What to wear: Christmas Party

My work is having a (sort of) swanky Christmas party tomorrow night and I'm having the "what to wear that's appropriate but still looks sort of cocktail-ish" dilemma. I have looked everywhere under the sun for something that works and finally am back to this dress that I bought for graduation last year. Kind of a jersey knit that fits really well but definitely needs a little dressing up.



I feel like I could spice it up with these shoes from Target (check out their new Hollywould line -- they have some great, cheap stuff!).

Now I need a couple of good jewelry pieces. Any suggestions?

Christmas Pics

Here are the Christmas pictures of the kids, from in front of our Christmas Tree last Sunday. I took literally 200 pictures and had approximately 2 where they were both looking at the camera and actually smiling. Yay for digital photography. Seriously, what did we do before this? I can't even remember.

The first snowfall of the winter

This is the best part of winter -- the first snow fall. And it was a pretty good one -- 6 or 8 inches over 2-3 days. Luke is finally old enough to really, really enjoy playing in it and is so excited to get outside. The snowplow makes a huge pile in the middle of the road -- perfect for sledding down and playing "king of the mountain." He's also got a great arm and spent about 45 minutes chucking snowballs at me while I chased him around with the camera. For about the next 3-4 weeks, I love living in Minnesota. I love the snow and I don't mind (well tolerate, really) the cold. Of course, in February I'll be kicking myself. But for now, it's great.

Throwing the perfect snowball:

The wind-up (including cheesy mommy-I'm-going-to-get-you grin):

Midair:

Watch that follow-through:

Totally a baseball star of the future.

One fluffy puppy

10 months going on 16

I can'believe she will be a year old so soon. She's already got a little attitude -- which I think is why she won't crawl. I think she really could, as she can rock back and forth on all fours and scoot herself backwards when she's really mad -- but instead she lays her head on the floor, looks up at you pathetically, and starts wailing. Really wailing. I have never seen such a cuddly, hold-me-now-how-dare-you-put-me-down sort of girl. I do secretly love it :) I really meant to take some 9 month photos but somehow life has been CRAZY and I have never made it to JCPenney to do it. Here are some pics shot on our couch a few days ago -- I think these will have to do!

b

Countdown Till Christmas

I love advent calendars. I think it stems from all the chocolate-filled cardboard advent calendars we used to open as a kid. We have a big wall hanging one you put candy in that I got from Pottery Barn Kids on a great sale a couple of years ago but I really wanted another one. Then I came across this idea on a blog -- basically you take envelopes and fill them with different activities. I like this because it really focuses on us doing things together as a family and getting our little kids into the spirit of Christmas. Luke was so excited that he snuck out of his room early a few days ago and opened ALL of the envelopes. But luckily he can't read yet so it didn't spoil anything. He loves it -- and that's the point, right?

I downloaded the template on line and used my scrapbooking scraps to make the envelopes. Then I just hung it on a ribbon on our piano.

Here are the activities we're doing:

1. Have fun at a Christmas party and tell Santa what you want for Christmas.
2. Write letters to Santa
3. Buy a toy for a child in need
4. Read Christmas stories
5. Play Christmas music and dance around the kitchen
6. Draw Christmas pictures to send to Grandma and Grandpa
7. Watch a Christmas movie together
8. Go visit Mommy at work and eat cookies together
9. It’s family game night!
10. Candlelit dinner together
11. Make Christmas cookies together
12. Take Christmas cookies to the neighbors
13. Pick out a favorite stuffed animal and Mommy or Daddy will make up a Christmas story
14. Go see the Christmas lights downtown. Don’t forget the hot chocolate!
15. Go outside and throw snowballs at each other
16. Sing Christmas carols together by the piano
17. Bake another batch of Christmas cookies and share with neighbors.
18. Have breakfast for dinner.
19. Make a list of ten things you are thankful for. Hang it where you can see it every day.
20. Make and hang edible gifts for the birds and squirrels.
21. Have a campout around the Christmas tree.
22. Call all of your Grandparents and tell them you love them.
23. Go outside and look at the stars. Have hot chocolate together afterwards.
24. Unwrap one present after dinner (mom and dad get to pick which one) and read the Christmas story.
25. It’s Christmas Day. Remember you have a family who loves you. And that’s the most important gift of all.

You can download the template and get more info here: http://www.quietfish.com/notebook/?p=1244. You still totally have time to do this for the 12 days of Christmas.

Breaking in my new toy

I plopped the baby down in front of the Christmas tree and tried to snap a few photos. I'm mostly using the auto focus setting now, but on my down time at work I've been scouring the web for helpful tips. Maybe I'll get brave enough to break out of auto one of these days. I'd really like to figure out how to get better indoor shots (key in Minnesota - especially this time of year!).

Here are a couple of good ones (at least I think so!)

Mama - razzi

We did it. In the name of "family Christmas present" and via a great deal on Amazon, we got our digital SLR -- a Canon Digital Rebel XT. It is sooooooooo lovely. Of course, I have absolutely no idea how to use it. Okay, all you photographers out there (professional and amateur alike), got any ideas for me? Or at least any good websites/help books/super photographer mentors?

I've been playing around with the autofocus features and have gotten a good start, I think. However I've been home and awake for like 6 hours only every other day this week so I haven't really had time to play much or post the pics. Please someone help!