Christmas Parade

We went the annual Christmas parade in our home town. We had a wonderful time! Wesley enjoyed all of the festivities and towards the end started waving at all of the floats (wish I had my video camera then). At first Lawson was shy, didn't like the noise and didn't want much to do with the parade. Then she saw they were throwing out candy and her shyness quickly vanished. She got more candy then on Halloween. It was ridiculous! At the end Santa came by and she asked me to ask Santa for a doll house. She was so excited when she heard him say "oh, okay." Let's hope a doll house is under the Christmas tree!!

Wes enjoying himself. You can't tell but his hat says "Baby's First Christmas"


Daddy and Lawson watching the parade.


Lawson diving for candy!!


Lawson so excited to see Santa!

Nothing like a real fire...

In the fireplace, of course! One of the things that sold us on our home was the wood-burning fireplace in the den. On Friday evening we had our first fire this season. Lawson is daddy's big helper with balling up the newspaper and getting the kindling ready. After all the hard work was over Lawson and daddy enjoying a cold night by the fire.

Busy Busy Bee

Wow, Christmas is only 16 days away and I still have tons of shopping to do and tons of stuff to make. I am a natural procrastinator so it only seems fitting that I wait until the last minute to make all of these items. It isn’t like I didn’t know Christmas was on the 25^th of December or anything!! But it is really hard to make Tree Skirts and Stocking in the heat of summer. I am just not feeling it! So here I am mid-December scrambling to get everything done!! But don’t let me fool you I love the pressure!

So here is my list…

- Wesley’s Christmas stocking (nearing completion-if you recall Lawson’s wasn’t ready until Dec 23^rd!!)

- Grandparent’s gifts – done - kudos for me!!

- Kids’ Christmas Pajamas (Wesley’s almost done, Lawson’s not even cut out)

- Tree Skirt (cut out just needs sewing) Because I need two!!

- Teachers’ gifts (still working on ideas)

- Goutier Party project (working on)

- Wesley and Lawson’s gloves to match their hats. (Poor kids have cold hands!!)

Okay, I think that is it. Unless, I see some other great idea online that I have to do because my life isn’t busy enough!

Oh yeah, Christmas cards. I bet some of you would like a Christmas Card! I am working on that too I promise!

Our First Ornament Casualty

Yesterday, I was trying to take pictures of the kids by the Christmas tree. Normally, none of our 3 kids (including Chewy) touch the tree, UNLESS, mommy puts them right next to it and taunts them with all of the shiny, sparkly ornaments. See that beautiful glass ornament to the right of Wesley???

It is not pretty anymore!! Darn!!

Sorry, Collins it was one of your ornaments made by family friend many years ago. Oops!

Denny is Back!

Denny, The Elf on the Shelf, is back in our home. Once he arrived, mommy read the book to the kids, and now he watches over Lawson and Wesley everyday. Lawson just loves the idea of Denny watching over her, and how he goes to the North Pole at night to report to Santa if she has been naughty or nice. Oh the magic of Christmas is back in our home!!!

Turkey-lurky Day

Thanksgiving Day!! It was a team effort. The men were responsible for frying the birds. We ended up cooking 3 of them! Grammy made oyster dressing for the first time and it was awesome, plus the gravy! I made the yeast rolls and most of the other fixings. The day was so stress-free. It was wonderful just to spend time with family and laugh and enjoy each other's company!! It was also Wesley's first thanksgiving!!!

Daddy getting the cooker ready






The turkey supervisors...


"what nice hair you have Grammy"






Grammy, Mommy and Wesley (ready to serve everyone)




Wesley saying the blessing!


Lawson picking at her food. Yes it is Chinet! Nothing but the best around here. {wink} We did use real silver (thanks grandmommy)



Pops, Grammy and Taylor (very very full)


And everyone else is done, except Wesley (the boy can eat)




Hope everyone had as nice and as enjoyable Thanksgiving.

BB's Yeast Rolls

What a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I will post more with pictures with our family but I wanted to brag a little. Since I was having my FIRST Thanksgiving in my home, I for the first time in 30 years was responsible for making "BB's Yeast Rolls" This is my dad's grandmother's recipe. It might sound easy for some but many, many have tried to make this recipe and have failed. With my mom one phone call away, Grammy cheering me on, and BB watching over me, I successfully made BB's Rolls!!! They were so yummy!!! I was so proud of myself I was as giddy as a school girl!!!

Lawson helping me cut out the rolls.

The finished product!! I think BB, Grandmommy, and my mom would be proud!

No Mom, this does not mean I will make them at Christmas- it could of been beginners luck!!

Preparing for Thanksgiving

This morning I was running around my house like a crazy person trying to get ready for our family, and ignoring my kids. It then hit me like a ton of bricks I had it all wrong. Thanksgiving is not about getting all the fingerprints off the windows and floors sparkling clean. It is the fingerprints on my windows that I am so thankful for, because I have two wonderful children who put them there. So I stopped cleaning played with my kids then when it was time, I tucked them into their beds for a nap and then cleaned (a little). With all that going through my head this morning I thought I would also sit down and reflect on what a wonderful year it has been.

I have so much to be thankful for. As my minister said if you have a house, cars, food on the table you are richer then 92% of the world! I love this time of year because I get a chance to really reflect on how blessed we are. My list really could be a mile long but I will just touch on a few.

- My wonderful husband. Who knows me too well and puts up with me (big job), who is supportive of my personal goals and really is my rock. I love you babe!

- My sister. I don't know what I would do without her. I talk to her almost everyday and she is my best friend

- My wonderful children. I love them so much it make my heart hurt thinking of how much I love them. I love their beautiful smiles and their unique personalities. It is hard to put into words how thankful I am that God blessed Collins and I with 2 beautiful healthy children!!

- My family. So unbelievable supportive! I am so lucky to have such a loving family. Family is the most important thing to Collins and I! I love you all so much.

- My friends. I am so blessed to have some of the greatest friends in the world. I don't get to see or talk to them as much as I would like, but my friends are so understanding and no matter how long it has been between our talks we can pick up were we left off.

(Dang- Anne Murray- I am crying now while I write this!!)

- My loved ones who are no longer on earth but watching over for me and my loved ones. Thank you!! I do believe in angels!!

Okay the kids are up. Time to play again! My guests will be here soon so...

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Lawson Talk - Today she is 3 1/2

I write these so I can remember some of the things Lawson says to me.... Sometimes it is hard to remember she is just 3 1/2! Happy Half-birthday Lawson!! Also, Happy 2 year Anniversary to Lauren and Will!!

#1 One night Wes woke up (surprise) in the middle of the night and so did Lawson...

Lawson: Mommy Wes is crying

Mommy: He is okay honey - go back to sleep

Lawson: okay I will, sometimes I cry myself to sleep too

Mommy: Oh that breaks my heart!

#2 Lawson learned to snap with both hands

Mommy: I am so proud of you. You can snap like a big girl

Lawson: Mommy, I am a big girl now can I get my ears pierced?

Mommy: You aren't that big yet.

Lawson: You said I was a big girl?

Mommy: ??????? Dang??????? What to say, what to say!

#3 Just playing in the den yesterday

Lawson: Mommy are we going out today?

Mommy: No, we are going to stay in the house today and play

Lawson: Good because if we go out you need to put some lipstick on.

Mommy: (Thank you child) Why does mommy look bad?

Lawson: Yeah

Gotta love her!!!

Ready for Winter!

Wes all bundled up to brave the cold weather!!

Edit: I made this hat for Wesley!! I am so proud!!