Christmas Flash Mob by Journey of Faith at South Bay Galleria - official...

Merry Christmas!!

Tucker Playing the Piano...

This makes me happy!!

Hilarious!!

Sloppy Santa and Sunday Funday...

This weekend was my favorite party of the year...Sloppy Santa. And it didn't disappoint. (Minus the whole knee injury after being tackled but got a doctor's appointment on wednesday and I'm good to go...) The whole weekend ended up being way crazier than I needed. Fortunately I have no pictures from Friday night because I was in rare form and am still suffering from extreme anxiety. To end the weekend on a good note we ended up having a Sunday Funday...first with brunch then to Franks then to Nikko and then for some Selwyn.

I don't think there are any words needed here...

The pre-party group...Thanks to Stafford for taking the picture

Every year at Sloppy Santa I manage to talk Graham into taking pictures for my grandparents for Christmas. They have yet to receive these pictures, but maybe this year.

Here are some pictures from the night....

Seriously one of my favorite couples...

Sunday Funday...

probably the most I have laughed in years.

Saki at Nikko probably not the best idea, playing telephone at Nikko definitely the best idea.

The boys iced "Dixie."

Hope no one has too much anxiety from their weekend!! 

Maybe I'll Come Down, Maybe I Won't....

This pretty much sums up our Sunday Funday....

Touch My Body (Tuts My Barreh) / Karaoke Fail (English subtitles)

Just got this from Matt Pollock....thanks to our Sunday Funday, no one is feeling very productive.

N Sync - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

I also must give a shout out to N'Sync's Christmas album. I know many of you would be remiss if I didn't mention this song... (yes I'm referring to those of you who also told Derek to give me a copy of lyrics to KC & Jojo's "Crazy" for Valentine's Day).

My Favorite Christmas Songs...

I'm SO excited it's Christmas!! I have been listening to Christmas music for a while now and these are some of my favorites. I know there are multiple versions, and even newer Justin Beiber songs but these are in my car. These are in no specific order...

1) All I want for Christmas is you- Mariah Carey
2) Feliz Navidad- Jose Feliciano
3) Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)- U2
4) Sleigh Ride- The Ronettes
5) Last Christmas- Wham!  (one of my favorites bc it's 80's!!)
6) Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree- Brenda Lee
7) Baby, It's Cold Outside- Dean Martin (or the Elf version)
8) Right Back Where We Started From- Maxine Nightingale (I associate this with Christmas ever since the Family Stone)
9) Little Saint Nick- The Beach Boys
10) Carol of the Bells- American Boychoir
11) Angels We Have Heard On High- Frank Mills
12) You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch- Boris Karloff
13) Winter Wonderland- Bing Crosby
14) Joy to the World- Morman Tabernacle Choir
15) The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)- Nat King Cole
16) Christmas Canon- Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Probably in my top 5)
17) Santa Baby- Eartha Kitt & Henri Rene
18) Away in a manger- The Children's Christmas Choir
19) Christmas/ Sarajevo 12/24- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
20) The First Noel- Andy Williams
21) Frosty the Snowman- Ella Fitzgerald
22) It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year- Andy Williams
23) Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!- Dean Martin
24) The Little Drummer Boy- Harry Simeone Chorale
25) O Come All Ye Faithful- Josh Groban & Morman Tabernacle Choir
26) Silver Bells- The Ray Coniff Singers
27) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing- Morman Tabernacle Choir
28) Santa Claus is Coming to Town- Jackson 5

Meredith Jackson Jewelry

Just ran across the jewelry designer, Meredith Jackson, on the blog Little Green Notebook...

Obsessed with that long gold necklace in the top right corner! 

Anyway check her stuff out at www.meredithjackson.com!

I can't stop crying...

I don't know why I'm so emotional right now but this is the 3rd time I've seen this picture and it makes me cry every time.

This is Jon Tumilson's dog at his funeral. Tumilson was a Navy Seal and was one of 30 Americans killed in Afghanistan when his helicopter was shot down. One of his best friends ended up adopting the dog so he is in good hands but this is seriously the sweetest thing ever. Dogs are the best. And it makes you appreciate even more everything we have to be thankful for and to support our troops. This reminds me of the movie Hachi, which will be a whole other post at some point. 

Blowfish Hangover Cure...

So I'm very excited about this new hangover cure called Blowfish that will become more readily available in the new year. Apparently it's already available at Ricky's in NYC. It's kind of like alka-seltzer; it contains asprin, caffeine and an anti-acid. It dissolves into water in a lemony flavor and apparently works within 15 minutes....I can't wait to try it! But then again maybe I should just quit drinking as much...

Stocking Stuffers For Her...

A while ago we started one of my favorite family traditions... we each draw a name and then we are in charge of stuffing that person's stocking. It all started when we realized that this was an ideal way to embarrass my brother-in-law Dave. Of course, poor John is still having to provide a "little extra" for each stocking.

For the Cook...

From Top Left (Clockwise): 

Cusinart Electric Knife (Available here) 

Onion Goggles (Available here) 

All-Clad Measuring Spoons (Available here) 

Rabbit Wine Opener (Available here) 

Other Ideas for the Cook: Oven mitts, apron, vegetable peeler, zester, meat tenderizer, meat thermometer. 

For the Beauty Addict...

Perfume: Miss Dior Cherie Perfume and Love Chloe Rollerball Perfume. (Available here)

 

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish (Love this!!): Sarah Smile, Happy Birthday and Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?

(Available here)

Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment (I am officially obsessed!) (Available here)

Clarisonic Skincare Brush Head Replacement (or a Clarisonic Skincare Brush) (Available here)

Diorshow Mascara in Black, Waterproof (Available here)

Other ideas: Lipstick/Lip Gloss, Eyeshadow Sets, Make-up Brushes, Eye Make-up Remover, Cotton Balls, Q-Tips, Chapstick, Face/Eye Cream

For the Fashion Obsessed...

All from J.Crew. Skinny Leopard Belt, Houndstooth Earmuffs, Socks, Leather Gloves.  Available here.

From Left (Clockwise):

Kate Spade Gumdrop earrings (asked for them again to replace my lost ones! great everyday earrings) (Available here)

Hanky Panky Underwear- Awesome (Available here)

Madewell Scarf (all of the prints are awesome- great scarves at great prices!) (Available here)

J.Crew Bracelet (Available here)

For Someone Who Has Everything...

Nest Candles- These are awesome! (Available here)

My FAVORITE lotion ever: Archipelago Sugar Lotion For Body (Available here)

Anything designed by Inslee!! Stationary and a must have every year: 2012 Inslee Calendar. (Available here)

For the Book Lover...

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Daily Devotionals)

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (one of my favorite books ever)

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

(All available here)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Finally read this and loved it!)

Someday My Prince Will Come by Jerramy Fine (Hilarious memoir- easy, funny read!)

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. by Sam Wasson (behind the scenes of Breakfast at Tiffany's!)

(All available here)

Fun Ideas...

Movies: Something Borrowed, No Strings Attached, Friends With Benefits

(All available here)

Games: Catchphrase and Just Dance 3 

(Both available here)

Hope all of these ideas help! I will update as I think of more... Obviously I left out the usual and obvious stocking stuffers...

My Dad's Response to My Christmas List...

Since I got out of college, I have been making an annual Christmas list. I finally figured out that if my family was going to spend money on me it might as well be on things that I want. Lets be honest- the year before I started my list I got around 5 items of clothing I have never worn to this day. Not that I'm not very appreciative of everything, but if you are going to spend the money I would like to give some helpful guidelines. Anyway just to show how hilarious my dad is...this is his response to my first Christmas list back in 2008. 




Dearest, Darling Kate:

The following is a link to the Wall Street Journal  www.wsj.com . I hate to be the one to break this to you but our  world, the United States, North Carolina, Snider Tire, and John and Carole Snider are in a recession.  Although your attempt to provide this economic stimulus is quite patriotic and shows how selfless you are, it may be difficult for us to get the financing necessary to purchase the items on your list. We also must run it through the whole naughty and nice testing to see what you are entitled to on the meager budget we have to work with.  Your dear mother has asked only for a battery charger to replace the one you left in New York so that we can use our camera again.  Thank you for taking the time to create this beautiful document and I suggest you save it for a time when we are again eating three meals a day.

Santa








Apparently he didn't understand that the list was a mere suggestion of things to pick and choose from... Obviously this year I have been very nice so I would think that any picking and choosing isn't really necessary. 

And the Countdown Begins...

I can't believe it's already December!! Thanks to Jono and Ashley I will be starting the Christmas season off with a bang at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert tonight! Can't wait!! If you have the chance to go see them this year I highly recommend it!! I'm hoping my jingle bell earrings aren't too much...