XO Cookie Exchange

Oh, the Chi O cookie exchange. This year was such a hit, thanks to Sarah and Heather for being such great hosts! They really know how to throw a fun party with great food, decor, and even some fun games.

With so much prep and cookie baking practice, I was nervous when it came down to picking just one. I went with the overall favorite, Paula Deen's Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies. I baked the night before, and decided to triple the recipe. I'm not so good with simple math, so I ended up with 150 cookies when we only needed to bring 4 dozen…triple the amount, whoops. 

racks and racks of cookies

all the delicious food

festive Christmas sangria

Sarah had us put out our cookies, label them with our name, and set aside a dish of broken up pieces so that we could sample them all. We then wrote down our vote for best cookie to be tallied up at the end. Stakes were high this year with a trophy on the line!

Weiner brought sweet baby Max -
he is just the cutest!

ho ho ho

playing a game for the ornament exchange

Rachelle the big winner of the coveted
cookie trophy

watching the Hawks lose to the stupid Niners

Jingle, me and Colleen

shirt twins!

I had such a great time seeing everyone and getting into the holiday spirit. Plus, I went home with a ton of cookies where Clint was ready to help me sample them all. Now it's time to start preparing for next year…I want that trophy!

adorable cookie boxes Sarah ordered

bluLink Holiday Party

Clint's business has grown a bit more this year, so the bluLink holiday party went from a small party at someone's house, to a dinner for 8 last year, to renting out our own party venue for 20! Clint's employee Kelly found the place, K. R. Trigger building, and it worked out great. It's a cool spot in SODO, wood panelling, neon signs, and a boat for a bar.

Kelly was also in charge of food and drink. She went with a Mexican theme, and everything was delicious…carnitas tacos, cheesy polenta, chips and guac, quinoa salad, and tequila hot toddys. I also brought a big batch of my tortilla soup which seemed to be a hit, and Clint and I picked up churros and gelato from Costco for dessert. Yum!

Everyone mingled, ate and drank when we first got there, then it was time for the gift exchange. This was our third year doing a white elephant, and it just keeps getting better. Some of the gifts this time around included a bottle of Jack Daniels, ninja stars, a toothpick holder, a switchblade bottle opener, and an urn filled with fake ashes and mini bottles of booze (to sneak it past the TSA). We had a great time stealing and trading…to the point where it got out of hand in the end since none of us quite knew the rules on ending the game. Oh well.

I had a great time catching up with some of the wives, we hardly see each other so it's nice to have a dedicated time of the year to see everyone. Thanks bluLink for a fun party, and here's to more growing in 2014!

Mission: Accomplished

I did it! 12 books in a year! I had to push hard there at the end, but here's hoping I can make this a yearly accomplishment.

My new found book obsession followed me to Mexico where I lounged by the ocean or the pool with my Kindle in one hand, and a Corona in the other. I logged quite a few reading hours, and was able to finish one and start another.

Book 11: Orange is the New Black

When I saw the Orange is the New Black Netflix series come up, I binge watched the entire first season. If you haven't seen it yet, I recommend watching it. It's directed by the same gal that did Weeds and is very entertaining. With a big cliff hanger after season 1, and now waiting for season 2, I thought I'd take a short cut and read the book. Unfortunately, the Netflix series only somewhat follows the book, so I'm still left hanging. The book, though, was very good. It's a true story where Piper Kerman, a middle-class white woman from new York, recounts her year-long prison sentence for a non-violent drug crime she committed 10 years before. It was interesting to see what life was like for her, and to hear about the relationships she made on the inside as well as how her relationships on the outside (fiancé, parents) handled the strain.

Book 12: The Goldfinch

I couldn't put this one down. Since I didn't quite finish it in Mexico, I stayed up late the next few nights not being able to stop reading. I love getting sucked into a good book. I was skeptical at first, the synopsis didn't seem to be my type of book, but I'm glad I listened to the recommendation I got. It's a little dark and twisty, mixed with tragedy, mystery, and a love story. It's a little longer than the other books I read, but that was nice since I didn't want it to end. If you end up reading it, let me know. I'm curious to see what others think.

Cabo: Part 3

The next day was our first full all-inclusive day, so we took advantage of getting up in time for the breakfast buffet. We sat out on the patio of the Brigantine by the water which had a beautiful view.

had the place to ourselves

After breakfast, Clint had to call into work, so I headed to the pool with my Kindle and ordered myself a mimosa or two.

I also took a walk along the beach.

setting up for the beach party that night

And wrote a note in the sand for my grandpa on his birthday.

love you so much <3

After my walk, it was back to the pool where Clint finally joined me...with his Surface and still more work to do. He needs to learn how to disconnect on vacation better!

We then ordered a quesadilla and some cerveza, laid out some more (where I took a little siesta), then back to the room to shower. Rough day, huh?

Having the all-inclusive deal meant we got tickets to the theme nights, so that night we went to the beach party. We were greeted by a pirate who promptly tilted our heads back and filled our mouths with shots, then we were allowed in. We found a table with a nice couple and their teenage kids, and then hit the BBQ buffet.

The night started with a band for entertainment, then our emcee came out after we had eaten and started the show. He rounded up the audience for a conga line (Clint and I stayed put) which then turned into a line for a limbo competition. The emcee was hilarious, and made jokes as everyone passed through to give it a shot. We were cracking up. The winner got a bottle of tequila!

limbo comp

He then grabbed 5 couples from the audience to participate in a balloon popping competition, which again was hilarious to watch...glad Clint and I weren't singled out for that!

beach bon fires

cool decor

After the party, we went back to the room and watched another movie before bed.

The next day was Thanksgiving. We slept in a bit then got some breakfast. I tried the omelet bar where you choose your toppings. It was delicious.

watching the hang gliders at breakfast

mmm, omelets

After we ate, we took a walk along the beach to check out the other resorts. At the end you come to a rocky hill where the multimillion dollar vacation homes sit. Maybe some day!

check out the yellow house with the pool!

watching the waves

After our walk, it was back to the pool for more sun and reading. We also grabbed a traditional Thanksgiving snack, fried ice cream. That's a thing, right?

noms

Before heading to our room, we sat out on the beach to watch the sunset.

so pretty

Later that night, we went back to the Brigantine for the Thanksgiving feast and show. The food was very good, but I'd hardly call it a Thanksgiving feast. They did have turkey and cranberry sauce (out of a squeeze container), but that was it for traditional. We also had salad, rice, seafood chowder, lamb, prime rib, and corn on the cob.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Then the show started. Quite interesting...

a pilgrim and indian

Michael Jackson

masquerade?

a man on stilts

and the finale...blue balls

Back at our room we were able to see a fireworks show in town near the marina. Then it was off to bed, another great Thanksgiving spent in Mexico.

I should have known better than to think we could go on vacation without Clint getting sick. The next morning he wasn't feeling well, so opted to stay in bed. All.day. That was fine though. I headed to the pool with my Kindle and got updates on my phone about the Apple Cup. I was a little bummed we weren't able to go watch it in town...but laying out by the pool all day isn't so bad.

Clint joined me later in time to watch the sunset again, then we went to the lobby bar to enjoy our last dinner in Cabo.

loves his Surface

already decorated for Christmas day
after Thanksgiving

Clint and I got a kick out of these signs...reminded me of this hilarious comedy bit.

no molesting, please

The next day was our flight, so we squeezed in as much sun as possible. We got up early to lay out on the beach one last time.

no swimming, just testing it out

We packed up our room, and said goodbye to our gorgeous view before getting picked up by our shuttle to the airport.

goodbye, Cabo!

sure do miss this!

the putt putt course we kept meaning to play

Our flight had a short layover in San Diego, so we thought it'd be fun to try to get a later flight and be able to see Clint's brother and his family. Our plan worked, so they were able to pick us up from the airport and have dinner. It was great to see them, even if for a short visit.

We had them take us out to Mexican food, since we were craving carne asada. Cabo just doesn't do it the same as good ol' SD.

view from the restaurant

After dinner, we headed to a park where the girls could run out their energy. They go crazy for Uncle Clint!

a couple of goofballs

It was nice catching up with Blake and Rebecca, and we got a little extension on our vacation out of it. They took us back to the airport, and it was home to rainy Seattle for us.

We had an amazing time and really got to relax. Can't wait to go back!