New Blog is Up!

Come one, come all! Please link onto my new blog here: Fam Och in the Yukon and follow my nonsense there from now on! New place plus new adventures equals new blog! Hope to hear from you soon!

Let Them Eat Cake!

The idea flourished from my niece's wish to have a "masquerade ball" theme for her eighth birthday. It quickly transformed into a French Revolution era and Marie Antoinette shindig. I can't say I wasn't thrilled with the idea. I needed a solid distraction from moving preparations and this is what we came up with:

Invitations were inserted into 12x12 velveteen print scrapbook paper, folded and sealed with a golden wax seal with Madison's monogram.

Table arrangement had gems and baubles for the girls to stash in their favor bags

Favor bags cut and folded from scrapbook paper.

The table was draped with a sheer pink organza. Note the paper chandelier.

Mini strawberry cupcakes, creme puffs, and sparkling apple juice served in plastic champagne flutes

The girls were occupied with the two hundred balloons on the floor and playing several sets of freeze dance.

A mask decorating activity filled with gem and pearl stickers and feathers

Another Year

Another one closes its books and nudges us onto a new one. Change is upon us, people! So much promise lays in wait for the fam this 2011. BUT, before we file this chapter away, I'd like to recap last year's top ten (in no order):

1. Crazy tacky trashy Elvis wedding/vow renewal in Vegas--a decked out limo couldn't hold up to all the homemade tutus, animal prints, technicolor jeans, and tuxedo t-shirts. I think about that night, and I can still smell the heavy cologne of my gold-sequinned clad king of rock.

2. Operation Purple in Jackson Hole--canoeing, river rafting, hiking, making new friends, and watching Sophie's reaction as the true meaning of "Grand Tetons" hits her innocent little face.

3. Walking in the White House--yeah, yeah, it says 'don't touch.' But Ronald Reagan's portrait was calling my name. Lucky for them, JFK's was too high for me to reach.

4. Backyard Makeover--It took six years of dreaming and drafting and researching and dreaming...it may have been a bit late in the game, but we don't see it as a waste. Now, we know exactly how to do everything and won't wait so long next time!

5. Ranch Living & Yellowstone--From attempting to sleep in an authentic log cabin heated only by a single wood burning stove in the living room to gawking at geysers to holding your breath at the rotten-egg smelling hot springs to praying the stubborn personality maxed mule will not buck me off and send me tumbling down the muddy mountain = Wet--Cold--Fun.

6. Girls Only Vegas--first time ever the Cabilan girls broke away from responsibility to shop, gamble, and eat. The most fun breaking the bank!

7. Rapid City, SD--FM'ers reunite for a deelish fried pickle lunch, double checking the windows aren't letting out the aromas of leftovers to the black bear right outside the car (seriously, I'm pretty sure he used our bumper to scratch his rump against), and looking up four president's noses.

8. Family Reunion--Absolutely nothing like a crowd of nuts gathered together to make things interesting. Good ole Sidney, Nebraska, how do I love thee? "Professional" videographers armed with a Flip ("It's HD!" she says defensively), XFL football relatives, cousins who run a "prescription" pot house, and yummy nummy Mexican food = priceless!

9. Orders!!!--after predicting a set every cycle and sheepishly announcing we weren't moving after all...the news came...at six in the morning, from the hubby who was away at NCOA (I NEVER get up that early). -40 degree rated footwear, engine block heaters, blackout shades, and icicles on eyelashes...here we come!!!

10. Dylan Louis OCHOA--yep! THE number ONE highlight of the year.

It's always nice to be able to look back at the past 365, isn't it? Some of us may have had some hard times befall us, others not much different from years past, and some who have been blessed with more than they could have ever imagined. The one thing that ties us all together is the hope of better or continued moments to come for this year. It is my deepest hope this 2011 brings you fulfilled dreams and complete happiness!