winter wonderland

We had a holly, jolly Christmas! Hope you did too.

We spent Christmas in Utah this year. We had a great time with family on both sides! Time always flies when we visit family & it seems there is never enough time to see everyone we want to see & do all we want do. Here are the highlights from this year:

First & Most importantly, my dad (me: Mari) was taken to the hospital the day I arrived. He was experiencing extreme pain in his chest & was having trouble breathing. His father, Grandpa Carver, as well as other relatives have heart problems--with this family history, his diabetes, his age, etc. they made him stay for 24hrs to run tests. He was released the following day, all of the tests were inconclusive :( We are still worried about him, but were happy to have him back at home & feeling better. I cannot even think about it without getting worried, I need my father to be at my children's weddings! *he is home now though, and seems to be improving

On to the less heavy stuff..

• Being Santa's little helpers! Since we do not have kids of our own, we haven't been "Santa" yet. This year we helped my parents & my sister with their Santa-ing. It was SO fun. Children totally make Christmas memorable & bring the magic back into it. I can't wait to have my own!
• Staying with the Spiker's in their new cabin! It was so cozy & cute buried in heaps of snow. We celebrated Steve's bday! We also exchanged our gifts on Christmas Eve with them, it was so nice to be able to spend some time with them during the holiday.
• Chris officially owns more expensive clothing & shoes than I do. Ha! He scored some designer duds for work from his parents & myself.
• My parents spoiled all of us kids to death! My dad saved all his $ from last semester & used it ALL on Christmas!
• Chris & his parents joined in & got me a fancy schmancy Canon camera. WOOOOOP! (clearly I love photos)
• I was able to see two of my very favorite friends, Jess & Bert. I wish I could have seen more of my friends, but this trip was so rushed! I am grateful I was able to see those two though, I freaking love them.
• We played dominos 'til the wee hours of the night with my parents: which resulted in my mother almost peeing her pants because we were making her laugh so hard.
• Kids! Kids! Kids! Ah, I am SUCH a proud Aunt! I cannot get enough of the munchkins! I only wish Josh's & Lauren's kids were there too-then it would have been perrrrrrrfect!
• Christmas Eve @ the Carvers was full of Carver Traditions: Grandparents, acting out the Nativity Story, big dinner, Christmas carols, Grandma (my mama) reading a Christmas story to the family, hot cocoa, hanging the sheet, late night wrapping while 'A Christmas Story' plays in the background.
• Mama baking up a storm, all the holiday fav's made an appearance: Fudge, Toffee, Popcorn Balls, Brownies, Lemon Bars, Gingerbread men, Christmas Tree Bread, etc. etc. She was covered in flour but looked fabulous as she sang to her music & scooted around the kitchen.
• Having a white Christmas :)
• Giving gifts you can't wait to see opened!
• Movies! Holy Canoli we saw a ton of movies! We saw Blindside (very good), Princess & the Frog (I'll quote Aubrie as we walked out) "THAT WAS THE BEST MOVIE EVER! Even better than 'UP'!", Sherlock Holmes, & Avatar in 3D. Phew, I'm movied out for a while.
• Big joint family lunch with the Spikers
• Surprising Chris with a very FULL stocking & spending my "secret stash" on him--which ultimately blew our "christmas budget" out of the water! I was feeling so proud, thinking I'd spoiled him & then to my surprise, he did the same for me! **January is officially when the saving/debt paying off begins..**

The list goes on & on. We had a wonderful time & love this time of year! Hope you enjoy the pics, I took over 400 (hey! I got a new camera! It's not my fault!) But I tried to edit & only post a small sampling!

Cutest kids ever. We just found them downstairs playing like this on their own! Are you kidding me? I'm taking them home with me now!!

Sweet Caleb loves whales & anything ocean related. I love this boy, he has such a sweet heart.

the boys found old Christmas sweaters, it was absolutely hilarious watching them pose

it's gonna be a good day..

I've had a bit of down spell lately. (Possibly & most likely due to the sleeping issues I've been experiencing. The lack of sleep makes me a bit of a emotional & sad person--yay for Chris!)
However, today I feel a little bit better.

Because today I get to use my cute new scissors: (i love birds! Hence I loved these, plus they are mini)

To make presents for these two young ladies:

(jeni, I totally stole this pic from your blog!)

I have been downloading some ridiculously amazing music, I bought 15 songs on iTunes yesterday alone. Music makes me so happy, today I plan on listening to it as loud as possible.
...some of my purchases yesterday include:

The Kills

anya marina
and of course, Lady Gaga (i know she is a total freak but I still love her...I'm GooGoo for GaGa!)

plus for any of you who haven't already downloaded some Metric, you most definitely should. Two of my friends, whose music suggestions are HIGHLY valued (B & Jess) have both recommended them to me over the past couple weeks-lucky for me I already had 2 songs! But since their suggestions I have bought several more...thanks girls!

& I am going to start laundry today, so I can pack to see these people:

Plus I'm all done with Christmas shopping! I'm happy to say that a lot of my gifts this year were in support of artists--I bought a bunch of stuff on Etsy, at a few markets I went to, etc. --It feels great to be done! Now I can just enjoy the season, and hopefully get to play in the snow!!

I also can just look out my window & see the beach, see my car (yes! a car, finally! I am no longer stranded! RIP Ruby), and see on my front door all the wonderful Christmas cards from so many wonderful people! It's gonna be a good day..

'tis the season..

..to be jolly! nothing makes me more jolly than clothing, and free clothing at that! I am doing a give away on my autumn dame blog, I have some left over inventory & would love to share it with you! Hop on over & check it out!

****AUTUMN DAME HOUSE PARTY TOMORROW
SATURDAY DECEMBER 12th****
Where: Salt Lake City, UT
*Call Courtney for address: 661-312-1649
When: 7pm- 10pm
What: Autumn Dame clothing - Pearl & Pauper Accessories sale! - Mari Elizabeth Couture sale!
Why: Presents for yourself, stocking stuffers & presents for others!
Plus we are having a Buy 2 get 1 50% off all Autumn Dame & headbands as low as $4!
*there will be other clothing not yet featured on my site. Vest, Cardigans, & more!

mailbox presents!

I am a huge fan of all things modern. I practically have my iPhone glued to my hand. I love the internet, I love to blog :), I love keeping in touch with people I love who aren't right beside me. So many things that make my life easier! I mean, what would I do without texting?!

I was thinking about all the old things that are disappearing now, and how they are being replaced by newer & faster versions. Classics that I actually think I'm sad to see go! Not that I want to lose the new ones, but I think there is a certain charm to the old way of life.
Maybe I'm a 70yr old in a 24yr old body...

Things like a good old fashioned letter, hand written and all. Or how about a night of reading on the couch with your spouse instead of a night of So You Think You Can Dance & Dexter (some of our favs!)? I've never even had the chance to have a pen pal! (maybe that's one I wouldn't miss?) Care packages, bike rides, hand made quilts! (haha, oh boy!)

I think certain arts like baking, sewing, and music are being lost- all of which I love! (baking could use some work though..) I don't think I would value them half as much without my mother. She plays the piano & the cello, always cooked a meal for 9 on a dime, and made every prom dress I wore. I am an amateur in comparison. My niece, Kailah, has already begun! My sister has done such a great job showing her how to cook & now she is asking for her own Kitchen Aid! I wonder, will my children catch this bug from me? Or will these fade, just as the learning calligraphy has for me? (I'd even say mine is comical) I know not everyone is intended to sew, cook, or play music..but I do think they should appreciate the good they bring.

Am I alone on this? I think so. Am I an old soul? Is that what they mean when they use that phrase? I am not even sure..

So here's the promise:
I promise to teach my children to bake (or send them to Grandma's to learn)
I promise to teach my children the value of music
I promise to keep sewing, even in the moments I feel intimidated

Hmmm...so I'm thinking mailbox presents! Letters & care packages & cards. I know I am always excited when i open the mailbox & receive something other than a bill! If you'd like one you should email me your address, I'm also doing Christmas cards (eventually), so email me your address if you'd like one of those as well. (missmariliz@yahoo.com)

And I thank those of you who've already sent me some mailbox presents this month, I'm loving all the Christmas cards!

(those little girls are so cute, i don't know who they are but Im glad whoever does posted that cute pic on the internet for me to find!)

dear Santa..