~Cookies and Updates~

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First, it is very important to note I changed a setting on my blog to allow anyone to make comments, not just bloggers. So, I expect to see some more comments, I'm just not feeling the love right now :(
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So we went to Nate and Amy's last night to make cookies. We didn't make it to the Christmas lights since Brian had to work late, but we're planning on doing that Christmas day.
Brian and I cheated and brought store bought cookies that you just plop in the oven, but they were delicious. Nate and Amy's cookies were.....interesting ;) When we opened the oven to take their cookies out, there was just 1 big flat cookie! We all had a good laugh, and I am kicking myself for not taking a picture! We are still not sure what went wrong, it seemed like all the ingredients were added, it's a mystery.

We spent a portion of the night trying to get a cute picture of Porter and MJ, I think we have a cute one...

This one you can tell they are looking at 2 different treats...
Porter gave MJ a cookie for Christmas, they both enjoyed it!
Nate and Brian
We had a good time drinking wine, eating cookies and doing our gift exchange. Nate and Amy got us this gorgeous candle decoration. I will have to take a picture once we get it all set up,it is in the shape of an S so I think it will look perfect on our little island counter!

We got Amy a Shopaholic martini glass that I think she liked. We got Nate a new wallet and a little sign that said "It takes a lot of balls to golf the way this guy does" It is of course a joke as Nate is a pro at golfing.

We had a good time socializing and laughing at our dogs :)

We are planning on having them over for dinner next week which should be fun. They are bringing the dinner and we are providing the wine!

Brian is working today as they are getting all the last minute online shoppers packages out today. Tonight is Mom R's (Brian's mom) Christmas party and I am very excited. You can expect pictures and an update to come!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

~Pictures!!~

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I am finally getting around to posting pictures, yay :)

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Car Problems

So we took Brian's car in (yes, again) to check out a leak and it is going to be $600. Normally I would probably cry and think, "why me!!" but we have had so many car problems that it hasn't really set in. Plus, I am grateful for the health of my loved ones and I. We had a pretty big scare 2 weeks ago when my 19 year old cousin had a heart attack brought on my Long QT. I am thankful he is still alive and with us today, so it's hard to get too upset about a car expense.

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Christmas Shopping

So we are done with Christmas shopping except for a gift card we need to finish off someones present. We decided we are going to get all our Christmas shopping done earlier next year to beat the crowds (good luck right?!). I have a few to wrap and then we are ready for Christmas!! This week has flown by since work has been busy for both Brian and I.

Well, I will leave you with the pictures from the Christmas party. I am pretty disappointed in myself as I did not take very many, I guess I was busy refilling the food and socializing :)

The host and hostess :)

The whole gang!

My coworker, Sarah, and I.Nate and Amy joined us after their work Christmas party

People socializing Caren (Craig's girlfriend) and I, she is so sweet!
Jaime, me, Anna, and my mom
From left, Miranda, Julie, Tiffany, Tina, and Eric
Greg and Nicole being festive!

Have a wonderful day!

~Tagged~

I was tagged by my wonderful sister, Jaime, so here are my answers:

1. 3 Things that scare me: heights, losing a loved one, drowning

2. 3 People who make me laugh: Brian, Porter (my nephew), my Dad

3. 3 Things I love: Spending time with my hubby & MJ, vacations, spending time with family

4. 3 Things I hate: Work, genuienly mean people, car expenses

5. 3 Things I don't understand: People who abuse children, why we work more than we spend time with our family, why I can’t lose weight right now.

6. 3 Things on my desk: My Bachelor’s degree, an orange candle (Go Beavs), and a stapler.

7. 3 Things I'm doing right now: Listening to Christmas music, avoiding work, moving my leg to stay warm.

8. 3 Things I want to do before I die: Have a family, travel all over the world with Brian, ensure my family knows how much they mean to me.

9. 3 Things I can do: Back flips, do double back flips when thrown into the air by 5 guys, disjoint my right shoulder (it’s gross!)

10. 3 Things I can't do: Play the piano, draw, confront people

11. 3 Things I think you should listen to: A babies laugh, “Where are you Christmas” by Faith Hill, someone tell you they love you

12. 3 Things you should never listen to: Someone telling you to go against your morals, bad commercials, racist people

13. 3 Things I'd like to learn: How to be a good mom, how to play the piano, sign language

14. 3 Favorite foods: Chips, bread, no bake cookies

15. 3 Beverages I drink regularly: milk, water, milk

16. 3 Shows I watched as a kid: Full House, Funniest Home Videos, Smurfs

~Merry Christmas!~

I just love the Holidays! I cannot believe Christmas is less than a week away, where has the time gone?!
It has been a wonderful Holiday season so far.

Brian and I hosted the annual Christmas party this last Saturday and we had a great time. I think everyone enjoyed themselves (hopefully) and we definitely had a full house. There were over 30 people in our little place! You would not believe the amount of food people brought, and I am talking GOOD food! We did the Chinese gift exchange which was a blast, people brought some good stuff this year. The most popular of the items were the Beaver blanket (Brian and I already have one otherwise we would have stolen it!) and a blanket made by Angie. I was so happy that most my family could make it to the party, it meant a lot. My mom and stepdad, my stepmom Anna, Brian's mom and stepdad, Sara, and Jaime and the kids came! I know the kids had a blast playing with Greg and Jessica's 2 little ones, they jumped on the bed, Porter threw toys, they enjoyed doing all the things they can't do at home! I don't think Jaime was too happy I was letting them get away with so much though, but I'm the aunt ;)
Brian wanted to make sure I thanked everyone for coming as we had a wonderful time with our family and friends and were so happy to share the Holidays with you guys. It was fun to look around the room and see people talking and laughing and having a good time. Thanks to everyone for a wonderful Christmas party!

Sunday was fun as we headed up to Amy and Nate's house in Keizer. We went to Mongolian Grill for dinner and then to a movie, The Holiday. The guys did not realize what a chick flick they got themselves into, but Amy and I enjoyed it and let's face it, you have to make your woman happy:) We also made plans to go up to their house on Friday to make cookies and then go through the Keizer Christmas Light show. I am so excited to do more Christmas stuff, I just can't get enough!

This Saturday we are going to Mom Renshaw's house (Brian's mom) for her Christmas party. We are bringing Craig and his new girlfriend, Caren. Caren, by the way is awesome! We love her and are so excited Craig found her! Then Sunday is Christmas Eve and thus starts our tour of 4 different houses, oh my. But I am thankful we have so many families to see, it makes the Holidays busy, but full of love, laughter, and happiness.

That is all for now, I will post pictures of the party a little later! ♥

~All 7 seasons of Macgyver, oh dear~
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Macgyver
So my manly husband decided he wanted all 7 seasons of Macgyver, that's right, good old Macgyver. For his 30th birthday I gave him the choice of skydiving tickets or the perfect chair he has always wanted, thankfully he chose the chair. So we have been hunting for the perfect chair and have not found it. He decided since it might be a couple months before we found it he wanted Macgyver as it is on sale at Costco right now. So the understanding wife I am said, gulp, ok. I have all 10 seasons of Friends and he watches them with me so I have to grin and bear Macgyver. Although I must say that he actually likes Friends (who wouldn't!) so I am not sure is 100% fair, what is though!
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Play
Well I am looking forward to Friday because we are going to a play at the First Assembly of God. One of Brian's co-workers told him about it so we thought we would go check it out. Brian also said it might be a church we would be interested going to. Since we come from 2 different religions we are trying to find a church that we both like and could see raising our kids in. It is really important to me that our kids have a strong belief in God and strong moral beliefs.
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Work Party
Saturday night we have my work Christmas party to go to. It is true landfill fashion too, we rented the bowling alley for 3 hours (eyes rolling in disgust). I have never been to this kind of Christmas party so we'll see! But seriously, I think it'll be fun. Brian and I have become friends with my co-worker, Sarah, and her husband Travis so we will get to hang out with them. Plus it is at the new bowling alley in Albany called Lakeshore Lanes (right by you Jaime!) so it should be a little nicer. Who am I kidding, bowling is bowling!
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That is all for now. Have no fear, the weekend is almost here!♥

~I love the Beavers!~
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Another Beaver Victory!
The Beavers beat Hawai'i!! Man, the game this weekend was so good, very action packed. Brian and I headed up to Bauers for the late game (it started at 9 PM our time, 7 PM Hawai'i time) and were on the edge of our seats the whole game and yelling and cheering every touch down we made. So much fun!
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Christmas Shopping
We also got some shopping done this weekend, which meant we spent a lot of money. But it is fun to get your loved ones gifts that you know they will enjoy and hopefully need :)
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Hiking
Sunday was my favorite part of the weekend though. We woke up and relaxed a bit before we headed off to McDowell Creek Falls about 20 minutes away. We packed some snacks and water and headed off with our little MJ. It was a nice sunny day out but still very cold, 37 degrees. MJ had a blast and did good staying on the trail when we took her off the leash. We brought a blanket and sat down for a little to enjoy the scenery and eat our snack. We decided we definitely have to go back in the summer when its warm. And can you believe I forgot to bring my camera?!?!? I thought it was in my purse and when I went to take it out was very sad to find it missing (it was back at the house as opposed to being lost). So we for sure have to go back so we can take pictures of the beautiful falls.
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Dinner
Our wonderful Sunday didn't end there. We headed to Winco to do our weekly grocery shopping and stopped by Brian's mom house to pick up our wreathe she ordered for us through her church, it's so pretty and smells so good! We went home and made a delicious chicken tortellini and corn casserole for dinner. For a perfect ending we watched The Grinch (the new one with Jim Carey) as Brian had never seen it. It was such a nice day and a good way to end the weekend.
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Monday
Now it's Monday and another week is starting. Being in accounting this is also month end which means long days. I also have to travel up to Portland for a training (required for all supervisors and managers) this week and am not looking forward to the drive and being away from Brian and MJ for 2 days :( Although, I don't see Brian very much during the week anyway as peak season has started at UPS so he is out until 8 or 9 everynight, bummer.
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That is all for now, have a good Monday :)