A Very Special Announcement!

It's official . . . I'm going to be an aunt!  Below are some photos I took for my big(gest) sister's pregnancy announcement:

This weekend was unusually hot, and I think I may have strained my neck from lying on the sidewalk to take photos, but it was super fun to spend time with my sister and her husband, and I'm so happy to share in their very special announcement.  I'm over the moon excited for them!  Yay!

ps: Today marks one year on This Little Egge.  To my surprise, I averaged just over a post a week.  That being said, there were times I was very absent from this space.  Over this next year, I'm hoping to be more consistent.  I also want to keep trying new things.  This feels like just the beginning here.  It feels like the start of something.  I really have a whole lot to look forward to, and I can't wait to share some of those things with you. 

Western Washington Holidaze

Below are some long overdue photos from our Christmas holiday spent in Washington.  This year we celebrated Christmas with the Egges (and visited the Nelsons for a couple days after Christmas).  I know it's a cliche, but for me, the very best part of Christmas is getting to spend time with my family.  This is especially true now that we live two states down.

The Egge Sisters (photo by C)

Santa Visits the Egge Family Christmas Party

Presents are Exciting!

Cousins (and Second Cousins) Playing with Presents (and Gift Wrappings)

Not Everyone Likes Santa (Even if He Happens to be His Dad)

My Beautiful Sister and Her Handsome Husband Take 1

My Beautiful Sister and Her Handsome Husband Take 2

Third Times a Charm!

J Enjoys His 1st Birthday Cupcake

Dogs in Christmas Sweaters Photo Shoot Take 1

Dogs in Christmas Sweaters Photo Shoot Take 2 - Making Some Adjustments

Dogs in Christmas Sweaters Photo Shoot Take 3 - "This is as Close as I'll Get"

Buckwheat Enjoys a Beautiful Morning on Whidbey Island

Brothers on Christmas Eve

The Christmas Eve Table Settings

And the Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney with Care

My Boys on Christmas Morning

Sweet Pea Donning her Christmas Present from Her Grandma

Some Family Bonding on Christmas Morning

Sweet Pea Gives Amity a Christmas Kiss

Buckwheat Modeling His Christmas Present from His Grandma

Dogs in Matching Jackets Photo Shoot Attempt

My Mom's Christmas Hutch

This was the first year that C spent Christmas with my family.  Christmas in the Methow is magical (it's always a White Christmas).  But I was excited to share some of our Christmas traditions with him: prime rib, jet potatoes and banana cream pie on Christmas eve, Christmas poppers, lots of game playing, wrapping all of the gifts that my dad gets for my mom, making up clues to put on all of our gift tags, opening gifts one at a time, in order of oldest to youngest . . .  It was a really good Christmas.  And I am so lucky to call these people (the Egges, the Nelsons and the Lassers) my family.

xo.
Ally

Thanksgiving 2012

This Thanksgiving my in-laws came down and we cooked a little feast in our condo.  There was all the traditional Thanksgiving fare, a table filled by people I love, good cheer and great conversation.  And we topped it all off with some paper crowns!  Also a delicious oliallieberry pie from the Buttery (not pictured).  I missed my parents and sisters but felt very thankful to have C's parents there to help us celebrate our first Thanksgiving in our new home (and our first Thanksgiving with the newest member of the Nelson "pack", Mr. Buckwheat).  I was primarily responsible for the cranberries (a first for me) and the salad (roasted beets, goat cheese and pistachios over baby greens--a fall and winter favorite of ours).  Here are some iPhone captures from the day.  I hope everyone had a very happy Turkey Day!

A grocery cart full of Thanksgiving!

Brussels Sprouts: A Nelson Family Favorite

Stuffing is probably my favorite part of Thanksgiving (or at least my favorite part of the Thanksgiving food)

C and the Turkey

Our Thanksgiving table and my Thanksgiving salad

Pretty pleased with my first attempt at cranberry sauce

The Meal!

A Nelson Thanksgiving!

Thankful.

Post Turkey.

Even Buckwheat got some Turkey (and for several days)!

Over the holiday, I realized how much I missed taking photos with my Digital SLR.  I've been depending on my iPhone for photo taking lately because I'm currently in the process of purchasing some new equipment.  Non-iPhone photos to come shortly (hopefully within the next week or two).  In the meantime, I have some other stuff to share.  Promise!