There's no Place Like Home for the Holidays

But I wouldn't know...because we've been up to fun adventures all over the Bay Area!

First up--ugly sweater caroling. We gathered on our friend's lawn in ugly sweaters, caroled our hearts out, and then went inside to eat a bunk of treats. This is my kind of party.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, We Wish you a Merry Christmas..."

Santa Webb showed up, and delighted all with his, er, her beard.

Wouldn't you love it if this group showed up on your lawn? I know I would.

We have Papa Elf, Mamma Elf, Doggie Elf, and now Baby Elf. Blakely was born into elfdom--it's in her blood. Glad she has an outfit to show off her elfin' pride. More photos to come.

Santa Babies!

Kristine's tasty spread for us

Next up--The Jungle, where I placed B in a pile of balls. This caused all sorts of uproar among my friends, who tried to convince me I was infecting her with swing flu, staph infections, bird flu, and the common cold. So far so good in that department.

Last stop-the holiday lights at Gilroy Gardens. I was so excited to check them out. They spend a month decking the entire park out with lights, and open up a limited number of rides for the kids for the Christmas season. Definitely worth the drive!

We brought honorary Big Sis J along for the fun.

First carousel ride with Gramma!

B was all decked out in her fluffy fleece suit. She stayed nice and snuggly all evening as we strolled around the park.

Tinger and Colin joined us, too. They bought a 2011 season pass for Christmas this year, and will be partying it up with us all summer long!

They had bright lights all over the lake--it was festive and beautiful

Choo-Choo! Time to ride Santa's Polar Express!

Snuggin with Gramma on the train

All aboard!

We took a photo in front of this adorable cupcake in honor of Eriika, who collected vintage cupcake cookie jars. She gave me one, and it's in B's room!

At the end of a long and fun night out at Gilroy Gardens. See you next summer!


Now I need a date night with Lancer, because we haven't spoken in 3 months--at least not about anything besides diapers, wipes, formula, spit-up and our adorable baby. That ain't right. Good thing Gramma's in town to babysit. Happy holidays!

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!