Christmas kick-off

A few words about Christmas kick-off this year

My mother-in-law rocks. Beef Stroganoff made from the Lion House Cook book by rockin' mother-in-law is equally rockin'. I really need to find another adjective besides rocks and rockin'. Coloring for the kids. Delicious cheese and crackers. A card for each of us hidden under our plate. Money for Christmas shopping. Spoiled are we. Present time. Time to get ready for the Holidays. Gabe loved handing out the gifts. New jammies for all. Red plaid this year. New wall flower refills. Giant lit up snowman for the front yard. Christmas t-shirts for the kids. Snowman candle. Singing dog that howls carols. Cute for the first five minutes. Polar express. Enjoying time with family. Christmas is coming. YAY!

Thanksgivings

A few years ago we started having two Thanksgivings. This is not because I enjoy gaining five pounds but because not having to rush around is divine. In fact I would like to start a petition for two Christmases. They do it in the Netherlands and I think they're onto something. Thursday we spent the day with the Turners and Friday we were with my family.

Thursday my in-laws-had us over and my mother-in-law put on an amazing feast for us. She let me bring the rolls which was the only part of the meal she did not cook. It was a small gathering with only immediate family and Grandpa Hilton as an added bonus. Judy is am wonderful cook. Thanksgiving dinner is my favorite meal, especially turkey with cranberry sauce. I was not disappointed. We then spend the rest of the afternoon teaching the kids polish poker and watching movies. Good times.


Friday we went to my parents for dinner. I just want to take a moment to publicly thank my mother for the best stuffing in the world. I am pretty sure it has a stick of butter per serving but that is completely beside the point. Ryan, you're sweet potatoes were pretty darn good as well. I think the browned marshmallows on top are the key. I made rolls again. It's really kind of nice making the same thing two days in a row. By the second time you've really got it down. After we had stuffed our faces and cleaned up dinner we all sat down and watched Kung Fu Panda. My family hadn't seen it yet, and despite the fact that I already have the entire thing memorized, I watched it too.

I love Thanksgiving. Not only because of the food but because it is a day I get to spend with those I am most grateful for. I know, kinda corny and cliche, but so true.

Thanksgiving times two is the only way to go.

lookie what i made

My hall bathroom has needed an update in decorating for quite some time. I was simply lacking the motivation and inspiration to do anything about it. And then one day, while I was browsing pottery barn kids online, I met my muse. I finally found a shower curtain and rug that I liked for that bathroom.


After I received my order I was looking through their catalog and found that they had a bedroom that coordinated with what I had ordered. In the picture they had a decoration that I knew would go perfectly on my wall.

The excitement bubbled up inside me and I looked to see how much it would cost to order it. Then I realized it wasn't for sale. They really shouldn't do that. It's mean. I resolved at that very minute that I was going to make it myself. Scott cut down a dead tree in our front yard and I went to work. I know it's not as adorable as the pottery barn version but I think it turned out pretty darn cute.


There are still some additions I want to make but here is what I've done so far. I love that my bathroom is decorated. I even found some birdhouses to add to the decorations. yeah! I am feeling crafty.

girlfriend, meet starwars

Bella had a friend over today. Her name is Reagan. Anyone who knows Bella knows she is girly. Reagan makes Bella look like a tom boy. Example: Reagan showed up to my house today with her hair all done, blue eye shadow, sparkly lips, and fancy silver shoes. She also had a bag filled with her "jewelry". Bella likes all that girly stuff but what she REALLY loves is Star Wars.

Now that I have set the stage let me tell you about the "play".

Reagan: "Bella let's play "girlfriend-boyfriend".

Bella: "OK"

Reagan: "You can be the boy."

Bella: "OK but I get to be your "Master".

Reagan: "What? No, you tell me I'm pretty."

Bella: "Ok. Lets go visit Master Yoda and Master Kenobe."

Reagan: "What?"

Bella: "And then we'll have a battle with our light sabers!"

At this point I was laughing so hard I did not hear the rest. What made me laugh the hardest is that Bella was totally agreeing to everything Reagan suggested and then doing her own thing. Kind of tells you the type of kid she is.

8 things...

I have noticed a lot of people getting tagged lately. I was happy to not be involved. Thanks Kristen.

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH:
1. Lost
2. Jon & Kate Plus 8
3. Glenn Beck
4. I don't
5. really
6. watch
7. anything
8. else.

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
1. Tiburon
2. Cafe Rio
3. Thai Siam
4. The Mandarin
5. The Cheesecake Factory
6. India House
7. Tepanyaki
8. California Pizza Kitchen

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY
1. I got out of bed
2. I showered
3. Got dressed and yada yada yada
4. Attended "Savior of the World"
5. Picked my kids up from Mindy's house
6. Served cereal for dinner
7. Bathed the kids
8. Went to Red Robin with Mindy, Shalynn & Haylie for a last minute girls night.

8 THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO
1. Thanksgiving
2. Christmas Kick-off at my in-laws house
3. Hayley's Birthday
4. The month of December
5. Christmas
6. Kids going off track
7. Going to see Santa
8. Going to San Diego the week after Christmas

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST
1. A maid
2. A chef
3. A laundress
4. A steam cleaner
5. New carpet
6. More space
7. Love at home
8. Obedient children

8 PEOPLE I'M TAGGING
1. Lyndzee Durham (good reason to blog cuz)
2. Havala Burton
3. Janie Rogers
4. Mary Cleverly
5. Haylie Bowler (Maybe since "Rita" is AWOL this will give you something to blog about)
6. Adam Taintor (make Danielle do it if you must)
7. Mindy Brown ( I know you won't do it but 8 people is a lot to list)
8. Nan Barton