Ryan & Zoe with play with her camera.
I found these silly pictures while I was uploading this morning.
They must be from the past week or so.
I love the the bed head and the "flash" smile.
I love my little family.

I do apologize for the lack of posting. The past 2 weeks we've been settling into a new routine, leaving less time and energy for things like blogging :) I changed my hours at work so I could get home a little earlier, so my morning looks a little something like this now.
4:30-5:30 Get up and drag myself to the gym.
5:30-6:30 Get Ready
6:30-6:45 Get Zoe up,dressed, & breakfast
6:45- Out the door
I'd like to lie and tell you I get up every morning at 4:30 and make the most of my gym time, but that's not always the case. I usually miss one morning a week, sometimes that 4 o'clock hour is just a little too early. Then I end up, half-sleeping and thinking that I should have just gotten up at 4:30 and worked out, because I still have to get up at 5:30.

Ryan's school schedule is full. He's taking 2 math classes, so his homework level is way up this semester. Which means we are cherishing the time the Daddy isn't busy doing homework.

I've been crafting but not taking pictures, because usually when I'm done it's late and there's just crappy apartment lighting. I'll take some pictures of my recent projects this weekend.

They include, embroidary, reverse applique, scrapbooking, glitter, baking, aprons and t-shirt makeovers....

As someone who love Valentine's day for the candy....I've been extremely disappointed in the Sweethearts Conversation Hearts....they changed the flavors! They are terrible, and they added the color blue. I was so sad. I thought my Valentine's Day would be ruined this year. Until, I was in Target today. Brach's saved Valentine's Day! They only had them in the individual packs, but they had the REAL conversation hearts.

I broke out my Cricut and my American Crafts valentine's papers to create this little banner for the kitchen:

I made a heart garland too...kinda like this....{heart garland tutorial}

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

On most weekends, it seems like we end up in Roseville.
There's just more to do there (and better places to eat :)

Saturday we visited the Fountains shopping center, which houses our favorite place. We opted to try a new restaurany instead. We went to The Counter. It was small with urban decor. The door to the patio, which was closed, is a full size clear garage door. (very cool) The menu is a clipboard with a checklist for "build your own burger". They have other menu items too, like the grilled cheese trifecta (which is what I got) Zoe got the mini burgers and they brought her food out first and way fast (we love that) Everything was great. Not healthy, but yummy! Zoe even ate the onion strings....as long as she could ,"dip it".

We ended the visit with a trip to Whole Foods, to get stuff for guacomole and homemade chips. The guac turned out great and the chips were yummy but too thick, next time we'll get thin tortillas.

I also watched the movie, Whip it.  It was funny and heartwarming "coming of age" tale as Jamie put it :)

It was nice to get out this weekend, because last weekend we were in the house the whole time, we all got anxious.

Sunday, we went to church, where nursery was a chore but Zoe managed to stay in the whole 3rd hour so Ryan and I could attend our combined meeting together. Then we ended the evening with a yummy dinner at the Humbert's.

I know life around here has been a little boring lately, not a ton new to post. Hopefully this week will hold something more exciting to post about. We are planning a trip to the zoo, provided the weather warms up soon.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

We got these for Zoe for Christmas, but hadn't opened them until tonight. I think they will be a regular weekend bathtime ritual. They are amazing, They color easily and wash right off with a washcloth. Zoe and I spent 45 minutes in the tub coloring while Ryan did homework. I highly recommend them.

I never got an electronic die cutter for myself because I couldn't justify the cost, I didn't really think I would use it that much. But, boy was I wrong! I've used this every night this week. Totally worth the cost.

this past semester, almost every wednesday, Ryan would come and meet me at work and we would go out to lunch.  we really enjoyed having this mini date throughout the week and were mourning his change in schedule for this upcoming semester, it means no more lunch dates.

well, today, Ryan just happens to be working close and called me up and asked me if I'd like to go to lunch with him. I love that he still asks me out.

we've been together for almost 5 years (married almost 3) and I love that the chivalry is still there. he still opens my doors and offers me his jacket if I'm cold.

I {heart} my husband and couldn't be happier he's mine.

XOXO,
Holly & CO.

PS. thanks Dan & Julie for raising the most wonderful man in my life.

This morning as Zoe ran up to Ryan and proudly stated "Good Morning," clear as a bell.

This weekend, Zoe was singing/mumbling, which is normal, but then we realized, she was singing the ABC song. She only sings A-G, then skips H-P, Q-T, then ends with "Double" W is her favorite and she just ends right there.

Whenever she bumps into something, she says," Oh, sorry." Whether is be me, or the door or her toy box....it's quite funny watching her apologize to her door.

Watching her grow is so bittersweet. She's getting taller and less baby like every day. I'm just dreading the day when she won't let me cuddle anymore.

Ok, enough sappyness for today.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Thursday night, we FINALLY got to go out on a double date with the Stauffers. We have spent lots of fun days and nights with the Stauffer's over the years, but have never been able to get away just us adults. We went to celebrate Preston's birthday.
We had dinner at Mas (at our suggestion :) then, headed over to Sunsplash for laser tag & mini golf. I'm proud to say that I won laser tag! I beat both our video game husbands at a shooter game. Yeah, I was happy. I have the score cards to prove it. Jamie came in at a close second to me.
Mini golf was ended at around hole 12...it was cold and getting late and we'd already lost like 3 or 4 balls. I never even asked Jamie who won..who won Jamie?



Today we decided to venture to Trader Joe's for the first time. It was packed in there, but we did come away with a few gems. Cold pressed olive oil, cinnamon letter cookies, mango lemonade, and prosciutto with pesto ravioli...yum. So tonight we're enjoying some milk & cookies while watching Monsters, INC. Zoe took a 4+ hour nap today so she'll be up for awhile.

I'm proud to report that I finished my bedroom makeover and Ryan loved it! I'll take some pictures tomorrow. I also reorganized Zoe's room and packed away all her baby clothes that have been piling up in the closet.
It seems like lately it's hitting me how fast she's growing up. I love the stage she's in, but I do miss those newborn moments. seeing those little sleepers made my heart ache a little. But then I remember the funny things she does now. How she dances whenever there's music. How she likes to come "tickle" me. How she says sorry. How she splashes in the tub and makes bubble beards. She definitely belongs in our family.

In family news, well you should probably check Natalie's blog in the near future.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Zoe has been interested in potty training for awhile now and will promptly inform you when she's gone to the bathroom. We haven't actually started potty training her yet, but she knows the process.

This morning, I got her up a little early and we turned on her farm animal DVD and cuddled on the couch with her blanket. This particular blanket is a fleece blanket with Winnie the Pooh characters all over it. You can probably guess what happened next...Zoe started naming the characters, "Piglet....Tigger...Poop!" I corrected her, trying not to giggle, but she insisted and only got louder.

We're having a good time with her learning new words and I just wanted this one recorded until I could get it in the scrapbook.

Have a great day,

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

PS. Happy birthday Preston!

So like I said before, I've gotten then items for a complete bedroom re-do, but I figured I'd just do the whole house. First to go is our ugly "martini" pillows that are on our couch. They came with our couch, but it's time for them to go. Here's the new one. It took under an hour and I was thinking about making a tutorial for it. Let me know if you're interested. I made it out of jersey/t-shirt fabric so it's comfy. Finished size is 14" x 14".

and the winner of the giveaway goes too....Jamie Stauffer.
( I used the random.org generator)
Jamie, I'll deliver the goods tomorrow :) Thanks everyone for playing. I'll try to do another giveaway soon.

Zoe has finally learned to say "Thank You!" She's been saying please for forever but wouldn't say thank you.

Ryan made his famous tacos tonight....mmmm...but he tried something new. Instead of lettuce, he made coleslaw with carrots, radishes and purple cabbage, tossed in balsamic vinegar...yum.. It was so good. Just enough crunch.

Well off to bed, early workout :)

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

*This post is meant to be light-hearted and non-offensive to those who have a differing opinion:)

New Year's was spent with the Stauffer's. We had LOTS of good food and laughs. We celebrated New Year's at 9:30 with the babies. Pots & Pans, streamers and poppers.


Although, we didn't even make it till midnight either...

Happy New Year!

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

We've been so busy with family and getting back to our routine, I haven't had a chance to post about our Christmas this year.

Christmas eve, I had to work, so I didn't get home until the late afternoon. After I got home, we all got changed and headed over to the Humbert"s. We had homemade pizza for dinner, we each got to make our own. I went with my standard pepperoni and black olive :) We enjoyed spending time with Ryan's family that evening, Great Grandma Humbert was there too. Zoe always has a good time there. Grandma read her some Christmas stories even though she was a little distracted. When the evening was winding down, we took Zoe home and put her to bed in her cute Christmas jammies.
Then Ryan and I got to work. We filled stockings and pulled out all the remaining gifts. We cuddled up and watched a movie and headed to bed.
Christmas morning, 8 am. Zoe was still sleeping, and we had to get over to the in-laws by 9am. so we woke her up. She's a lot like her mama, and doesn't appreciate being woken up. She started crying and I had to carry her out to the family rooom to show her her presents.
She stopped crying as soon as she saw her tricycle. We had stacked up some of her other presents on the seat of the bike and she pushed them off so she could sit on it! I was so happy that she loved it! Now she sits on it and says, " Vroom, Vroom." She can barely reach the pedals but she loves to sit on it.
Then we headed over to the Humbert's again, in our pjs and enjoyed a yummy breakfast and lots of presents.
After that, Naps for all!!

It was a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of joy and cheer. We did take our Christmas tree down the day after Christmas, it was getting a little to crispy for my comfort. Since the tree was going down, all the rest of the decorations came down too. So we're ready for our fresh start in 2010.