Here we Go...

Now begins the time of year where we are booked with events every single weekend, every day of the weekend and many weeknights until after the first of the year. We are totally blessed to have a huge family, and no one ever said that we don't know how to celebrate. And celebrate we do...everything.

That being said, we actually didn't celebrate anything in particular this weekend. We bought a new Christmas tree on Saturday night. I'd post pictures of the tree, but its not totally decorated yet and I wouldn't want to do it an injustice. On Sunday we went to Ritz for the 25th Annual Chocolate Jubilee to benefit the Greater Michigan Alzheimer's Association. Isla put on the glam with her cute flower headband. She was a real show stopper, but her cousin Timmy gave her a run for her money in his dapper little suit.

I'm not a very crafty person, but there are times when I even impress myself. Ashley Livingston had a blog post with a link to a site that had these "Thankful Jars." I didn't look too tough, so I decided to make my sister and Dave's mom each one as a hostess gift for hosting Thanksgiving. If you are wondering how they are both hosting, our family celebrates Thanksgiving THREE TIMES. Thanksgiving proper is spent with the Borowicz family. "Black Friday" or what we like to refer to as "Olive Friday" is spent with the Yatooma/Geha crew. And finally Sunday we will celebrate "Alternative Thanksgiving" with the Mitzel brood. I wrote that I was thankful I didn't have to host a holiday. I'd post a link to the site that had the instructions, but I'm not sure how. Just goes to show you the limits of my craftiness.

Buddies

A wise man once said "to have friends, one must show himself friendly."

You read to your friends.

You share your toys with your friends.

You eat waffles with your friends

(numerous times in one weekend).

You help keep your friends clean...

...and occasionally you even give your friend

a little back rub.

Thank goodness for friends.

Jenna Roma

Another beautiful baby girl joined the family. My sister Dana gave birth to her second daughter, Jenna Roma VanderLaan, on Thursday, November 12. Its hard to believe that Isla was even smaller than Jenna when she was born. Dana looked fabulous as usual, and Jenna takes after her Mommy in the looks department.

Welcome to the family love.

I get by with a little help from my friends

Its not too often that I get to hang out with my friends without having to time my outings around nursing (TMI?). This week was an exception. On Wednesday, the Oakland Christian School Class of 1998 (man we're old), had a small reunion at THE Dorm. In attendance physically were Erin AKA "E-Dub", Amanda AKA "Attitude" and in attendance via Skype was Amanda Muiter, AKA "Big Baby." We had a fabulous time debating which one of us should be the sacrificial lamb to stand in line at H&M when the new Jimmy Choo shoe line is released. It was so great to just sit and talk and laugh.

On Friday night, Isla and Dave spent some daddy/daughter time together while I headed to East Lansing to hang out with my sweet Rose. We had a "traditional" night as it exists between us. I arrived. Rosie had already been getting ready for 40 minutes. We ran to Forever 21 where I acted like a kid in a candy store...yes, I shop there and I intend to keep shopping there until I turn 61. We picked up our favorite dishes from Bravo and ate them. We took an additional hour and half to get ready while debating at least 10 outfits. Then, at about 11pm, we hit the town making a tour of East Lansing and downtown Lansing. We ended the night by eating frozen pizza and Cool Ranch Doritos. Aahhhh the good ole' days. You know you're getting older when people think its a phenomenon that you are married with a child and refer to you as "mama" for the rest of the night.

How did these faces not make homecoming court Senior year?

My wild Irish Rose on the far right

On Saturday, I acted as the "photographer's assistant" for Dave while he photographed my gorgeous niece and nephew. I think I might have gotten fired for doing such a poor job. Thank goodness Dave doesn't need any help to take amazing pictures.

If You Like It Then You Better Put a (ear)Ring On It

Isla has started accessorizing. I know some may not approve of body piercings at such a young age, but you can't help but admit that she looks pretty cute. Did I feel bad when the doctor did it? Yes. I felt terrible for the two minutes that she was hysterical. But after that, we both got over it. I'm not a huge fan of gold, but I'm a huge fan of diamonds which happen to be her birth stone. Lucky girl.

And speaking of cute, our little barley Arab princess was a monkey for Halloween (I was Jasmine and she was my little Abu.) We carried our basmati rice bag to about 6 houses. We went out with Elijah, Kate and some really large dude with scary hair. THE Dorm handed out 150 full size candy bars. Once we ran out of the candy bars, we gave out Baked Lays and Rolled Gold Pretzels to some lucky Trick or Treaters. You know the kids in your neighborhood are spoiled when they approach your doorstep, peer into your bowl and say "No thanks. You don't have anything I like." Next year I guess we'll just give out cash.