Dec 29th 2007 01:03:46 pm

Travis and I are still on vacation in Kansas. We are enjoying all of the time we are getting to spend with our families. Last night was the first time in over two years that the original Lamble family was all together in one place. (Of course we had Pizza Hut!) We have also gone shopping at the plaza and at the mall, watched a lot of movies, and played some games. It has snowed a bunch, which is cool since we don’t really get snow in Eugene. Check out all of the fun on my Holiday 2007 Flickr photo set.

4 Comments » Categories: Christmas, Family, Photos, holidays

Dec 25th 2007 11:11:37 pm

merry christmas! It snowed a few days ago in Kansas City. Even though it warmed up a bunch today and most of the snow melted, I still consider it a white Christmas. (Those are my feet/boots in the snow up above.) We had a great day. We started out with gifts and breakfast with Travis’ family and then headed to my parents’ house for a late lunch and, of course, more gifts. Our families are so kind and fun. I am having a lovely trip so far, and we still have a whole week left here for more visiting. I am trying to upload all of the many photos to Flickr, but it might take a while…

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday if you celebrate it, and a great normal day if you don’t. I feel very fortunate to get to experience the hope and joy that Christmas represents!

2 Comments » Categories: Christmas, Family, holidays

Dec 22nd 2007 06:58:08 pm

Travis and I are now in Kansas City for the holidays. We will be here through New Year’s. Today we went to Chipotle and Starbucks with our collective siblings and we have already played a lot of Mexican Train Dominos. I am already worn out so I hope I can make it through the week…

4 Comments » Categories: Family, Trips

Dec 16th 2007 04:10:39 pm

I am hosting another matchbox swap. My last one (the Christmas fun time matchbox swap) went pretty well… It had 80 participants and very minimal flaking. So, here are the requirements for my new February Love Matchbox Swap:
the simple guidelines:

For this easy, fun times, international matchbox swap we will each have just one partner. You will make your partner one love, Valentine’s day, or February themed matchbox – the small 32-count size. (What is February themed? I guess it could be many things: President’s Day, MLK Jr Day, Black History Month…. you can be creative!) I use this template to make my matchboxes out of cardstock, but most swappers decorate real, empty matchboxes.

You also need to fill your matchbox with similarly themed goodies. I like filling my boxes with stickers, ribbon, brads, buttons, beads, and other little embellishments. Anything goes, but make sure you send something you would love to receive.

You aren’t required to send extras for this swap, but remember to include your name, your swap-bot username, and your email address in your package.

rating requirements:

This swap is international. Everyone must have over a 4.7 rating to participate with very, very few no sends. If you don’t meet these requirements, message me and we can probably work something out. New users are welcome, but I must ban anyone who looks fishy. (A filled out profile is required) It is a harsh world out there and I want to keep my matchbox swappers safe!

let’s swap:

Remember that you can get a love, Valentine’s Day, or February-themed matchbox in this swap. If you don’t like any of those things, this probably isn’t the swap for you. Let’s have fun!

xoxo

Go to Swap-bot to sign up!

2 Comments » Categories: Crafts, Swap-bot

Dec 15th 2007 10:47:06 am

Last night we attended my company’s holiday party. It was at a nice restaurant with really good food. There was a white elephant gift swap. We ended up with a Christmas tree ornament that sings and makes noise. Pretty classy. It was a fun time and it was nice to get to know everyone a little bit better. Next week we have Travis’ work party, and then on Friday we go home for the holidays!

7 Comments » Categories: Christmas, Work, holidays

Dec 11th 2007 07:36:59 pm

…but my new job is fantastic. This is the corner of my desk at work. The cool mug was given to me as a welcoming gift from my boss. I love it! Everyone in the office has one with their initial. The ladies in my office are lovely and kind… and I am not just saying that because they told me they read my blog! I am really enjoying the work we do and I am looking forward to new projects. I feel very fortunate.

4 Comments » Categories: Feeling Happy, Work

Dec 10th 2007 08:22:20 pm

Look what Travis and I received in the mail! These adorable, and oh, so glittery winter cottages were sent to us as a Christmas gift from Travis’ parents. The have little lights in them that make them glow. We already have them on our mantel with our few other holiday decorations. I am sticking pretty close to a silvery theme for my winter decorations (with just a few red accents), and these houses fit in perfectly. Thank you so much, Brad & June! xoxo

4 Comments » Categories: Christmas, Family, Feeling Happy, Home, holidays

Dec 8th 2007 10:31:42 pm

Yesterday we took Seth to the Oregon coast. It was cold and windy. The waves were pretty impressive and we saw a sea lion. We also got some good photos and ate at Mo’s. Seth and I both ordered clam chowder. Today we went to Portland and re-introduced Seth to the great American past-time, shopping. He bought a new laptop and I bought a new orange sweater. Sweet.

Check out our photos on Flickr: there is one of us at Mo’s, a bunch on the beach, one of Seth eating his first Chipotle burrito in two years, and one of Travis helping Seth get his new laptop on the wireless internet.

1 Comment » Categories: Family, Trips, holidays

Dec 6th 2007 09:14:56 pm

omg. Seth is here and I am so happy to have him! He looks a lot different than when he left, but he is still the same great guy. (fyi: Seth is my brother who has been in Africa for the last two years with the PeaceCorps. He flew into Eugene yesterday.) Last night he showed us a bunch of his stuff from Africa and told us a lot about his life, then we watched Serenity, which Seth had been dying to see. Today we slept in, hung out, and toured around Eugene. We drove to the top of Skinner’s Butte for the photo op. I made a pseudo Thanksgiving meal for dinner. We had a turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, gravy, and german chocolate cake from Sweet Life for dessert. By some miracle it was all delicious!

I’m putting photos from seth’s visit up on my flickr, so check them out. Mom wanted to see where Seth is sleeping while he is here, so here is a photo of his bed and one of him sleeping. He says it is comfortable.

10 Comments » Categories: Family, Feeling Happy

Dec 5th 2007 04:14:05 pm

Seth gets to Eugene tonight! I can’t wait to see him. Today I have been getting the house all clean and ready for his visit. I put together a wreath out of fake greenery and some lovely holly that a lady Mary from work gave me. It turned out well. I want the house to look Christmas-y for Seth. I am even making cookies! I will post photos as soon as he gets here.

4 Comments » Categories: Christmas, Family, Home