Leaving it to the pros.

We needed photos. Badly. And while it was very tempting to put my camera on a tripod and use a remote, I knew we needed to call in a professional to get this right. 

Enter, Heather Avrech Photography! Heather is an amazing photographer based in San Jose, California. Lucky for us, she's also a friend! We were in SJ over Thanksgiving weekend, and were able to schedule a session (woo!). Heather's use of natural light makes me swoon-- so I was very excited to have photos taken by her. Here are a few of my faves:

And just when you thought we could get through the morning without 

completely losing it...

All Photos taken by Heather Avrech of Heather Avrech Photography

These photos were the perfect Christmas present for Moms (and Grandmas) who've been requesting pictures for a while now! I couldn't be happier☺

Go shorty, it's your birthday.

Yesterday, was this guy's birthday...

...he's pretty much the best sport I know...

...because he happily unwrapped 30 presents...

... and wore that crown-- all with a smile on his face.                          

     Way to get through all that tissue paper, baby!

Happy 30th, Amwilli! ♡

Happy 2013!

2012 was such a crazy great year! 

Among tons of tiny little life things to be thankful for, we celebrated two years of marital bliss, a new house, a new car,  and a new job (for Mr. Willi) this year. We know 2013 will bring us more newness and wonder. As in, "I wonder what life will be like after 30?"☺ 

Cheers to the new year-- we hope all your dreams come true in 2013!

Thoughts and Prayers

Oh, Christmas tree!

Nothing like the holidays to rev up the old bloggity blog (good thing I don't get paid for this). Last weekend we set out on our annual hunt for the perfect tree. This hunt was all the more special because it's our first Christmas in the new casa. 

Higher ceilings and more space = bigger and fatter tree. Confession: my tree criteria is painfully simple-- it should be shaped like my grandma-- pleasantly plump with a round bottom. Trust me, she would have LOVED that☺

The journey unfolds...

Success! Seven-footer with a fat booty.

Trusty side pooch.

 She helped again this year...

 And of course, the GOATS! I love them. Am I seriously disturbed?

Aspirations for the next house... the bigguns.

Next up, decorating... Happy December!

Peanut-buttery goodness

Had a hankering {yes, I just used that word} for something peanut buttery a few weeks back. I scoured my bookmarks for everything from mail order treats to Fiber One brownies. I settled on this yummy little recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything. They were super simple and swiftly gobbled up. 

They also seem pretty customizable flavor-wise since you're using cake batter. Hmm... I just had a brilliant idea for a fall-inspired pumpkin version. Stay tuned!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars - ☆☆☆☆☆ (I'm a sucker for peanut butter)

Enjoy!

Ruta-ruta-bo-buga

On yesterday's menu: rutabaga fries! ::crickets:: 
Yeah, it was hard for me to get excited about it too-- but I did-- because I'm trying new ways to get more veggies in, and this is a great one. 

Yes. It's ugly. 

 Fugly, perhaps?

 Got rid of the nasty protruding part... it's starting to look a little better...

 Took a basic vegetable peeler to the skin... starting to resemble a potato...

Chopped it up into 1/4 inch thick sticks, and I really couldn't tell the difference. Mind was sufficiently tricked in the visual department. 

I seasoned with sea salt, Adobo, and my new favorite: Penzey's Arizona Dreaming. 

Still fooled in the looks department!

Served them with a little ketchup, and felt my life changing with every nibble. The Mister liked them too-- they were gone in record timing!

My waistline thanks you, Mother Nature!

Now get going to your grocery store, peep this recipe or the million others, and get your rutabaga on!