We celebrated the new year the classic way- fondue (cheese for dinner and chocolate for dessert) and sparklers. That was pretty much it. The kids went to bed at the normal time and Garth and I probably would have retired early if it were any other night. Here’s a little of our front yard popper and sparkler fest.

A few days later we celebrated Garth’s 33rd by going on our first date of the year while the kids were at school. We just had lunch and went to a movie but it was so sweet and nice and it sorta felt like it did when we were dating/newly married. We were even able to drive around with the top down since Jack wasn’t in the back to complain. We were sure excited to see them later that afternoon though! Cutest. kids. Ever.

There are some crazy exciting things happening in the xoelle bow tie world right now- but nothing that can be spilled just yet- and of course, crazy awesome things happening in real life too (like a dishwasher!!!! after a year of handwashing in hotel rooms and bathroom sinks we have a dishwasher! I just got a few extra hours each week!).

I can share with you the awesomeness that is the xoelle swatchbook though- they’ve been in the works since last summers Indie Wed, when my parents skipped almost an entire night of sleep to help me assemble them. They have been fine-tuned and tweaked and are now in the shop to delight and seduce potential bow-tie-owners. I lub dem.

ecks oh.

elle

Christmas is magic. We had such a sweet little understated Christmas. Strawberry shortcake & orange juice punch for breakfast. Cars, choo choo trains, accordians, pettiskirts, and ponies for the kiddos to open. Lots of candy & snacks. And an afternoon, dressed in red & green, trying to keep the little ones quiet for an hour of church, almost successfully. I’ve included the last photo just in case there’s too much sweetness and cuteness here and you miss the real lifeness. Garth still had his pee bag to carry around on Christmas and there’s a ripped-up couch (more on that later), broken a/c unit, and moldy high chair just hanging out in our front yard, waiting for the bulk trash day. This’ll be our life for the next year or so while we try to renovate this tiny home, raise two sweet kids, and keep our jobs. Thank goodness for these sweet & happy times.

Hope yours was just as sweet friends.
much love,

elle

The kiddos are in bed after a long day of movie watching, ornament & cookie making, trampoline jumping, and late night light tour bike riding. The Mr. and I are soaking in the Christmas eve magic in the living room, waiting for Santa. Christmas Eve is the best. From our rainy little hideaway to you- merry Christmas- hope it’s lovely & awesome.

Just got back yesterday from a week in the desert with Garth’s parents & family. It was a little chilly at times and we loved it. We left 2 cans of spam and like 15 strange sodas when we left (including egg nog fizz and lilikoi). Yes, we will leave spam at your house if you invite us over too.

The giant bow tie sale is winding down and has been a huge success. Today is the last day to get as many bow ties as your heart desires for $25 a piece, including shipping. Well, as many as your heart desires up to 65 or so.

happy new week people. =)

elle

Oh it has been a marvelous holiday, my friends. Garth had 4 days off in a row and I tried my hardest not to wander into my studio (the living room) and work. Mostly we stayed in our pajamas ( we each got two sets this year!), watched movies, and drank hot chocolate. And egg nog. And ate cookies. In fact, we’re still eating cookies.

We took our annual Christmas Eve bike ride through North Hill Pensacola to look at the lights (even though it was a chilly 40 something degrees) and upon arriving home we changed into our jammies (after Jack peed on his playroom floor and then cried about it). After the kids were asleep Garth and I started on the adult assembly required that we had been looking forward to all week. It is some sort of rite of passage for parents, right? And, it only took until 3 am or something.

Santa brought Jack a Radio Flyer trike (that he’ll have to grow into since his feet can’t reach the peddles yet) and Ginger a tuff stuff toy sewing machine (every four month old needs a pink toy sewing machine). Garth made me a pair of flip flops out of some special order foam, webbing from an old backpack, and tread from his old motorcycle tires. They rule. I got him a vintage Gillette double edged razor (every few weeks for the past three years we’ll be riding in the car and he’ll tell me that he’s always wanted to shave with one of those old razors that uses a real razor blade.)

And now, it’s Wednesday and Garth has one more (short) day of work before another four day weekend. And then there’s one short week until several strange men will come into our home, pack up all of our stuff, and place it on a ship to be reunited with us in approximately 40 days. holy smokes.

Hope your holidays were just as sweet.

ps. a million thanks to the family that had this message in lights on Christmas Eve. I surely miss my Bob so very very much and your lights made me smile.

xoxoxox

elle

If I don’t talk (type) to all ya’ll before then, have a super extra double Merry Christmas!

elle

more Easter photos here.

It’s looking to be a sweet one for us. We will be at the Port City Market tomorrow enjoying the mid-70’s weather and Sunday will be filled with Easter Egg hunts, pastel madras pants, delicious breakfast food, and LDS general conference streaming right to our front porch. I hope all ya’ll are just as excited as we are.

xo
elle

ps. the illustration above is from a late 1940’s Easter card. More here.

There is a little leprechaun on our front porch. What mischief will he get us into today?
Green food and other festivities are on the way for us- and hopefully for you too.

xo
elle

Garth is 31 today. He is such a super person, and that makes me one lucky girl. He woke up this morning on his birthday, made Jack a bottle, then let me sleep in and brought me hot chocolate in bed. Gosh, if only everyday was his birthday!

love you, Mr. Awesome.
Mrs. Awesome.