Only in California!

There are a lot of things people complain about here in Norther California. The cost of living is very high and we don't have those great seasons ya'll do in other part of the county. It has some great pay off though. For example, on the day after Christmas this year, when a record blizzard was hitting NYC, we were playing on the beach. Not in bathing suits exactly, but not snowsuits either. The kids had a fabulous time!

Tick Tock, Tick Tock!

As the clock ticks away the remaining moments in 2010 I feel compelled to make my list for next year. I love lists. I wouldn't call these resolutions by any means. It's more of a list of guidelines that I hope to be able to follow more of less as 2011 begins. I have found that if you make resolutions and don't keep them you feel bad which just makes things worse. So here is a list of things I hope 2011 and I will be able to follow:

1. Smile more, especially at home. Sometimes when I get home from work I find my self snapping at the kids. I want to walk through the door with a smile, because truely coming home is the best part of the day!

2. Feel less guilty about working. I tend to have a bad case of working mothers guilt. This leads me to over compensate. It's good that I have a job that helps provide for my family. I should be proud of that, not feel guilty.

3. Exercise a little more. I really feel better when I do.

4. Have more fun. We only live once.

There, that's not even a very long list. Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

Now that the frenzy is finally behind us I am going to start uploading my pictures from the fabulous holiday we jsut had and will being to share them. I did want to post this one really quick. I snapped it just before we headed out the door to Christma Eve Mass. My daughter C sings int eh childrens choir and they did a beautiful job. Later in the evening I realized that my oldest son, A, and hubby were dressed similar. It was especially funny as A had made a huge fuss this holiday season about dressing to match his brother and sister. I generally buy the boys matching shirts and vests that coordinate with the dress C wears. Anyway A and Hubby both had on white Brookes Brothers shirts, blackwatch plaid ties, navy blue Brooks Brothers blazers and Bass loafers. It was to funny! Anyway, I hope your holiday was merry and bright!

It's almost here!

Oh my goodness! it is so hard to believe that tomorrow night is Christmas Eve. I'm working this one last day and then I'm off tomorrow and Monday. Really can't wait. Hubby is home today and he and our daughter C have been baking up a storm. I can cook, not bake. When last they called they had made carmels, another batch of marshmellows and shortbread. Yumm! Can't wait to get home! Both A and brother O are al the last day of baseball camp. It's kind of funny, A loves baseball. He's almost 10 and has played with singleminded fanaticalness since starting tball at 5. O has never played before. He is 7 and startled both Hubby and I when he annoucned he wanted to play this year. At first I suspected his brother had brainwashed him. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Counting Your Blessings

I love the Ray Confiff Singers Christmas Album. I remember it best from growing up and it plays on a continuous loop on my ipod this time of year. I especially like the line from the song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" that goes like this "And if you're worried and you can't sleep, you can count your blessings instead of sheep" I just think that such a great sentiment for this time of year. It's easy to get caught up in shopping, wrapping, holiday party going or to fall off the edge into scroogeville. So, to re-focus myself on what truely are my blessings this year and get me in the mood to really enjoy what matters this holiday weekend I am going to count my blessings!

1. All of my family is health and well (includes imeadiate and extended)
2. Kiddies are all doing well in school and happy
3. We have food on the table and a roof over our head
4. Hubby and I are still married and in love after 15 years of marriage and 3 kids
5. Hubbies small business is still in business and seems to be on track to survive this icky time
6. My job is stable and going strong
7. I have friends I love who love me

That's just a small list. I could go on and on but then like the song says "you'll fall asleep, counting your blessings" I still have things to get done, so I can't fall asleep right now! Happy Holidays!

The Holidays are upon us!

Well the Holidays are almost upon us. As my mother would say, the festivities most merrily commence! In a some what surprising turn of events I am very organized this year. Frequently at this time I am running around like a loon with a bad cold. But I have all my gift bought and even wrapped, cards are sent and stocking stuff ready to go. Don't hate me please! I have no idea how this has happened. This is our year to be home on Christmas, we go to my folks on alternating years. C is singing in the Children's Choir at our church for the 6 pm mass on Christmas Even and then we will head to a friends house for dinner and festivities. Hopefully, C and I will get out to hunt on Boxing Day but it has been raining a ton here so maybe not. I hope all of you lovelies out there are having a safe and happy holiday season!

A Man and his Mission

We live in the great state of California. As a result all 4th graders study the state during the school year. One of the 4th grade rights of passage is the mission project. They are assigned a mission and must do a report and creative visual on the mission. They can not use a kit to build it. A was assigned Mission San Francisco de Solano. This is about a 2 hour drive from our house. After checking out a book about the mission A compelted his report and was launched on the task of building his mission. It turned out pretty good. He actually did all the work himself with only minimal help from us. I just hope it survives the trip to school tomorrow!

A Favorite Holiday Tradition

I love the Nutcracker ballet. Every year when I was a child my mom and dad would take my sister and I to see it. I was a special day. We'd get all dressed up, have a special lunch or tea and then go see the ballet. Now that we are grown, we take my daughter who is 7 and my sister's who is 5. Neither of my other boys are at all interested and my sisters daughter is to young, she just turned 2. We meet at the BART station and ride into down town SF, then we have lunch at Max's Opera Cafe and walk to the War Memorial Opera House. Each year we pick a new ornament for our tree at home and then see the ballet. We have cookies and hot chocolate at the intermission (the grownups have champange). Then we ride the train home. It's a wonderful day that we talk about all year long and look forward to next year. It really makes me feel like the Christmas Season is upon us. Here are some pictures from this year's trip. Just to satisfy the fashion side of the blog I would note that I am wearing a silk J Crew camisole from a few years ago. I don't know the name, my ivory celosia cardigan and a pair of Banana Republic black pants. C's dress is from Gymboree and her red coat is from Strasburg.

Wish I were there!

Isn't this cool. Apparently there is a huge storm and Paris is totally covered in snow. I love the look of these pictures. I am sure it is a huge pain if you live there or are trying to get home, but really I wouldn't mind being stuck there, although I am sure that is one of those things that sounds cool but that is not as much fun if you actually are stuck there. Still, I love the pictures!

Oh We Need a Little Christmas!

I love that song. I've used this photo from an older J Crew Holiday catalogue. I just totally love this image. Several different folks have posted pictures of older JC holiday items this week. I love the yellow coat. I have the same one in red. I wish I had this skirt too. Really though my favorite thing is that the model is happy, smiling and looks like she is having fun. That's what the holidays are all about, right?

We had a great trip last weekend to cut our tree and then decorating the house. As soon as I have a chance to actually download the pictures I will post them. I'm having a pretty good christmas season thus far. No major drama, just fun. Almost done with my shopping too! Yeah!

Oh I WANT These!

How cute are these custom holiday gift tags? I first spotted them in Decembers edition of Traditional Home. I made it over to the Lobrid's site (click here to visit ttp://www.lobird.com/index.html) I think this one with the little mouse is my very favorite but I could look forever before choosing! I love this type of thing. It's the litle personal touches that are so perfect!What do yuo think?

Key to Your Heart Giveaway

Hi there, I just had to post about a fabulous giveaway going on at How I Met Your Father. It is this totally fabulous Lilly Pulitzer Key to Your Heart necklace. I love the details on the key and heart. If I can't win I would love it to be one of you! Click here http://howimetyourfatherblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/key-to-your-heart.html?spref=bl. to visit and enter. Be sure and mention I sent you over. Good luck!