Christmas

Christmas has come and gone and I wonder how it happened.
This year we didn't send out Christmas cards or make treats for anyone.
It was kind of Bah humbug of us...but nice at the same time.
This year we decided to make Christmas simple.
Only a couple of presents for the kids and only stockings for Blake and I.

On Christmas Eve we had family over for dinner.
As I have been looking through the pictures looking for ones to blog I have noticed one reoccurring pattern.
no one looks at the person that is taking the photo
if the person is looking at the camera they look crazy.
Pay extra attention to my sister...

When Laney was getting dressed in the morning I told her to wear something green or red because those are Christmas colors.
Gavin listened to my advise.
Laney wore teal.

When it was time to open up the pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa Miller the kids could not have been happier.
Uh...
You are just gonna have to trust me on this one.

See. I told you. Happy.
Notice the non looking at the camera/crazy look in their eyes?

Perhaps we just need a different venue?
Lets try the couch.
Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

eeeeeeeeeeeeeee

eeeeeeeeeeeese.

On Christmas morning Canon could be found eating.
Santa only gave the kids one chocolate Santa each.
Canon ate 2 of them.

Bed head was out in full force.
(Penny doesn't have to worry about that yet.)Grandma Jackie and Laney look like they could be hair buddies.

Grandpa went the smart, albeit non traditional way, and wore a hat. Canon took little bites out of 3 different apples.

What was gonna be a meager Christmas got thrown out the window when Grandma and Grandpa decided that a Wii was in our future.

The kids were happy.
You are just gonna have to trust me on this one.

Laney got a tea set from Grandma Dana that was a big hit.
In the interest of full disclosure: I have had to glue two of the pieces together already.
Sometimes you CAN love something too much.
Since Grandma Dana lives in Vegas we thought that we would get a picture of the kids with their gifts.
This is a foolish undertaking.
Especially when Canon has another chocolate Santa in his mouth and is trying to say "Cheese."

Look right here....

Seriously kids! Look here.

Nothing says "Thanks Grandma Dana" like stink eye.

Perhaps if we have the kids hold up their presents that might help.

We were silly to think that would work.

Penny can't even pay attention.

Our simple Christmas was just as we wanted it to be.
Simple.
That is until Santa brought a trampoline for the kids.

Then our Christmas turned simply dangerous.
Ice+kids+trampolines
I am sure there are gonna be broken bones and tears in our near future.

Reinventing The Wheel

I finished it the other night.
Granted it is another button tree pillow but what can I say? When you find something good you stick with it.
Speaking of trees...
I just made 2 more of these.
One for my sister for her birthday, and one for a Christmas present.
(Laurel if you are reading this don't click on the link.)

In other news:
Canon the other day was found in the bathroom reading Penny a book.
Penny can be found on most days in the bathroom.
She likes the sound of the fan and it helps her sleep. We are inclined to appease her.
Most of the days, though, she does NOT have Canon's raccoon.
Raccoon is Canon's prized possession and yet he shared it.
I suppose it really is the season of giving.

---edited to add---
When I was typing out this post Canon came into the room saw the picture and said:
That is my Gackoon. Penny has it. My gackoon.

First Gift Of The Season

Imagine our surprise when we came home to a little gift sitting on our front porch.
Upon further inspection we saw it was to Gavin from Erin, a girl up the street.
What could it be?
His first mixed tape, maybe?

The anticipation is killing me.
(So is Gavin's hair, as a matter of fact. Thank goodness I just cut it!)

Wait for it....
Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a matching game.
Gavin couldn't be happier.

Canon on the other hand has to face the harsh reality that he will just have to wait a few years to get Match games from girls.
In the mean time he is going to cry at the injustice.

Deck The Halls

Only 5 more days till Christmas.

Right In the Thick Of It

I have got a lot done on my lists but have lots more to do and lots more to add.

Today I am:

• Making presents for my friend that just had a baby (3 1/2 weeks early. I thought I had more time.)
• Making treats to give to Laney's preschool teachers that will include: Caramel corn, gingerbread popcorn, and almond roca.
• Buying the last of the presents that I need to from the Internet so that they can get here in time.
• Making crock pot chicken korma for dinner.
• Shopping at Costco.
• Picking up a few things from Ikea.
• Finishing one of my Christmas decorations that I have been working on for a month. Boo, hiss.
• Hopefully folding these clothes:

Christmas is up at our house. (pictures to come later)
Gifts are purchased...only a few odds and ends to go.
More posts to come too.
I have got a lot to catch up on.
In the meantime enjoy some video of Canon dancing.

Blaaarrrg

It seems like I have been saying that a lot lately. I made a few lists yesterday which made me feel better about things.

Things I have to do, make, and buy.

I feel accomplished when I can cross something off of my list. Even if it is only, make bed.

Check.

Penny is 4 months old now.
We took her to the doctor on Monday. Everything is looking good for her. She is growing with the curve just way below it.
She weighs 10 lbs. 10 oz. and is 22 inches long.

When ever I bring her any place we normally get some kind of reaction from people.
A LOT of people think I am carrying a doll.
Which by the way...What adult does that?
Then they comment on how cute she is, ask how old she is and then proceed to say how little she is.
Same conversation, numerous times a day.
You won't hear any complaints from me. If someone tells me my kid is cute they can talk to me all day or until I have to go chasing after one of my other "cute" kids.

For the most part she is a very happy baby.
If she has got a clean diaper, a full tummy, and someone is holding her, you are pretty much golden in Penny's eyes.
Truth be told, you don't even have to be holding her. Just looking at her makes her smile.
If you happen to change her diaper, even if it is only wet, she will coo and make such loving sounds at you.
She likes her diapers dry. Bone dry.
Our diaper supply is rapidly dwindling.
This week has been a little rough but I know that will pass.

Because having another off week is not on my list.

Dear Great Grandma Jones

I know I just saw you for the first time the other day but there are some things that need to be said.

My parents have failed.

OK. So perhaps that is a bit harsh.
But their lack of preparedness is a little stunning.

It is cold here. Really cold.

And it has been snowing. They talk about a Winter Wonderland in songs and well Grandma, they had to be talking about Utah. I am sure of it.

Look at my Dad all bundled up in his snow gear.
That is called being prepared.

Sure, they are all set for them and my other three siblings to go out into the harsh weather.
But they had nothing to keep me warm.
Being the forth child I would consider this poor planning on their part.
You would think that at number four they could pull it together.
Think again.
And so, Grandma, I want to thank you.

For saving me from my parents vast oversight...even if you didn't know it,

and making it look like my parents really do love me and that they are not a bunch of clowns.

Even if it sometimes looks that way when we are getting out of our car.

Hugs.
-Penny

Good To Know

Laney: What are we having for dinner?
Me: Tacos.
Laney: With meat?
Me: Yep.
Laney: Good. I like meat because I like the color blue now.
Me: ..........
Laney: Meat isn't blue though, mom.

Tales of A Tree

The tree in our front yard is massive.
When we first moved into this house word on the street was that there was a tree killer in our neighborhood. A gentlemen had been going around poisoning trees so that he could get a better view. Lucky for our tree, he lived one street up from us.
Our tree is quite beautiful though.
During the spring and summer it is full of leaves. During the fall the color changes and it is still lovely. Albeit slightly messy.

Now granted, there were still a lot of leaves left on the tree when this picture was taken.

That should give you a general idea about what kind of undertaking clean up is.

We were primed and ready to go.
Operation "dead leaf" was go for launch.
This year we had a plan.
Our plan was kiboshed though.
Little did we know that a good strong wind and 10 inches of snow would rid us of our leaf problem.

The real question now is "How do we rid ourselves of all this snow?"

Tickle Me Intrigued

Blake was gone all last weekend. He left on Friday afternoon and didn't get back until Sunday night.

We survived.

While Blake is gone I tend to get bored at night and so I find myself on the Internet a lot waiting for Penny to go to sleep.

While looking at one of the many blogs I read I was interested in one in particular. She is doing a sweater refashion for every day of the month.

What was so interesting was that I have the sweater below.

Exact same one.

I have never worn it. But I can't seem to get rid of it.

It just sits in my closet.

I much prefer hers now.

I like the color better and the flower embellishments.

Although probably not as many.
Moderation.

In all things.

Sweaters too.

Which got me thinking.

If she can find these ugly sweaters from second hand stores and make them into something cute, well...why can't I?
Well, I will tell you why.
I don't know where to fit it into my day.
With my luck I would buy some ugly ill-fitting sweaters and then never get around to making them cute.
I have about 6 katrillion things I want to do/make/clean/fix...
Sometimes I have a hard time remembering what things I wanted to do but never got around too.
Eye-yey-yey.
Some days I feel like I am loosing my mind.
Other days I feel like it is already gone.
Then there are days that the heavens part,
and I can see a bit of myself coming back after the last 4 months of hibernation.
Hi friend.
I have missed you.
Stick around for a while.

Santa Baby

Here is a wish list:

(the word "wish" should be noted)

Cute sweater. Tried on. Love it.
(It should be pointed out that if this goes on sale, it is one of the exceptions to my 'no buy'.)

Good dress.
(another exception, if it goes on sale)

When Blake and I were first married he bought me a pair of shoes from Charlotte Russe.
They are black and white too and I love them.
I figure that these would be a good replacement for when the other ones die.

I have not gotten a pair of new tennis shoes in a long time. That, and I kinda love the colors.

Some might think these shoes are weird. Ugly even.
I can not stop thinking about them.
It would take Santa some stealthy maneuvers to get these...
but I am certain with the right amount of persistence Ebay would do the trick.

Ho Hum

Penny has had an off week. This in turn means that I have had an off week. I normally have dreams of grandeur and thoughts of all the things I will accomplish during the week. Lets just say when Sunday normally rolls around I look around and realize I have accomplished very little. This week I accomplished less than normal. I am in fact an over achievers worst nightmare and an under achievers prime specimen.



I have very fond memories as a kid of playing with play dough. I am sure that my Mom made most, if not all, of the play dough for us. I think at some point she even made edible play dough using peanut butter. I remember that we had cookie cutters that were shaped like the McDonald's characters, the old ones, like Grimus and the Fry Guys. I loved rolling out the dough and making pretend food. Pressing the play dough threw a baby food grinder, and making it come out looking like strands of hair. Good times. Oh, how times have changed. When ever my kids ask if they can play with play dough (which is a twice weekly occasion) I cringe. Then starts the internal conflict. The fun loving, fly by the seat of your pants, side of me cheers. Play dough, play dough, play dough...The anal retentive, ultra clean, side of me cries. Play dough, play dough, noooo.... Those little pieces of hardened dough get EVERYWHERE! On the bench, the chairs, smeared on the floor and on the table...is that some dough in Canon's ear? Most of the time the mean side wins out and the play dough stays in the bucket. On occasion the fun loving side wins out and then for about 20 minutes it is heaven for the kids as they play. Then it is my own personal crap town as I clean up the wreckage.



We just purchased a new Christmas tree from Costco. Our old one, after 5 years of use has finally had some of the lights burn out. So even though it is only the second week into November I am seriously considering setting up Christmas decorations.



I am officially on a 30 day shopping break. Fingers crossed. But to clarify...I will still be buying Christmas presents for the kids and Blake just nothing for yours truly. Sometimes I just like to show myself who is boss. Take that self.

500

This is our 500 post.
I can't believe you are all still reading.
We are a little crazy and yet you have stuck around.
That must make you crazy, or devoted.
Which ever.
I'll let you pick.

This Is How We Roll