Top 10 From 2010

I stole a blog-post idea from one of my dearest, Savoir-Flair, and decided to compile my top 10 favorite photos from my blog posts in 2010. Reviewing the blog reminds me how fun {and special} it is to keep up with all of the random tidbits and photos because I realized how many of the stories I had already forgotton.

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I have!

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!



Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We sure do spend lots of time bundling up and de-bundling!

Van's extra layers are snuggly, cute, and reminiscent of bundled up Randy from A Christmas Story  

 With all these jackets, socks, hats, and sweaters, its a good thing I have some extra help with laundry these days!:

Last week Van and I took a fun trip to Marbles kid's museum downtown.

Other than playing in a large tub of water, recently he has enjoyed entertaining himself with a turkey baster and "whispering" {squealing} to me through empty cardboard wrapping paper rolls! 

I have a picture of him carrying around the turkey baster but the poor camera-phone quality resembles more of a scary ice pick than a harmless kitchen utensil:

12 Days Til Christmas!

"GRAAAACE"....."THE BLESSING!!"

I complain about the wonky temps this season and a few days later we end up with snow!  A light, pretty snow falling provided a nice background to decorate the tree Friday evening.

Over the weekend, our Christmas tree only suffered one ornament casualty {a homemade star from 1986} which is pretty good {I think} since Van's curiosity and mobility are not a durable combination for Christmas decorations.

I leave you with a seasonal necessity. Hands-down my favorite Christmas scene ever. Enjoy your holiday festivities and snow!!

Warm and Fuzzy.

And hot. 

How is it Dec 1st?

Despite the uncooperative weather, Larry {our elf on the shelf} has heightened Christmas spirits. Last night we found him sneaking into my batch of chocolate chip cookies!

1 Cup Peanut Butter

1 Egg

1/4 Tspn salt

1/2 Tspn baking soda

3/4 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Semi Sweet Morsels

Mix all together and bake 12 mins @ 350.

{Courtesy of Southern Living}

The stockings are hung:

Tree and mistletoe up: 

Our wreath is lovely! (Thanks Jerianne and Lisa)

And the candles are lit:

Time to start rocking Christmas PJs, addressing Christmas cards, and upping the Christmas shopping--Happy first week of Advent!

Thanksgiving!

After a lovely trip to Richmond, we have enjoyed one of the greatest weeks yet with Van and all our family. The only thing missing is more time with Auntie Snags, Uncle Bo, Cousin Fray, and baby mayhew bergman #2. I don't think I'll ever get used to having to say goodbye to them.  Love you guys! Thanks to Uncle Bo for all the cute pictures.

Walking & Talking

What happened to our little baby? I am loving the child Van is growing into each day. He is changing so much! He has been dare-devilishly toddling for a while now, but over the weekend he took his walking{and talking} to a new level. His new favorite word is "light" {points to light and repeats over and over!} Will post footage soon. Right now I am so excited about our upcoming weekend in Virginia and the following week of Thanksgiving with our northern fam!! Enjoy the start to the holidays!

Leaves -- Leaving -- Left.

True story.

Emily: Gah, Evans--my abs hurt from raking so much!

Evans: Hang on, my dad is calling. (Answers phone...Okay--sure! See you in a sec.)

Emily: (chasing Evans down to the basement...) What was your dad up to?

Evans: (mumbles something along the lines of "leaf blower")

Emily: Scuse me?

Evans: Oh...he's stopping by to pick up the leaf blower we borrowed last fall thats been down in our basement...

If I didn't miss him so much while he was out of town this week...he may have been in trouble!

Despite the irony it was nice to be outside and worth the exercise!

This week has been so lovely. We spent hours and hours outdoors.  I have a few recommendations...

1. Umstead. So beautiful this time of year.

Van really enjoyed it: 

2.  Cooking Light Magazine--Oct. issue:

 It has 92 delicious recipes.  Last night I made the Chipotle Bean Burritos with guacamole and home-made spicy-cinnamon chips (or as Auntie Snags suggested, "gourmet taco bell"). 


3. The "Perfect Applie Pie" recipe from Southern Living's September issue-- give yourself some time to figure out the crust.

4. Stella & Dot jewelry.  I just got this necklace from a trunk show and excitedly await its arrival:

5. Raleigh Denim. We are going to the grand opening tonight. Evans has a pair of their jeans and they are awesome! Very durable yet nice and classy. If you have a second, visit their website and read their "in press" story from Elle magazine. Its neat!

Thats all!