and a Happy New Year's!

I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!

Our New Year's Eve wasn't very eventful. Nick had to produce the 10 so he got home just before 11:30. I was already in my pajamas and after the ball dropped it used all the energy I could muster to brush my teeth and crawl into bed. New Year's Day I actually had off. Nick again did the 10 so he didn't have to be into work until 2-ish. So we had a nice breakfast of french toast and red grapes (some random Italian thing, my Grandma says its bad luck not to eat red grapes on New Year's Day).

My resolution: To use more than one reusable grocery bag at a time, gotta remember to grab them all! Oh and to actually get out holiday cards before the holiday instead of New Year's cards after the New Year!

Nick's resolution: Same thing he says every year pinky...try to take over the world (kudos if you catch the reference). Seriously, Nick hasn't made a resolution since I've known him. At least he's able to keep them!

Wishing everyone the best in 2009!

Happy Christmas Eve!

We'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or Merry Festivus or Happy Isaac Newton's Birthday, depending on what you like to celebrate.


Nick and I did our own little Christmas a week ago in Boston (we're pretty good a stretching holidays out). We are now out in Santa Barbara to celebrate Christmas (and Newton's birthday) with my family.
Above is a picture of our tree and presents. Note that all the ornaments start about half way up the tree...this year the tree was almost Mallie proof.

One of the presents I got Nick. I got him his own fleece comfy pants, and even found a matching pair for Barca.

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope the weather is mild for all of you that are travelling!

Another Baby Quilt

I made a baby quilt for our friends, Beau and Des's, newborn son Alex. Again it was pretty simple with blocks of colorful fabrics (cotton and fleece) and the back was a really soft fabric with stamped stars. I quilted stars onto the quilt.

And I couldn't pass up sharing this picture of us with Alex. Alex is such a cute baby! It was great to have a chance to meet him while we were in Chicago.

An Early Chicago Christmas

So Nick and I went to Chicago this past weekend to celebrate Christmas and the holidays early with Nick's family. Plus we got to see some good friends!

On Friday we left Boston at 7 am (early!) and after a mid morning nap we went to lunch with Nick's parents. Then we visited with our good college friends Beau and Des (and got to meet their new son Alex!). For dinner we had some fabulous deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's with close friends Sarah and her fiance Joe. I hadn't seen them since they got engaged and I was so excited to see the both of them and the gorgeous ring Joe gave Sarah.

Desiree, Alex, and I

Saturday was the family party. We spent most of the day at Nick's Aunt's house visiting with family. Cindy (Nick's sister), Chris (Nick's cousin) and I spent plenty of time talking about weddings as Chris and I will both be bridesmaids for Cindy in her wedding next fall! The food and company made for a fantastic afternoon.

Nick, his cousins, and their significant others (and me). Front row from left, Cousin Jenny, Sister Cindy, Cousin Chris, and me. Back row from left, Jenny's husband James, Cindy's fiance Mike, Chris' husband Matt, and Nick. (You know its an important photo when there are so many people taking pictures that flashbulb reflections are caught in the picture!)

Cindy, Chris, and me

As a surprise the family threw us a baby shower! With a cake! It was very generous of the family and we appreciate their thoughtful gifts. Nick's grandma knits baby hats for the hospital near her house and she made three special hats just for Barca!

The cake!

Presents for Barca. Poor thing will be a Cubs fan...

Saturday night we hung out with Nick's close high school friends Feihong and Mike and Mike's fiance Marta. Plus we got to hear details about Mike's upcoming wedding with Marta...in Poland!!

Sunday we spent the morning with Nick's immediate family. We had our own early Christmas morning complete with nice breakfast (with chocolate covered strawberries...Nick's mom knows the way to my heart) and gift giving. We flew back to Boston late Sunday evening.

It was one long weekend, especially for me who doesn't have the same amount of energy I had approximately 7.5 months ago. But we were so happy to spend time with friends and family and celebrate not only the holidays but engagements and new babies.

The Holidays have arrived

Its that time of year again...the tree is up and decorated, we went to the Holiday Pops tonight, and now we are waiting for the laundry to dry so we can pack for our weekend trip to Chicago!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Happy Birthday Rick!

So last night we celebrated our friend Rick's birthday. Rick's wife, Steph, planned a surprise birthday party for Rick at a bowling alley. Rick and some of our other friends are a bowling team in an amateur league at the same bowling alley where we celebrated his birthday. We had a blast hanging out with friends and celebrating Rick's 30+something birthday. Although...Nick and I aren't really the best bowlers.

However I did win something! I won the bowling-while-the-most-pregnant-prize! Of course I used a 6 pound ball. Thanks to our friend Paco for spotting the kids bowling balls so I wouldn't hurt myself while bowling. Nick's second game was actually pretty good. He missed a turkey by 1 pin! Oh well...next time.

Did I mention it was Atomic Bowling, or Glow Bowl, or whatever its called when you bowl with blacklights and loud music. Above is Nick shoing off his stylish moves while bowling.

Rick, of course, won the best bowler award!

Kevin, Victoria, and Timmy. Timmy is showing off his, "that's what she said" Dunder Mifflin onsie. Timmy did really well, he didn't seem to mind being passed around and held by everyone.

Not quite sure what we were talking about at this moment, but I'm sure it was baby related. Or perhaps Timmy spit up and I was helping her clean up...

Rick blowing out the candles.

Rick enjoying the present we brought him. He is a huge whiskey fan!

Happy Birthday Rick!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great, uneventful Thanksgiving! Susie cooked (and I baked) the dinner. Nick had to work (he always does...) and we didn't eat until 7-ish. My manager came over for dinner as well. We made way too much food for four people, but at least we have a lot of leftovers! Everything went really well and the only store bought items was the creepy cranberry sauce in a can that Nick really likes. Susie did a great job on making her own stuffing and gravy! And we even made whipped cream for the pumpkin pie I baked! It was definitely a success and a much better dinner than the frozen turkey-dropped pies debacle of 2006.

And here is a picture from yesterday, after I ate dinner...I think I ate too much!