Hilarious!

Ok, I don't have kids, but three sets of my friends became new parents this year. I came across this blog yesterday and I'm obsessed! It's so funny and real.

messagewithabottle.tumblr.com

Cousin-puppy Love

Spent Christmas with my brother and his wife up North. They live in  a 'sleepy little town' where I grew up. It was really nice to have the small moments of reminiscing. It was nice to just stop and sit and just be. The few days leading up to it was crazy-emotional-stress-filled crap, but once we were there that started to melt away. Being there, and it being Christmas forced me to breathe and let it be. For I few hours I did have to slip into robot mode - for the best, but that was counteracted with an amazing moment of vulnerability and understanding from my sister-in-law. It was nice. 

All of the emotions were also softened by the wonderful joy of watching our babies running around. The first time Bosley and Laila met it was not promising. Laila hid behind Saddie the entire time growling. Over Thanksgiving, it got a bit better. There was still growling and hiding, but there was also chasing and playing. This time, there was almost no growling and even some light cuddling!

Begging for a treat

Not pleased with being a reindeer

The moment Bosley received his gift, he became obsessed! Its a brain toy comprised of three squeaky owls that he has to figure out how to remove from a plushy tree trunk. He is extremely protective of his baby owls.

Protecting his baby owls

Excessively tired after getting home

Bosley is still trying to recover from his couple of days of partying with his cousin.

Wordless Wednesday: Cuddling with Teddy

Ooo, Sparkly!

I'm hiding behind my teddy because I was naughty. I was so inspired by mommy's Christmas spirit last night, that I was overcome. It caused me to feel compelled to eat a salt dough ornament right off the tree! I am now ashamed of my sparkly glitter poops.

Holidays

I have much to catch up on. The holidays have a duality about them for me. I initially wanted to actively not participate, but its unavoidable. It's not a perfect holiday greeting card I hoped for, but I really have so much to be thankful for.

Erik, Bosley, and I packed up the car and headed north to my brother's and new sister-in-law's for Thanksgiving.

Couldn't wait to get to the turkey and cousin-puppy Laila

Laila is upset with her mommy for letting another puppy so close to her

This is as close as they came for a very long time

belly rubs from Uncle DJ

Me and my dad - smiling is painful for him :)

Finally home and exhausted!

"No, I will not get out of bed this morning!"

Much to Bosley's dismay, mommy tried to make cute Christmas photos

Is it bad that I don't want to give anyone their gifts solely for the fact that I love how they are wrapped?

I am definitely in the Christmas spirit now and crafting like crazy! I can't share too many crafts just yet because they are gifts. Today I made salt dough ornaments.

Glittery salt dough ornaments

2.5 cups flour

1.25 cups salt

1 cup water

* I added 1.5oz Champagne colored glitter

(if dough is sticky, add more flour)

mix well and roll out

use any cookie cutter you desire and use a straw to punch out a hole at the top

I used rubber stamps to create patterns in the dough

bake at 250o for 10-15 mins

dough started to lighten as it was getting close to finished

a snapshot of some of my other ornaments

Enjoying the blanket from grandma

Right after Christmas I get to go up to Milwaukee and ring in the new year with Emily! I got a new dress and could not be more excited to show it off!

I hope everyone has a fantastic remainder to their Holiday season!