Goodbye 2012.

I can't believe we have reached the end of 2012.  Mr. Frederiches and I both had to work but got to leave a wee bit early.  It was a nice surprise and totally unexpected for me.  It made for light traffic on the way home, which is ALWAYS a good thing.

On our way to dinner we got to see an impromptu firework show.  It was short lived and we aren't sure where they were coming from, but it was a fun thing to see!  We enjoyed a delicious dinner at one of our favorite Mexican food restaurants and concluded with some ice cream for dessert. It was a great way to close out the year.  I'm not sure we will make it until midnight.  I rarely ever do, but we should be able to celebrate with the East Coasters!

I've seen lots of Best Of and Favorites Of 2012 posts around the internet which started a discussion with Mr. Frederiches and I about some of our favorite moments over the last year.  In no particular order.

1.  Canoe Trip in Higgins Lake - What a great day and I think if you ask anyone that went what their favorite part of the trip was they would say that day.  We are all anxious to have a repeat canoeing day, perhaps a little longer next time and maybe my brother can join us.  The whole Michigan trip was pretty fantastic, but the Canoe day definitely my favorite.

2. Ragnar - For me this was an experience I will never forget. I think Mr. Frederiches would even agree.  The team has continued to do two more races and hopefully I will be able to join them for a future race.

3.  Trip to Mackinac Island - It was part of the Michigan vacation, but in my mind it was a separate vacation.  It is still remains one of my favorite places and I long for it constantly.  Although currently they are covered in snow so maybe I'll just enjoy the pictures from the comfort of my warm home.  I love the ability to walk and bike, the fresh air, the trips to the ice cream store and our other favorite eateries.  I think next time we go it will be in September again so the crowds are lighter, but still a great time!

4.  The Hockey Playoffs - We haven't had the opportunity to see very much hockey due to the lockout, but we definitely enjoyed the hockey games and the playoffs to start out the year.  The energy and excitement of the playoffs is what made us fall in love with going to the games to it stands to reason it was a 2012 highlight.  The Coyotes made it to the finals which made it all the better.  The outcome wasn't as we had hoped, but we loved it still.

5.  Thanksgiving -  This is always a favorite day for me.  It was a rare occasion that we didn't have to attend a second thanksgiving so we got to enjoy the family all the longer.  It was a beautiful day.  We played at the park and enjoyed each other's company and delicious food!

6.  Birthday Week - It is unusual that anything lives up to my expectations, but I thought Birthday week was close.  Mr. Frederiches loves to celebrate his birthday for a whole week and this year I tried to embrace it.  I was happy with how it turned out.

I'm looking forward to all the little things that come our way in 2013, because the little things aren't always so little!

Underfoot.

I'm not sure this picture needs any words, but just in case it does.... Tucker and I spent the afternoon very close.  Very close.  I think maybe he was missing my sister or maybe just needed some extra attention, but he needed to be underfoot at all times. I tried rubbing his ears and giving him treats, but he was quite restless.  He finally settled down a bit, but only if he was snuggled up under my chair.

Adorable.

My sister, Mr. Frederiches and I got to spend a couple hours with these adorable kids today.  We were watching them while their Dad attended a wedding.  At my mom's suggestion, we brought goodie bags for the kids filled with cookies, cars, playing cards, coloring books and crayons.  What a great idea that turned out to be!  We colored, played cars, ran in the grass enjoying the beautiful weather and before we knew it Dad was ready to for them.  

I told them that I thought maybe I would just keep them and they could live at my house. With a very serious face I was asked if I had toys.  Once I answered yes, they were all in to come live with me! I miss these kids and wish they lived closer.  I was so glad to get to spend some time with my BFFs today.  Love them!

100 Square Feet.

My sister came to hang out with us for the weekend and we spent most of the day together in our office, all 100 square feet of it.  Mr. Frederiches and I often ask each other if we all, and by all I mean the guard dogs included, end up spending the majority of our time in one room why is it that we have so much space.  The answer is never a good one other than we wanted a place closer to the family.

Between laptops and computers we have each been working on our own projects while in the same room, laughing, chatting and simply enjoying each other, together and separately.  Just the way we like it.

I made dinner for all of us and then we went and enjoyed ice cream on a 45 degree chilly night under the heat lamps.  Only us.  Only in Arizona.  And just because we love her so...

I realize this next picture is blurry, but there is something about it that I just love. 

Goodbye Christmas.

Today Mr. Frederiches and I packed up all of Christmas.  It is a little sad to see it go, but it also nice to have the hotel back to normal.  We went through the closets and packed up a couple of boxes to bring to Goodwill, vacuumed and washed the bedding.  We are ready to ring in the New Year with a fresh start.

I keep seeing the saying "The days are long, but the years are short" all over the internet and the older I get the more true this saying is.  I can't believe we are on the heels of a New Year.  I'm not quite sure how we got here in the lightning fast fashion that we did.  I am grateful to look back at the pictures to remind me of all that we have done and accomplished this past year.  It was an extremely busy one!  The time off with Mr. Frederiches has been a wonderfully relaxing way to end 2012.  We have watched movies, relaxed, taken naps, read books.  It has been just what we needed.  What are you doing to closeout 2012?

Christmas Peacocks?

There is a house just down the street that has a Peacock as part of the Christmas decorations.  I have been waiting all month to see this peacock lit up and tonight was my chance.  I think it is great when people have Christmas decorations that are outside-the-box and this peacock pleases me so.  It makes me wish I would have bought my hippopotamus in lights a couple years ago, which is never to be found again.  Trust me. I've looked.  Because, we all want a hippopotamus for Christmas or even a peacock will do.  I'll have to be on the look out during the after Christmas sales for my very own out-of-the-box Christmas yard decoration.

Merry Christmas!

Today was a busy day for us.  We hopped from place to place spending as much time with everyone before it was time to move on to the next place. We started the morning opening gifts at the Hotel, proceeded to my dad's for breakfast and then on to my mom's to spend some time with my brother and the pastry chef and then tried to go see a movie with Mr. Frederiches' Dad.

Unfortunately the movie part was a bust.  You wouldn't believe, well at least we couldn't, the amount of people at the movie theater.  The movie we went to see was sold out and all the others in the time slot were sold out as well.  People had been waiting a couple hours to find a movie and get seats.  I never would have guessed that it was that popular to see a movie on Christmas.  We will have to postpone the movie until another less busy day.  Tomorrow we will meet for dinner and celebrate Christmas.

I think the best part of the day was playing Yahtzee at my mom's with the family.  There was fun, laughs, quality time, no hustle, no bustle, no dishes or fussing over meals.  It was perfect.  I think we need to find a way to have Christmas like this every year.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night.

Joe.

This is Joe, he is an eight year-old sweet dog of some unknown breed with a docked tail.  He showed up at my Dad's door tonight, just looking like he wanted to come in and join in on the fun. My dad's dogs were going crazy and this dog just stared back at us looking sad and lonely.  My sister and I went outside and he was gentle and shy.  He didn't bark or jump, but he did start to run.  I called the number on his tag to hopefully get a hold of his owner.  Someone had to be missing this dog especially on Christmas Eve.  We were able to speak to his owner who said he wouldn't be home for a couple hours and we could either keep him or send him on his way. We chose to keep him.  I did mention to the owner what a sweet dog he was and the owner replied, "Do you want to keep him?"  What person tries to give his dog away?

For the two hours he was with us, he got lots of love and attention and when his owner showed up he went home, but I have to admit there is something that tugs at my heartstrings for this sweet dog.  When the owner came to pick him up he said to me that he thought maybe he showed up at the house for a reason on Christmas Eve.  Perhaps there was a reason, but I'm not sure what it would be.

We enjoyed a Stromboli dinner, a Christmas Eve tradition in which I make the Stromboli and then my dad and I proceed to debate on the doneness of said Stromboli.  It turned out it was done, but perhaps not to my dad's liking.  I thought it was delicious.

I was able to take this picture of my dad's tree with my phone.  I'm not sure how it came to be, but I like the artistic quality of it.

Merry Christmas Eve.

Toys.

My mom got the guard dogs stuffed toys for Christmas.  It turns out the Tucker likes both his and Annie's toy and I'm not sure is willing to share.  The house is now filled with stuffed animals that Tucker likes to throw around and play with.  He likes to store them in the back yard.  Good thing it doesn't rain that often here!  Annie has been enjoying the treats my mom bought for them.  Thanks Nana for all the goodies. We have two very spoiled guard dogs at The Hotel!

The Magic of Christmas.

Due to Christmas falling in the middle of the week and people having to work the day after Christmas, we celebrated Christmas with my brother and his family.  As crazy as things were trying to get everything ready early, it turned out to be a wonderful day.   It was relaxing, everyone was in good spirits and rested.  Dinner was delicious.  We played games, we laughed.  I think my nephew and niece are the best thing since sliced bread.  They are adorable and funny and I loved spending the day with them.

There is something about being surrounded by kids at Christmas time that makes the magic of the season come to life.  I tend to get wrapped up in the details, the gifts, the things and it's hard to not lose the fun and excitement that comes with this time of year.  Christmas was always my favorite.  The weather cools, everything is so decorated, there was a magic in the air. Now I'm older and I find this time of year hard and exhausting trying to get everything done.  There are late nights, little sleep and lots of waiting in line.  But, it's moment like these, moments when it all comes to an end, where you can sit back relax, realize it's all worth while and relish in the magic of the holiday, especially through the eyes of a child.

Cookie Baking Day.

One day, right before Christmas I bake cookies, lots of cookies, for family and friends to enjoy.  Some days my mom and sisters come over and we make it a party, some days, like this year, I'm on my own.  I baked 5 different cookies and a batch of truffles.  I didn't feel like any one of the cookies was amazing, which is why I should not try new recipes on cookie baking day.  In hindsight they were all good, just none were wowing! The worst part of all was I was lonely.  Everyone was at work.  I turned on the tv to have some "company" but I wasn't getting the feedback that apparently I need to keep me going.

My mom, my hero, did the hard part.  The sugar cookies. She stayed up until 2AM frosting the cookies so they would dry in time for me to package up and deliver.  She also made some delicious snickerdoodles and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for me.  I don't know how she does it, but she managed to work and help me bake all at the same time.  Next year, we will plan to do it together.  Baking by yourself just isn't any fun.  I hope everyone enjoys their cookies!

The Stockings are Hung.

The stockings are hung by the bookcase with care.  This is one of my favorite decorated spaces for Christmas.  Our stockings are carefully hung and the top is filled with cards from all of our family and friends.  On most days I wish we had a fireplace in which to hang the stockings, but I think this works quite well.

Congrats!

On this day my sister graduated!! Yeah! We are all so proud of her and look forward to watching her progress in the future.  The keynote speaker spoke about living life to it's fullest whether it be to live to 25 or 85.  Each day is a precious one.  This message is so timely in light of the recent events and a good reminder to enjoy each day, to enjoy the little things and the big things.  One particular point I found most interesting is he told a story of when his first child was born about 30 years ago.  He and his wife started a journal, writing just 15 minutes a day.  They wrote stories about their family, their kids and now their grandkids.  He said that they have written each day, not missing one, and have written over 15,000 pages.  What a precious gift he and his wife have given to their family.  He has made sure to document all the little things, the stories, the precious moments, the "kid's say the darndest things" conversations.

It made me think.  Isn't that what I am trying to do in some small way?  Aren't I trying to remember the precious moments and the little things?  I struggle with what to write and what my "online" identity is.  I want to share, but not share too much.  It is a little bit of a struggle, but I think if I am able, if we are all able to keep the overall goal in mind it might help light the way.

Let the Christmas Festivities Begin.

We went to my mom's to have Christmas dinner with my grandparents.  My mom made a delicious
Corn and Poblano Lasagna and chicken noodle soup.  We opened presents and had some laughs.  I can't wait to show you the beautiful journal my grandma made for me.  

Let's also take a moment to admire my mom's tree.  I love this tree.  I love our tree, but there is something magical about my mom's tree.  It might be the white lights or the tinsel that dances in the slight breeze of the fan.  Whatever the case I could sit and look at this tree all night.  

Christmas Giving.

I received a call from my carpool partner (we weren't carpooling today) just minutes before I was to leave that the freeway was closed.  This left me scrambling to notify others living up my way and for me to find another way home.  I sent Mr. Frederiches a message that the freeway was closed and I would be meandering my way home.  And meandering is exactly what I did.  After a lot of red lights, a lot of red lights, a lot of traffic including merging lanes and construction, I managed to avoid the accident on the freeway and 1 hour and 45 minutes later arrive safely at home.

Unfortunately, the long trip home did not play well in to my plans to get all the Christmas cards assembled, filled out, addressed and stamped.  Mr. Frederiches knew this all to well and called me on my way home asking how he could help.   When I got home, I saw him working diligently at his little work station he created, carefully folding Christmas cards.  The whole scene melted my heart.  He also took out the trash, did the dishes and had my pumpkin chai drink waiting for me in the freezer.

I'm not sure I could have asked for a better Christmas gift than this.  What a wonderful, thoughtful husband I have, especially one that would subject himself to Santa's sweatshop.  That, my friends, is LOVE and Christmas Giving.

Tiny Trees.

The Christmas sweatshop is continuing strong.  Today I made 50+ tiny trees to be carefully placed onto this years Christmas cards.  Tomorrow they must get out in the mail.  I think I have pushed this project to the last minute.  It seems that this year I am working based solely on when the task is "due" or in crisis mode as I like to call it.  Today the trees had to be made and the cards printed.  I would have liked for them to be addressed and mailed, but that will have to wait for tomorrow.

Gingerbread Houses.

What a busy day.  It was filled with family fun and began with a trip to our favorite coffee shop and a volleyball game.  The day was overcast, cold and rainy.  An unusual day for us, but an enjoyable one.  It made it feel a bit more like winter and Christmas than the 75 - 80 degree days we have been experiencing.  After the game, we enjoyed soup and sandwiches at one of our favorite places.  It was the perfect day for soup.

We decided to add a little holiday fun to the day by decorating some gingerbread houses, or as the box said a gingerbread village.  The started as flat slabs and first had to be made into houses, allowed to dry and then decorated.  I think they turned out adorable.  We had some good laughs and it was a nice distraction from the constant hustle and bustle of the season.

And now for the grand reveal....

Aren't they adorable?

Storm Aftermath.

Last night Mr. Frederiches and I woke up to rain drops pounding on our windows and the wind rustling all the surrounding trees.  I got out of bed and peeked outside to make sure all the trees were still standing.  And then it left as quickly as it came, but by the looks of things today it was apparent and the seriousness of the storm.  I didn't see any downed trees, but I did see lots of standing water and washed away roadways.  The desert always looks beat up after a storm and today is no different.

Third Set.

The last set of Angel gifts were delivered today and are set to be delivered to the families tomorrow.  I think I'm officially done with my Angel shopping.  Now I have to finish up the family Christmas gifts.

In case you are dying of curiosity as to what we came up with for outfits I took pictures before I wrapped the gifts for you all to see.

I am much more excited about the little boy's outfit than the little girls, but hopefully both of them are excited about their new outfits.  

12-12-12.

Happy 12-12-12!  Did anything exciting happen for you today?  I heard there was going to be an unusual amount of weddings occurring today.  It would be a good date for that, even if you did have to share it with a bunch of other people.  

Mr. Frederiches and I enjoyed our evening out shopping with numerous other people.  We were shopping for the last of the Angel gifts and it was hard.  There was a reason that it was the last two on the tree.  It's hard to shop for kids you don't know, let alone have never seen.  I think all Angel cards should be accompanied with a picture.  At least then you could get a feel for their tast in clothes.  One was a boy so that was fairly easy, but the other was a girl, age of 9, but in an awkward size.  Too big for kids, but too young for adult clothes.  I remember that stage and it was awful.  We got her something a little funky.  I hope she is a funky 9 year old.  All the people in the picture above were waiting for it to snow.  Every night at 7 and 8 it snows that special Arizona snow.  Only in Arizona, would people gather around to see soap bubbles fall from the sky and call it snow. It's pretty fun to see all the kids get excited.  They know it's soap, but like to believe that it's snow and so will act accordingly.  And as with all good snow adventures, it is capped off with ice cream for dessert.  Mr. Frederiches and I enjoyed the snow and the ice cream right along with everyone else.  Only in Arizona!

The holiday decoration of the day is this adorable fireplace made out of cardboard and paper.  Isn't it amazing? We are having a decorating contest at work so there is all kinds of fun things appearing around the building.