what are you doing new years eve?

Me, Pat, and Rory are getting ready to head over the pass for a long weekend and to ring in the new year. Fingers crossed for snow!!!

I found this earlier and thought it appropriate. Wouldn't you say?
Sorry if its cliche, but I love them both too. :)

Happy New Year!!

remakes

At least ten years ago when we all first moved in together me, my sister, and step siblings took a series of black and white pictures for my parents that they still have framed and hanging up in the main hallway of our house. Me and Leah have been talking about recreating them for years, but finally got it together and took them for Christmas this year. Of course, we had a few new additions to include as well.

Here is how they turned out! (extremely photo heavy)

[[ pictures of: me/meagan/leah/nic/johnny/jenna/dest/pat/adil. ]]

And here are a couple outtakes before I made them black and white so you can see how silly we looked with all of the different colors we were wearing! Notice Meagan always looks good though... she is an alien.

[[ outtakes. ]]

Finally, if you need some reference I am including some of the old pictures. Keep in mind that these were quick shots taken on our phones stealthily and definitely have some glare to them since they were in frames, but they should help you get the idea. 

[[ some of the originals for reference. ]]

pre-christmas gift opening

Here are some pictures from me and Pat opening our presents Thursday night. Pat got me everything on my Christmas list! Thanks babe!! He also got me a new straightener since my old one was real old and falling apart. I got him a ton of comics, Nintendopoly (yes, he asked for all of these), and a special box set of Glenfiddich 12 year which is a scotch he likes. I got a few silly things for his stocking as well, and "Santa" brought "us" (*cough* Pat) a special Lord of the Rings book he has been wanting. (*cough* nerd *cough*).

Please excuse the way I look in these pictures/lack of makeup... prior to celebrating our Christmas together I was having not such a good night.

[[ stockings. to babe from babe. presents under the tree. opening presents. the mess. our  fancy gift tags. ]]

Tomorrow I think I will show off the rest of my new goodies, and some of the things we gave my siblings.

weekend adventures 47

Weekend Adventures from the long Christmas Weekend! I am going to have separate posts for Me & Pat's Christmas, Christmas at my Dads, and my goodies, as well as a post about the present me and my siblings worked on for my Dad hopefully this week, and some New Years posts next week.



thursday
First of all after work I ran to FedEx to pick up my new computer a whole day early! Yay! Later on, Pat, not being able to stand waiting anymore decided that it was time for Christmas presents! I quickly wrapped up his last few stocking stuffers, grabbed my camera, and we began. He got me everything I asked for! Such a good boy. I got him presents suited for a 12 year old boy, but comics and Nintendopoly were what he had asked for specifically. I also got him a nice bottle of Scotch to even it out. I will do a whole post for this tomorrow.

[[ new computer! potter mug from tiff! nerdy necklace. ]]

friday
In the morning I got up determined to work on my hair a bit since I was not 100% sold on the outcome (as mentioned Friday), I will post more on this next week when I get a chance. This took a LOT longer than I expected because I was really going slow to make sure I would not mess anything up! In retrospect, I wish I would have left everything on longer so that it would be a bit more dramatic, but again, that is another story. When we finally left for Portland everyone was off doing their own things, so we stopped by Bridgeport briefly for a snack. Next we headed to my Dad's house to meet up with everyone and relax a little bit before dinner.

We had reservations at a German restaurant downtown called Bruner and everyone came out. One nice thing about having a big family is that you always get the big tables in their own little areas. Me and Pat shared bratworsts and a salad, it was delicious. After a lovely dinner, me, Pat, Leah, and Nic went over to the East Side to a bar called Rose and Thistle where some of Leah's friends were. I was super full from dinner so I just hung out while the boys drank and talked. I want to go back there again, it seemed like a pretty chill little place, plus, they had a creepy Braveheart poster hanging up in the womens bathroom... oh yea. We got home around 2:30 or so and passed out super sleepy from all of our running around.

[[ dinner menu. jenna/meagan. pat/me. leah/nic. jenna/meagan. tahlia/johnny. dad/dest. me/leah. ]]

saturday (christmas eve)
We got up early in the morning, showered, got dressed nice, and started working on the gift for my Dad and Stepmom Patty. I will reveal this later on, but it involved my camera and some black and white photos taken over 10 years ago. After we got these all done me, Meagan, and Pat ran out towards my Mom's place (after a quick pitstop) for Christmas Eve dinner with Deans family at his brothers house in Sherwood. We were doing a white elephant gift exchange and everyone loved the Beaver Gnome that me and Pat brought (score!). Dinner was delicious, and it was good to see everyone. Two of my Mom's siblings were there as well who I had not seen in years, and of course, it is always nice to spend some time with my Grandma Norma who I do not see all too often.

After dinner we went back to my Moms place to open our presents and give mom hers. As I type I am wearing a pretty sweet Ninja Turtle shirt she got me because I was obsessed when I was little. She also got me the mirror jewelry box I have been coveting since I first saw it a few years ago, a few more books for me and Pat to add to our collection, and The Count of Monte Cristo for Pat (one of his favorites!) Thanks Madre. We wrapped up the night by watching Christmas Vacation together before heading back over to my Dads.

[[ driving over to moms. posing in front of the tree, me/meagan/pat. ]]

Every year before bed us kids open up new PJs to sleep in, and then we finish up presents while the parents and little one sleep. This year it was a full house... Me/Pat, Leah/Adil (her boyfriend), Johnny/Tahlia (his girlfriend), Nic, Jenna, Meagan, Destiny, my Dad/Patty, Uno the cat, and evil dog Dodger. Seriously full house.



sunday (christmas day)
I was awake and putting the finishing touches on my presents for my sisters when a little munchkin popped her head in Meagan's room (where me and Pat were sleeping) to tell me that it was "Santa time Jenny!", so I finished up as quickly as I could and headed downstairs. We opened up our presents, and then started making breakfast/lunch (around 1). Omeletts and Mimosas as usual. For the rest of the day we sat around, watched Christmas movies/football/basketball, napped, had some drinks, napped some more, played silly games, ate cookies, cookies, and more cookies, and sat around. Dinner was delicious but made everyone sleepy! It was harder this year with everyone worrying about their significant other, usually the girls end up having a kitchen dance party, but not this year. Instead, Patty busted out bins of old photos and everyone started going through theirs. I was sad because mine was no where to be found, but my Dad and Pat went on a mission and found it! I have the best picture of me and my Dad from when I was first born, I will have to post some of these soon too. Now, if only I knew where all of my little projects from elementary school ran off to.

[[ letter from santa. leah opening her santa gift. pat modeling a shirt. headphones. sweater shorts. stocking. houses. going through photos. turtle power. ]]

monday
Everyone was off doing their own thing yesterday, Leah and Adil decided to go up to the mountain, so me and Pat went to the mall to switch a few things. I ended up meeting up with an old friend I have not really talked to in years at the Cheesecake Factory for about an hour. It was pretty good to catch up with her since we used to be super super close. ...We will have to see if anything stems from that.

We were all going to meet up for dinner, but Leah and Adil were running late, and Pat wanted to stop by his Grandparent's house on the way home, so we said goodbye and took off towards Salem. We visited with his Grandparent's for an hour or so before making our way home, which I know made him happy. P.S. his Grandma makes the best Chexmix! Finally home after a long weekend we unloaded, ate some dinner, and relaxed before bed.


.

merry christmas to all and to all a good weekend

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and such. At my parents place now about to head out to dinner. I hope everyone has an excellent long weekend!
Be back Tuesday!!

[[ our picture with santa! yay! ]]

clark griswold has nothing on these

Hellooooo, still working on my hair a bit, but I will have a post for you next week about what me, and Jill my hairdresser did to it! I was not initially sold on the outcome, so I decided to take matters in to my own hands a bit, but more on that later.



For now check out this Christmas light madness!!! These people are nuts. I cannot even imagine how long that would take!! Sorry Clark Griswold, you got nothin on this!

<

Or perhaps this one is more your style?

enjoy!

midweek inspiration 31

Since Christmas is soon approaching and I am currently listening to my Christmas station on Pandora, I feel it is only fitting that this weeks addition of Midweek Inspiration involves Christmas craft projects! Disclaimer... I have yet to make any of these, but I intend to, probably for next year. Especially the tree star because I am not thrilled with our current place holder.

1. Glitter Ornament Tutorial from Sweet Paul
2. Paper Stars from Home by Linn
3. Holiday Door Mat DIY from A Beautiful Mess
4. Home Made Snow Globes from Martha Stewart
5. Make Your Own Mistletoe from Stay At Home Artist
6. DIY Yarn Letters from Jen Loves Kev

.

happy birthday johni

Happy Birthday Johni Love!
I miss you much, every single day, and wish you were here.

This little picture reminded me of you, so I colored her up a bit to look more like you and made her your birthday card. I think her kitty looks a bit like Luna too, so it seemed especially fitting. I think you would very much like a kitty tea party after all.

[[ happy birthday johni love. 26. ]]

Love you. ♥

favorite christmas movies

This past week and weekend we watched quite a few Christmas movies! YAY!
My favorites are:

- Christmas Vacation

Chevy Chase. Duh. What else needs to be said?

- The Grinch
Because Jim Carey is great in this movie! "Slunk!" And the costumes/sets are incredible.

- How The Grinch Stole Christmas (animated)

- Home Alone

- Its a Wonderful Life

"Buffalo gals won't you come home tonight, come home tonight, come home tonight. Buffalo gals won't you come home tonight, and dance by the light of the moon." Great story.

- The Year Without a Santa Clause / Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (classics)

TYWASC was my favorite when I was little, though I think I like Rudolph more now.

- Elf
Because this movie is hilarious. "Buddy the Elf, whats your favorite color?" Plus, they do a great job of mixing in references from the old Christmas movies.

- Miracle on 34th Street (the newer one)

- Jingle All The Way
because of this line, "Who told you you could touch MY cookies?! Put those cookies DOWNNN! NOW!" - Arnold

I got the images above from the following links:
Christmas Vacation / The Grinch / How the Grinch Stole Christmas / Home Alone / Elf / The Year Without a Santa Clause / Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer / Miracle on 34th Street / It's a Wonderful Life

broken laptop part III

Well guys, I just got my Apple Credit Card in the mail which means that my new MacBook Pro will FINALLY be purchased this weekend!!! Yay for no more broken screen!! I am pumped! I hope it comes fast, I can hardly stand to wait anymore... I am officially ordering it tomorrow. Goodbye $$$. Expensive, but worth it.

[[ images from the apple website. ]]

silly things

Hello. Not much time today because I have to run home and get ready for my work Christmas Party, so I am keeping it short. Here are some silly photobooth pictures me and Pat took with my Pocketbooth ap. while we were decorating the Christmas tree. :)

[[ playing with pocketbooth. ]]

midweek inspiration 30

Happy Wednesday... this week is going by quick. I really love my hair, but I have been bored with it for a long time. Though I do not want to cut it short or dye it all, I have thought about doing a bit of an ombre for a while now. Nothing so intense as Drew Barrymore's messy renditions, but just a little bit at the bottom. Either way I really need a haircut, so I guess you will have to wait and see what I decide when I get one on Friday. :) I am a little nervous though! I have only highlighted my hair once or twice in high school and that was a long time ago. I guess you could say I am a bit of a baby when it comes to commitment even when it is just my hair.

Here are some pretty examples I have been envying. 

1. image from Story of Style 

2. image from haironthebrain.com

3. image from NHY-PHEN

4. image from jenhammer.com

5. image from Fashion Toast

6. Rachel Bilson image from Pinterest (original source unknown)

7. image from coolspotters.com

8. image from Zoella

9. image from Pinterest (original source unknown)

10. image from Pinterest (original source unknown)

beginning to look a lot like christmas

Saturday we spent part of the afternoon Christmasifying our place!
Check it out!

[[ our christmas tree! homemade wreath. our stockings. closeup. snowflake. santa gnomes. childhood ornament. i spy. my paper ornaments. nordstrom bag. osu. the matrioska doll i made. new ice cream ornament! beavers snowman. santa. teenage mutant ninja turtles, pats childhood ornament. stockings up close. me and the tree. ]]