Hair Update

I wanted to make sure I posted an update on my hair- since the journey has been surprising. I went in for a trim a couple weeks ago. Christy, my hair dresser, made a comment to the hair dresser next to her about me growing out my hair- since that was the original plan. The statement made me feel like it was official- I was growing it out. At that moment I realized I wasn't quite ready, I think I am actually having fun with this new mop I have. I don't know when it happened, but I have really come to love my hair now. I have tailored my new cut to just the way I like it, longer here, and short there. I have figured out how I like to style it so that I still feel cute and girly, but then hip and edgy too. I have noticed that I have changed the way I dress, they way I do my makeup and I never leave the house without a pair of earrings. These originally were all my desperate acts to look more feminine with my "devestating cut." To be honest, I feel much more fashionable. I can't say if I have just built up more confidence or if my ability to pull off more trendy styles has increased.

I recently had my first modeling gig. A friend of mine makes these awesome pendants.

Ugly Sweater Party

You know you have great friends when the highlight of your holiday season is an Ugly Sweater Party. Especially when your friends feel at ease enough to come dressed like this...

Ben borrowed some of his wife's fake pony tail to create his own creepy do. The scary part was that he pulled if off too well...

Ali as...

Amazing that they found these just the other day at Steinmart...

The awards begin...

"An Innocent Toy Had to Die For Your Sweater" Award went to Jake (this is a very poor picture of Jake, but the best of his sweater- you can see the end of his reindeer on the back of his sweater) ...

The "Dickie-rific and Creepiest" award goes to Ben and Annie (she made her own Dickie since they are hard to come by now-a-days)...

The "Best Couple Sweater Combos" award goes to Andrew and Michelle (she will be shipping them off to her Mother-in-law who thinks they are cute, if you want a pair of your own you can find them at k-mart)...The "Knowing The Owner Of Your Sweater" award went to Kim and Kevin (they snuck them out of his parents house)...The "You Need a Tie With That" goes to the one and only Connor (I have to keep watch around the clock to keep him from burning it)...The "Best 80's" award goes to Dan and Janet...The "Ticky-Tacky" award goes to ME...

The "Grand Prize" winner goes to Ben and Megan. They get the coveted gnome that will be the grand prize for next year's Ugly Sweater Party...

And the people who made it all possible, our lovely hosts, Julie and Patrick (Patrick got his very chic mug on amazon)...

I hope your holidays have been just as cheery!!

Time to Dance

I have been tempted to put Ashlyn into dance classes recently. However, I can't seem to get past the fact that my parents spent thousands on many, many years of dance classes for me. "Why can't I put that money to good use and pass my talents on?" I asked myself. I decided to teach her beginning ballet. However, the most fun part of dance class is the environment- lots of little dancing friends. So we invited some of Ashlyn's friends to participate with us...

It has been a fun but also challenging experience. There are days where Ashlyn definitely treats me like MOM instead of TEACHER. GRRR! Some days we have 6-7 girls, other days just two or three. After a few weeks in I realized I needed to change gears and see the class in a different way. At this age it isn't about doing it right, it's about learning to love dance, to enjoy it, to be creative with their bodies and fun. So that is what our class has focused on. It's been really FUN!

Thanksgiving 2011

I had the most wonderful Thanksgiving this year. It was relaxing, and that was a huge gift in itself.

It started out with a 5k at 8 am at the near by high school for a no drunk and driving cause. Then hurried over to the ward Turkey bowl. This was by far Dylan and Connor's highlight of possibly the entire year. We had enough people to play two big games and even a little kid game. When the little kids were done they came and played with the big guns. I even got to play- what a treat thanks to Hannah. I did however, come home with war wounds. I was covering bishop and he was off with the ball toward the end zone. I was running right on his tail but couldn't quite catch him. I knew I had to dive for it, but I got him! Dylan and Connor have many of their own success stories as they were on the winning team of the winners game. I of course realized that I hadn't taken any pictures until everyone was walking to their cars...

We had two families that also don't have family around over for dinner. Lucky for me, Patrick brought the turkey, it's always good when he makes it. Shelley brought the most amazing appetizers. The company was great and of course football got turned on near the end. All-in-all, it was a success!

I was also very happy with the center piece. I kept it there until yesterday when Christmas took over...

FYI- For all of those who wish you lived in Raleigh...Today is December 7th and this morning at 7 AM it was 65 degrees already. We sure have been having pleasant weather this last MONTH!!