A White Christmas.

It was a wonderful white Christmas this year.  Although, not in the snow... in the sand!  That's right, we passed up our first Colorado Christmas to escape the cold and enjoy a little R & R in Florida with Ryan's family.  We had so much fun relaxing, beach walking, beach cruising, laughing at our electric blue convertible rental car, swimming, hot tubbing, golfing (6 times!), spending time with family and enjoying the holiday season.  

I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the accommodations.... seriously I could have mistaken the new house for the Four Seasons.  Sadly, their old house was hit by not one, but TWO hurricanes in 2004.  They finally finished the rebuild and my what a difference.  Not a single detail was spared and I've never seen so many bells and whistles in my life.  Their street was one of the worst hit areas, which means the street is brand spankin' new and beautiful to boot!  

And now my friends, a photo story of our Christmas trip to Florida.  As usual, we had soooooooo much fun.  Never a dull moment in our world...

I hope my friends and family near and far had a most wonderful Christmas holiday!  

Love to all!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

A tale of Christmas past, present and future.

Just before Christmas, we received a package in the mail.  A package we've been waiting for since last Christmas.  One would think having waited so very long for said package, we'd be quite agitated and impatient.  However, this is one very special package that is worth the 365 day wait.  Each.  And Every.  Christmas.  We opened it up and found this inside:  

PURE CHRISTMAS COOKIE GOODNESS.  

(Editors note:  By press time, 6 cookies remained.  The dozens and dozens were enjoyed thoroughly by Hubby and I!)

You may or may not know that I was genetically engineered from the genes of a world famous baker.  Well, it's true.  And his specialty is Christmas Cookies and it might quite possibly be one of the best parts of the Christmas season.  One of many Christmas joys, of course, but it's way up there in the rankings.  Thanks Dad for another year of the most amazing Christmas cookies on planet earth!  You are the best and I love you so much!

We haven't exactly tested to see if the genes were passed on to yours truly, but I know in my younger years I was quite the cookie decorator.  I hope to get a lesson in the cookie craft shortly.  Maybe next year??  Still scheming.

Merry Christmas eve from the tropics!  XOXOXO

Goin' back to Cali, Cali.

We found ourselves back in San Diego again this past weekend, so generously invited to Ryan's corporate Holiday Party and spouses even got tag along from the Denver office.  It was a first for me to be back since we moved from the ocean to the mountains last May.  What a surreal feeling... after all, we did call San Diego home for almost 5 years.  I did however decide that it is MUCH better to vacation there than it was to actually LIVE there.  As it turned out, the weather was chilly and rainy and since we had already done almost everything possible to all of mankind in San Diego, we TRULY relaxed.  Quite a feat the weekend before Christmas.  We holed up in the hotel, watched movies, relaxed and enjoyed breakfasts and dinners at all of our local favorites.  Due to the low key weekend, we only took ONE picture at the Christmas party.

Overall, it was a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.  Nevermind that when we got home we had 3 days to unpack, repack, finish holiday prep, and head South for Christmas.  Oh so busy, but oh so fun!

Oh and that house thing mentioned several posts ago.... ya, stilllllll pending.  Details to come.  If this all comes to fruition, all I know is that I'm going to have to get chummy with the folks at Home Depot and cozy up to a power tool or 12.

Love, Love, Love and Merry Christmas to all!

Hold on folks. It's a wild ride.

Oh my.  I cannot remember more craziness taking place all at once in recent times.  Everything is in a state of chaos all at once.  Work.  Holidays.  Travel.  House Hunting.  It's all a little nuts.  One day at a time.  One day at a time.  So happy to have the support of my friends, my family and dear husband all around me.  How I'm keeping it all together? I. Do. Not. Know.  I feel a bit like this:

I'm taking another much needed break from it all this weekend to go back to my old stomping grounds of Southern California for a Holiday Party.  Hopefully this will give me the much needed break (and sunshine) I so desperately need.

Happy weekend to all and to all a goodnight! XOXO

Warm, yummy goodness.

In the spirit of Colorado's current blizzard conditions and 4 degree temperature (Yes, 4. No, that wasn't a typo), I thought I'd share a little something warm and yummy to get you through.  

I got my hair done last night and had the best little treat.  Even if you don't go to an Aveda salon, I would highly recommend making a stop at one to pick this up.  Aveda Comforting Tea is outstanding!  It is sweet as can be (with no sugar added, mind you) and out of this world delicious to boot!  You have GOT to taste this yummy goodness to fully appreciate what I'm saying.  (Note to self:  Buy a box or 5 at your next hair appointment.  Drink seven gallons nightly.  Be merry.)

Did I mention I have failed to pick up a windshield scraper thingamajig yet?  Why is it that I don't think of it until my car is completely covered in snow and then it's too late?  And today I am thankful I am working from home.  The End.

All Grown Up.

Holy jitters, butterflies, nerves and all the rest.  We just submitted our very first offer on our very first house!!!  (Um, apparently we are all grown up!)  Only time will tell if it is ours.... but one thing is for sure, we admire it so and can't wait to turn this house into a home!

More to come soon...

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

So, it's been a while since I last posted, but boy was it a fun (and much needed) break from the daily grind.  I got to spend a whole 8 days back home in Minnesota over the Thanksgiving holiday.  What a treat!!!  It was packed to the gills with family and friends.  I couldn't have asked for more peaceful, serene, relaxing and enjoyable moments.  I got to spend TIME with those who mean the most to me.  That TIME is oh so precious.  Thanksgiving for some is a time for decor, a time for food, a time for baking, a time for fun, a time for vacations.  But, for me this year, it was about TIME well spent and taking that TIME to relish in all that there is to be thankful for.  Here are just a few... 

Angels Among Us.

We had not one, but TWO angels join us this year for Thanksgiving... how greatly they are missed, but how lucky we are to have them just a heartbeat away.

My Parents.

They pretty much rock.  Now that we are all ADULTS, they are my bestest friends and true confidants.  I love you Mom and Dad!  I had so much fun being home with you.

My Bro.

I am so proud of him.  I am also thankful I got to see him so much this trip home.  Thanks for reaching out Roo.

Friends and Cousins.  

I am so lucky to have the kind of friends/cousins you can sit and do nothing with for hours and have more fun than ever.  Blessed.

New Life.  

Seeing my BFF, Megs, and her sweet husband with their newborn baby was aaaa-mazing.  I couldn't be more happy for them.

And last, but definitely not least, my darling husband, Ryan.  He is amazing in every way imaginable.  Never did I think I would marry someone that completes me so well.  No matter if we're being silly or serious, he is ever the optimist and ever the love of my life.

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!  Love, Love, Love to you all.