Family from down unda

I'm been slacking on the ol blog this week due to family in this week. 

** Stay tuned next week, I have 5 awesome bloggers that are taking the stage **

So, thus far I've been staying up pretty late, since I have to work this week to hang out with family. 

Their America bucket list

* try a twinkie --> my uncle thought they were awesome. He even tried a Ho Ho

* Drink our Local Beer

* Tour Lake Tahoe --> I heard the hubs was a really good tour guide

* Watch NFL football

* My cousin Jade wanted an American Hot Dog --> she ate the whole thing

* My Aunty calls potato salad, freakish looking salad

* My Aunty doesn't like tater tots

Today, I believe they are headed up to the ski resorts to go snow tubing and check out the villages at Squaw and NorthStar. I'm having lot's of fun with my 4 year old cousin Jade. So damn cute. 

* Christmas Update * 

I've actually pretty much finished my christmas shopping. Just need to wrap up and print some photos from the family photo shoot. 

Are you ready for Christmas?

Ice Skating Adventure

At the local resort, NorthStar @ Lake Tahoe, they have an ice skating rink. I really didn't have any intention of going out on the ice at all. My daughter is only 2. Once we got there, Mackenna immediately went to the ice rink and want to go out there with just her boots on. I figured if she was that interested that we would go rent skate's and give it a go. We walked into the building where they were doing the ice skate rentals and the line was almost out the door. Mack gave me a look like she didn't really mind. She waited in line with me for over 20 minutes and we got our skates. Once I put them on, she couldn't wait to get on the ice.

I held both her hands and put her in front of me and skated the both of us. It was a little nerve racking because I didn't want to fall or anything with me holding her. That would have been bad. 

She loved it... she was screaming wooohooo and yeah mummy! The entire time. 

Also, this weekend was pretty eventful. Friday night was a pretty chill night... sorta. I dug a friends car out of the snow at work and then chilled at home and went to bed pretty early. Saturday was the big day of my party for work at the Ritz Carlton. It was a great night and lot's of fun. 

My aunt Danya, Jeremey and Jade made it to the great ol U.S of A on saturday. I went down Sunday morning, through the most ugliest weather ever to see them. I played with my cousin Jade.

Here is the restaurant we built out of blocks.

Great weekend, partied, snow and family. How was your weekend? 

365 Days in Pictures 

21 and over cupcakes

There were several people's birthday this week and last week at work. So I decided to get my act together and finally cook some cupcakes for the office. I convinced my friend Marea that lives down the street from to help me cook Pink champagne cupcakes. They were easier than I thought and they were really good. 

Here is some photos of the process.. 

The Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 18 1/4 ounces white cake mix, no pudding, and must be white to taste champagne
• 1/2-3/4 cup champagne, chilled ( pink, white, sweet, dry)

Frosting

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup champagne
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 5 -5 1/2 cups additional powdered sugar

Directions

1. Use a box of white cake mix (NO pudding) and substitute champagne - 1/2 to 3/4 cup to replace all of the liquid called for in the cake mix. So if the box says 3/4 cup water replace with 3/4 cup champagne. I did use one that had 1 1/4 cups water and replaced with champagne, just depends on the cake mix brand you buy. The kind of champagne/sparkling wine (pink, white, sweet, dry) used will determine the flavor. I usually just buy the cheap pink sparkling stuff in the grocery store, it's sweet and yummy in this!
2. Tint with red food coloring to a soft pink, use a drop at a time, this stuff will stain, probably take about 3 drops.
3. Bake cake as instructed on box. I usually make in 9x13-inch pan, but for an elegant layer cake use two 9 round cake pans, a heart pan would be perfect for Valentine's Day!
4. Creamy champagne frosting:.
5. Beat 1 cup softened butter for 30 seconds. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar.
6. Beat in 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup champagne, and 1 TB vanilla.
7. Beat in 5-5 1/2 more cups powdered sugar till you can spread it or is consistency you want.

I'm parent of the week!

Hello fellow bloggers I'm being featured over at Avant Garde Parenting as the parent of the week. 

Please go on over and leave me some love. 

Jamie Contacted me a month ago or so and asked if I wanted to be featured as 

one of her parents of the week. I said yes..!

I wrote about Mackenna's birth story from Ian's perspective. 

Tis the Season to be... Stressed

Last night I licked, wrote and stamped more than half of the Christmas cards. What a relief to get those baby's done. With all the hussel and bussel this month I haven't had a change to breathe let alone have a moment of peace or relaxation I feel like.

What is left for me to do 11 days for christmas:

* Noel night's --> Northstar @ Tahoe... We go every year and have Mack's picture taken with Santa. It's a fun night and they have a Starbucks up there. 

* My Christmas Party @ The Ritz Carlton @ Tahoe. My company Christmas parties are so much fun. Food, drinks, dancing and prizes. Last year we all got Ipod's I wonder what is in store for us this year. 

P.S. I got my dress in the mail from Macy's and I'm in love. Love, Love it. 

* Picking aunt and uncle up this weekend from San Francisco. They are flying in this weekend from New Zealand. 

* Christmas Shopping... I have a confession... I haven' started. Oh My! Next week I'm going to be doing it all. Getting photos printed from our family photo shoot and framing. 

* Wrapping gifts, baking cookies and breads, and filling stockings. 

* Christmas Dinner... This year we are doing a ham and deep fried turkey. We usually go to other family member's houses for dinner on the holiday's but this year we are hosting Christmas Dinner at our house. 

* Pack and organize self for Mack and I's travel to Seattle to see my side of the family... I don't even want to think that far ahead. 

What's left on your list to do before Christmas?

Do you have as much to do as me with 11 days left?

I'm starting to get a little stressed out and I might have a mental breakdown at some point this week... I can feel it. However, the holiday's are all about spending time with family and making the most of the season. I always feel like it has to be perfect. Does it? Maybe not.. I guess I need to just cool it. 

I'm a mom...

Children change you, sometimes you know it and sometimes you have to think about it to understand it. I never was much of a napper, now I love them and must take one when Mack does. Although, I don't always get dressed up anymore and I dress more mommyish and I sing and dance in public, these changes I wouldn't change. My life is more meaningful, fun and full now that I have Mack in it. 

This is why I know I'm a mom...

1. I find crackers in my pockets, car, floor. 

2. I've caught poop in my hands before.

3. I've almost filled out my bills with a twistable crayon

4. I take longer shower's just to have a little more time to myself

5. I go to bed around the same time as my daughter so we get the same 8-9 hours of sleep. 

6. I plan get togethers, shopping trips and events around nap time. 

7. I can sing all of the songs on sesame street

8. I can recite Cars, Nemo, Monster's and Toy Stories by heart

9. I've gotten dress so fast that I've left the house with no underwear on

10. I've dragged Bert by the head on the street on the way to work. His feet were caught in the door.

11. I use wipes for everything. wiping my own face and hands and cleaning with them. 

12. I take naps too and enjoy them

13. I pumped on my lunch and on breaks at work for 8 months

14. I've had to change my clothes just as much as my child

15. I find coloring and painting more fun then other things.

16. I've sniffed my kids butt in public

17. I sing in the grocery store with my child

18. I have random conversations about my child or kids in general with complete strangers

19. I kiss boo's boo's even if I know they aren't there

20. I wipe noses

21. I can cook macaroni and cheese with my eyes closed

22. I dance to music in the house with my child

23. My purse now consists of butt paste, wipes spear underwear, tilty cup and crayons and paper.

24. I will sing and dance in the car with Mack on the way to preschool

25. I eat or drink my breakfast in the car

What makes you a mom?

2010 Christmas Card

Here it is Lady and Gents. Please excuse the click and hide image. I had to basically print screen to get it off of shutterfly. I guess they don't want you to copy or save image as and take it for free or something. Whatever! 

Anway here it is. 

Giveaway @ Happy Housewife Designs

Anyone think my blog is beautiful, bright, cheery and fun. Well you can win a custom made design by Happy House Wife Designs. She has done several blogs I read on the regular designs. She is so easy to work with and she has great work. 

I love my new design that she made for me a couple of months ago. You pick the design kit, she make it for you and will send you previews and even install it for you. 

Please visit her blog @ Happy House Wife Designs

And... Enter to win.

Here is a couple of more blog's she has designed.... for your drooling pleasure. 

Enter to Win @ Happy House Wife Designs 

Giveway closes on the 13th of December and the Winner is announced on December 14th!

McFatty Friday - Slacker

This week I didn't do so well at the gym. I only went twice. I know what a frackn slacker right. Do you want to hear my excuses... or not? 

1. I was sick to my stomach Wednesday and Thursday... I mean so sick I barfed like crazy on thursday and actually went home sick.

2. I've been cleaning at home like made for anticipation of my aunt and uncle's arrival to America next weekend. 

3. Ok, my office and craft room, that I have yet to do anything with since we moved into our new house in May 2010. Ya, well let's just say that I'm going to be working on it this weekend. If I'm brave enough I will share photos on Monday or maybe even tomorrow if I finish.

4. Overtime. I don't think I need to really explain, but we are slammed at work so I've been taking half hour lunches this week to push some volume out. So, half hour lunches means this cow can't go to the gym.

On a lighter note, I've only really consumed ginger ale the last 48 hours, so maybe it's ok that I haven't gone to the gym. After being so sick like that I have no motivation to go to the gym until at least next week. 

I feel like the month of November and December and going to the gym everyday is preventing from becoming a hippo in these months. All I want to do is bake cookies, cakes and pies and eat soups, breads and pasta. You know comfort food when it's cold and icky out. I will be glad when it's new years, then I will give up food until next year. Not quite but pretty much. 

How do you say no to sweets this time of year?

It's impossible and I just can't is my answer. 

Thankful Thursday - Grilled Cheese & Twilight

Yesterday I was feeling way under the weather. I went home from work early due to some barfing and such. As soon as I got home from work I hugged the porcelain god and was feeling pretty ok. I went to lay on the couch and watched Matilda! I haven't seen that movie in years. 

Ian and Mackenna got home a couple of hours later. Mackenna and I snuggled on the couch for a bit, while daddy started a fire, ran to the store for 7up for me, and cooked grilled cheese and tomato soup. I ate the tomato soup and grilled cheese because I was so hungry. 

I'm so thankful Ian made dinner last night and even let me watch twilight, even though he cannot stand any of that crap and thinks it's lame. 

I'm also thankful he made dinner even though I barfed it up not long after. I felt so crappy not long after that I went to take a hot shower and then passed out in bed. 

Also, Mackenna played in her room quietly and in the living room. She must of known her mama wasn't feeling well, because I got cuddles and a happy nice girl last night. 

Family Photo Shoot

A couple of weekends ago we had some family photos taken on Lake Tahoe for our Christmas Cards. Every thing was going pretty well that day. Mack fell asleep on the way over and I thought perfect she should be fine when we get there. She was so crabby the entire time and only wanted to sit with me and have me hold her. So, with a bunch of patience from my friend Cody that took them and 12 or so good photos, we successfully finished and here is what we got... 

Which one would you choose for your Christmas Card?

Baby Fever

Every time I hear someone is pregnant around me my heart melts. I think about the Mack when she was little, and I miss it. I would love to get pregnant again, but then I really start to think...

* How the hell do people afford to kids in daycare

* I can't be a stay at home mom financially

The biggest deal breaker for me is the cost of childcare. I can't even think to imagine the paying upwards of $1500 a month in childcare. It makes me sad, because Mack is cruising up on her 2 1/2 year mark and no real plans to get pregnant right now.

Financial responsibilities... stupid ones

* Snowmobile

* Truck

* My Subaru

* Credit Card debt

All of these things have to be taken care of and paid down quite a bit before I can venture into the pregnancy land again. For now, my goalie remains in front of the goal. (IUD)

I want Mack to have a sibling she can grow up with and play with. I kinda also just want to get it over with.. no prolong it anymore than I already have.

When it is time, I guess I will be able to get pregnant again. But, for now, the biggest new years resolutions I have is.... minimize and become debt free. Sounds easy right.. ha not. 

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Weekends come and go so quickly it seems like. You get home on a friday night and a blink of the eye is monday morning. What the eff?

First of all Friday was my brother's 18th birthday. We watched movies and ate pizza and even gave him a beer. A christmas brew. I went to bed early and woke up the next morning with no intention of doing much and then all of sudden my brother and I are pulling in christmas boxes to the house from the garage. 

And then.... a christmas bomb went off in my kitchen and living room. My mom started putting things up and then we moved to the kitchen and starting dusting and cleaning the pop window in my kitchen. Oh, and then let's clean the blinds, and pull the coverings off the light fixtures and dust and clean them. It started to get a little crazy, but it looks real good now. 

Sunday, we went to go and get the xmas tree. We have high vaulted ceilings in our house in the living space, so we got a 12 FOOT TREE! It's a bit ridiculous, but I love it. I had to use a tall barstool to decorate most of it. Mackenna handed me ornaments and watched Christmas movies on the couch. 

Here is the final product. Kind of a bad photo. (Disclossure, I don't have the world's crappiest camera, I just use my droid phone a lot. It's so handy not too.) 

McFatty Friday

It's been a month and I'm still going to the gym and trying to get this bod back of mine. It's been in hiding the last few years and I'm ready to bring it back out to the world. Hard work is going to get me there.

I go to the gym almost everyday for the last month and a half. I'm going to start going on saturday morning's and boost it up to 6 days a week. 

Here is a routine that I'm trying to stick with. 

Monday: Cardio + Toning

• 5 minute Warm up on treadmill
• 10 minute Jog on treadmill
• 5 minute Cool down
• 3 sets Lat pulldowns
• 3 sets Bicep curls
• 3 sets Triceps pushdowns with rope
• 3 sets Dumbbell front raises

Tuesday:  Just Cardio

Wednesday: Cardio + Core
• 5 minute warm up
• 3 sets Crunches on stability ball
• 3 sets Plank
• 3 sets Bent knee hip raises
• 10 minute  treadmill
• 5 minute Cool down

Thursday: Just Cardio

Friday: Cardio + Lower Body
• 5 minute Warm up on treadmill
• 3 sets Stability ball squats
• 3 sets Forward lunges
• 3 sets Lying Abduction
• 3 sets Lying leg curls
• 10 minute Jog on treadmill
• 5 minute Cool down

Saturday: 30 minutes Brisk walk

Sunday: Off

Thankful Thursday: Ian and Texting

Ian has never been much of Texter. It drives me crazy. Sometime's I just wish that he would text me then just calling me for 20 seconds. That would never happen. 

It used to be the same answer over and over again. Ya, no, ok.

Boring right?!?

Since Mackenna has been going to preschool, I drop off and he picks up. Simple. However, I now get texts from Ian at least once a day... and they are actually a full sentence. What the?? Did I die and got to texting heaven?

I know this sounds kinda stupid, that I would be so thankful that I get texts from him. I may not get mushy text messages that say I love you I need you oh baby, oh baby. But, I do get text messages like..

what's for din din?

Is Mack at School?

Where are you?

I can text back 5 things and most the time I will just get a ya or ok! Lame right! I wish sometimes I would get love texts or just anything. That is just not Ian's style and I will just have to deal with it. 

Anyway, he has gotten better at it and I'm thankful for that. He doesn't like to text. I sometimes don't like to call, I'd rather text. 

Does your hubs text you more than a word?

By the way, I don't mean to throw this in here, but I do. The droid X

is the best phone ever. I love it and I'm in love. Take that Iphone users!

86. Egg nog lattes

87. Snow 

88. Christmas Music

89. Smell of Christmas tree

90. Xmas decorations

91. Peppermint mocha's

92. Baking

93. My sweet little family

The official countdown...

1 Day until noel nights at northstar. Santa, starbucks and Sushi. 

3 Days until we go out and get our christmas tree and decorate

3 Days until Ian's Christmas party for work

18 Days until my christmas party for work: at the Ritz Carlton @ lake tahoe

19 Days until my aunt, uncle and cousin are here from New Zealand: We have plenty of snow and I can't wait to kick off the holiday's when they arrive and see my mom ball her eyes out. 

24 Days until Christmas Eve: Rum, egg nog and more Rum. And... I have 10 days off of work. 

25 Days until Christmas: Presents, and maybe bailey's and coffee and maybe a snowmobile ride on that day. Or be lazy and hang out and stuff our faces in pajamas all day. Either or I am cool with

27 Days until Seattle: Going to see grandparents, aunty's and uncle's in the northwest. Also, I want to catch up with a handful of friends as well. Mackenna and I are going alone, daddy is staying behind and Mackenna get's to go on the plane and not have to sit on my mommy's lap the entire time. Ya my 2 year old's ticket was the same amount as mine. Boo! 

I love this time of year. To get that cute beanie on and scraf hit the stores for christmas food, crafts and present shopping. Starbucks red cups and endless christmas music.

What do you have to look forward to this month? 

Blog Challenge.. Day 5

12 days of Christmas Blog Challenge

Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditionsDay 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & TricksDay 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've receivedDay 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday seasonDay 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show SpecialDay 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)Day 8: Least favorite thing about the HolidaysDay 9: Favorite Holiday recipeDay 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/CarolesDay 11: New Year ResolutionsDay 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outside)Day 13: Favorite Cookie RecipeDay 14: Oprah's Favorite Things: What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience

Hands down my favorite all time Christmas movie is: Bad Santa. 

What is there not to love.. it's hilarious and I like it because it's also something Ian and I can watch together, when Mack is in bed of course. 

My Favorite Lines:

Watching Boy: [stares at Willie] I saw you at another mall. 
Willie: Well, I'm happy for you. 
Watching Boy: If you really are Santa, you could do magic. 
Willie: [whispers] Wanna see some magic? OK, let's watch you disappear! 
[shoves him away] 

Willie: You can't drink worth shit. 
Marcus: I weigh 92 pounds, you dick! 

Kid: Your beard's not real. 
Willie: No Shit!It was real, but I got sick and all the hair fell out. 
Kid: How come? 
Willie: I loved a woman who wasn't clean. 
Kid: Mrs. Santa? 
Willie: No it was her sister. 

Kid: Good night, Santa. Good night, Mrs. Santa's sister. 

Ok, so this is not a kids movie by any means. I love it that it's adult humor and it's funny. It's one of those movies that doesn't get old for me. 

Other Favorite Christmas Movies

1. Santa Clause --> "Stung by a bee Scott?" "It was a big bee."

2. How the Grinch stole Christmas. (The one with Jim Carrey)

3. Frosty the snow man

4. Four Christmas's

5. Elf

6. Christmas with the Kranks

What are your favorite movies around the holiday's?

Mackenna Monthly Update

Mackenna is two years and 4 months old this month.

* Count to almost 20 (with help after 10)

* Sing the entire ABC's

* Sleeping 8pm - 6:15amish (what time we wake up for school)

* Brushes own teeth

New Words:

* Tomorrow

* Come on

* Good Morning

* Night Mommy 

* She is getting really good with names

Really into:

* Toy Story

* Tinker Bell

* Walle

* UP

* Cooking in her kitchen. She is starting to make things for us to eat

* Trains