill that's due!

Breakfast with Santa!

.....granted Santa was there for MAYBE a minute (for real...he walked out of a door, up onto the stage, walked across, down off the stage and out the door-yeah "Hi!" to you too). But we did indeed have Breakfast with "Santa" at the Brookfield Zoo.  All in all a great, chilly little morning...Mark was content with the all-you-can-eat buffet complete with Bacon.

Here we are, Mark looking as he calls it "drunk from bacon". 

 

But, I had more important things to worry about-like a life size penguin!!  Oh man, forget the fruit platters, muffins galore, bottomless cups of coffee, GET ME THAT PENGUIN!  Granted every time he came over to our table and we asked for a (another) picture he would walk right to Taylor assuming the child wanted the picture....so I had to settle on this one (at first):

Clearly she was excited as I was.....

But HA-YESSSS! FOR THE WIN!!!

Minus the short viewing of Santa it was a good brunch for the overpriced price, free parking and admission to the Zoo which helped- a wintery penguin AND Frosty! 

Until today Mark had never been to the Zoo in the winter, he didn't even know it was open all year round (UGH-so sheltered) so we had to show him a good time-off to go walk the Zoo!

Getting in, harder then it looks...

GOT IT! "Now Taylor, let them take a picture, just them two"...

"Nooooooooooo!"

Ahhh finally...Thanks for the help Mom! ;-)

Wooo hooo, what a great morning!  If only we were going Ice skating at Millennium Park with Sarah & Ray with afternoon, oh wait no THEY DITCHED US-something about setting up some stupid nursery.  I can see where their priorities are-Shunnnnnnnned!!  

Hope this got you in the Holiday mood... :-)

Mark, Me, Taylor (in mid-yawn), Sis, Mom

Fun.

Yes, Jib Jab is "so 2004" but it is still fun. Yes, It is Saturday night and I'm doing this.  Yes, I skipped out on a bar crawl to do this (it's freaking cold out people-geeze). Yes, I will probably be in bed within the hour.  Yes, I am still cool.

 OK and I had to.

EXCITEMENT!

I love this time of year. No and it's not for extra indulgences and the gift giving I hate hate HATE both, honestly I do (just ask Mark-I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING-fo' shizzle)!
For me; Thanksgiving and Christmas are simply special because who I get to see, not what's on my plate or in that pretty wrapped up gift box.So while everyone is helping themselves to their second or third helping of whatever it may be (doubtfully healthy for ya) I'll be indulging in my family and friends.

And future fun fests consist of:

December 5th-Breakfast with Santa AND Taylor.

December 12th- T.B.O.X (So pumped!!) Tix are still available-come share some Xmas cheer (and beer) with me!
December 19th- Friend's Pot Luck Dinner at Janeen's (love any chance I get to make something new and for people besides Mark!)

December 24/25th-The Obvious

December 27th-GINA IS IN TOWN!!!! Gals brunch! Hooray!

**ADD ON** (thanks Schump!)
December 31th-DUH-Hey there you pretty thing- 2010 (you can come!)

January 23th- My second annual Tastefully Simple party (oh YUM) (using it as a pathetically late housewarming party too)

Seeeeee who needs food or gifts when you can just throw parties!!!! Helllllllo people think about whats REALLY important!!

Halloween 2009.

For all you non facebook-ers aka my spin members that I promised pictures for....;-)

I'd like to think Mark and I had the best costumes out there...I mean you can only have so many H1N1's, nurses, and doctors before it gets boring. I owe our choice all to Mark-it was his idea. The only problem now is it sets the bar pretty high for next year. I'm sure he will gladly accept the challenge :)

So with no further adieu, I present to you- Jessica and Roger rabbit....

Quite a lot of red if you ask me...

All and all a great night at a friend of a friends house party up in Lakeview..complete with Flippy Cup and to quote Barbush "It's like riding a bike"...and I'm an awesome bike rider! :-D

3....2.....1-Go!

And adding to the perfect Halloween weekend a good friend welcomed their new baby girl Sophia into the world-6lbs 9oz right on Halloween afternoon-many great costume birthday parties to come!!!! Congrats you two!! PLUS an extra hour of sleep?!?! *arm pump*-YES! It's funny how Halloween changes over the years-not a single piece of candy for me, nor did I want any. After all I was more concerned about how many beverages I could get anyways ;-) ohhh an up side of adult hood.

Happy Halloween kids, how did you guys ring in the festivities?!?! See any better costumes than ours??!!?!