S.O.S. it's PARTY TIME!!!

If you weren't at the AMBIANCE, Paso Robles Grand Opening event last night, you totally missed out.  *I'm talking to you, Leah*  Yes, yes... there was Fall fashion, V.I.P. goodies, a live DJ, wine, and gifts- but more importantly there were bazillions of teeny cupcakes, at least a dozen cheeses, and lots of cured meat.  That latter of which I ate while hiding behind my desk for most of the night- texting my mom.  Yeah, it was party-pooper central back there.

I should also mention that I tripped while walking down the stairs, about 10 minutes in.  'Cos I am totally the girl who trips while walking down stairs at parties, and then just sits there for a second thinking: 

Man... I could be at home reading National Geographic in the bathtub right now.

Ok, so the two photos above, are a perfect example of why I should never be allowed at parties.  

Here's Grant, smiling like a normal person, in his epic "Party Time" tee, and myself- documenting the anomaly that is, me leaving my house at night, and not wearing jammies, and being at a party.  IT'S LIKE SEEING A UNICORN!  

Thankfully, James showed up on his scooter and rescued me from my appetizer party of one.  He made me walk around, we watched the DJ, he introduced himself to some people, and he chit-chatted with the ladies.  He even joined me outside for a bit when the whole thing got overwhelming.  Though I will say, once he caught sight of the hors d'oeuvres table, he wasted no time in telling me to get my butt up and go "cheese tasting" with him.  

Gosh, I love this boy so much.  

See?  He made me smile.

And here we have the amazing photo he took of Kannyn and I.  

So, let me now revise my original statement to say this... If you are a normal person, who enjoys parties and mingling, and normal-people fun - you totally missed out.  As for me, I'm pretty sure I had enough partying to last a really long time, and hanging out with James (with cupcakes) was the very best part of my night.  

P A R T Y ! ! !   

♥

P.S. 

Welcome to Paso, Ambiance!  xo

Book Club News!

Ambiance Holiday Magic... Are you in the video?

I'm not!  But that's ok... I got to wear my favorite gold party dress and hot pink feathers in my hair, 

and then hide behind a camera all night.  M Y   K I N D A,  P A R T Y ! ! !

It really was a great party- the food was ohmygosh... TOO good.  The Range really outdid themselves.  And Carlos is officially my favorite DJ in town.  Everyone talked about how fun the music was all night.  We had ridiculous machete juggling, over-sized unicycle riding, and yeah- a crazy guy who had to be escorted out.
You KNOW the party's hot when the crazies come a'calling.  

For those of you who missed it, I hope to see you there next time.
And for those of you who partook... let me know if I caught you on camera, k?  

♥,

       

SUCCESS!

xo,

Happy Birthday, Baby Dahl...

Seriously, where the heck did this year go???  

Our teeny, tiny, baby is 

O N E !

Ok, now allow me to get all mushy and *mom* on you for just a minute...

You guys, my BAAAYBEE is ONE!  And eating cake and walking around, smashing toy cars on the floor, and being a real boy!  I honestly feel like this year was such a blur.  Thank God for digital photography, and instagram, and blogging, and huuuge memory on hard drives- because without them I wouldn't even believe that a year had passed.  ONE seems so significant- it's almost too much to process.  So I have a secret...  

Wanna know the very first thing I said to this little boy; and to James, and Evelyn too?  Even in the foggy haze of cesarean drugs, and the deep-seeded acknowledgment of a body flayed open, wounded and emptied...  I've managed to wish a "Happy Birthday, Baby" to each of them the first time we met.  So this was really Elliott's second Happy Birthday.  Right?  Sorta?  Kinda? 

Thinking of it that way just makes it all a little less heart wrenching for me and helps me hold it together.   Holding it together kept me from being that mom- blowing out the one year old's candle for them, with tears running down my her face.  

So I thought: it's special, but it's not the MOST significant day he's had yet...  and I kissed his little head for the 10 bazillionth time, and blew out the candle with a smile.  I had fun.  He had fun.  And we had fun watching him have fun.  Obviously, our entire household is obsessed with this boy.  That's what you get with big age gaps and little babies.  He just makes us all ridiculously happy.  

Which brings me to the image below...  you know- an average day, but with chocolate and balloons:

We celebrated at home, just the 5 of us.  6, if you count our friend the chocolate bear cake...

But he didn't last very long.

Elliott had his very first taste of ooey gooey chocolatey goodness.  

Verdict?

SUCCESS!

♥

Oh, Elli... you are the happiest little blessing to your family and such a precious gift to each of us.  

We love you like craisin cakes and we're just so excited to know you, to help you grow, and to see you discover the world.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!  

Wedding love...

Ok, I'm just gonna go ahead and say that this Australian wedding is the very best wedding ever.

Ever ever.

And you guys, she is wearing the most beautiful pink dress in the whole wide world!

You have to assume it was a g'day, right?

I know... I know...  My nerd is showing.

Nanny's 90th!

This weekend we celebrated Jeff's grandma's 90th birthday.  It was a surprise party with 125 of her nearest and dearest.  And yes, there was just a little uhhh... concern over surprising a 90 year old woman.  

But believe me when I tell you, that this woman is not your typical great-grandmother.  She's a spicy little thing!  Ella es buena onda!  She walked into a serenade by about a dozen Mariachi players, and a big, giant hug from all of her great-grandchildren.  The look on her face was one of astonishment and overwhelming joy.  But what really got me, was the look on Jeff's mother's face.  It was so moving to see her watching her mother- knowing that she had made it all possible.  I had goosebumps.  She's an inspiring example of everything a daughter should be.  I hope I can do half as much for my own parents when they turn 90.

 The party was a huge success.  The food was...  oh my gosh, UH-MAY-ZING.  Everyone had so much fun.  

Elliott was covered in lipstick of every shade.  A napkin caught on fire.  

Stories were told, tears were shed, and Nanny danced all night!  

She even did the Macarena!

Happy Birthday, Beautiful Nanny.

♥