So, I just got back from my Christmas party with my co-workers & feeling so much joy!! I really, really work with the most amazing women at the best company!

It's one thing to work for a great person, it's another thing when you also love your boss all of your co-workers & consider them family. I have been working for this company for over two years now & they have been involved in almost every aspect of my life - my marriage, my growing family & all of my growth in general.

We sat around today, eating sushi & just talking - never a quiet moment with 5 women & a baby... I feel so fortunate to be able to bring Aubree with me every time I go into the office. We did a gift exchange (secret Santa) & it was so much fun... Cory got me & cracks me up - in just a few months, she knows me too well (but we're a lot a like).

I forgot my camera, but I have some pictures from last week when we got our company Christmas tree... Too cool, huh? How many co-workers go to a Christmas tree lot to get a tree & then all decorate it together???

Okay... This trip was in November, but just so enjoyable. Garrick did very well last year (2007) for his business, so a year later he was rewarded. RBC sent us to Santa Rosa, CA for the weekend - more so for a working Summit for him & a relaxation type trip for me (but of course, with a one year old it was anything but) - LoVida & my little sister Annie were both there to watch Aubree while we went to nightly events & also to hang out with us during free time.

One day we spent most the day driving through Napa Valley, stopping at a few vineyards, driving through several small towns & just basically, admiring the beauty. Aubree (God bless her little heart) was beyond exhausted - she finally fell asleep in the car & peace for me... finally! :)

There are so many leaves in the backyard right now! Aubree loves the crunching of leaves under her feet... and I love the joy she gets from stomping in all the piles of leaves. Aubree's all time favorite spot in the backyard is the beautiful bridge Uncle Bobby built. A tiny creek from the American River runs right through the backyard... So Uncle Bobby, with all his skill built the nicest bridge in the back.

For the last five days or so the weather has been miserable, the news named the week of bad weather the "Frosty Fog". We have not seen the sun in almost a week & the temperature hasn't been able to get out of the 40's. I don't mind the weather so much, but when you're one... You just want to play in the sun, you know? :)

Since today the sun was out, so were we!! Aubree was giggling & running around. I was jumping around too & that really got her going... Now she's tired & I'm even more tired - I'm aging!! Haha j/k.

Well, Dolphins got another win... Garrick isn't quite cooperating with the whole "weekly Dolphin review" - But I am happy to say that the Dolphins beat the Bills last Sunday... The Dolphins now have a 35% chance to make the playoffs as the AFC East Champion. We are SO excited!! I have nothing but faith in this team... Last season was beyond painful, but this year things are looking up & my bets might be paying off!!

Aubree never fails to sport her Dolphins gear every Sunday & if the Dolphins make the playoffs, Aubree might get a chance to watch the Dolphins live & in action while we're on "holiday" to south Florida. Go Dolphins!!! Go Chad Pennington!! Go Ricky & Ronnie!!! Go Coach Sparano & Coach Parcells!! We LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Aubree seems to be pretty excited about life... and just loving hanging out with Dad.

Garrick is the pro for this time of year... He gave Aubree the 411 on decorating the tree. I think they did a great job!! :)

Earlier this week Garrick, Timmy, Aubree & me were determined to cut us down a tree in the forest!! Garrick's genius idea - haha :)!!

Well we realized it's pretty tough to just find the perfect Christmas tree in the forest (if we could find a forest not owned by someone), especially right off some rugged road! :) So... I said Garrick, we just gotta bite the bullet & get us a tree from a lot up in Apple Hill. So we drove around Apple Hill... after awhile we ended up getting into North Apple Hill, when we discovered this cute mountain full of HUGE Christmas trees. It's called Cole's Mountain... And owned by a "Mountain Man" - well, kind of... He looked like a mountain man, so I asked him if he was. He said he works at Safeway (So.... although he "looked" like a mountain man & owned a mountain - I guess, in a way even though he works at Safeway, he'll be my mountain man for the sake of my story).

He said he would charge us $35 to get any Christmas tree we wanted. Now these Christmas tree's are 30 feet + tall, so we did like "Home Alone" & chopped off the top of this huge, 10 year old tree (Timmy counted the rings).

We had a really great time & it did feel like a real hill-side forest, we cut the tree down at sunset & the mountain man was telling us all these stories of bears, mountain lions, bobcats & other wildlife. As we were loading up our tree, we spotted a herd of 4 deers (beautiful!!) & about three dozen quail flying above us (the mountain man reminded me that the Quail is our state bird). It was too dark to get a good picture of the wildlife, but none the less a great Christmas tree cutting down experience. Aubree thought it was great & strange at the same time... She wondered why we were bringing this big tree inside our home.

One thing Garrick & I can't get enough of this time of year is this sweet little place called Apple Hill. It's up in Placerville; about half way from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. We go up there several times during this time of year - We go up there to cut down our Christmas tree, admire the mountain beauty & sample all the apple fixings (Apple Donuts, Carmel Apples, Apple Pie, Apple juice, Apple Beer, Apple Wine, Etc.). We absolutely LOVE it!

I have been dying to take my parents & Annie up there to see the beauty & festivity of this time of year, unfortunately Garrick couldn't come with us (he was prepping for his big football game).

Aubree had a great time; chasing the dogs, riding a pony & just being out in the fresh air (she's an outdoorsy kind of girl!).

I decided to dedicate my first post to my husband & his traditional day after Thanksgiving football game. Football is a huge deal in our family.... We watch it, live it, eat it up every Sunday, Monday, Thursday & College football day Saturday!! And sadly enough, get depressed when the season ends! Nothing's worse than that February to August break! Okay... anyway....

Garrick organizes the annual day after Thanksgiving game each year - All of his friends from high school & college come out without the pads & play rough!! Garrick played great, as usual - and it was so much fun to watch! My Dad was there to take about 500 pictures, so here are just a few. The aqua colored jersey's are especially special to us, they are actual Miami Dolphins practice jerseys!! :)

We love the Dolphins & since we're on the topic... Did you all see the Dolphins beat those St. Louis Rams today??? The Dolphins are the best! Maybe in a way to get Garrick involved in our blog, he can (maybe) write Dolphin Sunday reviews (???)... What do you think Mr. MVP??