I must congratulate me!

I just finished this kimono sweater for the new baby and it is so cute. Love making all of this baby stuff.

Before and After

Well, it took all of one try and Baker was off and running without training wheels and as you can imagine he is mighty proud. Very cute. All is well here. We went to friends for dinner last night and had a great time. Dill is hurtin today after many a Goldshlager shot with his buddies though. We are spending New Year's Eve at Doug and Kim's which is always fun. The kids come too and love hanging out with their 3 kids. They are very excited about getting their sparkling apple cider to celebrate. Hope all is well.

News from the Fiances'

We are having a great time on our ski trip. It snowed and snowed in Tahoe, so we only got one good day of skiing in because one day the lifts were closed due to the wind. So we went snowshoeing instead, which was a workout. Lizzie, I was thinking of you the entire time. Christmas dinner was beautiful and Justin's Dad's birthday last night was delish. Everybody was very welcoming and Justin's Dad gave a toast that was this really sweet poem that rhymed and was all about adding a new person to the family. I was nervous to spend so much time with his family, but it went really well. We drove to Sun Valley today. The weather is beautiful and I can't wait to go skiing tomorrow. Love everybody!

If you don't like to vacuum....

You don't have a Dyson!!!!! Wow, I don't think any gift has brought me such joy. I think I have vacuumed everything. Then my housekeeper came today, she is not the sharpest tool in the shed, so I gave her a little Dyson tuturial and have stressed the rest of the time worrying that she is hurting my baby! Fun, fun. The kids have had just as much fun with their goodies, Baker with his Bike and Telescope and Mary Rowe with her new Leapster and Barbie Piano. They both absolutely love the kitchen Santa brought. So cute. Dad left the day after Christmas and the Dill clan left yesterday. We had a wonderful Christmas, but I must admit, I am pooped. We are all very excited that we are having a boy and went out shopping yesterday at the kids request for some baby clothes. I kept all of Baker's, but every baby needs a couple of their own things. Now that I know the sex I am free to knit like a crazy person. Can't wait. The kids are out of school until Jan. 9th so I think I might take the kids to Chapel Hill for a while for a change of scenery. Miss everyone and Happy New Year.

Santa knows best

After

Before

Congrats Magoo!!!!!

Well, this is a serious Shaw holiday! We have babies, engagments, you name it! I feel like 2007 will be our year. Loving all the good news. In California now. Lucille's ring is so pretty. The weather is nice (meaning no rain) and I think tennis may be on the list. Lyd- your tree looks great. Mom made a nice dinner last night. Yummy ham in my belly. Colordao was awesome. I think Drew and I were the only two people that actually enjoyed/benifited from the storm. Lots of powder skiing makes for a happy lizzie. Can't wait to hear about the red envelope! Merry xmas. Lizzie

Photo of the Bling

The best Christmas present ever....

is welcoming Justin officially into our family!!!!! Yippie. We are soooo excited for you guys.

Big Day

Beautimous

Lydia, your tree is gorgeous!!! You must be so excited to open the red envelope. I can't wait to hear what it says. Today is my last day at work. I am going to drive home tonight or tomorrow. Justin wants to spend one more night together tonight to exchange gifts so we'll see. So I think I might do that and then drive up early in the morning, since the traffic is so much better then. It is supposed to rain all week here.

I had my Christmas party last night which went really well. I'll post some photos soon.

Merry Christmas!

Lucille

It's on the tree, what could it be!!!????

If you look closely, you will see the big red envelope on the tree. We got it from doctor yesterday so we can't wait to open it on Christmas to find out what the baby is. I say boy, everyone else says girl. We are all fired up here. Can't believe Christmas is finally here. Martha came on Tuesday and David, Caitlin and Caitlin's dog are coming today. Then Dad comes tomorrow. Should be a really fun week. Dad is taking the kids ice skating on Saturday, I am going too, but am not going to attempt it. We are having a party on Christmas Eve. Dad and Dill are of course doing their fried oysters, but we will also have crab, cheeses, bread etc. The kids are going to bake a bunch of fresh bread with Martha today. Lizzy, hope you all are ok in Colorado. Are you able to ski? They even closed down Dill's Western Union office there so he does not have to work at all. Lucille, think you are headed up to the valley today. Know you will have a great time with Chaz and his crew. Take pictures. I finally got another camera, our 3rd this year, thanks to kids dropping and spilling juice on them. I will take lots of pictures. Mary Rowe got a play kitchen and Baker a new Bike from Santa so should all be a big hit. Love to all.

Congratulations

How great to have him back. I must say, it has been weird to have back around on all the time. Have a great time with him tonight! Isn't it amazing how all of a sudden they are cheerful and just alive again after spending so much time locked up in the library? Can't wait to see you Lizzie. I'm going to drive up on Thursday I think, so you'll have to take the Evans. Sorry. See you soon!

Magoo...

Drew is DONE with finals. We have our boyfreinds back!!!

T minus 2 days

Ok, I am REALLY getting excited for some skiing. Vail got 6 inches tonight and has light snow in the forecast all week. Bring it on!!! I never made it to the mountains last year so I am officially overdue. I hope I can pick it up really quickly and be able to ski the backside. Our hotel has a privet lift that takes you to the top via the backside which is awesome because the frontside is like Disneyland in June. This weekend was nice (and and warm). Had a nice dinner with everyone and Oscar is sssooo cute and Lucas has gotten so big. I just got cable and it's life changing. I am SO ready for 24 but until then I will nerd out on Food Network. Anyone else catch Battle Cranberry last night?!? Well, St. Helena has a 10 day forecast of rain which is SO SHOCKING... :-) Oh, well. Guinis and trivia pursuit never hurt anyone. Love to all.

1 meeelion dollars

I'm going to call him and see if he wants his apartment redecorated....

OMG

He won!!! I can't believe he kept it a secret. How much money is that? What will he do with it!?!

Yul Won!!!!

Framer!

Those pictures are amazing! You can definitely tell there was some chemistry there. A picture tells a thousand words...all I want for Christmas is a framed copy!! Drew deserves frame status in this household.

We are going to dinner tonight at Justin's Dad's tonight because they think we are avoiding them. Wish us luck.

You are so lucky

Wow, those pictures are amazing. You are so lucky to have those. I wish Dill and I had that. So fun to show your kids. Oh,sorry, getting ahead of myself Liz.

The night we met

Fisher just gave me these pictures!!! The first night we met has been documented! Her wedding photographer took them while we were dancing at her reception. I was a bridesmaid and he was the best man. So cute.

Finals

Ugh, Magoo, I wish I could say the same over here. Drew has two more to go... I am not a big fan of this finals business. On a happier note, Chicago is weirdly warm and I am wearing my fall coat today. Global warming is pretty crazy. Well, xmas shopping is done and I hope everyone likes their gifts. We will see. The maids come tomorrow and Drew put the wine rack from Perry together and my house is going to be all set for my Chicago Shaw's Holiday dinner party tomorrow. I will be skiing in 6 days, 6. Cannot freakin' wait. Fisher and her husband are in town so I am off to meet them for lunch in a few. Going tanning after work. Gotta a good glow going on. The, off to McKay's xmas party tonight for a bit. Love to all.

Viewing Party

We watched the second to last show of Survivor last night with Yul and some of his friends. I think I was the only white person there! so that was interesting. Great group of people though. Happy Friday!! Yippee, Justin's last final is today. Woooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Maids to the rescue!!!!

OMG, i am so excited you just don't even know. I ponied up and got a serious maid service to come in on Saturday (2 girls) for 2 hours and they bring all the cleaning supplies. i was taking a shower this morning and realized that I was approaching borderline college grossness. So, I'm talking oven, I'm talking fridge, I'm talking blinds and ceiling fans and the list goes on and on. Nothing will be better than coming home from 2 weeks of travel to a pristine apartment. Cheers Merry Maids!

adorable

Baker's handwriting is so good! That is really cute. Looks like you and your kiddos are as into Christmas this year as I am. I'm counting down the days until our Holiday Open House. I don't know how I am going to fit 25 people in my apartment, but it should be pretty cozy. I'm going to make Michael's eggnog and I'm not sure what else, so I have to figure that out this weekend.

I have had something going on every night this week and that's going to keep going until next Friday! Love the holidays, but it's been much busier than last year. Work is good. I got invited to be in a young designers group and we have our first meeting after the holidays. I'm excited to meet other people who started by working for other people but who have transitioned into owning their own businesses. I hope it's not sorority-ish though.

Justin only has one more final to go and then we are going to celebrate in a big way. I am throwing him a party on Saturday night with his friend Cearull, so hopefully that will go over well.

I'm really excited to see Lizzie and the Chaz family over Christmas. Love everybody.

L

So cute!

I sent Baker's note to a couple of my friends. It is WAY too cute. Well, the big news here is that I am on a full tanning salon regime until NYE. Must have a tan with the dress or I will look butt white/ugly. I even ponied up on lotion. Other news, Perry sent me a HUGE wine rack/center for my house as a thanks for NYC, happy bday and merry xmas. So sweet of him. My friend Fisher comes tomorrow for the weekend. Drew and I are having dad, chaz and oscar over for dinner on Sat for our own Chicago holiday dinner. love to all

Christmastime at the Dills

The letter has been written and we are ready to go. Baker wrote his whole letter himself this year and we are quite proud of our Gingerbread house. Major family effort. I am going to try to upload the video of Mary Rowe on Santa's lap. Too cute. Luc, your house looks incredible and Lizzy, I am glad you are home safely and your trip went well.

Lydia

Home from Prague

First off, your house looks awesome Magoo! Thanks for everyones birthday woshes. Prague was an absolute blast. Ally was great and she has really enjoyed her time abroad. She was happy to see family. It had been 5 months... Well, I am in rainy Chicago for a week and then I am headed to Colorado. I hope it snows there this week and, better yet, when I am there. I can't wait to see what Drew got me for my birthday, I find out in Vail. It is going to be great to get to see Boulder again. There are so many places I want to go and see again! I got the gold BGBG dress and I just love it! It is so beautiful. Drew and I are going to Atlanta at the end of january. Can't wait to see Lyd and the kids. Love to all.

Christmas Spirit

Happy Birthday Lizzie!

I hope you are having a wonderful birthday jetting around the world and enjoying yourself with Alex. I can't wait to see you over Christmas and I want to hear all the details of your trip! Love you and I have a fun present waiting for you in California.
Lots of love!

Bring on Obama

Actually, I am hoping for a ticket of Edwards (pres), and Obama (VP). Sign me up today!!!!!!! The world is not ready for Hillary yet. She is too smart for the average North American Short Haired man to understand. Glad you are in the spirit Luc. We are way into it here. Got the coveted Santa list from Baker today. He is super into Space so he asked for a Telescope, he also wants a 2 wheel "big boy bike", and a thomas toy. Very doable. Nothing stupid and plastic. Love it. MRs is good too. A Barbie Bike with training wheels, a system, a.k.a a Leapster (yippie to Mom for getting it), and all things girl. I want Santa to bring me a King Size bed and a Dyson vacuum. God, if you didn't know me, you would think I was a 200 pound woman living in Buffalo. But, what can I stay, that is really what I want. To my credit, I do want a Sidekick 3, but Dill won't get it because he thinks I talk too much on the phone and worries I will text message and drive. Sooooo not true. Oh well. Love to all.

I don't know...

...who I will vote for. Justin has already gotten calls from Hillary and Barak Obama asking him if he would work for their campaigns. I told him NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAYYYYYYYYYYYY JJJJJJJJJJOSE. Not doing any more damn campaigns, for awhile at least. But I really am torn between Barak and Hillary - those are my two favorite politicians and it is a tough call for me. Lyddie, I think your man Mr. Edwards is running again. Chaz are you going to be a McCainer? It really is amazing that we are all from the same parents...

Bring on Prague

Well, it's really around the corner. Man, so excited. Lucille, are you going to vote for Hilary? I made rack of lamb with a pesto rub and butternut squash risotto for dinner last night and it was bomb. I bought the sequin dress from BCBG that I sent you for new year's. So pumped. Need to start tanning like crazy to pull it off! Going to buy new purse and shoes, too so that will be fun. Can't wait for NYC. Just made reservations for Drew and I and 4 of my friends for Mr. Chow. Maybe we will run into DeNiro or something....

In the spirit

Well, I am in the spirit this year. I think it's mostly just to entertain myself while Justin is in the library. But so far, I went to the christmas tree farm and got an 8 foot tree, carried it up two flights of stairs to my apartment, put it on the stand, stood it up and decorated it all by myself. I got garland for the fireplace, poinsettas to spice up the room and a wreath for the door. I've planned two different christmas parties...and it's only December 5th. Watch out. My apartment feels really homey now and I love it.

Justin's got his first final today - only two weeks until this semester is over and he'll have the next month off. woo hoo! We are going skiing in Tahoe and then we're off to Sun Valley to go skiing with our friend Josh Wilson and another friend Scott who is from Chicago and is really into the Bears. I'm really excited. We are driving. Road trip! Justin has an aunt there who I love, Franny, and some cousins that are a blast to be around. So they've made reservations for us for New Year's Eve and we are going to spend time with them. Apparently they are really good skiers, so we'll see whether I can keep up.

Work has mellowed out for now since I've finished up the design for the Burlingame Country Club. Thank goodness. That was a little crazy for a while. So that's nice.

Can't wait to get all your Christmas cards so I can put them on the tree because I don't have that many ornaments! Love everybody!

King of the Choir

Well, the concert was this morning and Baker was awesome. He sang every song and was so proud. Very great. Our tree is up and we are totally in the spirit. Lizzy, can't wait to hear about your Prague trip. Bet it will be beautiful this time of year. It told Baker that you were at Disney last week and they were so jelous. We are trying to wait one more year before we take them. Going to the doctor tomorrow which is always fun. Love to hear the heartbeat and get a little update. Dill has been cooking Barbeque all day. So excited. Having it with yummy cole slaw etc. Used the crock pot to cook it this time. Tell Drew Liz. Trader Joes just opened here last week so it is non-stop talk of 2 buck chuck. Although it is actually $3 dollars here. Love to all.

xmas spirit

Lyd, Bakers xmas concert sounds too cute for words. Magoo, good news that those women are finally coming around! All is well here, except that it's so cold that when you go outside you feel like you cannot breathe. Big difference from Orlando this week. BTW, Mary Rowe is gonna flip when she gets my xmas gift this year. I am about to walk out the door to watch the Bears game with Lindsay. Work is going to be nuts this week and I cannot believe that I am off to Prague on Thursday. I have a friend coming in from NYC tomorrow till Wednesday. Looking forward to seeing her. I will be on the slopes of Vail in 17 days. I've downloaded a snow report advisory on my desk top and pop ups come up when it starts to snow. Gets me really excited. Drew is totally in finals mode and I feel like he has moved into the Chicago Public Library. Love to all.

Go Elvis, Go Elvis

Sing Baby

The big day

Not only is today sweet Clark's birthday, happy birthday, but it is also Christmas Tree day. Boy are our troops fired up! Cannot wait. We are putting it in the sunroom this year so we can actually enjoy it. The whole Christmas Tree Room idea is a sham. We never go in that front room so we never hung out next to the tree last year. So we are shaking things up this year. This morning was Baker's final rehearsal for his Church Choir Christmas concert. The real one is tomorrow. We are hoping to get through it with flying colors. Mary Rowe isn't in choir and she belts out every song while Baker kind of pretends to move his lips. Should be a nice video moment. Dill heads out next week for Denver so we are going to hold down the fort. MIss everyone and hope all is well.