Ringing in the New Year

Chris and I celebrated the New Year with John, Cheryl and Caeden. We went out for sushi then went back to their house and played games until the clock struck midnight.

Before bedtime, we played in Caed-man's new playroom. Amongst all the toys, he elected to crawl in and out of the dog kennel.

Check out his new chair! It spins and also has a canopy that closes!

We played Wii to keep us entertained. Sadly my arms were sore from all the "rowing". Chris and I had never played Wii before and it was quite fun. Cheryl and I were laughing hysterically because we felt so silly. Chris took video of us rowing but it's too embarrassing to post!

We woke up and had donuts and kolache's for breakfast - great nutritional start to the New Year!

Chris and I went to see Vanessa, Jeff and baby Haley after we left John and Cheryl's. Haley is now almost 4 weeks old and as cute as can be!

All I want for Christmas...

...is to be surrounded by my family!

There's nothing more comforting than being surrounded by those you cherish the most. Christmas came and went quickly this year but having both families in town was such a blessing. We wasted no time and immediately started cooking.

Lisa started in on the real stuff...

while mom and I attempted to make cake balls.

which didn't turn out so well :(

Dad and Shawn made beautiful pie crusts (who knew)!

One thing I learned quickly after getting married is the Gilmans love the tradition of stuffing stockings full of goodies...so we did!

The boys thought long and hard while writing in their Christmas cards

After Chris read the Christmas story we began unwrapping

We ended the evening at my parent's house for a delicious dinner with the whole family!

Christmas Decorations

I was especially excited to put up our Christmas decorations this year since it's our first year in the new house. I had intentions of simply taking stock of what we had one day BEFORE Thanksgiving and got so excited, all the decorations were up before the day was over. Christmas decorations are definitely one of my favorite things about this joyous time of year.

Cake Balls

The Paul family came to visit last weekend and Monica introduced me to cake balls and I'm hooked! They were so much fun to make and a great treat for holiday parties.

Yummy!

Birthday Wishes

Thanks to my wonderful family and friends, I had an amazing birthday yesterday! I was showered with two birthday cakes, an edible arrangement, freshly baked cookies, gorgeous flowers from my boss and had a great dinner with my family at Dakota's Steakhouse.

Christmas Cards

Each year I have intentions of sending out Christmas cards but truthfully, it's all I can do to put up the tree much less get cards made, addressed and mailed out. However, I felt ambitous this year and got the cards ordered yesterday. I used http://www.tinyprints.com which made things super easy and had so many cute options. Didn't manage to get any professional pictures made so a more casual one will have to do. Keep your eyes out for The Gilman's first Christmas card coming your way!

It's a Girl...

Bonnets, Ribbons and Hair to Curl...
Vanessa is having a Baby Girl!

I hosted a baby shower for my girlfriend last night, and as always we had a great time. Mom and I decorated the house with fuchsia and leopard print in anticipation of meeting miss Haley Ryan on December 7th.

Cheesecake Factory catered and Sprinkles Cupcakes were the dessert of choice!

I could not be more excited for another baby girl to spoil as if she were my own!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Yummy...

Punch Glasses

Diaper Cake

Gift Table

Robin, Kim, Dana, Andra & Stephanie

Andra, Me, Vanessa, Stacy & Luke

Robin, Kim, Michelle & Stephanie

Me and Vanessa