Just Because

Sorry, these are just too cute not to brag about...and notice her handmade hats? Precious!

Aubrey Noel Chadwick

All photos by Lyncca Harvey Photography

I heart handmade

I love all things handmade. If you've ever checked out "Our Reading List" on the sidebar, you might have noticed that well, I LOVE ALL THINGS HANDMADE! Even the ugly, crooked, poorly sewn, miss-matched masterpieces. I've personally made plenty of things that fit well within all of those categories, however each is a unique piece of art and even if they are ugly, I made them with my own two hands and that's something special. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather give and receive a home made card for Valentines day than one from Hallmark.

Lucky for me, I have friends that share my love for arts and crafts. And what's more, they are amazing crafters! There's nothing better than sharing an afternoon with a girlfriend chatting about life and making handmade masterpieces together. And lucky me, they are excellent gifters too! Check out these presents!

I came home from work last week to a package on our doorstep and this amazing piece of artwork inside. My good friend, Kate knit us this blanket for us for our wedding present. How awesome is it?!? And sooooo us (okay, so me, haha). Thanks Kate (and Brett), it is simply amazing and completes my little reading nook. Love it!!!

oh my! that's all hand knit!!

I love my book nook!

Last Monday I had a crafting date with another wonderful friend, Nicole. I'm not sure what I did to deserve it, but she surprised me with this amazingly cute "vintage" bag that she made. It's my new favorite! Thanks Nic!!!

I love the print (how could you not?!) and the retro design!

Can you believe how talented these ladies are? Lucky me. Thank you both for inspiring me and showering me with your handmade goodies! I hope I can come up with something as creative to return the love.

Aubrey Noel Chadwick

Watch out! There's a new Chadwick on the loose! Yesterday, at 12:59 pm, our sister-in-law Mandy gave birth to our newest niece, little Aubrey Noel Chadwick. Aubrey weighs 6lbs, 1 oz and is 18.7 inches long. Good to know there's another peanut in the family...and another Chadwick nose! Congrats Curt, Mandy and Andrew, we love you guys! We can't wait to meet little Aubrey!!

proud poppa

Andrew meeting his new sis

Yankees fan from birth!

New Digs

On Christmas Eve, James, Summit and I moved into our new apartment. We had been working for weeks to renovate the downstairs apartment of the house the we live in (and my parents own - and yes, of course we pay rent). The upstairs apartment is nice, but downstairs we have much more room, sunlight and direct access to the basement. Doing laundry is horrible enough as it is, imagine how bad it was when we had go down two flights of stairs and outside to get to the washer/dryer in the basement.

This is our FOURTH move in THREE years. That's right, Summit is only three years old and she's lived in four different homes. Enough already! There is an end in sight - a home of our own - but realistically, it's probably still a few years off.

Here are a few before and after pics of our new digs. Enjoy!

BEFORE (I wish I had more photos, especially of the ugly 30 year old wallpaper!)

Summit being (un)helpful

KITCHEN

HALLWAY/DINING ROOM

LIVING ROOM

Summit's favorite spot

BEDROOM

I love the bedroom wallpaper and my ginormous closet!

BATHROOM

BASEMENT

The basement is still kind of scary (it is a 100 year old house afterall) but functional for our indoor exercise routine...and laundry too of course!

Earthquake in Haiti

There are no words to describe the devastation that a magnitude 7.3 earthquake can inflict. News is still coming in about the quake that hit the already struggling Caribbean nation of Haiti yesterday. It's not good news either. Our thoughts are with all of those who have been impacted by the disaster both at home and abroad.

Photos by Eduardo Munoz / Reuters Press

An old friend of mine Sam, along with his wife Kristin, lived in Haiti for a year, working as part of a Mission to build an orphanage. He, Kristin and his parents were scheduled to return to Haiti to continue their work this Thursday. I'm thankful they were not in the country when the earthquake hit and I admire the good, but difficult work they have ahead of them when they return to the devastated nation.

Sam and Kristin in Haiti, 2009

Helping to build an orphanage. Photos by Sam Todzia

If you wish to help out, please consider a donation any of to the following disaster relief funds:

• American Red Cross International Response Fund
• Pan American Relief appeal for Haiti
• Oxfam Haiti Appeal

The people of Haiti need all the help we can give.

New Years in Vermont

For New Years we went up to Sandgate, Vermont for a two night stay at a house in the Green Mountain National Forest. We went with my longtime friends Suzanne and Caitlin and their husbands Jeremy and Jared. Suzanne had found the rental house online so we weren't sure what to expect, but when we arrived we discovered a beautiful three bedroom secluded bungalow. We were located in the heart of the southern portion of the Green Mountain National Forest...I mean really deep in the woods. Just how we like it!

L to R: Jeremy, Suzanne, James, Cary, Caitlin, Jared

We spent two nights and three days exploring the woods, making a killer toboggan run in the back yard, snowshoeing, eating a ton of food (mostly cheese balls for the boys), playing card games, board games and charades, and ringing in the New Year as only old friends with lots of funny stories can do. It was a blast. One of the best New Years we've had in a long time.

waxing the toboggan with candles

six adults on one toboggan...not quite the same ride it was when we were kids!

snowshoeing!

games and marshmallows

New Years Eve dinner

Happy New Year!!!

2009 certainly was a great year for James and I, but we look forward to a new year that's bound to be filled with challenges and new adventures. We can't wait to see what's in store for us and for you all as well. Happy New Year friends!