In case you were wondering...

what I've been doing instead of blogging, this post is for you.

I had to work Friday, Sunday and Monday so that I could be off the rest of the week in preparation for Isabel's birthday party coming up this weekend. The hospital is busy, full of super-sick patients (unrelated to H1N1, though). I worked my tail off last night; I'm so glad I'm not back until Sunday night.

We've been decking our halls...

(notice Autumn's favorite spot beneath the tree)


Gabe has been "helping" me make cards. Nearly all of my Christmas cards have been signed, sealed and delivered (just need to make one more batch and then I'm done)...


Some of these cards were made on my bloggy-retreat back in November (recognize any?)...


Gabe had his "Breakfast with Santa" program at preschool. He sang AND did all the motions for the songs this year (unlike last year, when he barely stood still and refused to sing one word)...

We tried to get a good photo for Christmas cards. Gabe was done being cooperative...

In keeping with a new yearly tradition, we spent an evening at the local winery with our friends, Catherine and Kipper. They brought their friends, Julie and Ray, and we spent hours drinking, laughing, eating, drinking and talking. It was a great time!

Catherine was the first blogger friend I met in real life; since our very first meeting, we've become great friends, as have our daughters and our husbands...amazing what the blogworld can do!

Don't even ask (I'm pretty sure we were only on our first bottle of wine at this point)...

Thanks to an extremely loud company party going on in our room of the winery, we received complimentary bottles of wine from the owners. Merry Christmas from Valley Vineyards :)

Only ten days left til Christmas. The kids are chomping at the bit; I am trying not to panic.

That extra bottle of wine is going to come in handy, I have a feeling.

So, what have you been up to?