happy.holidays

We had a wonderful Christmas (which I'll post about later)! We're looking forward to the New Year! I'll get back to blogging in January once things slow down around here!

 

part.II

We started out with bagels on Sunday morning, but I can't find my bagel picture. Oh well. Think of it in your mind.

Then we went here:

Again, not really there, but you know, to church.

Then, we headed to lunch. On our way, we saw one of these in the road. It pretty much looked just like this one. It was as still as this one...until the very last second, of course.

While we were all screaming for it to get out of the road, it stood as still as a statue and continued to enjoy its last nut. I'll spare you the "after" picture. RIP squirrel.

We had an excellent lunch and took in a great Christmas show with a live symphony. So festive!

And, we thought we needed a little snack after the show, so we had a few of these...

and a little of this:

It was so much fun to spend the weekend with our favorite mom! Happy Birthday! We love you so much!!!

 

weekend.with.mom.part.I

This past weekend was my mom's birthday! My sister was shopping with her on Saturday, and Mom didn't know I was making the long haul to come and spend the weekend with her as well!

I've decided to tell the story of the weekend with a few pictures that I've pulled off the internet. I'm being a terrible blogger and not citing the pics. Mostly because I want to post, but it's 1:30 a.m. and I am having a Christmas party tomorrow night (actually it would be tonight at this point..but who's keeping track). I'm being lazy.

Ok, so I showed up here, sat in a booth, and waited for them to arrive (again, Mom has no clue):

This is a fairly accurate picture of her reaction:

That night, we played a little of this:

Mom won! Just the way it should be when it's your birthday weekend! And while we played, we watched this:

And then we went to bed. Part II tomorrow.

almond.chicken.and.rice

I threw this together tonight for dinner just because I had all of the ingredients. It is super easy and very tasty. This is the 2nd time that I've made it, so I'm convinced it's a keeper! The kids even love it!!! I think I got it out of the Kraft Food and Family magazine.

4 small chicken breasts (I use 3 large)
1/4 c. Italian dressing
1 1/4 c. chicken broth
1/2 t. garlic powder
2 c. broccoli
1 c. rice, uncooked
1/4 c. sliced toasted almonds (I cook them in a small pan sprayed with a little cooking spray until they're browned)

1. Cook chicken in 2 T. Italian dressing in a large nonstick skillet on med. heat for about 4 minutes on each side or until evenly browned.

2. Stir in broth, garlic powder, and remaining dressing; bring to boil. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until the chicken is done. Remove chicken (not liquid); cover to keep warm.

3. Add broccoli to skillet; cook uncovered for 3 minutes. Stir in rice and 3 T nuts. Remove from heat and cover. Let stand for 7 minutes. Serve the chicken over rice and top with remaining nuts.

Happy cooking!

seriously.december 16

Conversation at breakfast this morning:

Meredith: Mom, do you like it when we do more work or when you do more work?

Me: Well, I usually do more work, but I like it when you do work too. It helps me to not have to do so much.

Claire: Well, we'll do more work when you're in the nursing home.

Me: (thinking...did I just hear her put me in the nursing home?) What did you say?

Claire: We'll do more work when you're in the nursing home....'cause we'll be older then.

Seriously? I'm only 31, and they're already making plans to put me in the nursing home! Pray for me.

Christmas.tree

Our Christmas tree is decorated! I love it so much that I had to make it my header. Plus, the pumpkin was just SO last season.

The girls loved decorating it so much! So, if you see ornaments on the same branch or bulbs that are right next to each other, we're just going with it. I was going to even things out, but why?!! I find it rather adorable! :)

the.painted.bathroom

The bathroom is near completion!

Mirror, lights, counter:

Toilet...this picture and the last picture are the most accurate pictures of the color (the other ones make it look tan, but it's Valspar's "almost gold"). And we've had people look at it and say, "Well, you know, it's almost gold." Yes it is!

Linen cabinet, lights (you can see the shower curtain in the mirror.

Shower curtain rod. Endorsement here: if you don't have a curved shower curtain rod, you should consider getting one. You get so much extra space in the bathroom!

I'll post some before and after pics in the near future!

blogger.buddies

Ok, so the girls and I totally got to meet Sarah and Emitt today! Yay!!!!

We happened to be in the same town at the same time...and we knew it ahead of time, so we set something up. AND she gave me a Christmas card, so I officially think we're taking our relationship to the next level. We're no longer just "blogger buddies," I think we're full-fledged friends! Who knew?!!

A few details about our time together...

1. Emitt is as cute in person as he is in pictures.
2. Twenty-five year old toys engage kids today as much as they did back then.
3. I totally forgot to take my camera inside (and it was WAY too cold to run outside to get it)!
4. Amelia needs more practice on stairs.
5. I'm convinced I have some sort of kidney issue.

Thanks for hanging with us today, Sarah! Claire told me that seeing Emitt was one of her favorite parts of today! Seeing both of you was mine. :)

question.of.the.day

From Claire:

Mom, can you come help me think?

seriously.december 4

You know you live in a house with too many light-sensitive toys when you turn off the lights at bedtime and you hear chirps and croaks.

Happens every time.

Seriously.

the.speller

So, Claire and Meredith were having a discussion the other night about how to spell names. This was how the conversation went:

Claire: Who do you want to come to the party?

Meredith: Mikenna.

Claire: Ok, how do you spell her name?

Meredith: I don't know.

Claire: (trying to sound out her name) Mmmmmm. M. Mmmmmaaaaaaa. Mmmmmmmaaaaa. How do you think you spell it, Meredith?

Meredith: I don't know.

Claire: Why don't you ask someone?

Meredith: I don't know who to ask.

Claire: Her. (pointing to me, as if I don't have a name)

Meredith: (to me) How do you spell Mikenna?

I tell her. They move on.

Claire: Who else do you want to invite?

M: No one.

C: We have to invite more people!

M: I don't know how to spell anyone else's name!!

C: Just ask the speller...she knows how to spell LOTS of words.

Great....a speller. At least I'm good for something. :)