I'm Back ...

... from a case of the yucks. Not really the best way to ring in the new year (no, not too much champagne, unfortunately). But while my boys were here yesterday, I laid on the couch and watched a couple movies, finally working up the courage to eat some bread and noodles. Today, after 10 hours of straight sleep, I'm ready to go. 2009, here I come!

New Year's Eve.

We had a lovely dinner with The Frigs to ring in the new year. The boys (Brian & Chris) cooked a great meal, and of course, the company was good too. Too bad we didn't last until midnight!

Saying Goodbye to 2008

Can you believe it's the last day of 2008? It was a good year for us (personally). Fairly uneventful, but very fun. We are so lucky ... for all we have, supportive families, incredible friends and each other. This holiday season has been great -- just having some time off, and really getting to enjoy the company of my three boys. I think 2009 is going to be a good year. I don't really "do" New Year's Resolutions, but I hope to work harder on a few things in 2009:

Patience
Getting Rid of the Clutter
100 Sit-Ups Every Day

So, to all ...

Happy New Year!
May 2009 be the best year yet.

Key Lime Cove

We just got back from a really fun whirlwind 24 hours. For the past couple of years, our friends Kim & Jesse bring their three kids and spend a night with us over the holidays. They live in the LA area, so this is one of few chances we get to see them during the year. But this holiday season, the timing just didn't work out. Fortunately, we got to take advantage of Plan B. They were staying at Key Lime Cove for a couple nights, so we got to meet them and one of Kim's college friends with her three children for some water park fun (5 adults, 8 children, 2 adjoining hotel rooms = good times). Besides the fact that we would have been totally bummed out if we didn't get to see them, we all had just an absolute blast. As we were leaving the parking lot, H already commented that he missed his friends already. We do too.

A Visit from Milwaukee Friends

Yesterday, Irma, Greg and their gorgeous baby came to visit us. Irma and I lived together for (basically) four years in college, and it was so great to catch up. Storm was smitten by their little one.

Christmas 2008

Last year, we spent our first Christmas in our own home. It was really nice -- but of course, we missed being with our families. This year, we were blessed with many visitors. Nina & Papa (my mom and dad) spent a couple nights with us. They came down on Christmas Eve., along with Pam (Brian's sister) Matt and the kids, and joined us and some friends (including the Elsmo Four and The Frigs) for a Christmas Eve. appetizer party. It was so much fun, and the food was great.
On Christmas Day, we were up at the crack of dawn to open presents. Later, Christie (my sister), Tim and the kids came down. My dad made home-made ravioli for dinner -- delicious. That night, we had a big slumber party (adults = 6, kids 12 and under = 4, dogs = 3), which was a great time. It was a really wonderful year, and it meant so much to us to have our family and friends around.

Holidays 2008

Happy Holidays!

Love,
The P's

(Polaroid image created with Poladroid)

Making Cookies

Yesterday we baked the cookies. Today we decorated them. We even ended up with few three-eyed stars. Not bad. (And yes, it was pajama day in our house today.)

Day at the Nutcracker

Today was amazing. We met up with our friends The Frigs, and took the kids to see The Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker. H had been before. But C's a different animal child, so we were not quite sure how he would do. Surprisingly, they both had a great time. Part of the reason we went was that #3 and #4 of the Elsmo Four were actually in the performance. This was #3's third time (we've seen her every year so far), and #4's first. They both did such a great job. Afterwards, we went to a little party at the Elsmo's, where we got to hang out with some old friends and meet some great new people. We even got a private performance from four of the dancers from the show.

Winter Night

We went out dinner with our friends, and had fun playing in the snow on the walk there and back. My camera was on a new setting (I really need to learn how to use it correctly some day), but I kind of like what it did to the photos tonight.

Calendars

I love this little letterpress and silkscreen calendar by ilee. If I could justify filling my house with calendars, I'd be buying it today. We use a $1 calendar to write on for the day-to-day activities of the PFour, and I use an electronic version for work/personal, but I still love a beautiful calendar. Last year I saw one from The Dolphin Studio, and thought about it every day this year. It is designed by a family, and I just knew I had to have the 2009 version. It's really amazing. Don't you agree?

Holiday Show Number 2

I could not for the life of me get a good photo of H's holiday show today. But I really enjoyed it. What I especially love about his school, is the focus on music, the arts, culture and diversity. And the holiday performance was no exception. The 1st graders started out by singing "Make a Little Music for Chanukah" followed by "Mama, Bake the Johnnycake, Christmas Comin'." I don't know about you, but this is a far cry from the Christmas classics we always sang. H's big moment was during the johnnycake song, when he was one of five on the tambourine. Next the 4th and 5th graders sang -- and did an incredible job. The grand finale was was all the kids came out to sing "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (which is the photo where's H's head is glowing among the sea of children). Afterwards, we enjoyed a little party in the classroom.

Prints on Etsy

UL ... Resting by Isabel Ferreira
UR ... Quiff Bird by K Wilson
LL ... Large Wood Type Specimen Sheet Hand Pulled Letterpress Print 1 by YeeHaw
LR ... Large Giant Suburban Bear Monster visits Chicago by Matteart

Yes, Deer

When I picked C up from school today, he and his teacher each were wearing Rudolph noses. He even had two bells around his waist so he could lead her sleigh. I told him it would be a good idea to put the nose on next time he's getting in trouble. I mean seriously, who could reprimand someone so adorable?