a little bit of me.

{photo recap}

Had so much fun over the past week with the family -- Here are a few photos:

My sister, Kimmie, throwing her first snowball EVER:

My parents living it up Minne-SNOW-ta style (disclaimer -- it was totally WARM in the mid-30's most of the week!):

My sister, Kristi, and her hubby, Pat:

My brave, BRAVE parents taking a turn sledding:

And finally...  cute little Toby, hiding out amongst all the gifts:

{Night 1}

Had a very merry christmas, and now...  in the words of Adam Sandler...

"Put on your Yamukkah --- it's time for Hanukkah!"

(taken with my new 85mm 1.8 lens) :)

{Enjoying}

SO good to be able to just enjoy the season.  Enjoy the creative process of baking, wrapping gifts, and decorating.  Enjoy the inevitable mess, that shows how much fun I've been having:

So excited to be on my way to the airport later today to pick up part of the family (the rest of the fam arrives on Friday).  So excited to be able to spend Christmas (& Hanukkah) in my own home for the first time ever...

HOPE Everyone has an enjoyable, FUN Holiday weekend!

{I'm Alive}

WOW.  Can't believe it's been almost a week since I posted last.  So much going on lately, and having my keyboard break last week did not help matters -- but, I am back in business with a new, hip *wireless* keyboard and matching mouse... :)  LOVING the whole wireless thing!

First off, BONUS points for Kelli -- who left a comment last Thursday and reminded me that I needed to tape The OC Christmakkuh-Barmitzvakkuh special episode!!!  We were at a MN Wild Game that night, and would have missed it - *GASP*!!!!  Kelli - Email me your address (susan1118@comcast.net) and I'll send out a fun RAK asap!!

And, because I dont think that my family - or Eric's family for that matter - subscribes to Memory Makers - I am posting images (shamelessly stolen from my new friend Danielle's blog) from the January '06 Issue & Meet the Masters Article...  Was so, SO excited to see this in print a few weeks ago:

And also, just wanted to say how amazing of a company MAMBI is --- love, LOVE their new chester and bling lines --- they were so incredibly generous to send ALL of it to the whole MMM group:

So now that I have updated the blog, and posted a few photos...  I will have to get back to baking - I think that I've bought no less than 15 bags of chocolate chips and tons of other baking ingredients...  WILL post pics of all the baked goods soon!!! :)

{9 Feet of White Spruce}

So we made it back from the Cut-Your-Own-Tree Farm without any injuries.  However, considering the fact that we spent 3 hours lugging the tree into the house, finding out that there was NO way it was going to fit in the *planned-and-designated* tree "area", relocating the tree, and then attempting to make the tree *look* straight in the stand...  We will soon be buying an artificial (pre-lit) tree to enjoy for many more years to come.  But at least we can say we once cut-our-own-tree, ya know?  Here are some photo hi-lights:

And.....  after decorating, here's a sneak peek at the tree:

Next up on the agenda is holiday baking... :)

{new stamps & a tree to cut down...}

I've been blog-absent this week.  Too much holiday goodness going on I think.  :)  Thought I'd check in and show off a super-fun sheet of NEW Leave Memories stamps that I got in the mail yesterday.... (The adorably-cute-lip-smacker stamp used on the layout above!)

I will probably not make it through the weekend without trying out the "hello-my-name-is" stamp...  and the paisley print...  and the clock frame.... FUN STUFF, i tell ya!  Also managed to work some of the yummy, and yet-to-be-released American Crafts Holiday/Winter ribbon (see snowflake print on the layout!) onto this, and as always a little Queen & Co.  Between scrapping for assignments and calls, I rarely, rarely scrap a pic so soon after taking it (took this one last weekend in our little snow-fest), and I think that, sometimes, is half the fun...

Eric and I are off this morning to CUT-OUR-OWN-TREE (christmas tree that is)!  <<Parents, if you're reading this -- don't freak out -- safety cautions will be in place!>>  Saws are provided at the farm, they supposedly wrap the tree and tie it to your car for you, and there is the ever-enticing hot cider available.  All you have to do is SAW.  Well, all Eric has to do in this case...  there is no way that I am attempting to saw down a tree.   Should be fun.  We'll see and I'll report back...

{Sledding}

My first "sledding" experience (EVER):

Lots of Snow this weekend, which = Fun Stuff.  Who knew a $3.99 plastic sled from Target could provide so much fun.  :)  I was adventurous and even tried our little neighbor's snow board out on the hill beside our house.  It was super fun until the point that i fell over and permanently bruise the entire length of my body.  Think i may just stick to the plastic sled in the future.  Took 400+ photos of snow related fun - here's a few more faves:

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!

{happy feet}

My feet are beyond happy.

Thanks to these:

Chenille SOCKS!!!!  Or, more properly called "Lounge Socks".  By Karen Neuburger - who's slogan is "Life Should Be Comfortable".  Karen, i TOTALLY agree.  I am all about the comfort - always!

My new comfy-warm pair of lounge socks was given to me by my MIL (who, by the way, is also named Susan Weinroth).  Very appropriate given the current feels like temp of 5.  YEP five.  My feet thank my MIL.  :)

And that is pretty much all i have to say today!  YAY for socks.  Looking forward to the weekend.  We're having a new couch delivered on Saturday, and are also tackling the putting-up-the-christmas-lights project.  (which in and of itself is pretty funny considering we have one tree and 2 freesia bushes to put lights up on!).  :)