we're back.

and feeling great...FINALLY!

i took a mini hiatus from blogging when we were away and for the two days that we've been back. the absence of blog pressure in my life was a bit refreshing. *wink.

after our amazing trip this last week, we came home on sunday to celebrate christmas with some friends. yes, christmas. it's not every march that your waitress at red robin wishes you "merry christmas" as you're leaving. it provided a good chuckle either way. we went back to our friend's lovely house to open and exchange. i fully expected a christmas tree to be standing proudly in their living room, buuut...nope. totally kidding. could you imagine?

like i said, we had an amazing time last week. we spent most of our time with family, even meeting a couple new members. i worked at the most amazing chinese restaurant for over three years that 17 of us met up at to enjoy dinner wednesday night.how appropriate is this?!eating healthy totally out the window for a few days and not even a pound gained. i call that a mystery miracle. this included chewy chips ahoy (yum!), sour jolly rancher gummies (totally HAVE to try these if you haven't), mt. st. helen's pie (oh my! my mother's a genius), fried burritos (another genius of my mother), and a modge podge of other sugary carb goodness.

i was able to spend some much needed time with my sister in law on thursday. with a stop at their new coffee shop, i snapped a few pictures of their gem and enjoyed some *free* coffee. it's good to be in the family circle. *wink. their place is rockin' and hoppin'. i told my brother that he was created to make coffee - i seriously had the best iced white mocha my taste buds have ever sipped!uncle jake even made jess a special strawberry/banana smoothie!

what better place to catch up on some shopping them target? huddy was such a trooper being the only boy. we scoped some birthday gifts and entertained the kleenex aisle (another strange obsession of mine - cute tissue boxes).
my mom was so cute when i got into town - i wasn't allowed to go to the house without her there because she wanted to show me their family room redo. it is absolutely beautiful...amazing...gorgeous...a wow moment! here's miley playing in the new "grand baby area" and a few shots overall. the only thing missing is the wall art that is on order.
they ripped up old carpet and put in real hardwood floors in a rich finish. new baseboard molding - gorgeous. pendant and recessed lighting - so glowy. new curtains that make it look like a theatre room. it all came together so perfectly! which is fantastic because they put in their own sweat and labor. as with everything they do.

a few more...

did i mention we're going back this friday? but this time, with the whole family. *smile.