Flashback to last Friday...

I actually don't have a flashback for today.  I feel like a failure.  I honestly couldn't find one New Year's photo past to put on here.  None of us as wee ones banging pots and pans on the front porch, or of Bryan and my first New Year's fight.  Nothing.   I hope you'll forgive me. 

How about if I post a picture of this sweet face in her favorite spot?

She was bit by a pitbull at the dog park yesterday. 

  She has a huge gash on her chest and now Bryan is calling her Scarchest.

I hope you have a happy and safe New Year's Eve!

Did you make a resolution? Is to pick up your socks from the living room floor?

I'll be sharing mine next week, bet you can't guess what it is ;)

Today's dream sponsored by a small European village

You know how some people buy a large piece of land and then build houses for their family members?  Sort of like a compound I guess, but if we did the same thing it wouldn't be like that right?  No crazy religious stuff, although my SIL and I are discussing converting to Judaism for their holidays. 

Anyjew, I'm thinking I want to do that.  Not the land thing anymore, now I want to move us all to the same street in a small village.  How can I make that happen?

via mademoiselle deva

Dibs on the yellow one!

I would decorate the street with beautiful pendants like this, and those round white lights. 

We would have dinner parties in the streets and gather at the cafe on the corner for coffee. 

You could even rent my street for your wedding ;)

via bisous mon amour

Then instead of calling my Sister and on the phone and listening to her tell her two year old to either sit on the potty and poop already or go put on some pants, I would shout across the street into their bathroom window "Jackson, go potty and then you can come over to Auntie Nikki's and have a treat".  Most likely Nutella. 

My NYE outfit...if confidence were my middle name

Do you know what my middle name is?  Well, it's Confidence if you were wondering.  Okay that may not be entirely true.  When I saw this outfit over at coco+kelley yesterday that cheap little piece of me shriveled up and died and I wanted to pull out my credit card and charge it right away.  Then I remembered that I don't have a credit card, or the balls to pull it off.  But I could I find them.  Really I could.

{via Intermix}

*sigh*  it is so lovely

Then that cheap piece of me blossomed again and I hung out with my good friend Google.

{$39 via Urban Outfitters}

{$7.80 via Forever 21}

{$79.50 via Victoria's Secret}

{$79.99 via Piperlime}

All that for $206.29 plus tax.  I could've gone cheaper but I figure you might want a little quality when it comes to sequin skirts.  Otherwise they'll all fall off while you're dancing and then what?

Now how much do you suppose balls are? ;)  What are you wearing for New Year's Eve?

Christmas Day goes right to the thighs

Thank God all of our family lives so close because we made 3 stops on Christmas Day.  We started out at Bryan's Aunt and Uncle's for gifts and an oatmeal bar. 

The toppings were hung on the counter with care

Apple gingerbread cake

I will admit I skipped the oatmeal and went straight for the cake

Cruiser finds out there isn't a Santa Claus

I left their house with two Costco size Nutellas.  It was a good Christmas ;)

Then it was off to Bryan's Dad's house...

What are you laughing at?

What's wrong with my outfit?  It's Christmas colors!

Caught!

See more photos of Paul pointing HERE

Chelsea and I are finally officially welcomed into the family

We get to puffy paint our blank stockings

My attempt at Pottery Barn puffy paint style

Chelsea wins, but she's a teacher so it's no contest

Steamers, crab and multiple veggie trays

THEN...

Off to my parent's for Christmas dinner

The only grandchild = spoiled!

Lots of wine

Grammy looks like she could use a glass

Opening his stick horse from Uncle Bryan

Everyone had to feed Bullseye carrots

Reading books with Aunt Cheri

Playing slinky with Uncle Bryan

Chillaxin with Grammy

She still needs that wine...

Familia

Jordan just returned from a study abroad in Costa Rica

(she's the little blonde babe in our Santa photos past ;)

New train #4

I guess our family doesn't communicate well

Opened gifts for future family members

And felt babies kicking inside stomachs ;)

Buche de Noel

2 pieces...to even out the thighs

Eclair swans

You fancy huh?

Then we settled down to sleep in new sleeping bags

Shhhh!

Of course there were a few more gifts to open when we got home

More tennis balls than any two dogs know what to do with!

Phew...I'm tired just thinking about that day!

Christmas Eve traditions

On our drive to our 2 Christmas Eve celebrations this year, Bryan and I had a conversation about Christmas memories and traditions.  This year both families seemed to grab hold of a few past traditions.  Even though Christmas Eve is a bigger deal to Bryan's family than mine, I like to stop by my Aunt and Uncle's house for a bit too.  One of my best Christmas memories is entertaining all my cute little cousins, and it has been awhile since everyone has been around for Christmas Eve.

This year we seemed to have the appropriate celebration gear.

Bryan and a very festive Ria

Aunt Cheri Lou Who visiting from Colorado

My Dad in his new Christmas tie

of course it plays music, did you have to ask?

And well, that's my Mom

Christmas popper crowns, it wouldn't be Christmas Eve without them!

 

Little cousins all grown up

 

Grandmaman and Bryan

Jordan and the roast beast

 

Yorkshire pudding!  After a 6 year sabbatical, it's back and it's my favorite

 

One of Ria's too!

Me and my Grandmere

 

Of course we didn't forget what we were celebrating

Even if most of us are probably going to hell

Tangent:  Did I ever show you my favorite Creche?

Then it was on to celebration #2!

Bryan carves the lamb

And he was very excited about the mint jelly.  One of his family traditions brought back this year too!

 

The kids and their stockings

Everyone and their stocking carnage

A few of my stocking scores this year

Gingerbread cake with whipped cream and crystallized ginger

So good I had 2!

And tired dogs sleeping under the tree

with very bad gas...

Did you have a wonderful time with your family too? 

What are some of your traditions and how many meals did you eat? ;)