we have a couple of choices for new years eve... which will likely mean that we will try and do multiple things... which also means that i will be overwhelmed and exhausted and stressed-- so, instead- we are going with the flow of the day-
having chris here on vacation has a real calming effect on our household.
so, i am going to take ella over to a friends house for a couple of hours to play and hang out- then we are having some friends over (the canadians and her brother-- once again used a term of love) for a dinner and game night.
i am making some new years resolutions though-- i love resolutions!
1- lose the last of this baby/fat girl/ eat too much/etc weight
2- and start saving for the kids/house/car
3- start going to church with the kids as often as we can
we always have the best of intentions with what we do... it just isn't always followed through. so... have a safe, happy, fun, exciting new year! i hope that 2009 is wonderful and prosperous for all!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
merry christmas and almost happy new year!
alright... i have been out of the blogging loop for a while now... we had an amazing christmas. we had beau and kendra (with farley and sandler) here for christmas eve and christmas morning. then, we went to my parents house for christmas evening (2 1/2 hours) and stayed through the middle of the 27th. we drove home and beau and kendra stopped in for one more night with us. it has just been us now for the past 2 days and it's been a whirlwind of fixing, cleaning, and a little bit o' cooking.
the 24th christmas party attendents: ava, zoe, jake, molly, payton, ella, fisher, beau, kendra, chris, me, jason, lisa, jeff, bubba, gracie, farley, and sandler. we had deep fried turkey, ham, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, carrot casserole, yeast rolls, buffalo chicken dip, chips and dip, and i sent the kids/adults home with a basket of goodies. it was lots of fun and jessica made the kids reindeer food (she got called into the hospital) and they all threw it off the porch for rudolph to eat. they had a great time and all the girls played dress up-- and ella dressed up then ended up with only panties on (we are trying to keep her off the pole- haha) it was crazy and chaotic... but lots of fun and really set the mood for santa.
chris read the kids twas the night before christmas. it was something that my dad did for us every christmas eve and i want my kids to have that same memory.
christmas morning was hectic and fun-- the kids were thrilled to see all their presents set out-- santa was good to our kiddies! the big things were a butterscotch pony for ella and fisher got kota the dino-- they are sooo cute and the kids really loved them. i thought that they were such a great, crazy, how cool- present! how toys have changed!
after opening presents we made breakfast- chris made my dad's famous biscuits and gravy--- i even made the biscuits- sausage and eggs (for the ella and i) then after breakfast we played and got the toys all working and even chris' toys!
i got the pots and pans that i have been dying for! i have been in such need of them-- i also got a wine fridge! it holds eight bottles and fits on the countertop! i love it! (while in roanoke i stocked the fridge) chris got a gps, wireless speakers, socks, and a grill light. it was a great christmas for us all-- (santa might have gone a bit overboard)
then while the kids were napping we got all the packing and loading of the car done. a couple loads of clothes washed and even cleaned the house up. it worked out pretty well!
off to roanoke and the trip went well- we made it in two hours instead of 2 1/2 (how i don't know... chris doesn't speed) anyway- roanoke bound!
santa had visited their house too! the kids were so excited to see mom, dad, kels, jopo, jarron and jaime was even there! we had just missed jeremy, denise, taylor and jase. my great-aunt evelyn and cousin debra were there for a bit too. it was great to see them as well (hasn't been since jarron's going away party that i got to see them)
ella was in the present opening mood and boy did they get presents! ella was over hearing about santa-- so she knew that mom and dad had got them their presents-- fisher got a train set and train table! ella got an art easel and tons of crowns, shoes, and dresses.
we got nanny a gps -- she gets lost everywhere and she seemed really excited about it. let's hope that she learns how to use it!
we got pop-pop a garage door keypad and his favorite chocolate covered cherries (i'm the only one who remembered this year!!!)
*****and chris got the hockey table that he so wanted!!!!********
thanks mom and dad!
after the kids were finally in bed we got to play some games with kels, jopo, jaime, and jarron. chris and i love playing board games and we got phase10 dice and sequence this christmas. they were both a hit- it was really nice to hang out with my brothers... it's been years! years! since jaime and i have been in the same room playing and getting along- it was a true christmas miracle! chris has always had a soft spot for jaime- so he kept playing with jarron and jaime both and i went to bed (kels and i have to shop!)
so, kelsey and i got up early on the 26th and went shopping-- we didn't spend much, we got a few things, but the sales were ehh-- so, so. we went to the limited and got a few things-- beautiful dresses and a couple of sweaters (for me) it was a great morning!
then we came home and just hung around the house- taylor came over and she and ella played quite a bit-- they get along really well- it always surprises me b/c they see each other only once a month.
jase came for a little bit in between naps- one day these boys will really get to play with each other-- but they have always seemed to be on opposite schedules.
later that night we were fixing dinner and fisher grabbed the top to the fruit (a can) out of the trash and sliced his hand between his thumb and pointer (the webbing part) so... off to the urgent care we went! it was our first time in the er/urgent care with a baby-- (chicken will shock me the day she needs to go to the er) we were there from 7:45- 10:45 (fisher goes to bed at 8) it was a trying time... he isn't usually fussy-- but he was hungry tired and moody-- he needed two stiches and they had to numb his hand and it was done.
so... we left the next afternoon with a stitched up hand... tons of presents... and dogs riding on top of presents! it was a whirlwind but great and exciting-- ella and fisher love my parents and it was such a great christmas with jaime and jarron-- and of course kelsey-- miss you already!
sorry for the long post-- i still have more to say!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
the eve of christmas eve
can i just say that chris is great-- i mean really great. i had my bi-monthly lose my mind, meltdown, breakdown, i'm a bad mom, the kids are crazy, the house is a mess, there is so much to do, i'm so fat meltdown on sunday night. (i can't belive that i am writing this on blogger)
so, chris started his vacation monday at 5:17pm when he came home and today we were scheduled to go and visit his parents for one more christmas/visit with them. at breakfast chris said this... "why don't you stay here and get stuff done and i will take the kids"
WHAT???? ARE YOU KIDDING???? I CAN STAY HOME ALONE????!!!!
it was amazing! i love my children dearly and i cannot stand to be apart from them for one second... but oh... it was great!!!!
this is what i got done-
- made chili
- made pumpkin bread (one large three mini)
- cleaned the fridge
- cleaned a closet
- swept
- mopped
- 2 load of laundry (wash, dry, folded and put away)
- made 3 beds
- cleaned ella's room
- scrubbed 3 toilets
- cleaned 3 bathroom mirrors
- windexed the front door
- scrubbed two bathtubs
- one load of dishes
- wrapped 15 presents
- showered
- checked on neighbors house-- alternated lights, checked their mail, made sure nothing was on fire or leaking
- TALKED ON THE PHONE WITH NO INTERRUPTION
- went to walmart (it was packed) for last minute items
- went to liquor store for festive drinks
- came home-- put all items away
then... they all came home and it was wonderful! yeah! ella and fisher were great for ma and pa and glad to be home.
then ella and i made snickerdoodles, no-bake cookies, and magic cookie bars (for our christmas eve bash-- not just for me)
however-- it was 11:00pm before ella called it quits! she should sleep till 11 am right???
merry eve of christmas eve!
so, chris started his vacation monday at 5:17pm when he came home and today we were scheduled to go and visit his parents for one more christmas/visit with them. at breakfast chris said this... "why don't you stay here and get stuff done and i will take the kids"
WHAT???? ARE YOU KIDDING???? I CAN STAY HOME ALONE????!!!!
it was amazing! i love my children dearly and i cannot stand to be apart from them for one second... but oh... it was great!!!!
this is what i got done-
- made chili
- made pumpkin bread (one large three mini)
- cleaned the fridge
- cleaned a closet
- swept
- mopped
- 2 load of laundry (wash, dry, folded and put away)
- made 3 beds
- cleaned ella's room
- scrubbed 3 toilets
- cleaned 3 bathroom mirrors
- windexed the front door
- scrubbed two bathtubs
- one load of dishes
- wrapped 15 presents
- showered
- checked on neighbors house-- alternated lights, checked their mail, made sure nothing was on fire or leaking
- TALKED ON THE PHONE WITH NO INTERRUPTION
- went to walmart (it was packed) for last minute items
- went to liquor store for festive drinks
- came home-- put all items away
then... they all came home and it was wonderful! yeah! ella and fisher were great for ma and pa and glad to be home.
then ella and i made snickerdoodles, no-bake cookies, and magic cookie bars (for our christmas eve bash-- not just for me)
however-- it was 11:00pm before ella called it quits! she should sleep till 11 am right???
merry eve of christmas eve!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
fantastic news!
we just found out today that our christmas eve and christmas morning will be here with our kiddies and beau and kendra! (and of course farley and sandler)
we love when they are here and i cannot wait for this christmas morning-- every year since we have had kids we've been like "oh, this is going to be the best christmas" and every christmas we say it again!
so-- now to planning a menu- we won't be at our house for christmas day dinner- so, we are going to have a christmas eve dinner bash! we are planning on having some neighbors over and also beau, kendra, and the dogs... so plenty to feed and lots to do! i cannot wait! i have been dying to get in the kitchen and whip up some fantastic christmas treats-- hopefully i will have plenty of time (with chris on vaca starting tuesday) and with an extra set of hands... i should be the happiest momma ever!
have a great week!
we love when they are here and i cannot wait for this christmas morning-- every year since we have had kids we've been like "oh, this is going to be the best christmas" and every christmas we say it again!
so-- now to planning a menu- we won't be at our house for christmas day dinner- so, we are going to have a christmas eve dinner bash! we are planning on having some neighbors over and also beau, kendra, and the dogs... so plenty to feed and lots to do! i cannot wait! i have been dying to get in the kitchen and whip up some fantastic christmas treats-- hopefully i will have plenty of time (with chris on vaca starting tuesday) and with an extra set of hands... i should be the happiest momma ever!
have a great week!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
no pics...
we went to the christmas party last night- and it was pretty much what i expected- fisher was a handful, ella started off pretty shy and then turned it to the ella show, and chris and i both left exhausted and worn out-- the party was great and everyone didn't mind that the kids were there-- and everyone had encouraging words about fisher and his "boy-ness"-- we were so busy making sure that fisher and ella didn't break anything in his boss' home that i didn't even get the camera out-- so sorry- no pics-
but... at the party-
i couldn't tell you how many times i heard "oh, wow! he is all boy" or "i bet he is tough" or "you've got your hands full with that one" or "oh, he is just being a boy" or "aren't boys sooo different than girls!"
all of these comments make me two things...
1- nervous
2- scared
nervous- what do people say when we leave??? what do people think when we are coming over? do people still want to hang out with us?
scared- will this crazy, rough, tough, hard-headed, doesn't listen, isn't scared, does't hurt, etc boy ever slow down? will i ever get to sit still for a moment when he is awake and not strapped in a high chair or car seat?
i just don't know!!!!! i love him, and oh, he is soooo sweet, and he wants to be helpful, but oh my-- he is CRAZY.
we went to chuck e cheese today for a birthday party- he was running all over the place and ella was scared out of her mind of the mouse! (i mean really, it's a mouse, but whatever- at least she was still)
we went to dinner with two of our neighbors and there kids tonight- fisher was in a high chair and so he was fine- but ella was chasing the boys all over the place-
then... by mistake we went to wal-mart for a couple of needed items-- they had that pony (furreal- s'mores pony) at the front when you walk in-- we stood there for about 20 minutes so ella could warm up to the pony and talk to it... fisher is with chris in a cart-- but by the end of the hour long wal-mart trip- we were over our children- they were well behaved and rode in the carts- but they were yelling back and forth DADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY-- dadddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddy-- DADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY and people were just looking and laughing-- i turn to chris and say -- "i am usually doing this all by myself... think about that"
by the time the kids were in bed-- he looks at me and said the sweetest thing ever--
"i don't know how you do it" ah... music to my ears! i think he is starting to panic- he is on vacation starting tuesday- through the 5th-- whooohooo for me!!! kiddie shock for him!
but... at the party-
i couldn't tell you how many times i heard "oh, wow! he is all boy" or "i bet he is tough" or "you've got your hands full with that one" or "oh, he is just being a boy" or "aren't boys sooo different than girls!"
all of these comments make me two things...
1- nervous
2- scared
nervous- what do people say when we leave??? what do people think when we are coming over? do people still want to hang out with us?
scared- will this crazy, rough, tough, hard-headed, doesn't listen, isn't scared, does't hurt, etc boy ever slow down? will i ever get to sit still for a moment when he is awake and not strapped in a high chair or car seat?
i just don't know!!!!! i love him, and oh, he is soooo sweet, and he wants to be helpful, but oh my-- he is CRAZY.
we went to chuck e cheese today for a birthday party- he was running all over the place and ella was scared out of her mind of the mouse! (i mean really, it's a mouse, but whatever- at least she was still)
we went to dinner with two of our neighbors and there kids tonight- fisher was in a high chair and so he was fine- but ella was chasing the boys all over the place-
then... by mistake we went to wal-mart for a couple of needed items-- they had that pony (furreal- s'mores pony) at the front when you walk in-- we stood there for about 20 minutes so ella could warm up to the pony and talk to it... fisher is with chris in a cart-- but by the end of the hour long wal-mart trip- we were over our children- they were well behaved and rode in the carts- but they were yelling back and forth DADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY-- dadddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddy-- DADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY and people were just looking and laughing-- i turn to chris and say -- "i am usually doing this all by myself... think about that"
by the time the kids were in bed-- he looks at me and said the sweetest thing ever--
"i don't know how you do it" ah... music to my ears! i think he is starting to panic- he is on vacation starting tuesday- through the 5th-- whooohooo for me!!! kiddie shock for him!
Friday, December 19, 2008
windy friday!
it is soooo windy here! the weather is taking a turn and the winds are coming in! we have had non-stop rain for the entire week-- (hence the elliptical machine instead of morning running) but today it was so pretty this morning- then the winds came in! it is soooo windy!
we actually left the house (we had not done that since ballet on monday) and to finish some last minute christmas shopping. then we headed over to aly grace's house for ella to get some 3 year old playtime in. (they really miss each other)
tonight we are going to chris' work party (and the kids are coming) yeah! i have tons of presents left to wrap-- and then to start planning a christmas menu! we are still trying to figure out "our" family traditions that we want to start with the kids. we will visit chris' parents again before christmas and then head to my parents on christmas day (that night) to spend with my side of the family. i have a tradition of shopping the after-christmas sales with my mom and sister... we get up early and head out!
i will have pictures of the kids from tonights bash! have a great friday!
we actually left the house (we had not done that since ballet on monday) and to finish some last minute christmas shopping. then we headed over to aly grace's house for ella to get some 3 year old playtime in. (they really miss each other)
tonight we are going to chris' work party (and the kids are coming) yeah! i have tons of presents left to wrap-- and then to start planning a christmas menu! we are still trying to figure out "our" family traditions that we want to start with the kids. we will visit chris' parents again before christmas and then head to my parents on christmas day (that night) to spend with my side of the family. i have a tradition of shopping the after-christmas sales with my mom and sister... we get up early and head out!
i will have pictures of the kids from tonights bash! have a great friday!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
oh what a sweet surprise!
i had my last audit of the year today- really nice rep. i enjoy the audits so much when they are friendly- some panic and stress and freak out when they get a phone call from me... (again... que the evil music)
so, the in-laws came to babysit while i did my audit. ella was thrilled and ran around yelling ma and pa are here! (so sweet) and fisher seemed pumped as well.
they left shortly after i got home (about 4:00pm)- while i was out for the audit... i called ol' daddy dearest- we were needing to make a gift swap BEFORE christmas (can you see my silly little grin now- chris has NO idea- and that is hard to pull off) so- my dear daddy loaded up the truck (the gift took up most of truck) and he and mom came to be my early sneaky santas (they drove 2 1/2 hours for me here... 2 1/2 on the way back)...
i sent chris and fisher out of the house to pick up dinner and all is well in ho ho ho land!
mom and dad hung out for a while and ate dinner- then drove on back home (a 7 hour sneaky surprise-- THANK YOU!)
ella was again pumped to see nanny and pop-pop! she has been talking about pop-pop so much lately and last week she was talking to mom and asked her to come and pick her up- just come on nanny! come and get her!
but, before they left tonight ella asked pop-pop what he wanted for christmas- his response- "just for you to come to my house for christmas" she says "okay" and now... that is all that we are hearing about- "i could wear a bow for pop-pop's christmas!, nanny needs to see me for christmas, santa knows where nanny and pop-pop live, blah, blah, blah!)" oh... it's going to be a LONG week before christmas!
then... to top it off this was the last sentence before bed-- "i got to see my ma, pa, nanny, and pop-pop today! whoa, who is coming to my house tomorrow?"
so, the in-laws came to babysit while i did my audit. ella was thrilled and ran around yelling ma and pa are here! (so sweet) and fisher seemed pumped as well.
they left shortly after i got home (about 4:00pm)- while i was out for the audit... i called ol' daddy dearest- we were needing to make a gift swap BEFORE christmas (can you see my silly little grin now- chris has NO idea- and that is hard to pull off) so- my dear daddy loaded up the truck (the gift took up most of truck) and he and mom came to be my early sneaky santas (they drove 2 1/2 hours for me here... 2 1/2 on the way back)...
i sent chris and fisher out of the house to pick up dinner and all is well in ho ho ho land!
mom and dad hung out for a while and ate dinner- then drove on back home (a 7 hour sneaky surprise-- THANK YOU!)
ella was again pumped to see nanny and pop-pop! she has been talking about pop-pop so much lately and last week she was talking to mom and asked her to come and pick her up- just come on nanny! come and get her!
but, before they left tonight ella asked pop-pop what he wanted for christmas- his response- "just for you to come to my house for christmas" she says "okay" and now... that is all that we are hearing about- "i could wear a bow for pop-pop's christmas!, nanny needs to see me for christmas, santa knows where nanny and pop-pop live, blah, blah, blah!)" oh... it's going to be a LONG week before christmas!
then... to top it off this was the last sentence before bed-- "i got to see my ma, pa, nanny, and pop-pop today! whoa, who is coming to my house tomorrow?"
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