December so far...

Dec. Weekend #1:

• lazy morning with Kenny (we were both still recuperating from this season's Cold).
• go to Unique L.A. show and peruse the fantastic handmade goods (store ideas for future DIY projects)
• explore random boutiques in LA/Santa Monica
• early dinner at long time fave, the Apple Pan
• take in the Christmas lights at the LA temple
• drive home (admire the husband's innate sense of direction and truly awesome ability to maneuver side streets in unfamiliar parts of town thus avoiding considerable traffic)
• hot cocoa and caught up on Christmas specials via Hulu. Early to bed.
• church and rest

Dec. Weekend #2:

• lazy morning with the husband (is there a better way to spend Saturdays? I think not.) listening to the rain (finally) and enjoying the Christmas lights in our living room we put up the night before.
• Erika & Julia's annual Christmas party/White Elephant exchange. Always a fun time. White Elephant awards go to whoever gifted the live mouse and to Erika for recreating the "dick towel" from It's Always Sunny in Philedelphia. Oh yeah, the FOUR snuggies were good too...although the fact that FOUR were gifted made them all way better. Also, the party gave me an opportunity to to finally wear this:
  
• kiddies' birthday parties
• San Diego with Amelia & Hudd, Nicole, Jordan, and others to see Phoenix and Vampire Weekend. (Great show, but Phoenix should have closed; they killed it.) Searched in vain for Sofia Coppola.
• welcomed Jordan home and listened to him give a great talk in church
• hung out with lots and lots of family...and informed them all that the family would be growing by one come April. Happily (although rather uncomfortably/awkwardly) accepted the sudden attention and enjoyed the excitement.
• tried to avoid the dessert table; failed miserably.

Dec. Weekend #3 (three-day weekend):

• work party: bowling with a group of people (mostly men) at least 15 years my senior. Actually, it was the best company holiday party so far. Since bowling was my idea (the prospect of another dinner where we all stare at each other and desperately attempt conversation didn't sound too great) I take all credit for its success. I may even include it in the annual personal progress report I have to give to my boss next week.
• Mammoth. Need I say more? (great snow, great weather, great company, great lodging...perfect.)
• enjoyed Mammoth's "Night of Lights" celebration for the third year in a row. Love this event and am so happy it's becoming a tradition.
• cross-country skied with Elise for the first time ever (we were really, really good at it, too). So fun and WOW, what a work out!
• lots of reading in the lodge.
• met up with Kenny's family in Riverside on the way home from Mammoth to take in the lights and festivities at the Mission Inn. Mark bought us all the best donuts...still thinking about them.

So...December's been good to me.

And because I haven't really taken many photos and certainly haven't uploaded any here's a new favorite of The Nephews, taken (of course) by Amelia/Hudd. I love these boys.