Christmas Wrap-Up

Here is a Christmas Wrap up for you!

Wrap-UP:
23rd - My family had Christmas at our house with a nice ham dinner and presents. We also had some little goodies that I made (one not so great) and fun! I don't have any pictures of that night with me but will put them on Picasa soon.

24th - Christmas with Yo's parents and family. We had dinner, tons of baked goodies, presents for the kids, and Chinese Christmas for the rest of us! We had a really good time. Those pictures are on the previous post.

25th - Santa Came!!!! When Blay woke up, he woke up singing Happy Birthday to Jesus! Isn't that just sooo sweet. Even though he knows about Santa, we also emphasized the TRUE meaning of Christmas to him. When he heard him singing, I went to get him out of bed and he was ready to eat. Once I told him Santa had come as we rounded the corner to the living room, there was no stopping him. Here are a few pics from Christmas morning!



Blay and his tractor and wooden plane and helicopter from Santa!



Blay, the tractor, and his 'choo-choo' table from Santa.

After breakfast, loading up the rest of the car, and making sure Blay was happy, we hit the road. We had to be a Pops & Nanaws in Kingsport by 1 and made it there early! We ate lunch, let the kids open their presents, and then had a fun game of White Elephant! It's amazing what people give away from their homes! Here are some pictures of Pops & Nanaws Christmas.



Blay opening his present from Cousin Blakely. It was a fold-up Thomas Track.



Blay getting 'petted' by Pops. He was tired. He didn't eat lunch and refused to take a nap.

After opening presents with Pops & Nanaw, we had to leave and go to Mamaw & Papaws house. I was really worried that Blay would fall asleep or be really cranky since he didn't eat lunch and hadn't had a nap but wasn't. He was perfect for most of the day. Here are some pictures of Blay at Papaw and Mamaws as well as another family picture of us!



Blay opening his tool table.



Blay giving Mamaw a hug for his presents.



Blay and Papaw playing with his new Hot Wheels.



Another 2009 Family Picture.

We rested and played Friday night until about 9 and we were all ready to crash. Blay didn't want to go to sleep on Christmas Eve. He wzs awake until midnight!!! I think I actually feel asleep before he did. Needless to say, Friday was a long day!

Saturday, John and I went and mosied around Kingsport for a while and then met Travis, Michelle, & Catherine for lunch. Mamaw brought us Blay for lunch so he could play with Catherine. Afterwards, we went home, Blay slept, and we got ready for Cousin Kelly's wedding in Jonesbourough. Short and sweet is how John described it. It started at 630 and they were cutting cake at 715 and we were gone by 730. So pretty and sweet.

Sunday we returned home to a world of organizing and laundry. I am not caught up yet. I hope to do that this weekend when the Christmas decorations come down!

Christmas Eve Pics

Just thought I'd share a couple pictures of Christmas Eve at my grandparents house. This was the only stop this day but we all had a good time and enjoyed the company of most of our family!



Blay and Mommy after opening a gift



209 Christmas Family Portrait

We hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas!

Christy

Favorite Christmas Tradition -- Blog Hop

I will admit, I am scared to death!! I am hosting my first ever family Christmas this year. I have the house decorated the best I can with what I have. I hope this begins a tradition but it may move back to my parents house next year, since they will be finished building by then. I will definitely have to buy more things after Christmas (on sale of course) but want your opinion on the easy centerpiece I did over the weekend. Good, bad, ugly? To formal? Not the right colors? But, I am still not sure what to do on the other table. I don't have much time but thought I would at least show it to you and let you all help me....PLEASE!!!

Centerpiece



Should the placemats go?



What to do?



In addition to trying to get the house clean and ready for Wednesday night, I have also got to finish Christmas shopping,food preparation, and baking, baking, baking!!! I am going to try and bake some white chocolate covered pretzels and mini peanut butter ritz sandwiches, decorated sugar cookies, puppy chow, and peanut butter fudge. I want to try to get in Rice Krispie Treats but don't know if I'll have the time. These goodies are for Wednesday night and for Blay's teachers at school. Just a small thank you for taking care of Blay. Blay and I also have to finish making the gifts for the grandparents and by Wednesday night!!! There is not enough time to do this!!!

On another note, we are starting our own family traditions this year. We have always traveled during Christmas to see my husbands family on Christmas but starting this year, we are staying home on Christmas Eve for Blay. We will let him open one present (The Night Before Christmas Book this year) and will read the book. Getting him this present this year will set up our Christmas Eve's for a long time. Next year he will get to open a gift on Christmas Eve, then we will ready the book he got this year.

On Christmas Day, Santa has come!! After opening presents from Santa, John or I will read the Greatest Story Ever told. Afterwards, I will make us breakfast and we will hit the road to see the in-laws for a couple days. Visiting the in-laws will vary from year to year depending on when Christmas falls but staying home on Christmas will not! I am so excited and can not wait.

Oh, and to a new replacement over the weekend! I finally got a new comforter set for our bedroom! I got the bedding set at Bed Bath & Beyond 50% off!!!



It was on clearance at 30% and I had a 20% that applied to it as well. I found the matching brown pillows at TJ Maxx at $7 each and the white pillow at JCP for $10!! It was originally $40, was on sale at 50% off and I had a coupon for $10 off of $10! I don't think I have done too bad, especially on the decorative pillows. Those 3 cost me less than 1 at Bed Bath and Beyond. I am still in search for some coordinating curtains but will find them eventually.

Off to work, shopping, dinner, baking, and making!!!

Free Samples / Freebies / Free

Free Samples / Freebies / Free

WFMW----Meal planning

I know this is probably something a lot of you hear about all the time and it is a great thing to do if you can do it but, with the help of a friend, I took it one step forward.

I don't just plan out the week, I plan out meals for the entire month!!! That's right the entire month. I got into Microsoft Publisher and create a calendar of meals for the month. I may not fill in every day initially but as the month progresses, I will add to the 'empty' spaces. The empty spaces usually happen at the end of the month.

For example, I had my calendar of meals ready to go for the entire month of December with the 23rd, 28th, and the 31st open. Now, due to extra food preparation and plans for Christmas finalized, I have those dates filled in. I don't always stick the plan everyday and sometimes have to change meals around depending on change of plans or timing but it works great even still.

How? Because for the most part, I have most if not all the items in the pantry for that meal. If I do have to change around a couple of the meals, I try to stick with meals in that week so I don't have to 'run' to the store or something, which makes for extra costs, which is something I try to avoid with meal planning.

For me too, creating a montly calendar helps prevent me from 'duplicating' many foods all the time. I like variety and change and before the calendar, I was having spaghetti, baked chicken, and soup every week. That just gets old and boring after a while. This month I am duplicating food, but I have put the duplicate food at the end of the month, which still creates some variety from all the other food this time of year.

Also, creating a meal plan is good, especially when I have 'excess' in my pantry. I like to 'stock up' on items if I find them on sale and even better if there is a coupon for it. I love living somewhat frugally and this is one of my ways to do so. It may not work for all but it does for me and creates a lesser stress at mealtime with the calendar.

All you can do is try it, if it's not for you, it's okay....but it works well for me!!!

Weekly meal plan

I know it's a couple days late but here it is:

Sunday - Potato Soup
Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Pot Luck
Wednesday - Church Christmas Banquet
Thursday - Chicken & Rice
Friday - Baked Chicken
Saturday - Crockpot Lasagna

Christmas Photo Favorites -- Blog Hop

Christmas photos are the greatest. I love taking picutes at Christmas every year but I have enjoyed making them even more since Blay came along.

His very first Christmas was so much fun! He loved to pose for pictures and he was so easy to work with. Kai, our 'daughter' was even getting in on the action. She wasn't as easy to work with but here are a couple pics of Blay's first Christmas in 2007.





The next picture is a family picture from 2008. Every year at John's mom's house, everyone gets their family pictures made. I have seen family pictures in photo albums back into the 1990's. I love doing this because it shows how much we have changed from year to year...even though I like to focus more on the children than on myself. There is also a picture of Blay playing with our Christmas tree from last year. We could actually put ornaments on the entire tree this year, instead of just the top of it.





The last picture I am going to show you is from this year. I wanted to make our Christmas cards and since we haven't had family photos made this year, I somehow got Blay to willingly play and 'pose' for pictures. I took A LOT of pictures of him last week and he cooperated very well.







I love taking pictures at Christmas, and of family, as well as ourselves so I can see how we have all changed and grown. I can't believe my little guy is as big or as old as he is now. He is enjoying the Christmas season so much and is already singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. It's so sweet. Pictures are cherished forever and remind you of the good, bad, and yes, the ugly.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Sleepy head

Yesterday was a pretty good day! We woke up to a drizzly day and it really never did more than that. In fact, I could walk into church without and umbrella and not worry about my hair that day. It was just one of those types of days that made you not want to do anything! And Blay did just that, nothing, but sleep.

After church, we went to WalMart because I had to get a few things for our menu meals this week, and a few other things we were out of. After church, we got home and I was hoping to get Blay to eat. He ate two strawberry Toaster Strudels for breakfast and didn't leave so much as a crumb afterwards. I still thought he'd be hungry but he was just sleepy, so I put him down in our bed and he was asleep right around 1 o'clock.

During this time, John painted his bathroom, I worked on laundry, ironed, read some of the paper, worked on my flowers and plants, swept the floors, tried to fix my shark mop, made and ate dinner, and started painting the trim in Blay's bathroom. When I got to the corner, I wanted to go check in on Blay because it was getting late. You ready for this. It was 5:50!!! And he still wasn't up. When John and I went into the bedroom, he peeked his eyes at us. He was awake then. And he was HUNGRY!!!

He ate 8 1/2 chicken nuggets! He wanted nothing else but his beloved BBQ sauce to go with it! After that, he was in a good and playful mood. We watched cars and played and watched daddy 'color the walls' as Blay says.

A little later on, John got some cake and ice cream. Blay was watching tv when John came into the living room with his bowl. As soon as Blay saw him, he said "I'll be right back". Then I heard him say something about his B's, so I thought that is what he was going to get. Then I heard him in a drawer and the drawer shut. As he came running back to the living room, he was carrying his spoon. He had went to the kitchen to get it! I was cracking up before John even knew waht was going on. Blay rounded the chair and climbed up on the couch next to his daddy and started eating the cake and ice cream with him. It was the funniest and yet, sweetest thing ever! He has never done that. Where has all the time with my baby gone???

Blay was back in the bed at 9:30 last night. That is about an hour after his bedtime but he still had so much energy and had slept so long that I let him stay up longer so he wouldn't wake up at 3 am ready to play!

I think a lot of his tiredness came from a busy week and a busy Saturday night. Tracy and Richard took Blay out to dinner, and a tour of Downtown Chattanooga, with the Chattanooga Choo-Choo as the main stop! He loved the Choo-Choo and all the lights and decorations. They were supposed to go to Rock City but the weather turned rainy so they just altered the plans a little bit. Blay had a blast and was exhausted when we picked him up after the Christmas party.

Well, I think I have rambled enough for now. I do plan on posting my weekly menu. It will either be today or tomorrow. And thanks to Mandy for her referral to a delicous Cheddar Potato Soup recipe!

It's Cold Outside!!!!! Part 2

Yes, it is still very cold this Saturday morning. My last look at our thermometer for the outside temperature read 32 degrees. Too cold for me to venture out but I will later today for a Christmas party. What is going to be worse is the rain coming tonight!

The week wrap up now. On Monday, we had a normal day of our normal routines. Nothing really exciting to report. Same on Tuesday. Tuesday I did venture into a new method of cooking and am so happy I did. It's a way of being able to get more fruits and vegatables into everyday food. All of us need to eat more fruits and vegetables so what is better than pureeing some and adding them to taco meat!!!

I did just that. Tuesdays menu food was Pork & Beans but I didn't get to make Tacos on Sunday so I made them on Tuesday since the meat was already thawed out. In the taco meat though, I pureed some butternut squash and added it in with the meat, crushed tomatoes and taco seasoning. It was a hit. Blay even ate a taco! Thanks to Deceptively Delicious cookbook for this and many other great ideas I am soon to try!

Later on Tuesday night, it started doing some storming, which is unusual in winter. we got up as usual on Wednesday and had just gotten off the mountain when we heard that Hamilton County schools were closed due to 'debris in the roadways'. I immediately called the daycare and they were closed since the county schools were closed. So, John turned around and brought us home. He had an important meeting he couldn't miss so Blay and I had a mommy/son day. We had one of these recently but he was sick. This was without sickness and was much better! We boh had fun.

Later on that afternoon, before church, we went out. I had to go get some medicine, diapers,and pick up a few site-to-store presents at WalMart. Blay was really excited to be at Toys R Us with me. We usually don't take him in there for the obvious reasons. He was really good though. He only wanted one little cheap toy but I told him to wait until we got to WalMart. While waiting to check out with the diapers, he saw Scoop from Bob the Builder and Bob the Builder at the front of the store. He got really excited. Here are a couple pictures of him riding Scoop.





He had so much fun! I let hi ride it twice but it was all he talked about for the next couple of days. At WalMart, we picked up the Christmas Cards, and Site-to-Store presents and a few things for John and the last of Blays. I love being able to buy his Christmas and he not know it is his Christmas. I'd say this is my last year of that. Afterwards, we had dinner and went to church. There was still a lot of water on the roads that night, which turned into black ice the next morning because the temps dropped into the 20's up on the mountain and around freezing in the valley.

Thursday and Friday were our typical, usual routine type days. Nothing much ado there. I am going to attempt to have Blay make one of the grandparents presents today after his nap, which is quickly approaching. Afterwards, we'll get ready and he'll go for a visit to 'Ichards & Tray-tray's' while John and I go to our Sunday School Christmas Party. I think we are all looking forward to the fun times tonight! Blay loves going to Richard & Tracy's and they love having him!

Well, I need to run so I can get him settled for nap and so I can get a few things done myself. I've been working on his clothes this morning and trying to get the little thing to use the bathroom. He's having some trouble again but we'll get him straightened out. We always do!

Lots of Love,
Christy

It's cold outside!!! Part 1

Man is it ever. It was 21 degrees on the mountain this morning. I saw those numbers as I was pouring the first cup of freshly brewed (and warm) coffee after my daily bath! I was so thankful to have a roof over my head and a warm home this morning, not to mention a nice warm cup of java. Kai, our oldest 'daughter' was even getting to take advantage of having a warm place to sleep too, the garage!

Okay, now for some of the weekly wrap up (since I have been soo busy at work and home). Last Saturday, John & I took Blay to Lowe's to build a gingerbread house as part of their children's Build-It program. Blay loves going and doing this. He thinks it is fun and really does try hard to get that nail in. Tomorrow, they are making Christmas ornaments. Here is a picture from Saturday.



While we were at Lowe's, Blay helped us pick out our Christmas Tree. Of all the years we couldn't get a BIG tree, Blay wanted a BIG tree. We got a 7" Douglas Fir instead. He said he liked it and had to pay for it so HE could take it home. He was so funny.

After Lowe's, we did a quick trip to WalMart. Who's weekend isn't filled with at least 1 trip to that place right? Well, John and I knew that Santa would be there from our late quick trip on Friday night. Blay was much better with Santa this year. He didn't cry but was very shy with him. He did good and did manage to tell Santa he wanted a 'Choo-Choo' and then proceeded to make the 'Choo-Choo' sound. I was going to show the picture but can't get the scanned image to post for some reason.

After we got home Saturday, Blay wanted to go play outside but, I didn't let him because it was cold outside. Oh, I forgot to mention John & I woke up Saturday morning to some strang 'white stuff' falling outside. We had about 2-2 1/2 inches on the ground when it was all said and done. Here are a couple pictures of that.





While Blay took his nap on Saturday, I put lights and beads on the Christmas tree, decorated my mantle (my favorite part) and other small stuff around the house. John put Christmas lights outside and hooked up our Santa Mickey. When Blay woke up, he was very happy to have his BIG tree up. I gave him a bag of unbreakable ornaments and he put them on, with help from John and myself of course. He gets so easily frustrated. If they wouldn't go on like he thought they should, he'd be unhappy. Anyways, the tree is completed and stable now, after a near disaster.

For some reason, the tree kept coming loose from the base so we had to really work hard Sunday night to make sure it didn't fall. I didn't want that to happen again this year. While I don't have a picture of the tree yet, I did get a good picture of Blay pretending to be one of Santa's reindeer. He loves his antlers!!!



Well, this covers last weekend up to Sunday night. I will write tomorrow about the adventures of the past week.

Love to all,

It's been a while

Since I have posted anything I know but I will do it tomorrow I promise. I did however want to come in and make a quick note to let you know that I have uploaded some pictures from November and December to Picasa.

I have also created our Christmas cards and will get those addressed in the next day or two and sent out to you!

If you want, you can look at the pictures on Picasa, and become a fan if you want to. There are some really cute ones from Blay I took on Tuesday night in his Santa Claus pj's he got from his Pops and Nanaw. Notice Mickey isn't to far from his side during the pictures.

Love to all,

CHRISTMAS - 20 questions

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot Chocolate definitely. Who doesn't love chocolate?!?! But add some marshmellows for me please!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? They were always wrapped for me as a child and set out under the tree for John. This year, since we will have a visit from 'Santa', the main gift will be unwrapped and the other smaller ones will be wrapped.

3. Colored lights or white? Colored lights on Blay's tree, white on the main tree.

4.Do you hang mistletoe? Yes, but it's fake. It still counts right?

5. When do you decorate for Christmas? Used to be the weekend after Thanksgiving. Now, it's when I get the time. Going to buy the tree this weekend.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish, excluding dessert? Apple cranberry crunch and broccoli casserole.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Getting to be with the family all at one time.

8. When and how, did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't really remember. I'd say before I was 9.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? It's a little bit of everything. We have a 'collection' of ornaments. Since Blay was born, I have been trying to get him one every year. I am going to have to try to find one for him this year. I usually do ribbon to around the tree but this year, I think I am going to use beads, and I top with a big bow!

11. Snow. Love it or hate it? I love it. I love it even better when I can stay home. I will probably see more this year being on the mountain.

12. Can you ice skate? I have never tried.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Yes, it is the Bible John got me the first year we were married.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? Getting to spend time wit family and friends and celebrating the real Reason for the Season.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? My mother in laws apple pies and fried pies. Also my grandmothers coconut cake!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I don't know. Starting new ones this year so ask me next year.

17. What tops your tree? A big red, gold, and green bow.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? I like giving, it's part of what the season is about.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night

20. Candy canes. Yuck or yum? YUMMY!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Things I Love Thursdays

It is impossible to name just one thing that I love this week because there is just soo much love this time of year, from almost everyone! It's impossible not to love this time of year unless you are a Scrooge! (Snap out of it Mandy!)

On this TILT day, I will definitely have to say that I love, love, love decorating our house for the holidays. This year it is a little different though because we are in a new house. One that I have never decorated much before. Not to mention that I haven't even finished decorating it since we have moved in!

We are in a bigger house than we were last Christmas and just trying to figure out where and how I am going to decorate has slowed me down some. I have about 4 or 5 totes with most of it being ornaments and lights. There are so many different things I still need (and want) to decorate with but I don't know if I will ever get to get them for this house.

The favorite part of any house I have always loved to decorate is the mantle. I don't know why but that is the best to me. I am sure my tree will get there one day soon though. I just haven't found the niche of exactly what and how I want to do that.

This year, I have a smaller, more narrow mantle so I haven't figured out how to decorate it yet either. I don't think I'll have enough room for the small things I put on there along with the fresh greenery and cranberries I love to put on it. I also have some huge, and I mean huge pinecones I brought home with me from Lake Tahoe a few years ago that I add to the mantle.

With all the decorating and deciding, I don't know how I can love to do it all but I do. This year, I have an even greater love for it and to make it one of the best and that's because of Blay. He so far is loving Christmas, even though he is still a little confused on it all but lights, trees, and all the decorations makes his little face light up. That is the greatest love of all for me!

Link the title and want to join in on the TILT fun? Check out: http://thediaperdiaries.net/

Just an update

There isn't a whole lot on right now other than a lot of online Christmas and not a lot to blog about today so I just thought I would let you know what has been going on for the past couple of days.

Sunday, we did our usual going to church routine. After church, I went to pick up more drugs to get rid of the sinus stuff that has been plagueing me for more than a week now. After we got home, Blay wanted to be 'cool' and wear Mommy's shoes. Keep in mind they aren't everday shoes. In fact, there were what I call my 'hooker' boots. Here is a picture of Blay wearing my boots Sunday after church.



Blay didn't want to go to church on Sunday night and John was helping my dad lay tile so we layed out. Probably a good thing so we could rest since we didn't get home until about 7 on Saturday night.

Monday, Dad, Yo, and Gabbie came up for a visit. Dad and Yo hadn't seen Blay since we got home from the cruise over 2 weeks ago and so they came up. Gabbie hadn't seen Blay since before the cruise so of course, he was happy to see her. They played together for a good while before he finally just got really irritable because he was tired. Here is a picture of Blay and Gabbie playing together on Monday.



Here are a couple more pictures from Monday night...notice Blay's purple mouth?



Blay eating his daddy's favorite...Cinammon Applesauce



Blay after a purple popsicle

Last night, Blay and I undecorated his tree so we could put lights on it. He was so excited he was trying to redecorate it before I could even finish getting the lights on. I did have to call 'Santa' on him last night because he started being really mean to me. After the phone call and a crying spell wanting 'Santa' to bring him his choo-choo, he apoligized and was fine, for a little while anyways. We went through the apologizing, being good, being bad spell a few times last night. Here is a picture of his tree.



What was even worse was while he was in the tub 'Santa' was under the house working on Blay's choo-choo. He was really scared at first because he thought he wasn't going to get it but then he was fine and started 'ho-ho-ing' right back and telling 'Santa' through the vent that he wanted a choo-choo for Christmas.

If he is good today, then we are going to try to take him to see Santa tonight before church so wish us luck!

Blog Hop- Christmas Traditions

Over the years, John and I have not really had a 'tradition' to go along with our combined families. We would typically have Christmas at my dad's on Christmas Eve 'Eve' and drive to Kingsport on Christmas Eve to have dinner and family gathering with John's mom and then Christmas Day with John's dad.

John and I have always bought a real tree, which is something new that was started for me when we got married. I never had a real tree growing up so this was a whole new experience for me and I love it. In fact, our first Christmas together as a married couple we went and cut down our own tree. That was soo much fun.

This year though, our traditions are changing some and I am ever excited. It is amazing at how children can brighten your holidays, and even more Christmas.

This year, we are staying home for Christmas. Blay is so 'in to' Christmas this year. It is amazing. I have already had to put up the tree in his room. There are not any lights, just a few ornaments and a baseball topper. I am going to attempt tonight to put colored lights on his tree. I am sure they won't look how I would want them too because I know he will be helping me.

Also this year, we are going to get another real tree. Where we buy it at this year I am not sure but we are going to take Blay with us this year and let him help us pick it out and decorate it. This year too, I think I'll be able to put ornaments on the entire tree, instead of just the top half. You can see the below picture from last year to know what I am talking about.



Another thing we are going to start with Blay and I hope to keep it a tradition is reading the real Christmas Story. The story of the birth of our Savior. We have already taught Blay that Jesus's birthday is coming up and he will sing 'Happy Birthday' to him. It is soo sweet and precious to see Christmas through the eyes of a two year old. I am so excited to see what else is instore for our first Christmas at home and the start of our very own Christmas Traditions.