Happy birthday to me

We went to Mexican Village for my birthday supper since I had to work all day. There isn't much better things than chips and salsa.

ok so maybe the quality of the pictures aren't the best quality, but the family time was super high quality! cue the cheesy collectives awes...

This week was so crazy that I hardly felt like my birthday was really my birthday. I need things to slow down a bit so I can catch my breath!

Don't worry everyone, no quarter-life crisis happening here. There's no time for such silly things when I have more birthdays (is everyone celebrating birthdays this week or just me?), New Years parties, and messy houses to look forward to. I know, I know, there's nothing to look forward to with a messy house, but it is something that (always always always) needs addressing.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, by the way! Always makes me feel so good. :)

Midweek Confessions

Linking up...

I'm completely into the show "One Tree Hill" and it makes me feel like a high schooler again. The drama (theirs, not mine) and the cute boys make it good, and the fact that there is like 60 more episodes makes it better. I do love a series.

I'm not related to that crazy lady

While its so fun having a tablet, I do feel cooler after all, I haven't really used it a lot and feel completely stupid whipping it out in public. One time it came in quite handy: waiting for Mike in the car when Jo was sleeping and I knew it was going to be over five minutes, Sudoku made that time just fly by. 

I have a gift left to wrap. How does this happen?? Christmas is over, my birthday is over. But then again I wouldn't have to wrap my own present so that is irrelevant. Anyways, I have a legitimate reason...this time... The gift was wrapped with another one and I didn't notice it so now it (they) is unwrapped but not ready to be given to the correct person. Does that even make sense?

Did somebody say presents??

I like white wine and I'm not afraid to admit it! So the confession part? I really don't like red wine. It's just not good and I don't care to acquire it... I'd rather just enjoy the cheap white wine and call it good. 

I get to pretend that I don't care about something that I really do/did care about and it's going to be pretty fun (note the sarcasm). I love rejection! Who's with me?

Stop talking about serious things. Me and Grampa are bored.

It shouldn't matter to me that so many people may read my blog but only a few follow it, but it does. Why do I care? I don't always, but then I love blogging and its just fun to know who is reading. Don't be anonymous. I just admitted that I want to know you/know you are reading. That ain't no small thang!

I'll stop with the southern accent if you follow me ;). Ok just kidding about that but seriously.

Better quit while I'm ahead.

Somebody tell her that she's not ahead.

Christmas part 3

Once the kid(s?) were in bed, the real party started. 

To be fair, she (my sister Lara) had surgery last week so laying on the floor was a valid option almost all weekend. Nobody even made fun of her more than 2 times each. Impressive. 

We played the game "Ruckus" which was fun. Two reasons: one, Ruckus is the name of Buckley when we first got him, but it didn't really fit... so we liked to yell it out and see his reaction. He on the other hand did not think it was so fun. And two, its super easy and each round only lasts 4 minutes or less. Perfect for those of us that can't handle true concentration.

Once those silly kids arrived (who has to work 60 hours a week and not get off til 6:30 on Christmas eve? Answer: Jewelry store consultants.) we got down to business and opened the presents. I show you these pictures with a word of caution. There is a lot of chaos, and your eyes may not know where to focus. Just note that the point of the pictures is the chaos. :)

Cousin-in-law-to-be Arron, sister Lara, aunt Lynne, dad Paul

continuing around the room: cousin Lindsay (usually quite a bit happier than this?), uncle Mike, mom Laurie, hubby Mike

Controlled chaos

Its getting crazy...

Crazier...crazier...

Paper, bows, boxes, and bags everywhere. She got the most gifts (deserved. Usually she gets jipped and she's the best gma/ma/wife there is) so she couldn't move from this spot for a solid 2 hours. 

Oh man was it fun! Here are some highlights:

• I got a Garmin Forerunner 205 from my parents and declared it the best gift ever. 
• My mom had to open two gifts for every one that we opened. I also secretly skipped my turn a couple of times to let her catch up. (We open gifts one at at time so we can enjoy each other's gifts as well)
• The true winner for best gift(s) ever was the thick socks that my aunt got for the men. Ohmygoodness why these were such a hit nobody knows, but they practically fought over them and were all grinning ear to ear after opening them. Good job Aunt Lynne! 
• What did my cousin get from her fiance? Good question! The answer may shock you like it did to all of us. He got her these A-maz-ing platform peep toe zebra print shoes that fit perfectly. Who does that successfully?? They looked kind of like this but better.:  

• The best present for me was the Motorola tablet Mike got me. Like previously mentioned, I wanted a Nook super duper bad, but this is the clearly best alternative. Sidenote: how do you get library books on the Nook app? I figured it out on kindle but I don't really like the whole pay-for-it thing... if I only want to read it once, I certainly don't want to pay for it! 
• The wine, the company, the whole weekend. It was wonderful. 

On to the next thing. Birthdays! Food! Working out! Crawling, teething, and sitting up on your own (do you do that already? Josie's jealous). It's going to be a busy couple of weeks. :)

Christmas part 2

Being Josie's first Christmas, we had to document all of it. **Sorry, future children, for not doing the same for you. I will do my best but if you haven't figured it out yet, I never finish what I start. Never.**

Mostly my point in these pictures was to point out her adorable new sweater and hair tie. They don't match, but I'm fine with that as is Josie. We both agree that she is a trend setter.

Buckley was all about Josie, especially when she was sitting right by his favoritepersonever Mike. (sorry about the creepy eyes. Photoshop isn't working and I'm too lazy to try another program) 

He just about laid on top of her belly side up. She loved it completely. This was the point when we had Jo open her Christmas presents. It was earlier than everyone else since we waited until my cousin and her fiance came, but it worked out well for her being that we showered her with all of our attention (there were like 6 people just staring at her while she did it). Let me tell you something. This girl knows how to put on a show. While this could be trouble down the road, its just all together entertaining right now. 

The video's kind of long... but right in the middle, Jo gets super excited for one of the gifts. Worth the watch.

Mike was all about these atom-like toys that Auntie Lara got the Josinater. These things are the craziest funnest thing for all ages. Josie noticed how good they tasted, while Mike noticed how he could replicate what he learned in science 100 million years ago.

See what I'm saying? Fun colors and they go together all funky-like. Win/Win.