Yummy

This is one of the fun things that Grandma-ma and I baked. I told you about them before and that I wanted to try them. Yummy!

Austin's gifts for the family

This year for Christmas I decided to let Austin create a little gift for some of our family members. I knew it couldn't be anything too extravagant considering he is only 14 months old. I thought I discovered the perfect craft for us. We would make Christmas Ornaments for everyone. The goal was to put white paint on the palm of Austin's hand and have him hold a red Christmas Ball Ornament-leaving a cute little hand print behind. Well it didn't quite work out that way. I forgot that Grandpa and Daddy have been working very hard at teaching Austin how to throw a ball. I also didn't think about the fact that Austin would view the ornament as a toy ball. So, imagine what he did with the ornament when it was in his hand. That's right~he threw it across the kitchen. At first I was a little frustrated that it wasn't going the was I PLANED IT. Then I thought about the fact it was a gift from Austin and he could create it how he wanted. So from then we let him go with each ornament and create a one of a kind for each family member.

Here we are before the first ornament was givin to Austin-notice his hand with the white paint ready to go.
Austin didn't want to give the ball back to me, he just wanted to throw it.

He was not too happy Mommy got the ball from him

These are the finished product while they were drying

This is a close up of one of the pieces of art

When they were done drying I took a marker and wrote his name on the top along with the year on each ornament.



We put each one of the gifts into one of these cute bags that Grandma-ma and I made.

Visiting Santa Again

Grandma-ma & Papa (Donna & Kenny) came to visit the whole week of Christmas and spend time with us. They really wanted to take Austin to see Santa again while they were here. So, we packed up and headed to the mall. We meet Tommy & Aidan, Aunt Pam and Grandpa (Mark) there. Austin really wasn't sure about Santa this year, so I had to sit with him for the photos.

Austin & I outside the area where Santa is.

Austin Loved touching the trees and the things that were on it (the balls & pine cones especially)

This is one of my favorite photos of my little guy

Grandpa trying to keep Austin happy while we waited to see Santa. Austin loved playing on these benches.

He loves riding in these little cars at the mall.

Like I said before Austin loved touching the trees

Grandpa can never show up without something for Austin, this time it was frozen yogurt.

It had been a long time since I had my picture with Santa

The holidays are over.

So christmas is over now comes the real fun putting everything up. I have spent the morning trying to pick up all the gifts that we received. But I really feel like I am just moving things from one room to another. I am trying though, and trying to get everything some what organized. So I am making my way thru the house one room at a time trying to pick everything up and get it to the correct room in the house. Once everything is where it belongs I will go back and actually clean the house. Looks like it might be a long process and in the mean time I have to put up all the Christmas decorations. The good thing is that Brad is off this week (every day but Wen) so hopfully he will be able to help out a little. He is also planning on a project for the garage. So we will see. I promise to post lots of photos from the past week or so. I just have to get my house some what back in order.

We hopeeveryone had a great Holiday and was able to spend lots of time with friends and family!

A mothers Latter to Santa

I found the below letter this morning on the bulliten of my moms group. Pretty much any mother can relate to this.

Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground . I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "T ake your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning , or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.

Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on my carpet.

Yours Always,MOM...!

Another Cute Idea for Christmas

So I just came across this super cute and seemingly easy goodies for Christmas. I think I am going to try my hand at this while my parents are here this week. You can find the instructions here.

I came across this cute little bag this morning. I am thinking that we might be making some of these in the near future at our house. I think this is a super cute way to dress up a gift bag. I will let you know how our bags turn out. I think Austin might do something like this for the gifts that he has got for the family. I think he has been taking the debit card and hitting the malls after Brad and I go to sleep at night~it will be interesting to see what he gets for everyone. For directions on making this bag go here.

Santa Express was in the neighborhood

Tonight the Santa Express came thru our neighborhood. Brad came home from work just in time to go with us. The Santa Express is a van/bus that is all decked out for Christmas. Inside is Santa and a few of his elf's. It was soooo cold tonight that I double layered Austin before we went out. Once we got to the Santa Express (which was escorted by two cop cars) there was already a line. So we threw a blanket over Austin's head and decided to brave the line. Well, that lasted less than 5 min. It started misting rain and we didn't want Austin to get sick. So we made sure to get a few photos with the Elves. Sorry there are not better photos, this is the best we got.

The Santa Express
In the car on the way to see Santa Express

Austin and I with Jingle Bells & Twinkle Toes.

On the way back to the house.

I felt bad that Austin didn't get to see Santa but I am sure he will have many other chances when its not 28 degrees outside and raining.

Fun with Grandma

After Santa this morning Austin went to spend the day with his Grandma. He loves playing with Grandma & Grandpa , I think its because he rules the house when he is there.


That face tells it all. I love you Grandma!~

Grandma also played dress up while Austin was there.

Snow Day

Below are some photos I took this morning and last night of the snow we had.

Santa Baby...

Brad took the day off today for us to wrap up some of our Christmas shopping. So I thought it would be a great day for us to visit Santa. Austin went to see Santa 3 or 4 times at least last year, and Brad missed them all. So this year I wanted to make sure he got to go with us to see the big man. When we woke up there was snow and the roads were icey. But we decided to brave it in the civic an make our way to Santa. We went last year to see the Santa at our local Chick-fil-a and he was great (not to mention free~and you could also take your own photos). He was the same Santa that Austin saw last year which I thought was pretty cool. When we got there Santa was walking around talking to all the customers and children, he quickly took up with Austin. So we made our way to the Christmas tree (photo area) and Austin let Santa hold him for all of maybe 2 min. then he was done and ready to get a ball off the Christmas tree. Santa even gave Austin a toy to take home from his toy bag and Austin just threw it on the floor. I was so embarrassed, but in Austin's defense it was his nap time and he was ready for a snack. But we still got some cute photos.

How cute is this

I just foud the following idea for the holiday's. I might have to try this one out this weekend. I am thinling I could put photos of our family from this year or maybe of Austin from last christmas. You can find the instructions here:

Tiny Tot Christmas Party

Austin and I hosted the Tiny Tot Christmas Party today for our moms group. We both had a lot of fun. Austin was amazed when he woke up from his morning nap to find all of his toys in the family room down stairs (they are normally upstairs in the bonus room).