SCENES FROM CHRISTMAS 2009

This picture of Aaron was taken by Noah!

Kelly resting in the wrapping paper bliss!

sweet girl

Yummy ribbon!!

Noah basking in the greatness that is Wii.

Claaaassic Bella!

Pretty girl

Bella & Auntie Christine hung out all morning!

Thanks for the noisy toy, Auntie Kelly!

I love it!

Yes, I do!!

Yeah, I'm wearin' a Santa headband - jealous??

WORK ANTICS

(can you tell I was finally able to download some videos from my Flip??)
The first video was birthed out of a dare. A coworker and friend, Sherry, made fun of an outfit I was wearing one day. I had beaded fringe on the hem of my pants and a very sparkly shirt. She said, "What's it gonna be tomorrow, CharB - FEATHERS??!!" So guess what?

The second video is at a TERRIBLE angle, but I've had requests (believe it or not) from coworkers for me to put this video up on my blog. It was taken last Thursday at our office Christmas party. Please excuse the camera work at the beginning (and the angle all the way through). Maybe just close your eyes and listen. Okay.....here's the video.

VIDEO EXTRAVAGANZA!

From 11/25/09

From 11/25/09

From 11/22/09

OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Yule Tones (Bella stole the show!)

Sonny & Cher---reunited!

"River" - what can I say? It's a sad Christmas song.

Mike on guitar and Kevin on keyboard (not pictured) were awesome accompanists!

We had a great office Christmas party last Thursday. I know - you usually don't hear the words "great" and "office party" together, but it truely was! A group of us sang carols, I sang a solo, and a band from the middle school across the street came over and played a ton of festive music! Even though times are times, or maybe BECAUSE times are tough, I am thankful that I work at a fun place. I have to say, with the new addition of the "Steevie Awards", it felt an awful lot like an episode of The Office. I couldn't get the "Dundees" out of my head!

MILESTONES

Our Bella is so sweet (even though she won't sleep for more than 3 hours at a time - grrr)! She is doing so much and growing so much!

Here are just a few of the new developments:

1. She knows her name when we call her.
2. She pulls herself up on ANY and EVERY thing: laundry basket, storage totes, bookshelves, rocking chair, ottoman, couch, paper shredder (!), etc.
3. She loves to be with us EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME.
4. She claps.
5. She does "all done" in sign language.
6. She waves (backwards, but it still counts!).
7. She eats "Level 3" solid baby food.
8. She wears 9 mos clothing.
9. She eats paper (not a positive development, but funny)!
10. She plays peek-a-boo by holding up a blanket or something over her eyes and waiting for us to say "peek-a-boo."
11. She CRAWLS!!! The old Army scoot is a thing of the past. And she's FAST!
12. She holds her own bottle. This has just happened in the last couple of days, and we are thrilled about it! No more "I'm-gonna-put-my-hands-behind-my-head-while-you-feed-me" pose.
13. When she wants to stand up, she looks for our hands because she knows we'll stick out a finger that she can grasp. When she's grasped one finger, she looks to our other hand for the other finger and then hoists herself up.

It's a really fun time in our lives, and she is such a blessing.

CUTE STOCKING STUFFER IDEA

These are so funny! And who wouldn't like a real dollar from Burger King? Okay, well maybe not my vegan friends, but hey! The cards are still a hoot!
https://secure2.bk.com/en/us/campaigns/bk-dollar-holidays.html

TIS THE SEASON!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/r5Hi2EeQFtxH820j

THANKFUL - A PHOTO JOURNAL

Jen and AnnMarie were gracious hosts - and even better chefs! Ever had chantilly with raspberry compote? Well, ya should!
Joelf, Jen wanted you to see what she's done with the place. Oh, and show you that she's using the stuff you left behind (napkins, etc)! :-)

Bella and I at Jen & AnnMarie's.

A feast for kings and queens!

Fun times!

GOOFY FACES!

Thankful faces.

Del is SUCH a poser! (if you knew him, you'd know he's so NOT a poser, but he is a good sport and I'm so thankful he's my brother-in-law)

Del's parents and Greg's mom listen intently.

Part of the beautiful centerpiece that was entirely made up of lilies in various shades of orange. Joelf, you would have loved it!

Bella had fun army scooting through the house.

Bella (Miss Fish Face) and her cousin, Beatrix. Soooo fun to have babies around!

Nadine, the hostess with the mostest!

Awwwww, I love these ladies! They're going out for Black Friday. Pray for them.

Gramma Eileen and Bella

Greg and his parents. Has the tryptophin (sp) kicked in?

Bella and Bea

Bella brings so much joy to everyone around her.

And finally, a bonus picture - Bella's new hiding spot.

UNDER HER CRIB! Deet, maybe we shouldn't have gotten rid of all those clothes that were stored under there.

I have so many blessings in my life.

A pre-Thanksgiving Rant (not so thankful)

I'm not so thankful for:
1.) People who answer their phone and then shuffle around and rustle around and then go, "Can you call me back in 5 minutes?" It's like, um WHY did you ANSWER the phone in the first place??

2.) Restaurant coupons that make you think you're getting a deal (for instance: Buy a large pizza and get a kids' meal free) and then come to find out, the large pizza is $23 and the kids' meal was $3.40. That's NOT a deal! I can get 4 pizzas at Dominoe's for $20 and feed my family AND the neighborhood kids!

3.) Women's groups who only support women whose ideals and "platforms" match their own. Can't we just support one another, or at least not cut each other down??

4.) People who have no boundaries. Of course, they don't understand it when YOU establish boundaries. You become the meanie for "laying down the law."

5.) A sense of entitlement. Failure to plan on YOUR part does not constitute an emergency on mine. Here's some advice: if you don't have the money for it, don't buy it. If it breaks, you might have to fix it yourself. If you want something, you might have to work for it. It might take you longer, but you might have to actually do it yourself.

6.) Negative, ranting, ungrateful lists the day before Thanksgiving. I sure hope this blog author redeems herself with something positive tomorrow.

JUST A LITTLE CUTENESS FOR YOUR MONDAY!

THANK YOU, VETERANS

My friend, Kell, pointed me to this web site. It's such an easy, quick way to say "thank you" to our service men and women, especially on this day.
www.letssaythanks.com

MY NEW HAIR

WILD CHILD