Snow Bunny!

Don't you just love these pics of my best friend/daughter/obsession? Don't worry, it's totally healthy. I just LOVE her!

We are enjoying our only weekend in December with no plans. Ahhh! Last night we bought a Christmas tree at Menard's which was still wrapped up so we had no way of knowing what it really looked like but the price was good, so we took a leap of faith. Apparently, this tree has scoliosis as it has 4 separate bends in the trunk and is really full on the top but kinda sparse on the bottom...Jake thought maybe we had it in upside down? Today we will decorate, drink apple cider, listen to NOW That's What I Call Christmas Volume 3 CD 2 and be merry. And married.

Even though Nori seems like such a big girl much of the time, she did the cutest baby thing last night! After we got our tree, we drove over to Chipotle in Highland Park and she crashed in the car. She could not wake up even in the noisy, bright restaurant so she actually slept on the booth next to us while we ate burritos. She hasn't done anything like that since she was 6 months old but it''s likely due to the fact she won't sleep during naptime anymore. She just jumps and talks. And in case you can't hear that fact for yourself , she yells "I TALKING! I JUMPING"!! Then, when I come into her room, she quickly flops down and covers her head with her blanket pretending to be asleep.

See why I LOVE her?

What is that smell?

My mother told me there was a perfume called Norelle so today I Googled it. Guess what I found? A perfume called Norell!



Guess what else I found? A perfume called Eau De Seltz!

cranberries

a Seltztastic photo

Thanksgiving was great, we had a feast at my Dad & Linda's house! Grandma Sylvia, Doris, Brad, Joe, Mekensie , and Casey were there, see for yourself. On Friday we packed up and drove to Austin. First, we had a short visit at Applebee's with our birth father Paul who just moved to Southern, MN (I say "our" birth father becuase I want Nori to feel like her birth family are all of our relatives, not just hers) . Then, we hung out with Great Grandpa Dick & Great Grandma Rosie, Steve & Liz, Ellen Charlie, Dave & Louise and cousins, Cole and his fiancee, Tracy. Needless to say, the Spam was flying. Nor was not shy, showing off her dance and yoga moves to the crowd!

On a walk to see the geese with Great Grandma Rosie

ladies only

Gramps is strong

Also, my dear friend Sarah had her Bridal Shower/ Bacherlorette party at Kafe 421 and it was wonderful! After dinner, all the guys from Fransico's party met up for salsa dancing. Congrats Sarah & F.Co!

Sarah soon-to-be Naranjo!

Hanging with Gramsie

Thanksgiving 2009

I'm grateful for

• My sensitive, loving, and oft wild, 22-month-old daughter
• My funny, loyal husband, Jake, who loves me unconditionally (even with all my eccentricities, many of which I am told are very annoying)
• A healthy family who are present and supportive to one another
• Wonderful in-laws, Steve & Liz, who are so giving of their time and love
• Birth parents whose selflessness created our family
• My mom, Holly, beating cancer and gaining the last 6 years with us, many more to come (order another dumpster!)
• Moms & dads, brothers & sisters, aunts & uncles, grandparents, cousins and pets!
• Lifelong friends who invite us in to their lives for the journey
• A home that is 2/3 warm
• A flexible job that provides me opportunities for intellectual growth, professional development and sufficient Facebook time
• Proximity to the YMCA
• More than enough food to eat…and eat…eat
• A sense of humor and willingness to tolerate the absurd
• Cuddly babies and energetic little kids! (and sullen teenagers, busy adults, and wise old people, too)
• World's smelliest yet most mellow dog, Dorothy, who will be getting a bath tonight
• Opportunities to travel the world and experience new cultures
• Feet that walk with minimal pain and MBT shoes, clunky as they may be
• DV-R and television series on DVD
• Our new church and the cool community we are building there
• The years I got to spend with my Grandmas Dorothy, Barb & Audrey and my Uncles Jim & Rick
• Technology (blogs, digital cameras, email, food processors, and caller ID)
• Avocados, apples with caramel dip, coffee with cream, dark chocolate, and fruit
• Spellcheck, and the needs to be invented, Wordskip
• Hope, peace, love, forgiveness, generosity, and the promise of wholeness on the other side
  

Happy Thanksgiving my friends and family! Thanks to you for reading my musings and supporting me throughout it all! What are you thankful for? Do tell!

Feedback needed!

If you were going to New Zealand and had 3 or so days to travel on your own, all by yourself, no companion in site, where would you go? Please name specific cities and why. Here, please do some research first: http://www.newzealand.com/travel/northamerica/

Then, leave your Christmas list because I am doing all my Christmas shopping on Wednesday during my lunch hourS due to great sales.