Pink Holidaze

Chritmas was so nice...it was wonderful to spend time with family and each other and take a step back from everything.   It's nice to have everyone so close.  Eloise's first Christmas was really fun.  She wasn't too interested in opening presents, but once they were out she enjoyed each and every one (still is).Her favorite...possibly her new teethers ( ZoLi gummy sticks ), especially since she finally has some teeth!  As of the 22nd.  Now she has four.  I'm glad I've been home this week to take care of her and let her get some good sleep during the day since she isn't sleeping as well at night. And I am thankful to be writing this post from my new Christmas laptop, thanks to Zach.  My old one was literally falling apart.  I won't write too much more...I need to get to sleep.  But here are some photos (yes, I've obviously completely given up on using a real camera). Look, I pull up to standing...and get into things, including my messy drawe...

Eloise received a very special gift today.  A sweet giddy-up horse from Mama and Papa Modali before they move.  It was Deepika's when she was little, so now we have a little bit of Auntie Dee in our house.  Eloise thoroughly enjoyed riding it, and I know she'll continue to as the years go on.  Also of note - everything is completely intact 27 years later.  Including the directions and sound effects.  Yep.  :)  Hopefully it lasts 27 more!

Jenna is married!  So fun!  We spent Saturday and Sunday in Cincinnati for the festivities. It was fun all around and SO good to see everyone.  And, Taliila ( Jordie 's little one) and Eloise officially met.  It was exciting...they even held hands.  :)   Oh, I'd love to write more, but there's work to be done.  Here are some pics... Ellie did pretty well in the car! T and E meet! Yay! Fun rehearsal dinner at Montgomery Inn. A little quality time with Meliss. Eloise met Aunt Liz. She was tired by the end of the night. Fun times with Megs. And I have only a few random pics of the bride, so I've stolen this from Megs.  Jenna looked gorgeous.

The other day I heard a knock at the door.  And there it was...a little package.  With a little return label from Kate Spade, no less.  Yet, I hadn't ordered anything.  I opened it up, squealing when I found this...a birthday gift from one of my besties.  I will be wearing it as many times a week as I can.  It is awesome.  It matches everything.  And it is pretty.  Thanks, pu.  :) {Kate Spade "Go to Town" Idiom Bangle }

Such a beautiful wedding and such a great couple!  So thankful to get to see such a wonderful friend marry the man of her dreams!  Congratulations, K! The church was gorgeous! A reception at the Contemporary Art Center.  The Mexican-themed colors looked great! I'm kind of obsessed with their papel picado cake. Ellie and Auntie Deepu. We had fun.  The visit was too short. First dance. The happy couple, and K in her cute veil. Cake cutting. With the beautiful bride! Eloise dancing away.  It was cold, so she looks like a mad woman in crazy layers. I'm pretty sure she didn't mind the attention.  :)

Such a wonderful, wonderful visit with Bethany and Heather  this weekend.  So thankful they made the trip up here from Memphis to meet Eloise and spend some fun time together...and eat lots of good food.  :)   Lunch at Longbranch . Eloise meets her Aunt B! :) Elle Belle and Heather. Dessert at Global .  I think we at every last bite. Finishing it off with some Harbaugh's . Such a joy! {Most of these pics stolen from Heather :)}

Eloise has many aunties.  Sweet, sweet ladies spread all across the country.  I can't wait for her to meet them all.  Last week, Aunt Aleza and Auntie Deepu came in from Austin.  We were all able to celebrate Kathleen's future nuptials and Dani's upcoming birthday and just hang out in general.   It was incredible to see them with Ellie, holding her and taking care of her.  I know she enjoyed all the cuddles and love.  As for me, it was so helpful and so much fun.  Miss you girls!

Megs came into town yesterday for a fun night out...Thai food and The Vienna Boys Choir !   It was really wonderful to catch up and hang out, and the choir was very good.  We kept laughing at how cute they were...so much younger looking and acting than I realized.  I don't know what I expected?!  So many of them looked like they hadn't brushed their hair in days and one of them was wearing the cutest pair of Harry Potter glasses.  And they sang "We are the World" with German accents.  It was pretty cute (and pretty), too.  Also, by the end of March, Eloise will already have gotten to hang out with Aunt Megan three times.  I find this very, very exciting.  Aunt Megan will teach her how to travel well and write goal lists (One of Megan's college goals was to ride a Zamboni at a hockey game.  She did it.).

J enna and Liz came to visit for a few days last week and it was such a joy.  Refreshing and fun in each and every way.  Carbondale is a bit out of the way, so it means so much to me when people make the trip all the way here.  We spent some of Tuesday and Wednesday in the Dale before heading to St. Louis to meet up with our lovely Megan.  Here's a picture of us all at the Muny theatre ("Showboat" was playing)...before sweating profusely and after a really yummy dinner at Mosaic downtown.  

Megan left this morning and we had such a great visit!  We don't have much entertainment to offer in Carbondale, especially at this time of year, so we made cheese and wine fondue for dinner!  This was the fondue pot's first appearance and it was a little complicated getting it started, but should be simpler the second time around.  So, here are a few pics from fondue night (and proof that we are actually using our fine china!).  haha.  

Quite excited for Megan's arrival this evening.  Megan is one of the most impressive people I know.  She single-handedly keeps in contact with almost EVERY single person she's met, AND she sends them all birthday cards.  Megan even sent us cards for every single holiday while we were living in Morocco!  I can't tell you how much that meant when we were starved for some small token of America.  Oh, yeah...and she came to visit us.  :)  She's one of those friends who you can pick up with where you left off, and I'm so grateful for that.  Here are some of my favorite moments with Megs (and some favorite life moments). A quick trip to New York our senior year... Eating dinner on the square in Marrakech... One of Megan's goals while visiting was to ride a camel!  We had to bargain a little for a cheaper ride. At the wedding... Yay!