Birthday Surprise

Derek surprised me the other night with a get together with a few of my dearest friends.  It was so much fun! 

Happy birthday to me!

I was so humbled to be the honored guest!   Jolie brought me these fabulous party favors and dolled me up like a princess.  I was a good sport and wore the crown all night, but the boa was a little scratchy.

This was me right after I walked in the Bayou to see about 15 of my friends ready to greet me with birthday loves and hugs...and a nice cold beer!

We started out at the Bayou.   They have a fabulous beer selection and they told Derek they would accommodate our big party... 

Derek, Erica, Karen, and Brittany...

Amy, Jolie, Randy and Mike....

Rich and Troy...walking in after the surprise part(but they had a gift)...hehe

Jessica and Jim....

And after a while they seemed to have forgotten about the large group of people standing in the front of the restaurant, waiting for a table....

So we moved to Settebello's pizza place.  

Derek was a little surprised with all the confusion, but once he got his beer and pizza, he settled down.

Loving this picture of Jolie!  You look gorgeous!  Randy looks handsome as too, but the eyes!!!!  Where are they?  All of the pics....eyes closed!

Say cheese everyone!

It was fun to make a fuss over me!

Derek and Auri shared an espresso before we headed over to the Red Door.

This is where my post has to end!  Blogger is being difficult....more funny birthday pics to come!

Thank you Derek and everyone for a wonderful 29th birthday!

Thanksgiving weekend.

 We celebrated Grace's real birthday in the warmth (it was very and snowy and cold outside!!!) of home, which we are very thankful...

Grace received new pj's from Aunt Karen and Uncle Steve for her birthday.  She wasted no time putting them on and ate dinner in her new comfies.

We had a fabulous dinner with all the fixings.  My mom and dad and our friends joined in the bounty!

Grace loves the drumsticks.  The one from our 18 lb. turkey was a bit of a challenge for her...but she ate it!

Larry and Kathleen...

Rich and Troy...

We served up some the traditional pumpkin pie (instead of birthday cake) and Troy brought key lime.  We all had some of each.

It was a quiet, but wonderful Thanksgiving!

We opted out of shopping on black Friday...

Grace put on her new birthday dress (she looks so grown up at 7) and I took her and Grandma Kathleen to the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes.

We couldn't take pictures of the show, but it was SPECTACULAR!!!  What a fun way to get in the holiday spirit.  Grace was dancing in her seat through the show.  

When we got home she announced she wants to quit swimming and learn to dance like the Rocketts.  I have seen her rhythm and am not sure that is going to happen.  She was blessed with her fathers dancing feet.  We'll see about some lesson and will stick with the swimming for now...

Happy Birthday Grace!

Happy 7th birthday to Grace!  You are an awesome kid!

Tea room and a tree.

I have been redecorating my sitting room in the entry of my house.  It is a process....time and MONEY!  Early this year I switched out the old love seat and oversized chair for these smaller leather beauties!  Love them!!!  I also added the red curtains and a new bamboo shade.

Still working on the wall decor and maybe paint...can't decided.  Want to go more contemporary...

 Not done with the furnishings yet, so I decided to put up my christmas tree early.  Not embarrassed to say I did this about 2 weeks ago.  Hey...don't judge.  It filled up the empty space in my sitting room for now.   

The vision is an entertaining room and it is coming along.

I brought up this old dresser from the basement closet.  It was my Grandmother's.  I switched out the old hardware and whoa la.  

It looks great under my big mirror by the front door.

You can see I still have my fall decorations too...

until next weekend when the other tree goes up and out comes Santa!

I sit in my new room almost every night for tea or wine and a book.  It is very warm and cozy!!!  Feel free to join me for a warm drink...it is cold outside!

Enchanted Unicorn Birthday.

Grace is a lucky kid!  Last Saturday I transformed our garage into an enchanted unicorn birthday party.  Sooo fun...a 7-year-old's dream.

This is our tool bench or the perfect spot for some cheese pizza, cupcakes and root beer floats!

These are the frames the kids made for a keepsake to take home!

As everyone munched on their pizza I explained the craft.

18 kids wasted no time devouring pizza and making frames.

We had a few minutes before the special guests arrived so Grace led her friends in a quick game of "Simon says.."

Then we quickly opened ALL the presents.  Wow!  7-year-olds are generous and she made out like a bandit.

Taa daa!  No enchanted unicorn party is complete without the unicorn.  They really can fly...

Even if it was just around our neighborhood streets.

Each kid took a turn on a pony and we took their pictures to put in the cute frames.

Happy Birthday to my big 7-yr-old.  The real birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year, but the party was a blast!

Embrace the snow!

We made a little trek up into the canyon on Sunday.  How quickly we were reminded that we live in snow country and it is winter!!!  Embrace the season folks.  

We took some of the cutest pictures I wanted to share with you.

Grace was checking herself out before she decided to tackle the snow.

One, two, three...here she goes!

Sliding...

 Love her scarf...a souvenir from NYC from mom.

Happy snowy trails.  We didn't have Ryann's winter coat, so she borrowed my vest.  

Didn't wipe the breakfast off her face either...

She didn't care.  Messy face and all she loved the snow.

Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood....a winter wonderland.  

Ethan was visiting from New York...he is now known as Uncle E at my house.

Ryann attempting a snow angel.

Karen and Ethan......aaah...cute.

Derek couldn't resist the ice!

Belly laughs!!!  The best kind of smiles!

Ok...not my best pic.  Derek got me mid-word and my smile is weird.  Cute pic of Karen and the snow!

Happy holidays....it is here.