I hate to brag...

Aren't these two the cutest little boy and girl you ever did see! 

This is my nephew, Louis, who I call Quattro and my niece, Magdalene.

I love thier smiling faces and how happy and joyful they are. This also makes me thankful that they have eachother to grow up with and I know they will share such happy memories together, just like my siblings and I did.

Thanks for the picture Sheila!

 

PS: Aren't footie PJs adorable!?!

Miracles happen...

Miracle #1

On Friday afternoon, Bobby and Diane welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Reese Ellen LaBelle, into the world. Mommy, Daddy and Baby are all doing wonderful. No word yet on brother, Trapper :)

She is the sweetest most precious little thing you ever did see! I just want to hold her and snuggle with her all the live long day!

Miracle #2

We got Jim to go to the hospital. Which if you know Jim at all this was a HUGE accomplishment. It was touch and go for awhile but he lasted a solid 30-40 minutes before having to leave to throw up. The important thing is he made it.

And Miracle #3

Jim actually held Reese!!! In the 8 yrs Jim and I have been together I have never once seen him hold a baby that is less than a month old. And here he is holding little Reese who is less than 5 hours old. My husband is growing up :) Sorry I had to take lots of pics to prove this actually happened. I'm 100% not joking when I say Jim was probably blacked out he was so freaked. (Hospital + newborn = heart attack)

Jim and I are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing friends and family and are so excited about all the recent additions and future additions to that group.  Next up: Harper Mae Snyder!

Here's Megs and Chris getting their practice in

And finally to prove we are not really all that grown up, at all, here we are joking around with the pads they send home with new mom's. Jim's nightmare may be hospitals but these are mine. Seriously terrifying!

Congrats Bob and Diane! We are so happy for you and love little Reese to pieces!!!!!!!!!

Anchors Away...

At the beginning of the February I was lucky enough to go to Vegas with The Girls for Landis's bachelorette party.  The weekends festivities happened to coincide with the Super Bowl so it was perfect timing for a little fun in Sin City!  8 of us gals met up from across the country: Stone, Dawn, and Jax came from Seattle. Megs, Jamie and I came from Spokane. Landis arrived from North Carolina and Carrie came from NYC. We planned our arrivals perfectly and all landed within an hour of each other. to get things started on the right foot we all met up at the airport bar to make sure everyone got in OK (and for some spicy bloody mar's-obvi).

From the airport we headed to our AMAZING suite at The Cosmopolitan! Thanks for the sweet hook up Jbass! 

After settling into our room we decided to take a looksy around our casino and try to get some food. We stopped at the chandelier bar (its literally inside a chandelier) for a celebratory toast first and then we hit the strip for some food and fun.  

After lunch it was back to the suite to open presents and try and get 8 girls ready for our first night out on the town. Not a very easy task with only 3 bathrooms, but nonetheless we succeeded!

Isn't landis the cutest bride to be you ever did see

Once out, we got our obligatory d-list celeb sighting out of the way. For those wondering its Dr. 90210. Never even seen the damn show but let me tell you I was excited at this moment (ps:I was also intoxicated)!

Once over that "excitement" it was time to dance!

Our second day started a bit later than our first. We hit up the buffet at our hotel and let me tell you this is not your old country buffet...not to mention it was a hangovers dream! well a dream for most of us, for Dawn I think it was more of a nightmare :)

After lunch Dawn, Carrie and I ventured to try and find a place to watch the Super Bowl. We had backup reservations at an English Pub off the strip but we really wanted to find someplace close and fun (and not outrageously expensive) to watch the game. As luck would have it we found it in our hotel. Poolside, lots of tv's, a bar nearby, seats for 6 (jamie and jax both left that morning), not over crowded and not super expensive. #winning!

From the game we knew we needed food badly but we still needed to get ready for our last night out. Back to the suite we go! We got ready and then headed to Scarpetta for some DELICIOUS food and wine. We even worked in a game for Landis to play while we ate...lets just say it was informative :)

With dinner done it was time to hit the club for our last night out!  We tore up the floor and had a great time.

Alas all good things must come to an end. The next afternoon (after a few mimosas and margs)

it was time to head back to reality and remind my body what its like to not have alcohol flowing thru its bloodstream 24/7.  Lets just say that took awhile, i had quite a bit to recover from :)

I love these women so much and can not wait for the wedding, in June, when we cal ALL be together again!
ps: WE MISSED YOU FULLER!!!

McLaSnydOle Xmas #5...

Early in December the LaBelle's graciously hosted our 5th (or possibly 6th) annual Christmas dinner and gift exchange. We feasted on prime rib, cheesy potatoes, yummy veggies, snacks, wine, whiskey, champagne and so much more. It was all SO GOOD!

After dinner it was time for presents. For the few of you who read this you probably know the drill but just in case I will refresh your memory. The 8 of us draw names (boys get boys, girls get girls) and we each give each other a regular gift and a gag gift. The gag gifts are always hilarious however not for public display; however I will tell you there were some that will live in infamy this year!

Below are a few pics that are OK for public viewing:

not real sure what Ally and I are doing here

by the looks of it you would think we were swingers ;)

Ally and I enjoying our wine while Megs and Diane enjoy some baby gifts!

The McLaSnydOle's

Jim opening his annual bottle of Jameson

Chris breaking in Baby Snyder's Bib

For new year's eve the whole crew headed up to Bobby's Grandparents lake cabin at Priest Lake to celebrate. I, unfortunately had to work, but from what I heard a great time was had by all. Hopefully next year I will be able to attend! If you want to see more about their time at Priest you can check out Megan's blog here

Hopefully you were able to spend some quality time with your friends and family this Holiday season. It really is what the season is all about :)

A better life...

I got this in an email at work today and thought it was fitting for the new year. I am not a huge one for resolutions I try to just "be better" than the previous year; but I think following these tips or trying to follow them will help me accomplish that. I hope you all had happy holidays filled with family, friends, love and laughter. Here is to a great 2012!

Tips for Better Living in 2012
• Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
• Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
• Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
• When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ''My purpose is to __________ today.
• Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
• Get more knowledge and read more books than you did in 2011.
• Make time to practice meditation and/or prayer (if you are religious). They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
• Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
• Dream more while you are awake.
• Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
• Try to make at least three people smile each day.
• Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
• Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
• Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
• Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
• Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
• Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
• You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
• Make peace with your past so it won''t spoil the present.
• Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
• Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ''In five years, “will this matter?”
Forgive everyone for everything.
• What other people think of you is none of your business.
• However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
• Your job won''t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
• Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
• Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
• The best is yet to come.
• No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
• Do the right thing NOW!
• Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)
• Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________, and helped_________________ .
• Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
• Enjoy the ride! Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.

Happy Heart

These girls make my heart happy on a daily basis

Don't know what I would do without them.
Love you ladies x a million
ps: boys are hot ;)

New York, New York...

Way back in September I went to New York to spend some time with my bff, Kristen, for her 30th birthday. It was a fabulous trip and I pretty much saw, did and ate everything! 3 months later, I am now finally able to get my pictures organized and ordered. But instead of downloading them in 3 different places I thought I would just add the link where you can view the photobook I put together on snapfish. Sorry no captions to any of them but most are self explanatory. Enjoy!