Signs from the Universe

My hairdryer started on fire this morning.  Mid-dry.  I was a quarter of the way through.

I gathered my hair into a loose pony, effortlessly creating a wind-blown, just-stepped-off-a-motorcycle look.  Or so I thought, until I caught a glance of my reflection in a window as I walked to the courthouse.  Shockingly, I looked like I had blow-dried a quarter of my hair (the front quarter) and then simply thrown in the towel.

That's a super hot look, especially when you have court first thing in the morning.

This is clearly a sign from the universe that the weather needs to be warmer so we can all revert to our non-blow drying ways.

Hear that, universe???

I'm lucky...

...that I have friends and family that made my holidays really, really special.

It all started in early December when the girls took a little trip to Ten Spa for some wine, chatting, pedicures and manicures.  No question, this needs to be a tradition.

Then, after we got all prettied up, we headed to Es and Mark's for engagement toasts. 

Cute face Rob.

Hot. 

Skip to the week of December 15th -- Ty and I got our act together and put up our tree.  This happened much later than I would have liked, but man, December is fun because it's so BUSY.  And there's a lesson here for me:  everything does not need to happen on a schedule. 

Clare and Anna came home for the holidays and practiced their Christmas card pose for 2011.

Ty got in the swing of it.

After spending a Christmas eve full of love with Ty's mom's side of the family, we trekked to Kenora on Christmas morn.  And what a morning.  Beautiful blue skies.

Anna looks super happy with her new gift.  She got me a watch (orange) and I got her a watch (red).  Did I mention that having a sister like Andrea makes me lucky?  And happy?

 

You have no idea how difficult it is to take a decent picture of my family. 

My father actually thinks he's smiling here.

He still thinks he's smiling.

A few days after Christmas, An, Ty and I hiked across the foot bridge to Coney Island for a little exploring.

Always love winter pictures of the ice road (as opposed to summer pictures of the ice road, obviously).

An -- helping to make sure no building fell over on that particular day.

Ty in the background: "can we please go get an egg mcmuffin now?" (note:  we didn't allow Ty to fulfill this bizarre craving.  we made him a healthly alternative)

Bet you think this is the same picture as above, right?  Nope.  End of hike picture -- check out the sun.

January 2.  Stopped in West Hawk, met Nat and Ry and headed to Falcon for a cross-country ski and some really great live music at Falcon Resort. 

I'm so lucky to have friends that are friends AND family.

Oh K-city, I love you at all times of the year.