Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!


Merry Christmas my blogger friends! I hope you are having a wonderful morning with your loved ones.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

My Christmas Tradition

Apparently my Christmas tradition is to dye my hair a shade of brown.

In 2006, I did what you should never do, dyed my hair on the 22nd of December on my own! I hated this color.
In 2007, I forgot about my Christmas tradition. Oops!

In 2008, I was trying to be thrifty and decided to dye my hair darker. I think it was the combo of a darker color and a haircut I didn't like that made me wear my hair in a pony tail until I dyed it back blonde.
And here we are in 2009. This year, unlike past years I thought about coloring my hair for a few months. I really like it. I love my haircut and the darker shade works well with it I think.


She put a few highlights in and I think that makes a big difference.

What do you do with your hair? Keep it the same or change, change, change?


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Recipe: Crock-pot Pulled Pork

This is the easiest recipe you will find. You'll need:

2lbs. of pork (butt, shoulder, loin)
12 oz. Root Beer (I buy the cheapest I can find)
BBQ Sauce (I use Sweet Baby Rays, Original)
Buns
Crock-pot

Place the pork in the crock-pot. Poor root beer over the pork. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. When pork is done, empty root beer. Shred with a fork (it should shred very easily). Place pork back in crock-pot and add BBQ sauce. (I like it to be moist, but not overly wet. You can always add more to your sandwich.) Heat on low for 1/2 hour more. Serve.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

How was your weekend? Ours was busy, which was good.

It looked like this around here on Friday.
This was not good.

On Saturday, I finally got my haircut! It had been a very long 9 weeks. It seems my Christmas tradition is to change my hair color. I didn't realize it, but the last 3 years I have dyed my hair dark at Christmas. Maybe that needs to be a post of it's own! Anyway, Christine did an awesome job and I love my new DARK, SHORT haircut!

I made pulled pork in the crock-pot and it was so delicious (recipe tomorrow)!

On Sunday, our friends invited us to open gym/Christmas party at Mill's Gymnastics. The kids had a blast!
They explored the gym.

Ate pizza. Met Santa (again). And again, Ava asked for a blue rocket ship, Buzz Lightyear, and little girl cupcakes. Blake asked why his parents torture him by placing him on Santa's lap.


Friday, December 18, 2009

Have a great weekend!


One year ago this weekend Blake learned how to roll over! What a fast year it has been! Have a great weekend!

Jeans, again...

Image: Gap
I wrote this post about jeans and why they don't fit me.

I had mostly just given up and bought a few belts and that was that. Well, last weekend we went shopping and I tried out my old favorites, Gap: Long and Lean. They fit great, I mean perfect(only they were 3 inches too long)! But, of course, they didn't have a petite. So, when I checked out they gave me a card for free shipping. I went home, ordered them, and they arrived yesterday.

When I tried them on, guess, what...they didn't fit! They were so tight! The same pair that I tried on at the store, only now they were too small. I know I didn't gain 10 lbs. in a week! I'm so frustrated! Why can't they make sizing standard?

I'm about ready to give up on jeans. I love them, they are so versatile, and are really a stable in my Momma uniform. But, really, enough is enough. Why is it impossible to find a reasonable priced jean that fits in the waist, thighs, and length? Why? Why? WHY!

So, fashionable ladies out there, I have a question for you. Is it possible to live in a colder climate and not wear jeans? Am I crazy here?

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Blogiversary!


I almost forgot that today is my blogiversary! I've been blogging for 1 year now!

I started this blog as a fashion blog, but quickly found out that I don't know enough about fashion and don't take enough risks to write one of those. Then I tried out a few styles of blogs that I liked to read, and they just didn't feel like me at all. Then I took a blog break because winter is gray and I was depressed, then I found my groove. I feel like I've finally figured out the direction of this blog and I'm really enjoying myself. I know that I have a few loyal readers (comments are welcome!) and that makes me happy, but at this point, it has been really great to just get things out of my brain!

In the past I have "lived like a hermit in my own head", much to the dismay of my husband. But, with this blog, I've been able to let a few things out and that has made me feel great!

After all the twists and turns I would like to thank you for sticking with me!!

Yesterday

Yesterday was a day. It started when I woke up late. Those days are never good.

The day started with Blake having a candy cane for breakfast.
Ava decided to take every piece of play food out of her kitchen and spread it around the house.

I tried to clean, but cleaning with two kids is like eating chocolate on a diet. You know you shouldn't do it, but some days it just has to be done.

And, then when I was just about fed up I went to tell Ava that the toys must be cleaned up, NOW, I find her like this.



Then I laughed.

I relaxed after this, made a good dinner, and enjoyed some Top Chef with my husband. Sometimes it takes a little girl in a sleeping mask to put it all in prospective.


Wednesday, December 16, 2009

My Own Tent!

Since we aren't going to Illinois for Christmas, my sister sent her gifts up for the kids. I thought they were wrapped, so I opened the box right in front of them. Guess what? They weren't wrapped!

So, the kids got their gift early. Thanks Ang!

Blake got this cool towel/dress-up/swim cover-up Tigger. He loves it, especially since his sister has a lot of cool dress-up that she won't share.


Ava's gift was a Princess sleeping bag, she was so excited! I pulled out her tent, and this is how she is taking her naps now.

I asked her if she wanted to sleep at night in her tent, and she wasn't in to it. Anyway, thanks again


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Flashy

On Sunday, we went to see Santa and to Build a Bear Workshop.

Santa wasn't scheduled to open until 11:00, but when we got there at 10:45, the line was already long. So, since we had already gotten Ava hyped about it, there was no way we weren't seeing Santa. So, we got in line and waited.

Ava was very excited and told Santa what she wanted, a Buzz Lightyear and a Blue Rocket.Santa told her he would see what he could do. Then it was time to put Blake on his lap. Blake sat there stunned for a moment, then started the Blake whine. The "huh, huh, huh, huh.... while reaching for me. Here is our picture, not bad.

Then we went to Build-A-Bear Workshop. Last Christmas, my Mother-in-Law got him a gift card to Build-A-Bear, but since we hardly ever go to this mall (and last time I forgot the card), we have had it for almost a year.

Blake, with help from Ava, picked out a dog. Ava picked out the Holly, Christmas Moose. When we asked her what she wanted to name her moose, she said, "Her name is Holly." in that "DUH" voice. Then we asked her what Blake's dog should be named and without skipping a beat, she said, "FLASHY!". I have no idea where that name came from...

Blake had a good time running around the store,
and Ava had a good job "fluffing" both Holly and Flashy.
Then she gave Holly a bath and picked out an outfit for her, a coat and hat. We were also going to get Flashy an outfit, until Ava informed me that dogs don't wear clothes. Duh!
Blake does really like Flashy though. He likes to give him kisses.
On a side note, I'm feeling really overwhelmed. We usually travel for Christmas, so no worries about shipping gifts. Why I didn't buy all my gifts online, I'll never know, but buying and then shipping is stressing me out!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Yesterday

It was really windy yesterday. Really windy. As I was sitting on the couch during nap time (don't you love nap time?) the door blew open. Yes, that's right. Our door (not the screen door) blew open! I'm sure I looked like Blake (above) when it happened.

For a split second I expected someone to jump out and get me, then I saw there was no one there. My heart really did skip a beat!

Then we went out to eat for dinner and Blake made me laugh because it was so windy that he was squinting his eyes and turning his head and it was just so cute.

Then Ava made me so proud because when the waitress asked if we were ready to order or drinks, she pointed at the menu and said, "I'd like the red drink please."
When she came back to get our order Ava said "I'd like the chicken nuggets, please." She is growing up so fast. I'm so proud.

Then during dinner my husband helped talk me though a troubling relationship I have right now. He really put things into perspective for me, and for that I felt lucky.

So, let me recap:

Scared, Entertained, Proud, Lucky.

It was a good day.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

My Own House!

My parents were here this past weekend and we had a lot of fun with them.

One of the fun things we did was make a Gingerbread House. This year I bought the Wilton kitfrom Jo-Ann Fabrics. I'll be honest, I wasn't impressed. Most of the pieces were crooked and had to be trimmed and it didn't come with a good "display" to sit it on.

Either way, Ava had a blast putting it together and decorating with her Mimi and Papa. I put the house together in the afternoon and we decorated that evening. I would recommend putting it together and letting it dry overnight.

I let her do whatever she wanted. I applied all the frosting and she did the rest.

She's really concentrating here.
Getting some input from Mimi and Papa.
Very proud.
As Ava would say "Da Dawww!"



Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Little Feet

What kind of ornaments do you hang on your tree? Is it a tree that is perfectly styled with matching ornaments, is it a live tree that is sparsely decorated to show off the beautifulness that is a live tree, or is it a sentimental tree with homemade ornaments that you have bought throughout the years?

I always thought I wanted a designer tree. One that looked perfect and was perfectly matching. Then I had the opportunity to put up my own tree and I went with the homemade tree. I just love pulling out the ornaments each year and thinking about where I bought them, or who made them for me.

My favorite ornaments on my tree are my babies baby feet ornaments.

Ava was 7.5 months old on her first Christmas. This is her 7.5 month old foot.
Blake was 3.5 months old on his first Christmas, and this is his 3.5 month old foot.

Looking at them just makes me smile. Maybe I should leave them out year round.


Monday, December 7, 2009

Oh Christmas Tree...

Last year we bought a new tree. Our old tree was small, sparse, and had a few broken limbs. Some were broken by our cat, Thomas aka Moosie, and some were broken by our daughter, aka Ava. I really love our new tree, but it is quiet large for our small house. When we bought it we thought we would only be in this house for one more Christmas (last year), but thanks to the housing market, we are still here in our little bungalow.

(Because of little hands, there are no ornaments on the bottom of the tree.)

Anyway....decorating this year was a lot of fun. Ava helped me with the garland and the candy canes. I put on the ornaments, and Rob put the bow on the top. Poor Blake, he was already in bed, but he can help next year.

Here are some of our ornaments:
(An ornament bought in Hawaii right after we got married.)

(A small mailbox, to keep secret letters to Santa. Made by my Aunt in the early 80's)
(Go Dawgs!)


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Our Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We were able to host my Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law this year and I really enjoyed it.

I had ambitious sewing plans, and in the end, I think I got just enough done. I made the napkins and the runner. I bought the table cloth. I think it all turned out great!

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Ava helped me set up the table...

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I made the wheat bread, deviled eggs, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie bites, cranberry/orange cake, and the green bean casserole. My husband made the sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, and turkey.

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While enjoying some appetizers, Ava also enjoyed some "kid wine". I think she almost drank the entire bottle that day. She loves her some "kid wine".
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Blake couldn't wait for dinner, and let's be honest here, he probably wouldn't have ate much anyway. So, he ate his favorite meal, Mac'N'Cheese. And for that, I'm sure he was very THANKFUL.
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This was our first official Turkey, and Rob did a great job!
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He was very proud.
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After dinner, we enjoyed some family time...
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and even got a family picture!

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It was a wonderful day.


Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Today


Today was hectic. Ava went to preschool, I took Blake to get his 2nd flu shot, then we went shopping for Christmas present wrapping supplies, then we went and picked up Ava. Lunch. Naps (for the kids). Wrapping presents (I'm done with everything I have bought so far!). Crazy time (with a little cleaning). Dinner. Grocery Shopping. Sewing.

I still haven't uploaded my Thanksgiving pictures (sorry).Tomorrow, okay?

Among all of this chaos I did realize what I really want for Christmas. I want a sewing room for myself and a play room for my kids. Too much?

Monday, November 30, 2009

K-RAZY!

Hi folks. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful time with my in-laws visiting. It's always fun to watch the kids get spoiled by their Mimi and Papa.

Starting today, our lives become a bit crazy for the next 2 weeks. I'm going to try to keep up with my postings, but I can't promise anything. My parents arrive on Wednesday, so I hope to get some posts lined up before then.

I hope to give you the Thanksgiving run-down tomorrow though.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Good Luck!

I hope everyone found some great deals today! Enjoy the weekend!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

No time to bake a pie?

(image: Bakerella.com)
How are you feeling on this Thanksgiving eve? If you are like me, you have been baking all morning!

Since we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house, I've been baking away all week. Today, instead of making a traditional pumpkin pie, I made Pumpkin Pie Bites. I found them at Bakerella and thought it was such a cool idea!

I found that they needed to be baked them for 16 minutes, so keep an eye on them. I, of course, had to try one and they are delicious. I plan on serving them with a little bowl of whipped cream on the side.

Hope this helps with that last minute baking!