Stella & Dot!

I divert...As most of you know I've become the crazy jewelry lady ;), and I am LOVING it. I love the jewelry, the company, the company's mission and all the wonderful women I get to meet and spend time with as a result. This week I got to attend a leadership conference with our CEO and founder Jessica Herrin. She is pretty amazing. She too has two young ones and offered so many positive and encouraging thoughts on the greatest juggling act on earth--working and being a mom. She encouraged me to not only love what I do but love how I do it too.

It is that time of year...

and we are living it up! Although we are about to embark on our biggest adventure yet, I still want the best December, the best birthday, and the best holidays for my boys. The advent calendar is up and was started on Dec. 4th this year(trying to do it all means a slight delay at times). Rudy has magically shown up again this year and the boys love his company. Our annual trip to Chubby & Tubby didn't disappoint. Ben got to help pick out our perfect tree and he got his free candy cane! At times I've thought the timing of this move is not good, but it is actually perfect. December is the month to be with friends and family everyday, which is just the way I like it. It is a chance to be with all of those we love in Seattle.

Post-Thanksgiving

After everyone left we did nothing, we were exhausted. We lounged in our pjs, set up the Santa train and Christmas Village(the boys could not get enough of either!), watched the Apple Cup, and chatted about our wonderful week.

Apple Cup

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving--All thirteen of us stayed with my parents. It was a bit National Lampoonesque at times, but I've secretly always wanted that type of holiday gathering. My cousin Annie and her family all came from Texas and Tim and Megan came from NYC too. The boys got to play with their "cousins" which was a total treat. At Target the other day I told Ben I needed some tape, he said "my cousin's name is Tayte mom...and I miss her." The adults all had plenty of bonding time too, over plenty of wine. The first few days I tried to get the boys to nap and go to bed on time, but quickly learned that was an unwanted battle. So I gave up and dived in to the holidays. Bring it on holidays--we are ready to enjoy!

my sleepy elf

The Talent Show--first find the perfect Bieber song, Tayte sings and dances, and the boys run in circles around her. No picture but the next act was Ian and his top ten jokes. My personal favorite: friendship is like peeing in your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel its true warmth.

Love this picture and my dad--he and my mom make a mean Thanksgiving feast.

Turkey Trot group :)

Shake your tail feathers...dance party!

And Ty defies gravity, or looks just like the Elf on the Shelf?!

One of numerous fabulous moments amidst a week of family, love, and fun.

LOVE this pic!

Most of you know the shape our camera is in, not good, so to get a good shot is hard. 1/10 are decent, or in this case awesome! Ty--20+ mos. having a "pop."

The boys and I headed out for some time at Greenlake and Mockingbird Books. I had their silhouettes created from a silhouette artist that was visiting Mockingbird Books. He cut the silhouettes and he did it in 90 seconds. It was amazing. A gift for myself.