This Makes Me Giggle

In light of the fact that Sarah Palin was just in my neck of the

woods on her book signing tour

(actually she spent Thanksgiving in the Tri-cities -

that is where her parents and extended family live)

I JUST can't help myself....

We all remember the "newspaper"

interview with Sarah Palin, right?

Well, it seems that Grace is more familiar with the

New York Times than one of our most recent candidates

for Vice President of the United States of America.

Ouch! That was low...I know. But it's MY birthday and I'll blog what I want to....blog what I want to!

Granted it is the Style section and she was "reading" all about the engagements

of the well-to-do in NYC but STILL.

Ohhh December. How I love thee?

Today begins the countdown to Christmas! If you went to elementary school with me - or middle school or high school for that matter - than you KNOW I love a good count down. When I was a kid, I think my birthday countdown started around November....I mean October....OK OK September. I would scratch off each day that passed on the calendar and make sure every friend within ear shot knew how many days were left until my birthday. Luckily, I've out grown this annoying habit - almost. The point is, I like countdowns and there is nothing more fun than counting down until Christmas!

In our house, December 1st is a big day as you can finally begin opening your advent calendar that has been taunting you throughout the Thanksgiving festivities. The "Holy Grail" of advent calendars is the kind that have chocolates behind each of the 24 windows. But look what Grandma found for Grace this year...

- an advent calender bigger than Grace - FULL of chocolates!!!

As Grace is not eating chocolate yet, I guess I will just have to take one for the team and eat them. SHEESH! A mom's job is never done!

Thanksgiving Wrap-Up

Don't get me wrong. I love the whole it-took-me-an-entire-week-to-prepare-for-Thanksgiving-build-up. Homemade pies. Homemade bread. Brined turkey and all the fixins. But even me - Mrs. Tradition - found myself a bit thankful for a Thanksgiving away from home this year...more precisely at a restaurant.

This year we boarded all the animals (my first holiday away from them - SO sad) and headed to Sun Valley with Court's parents for a long weekend. While I admit I missed bread dough pancakes and leftovers that last for weeks, it was nice not having any anxiety over the meal (especially after hosting my first Thanksgiving last year). We just showed up at the restaurant and voila - turkey and all the fixins! (Although Court got ham and it was TO-DIE-FOR! Honest to God - best darn ham I've ever eaten...but I digress...)

Our "BIG" preparation for the meal- pictures!

Seriously - a HORRIBLE hair cut! UGH!

Three Generations

Grace sitting at the table

like she's been conversing over wine and appetizers her whole life.

I love how her arm is leaning on the back of the high chair

like she's too cool for school.

What is a Thanksgiving meal without reading the book

"Five Silly Turkeys" about 35 times before the meal is served?

That's what they make red wine for right?!

Grace was a trooper at just about every outing. On the very last night, we celebrated my birthday. I don't think Grace likes sharing her birthday month with me as she was a wreck throughout the meal. (Sabotage if you ask me.) While I thought a birthday couldn't be any "worse" than being 65 lbs over weight and not being able to drink, I was wrong. It can be. I ended up eating my dessert - in the car - as Grace bounced around the back seat - sockless. Yes, somehow in all the "activity" we lost her socks in the restaurant. So far, the 30's are kicking my ass in terms of birthday celebrations...although my real birthday is on Wednesday....December 2...in case you were wondering when to send my present...or better yet...my check. I'm just sayin...

The highlight of the weekend? Yes, yes being happy, healthy and with wonderful family...of course! Without a doubt! But I'd be lying if I didn't say Grace's boots! She is a legit snow bunny! Furry boots and all!

No trip to Sun Valley would be complete without setting foot on Mt. Baldy. Thanks to the new gondola, we were able to head to the lodge up top for some lunch and take in some lovely views.

Somehow, I managed to pick the ONE hat

that is about four sizes TOO small for Grace.

Either Grace is not afraid of heights or she has no understanding of what a fall from that height would do to her. Either way, Grace LOVED the gondola!

And finally, the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Treasuring the small moments that mean the most and being oh-so-thankful.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving FILLED with lots of small moments.

Fire It Up!

Now that Grace is walking...

RUNNING rather...

she is becoming quite familiar with the phrase "NO!"

Last night, we made our first fire of the season. She was enthralled as can be seen below. Yes that is Grace SPRINTING towards the flames.

Then she heard Mom say "NO!" and she stopped D-E-A-D in her tracks.

And then she peeeerred around at me with a look that asked "Are you talking to meeeeeeee?"

Wait until she sees the Christmas tree. Then we are in REAL trouble!

Thanksgiving "vacation" officially begins for us tomorrow at 5 pm. At that time, Operation Butterball officially goes on hold (where it has been unofficially since Halloween) and will resume next week. Oh wait! My birthday is next week! Hmmm...

Wishing you a safe, happy and YUMMY Thanksgiving.

Gisele

My mom sent me this clipping...

to point out all the "similarities" I'm sure.

Gisele is due about the same time this December as I was last year.

Lots of similarities, huh?

If "similar" means it looks like I ate Gisele, than by God, we are identical!

Goodbye Oprah

I just finished watching Oprah announce that her show is coming to an end in 2011.

Her decision was heartfelt.

She cried. I cried.

I already know I will miss her.

The Death of Me

While out and about shopping with the girls in Philadelphia a few weeks ago, my life began and ended all at once. You see, I tasted a Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ball for the first time. It was good...dangerously good. Remember that episode of Sex in the City where Miranda throws the cake into the trash can and then finds herself eating the cake OUT OF THE TRASH CAN?! To stop herself, she ends up dousing the cake (that is in the trash can) with dish soap. That is how good these Peanut Butter Balls (PBBs) are. If you can refrain from eating them long enough to get them into your house you are IN trouble! Luckily, the PBBs "live" in Philadelphia so I am safe.

Or so I thought.

Home from Philly for weeks now, the PBBs have been on my mind day and night! I tried to buy them online from the store in Philadelphia but they weren't available for sale on the website. The thought of calling the store and requesting to a real person that I needed...wanted...had to have them shipped across the country was a bit embarrassing. "Luckily", my friend, Jamie, was willing to share her family recipe.

It's all over folks. I made these yesterday so I now have access to Chocolate Covered Peanut

Butter Balls anytime I want. This is going to be the death of me!