Cupcakes & Zoolights.

So this year, I didn't make any plans with friends to celebrate my bday.  It's always a bit of a challenge with Thanksgiving the Holidays and all.  But my little Addie Jo, wouldn't let me get by with a little bday friend fun!

She had me and Justin over one night for a delicious homemade meal followed by champagne and cupcakes.  I do realize that I look like a total thug in this photo, but that's okay because I'm from Casa Grande and so is Addie and sometimes....well that's how we roll......

Billie, Addie's boxer was there lookin all pitiful and such.  Justin just adores her!

Following dinner, we mixed together a few "roadies" and headed out to the Zoo to check out Zoolights.  Derrick, Addies' boyfriend and room mate met up with us at the zoo (after her got off work) for all the festive fun!

And good times were had..........

Thank you Addie Jo for making me feel so special!  I love ya girlfriend!

And thanks to "Fun Derrick" (that's my nickname for him) and Mr. Justin Starr for being such great dates!

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Winter Weenies

So...umm... yes this is another shamful look at how stinkin cute my dogs are blog post....so like I had mentioned before... Sammy and Olive Starr have been doing great at Doggie Day Care. 

 

There were a few days this past December when the weather was exceptionally cold.  I remember dropping them off one morning the front office told me....You really ought to consider getting little coats for Sammy & Olive as they get very cold.. I thought to myself....Umm..okay, last time I checked they were dogs, but whatever you say.  

The next thing I know the next three dogs that come through the doors at Doggie Daycare are wearing little doggie coats....I stop dead in my tracks and think to myself....Oh no, I'm a horrible mother, I've been sending my babies to school with no coats!  So of course, I had to fix this right away~ hence the photos you see here.

And of course, they wore them for like ONE day before it warmed again, afterall we do live in Arizona....I wear open toed shoes year round here.

And I had to include these above shots too...I don't really remember much about what was going on, other than thinking the Olive is soooooo cute!

Gross, I know....I can't help it...I'm a sicko....

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Roomie Holiday Dinner

 

"Roomie Holiday Dinner"

This is tradition that started many years ago, and one that I've grown to love and appreciate this time so much with my very dear friends (Andrea and Melissa) and former college room mates.  We do see each other a good handful of times throughout the year, but this night is reserved for Roomies Only ~ no spouses, no kiddos, just us and lemme tell ya... we talk, pour of hearts out, counsel each other, and laugh, cry, and leave each year feeling more and more bonded.  Sounds totally corn ball ~ like out of a Lifetime Television for Women movie, but it's so true.  We gabbed so much that we shut the restaurant down and finally got kicked out...only to spend another hour or so talking in Melissa's parked truck.  At the end of the night, we tried making several attempts at taking a photo with my camera phone and this was the best shot we got. 

 I love you girls so much...Muah!

Past Roomie Holiday Dinners:

Last Year

Last Last Year

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My Birthday, Family,Tiny Tim and Cheesy Realtors

My Birthday this past year was random, very random... but one I'll never forget.....

Rewind a few days prior to my actual birthday....

We met up for a little post thanksgiving pre birthday family dinner at La Stalla Cucina Rustica in down town Chandler... where my brother ordered Kangaroo for dinner, which totally bothered me ~I'm quite certain that's the only reason he ordered it.

Then on my actual birthday I had to work because I guess I'm a grown up now and that's what grownups do...but I did receive a special surprise delivery from the Original J.Starr ~ he's a stud. He brought me flowers and lunch.

Then that night, (Justin had previously told me) that he had tickets for us to see a show...because I really can't handle surprises....but I didn't know which show~that was enough of a surprise for me.

So we kicked off the holiday season by seeing "A Christmas Carol"... and we were by far the youngest people at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater on that Tuesday night in November.   I was going through a "red lipstick" phase during this time in my life....thankfully that phase didn't last long. 

 Following the show, we captured our annual  Christmas photos......

 A few years ago we started a random tradition.... we started taking our "Christmas Photos" on my birthday.  Being that my birthday falls on November 29th and it's right in between Thanksgiving and Christmas~ the timing seems perfect.

 It's totally weird in some ways...I mean, I guess I feel a little goofy sending out photos of us (ya know like without kids, real ones, not ones with fur)...  But...I figure what the hay...one day we will have kids (hopefully) and we'll cherish our pre-children days... plus we already own all this crazy expensive photo gear...

           

So I guess we started this in tradition in 2009, and continued in 2010...and this year I had all these grand, uber cool photo location ideas.... all thematic with ice skates, vintage clothing, and falling snowflakes....

But at the end of 2011 for the first time in my life...I had no energy, limited passion, and low creative juices...I was done.  The year had been amazing... busy, but I felt like I  needed to slip off my heels and put on my comfy pjs, put my hair in high pony tail and wrap myself in a warm blanket and sleep for about a month.

I couldn't put anything magical or creative together... and I keep pushing myself hard.  Justin was spent too... he can usually steer me back on track pretty easily.

But this time, we both we're DONE. Neither of us could come up with any energy or spare time... so for our 2011 Christmas Card Photo Shoot Justin threw up a white backdrop (in our tiny condo) and I threw a chair tie around out kitchen chair... and viola!

(FRONT)

  

  

(BACK)

  About a week after all our cards we sent out we were driving around doing some shopping and Justin says to me..."Umm....do you think our card this year was kind of weird?"... Me "Yes! But I didn't want to say anything...I think we totally look like nerdy realtors"... Justin replied..." umm.. yeah what were we thinking, not cool"

None the less, this was our 2011 Christmas Card. Done and Done, and it time stamps where we were at this time in our lives.  

And here's a few Bloopers that didn't make the final cut.............

Fun times, good memories, lessons learned.........

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Kinsys + Starrs

One night during Thanksgiving Weekend we were able to meet up with Michel and Heather and catch up.  I had the amazing opportunity to coordinate their wedding a few years ago....it's crazy how quickly time flies!!!  We had a fab night with many laughs..the highlight of my night was when Michel ( in his rich accent) called us "Yuppies" for taking out dogs to doggie day care.

  Good Times, hope to come and visit you two in Boston soon!!!!

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Thankful

  So much to be thankful for this past year......

We spent Thanksgiving at my Mom and Dad's home.

We incorporated several of Barbara's (Justin's mom) dishes and treats into our thanksgiving to keep her spirit with us...and we also kept several of my mom's dishes and treats... so we had a TON of delicious food....

I slaved in the kitchen for hours.......(that was funny huh?) no I assisted Chef Justin with all of his creations... and mom supervised. 

Grandpa and Grandma Norris came over for the big feast, and we were excited to be able to present them with this gift we had been working on for quite some time.

Dad carved the turkey and my Uncle Gene and Granny Morris we're there too to indulge in the feast!

Mom and I did some simple decorating to add to the magic and we attempted (second time in 2011) to try and take a sucessful family photo of the Morris/Norris/Starr Crew...it's quite a task with this group, lemme tell  ya. 

And for a brief moment in time, I realized how incredibly blessed I am.... as I looked around at our thanksgiving gathering I felt so much love, comfort, and warmth.... each year life seems to get a little more bittersweet  in some ways (maybe that's just a part of growing up) but I also grow more and more appreciative for my loved ones and experiences we're able to share together.

The day after Thanksgiving Justin had to go to work, but Chase and I had the day off...so we put up the Christmas for Mom and Dad.  Justin had left his fancy camera behind so I snapped these precious shots. 

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Born to Run....

So, I'm not sure if this is something I should admit on the internet...but oh well, people already know I'm weird. This past October Justin started his official career and we soon realized that "our girls" would now have to spend very long days alone as a few days a week we both work 10/12 hour days.

Now, also keep in mind that we live in a two bedroom little condo on the second floor with no backyard. So, every time my little ones need to use the potty we have to take them outside and down the stairs.

In the past we've used a dog walker from time to time to help with our crazy schedules but now we knew we had to figure something out more solid and dependable until we buy our next home.

 

So, one day on my way to work I drove past Born to Run and I decided to pull over and check this place out.  The staff was very kind and took me to the back where I saw the cutest scene ever (like out of a movie) ....acres of grass with doggies running, playing, splashing around in mini pools and sun bathing...seriously sooooo adorable!

I just knew this was our answer...but first, they had to pass.  That's right our little girls had to "test" to see if they "passed" to attend "Doggie Daycare".

We knew our Sammy Girl would do just fine, but it was our little one; Olive that we were worried about.  Olive has somewhat of an "anxiety" disorder... meaning she's terrified of strangers....but once she knows she LOVES you.... I mean LOVES you... she's the sweetest, cuddliest lil hound dog you've ever met....but until she trusts you she HATES you!!  So we were nervous....really nervous....but to our SHOCK and SURPRISE...They passed! 

And this was the photo I snapped on my phone right after they passed to sent to Justin.

I love these little girls....they've had so much fun at Doggie Daycare, and made so many friends!  I really would recommend Born to Run to anyone for daycare or overnight boarding....they are wonderful dog loving people!

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Cherished Moments & Delicious Hummus

 

Nothing better than catching up with an old friend.  You can jump right into intense conversation without holding back, without being polite, or justifying anything, or having to explain the background stories...... it's so emotionally rewarding ~ we need our girlfriends.  One fall night, I shared a meal at Pita Jungle, and a few glasses of wine out on the patio with my dear friend Tiffany... we talked about life, we solved a few problems, and we laughed so loud that we annoyed the table next to us~overall just a great night.

I love you girlfriend!  "Oh yeah, I can totally see that"

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