Shop

I came across this shop today in downtown Palo Alto. What a great shop!!! It is the first environmental shop with reasonable prices. There is something for everyone here. I wish I had found this shop a month ago, before I bought everyone their gifts.

If you are in the area then stop by: 158 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Their website isn't as exciting as their shop!

Bustle

Next year I am going to knit/crochet one of these for everyone. If you can't wait until then, head on over to Anthropologie and get one for yourself today. Don't let your jaw drop at the $238.00 price tag either:


Shrewd Stitches Stole

Our sills are filled with a bustling life of its own:


The three Kings are making their way toward our nativity:


In current Shannon fashion, I am late with Reade's 7 month photo (my goal for tomorrow's post). Stay tuned.

Reade (Seven Months)

At 7 Months I:
* Got up on all fours
* Can somehow get across the room without crawling
* Make a "phfffff" noise when I am really happy
* Cry quickly when my brother starts tackling me
* Laugh a deep laugh when my brother tackles me and I am in a good mood
* Have juicy thigh fat
* Still have reddish hair
* Started babbling by saying "blah blah blah"
* Can blow different kinds of raspberries as a way of communication
* Do a funny thing with my tongue that makes everyone think I am chewing on something
* Impress my mom with my finger dexterity
* Enjoy eating solid foods now and prefer the veggies (I love the peas the most)
* Still wake up in the night, but only fuss for a minute or so before going back to sleep
* Have been dropped on my head by accident (thanks mommy!)
* Am less serious and am entertained by the world around me
* Make my mommy want more babies because I am so fun

Check out my Six Month photo

Pine

It was my intention to march our family out to the wilderness and cut down our own Christmas tree. There is no time for that though. So zip went the Prius to a tree lot I researched on Yelp. All of the trees were around $65-$140. That wasn't going to fly with my lackadaisical watering history. I saw a big sign towards the back of the lot stating, "Discount Trees - $21.99." That's more like it.

Blake making friends with Frosty:


I instantly fell in love with one of the two puny, sad trees in the discount area. Andrew rolled his eyes and tried to walk away, but I knew this tree was perfect. We only have a small spot for the tree and with a little TLC (minus watering) and a box to sit upon, it will be great:


Reade will never know it was a discount tree (unless he checks the archives of this blog someday):


Blake rolling with the punches:


All I have to do now is climb up a ladder to get the old bird's nest down from our outside eaves to use as the tree topper.

Parrrrtaaay

This last weekend was full of partying. We started out with a surprise party on Friday night. Andrew's co-worker's wife made this beautiful cheesecake for her husband. I always love a birthday party during the holidays:


The Google party followed on Saturday night. It was at the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. We dropped Blake and Reade off at a babysitter's in the city. Poor girl, she had to deal with Reade crying for four hours. He really wanted to sleep in his own bed. While she was dealing with our offspring, we drank alcohol, mingled with co-workers, and ran around looking at rain forests and getting our pictures taken. This year they added horse drawn carriage rides, but the line was too long so we went back in and hit up the dessert table (yum!). Thanks again Google for a great time:


The family met up on Sunday to experience the Dicken's Fair. Family came from near and far to watch Jessica put on a great caroling show. Those people can sing. Aunt Sandy was the Christmas angel because she held Reade for over two hours while he slept. He just couldn't take anymore partying I guess. Jessica will be at it for another weekend if anyone wants to stop by and see her:


We all got some sleep, but I am still zonked. Now for the holiday rush...

Mall Santa

I couldn't pass up the mall Santa this year. I would blame Santa for Reade's screaming, but I think the truth lies somewhere between being strapped in the stroller pre-Santa and being out of mommy's arms. Fun, kitschy, and adorable all wrapped into one:

Blankies

My mom's friend Anne Riley (check out her website here) made these adorable blankies for Blake and Reade. They are the perfect size for the kids' car seats. Blake loves the robots and Reade loves the cars and tools. We are spoiled with great, crafty people around us.

She picked out the fabrics herself and does a great job of coordinating them:


Thanks Anne! They will be used all the time.