Do you like it? You can visit.

This is a house.

We liked it.

So we bought it.

Do you like it?

It's getting made pretty right now.

There's even a room for you to stay in when you come.

Birthday Bash

Well I'm officially 27. It was a good birthday. Nicole threw me a bit of a preemptive on Thurs. night. We went out to dinner and then had cake and a really nice evening at home. For my birthday Nicole made me a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting that was really good.

The reason we didn't spend as much time celebrating on Friday was because we had a concert to get to. It was for a band called the Temper Trap. They actually put on a really good show. It's been a while since I've been to a concert. As good as the Temper Trap was, I would say my favorite part was the opening band. Not because they were musically inclined, but because of one person in particular. The opening band was a six-piece--pretty rare for the entry level indy market. So what do you get with six pieces that you don't get with four or five? A full-time tamborinist -- that's what.

Most of you are probably skeptical of this setup and are asking questions such as: doesn't he get tired playing that tamborine? How entertaining can a tamborine guy really be? Well the answers are: no, not when he's double fisting tambos like Animal from the Muppets, and: it depends on if it's the beginning or end of the show and how many beers he's had while he's been on stage.

(When he's not fist shakin' he plays a mean air guitar.) Anyway, the concert was good and all in all a successful birthday. Thanks for all the kind wishes from everyone out there.

Geburtstag

Birthdays are wonderful.

My friend bought me a yummy brownie with ice cream at our work party.

Another friend made me some of these.

Banana Cupcakes

1 1/2 C sugar
1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 C all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 C buttermilk
1 1/4 C ripe banana, mashed

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy
3. Add eggs and vanilla, and mix until batter is smooth.
4. Combine all dry ingredients and mix into batter in 3 parts,
alternating with buttermilk. Reduce speed to low and mix for 2 more minutes
5. Line cupcake pan with wrappers. Using a spatula gently fold mashed
bananas into batter. Scoop into cups until 2/3 full.
6.Bake for 25 minutes and let cool.

7. FOR FROSTING

2 C powdered sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
1tsp vanilla
1 cup chunky peanut butter
3 tbsp milk.

Combine powdered sugar, butter and vanilla. Then add 1 cup peanut
butter and milk. Mix until spreadable.

Makes 18.

And they're AMAZING.

And my parents, unbeknownst to them, helped me get some sweet boots.

Thanks mom and dad.

Just in time for

My husband gave me my very first ice cream cake, because I've always wanted one.

(He also gave me my first ever real adult perfume)

We had fun friends to enjoy it with us.

And I got to spend all day with my favorite person.

I believe it's time

to tell of things past. In November we had Thanksgiving, the first one that we hosted at our house. We had wonderful company, family from both sides. Matt's parents made it out, along with his brother, and my sister and her family.

It helped to have an experienced mother-in-law to help cook all the food.

The other turkey

It was a lot of fun to host. Maybe next time we host it will be in a real live house.

Then it became Christmas time, and I got to go see my family in Utah! I hadn't seen my sisters (or their families) in a year. Too long to not see my best friends.

(This sister is not pictured because I'm lucky to have her live nearer to me in the midwest.)

I got to meet this one for the first time.

I stayed with each of my sisters that live in Utah and my parents came up north to see me. One of my best friends from college got married in the Salt Lake Temple, and that was an experience I'll never forget.

I loved every minute I got to spend with my family. I have the cutest nieces and nephews and I miss them a lot.

My niece asked me if I could eat lunch with her at school; she's in first grade.

I also got to go see this cute one sing with her preschool class.

My friends from work told me to take pictures of the mountains and I was happy to oblige. I can't believe how refreshing it was to see those mountains.

I was sad to leave Utah, but I flew to Chicago to meet Matt and we drove up to Minnesota to spend Christmas with his family. We had a great time being fed and taken care of by his mom. She made us so much good food.

Don't miss the colony of little snowmen fleeing for their lives,

and the one in his hand who wasn't so fortunate.

We rang bells on Christmas Eve.

We also made bank for the Salvation Army as we skillfully played our chimes.

Matt's younger brother is an awesome photographer, and he took some family pictures while we were in Minnesota.

Most of them came out like these... I'm getting used to having many brothers.

Awkwardfamilyphoto worthy?

Whose hands?

Christmas morning! It actually took a long time getting to this point, where we could go see the tree. If anyone knows me, it took a lot of patience to get ready, eat breakfast, open stockings, and then open presents. It was a blast though.

Thanks Matthew

I have a crafty little sister who whipped this up for my brother-in-law.

Notice the crayon and A-1 pockets.

I happen to have a crafty little husband as well who built this quilt frame for his mother with lighting and everything.

I had the best two and a half weeks. We have the best families. I miss them all a lot. I love Christmas. I'm tired. Good night.

Sometimes the Drill isn't the Worst Part

So last week I went into the Dentist to have a temporary crown put on until my diamond studded one comes back from the lab. (It'll give me more street cred.--see Lil' Wayne below)

Anyway, that day it was a very snowy and it was quite nasty on the way to the dentist. After I got there I spent a decent amount of time with the assistant while we waited for the dentist. Here is the first of our confidence-inspiring conversations.

Assistant: I'm glad you made it in today, most of our appointments are cancelling (because of the weather).

Me: No problem.

Assistant: Maybe if I'm lucky the last one will cancel and we can go home early.

Me: That's always nice

Assistant: Maybe if you're lucky, you'll be in so much pain when we get done you won't have to go back to work today.

Me: . . .

Then not to outdo herself, as we were still waiting, she said this:

Assistant: So did you go anywhere for Christmas?

Me: Ya, I'm from Minnesota, so my wife and I went there to see my family.

Assistant: Oh you're from Minnesota?

Me: Ya, that's where I was born.

Assistant: I have a brother that lives in Rhode Island--is that close?

Me: It's actually completely the opposite direction.

Assistant: Oh, I guess I'm not very familiar with the west coast.

Me: . . .

I had no idea how to respond without sarcasm, so I decided to say nothing (thanks Mom). After a few more awkward minutes, the dentist finally arrived and our conversation ended.