So, I'm Kind of an Elf--it's a Long Story

Last year we got to attend an ugly sweater/gingerbread house making contest. This year, the lovely hostess added a new baby, a new calling, and her husband has been working so much they flew his twin brother in to help out. It's all good that she canceled this year's party.

HOWEVER--I had picked up a nifty sweater vest at Savers in April. So I proposed a fun and festive FHE--Ugly Sweater Bowling and Hot Chocolate. Who doesn't like these two thing rolled into one fun package? I know I do. Look how excited Inger is!

Here are the "good looking" couples and their "adorable" sweaters--check out Louis' slightly pervy Christmas shirt

Love the face. Hey, you do the crime you pay the time.

Team Smith, showing off their elfin' fun

The gang of ladies--showing off our awesome sweaters and holiday spirit

Team 34 Rock Harbor Lane

Inger showing us a preview of what's to come in, oh, 4.5 more months. This seemed to freak her out a little, since her lil bun in the oven looks more like bread bloat, less bowling ball at the moment

We had some seriously good form on the lanes--especially Evan, who showed off a great spin and the winning score



Every time I got a strike or a spare, I did my elfin' jig. Too bad I didn't get it on film--it's quite charming.

Around this time, the alley manager came over and let me know that "while my holiday spirit was fun, my camera flash was really bugging the hardcore bowling leaguers, and I could only take pictures without a flash from that point on out." Okay, dude. I understand. I would NEVER dream of disrupting the reverence expected on League Night. Flash off.

We dined on some classy fare--bowling alley style

Because I can't eat pizza, and it was 11 pm (time for 2nd dinner) we hit up yet another class joint in the adjacent strip mall. May I present...WING STOP! I know this wasn't supposed to be a white trash bowling night, but I suppose that's an oxymoron.

Mmmm. Kaari liki wingi.

Then the real fun started, Travis "The Topper" Murdock started regaling us with tales of his eagle scout days. His story went a little something like this--"my eagle scout project was rejected because it was too good, too big, and took too much time." He asserted his project took 500 hours and that the end project was a huge cabin of some sort. We garnered a guess that he really built a brokedown kiosk that took a week.


Travis immediately got on the phone with his father to try and back up his story--then he realized it was 11, and his dad would have been in bed for hours. Lucky break, buddy.


Thanks to everyone for another fun night. For those that wanted my homemade cocoa mix, here you go:

Kaari's Cocoa Mix
2 cups nonfat dry powdered milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup cocoa
1/2 cup non-dairy creamer like Coffeemate
Dash of salt
Add 2-4 TBS of mix per mug of water. Top with marshmallows and enjoy!

Yes,Virginia, I Believe...

...I believe that if there is anything good and right in this world...I WILL BE STARRING IN THE NKOTB DVD CURRENTLY ON PRE-SALE. Let's examine why.

6 months

3 shows

3 hot outfits

3 nights of screaming till I had no voice

1 booty attempt to enter a club and meet D-Dub

I have to believe that I am on that video at some point, at some show. I have been scouring the video today, trying to see if I see a glimpse of myself. I'm almost 97% sure that there is footage from the San Jose show. Please, please let it be true.

This is totally all I want for Christmas!

(and an iPod docking station from Bose, Michael Kors watch, Michael Kors flats, flatiron, massages, jewelry, etc. I just don't want to look too greedy)

PS..don't bug me on 2/2/10. I will be busy watching myself on my flatscreen.

Happy 35th to my Baby!!

Not this baby...

...this baby!! Look at Baby Dobbie--he was so little!

Baby just turned 5, which is allegedly 35 in dog years. Baby is older than me! I'm okay with that--he's still my baby.

I know he can't really read this down the line, but I thought he deserved his own post. Don't we all love being showered with accolades? I know I do.

1. When we picked him out, there was a pool of 9 puppies whining and playing. It was the single cutest thing I have ever seen. We read in a book that you should stare the dog down--if they stare back without blinking or looking away, that is the litter psycho. If you have one that never, ever looks at you, that is the runt. We did the test, and baby looked away, then back, then away. He passed.

2. He was the only redhead in his litter.

3. When we brought him home, we didn't really know what to do with him. We ran around the yard with him a little, then sat there wondering what to do when he got tired.

4. We loved playing Demon Dog with him.

Demon Dog

5. We spent forever trying top pick out his name--then settled on Logan, since that was where Lancer went to college.

6. We bought his full-size doggie den for when he was grown. Since he was so small, we boarded it up, only leaving the front 1/4 for him. We left it on a little too long, and thought we stunted his growth. Turns out he's an English lab, and they're smaller in size. Phew.

7. This is my favorite photo of Logan--we titled it "on the lam"

8. We freaked out one day when we thought we discovered a weird growth. I ran him to the vet, and then informed me it was his belly button. Doi.

9. He really, really hates that blasted head cone. I hate making him wear it.

10. His name is officially Logan Dogface Jacobs. Lancer's dad gave him the middle name--it's what he calls him when he sees him. It started as Logan, then Logie, then Dogie, then Dobie, then Dobbie. He also answers to Baby and Lil Guy. ;)

11. He once charged Bon-Bon as she bent over to put something in the cupboard. We still laugh about that one.

12. When he was little, I yelled at him for some infraction and he was so scared he peed. I felt like a bad mom.

13. Logan taught Lancer a lesson, too. He did something naughty once and Lance gave him a good scruff shaking. His shoulder still hurts 3 years later.

14. I had no idea he could jump this high. I was totally surprised, per my face.

15. Most of the Dobbie tales involve his schemes for food. He is a non-stop, eating, vittle thieving machine.

16. He ate the door handle of my car on the way to his trainer. Gee, I wonder why he needed a trainer?


17. In true "kid" fashion, we buy him a huge bin of toys, and his favorite thing to play with is a crappy, old, chewed up bag.

18. Most of the ornaments on our tree have to do with Logan and our world travels

18. Logan is the most polite, well-behaved dog you will ever meet. People are amazed at his gentle demeanor.

19. He doesn't bark--ever. Unless there's a squirrel or a cat, and then he's all over it.

20. I can't watch Marley and Me without bawling--I can't imagine not having Baby as a part of our little family.

21. He has webbed paws, and puts them to good work


22. He's happiest in a big, open, green field. Give him a stick, and he won't want to leave. When he does move on (SOB!!!!) I will envision him here, running around, waiting to see me again.


23. I believe he has a little soul, and that all dogs go to heaven. Cats are negotiable.

24. He is always, always happy to see us, and excited to play. He's all about fun. Lance says he is the dog version of me.

25. Lancer lets him come and wake me up in bed. He flies in, jumps all over me, and then has to leave because he can't stop himself from chewing on our comforter.

26. When he was little, he would whine on walks. Lancer would pick him up, snuggle him, and walk home with him in his arms. He didn't have the heart to make him walk.

27. Kids love him. He's a good "intro" dog for them because he doesn't bark, bite, nip, or jump.

28. He demands pets and rubs before entering his doggie den for the night. In the morning, he demands pets and rubs before going outside to eat.

29. He loves his pets and rubs--if you place food in front of him, and then start with a good rub, he is totally conflicted...

30. ..But will always choose food. Cause that's my lil guy. Plus, he knows pets and rubs are plentiful round these parts.

Happy Birthday Lil Guy. You make our lives so fun, and we're so happy to have you in our little family. We love you.

Merry Christmas to You

Merry Christmas to You by christmassong

Cookies, Candies & Treats....oh my!

I threw my 5th annual cookie exchange this evening. I have a stomachache to end all stomachaches right now, and I have no one to blame but myself. It was fantastic fun.

The cookie swap was started by my sister, Eriika. She started hers in Colorado about 10 years ago. I didn't want to be the only sister without a tray of treats, so I joined in the cookie fun. In short, people bring 72 cookies and take home 72 different cookies. It's genius.

This picture has nothing to do with the cookie party; rather, it's to illustrate why it's a good idea to get married. Because when you don't, you eat pizza like this, because "it's too hard to cut it." Yes, Lance is married. To me. But I was busy with cookies and such. Poor Lancer has been batchin' it.

The cookie party is kinda low-key. It's all about the cookies, so dinner is secondary. Here's what I served up. Limeade...

...homemade chili, cornbread with whipped honey butter, and a green salad. And no dessert, cause that's what the cookies are for.

Here are my gluten free offerings. I did traditional peanut butter blossoms because A. I can eat them and B. No one else would make them because they would never, ever win the cookie contest. And that's what this whole deal is all about peeps--the prizes. More info to come.

Presiding over the table '0' treats. The amount of treats actually grew after this. Crazy.

Here are shots of all the treats. Take it in. There are 26 different treats here. All tasty.

The ladies, taking time to chat and catch up. There are a few girls I only see once a year at this party, and I love it. We had several new people, too, so the title for best cookie was totally up for grabs.

The cookies for the judges--lucky boys.

And here are the judges! Jesse on the left is an amazing baker with lovely blue eyes. Next is Travis who brought a salad to this Easter party--a salad I still dream about. Bon-Bon loves Travis, and often asks about him. He's so great, he even wins over moms! Next is Steve Leeflang who had whipped up some of the greatest treats I have ever eaten. And last is Hooman, an amazing professional Chef. We were lucky to have such a talented pool to judge our tasty treats.

The ladies checking out the various entries, trying to figure out who would place.

And look who popped by! Edward! His sign says it all. Click on it to enlarge. I wish I were in his special diet, though being sampled by a Werewolf is also appealing.

Exiled baby. It was for his own good. And for our cookies.

And...the judges arrive to announce the winners! This is like waiting for the Olympic scores, except for the lame Russian who is totally biased.

The ladies in waiting

Lindsay, a new party-goer, won 3rd place. She got a red cake stand in addition to the goodies all the girls get--spatula, cookie magazine, cookie plate for Santa, towel, cookie cutter, and a gingerbread man ornament for bragging rights during the holidays. Her winning entry was absolutely gorgeous. It was a cookie with 2 types of custard and topped with fresh strawberries with glaze. In fact, somebody tried to railroad her attendance in fear that she would place. As it turns out, this fear was founded. Better luck next year, girl! Though I am quite excited for you to be angry about it all year. Haha. Love ya, H.

Candace won 2nd place--she got a cute green polka dot bowl along with her goodies. Her winning entry was a flat cookie with a chocolate coating with nuts. Sorry, I don't have a better description--I can't eat them.

And first prize went to Sarah! She was so surprised--it's nice to see a happy winner. Her main prize was a set of red nesting bowls I almost kept for myself. Congrats, girl! Her winning entry was a date ball.

Once the boys announce the winners, the swap begins. The girls get their platters, and start filling their trays with treaties.

Go, ladies, go!

For my effort, I get the following:

It's a fair exchange--and then some. Thanks to everyone for another successful swap. See you in 2010. Until then...enjoy your treats!