From the list.

I made a list of things I want for Dave to follow.

It was a long list. I wanted to give him options. But I ended up receiving all but 2 of the things on my list.

A quilt was on my list. This is what I opened...

So this is what I picked out...

Ha. He makes me laugh.

Owyn's 1st Christmas

Our Christmas was absolutely lovely.

Following tradition, we each got to open one gift the night of Christmas Eve. Dave and Owyn opened The Godfather Collection. I opened a M.A.C. eyeshadow kit. Owyn stayed up extra late in hopes that he would see Santa. Eventually he gave up. We followed him going to bed early anxious to wake up and open our other gifts.

We were woken up by Owyn at 7:00am and began opening our gifts one. by. one. Let me tell you, my loot was huge! I thought I got Dave some really good gifts, but after I stated opening one awesome gift after the other I wanted to take all his back and get him better gifts. He totally spoiled us this year.

It was a perfect day. We danced around to holiday music, napped together, cleaned together, cooked together. The best part of all is having Owyn to spend this special day with. Last year he was making me sick, keeping me away from the delicious food, and his stocking was a tiny little one with "baby" painted with glitter. This year we get to watch his skills develope, make him laugh and list off our favorite things about him. We have come sooo far this year. Nothing makes me happier than this little sweet boy of mine.

(Owyn's gift from Santa)

I made my first Christmas feast this year. I had so much fun. I was cooking and sweating in the kitchen for hours. I wore a dress, tights, heels and an apron to make me feel extra domestic.

I was very surprised by how delicious my meal was. We had a white wine slaw with napa cabbage, raddish and golden raisins, green beans, potato gratin, ribeye roast, and a chocolate pudding pie. It was one of the best roasts either of us had ever had. Of course though, dads prime rib from last year wins first prize.

I've been robbed.

For as long as I can remember, I have held the title "beauty",
and Whitney, "cutie" by Grandma Irene.

When I picked up my lovely older sister Whitney from the airport last week, I didn't recognize her. Sitting and waiting for her in the tiny little terminal three at Sky Harbor I had my eyes peeled on the arriving passangers. I saw a woman walking with a old man and I thought "is that Whitney?". No, no. It couln't be. But then, that woman gave a big dimpled smile and waved. Then I realized that it was in fact my sister.

She has always been beautiful. But over the past 5 months that she has been attending grad school in Nashville, she has completely transformed into a women. She strutted up in he "sexy' tights, high heeled boots, long flowing blond locks and painted nails.

I have officially been robbed of my "beauty" title.

I don't really see myself as a "cutie".
I think the only title left that fits me well is "tootie".

Christmas with the "B's"

We celebrated Christmas with my mother's side of the family last night.

Unfortunatley, Mom, Scott and Sean couldn't make it... Maahhh!

It was a lot of fun.

Never a quiet moment around here. Ever.

My silly family (most of the men missing)

My aunts & cousin and Sister Whitney & Owyn

Beautiful cousin Victoria and Owyn

the younger cousins opening gifts from Grandma


Sisters!
Everyone thought this picture of me was ssoooo funny.
I keep trying to do the face again but can't seem to do it.

My family is crazy. I love them to death!

Whitney Jo and O-Joe

We have had so much fun with Whitney.

Owyn is absolutely in love with her. It is so cute.

He even got sad when she left and would search around the room for her.

And she brought back these great gifts I've been wanting really really
bad from Dad and Wendy in San Diego.

She leaves early Sunday morning.

We will go back to missing her.

:'(

Homemade Holiday

I've been working hard with my paper, glitter and glue pen to add a personal touch to our holiday decor. It's sort of becoming an obsession.

Where would we be without the Martha Stewart craft supplies??

In the Kitchen with Chelsea

There is nothing in whole world that makes me feel more
like a woman than throwing on an apron with ruffles (thanks Grandma I) and baking a pie.

I love feeling feminine.


I love being a woman.

I love being a mom.

Eight Days

That's how long it's been since I've posted. Oh man, what have I been doing??

Well, we've been very busy.

Yesterday I completed my seventh semester. Few! It's been rough. I can't even explain how good it feels to have one more done and be that much closer to the finish line.

{Owyn helped me study by turning the pages for me.}

I've been working really hard with Owyn this past week to get him on a schedule. Thanks to the advise and encouraging words of my friend Brittany (who has a sweet baby 3days older than owyn) , we have been successful!

Having him on a set schedule of sleeping, eating and napping has had a dramatic impact on everything in our home. My sanity, the cleanliness of our home, my Dave time and Owyn's happiness. The fact that I didn't do this sooner makes me want to kick myself.

Thanks Britt!

We have also been trying to introduce Owyn to solid foods. He wasn't taking a liking to cereal so we tried baby food (green beans to be exact) just to see if he would like that more.

Well, no. He didn't. My proof....

{ We've put off the solids for a bit. When he's ready, we'll be ready}

Most excitingly, my big sis is in town! She hasn't been able to see Owyn since he was born so she is loving the Owyn time.

I don't have any pics yet but right now she is in SD visiting our father and then she'll be back for more. Then I will take pics.

Owyn absolutely loves his favorite Aunty! He has the biggest crush on her. His face lights up when he see's her and he puts on a big grin.

He's also learned how to contol his voice so now he never shuts up. But I don't mind because it's hilarious. He just talks and talks and laughs and laughs. I set him infront of the mirror and left him alone and just laughed at the conversation he was having with himself.

He is the happiest baby I've ever seen.

On rainy days like today...

we like to gather all the pillows and blankets and build a giant bed

on the living room floor to cuddle and watch the rain out the windows.

I love rainy days. Especially spent with my little nugget.







We wish daddy could be here :(

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Tonight we were lucky enough to spend a beautiful
night together decorating our first family Christmas tree

It totally got me into the holiday spirit.

It's just a little guy, but it's a lot bigger than last years.

( Plus it's not about the tree, it's what's under it that matters. Ha just kidding)

We love our first family tree.

Cheesy Shells and Chicken

We love shells and cheese in our home.
It's an American Classic.
So, when I found this Martha Stewart recipe I had to put it to the test.
Like always, I changed it around a bit.
I have trouble following directions I think..

Anyway, make it! It's delicious.

Try it my way

Ingredients:

• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• Vegetable oil, for grates
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken cutlets
• 8 ounces medium pasta shells
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 pint heavy cream

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for pasta. Meanwhile, heat grill to medium; lightly oil grates. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from grill, and cut into cubes.
2. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot. Add mozzarella, heavy cream, parmesan, and butter. Toss while adding reserved water (little at a time) until creamy.
   
3. Add chicken, tomatoes, and parsley. Toss to combine. Serve with more Parmesan and ground cracked peppercorn.

Yeahhh... This aint gonna fly.

Dave,

I am utterly confused.
First you tell me that your new toothbrush shakes the toothpaste off the brush.
Now I see splatters all over the mirror. What's going on man??

Tonight you are getting a Sonicare 101: basics on use, cause this my friend, just isn't gonna fly.

<3<3

Good Boggy!

Black Friday Joys

I know this post is a little delayed but I've been busy!

Black Friday I arrived to work at 4:30am. It was awesome.

By the time I got home from work it was 1:30pm and I was exhausted.
Me and Dave switched roles. I took the baby and he left for work.
Luckily Owyn let me nap for 2 hours! I couldn't believe it. He never naps longer than 40 mins usually.

As you know, my mom has been staying with us. She left this morning :(
Soo.. when I woke up from our nap I walked into the living room and was shocked. It was Christmas morning! Oh My! I slept all the way through December.

Apparently mom and Scott spent their black friday at Costco and got us all sorts of goodies. Like the super sonic toothbrushes I've been wanting (they tickle really bad).

Standing all alone was a special box for Owyn. We set our eyes on that baby and ripped it open and emidiately set it up. He loves this thing. But I think I love it more because it entertains him.

I love black friday.

Thanks mom and Scott!

Bring it, Semester 8!

I am getting more and more excited as my 8th semester approaches!

I can't believe I am almost a college graduate!

It's been rough. If it were'nt for living with my sister and watching her work hard during her undergrad I don't know if Id even be here. AND not to mention watching my mother work hard towards her undergrad while raising us kids. They are both two brilliant women that I wish I could be just like. Neither of them even have to work hard for they're A+'s. And they are both working towards there masters degrees right now.

I've also had a lot of help by my dad. He has helped support me during college and pushed me to succeed. I think everyone needs a person like my dad around to tell them to suck it up and get it done.

Ive recently registered for my classes. And this semester they will not be online.
Here they are..

ARA460 Gallery Exhibitions
ARS394 Topic: Italian Renaissance Art
ARS475 Chinese Painting
ARS498 Seminar Topic: Visual Culture Studies
PAF300 Public Management and Admin

Do you think I can do it?? If I stay enrolled in 5 cources I will not keep working.

I can't wait. School is awesome once you find what you're interested in.

I am soo thankful that I have the help of Dave and family to allow me to finish school.