Scrapbooking Frenzy

I came home early today (9:30 am) because I had a sore tummy from eating too many fiberlicious foods so, in addition to finishing my T for Trespass, I got a little scrapbooking done. I'd printed my Christmas pictures last Sunday and had a layout picked out so I was able to assemble everything in about an hour.
Chris took the cool picture of the Christmas tree a couple days before Christmas. We turned off all the lights, but the Christmas lights, and took the photo. The whole left side of the photo is where the TV is, but it's dark so I could write over it with white pen. I saw it done in a magazine.

Then, while I was putting that layout away I noticed I hadn't taken any photos of my Portland pages which I did last weekend.
I'd been carrying around the layout scribbled on the back of a receipt for at least the last six months. I finally got to use it! I did another page for the Japanese Gardens, but haven't taken a photo yet.

For all those curious, here's the proof that Wilson's tattoo is the real deal and not a sharpie tattoo (like Jessica's elusive tattoo nobody's seen):

Good thing I had my personal photographer, Raquel, in the thick of the action for all these great shots!

Holiday Hoe Down

Here's a look back at our festival of presents:

Grandma? Who's that??
The originator of the red sweater and jean look opening her jewelry.
The red sweater and jean copy cat and Tyler playing with his favorite gift of the morning...stickers!!
Chris and 9 of his new best friends.
Captain Cornball and Rick.
Mystery girl in the white sweatshirt who's face never made it in a photo. Whoever she is can now roll out some sweet cookie dough or pie crust.

We spent this morning putting away our gifts and watching 13 consecutive back to back episodes of Amazing Race. Important stuff. I actually made it over to CholoMaxx and did most of my shopping. It wasn't that bad there this morning. I think most people will be feasting on their holiday leftovers for a few days and were not in dire need of gummy dinosaurs and gingerbread creamer. Lucky for us!

The 'rents are over right now. Mr. A is helping Chris in the garage with the FV engine and Mum is out pruning our roses (as she should be!) while I sit inside drinking coffee and blogging. Yes, it's good to be me.

Santa's Little Elves

I only had to work until noon today so after work I went over to Susan's to deliver our gifts to the boys. Andrew entertained me with multiple Christmas songs and telling me the tale of how Connor broke the lamp shade in the living room. He made us Merry Christmas signs with his hand prints. And C. made us apricot and plum jam. It looks delicious. After our lunch of leftover spaghetti we broke into the presents.
Here's comes Connor to get his gift.
Thank you, I'll take that.
A sippy cup! What every little boy wants!
Here's Andrew with his loot.
It's raining frogs! Andrew walked all over the house with his new umbrella. Even Connor wanted in on the action.
Susan and the crew have Christmas Eve plans with Todd's family in Oroville tonight. Then tomorrow and the following couple days she'll be visiting with various members of her family.

Chris and I both got home today around 2:00 pm. I had to do some last minute shopping at S&S Produce. Me and half the town apparently. Oh well, now I'm ready for the hoards of hungry troops tomorrow morning. Bring your appetite!

Holiday Spirit

Today was our work Christmas luncheon. I had sent an email out to all the ladies on Monday daring them to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters like Kari and myself planned on. We weren't let down. A whole group of ladies showed up in the holiday finest. Even Bruce, the animal control dog wore his Santa suit.
Ho, ho, ho Merry Christmas from the dorks at town hall!

Tonight was bible study down on the other half of Ceres Ave at my friend Luann's house. Luann is the best baker/dessert maker in the world (she went to school for it). She made a delicious homemade carrot cake for dessert and sent us of each with a plate of homemade cookies. Unfortunately for Chris, they're all full of nuts. He likes nuts if they're by themselves, but he thinks they overpower any food they're put in. Oh well, that's just more cookies for me!

City Lights

We went for a walk tonight to walk off Mum's pot roast. Since it was only 34 degrees out we had to dress for the occasion.
On our way back home I noticed the cholo neighborhood down the street that is all decked out in holiday splendor so we had to go home and get our camera so that I could get photos.


Very nice, very nice. Last weekend in the ER they printed a list of must see Christmas lights and the majority of them were right around our neighborhood. We're apparently super festive over here on the north side.

Wilson's new toy

I know I'm stealing Wilson's thunder, but I don't see her anywhere taking photos so here it is. Wilson's new 2009 Toyota Corolla. It's a bright blue, but it's a horrible time of day to take a photo.
It's hanging out at my house until the snow at Mom's melts. Don't want to go 4-wheelin' yet. Chris and I are going to take it out on long road trips before Wilson comes back to it. That'll learn her for leaving it here! Now we have to think of a name for it.

Let's all take a moment to think back to what we were driving when we were 20. Not a new Corolla, that's for sure! The youngest sibling always has it easier!

Chris' brother Mark (Mr. A's son) is staying with us tonight on his way from Redondo Beach to Medford for the big move. Then on his back, he'll stay over night again. He's not here yet like we thought he would be so Chris and I are heading over to the 'rents to eat all his portions of Mum's pot roast. Mwahaha......

Dinner Date

Guess where mom wanted to go for her birthday dinner this year????
Red Lobster! I know, you never would have guessed it!

Since it was a birthday dinner or course there were gifts.
Lovely sweaters. A burgundy cardigan and a purple long sleeve shirt.
This is the birthday girl getting chastised by the paparazzi for moving too much during the photo. Geesh!

I know you can't tell that well, but I got a haircut today. It's short and sassy. Meow!
I might actually be shorter then Chris'. No comment. When we got home after dinner we did our photo shoot for this years Christmas card. It's even cooler then last year. Start being on the lookout in your mailbox!

Family Fun Night

We finally got off our duffs and joined our neighbors in holiday decorations. It's the same thing we did last year, but that's because we left the nails in the wall of the garage.
Isn't it pretty?

We didn't have any big plans tonight so after we had our dinner (homemade turkey meatloaf, asparagus and corn) we had a rematch of Scrabble. Last time I tricked Chris into playing he gave me the smack down. This game was toe to toe.
Officially he won, but only because I was a good sport and helped him use his last letters for the maximum points.

Tomorrow night is my Christmas bunko. It's up by where I used to live (on Hollywood and Vine). Then Wednesday night I have to stay late for a union meeting and then I have bible study Thursday after work. Friday night we're taking the birthday Mamacita out to Red Lobster (surprise, surprise) and then Saturday night we have a Christmas party for one of Chris' customers. Phew, that's a busy week!

It's a balmy 41 degrees outside which is perfect walking weather. Thank God for wool coats and scarves. After our walk it's time to hit the gym (at 9:30)! Who has time for kids with a schedule like that?!

Crafty Loot

I finally remembered to stop by the Paradise Scrapbook Boutique today. I love the stuff they carry. It's a lot of 7 Gypsies and Maya Road merchandise. Of course they had the dinosaur paper I wanted so bad I had to have it transported across state lines. Curses! I managed to stop myself before I got too out of control, but here's what I found that I just had to have:
Not that I have any plans to do any scrapbooking this weekend. Last weekend I finished my Thanksgiving pages, but I haven't figured out a layout yet for my Portland photos.
It's out of my Page Maps book. I know if I don't fess up, Jessica will rat me out.

Tonight is the downtown Christmas tree lighting, but Captain Scrooge already said 'no'. Surprise, surprise since the downtown preview went so well...

Speaking of Scrooge, he should be home shortly at which time we shall head off on foot to Burger Hut (up at the corner of Cohasset & Lassen) to meet the 'rents for dinner. Neighborhood Special for me (burger and fries). Good thing we're walking!

B.S. Night

Thursday is B.S. (bible study) night for me. It was my week to host so I had the crew of four other ladies over for dinner and a little yakking about J.C. I had a conference in Chico today that got over at 3:00 pm so I was able to get dinner ready in plenty of time and there was no last minute rushing. Actually I had found a crock pot lasagna recipe in one of Mum's cookbooks that I had scribbled down to try and it came out fantastic. When I got home all I had to do was put the salad together and make some Zella bread. I used Mom's free Marie Callendar's pie coupon for our dessert. I picked out a double cream lemon pie. Yum yum.

The excitement of the evening wasn't my lasagna or magical pie, but rather the 'rents hand-me-down table. Everyone was in love with it and fascinated by the expandable leafs. Then everyone wanted to sit in my chair because it was one of two at the table that were the 'rents, too. They have a padded cushion and a curved back and they thought it was so comfortable and have requested that the 'rents give us their other four.

Speaking of the 'rents, apparently we're going to Burger Hut for dinner with them tomorrow. They had asked us a week or two ago where a good burger place was and that was the best we could think of in Chico. Paradise actually has the best places (Barney's & Izzy's), but anyway I guess they have a hankering for a meaty flesh on a bun and good company.

As a total surprise, the 'rents bought us a year subscription to Netflix. It's the basic service of one movie at a time and only two a month, but in combination with how often we go to the movie theater it's perfect. We still have four movies left to watch from our free trial and then we can start ordering from our subscription. I think we're in line for Wall-E and Hancock. After that I think we're all out of ideas.

You know who called and left me a message yesterday?? Zella. Besides her telling me numerous times that she still loves me and misses me she said that at the end of the year they're closing the restaurant. They're going out of business. No other info as to what's going to happen now since they sold off the majority of their catering stuff, but I'm definitely going to call her back and find out. Yowzers!