Happy Birthday Mom

Still lookin' stylish!

Christmas Photos

Every year we take pictures in front of the fire place at my parent's house. We never got a whole family photo this year due to the craziness. Let's just say the evening took an interesting turn...Carter and Lilah got sick, a guest got puked on, my mom was washing the kitchen floor during dessert (because of the previously mentioned incident), and Molly and I were helping John load up the minivan so they could get their sick kiddos back to Canandaigua (all within less than an hour). Never a dull moment with this crowd...this was a Griswold Christmas to remember!

Christmas Weekend Candids

Przylucki household for the Polish Wigilia.

Couple's mugs from Korea.

Saying Merry Christmas to Emily, Richard and Penny in Korea!

Smile-It's Christmas Eve!

Eric's "Top 10" things he'll need for the Boston Marathon.

I love beer (in Polish).

Even Santa needs a cold one on Christmas Eve.

NEW GRILL!!!

It's a Weber Baby!!!

NEW UGGS!!!

Edward decided to get me a new purse. He downsized so I can actually find something for once.

Can you spot Carter?

Present time.

Dad in is Santa shirt.

Helping.

I imagine I am going to come home one day and everything I own will be suctioned up in bags!!!

Opening up...

her 1st American Girl doll.

His rule: NO GIRLIE THINGS IN HIS SAFE!

Dr. Jones.

Cuddling.

Ready to snow blow!

New outerwear!

Holidaying

Christmas is coming! Just a few days left...got to squeeze in all the holiday events!

Merry Christmas to all!

Love,

Amanda & Edward

Homemade

There's been a lot of dipping and sprinkling going on. My mom and I decided we should never work in a chocolate shop. We had more chocolate on us and splattered around the kitchen than on the food itself! We made and packaged treats all day long. Our finished products included:

-Chocolate covered pretzels

-Chocolate covered Oreos

-White trash mix

-Party mix

They are all set to be handed out over the next week!

The uglier the sweater, the better the party!

I knew going to an ugly Christmas sweater party was guaranteed to produce an entertaining night...and it sure did! Nothing says holiday cheer like Santas, snowmen, trees, gifts and bells in applique, yarn and sequins. Especially if the ensemble plays music...and oh did my sweater play music! The party was about more that just the ugly Christmas sweaters. It was about spending time with my old work crew that I love, laughing all night long and making fantastic memories!

Edward and I scored these awesome Christmas sweaters from his mom. Can you believe she owns both of these holiday gems?!? Let me just make it clear that the rest of her wardrobe is MUCH more fashionable than this. I don't want you thinking she wears things like this on a regular basis. Thanks again for these beadazzled beauties Dale!

Carolcade 2010

The whole village was out on Main Street belting out Christmas carols! "Frosty" and "Silver Bells" never sounded better!

Caroler 5K

Yes, Edward and I ran a 5K in the FREEZING cold temperatures. It was the first annual Caroler 5K in East Aurora. We were able to convince our friends Joanne and Mike to run with us. Santa was even there to cheer us on. Here is a picture of me trying to warm up after we got back home.

'Tis the Season

We've been busy with lots of holiday happenings lately....Picked the perfect short, fat tree. Found the perfect spot for it in our living room. Rediscovered favorite ornaments and added some new ones. Hung our stockings. Crashed into a snowbank on the way to work...close one. Did our annual shopping night on Elmwood. Discovered one of the stores was closed...ugh. Enjoyed the night anyways with burgers at Coles. Heard some holiday tunes at the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus Sounds of the Season Concert. It's my third year going and it has become a FAVORITE event of mine. Wrapped a few gifts. Got to peek inside homes jazzed up for the holidays in our village on EA Holiday Tour of Homes. Some were charming, some made me realize how much more I love my own home and one was out of this world. Shared dinners and desserts with the ones we love. Wrote, licked, addressed and stamped Christmas cards.

Up next...parties, baking, racing and caroling. Holy holiday fun!!!

Too often we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and forget the purpose of the holiday. For me it's a time to appreciate good health, good friends and wonderful family. To indulge in the decorations, carols, celebrations and traditions. To still laugh about childhood Christmas memories. To take drives to look at Christmas lights. To nestle on the couch watching Christmas movies and forgetting about everything else. To cherish time together doing things that make us feel joyful, merry and bright.

Our Holiday House

I just noticed by posting this picture that our little tree on the porch has some lights out on the top. Better go check them!

Lake Effect

Driving into our village

The NYS thruway where vehicles were stuck.

Our backyard buried.

Finally plowed. Doesn't it look so pretty!?!

Well, the weather outside has been frightful here! Starting on Wednesday, the lake effect snow arrived in bands, hitting parts of WNY much harder than others. Leaving work on Wednesday night was treacherous. After digging out my car buried in the heavy snow, I was stuck in the parking lot with a co-worker. (I guess that's what we get for staying at school late). Thankfully, one of the male administrators saw us two girls struggling and stopped to help us get out. From there, though, it took me over an hour to get home...a drive that usually only takes 20 minutes. Along the way vehicles were stuck in snow banks and I could barely see where I was going. I had white knuckles by the time I finally arrived home safely.

Things continued to get worse over night. Inch after inch of snow fell along with thunder and lighting. Who knew there was something called "thunder snow!?!" The snowstorm brought traffic on I-90 to a standstill for miles, stranding hundreds of people in their cars and trucks overnight Wednesday and leaving the thruway closed in both directions all day Thursday. School was cancelled on Thursday. Yeah for snow days!!! I was pj'd up all day, snuggled up inside the house. Unfortunately, Edward had to make it to work, taking an alternate route (along with everyone else). It was a slow go, but he made it into the city. His office let the employees out early, because by that time there were driving bans in many towns and the thruway was still closed leaving other main routes gridlocked. He left at 2:30 PM and didn't make it back home until 5:00 PM! 2 1/2 hours to go about 20 miles. I'm so glad he made it home safely. My parents braved the roads to get my sister to a college event in the city that she didn't want to miss. Way to go Dad!!! What a guy!!!

I'm still homebound in my jammies. School was closed again on Friday. The snow literally did not stop for two days. By the time it stopped falling this morning, some communities were under a 32 inch blanket of snow including the town were my school is! Our village had a total of 13 1/2 inches, but places north of the city have green grass. CRAZY!!! Everything here looks so beautiful...like a winter wonderland! We, of course, made the national news for how much snow we got. I love snow storms and all the excitement that they bring. What a way to say hello to the month of December. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!