Good to see you 2010!

To bid 2009 farewell and greet 2010 we headed to the lovely McCormick and Schmicks for a holiday dinner (thanks to Grandmas Phyllis and the generous gift card she left under our Christmas tree)


What a treat-they even had holiday hats!

Of course, due to my new found love for head pieces, I had to sample it.

I think Ryan looks so dreamy in the glow of twinkle lights. Well.....any light, really.

One of me and Ryan's shared hobbies is indulging in oysters whenever possible. We also started a new tradition: making a list of the year's best/shocking/memorable/noteworthy moments.

The night ended with a fire that Ryan dubbed a "RAGER", firecrackers in the street, and most delicious champagne. Just. the. way. we. like. it.

2010.....welcome.

We all love pad thai. And Christy.

Christy had a birthday, she told us she was turning 25, and we agreed that a trip Lemon Grass to celebrate our dear friend was a must. We realized it was her first birthday as a married woman, and that birthday dinners with the four of us have been a tradition for eight years. It felt very adult to say those facts out loud.

Five things you should know about Christy: she is silly, and very funny, she wakes up with the sun to run, she has a tender heart, especially for dogs, she married a gentleman named Charles this year and she is a loyal and devoted friend.

Tracey and Sara are very cool dinner companions. Tracey gave me a booty pop and I laughed and laughed but secretly could not wait to get home and try it on. Later, I did just that.

We all ordered the pad thai and it was phenomenal. Truly. I packed up my leftovers and thought about what a treat pad thai for lunch the next day would be....

But I thought about how one should share such wonderful things with others and thought Ryan would be grateful. He thought that was really nice and he gobbled it all up as I watched him with pride and amusement.

And yes, Ryan is wearing panda bear flannel pajama pants.

Had myself a merry little Christmas...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

We wore party hats and played monopoly at the Kelly's Christmas! (My egg nog was a hit, so much that we were all ready for naps before we even ate)

That Mama Marsha sure knows how to set a table...the prime rib was memorable.

Silly kids...

All in all, Ryan loved his new knife, candybars and deoderant.
Mama was very surprised with her new button shoes and even let out a couple of squeals.
We were sent on a scavenger hunt and found new luggage hiding.
Ryan recevied size XXXL snorkeling flippers to use on our tropical honeymoon.
Dad discovered that his solar radio comes in clear as a bell.
Rachel has promised to whip up some new culinary delights as found in her new Pioneer Woman cookbook.

My parents gave us a silver serving tray for our engagement present. It is so shiny. And so beautiful.
Emily looked luxurious in her fluffy new white robe (and I learned of her hatred for chalk, after I gave her a chalkboard picture frame of course)
Grandma's cinnamon rolls were perfect, as they are every year.
Mama gave me another embroidered hankerchief, after I complained at losing mine at a wedding in August.
Ryan gave me a snowman ornament with my name on it from a shop we visited in SF. He is very sneaky.

It was my favorite gift.

When we got home, we put on our new pajamas and carefully laid out all of our presents so that we can marvel at them for days.

It was a perfect Christmas.

It's Christmas time in the city...

Early on a Saturday morning, we woke up to ice and fog, donned our scarves and mittens and hopped on a train with Mama Marsha and Daddy David...

After mimosas, cards and cinnamon rolls we arrived at Pier 39 in the glorious San Francisco. Of course, we had to take a photo by the ginormous Christmas tree.

We considered taking a ride on this...

But ultimately decided to see this...

IN 4-D!!!

We ventured to Union Square...which is just full of hustle and bustle during Christmas. It always reminds me of the time that Ryan and I stayed there for a weekend and walked the city into late in the night...talking and blushing.

We all agreed the travel had made us thirsty and headed to an Irish pub for cocktails and stout...

(I fell in love with this little guy and the garland)

After our bodies were warm and our thirsts quenched, it was time for THIS....! Wicked at the Orpheum was hilarious, and wonderful. The costumes and set were simply DIVINE.

We walked back towards Union Square to catch a cab... the ride was a bit like a roller coaster, but we made it.

And had the most wonderful dinner at this little Italian secret on the wharf...

It will be hard to forget the prawn and mushroom saute and crusty bread...mmmm.

A memorable day indeed...what a treat.

Birthday Boy

This guy is celebrating a birthday today and I am so happy to call him mine. Sometimes I call him "Husband" for fun. Here are 20 things I love about him:

1. He is just so handsome.
2. His height has made ladders obsolete and completely unnecessary.
3. His name.
4. He wakes up singing.
5. He pats me on the bum. A lot.
6. He loves everything I cook and never fails to tell me so.
7. He thinks my burps are funny.
8. He is really strong.
9. He wants lots of babies. My babies.
10. When I ask him for money and he always shakes his head, laughs and hands it over.
11. He loved his granny so much.
12. He suprises me with new shoes.
13. He keeps me warm.
14. He knows me as well as anyone.
15. He has great hair.
16. He makes me feel like a super model.
17. He is a hard worker.
18. He loves me just the way I am.
19. He wants to spend forever with me.
20. He is mine.

Happy Birthday Bebe. I love you long time.

P.S. We having a small party to celebrate this guy's birth, which means I am also hosting my first dinner with both sets of parents. Sending lots of luck my way would be appreciated.

A year ago today...

A year ago today Mr. Kelly and I decided to go on a moonlight stroll.

A year ago today Mr. Kelly said that he was going taking me to see the biggest, grandest Christmas tree around.

A year ago today I snuggled against Mr. Kelly (because he is always so warm) and tried to coordinate our steps as we walked on a path at Capitol Park.

A year ago today, the tallest, brightest Christmas tree came into view and we snuggled on a cold, metal park bench to stare at the beauty.

A year ago today Mr. Kelly gave me something very sparkly and asked me to be his wife.

I said yes and that I never wanted to leave that bench and did not want that moment to be over. Mr. Kelly said it was just the beginning.

Then we had ice cream.

He is sneaky. And very thoughtful.

Ryan just came home with these beauties in his hands. Full of lilies. My favorite. He is just. so. sweet.

Thursday Funday

Last night, we turned off the TV and dimmed the lights

I puttered around the house and tried to find the perfect place for each of my Christmas decorations.

I got crafty and made glittery numbers, inluding a "2" and a "9" in honor of someone's approaching birthday.

I bundled up in uggs, Santa pajama pants and a hoodie and went outside to make mistletoe bundles and bouquets with greenery.

Ryan sat on the cross-legged on the floor going through his collection of a bajillion baseball cards trying to find the one that would make us millioaires. I checked him out each time I passed the living room, thinking he looked like a young, sweet school boy

In passing, I commented on how nice it was to turn off the TV and have quiet in the house. Ryan smiled and wholeheartedly agreed. It was a perfect ordinary Thursday night.

Make a wish Rachel...

This is Rachel. My sister. And today is her birthday.


Rachel has the most lovely green eyes, an adorable little figure and she just emcompasses all things "good". She thinks of others and can cook really well. Rachel may be small, but man, she packs a punch. She tells you how it is and can make me shake with laughter. She is a perfect friend.
Happy Birthday Seester and thank you for requesting mom's meat loaf for your birthday dinner. That is like a present for everyone!

P.S. I love you.

Santa Baby

This little guy has found a home with us. But only during the month of December- then he will be booted to the attic. Isn't he cute?

When I look at him, I wonder how many children over the years have looked at him adoringly, dreaming of Christmas morning...

It's Christmas time in the city...

Last night Ryan and I got dressed down in our pajamas and hopped in the car. We drove to the "fabulous forties" to gaze at all the Christmas lights. It was magical and I am pretty sure that I squealed like a school girl each time we turned on a new street. Then we went home to get warm. I painted my nails holiday red and Ryan blew on them until they were dry. It was a happy night.