Yay for cousins!

We're at my mama's this weekend with all of my siblings. I'm the oldest of four and it's always a party when we get together. Seriously. There is always laughing and games and food and photos and playing and music and dancing and cookies and MORE!

I love that we all love each other! My mama loves it too. She's in heaven with a full house.

My sister Sarri's daughter, Grace, got a new tent for Christmas. See how much fun the littles are having?

Also, Jo got a schmancy new tutu from Grandma Annie. Her dress-up closet is going to be killer!

Follow along...

Now that we've successfully celebrated Christmas in Chicago, we head out to Iowa tomorrow. My family has no idea what's in store for them!

As usual, I'll be tweeting and Instagramming. Feel free to follow me here. I promise there will be lots of laughs and food and fun...maybe even some dancing. Oh yeah, and babies! And probably some sewing. And beer.

merry merry merry

Merry Christmas from us to you!

We had to re-take this pic over and over because it looked like the star was coming out of my head. I think we finally got it figured out.

Zulily alert - Holiday dresses

So Jo already has her Christmas dress (thanks, Grandma Annie, but I'm super tempted to scoop any of these dresses up from Zulily...if only they could arrive by Christmas. The London childrenswear brand, LIHO, is definitely my fave.

all photos are from Zulily.com 

blergh

I'm sick today, which is unfortunate on so many levels. Also, my hair looks great. It's too bad I've only been in bed.

It's kind of a big deal...

Nick took the last final of his MBA last night, so tonight we are celebrating with a beer tasting party at our house. Lucky Baby Jo gets to spend the night with Grandma Jackie. This will be Jo's first night away from both of us. It's kind of a big deal -- for all of us -- including Grandma.

I've put together the list of things to send with Grandma including:

1. pajamas
2. change of outfits
3. bottle
4. toys
5. bath stuff
6. diapers
7. outlet covers
8. books
9. binkies
10. Daddy Doll
11. portable crib
12. snacks

Yes...all of this for one night. Grandma is super excited! We are too, and only a little nervous. Not because we don't trust Nick's mom (we totally do), but I imagine any first-time parent is nervous when their child is away from them for the first time...right? Right? I don't want to be the mom that asks for text message updates tonight and tomorrow...but I'm going to be that mom. 

Nick and I will pick Jo up tomorrow morning. It's going to be so weird. 

Party time!

mini social alert - dress sale

the mini social is having a dress sale! here are my faves:

left to right: cherry pop picnic, hopscotch, kids velour wrap

Jo doesn't need any dresses right now so I'm just browsing...and taking notes for later.

I am so lucky.

I have had a great day.

The nasty cold I got last week is subsiding and I can breathe through my nose again.

Jo is getting sillier by the day. She loves to make faces and dance around and I just love it.

I had two sales in the Etsy shop today to people who love what we make. 

Nick came home from his first day at a new job and we had dinner as a family.

I went to a meeting with other theatre artistic directors and we talked about making art.

Jo woke up when I came home and I got to rock her back to sleep.

I am so lucky.