Our HO HO HOliday schedule for Christmas

Pete and I were checking the weather, and of course there's a snow storm coming through Flagstaff on Tuesday and Wednesday. We were going to drive to Phoenix on Wednesday, but we've decided we'd better play it safe and leave Tuesday. We're going to get snowed on either way, but at least this way our odds of getting to Phoenix in time for Dad's Christmas Eve party improves dramatically. There is no missing that party....it rules. Here's our holiday schedule:

Tuesday the 23rd -
Leave NM at 4pm
Arrive in Phoenix some time LATE
Spend the night at Melanie's

Wednesday the 24th -
IKEA! (I didn't get my IKEA fix last visit)
Go to Dad Nicolai's for Christmas Eve festivities
Sleep over at Melanie's

Thursday the 25th -
Christmas morning stockings and pressies at Melanie's
Christmas lunch at Dorothy's from 11am until 1pm
Drive to Prescott for Christmas at Grammy's - get there at 2:30ish
Sleep over at Grammy's

Friday the 26th -
Hang out in Prescott all day
Sleep over at Grammy's

Saturday the 27th -
Drive back home in the morning, loot in hand!

If any of you want to hang out with us in the morning on Christmas Eve, or the day after Christmas in Prescott, speak now or forever hold your peace! We haven't made definitive plans for those times, so we're just going to do....whatever. Unless you let us know otherwise, of course!

Pete, Peanut, and I can't wait to see you all soon!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I woke up at 6:45 this morning to Maya practicing her jiu-jitsu on the upper-right side of my abdomen for about 5 or 10 minutes. I think she was trying to tell me "Happy Birthday, Mom!" in her own little way. She knows how much I love it when she really goes to town and puts her elbows into it! Even if it is early.

I am 30 today.....WOWZA.

P.S. Thanks for the awesome card, Grammmy!

I Love This Guy!

A couple weeks ago, Pete called me from work saying he got a call from his old boss at Emcore (they're still friends). She called to tell him that he switched companies just in time, because the guy who replaced Pete was just laid off! Pete knew their stock was in the tank (because we own some of it) and had mentioned to me earlier that he was glad he works for ITT now. He assured me that his division, which works mostly with defense contracts, would not be affected by the yucky economy, and they had in fact increased production for the next year and had been awarded some pretty big contracts. That made me feel much better, and SO grateful that he made the move when he did. Phew!

Well, today he called me again. Pete's boss is in Virginia, so the only feedback she gets is from people either calling to complain about or praise the work he does in Albuquerque. Well, apparently his boss' boss called him to say that department heads had gone out of their way to call Virginia to say how awesome Pete is, and how it's like night and day compared to the woman who used to have his job! Then, she asked him what his career aspirations were, and of course he told her that he wants to move up the ladder as quickly as possible. They had a long discussion about possibly moving to another ITT location in the future, and whether Pete would be willing to relocate, etc. Of course he said yes! She said she would keep him in mind, and was really happy to have Pete working with her.

I am so proud of him! Pete really is a hard worker, and does his best to make sure that everyone he works with is satisfied with the work he does (he's in Human Resources for those of you who didn't know). He does such a good job taking care of our little family, and I couldn't have asked for a more awesome husband!! PETE ROCKS!

More Musical Goodness

Prop 8 Musical with a BUNCH of famous people. Short and sweet. And funny, of course!

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Pete found this awesomely hilarious video. He called me in to watch it, and after a couple minutes went by I asked how long it was. It's 45 flippin' minutes long! I sat and continued to watch, and once the singing kicked in I was totally hooked. We watched the whole thing together. It's really, really funny, and makes me love Neil Patrick Harris all the more. There are a couple commercials, but they're well worth watching to get to see the rest of the show. Enjoy

Baby Shower in Phoenix!

Melanie was kind enough to throw me a baby shower while Pete and I were in Phoenix so we wouldn't have to drive out a third time before the baby is born. Isn't she rad? (Hint: the answer is yes). Anyhoo, it was a big success. I wish I could've chatted a little more with a bunch of people there, but I'll catch up with you all at Christmas, for sure.

I got so much stuff! I really didn't expect to get too much, and I scored big time! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who showed. You guys rock! And thanks to Mel for putting you time, effort and moolah into making the party so special and pretty. I love you all!













After the shower, Melanie pulled out a bucket full of bottles and breast-feeding paraphernalia, and Brandon thought the pump was pretty neat. He immediately put it on his face, and after I pumped my tummy to see how much pressure it created, he wanted to do it too. Evil Katie put it on his little man-boob and proceeded to pump away. Brandon thought it was just great!

Thanksgiving with the French's and the Nicolai's

This Thanksgiving was awesome! First, we headed over to Ron, Dorothy, and Mady's house where we then drove to Mimi's Cafe for their annual Thanksgiving feast. It was mahhhvelous. Afterward, we drove out to the site of their potential new home. Pete and I are keeping our fingers crossed that they get it. That house was AMAZING!

Next, we drove out to Terea's sister, Sondra's, house for a Vink/Nicolai buffet feast. Once again, yummy-ness. We were a little full from Mimi's, but we nibbled a little and partook of the piggie pudding. We took a few pictures, mostly of the kids. Olivia and Brandon were too cute! It was awesome seeing everyone and getting caught up. Thanks for the baby pressie's Terea and Angela! (They couldn't make it to the shower, so I got some early gifts...yippee!).

Dan's Wedding

My brother Daniel married his sweetheart, Autumn, this last Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It was awesome because all the siblings made it there (with the exception of Rob, but he doesn't count!). It was a sweet ceremony, and we had a pot-luck reception afterward. It was really cool that they did it when they did, because I really wanted to be there, and was able to do so without too much shuffling of our schedule.

Autumn wore the dress that my Mom wore when she married Peter, which I thought was really cool. She just changed the trim from peach to blue to match her colors. Autumn, though I haven't really had an opportunity to dish with her, seems like a rad addition to the family. Dan, if you're reading this we are going to have to definitely hang out when we're there for Christmas!

Here are a few pictures from the wedding. Some of them may be a little fuzzy or weird, but it's a new camera and I'm still figuring it out.