Just 365 short days

This little man is 1. I know I sound like a broken record, but these sweet babies need to cut me some slack and slow down this growing up game. That's not too much to ask is it??

Happy Birthday Grehyor!

xoxo

Lissa

Friend weekend

After almost a week of being puny, I'm feeling much better the last couple of days. My head is no longer full of snot or feeling like it may explode from the internal pressure. I only made it to they gym once this week. The one day I went I kept telling myself that I was using a head cold as an excuse to skip and that I better suck it up and go. MISTAKE. But now I'm feeling better and I'll be back at it this week. I have goals, and more importantly, I have rewards to give myself for meeting those goals. Just keepin it real.

I really could have used some gym time this week. Deadlines galore looming ahead for me at work. W-2's and 1099's have to be out by Tuesday. And last year has to be closed out and sent to the "Big Accountant" to do corporate taxes. This is when I get to see all my little mistakes (god forbid, big ones too) blown up to billboard size. Ok fine, it's not that bad, but I feel like a company wide email goes out that says "Guess what she did this time!" 

Towards the middle of the week I got a text from Darla wanting to know if we had plans for the weekend. I had set up a date with my jammies and Google reader, but time with friends is important too. My weekend put the cherry on the sundae as far as a bad fittness week for me. Let me explain.

 We met at Booches Friday evening. You know how it is when you haven't had a food you love in a long time how delicious it is? That's how it was, so yummy!  You'd be proud of me though. I only had one burger! Hard I know, but do-able.

Wet snowball snow fell as we chatted and caught up with each other a little, and it was really pretty when we left. I  did something I hardly ever do anymore. I left my camera at home, so no snow pic. So disappointing.

Mizzou played on Saturday at lunch time so off we went to Shakespear's  to watch the game and have some more "not on my fitness plan", but delicious food. I could have done worse I guess. I shared some salad, had one piece of pizza and one piece of cheese bread. And the best part, our Tigers won! :o)

Off to Hobby Lobby to gather supplies for a project. It's a secret project, so explanation will have to come later for that. But here's a teaser....

Then the coup de grace for "not so healthy food weekend" Matthew taught me how he makes his red alfredo linguine with blackened chicken. Very easy, very delicious. I'll share this week so you can make it too.

I guess I need to get a few things accomplished before the day is over. Plus, we have one more fun thing planned for this evening, to finish off the weekend. So I'm off to do something, and get ready for date night.

xoxo

Lissa

A little bit sick day

I'm home today. When I got kicked out of the office at 9am I protested for just a little while and then realized that I was worn out. I don't have the flu- no fever or aches, just a cold, so I COULD work. But I know it's not fair to give anyone else this head-filling crud, so home I went, feeling like a big wuss. 

I realized it was the right move when I stopped at Walmart to pick up some meds. I picked up Q-Tips, conditioner and found a cute belt on the sale rack and headed to check out. I got a text while I was in line so I made a quick call. I know, I know, I HATE people who talk on their phone at the check out too. I head out the door and realize the belt is hanging on my arm. That's code for "I tried to steal it". I'm not sure who was more embarrassed, me or the little old lady guarding the door. So I pay for the belt and make it back to my car, and as I'm driving away I realize- I didn't buy the damn cold meds. No way am I going back in there.

So Annie and I are hanging out on the couch. Doing a little DVR clean up and wondering if I took a nap could I go to the gym.  

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Lissa

Here she is... 2012

It's come and gone for another year. Miss America. I explained last year in this post our fun girl's weekend. This year, because our family grew by 3 babies, there were more of us than ever. You should have seen my house... Danee and Courtney in my bed and a pack-n-play. Kelly and Darla in the guest room with yet another pack-n-play. Britt on an air mattress in the office with, yep, a pack-n-play. Me on the love seat, Jen on the couch and Gabi and Olivia on the floor in sleeping bags. Full house and I love it.

The invite for the year read-

Ok Ladies! Get your blind picks ready it's that time of year again. Time for an amazing night of trash talkin', dress dis'in, talent hatin. All in good fun of course. Time to bring it and as always only 1 emerges with THE crown.

Kelly and Emerson came on Friday night. We ate a little pizza (ok maybe more than a little) had a little wine, and did a little bit of catching up. 

Bath time for Emmie & Annie needs to know what's going on

Saturday the troops start rolling in. Chaos ensues. It's wonderful. We haven't had the babies together for a long time and they were so much fun. 

It always amazes me. It started with 3 friends. 

Of course food is always a big part of the fun. Jamie and Danee made mexi bean dip & guacamole that were so good.   

This picture will forever make me smile. I wish I knew what these too were talking about! I'm sure it's something girlie and adorable. Or maybe they're making plans on how they'll take over the family.

Miss Gabi had a birthday on Friday so we had to include a little party within a party. She wore her fancy party dress for the day too. :o)

This year's picks. The boy's are on there too- we let them pick but they can't win, of course.

After a great day of unwinding, visiting, eating and drinking- with maybe a little trash talking thrown in here and there- it's time to get down to it. 

I'm not sure what I love move about this picture. Her choice for the swim suit competition, or the fact that she's hooked on tech already. She turned on the video camera and was filming herself- just like a mirror to her.

One by one our girls are out. We've sat through some horrible dress choices (Miss Alabama), some really cute bathing suits, and some interesting talent, and now we're down to the end... 

And the winner is.... Miss Wisconsin! Not Courtney's blind pick but a winner all the same.

Court's just a little excited... she's never won before and was pretty jazzed to get that crown on her head.

Someone forgot to tell the girl that waterproof mascara is a must

Miss Wisconsin & Miss Oklahoma- Miss America & first runner up. 

And of course the birthday girl needed her own sash and tiara! 

Now to start planning for next year!

xoxo

Lissa

Quiet Saturday night

It's winter, and usually this time of year I want to be at home as much as I possibly can on the weekends. But this week has been freakishly warm. Thursday and Friday both were in the high 60's.  

So instead of hibernating on Friday night we went out for dinner and then for drinks with two of my favorite CoMo friends, Jennifer and John. We met at Coley's  so progress could be made on the martini punch card. You heard me right. A punch card for martinis. They have good food too. :o)

So tonight, we get to be lazy and stay at home. Catching up on blogs, trying to decide what I want to change about mine. Playing fetch. Playing Zelda. Oh and I can't forget Pinterest, that sucked me in for who knows how long! It's been a good night.

She's a 2 year old in a dachshund's body. Just when you put the toys away she pulls the whole basket down.

A little Bailey's and coffee. 

Snuggle puppy

Hope your Saturday was all that you wanted it to be! Mine was. 

xoxo

Lissa

Ringing in 2012

2012 started mildly and happily at home with good friends. Playing cards, trying a couple new recipes, sampling beer. Perfectly.

 Very proud of this girl for staying awake until mid-night! 

A glass of bubbly and a kiss. I do love ringing in the New Year.

 No hangovers, but tired and lazy even so. I was not far behind these two on the napping front. 

Hope you're day is full of naps, snacks and maybe a beer or two. 

xoxo

Lissa

Good-bye 2011

Holy cow! It's been 20 days since I've been here. Just been a busy girl. And I HAVE been a little under the weather.  Nyquil was my very good friend for several nights. 

You know that feeling you get when you haven't called your mother back for a few days and you know you need to but the longer you wait the harder it is? No? K, never mind. One of my "resolutions" for the new year is to keep an idea journal. So many thoughts have come into my brain and I have no idea where they're all hanging out but it's not any place I can find them.

So what's been going on? How was your December? Let's see. I had a birthday on the 5th. I turned 45. Here's the strange part. I LOVE my birthday. But this year, I just wasn't looking forward to it at all. I have so much in my life to be thankful for and happy about, and I am. So why was this birthday different than any other? Don't know, but I obviously survived just fine and the rest of the month moved in a speedy blur.

Love this card. So appropriate!

 Another difference this year is my gift stress level. I had almost none. I had a few moments of panic, but over all I enjoyed finding just the right thing for people very much this year. 

One thing that Adam and I did, that I've decreed a tradition is taking a day of shopping downtown. For some things the mall is required and the mall and I are pretty good friends. (Shocking right?) But we spent an afternoon wandering, shopping, eating, even having a few beers. It was such a great time.

Then before you know it- it's Christmas Eve. Adam's family had their celebration on Christmas Eve this year to make things less stressful for his Grandma. She plays organ and piano at church and with Christmas Day falling on Sunday it would have just been too much for her.

I've never been able to go to Christmas with his family so I was excited to spend the day with them. It was great fun. Delicious food, white elephant gifts and even some Raiders vs Chiefs football. Santa came a little early and gave my Raiders a win, salvaged from a HORRIBLE game. 

Adam's 2 Aunts with Baby Cooper. Brady was sick so he had to keep his distance.

Chad & Erin

Merry Christmas Grace face! Looks like a yummy cinnamon roll! 

Poor Gabi is doing her best at trying to be patient

Cameron and Casey would rather have slept until noon and started after that!

The paper may have been her favorite part of the day. No surprise there!

 The girls got a doll house from GG and Grampa (my mom & dad) and it was all over after that. They love it. Gabi (of course) made sure everyone had a family member to play with and that all was well. We had a room full of dolls, Easy Bake Oven, Tinker Bell "stuff", princess dresses, etc. Annie and I headed out with quite a bit of glitter on us. 

They play together really well.

Myla Marie was sick, but you could never tell. She had a great day and 2 wardrobe changes after her original jammies. Oh yes, she is her mommy's girl. 

This one can turn on the "camera face" like nobody's business. 

Outfit #3

 I had a great day with kids and babies. Christmas still needs to be tweeked a little bit to accommodate our unconventional family, but we'll get there. After the day with those kids and babies, Adam and
 I headed home to have our Christmas. I really look forward to this time that we spend together. It doesn't hurt that he's a FANTASTIC gift giver.  He bought me this amazing bag . No secret, I'm a shoe and bag girl. Left to my own devices I would buy one of those and live on cereal or ramen for a while. Camera bag that's also a very stylish handbag? Yes please! Then to make things even better, inside that bag was a gift certificate to see my favorite stylist. I probably spend a little too much on my hair too... but I earned it people.  

So off I went on New Years Eve Eve (that would be yesterday) to start off the year right. No roots and fabulous hair! 

Stephanie keeps me from totally wrecking my own hair

I'm about as emotional as it comes, so today is always a day I spend thinking just a little too much for my own good. My brain thinks it's time to reminisce and get all teary and sad about times that are gone. Especially New Years gone by... the one when Cameron was 2 and I kept him up with me to watch the ball drop. Or the one that Danee and I spent in London. Or the one Adam and I were in Chicago. 

2011 has been a pretty good year for me. I have some amazing people in my life right now. Ones that I hope will be 

there for many sappy rants to come.  

Here's my wish for 2012- that we all continue to grow into the people we are meant to be. Not in a ridiculous "perfect person" way. Just to be the best you can be right now. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!