'Tis the Season...

For holiday parties, baking, indulging in all those baked goodies, shopping, and most importantly, spending time with family and friends.  The past three weeks have been very busy with lots of get togethers, starting with the annual INTECH Holiday Party - my sister was my date this year since hubby had to work.  As always, it was a terrific time with my fabulous co-workers and their significant others....too bad it was on a Thursday night instead of a weekend, but we made the best of it and still had a blast!  I stayed up way past my bedtime for a school night and was struggling the next day ~ it was one of the very few times I have actually drank caffeine during this pregnancy!

 The INTECH ladies and April :)

The next event was the Ribley's Tacky Sweater Party ~ trying to find a tacky sweater in general was not an easy task, coupled with the fact that I am 7 months pregnant!  So I resorted to looking for a cute holiday t-shirt, especially since it has been unseasonably warm for December!  Add in cute elf socks and voila ~ you have a party outfit!! 

All the girls decked out in their holiday attire!

With the other mommy-to-be, Vanessa, who is also having a little girl! :)

Finally, the 2nd Annual Cookie/Ornament Exchange was held last week at our house.  This is a tradition that was started by the mom of one of my best friends from home.  Last year's party was a huge success and this year was no different ~ 10 more ladies (27 total!) joined in the fun and everyone stepped up their game in the baking department!  From fabulous Oreo truffles to chocolate cannoli cookies, the army of Gingerbread men to several batches of red velvet shortbread cookies (dipped in white chocolate!), and the always awesome sugar cookies to anything made with peanut butter!!

Two of the tables covered in delicious cookies of all shapes and sizes!

All the ladies after the ornament exchange!

The five preggos - in order by due date (and coincidentally in height!). 

The upside of being preggo during this time of year is you can eat a few extra cookies and not feel bad about it.  The downside is all that walking through the mall causes really sore feet and legs :( 

Hope you are all enjoying this magical time of year as much as we are! :)