Stein & Shower Prep

 Dan and Michael skied at Deer Valley today and Courtney and I met them for a late lunch at the buffet at  Stein Erikson Lodge. The food was sooo good as were the desserts, finally satisfying our dessert cravings still lingering since the cruise desserts were disappointing.

It's sad that there isn't much snow, but it didn't slow the boys.

They said nothing was groomed and they were exhausted from the hard work on moguls

by the time we met at lunch.

We decorated for the party hanging pink chinese lanterns at the fireplace

 and pink tissue paper balls from the kitchen chandelier yesterday.

Tonight while Dan and Michael made zucchini noodles and brats for dinner,

Courtney and I chopped veggies for the salads for tomorrow.

Lunch Menu:

Green salad: Lettuce, cucumber, avocado, maple pecans, pomegranate, feta, pear. 

Brianas blush wine vinaigrette 

Pasta salad: Night before--rotini pasta, chicken, small peppers in red/orange/yellow (cut in circles), mozzarella balls, olives, artichoke hearts. Before party add: spinach, tomatoes, red onion, basil.  Balsamic vinaigrette.

Ham & Cheese croissant sandwiches from Beaucoup Bakery (Beaumont)

Cut in half.

Fruit Platter (thanks, Courtney K. & Rhonda!)

Macarons (Munchy Macarons -- delivers on a tier, and through in extra)

S'mores Brownies (thanks, Ashlyn!)

Drinks: Sparkling lemonade, water & Diet Coke

Party Favor: Pink Strawberry Extra gum and Strawberry Altoids

(I walked around Target, talking myself out of having a party favor. No one ever takes them.

But I saw these as I was checking out and grabbed the whole carton from several aisles.

They were too cute to pass up.)

It's always fun prepping when you're working with other people.

Christmas Cards

Big errand day to prep for Courtney's baby shower on Saturday.

We went to dinner at Porcupine Grill with Carine 

(Chris came too--the first time we've seen him since we got home from Antarctica.)

We have the biggest stack of Christmas cards!

 I finally had time to open them this morning.

After dinner we spent hours looking at them and catching up on faraway friends.

Happy New Year!

December 31

Massages and mani/pedis for Courtney, Lizzie and me. 
We're making this a tradition.
Michelle and Brent invited us to spend New Year's Eve with their friends,
and we're glad we did -- it was really fun.

(We know the Horsley's from the Croatia cruise and feel like they're our friends too.)

Homemade pizzas, girl chat, boys football and a fun new-to-us card game:

Tapped Four

We celebrated Chicago New Year's and headed home at 11:00 p.m.

January 1

Brunch at my mom's with Mom, Dimitrios, Me, Dan, Michelle, Brent, Morgan & Chase,

Sheree & Jared, Bekah, Matt and girls, Emi & Lizzie.

Remember Forever Moment

When Emi and Lizzie arrived, Sheree, Michelle, Morgan and Mom were at the door to greet them.

Emi was feeling shy, maybe overwhelmed, clinging to her mom. But when I walked into the entry,

she got the biggest smile and ran to me! I felt SO special! 

Back at home, Dan made salmon for dinner with Courtney & Michael 

and the four of us played a game similar to Double Ditto.

We can't stop talking about or thinking about Antarctica!