I hope that your Christmas was merry and bright and all your Christmas wishes came true!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
The presents are opened, the prime rib (yeah, it was NOT turkey!) was eaten, and we are all sitting around in a stupor of overstimulation and family contentment.
I hope that your Christmas was merry and bright and all your Christmas wishes came true!
I hope that your Christmas was merry and bright and all your Christmas wishes came true!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Jolly, Old Saint Nicholas
At some point I'm going to run out of holiday songs to steal my blog titles from.
Last Friday, I took the children to see Santa for our "official" Santa trip. We had seen Santa at Wal-Mart, at a Christmas party, and around town, but this was the visit to take pictures and tell him what we wanted. I was nervous about Phoebe after seeing her reaction to Santa at the Caroling Party so we waved and made eyes at him while we were waiting for Brad to meet us there.
They changed up the mall Santa scene this year to look more like a winter garden (I guess) so we had to take a few more pictures.
Eli and "Cindy Lou Whoo, who was no more than two." Although I wonder if Cindy Lou Whoo's mother made her wear shoes that were a size too small just because they looked so darn cute.
Finally, THE PICTURE! It's a little grainy because I scanned it on our printer at home.
It didn't turn out so bad. Twenty bucks for an mediocre picture...hmmmm, we must be parents!
Sporting the hats that we received after our visit. They wore these the rest of the day and pretended they were reindeer. Apparently reindeer do a lot of running and yelling.
Last Friday, I took the children to see Santa for our "official" Santa trip. We had seen Santa at Wal-Mart, at a Christmas party, and around town, but this was the visit to take pictures and tell him what we wanted. I was nervous about Phoebe after seeing her reaction to Santa at the Caroling Party so we waved and made eyes at him while we were waiting for Brad to meet us there.
They changed up the mall Santa scene this year to look more like a winter garden (I guess) so we had to take a few more pictures.
Eli and "Cindy Lou Whoo, who was no more than two." Although I wonder if Cindy Lou Whoo's mother made her wear shoes that were a size too small just because they looked so darn cute.
Finally, THE PICTURE! It's a little grainy because I scanned it on our printer at home.
It didn't turn out so bad. Twenty bucks for an mediocre picture...hmmmm, we must be parents!
Sporting the hats that we received after our visit. They wore these the rest of the day and pretended they were reindeer. Apparently reindeer do a lot of running and yelling.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tis The Season...
...For parties! Actually, we haven't had too many to attend since a few of the ones we are usually invited to occurred the weekend of Carrie's wedding. You just can't be in two places at once. It seemed like this last week was the week of parties, and, of course, I took waaaayyyy too many pictures. Seems the family enjoys them so here goes.
Thursday at KU was Eli's school party. A riveting game of musical chairs and then yummy snacks...the recipe for a successful school party. Even Phoebe enjoyed it. She played musical chairs and ate most of Eli's snacks.
Eating a chocolate mouse...cutest snack at the party!
Such great buddies
And no party is complete without a wrestling match!
Thursday night I hosted my very first Caroling Party. Growing up, my parents had some friends who had one every year for about seven years. You get about three or four families together and go caroling at people's houses. Our children are just about the right age to really get into it and they sang with gusto! Then we all headed back to the Taj McCall (what Brad calls our house) for cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee. A fun tradition that we will definitely be doing again next year!
Okay, so the pictures of us actually caroling aren't so great. There were six adults, five kids, and two "babies" and apparently that was too many people to fit into my camera screen without inviting myself into the Knebush's house.
If you want to see a better picture, head over to my friend,Keri's, blog. We crashed a party she was attending at another friend's house and...
...Santa was there!!
Phoebe was not too sure about Santa, but she sure did enjoy wearing this hat!
And she had no problem with the cookies, either!
I think this picture just about sums up their relationship.
Friday night we had our Sunday School class party. This was the only good picture we took.
Our babysitter had to take about five pictures of the two of us because Brad was having a hard time "looking happy." Sheesh.
Thursday at KU was Eli's school party. A riveting game of musical chairs and then yummy snacks...the recipe for a successful school party. Even Phoebe enjoyed it. She played musical chairs and ate most of Eli's snacks.
Eating a chocolate mouse...cutest snack at the party!
Such great buddies
And no party is complete without a wrestling match!
Thursday night I hosted my very first Caroling Party. Growing up, my parents had some friends who had one every year for about seven years. You get about three or four families together and go caroling at people's houses. Our children are just about the right age to really get into it and they sang with gusto! Then we all headed back to the Taj McCall (what Brad calls our house) for cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee. A fun tradition that we will definitely be doing again next year!
Okay, so the pictures of us actually caroling aren't so great. There were six adults, five kids, and two "babies" and apparently that was too many people to fit into my camera screen without inviting myself into the Knebush's house.
If you want to see a better picture, head over to my friend,Keri's, blog. We crashed a party she was attending at another friend's house and...
...Santa was there!!
Phoebe was not too sure about Santa, but she sure did enjoy wearing this hat!
And she had no problem with the cookies, either!
I think this picture just about sums up their relationship.
Friday night we had our Sunday School class party. This was the only good picture we took.
Our babysitter had to take about five pictures of the two of us because Brad was having a hard time "looking happy." Sheesh.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bragging Rights
I enjoy "making" things. I love to cook, I like to sew (simple stuff), and I like to craft. Christmas seems to be one of those seasons where I tend to do all of these things in overdrive. I think something homemade shows more love and appreciation than something store-bought. Not that thoughtful gifts purchased from a store are "less than" homemade gifts, but "gift giving" is one of my love languages and I just love giving homemade gifts. I'm also a little OCD and I know that if I can make something then something store-bought just cannot be good enough once I've got in my head to make. I know, it's a little crazy. Because of the move, I haven't done as much as I usually do, but I did manage to churn out two pretty darn cute Christmas-y things.
Actually, I didn't make these overalls all by myself. I made the ruffles and cut out all the shapes, and my friend, Dixie, sewed it all together. She's going to show me how to do that...although she doesn't know it yet. :)
These are the aprons I made for Eli's Pre-K teachers and the director of the pre-school.
These are not Eli's teachers, by the way. These are some of our Huddle girls who were nice enough to "model" my aprons for me on Wednesday night at our Huddle Christmas party. The ruffles on these little aprons almost did me in. Ruffles are usually pretty easy to do, but since these were double sided, there was a lot of ironing and sewing and basting and thread-breaking. But I think it was worth it in the end. I probably won't ever make any more like this so enjoy these pictures now! :) They were wrapped up in Christmas melamine bowls with a bag of chocolate chip cookie mix and a red cookie dough scooper. It made for a pretty nice presentation. And really that's half the fun of unwrapping gifts is to have a pretty one to unwrap in the first place!
Hopefully after the New Year I'll have more time to get some fun stuff done for my house. Maybe.
Actually, I didn't make these overalls all by myself. I made the ruffles and cut out all the shapes, and my friend, Dixie, sewed it all together. She's going to show me how to do that...although she doesn't know it yet. :)
These are the aprons I made for Eli's Pre-K teachers and the director of the pre-school.
These are not Eli's teachers, by the way. These are some of our Huddle girls who were nice enough to "model" my aprons for me on Wednesday night at our Huddle Christmas party. The ruffles on these little aprons almost did me in. Ruffles are usually pretty easy to do, but since these were double sided, there was a lot of ironing and sewing and basting and thread-breaking. But I think it was worth it in the end. I probably won't ever make any more like this so enjoy these pictures now! :) They were wrapped up in Christmas melamine bowls with a bag of chocolate chip cookie mix and a red cookie dough scooper. It made for a pretty nice presentation. And really that's half the fun of unwrapping gifts is to have a pretty one to unwrap in the first place!
Hopefully after the New Year I'll have more time to get some fun stuff done for my house. Maybe.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
You Know It's Christmas When...
* Everyday is a photo opp!
Their shirts read "Huntin' for Santa." He He.
* The lady behind you at the Target line offers to let you check out in front of her because your 22-month-old daughter is lying down throwing a screaming fit in the back of the cart where you put her because you were afraid if she continued to pitch sitting in the seat she'd fall out. She's throwing a fit because you have to find the last three Christmas spatulas for those three perfect gifts and you have to do it before you pick up your older child from pre-school because one screaming child is still better than one screaming child and one overstimulated preschooler with too much energy in his system.
* You decide to cuddle up on the couch with your two children after dinner and watch The Polar Express for the 942,183rd time because you are too overwhelmed with the sheer volume of things that need to be done in the next few days and you are just too tired to get them done. Then you feel guilty and stay up till midnight working on said projects because it's quiet and the children are nestled all snug in their beds.
* You spend all day baking cookies and other said goodies and by the time dinner rolls around you are so sick of the kitchen that you serve Spaghetti-O's for dinner. Actually, Annie's Certified Organic Homegrown BernieO's...makes you feel better, right?
* You wonder why the "season of running errands" falls during the winter months necessitating coats and hats and gloves and sweaters...as if there weren't already enough "stuff" to deal with.
* You wonder why this is your favorite time of year. And then you remember the two precious children you been blessed to care for and that this is the only year they will be almost two and five. Everyday is full of wonder and innocence and faith. You remember that the reason you have so many gifts to buy and wrap and make and so many places to go is because you have so many people to love and so many people that love you. You remember that the only reason we even have this holiday and these blessings is because Our Father loved us so much...so much more than we can imagine or deserve.
Merry Christmas!
Their shirts read "Huntin' for Santa." He He.
* The lady behind you at the Target line offers to let you check out in front of her because your 22-month-old daughter is lying down throwing a screaming fit in the back of the cart where you put her because you were afraid if she continued to pitch sitting in the seat she'd fall out. She's throwing a fit because you have to find the last three Christmas spatulas for those three perfect gifts and you have to do it before you pick up your older child from pre-school because one screaming child is still better than one screaming child and one overstimulated preschooler with too much energy in his system.
* You decide to cuddle up on the couch with your two children after dinner and watch The Polar Express for the 942,183rd time because you are too overwhelmed with the sheer volume of things that need to be done in the next few days and you are just too tired to get them done. Then you feel guilty and stay up till midnight working on said projects because it's quiet and the children are nestled all snug in their beds.
* You spend all day baking cookies and other said goodies and by the time dinner rolls around you are so sick of the kitchen that you serve Spaghetti-O's for dinner. Actually, Annie's Certified Organic Homegrown BernieO's...makes you feel better, right?
* You wonder why the "season of running errands" falls during the winter months necessitating coats and hats and gloves and sweaters...as if there weren't already enough "stuff" to deal with.
* You wonder why this is your favorite time of year. And then you remember the two precious children you been blessed to care for and that this is the only year they will be almost two and five. Everyday is full of wonder and innocence and faith. You remember that the reason you have so many gifts to buy and wrap and make and so many places to go is because you have so many people to love and so many people that love you. You remember that the only reason we even have this holiday and these blessings is because Our Father loved us so much...so much more than we can imagine or deserve.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 15, 2008
"Dear Santa...I Can Explain."
Today during Phoebe's nap, Eli decided to write a letter to Santa. I had mentioned doing such a thing a few days ago, and like a dog with a bone, he hasn't let it go! It seemed like a good day to write a letter (20 degrees outside, a warm fire inside, a quiet house) and so I set him up at the bar and he wrote this letter:
In case it's hard to read, it says,
"Dear Santa,
I hope you like flying in the sleigh. Look down and see if you can see my house. It's a big house with lots of windows. I want a remote control helicopter, a dirt bike with training wheels, and a Power Ranger suit. I'll be at Grandma's house. We'll leave cookies for you! Love, Eli McCall"
I'm a little worried about Eli's letter. A month ago, when I was doing all my Christmas shopping, the list was entirely different. I'm not even sure where you find a Power Ranger suit (white, mind you) and I don't think they make dirt bikes with training wheels. *Sigh* Growing up is so disappointing.
While he was working on this letter, he came up with a plan for Santa to write him back. He wants to leave Santa a piece of paper and a pencil on Christmas Eve so Santa can come through. I tried to explain that you mail your letter to Santa and it's not like texting where you get an immediate answer back, but I don't think he got it. Maybe next year...when he actually knows his letters.
I won't hold my breath.
In case it's hard to read, it says,
"Dear Santa,
I hope you like flying in the sleigh. Look down and see if you can see my house. It's a big house with lots of windows. I want a remote control helicopter, a dirt bike with training wheels, and a Power Ranger suit. I'll be at Grandma's house. We'll leave cookies for you! Love, Eli McCall"
I'm a little worried about Eli's letter. A month ago, when I was doing all my Christmas shopping, the list was entirely different. I'm not even sure where you find a Power Ranger suit (white, mind you) and I don't think they make dirt bikes with training wheels. *Sigh* Growing up is so disappointing.
While he was working on this letter, he came up with a plan for Santa to write him back. He wants to leave Santa a piece of paper and a pencil on Christmas Eve so Santa can come through. I tried to explain that you mail your letter to Santa and it's not like texting where you get an immediate answer back, but I don't think he got it. Maybe next year...when he actually knows his letters.
I won't hold my breath.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Tumbling Tumbleweed
Just in case you thought we were kidding about living on the prairie.
Yesterday, this gigantic tumbleweed came over our back fence. Eli and I watched it progress all day yesterday and today I thought it deserved a picture.
I checked on the Internet and there is a farm that sells tumbleweeds for $25. I'll make you a better deal than that. If you'll come haul it off, you can have it for $20...unless the wind blows it away first! :)
Yesterday, this gigantic tumbleweed came over our back fence. Eli and I watched it progress all day yesterday and today I thought it deserved a picture.
I checked on the Internet and there is a farm that sells tumbleweeds for $25. I'll make you a better deal than that. If you'll come haul it off, you can have it for $20...unless the wind blows it away first! :)
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Bit Of Blogging Procrastination
While three days doesn't seem like an especially long time, it's seems like forever when you just keep accumulating thoughts to blog about.
* After Huddles Wednesday night, Phoebe and I were driving home together. Brad had a meeting and so we were in separate cars. Eli, as usual, wanted to ride with his dad. So it was just us girls. We were singing Christmas carols and looking at the holiday lights. Phoebe said, "Wow!" to each and every house that had any kind of decoration on it. There were many of them. Now, Phoebe just doesn't say "wow", she expresses it. It long and drawn-out (enough to put to shame any Texas drawl) and then her mouth and eyes go wide. Truly priceless... and it makes me wonder if she'll always be this awed by something so sparkly. Then we got onto I-40 and headed west out of town to the new house. It gets dark and there aren't really any more houses. We pass Gander Mountain (a big outdoor/sports store similar to Cabela's or Bass Pro Shop) that' all lit up and Phoebe's eyes get wide and in a reverent voice says, "WOW!" I informed her that Gander Mountain was not that impressive or deserving of her wonder. :)
*Brad and I have decided not to decorate much for Christmas. While I have visions of lit garland strung artfully from my stair banisters and sparkly cardboard houses adorning my mantle and wreaths in every window and a beautifully decorated (pre-lit) 9 ft. tree in my living room, we are making due with a diminutive 6 ft. tree and four stockings...that's it. It seemed a little silly to expend so much energy getting ready for Christmas when I still have nothing on my walls, boxes to unpack, and curtains to hang. I think Christmas will come whether I've decorated or not and this year I'd rather spend my "extra" time looking at Christmas lights and baking cookies with my children than hanging up garland. Next year though, folks, watch out! We will be living a Christmas Extravaganza!
* Eli's preschool program was yesterday afternoon. Of course, he was great. There's not a sound much sweeter than 4-and-5-year-olds singing "Joy To The World!" The 2-year-olds were pretty darn cute singing "I'm Gettin' Nothin' For Christmas", too.
A few pics while waiting for the program to start. You have to get there early and reserve your seat, you know!
The Pre-K classes sang "Away In A Manger", "Joy To The World", and "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer."
Me and my little elves!
* And this morning, when it had gotten just a little too quiet, I went upstairs expecting to find the worst. Instead, I found this:
Two sweet children sitting on the top bunk (they got up there by themselves) reading books together. Sigh.
Okay, I know they are wearing matching outfits and Phoebe's hair is a mess. I was going to take some pictures in front of the Christmas tree today, but there has been too much bathtime in Mom's big tub, Memory Game playing, jewelry wearing, toe smashing, and bathroom cleaning to get it done yet. Maybe later!
It's always good to set high goals for yourself.
* After Huddles Wednesday night, Phoebe and I were driving home together. Brad had a meeting and so we were in separate cars. Eli, as usual, wanted to ride with his dad. So it was just us girls. We were singing Christmas carols and looking at the holiday lights. Phoebe said, "Wow!" to each and every house that had any kind of decoration on it. There were many of them. Now, Phoebe just doesn't say "wow", she expresses it. It long and drawn-out (enough to put to shame any Texas drawl) and then her mouth and eyes go wide. Truly priceless... and it makes me wonder if she'll always be this awed by something so sparkly. Then we got onto I-40 and headed west out of town to the new house. It gets dark and there aren't really any more houses. We pass Gander Mountain (a big outdoor/sports store similar to Cabela's or Bass Pro Shop) that' all lit up and Phoebe's eyes get wide and in a reverent voice says, "WOW!" I informed her that Gander Mountain was not that impressive or deserving of her wonder. :)
*Brad and I have decided not to decorate much for Christmas. While I have visions of lit garland strung artfully from my stair banisters and sparkly cardboard houses adorning my mantle and wreaths in every window and a beautifully decorated (pre-lit) 9 ft. tree in my living room, we are making due with a diminutive 6 ft. tree and four stockings...that's it. It seemed a little silly to expend so much energy getting ready for Christmas when I still have nothing on my walls, boxes to unpack, and curtains to hang. I think Christmas will come whether I've decorated or not and this year I'd rather spend my "extra" time looking at Christmas lights and baking cookies with my children than hanging up garland. Next year though, folks, watch out! We will be living a Christmas Extravaganza!
* Eli's preschool program was yesterday afternoon. Of course, he was great. There's not a sound much sweeter than 4-and-5-year-olds singing "Joy To The World!" The 2-year-olds were pretty darn cute singing "I'm Gettin' Nothin' For Christmas", too.
A few pics while waiting for the program to start. You have to get there early and reserve your seat, you know!
The Pre-K classes sang "Away In A Manger", "Joy To The World", and "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer."
Me and my little elves!
* And this morning, when it had gotten just a little too quiet, I went upstairs expecting to find the worst. Instead, I found this:
Two sweet children sitting on the top bunk (they got up there by themselves) reading books together. Sigh.
Okay, I know they are wearing matching outfits and Phoebe's hair is a mess. I was going to take some pictures in front of the Christmas tree today, but there has been too much bathtime in Mom's big tub, Memory Game playing, jewelry wearing, toe smashing, and bathroom cleaning to get it done yet. Maybe later!
It's always good to set high goals for yourself.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Out My Front Door
This is what I saw out my front door yesterday evening. Absolutely breathtaking.
There are a lot of things about West Texas that I don't understand or appreciate, but there is nothing in this world like a West Texas sunset. Nothing. When I go back to Dallas or visit Brad's parents in the mountains of New Mexico I think the trees are splendid and the mountains are magnificent, but I always miss the sky. That's something we have in abundance here...that and tumbleweeds.
This is what I see out my front door right now.
In case you can't tell, the snow is blowing sideways! I don't really miss this at all. It's not so bad when all you have to do is stay inside and drink coffee by the fire, but who has the time to do that? Today was Eli's field trip to see Santa and shop at the Dollar Tree. So we loaded up with out three big coats, two hats, one scarf, four gloves, two mittens, and travel coffee mug and set out to go with Eli's class to the mall. It's a great field trip...really, it is, but goodness was it cold and windy today! Now we are home and Phoebe is napping, Eli is reading books, and there is a fire in the fireplace. It's not so bad now. :)
There are a lot of things about West Texas that I don't understand or appreciate, but there is nothing in this world like a West Texas sunset. Nothing. When I go back to Dallas or visit Brad's parents in the mountains of New Mexico I think the trees are splendid and the mountains are magnificent, but I always miss the sky. That's something we have in abundance here...that and tumbleweeds.
This is what I see out my front door right now.
In case you can't tell, the snow is blowing sideways! I don't really miss this at all. It's not so bad when all you have to do is stay inside and drink coffee by the fire, but who has the time to do that? Today was Eli's field trip to see Santa and shop at the Dollar Tree. So we loaded up with out three big coats, two hats, one scarf, four gloves, two mittens, and travel coffee mug and set out to go with Eli's class to the mall. It's a great field trip...really, it is, but goodness was it cold and windy today! Now we are home and Phoebe is napping, Eli is reading books, and there is a fire in the fireplace. It's not so bad now. :)
Monday, December 08, 2008
Mawwage Is What Bwings Us Twogethew Today
Seriously, can you even have a wedding post without some reference to "The Princess Bride"?
My sister's wedding really was wonderful. I know that you think I'm just saying that because it's my sister, but it had everything you need at a wedding. A good hoe-down (the rehearsal dinner had a western theme), good food (Babe's chicken), a great love story, loving families, a beautiful bride, cute children (my own, of course!), a great party, and lots and lots of memories. It was exactly what my sister wanted and it was exactly perfect. My children even walked down the aisle without any major mishaps and looked too cute for words. Phoebe melted down pretty soon after the ceremony and she's lying in a heap on the floor pitching a fit in all the family pictures. Apparently, 21 months is probably the worst age to try to get 947 photos. I'm sure we'll all look back on this and laugh, but it was kind of sad that we didn't get one really good family shot. We didn't get any good ones before the wedding because I forgot my shoes at Amy's house and Brad had drive all the way back to get them. After getting caught in traffic and then almost running out of gas, I got my shoes in time, but not in time to take too many pictures. Oh well. At the reception, my children just danced and danced...well, after they ate, of course. Phoebe (who had completely had it by this time) only wanted to be held near the dance floor or be held on the dance floor. She convinced many a willing partner, too. Eli told me later that he loved dancing and I'm not sure any of us have ever seen moves like that! Carrie's new in-laws love to dance. They are so much fun! The week and weekend was a blessing in so many ways and I'm so excited that Carrie is starting her very own "Happily Ever After."
My sister's wedding really was wonderful. I know that you think I'm just saying that because it's my sister, but it had everything you need at a wedding. A good hoe-down (the rehearsal dinner had a western theme), good food (Babe's chicken), a great love story, loving families, a beautiful bride, cute children (my own, of course!), a great party, and lots and lots of memories. It was exactly what my sister wanted and it was exactly perfect. My children even walked down the aisle without any major mishaps and looked too cute for words. Phoebe melted down pretty soon after the ceremony and she's lying in a heap on the floor pitching a fit in all the family pictures. Apparently, 21 months is probably the worst age to try to get 947 photos. I'm sure we'll all look back on this and laugh, but it was kind of sad that we didn't get one really good family shot. We didn't get any good ones before the wedding because I forgot my shoes at Amy's house and Brad had drive all the way back to get them. After getting caught in traffic and then almost running out of gas, I got my shoes in time, but not in time to take too many pictures. Oh well. At the reception, my children just danced and danced...well, after they ate, of course. Phoebe (who had completely had it by this time) only wanted to be held near the dance floor or be held on the dance floor. She convinced many a willing partner, too. Eli told me later that he loved dancing and I'm not sure any of us have ever seen moves like that! Carrie's new in-laws love to dance. They are so much fun! The week and weekend was a blessing in so many ways and I'm so excited that Carrie is starting her very own "Happily Ever After."
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