December 22- Christmas with Nana and PA

We woke up pretty early on the Saturday before Christmas so I could start my corn and potato chowder to take to Nana's. The last two years we have been doing soup, sandwiches, and appetizers for this celebration and it has seemed to work out really well!

We ate lunch around noon, and then opened gifts, and the adults played Dirty Santa afterwards! After the festivities, we went down to the square in Paris to take a few pics (the Hoskyn's and Dad were unable to make it to this celebration this year because of other celebration conflicts and work!)...and Santa was there!!!

What the picture doesn't show is me coming down from my big jump and landing straight on my behind...Everyone got a good laugh...

After the celebration at Nan's, we headed over to the Lowe's house to visit with Tasha, Andrew, and baby Presley. The girls exchanged gifts and Tasha and I did our annual ornament exchange!

Um, right before this pic was taken, Baby Presley had a few...um, issues...noisy issues...hehehehe!!! This pic makes me laugh so hard!!! 

Dec 20 and Dec 21- 2012

I took off of work Thursday and Friday of last week before my vacation officially started so I could spend some time getting ready for Christmas and hanging out with Luci.

Ellie came over and we made 2 batches of Oreo Truffles!! Yum Yum...and the girls needed baths after lunch time!!

Luci and I worked on quite a few puzzles!!

And got all of her Christmas books organized!

We did a few craft projects...

and took a trip to Sonic...I guess she was scared of my driving!!! lol!!!

After Mitch got off of work on Friday, we met him at Creekmore so we could be ready to ride the train right when they opened!!!

We then went and grabbed some dinner at Joe's and then headed over to visit the Hoskyn's for a bit. Quinn decided I needed my bday present early this year...Don't you wish you had a sister like mine?!?! :-)

Once we got home, we decided to let Luci open up her Christmas Eve gift a little early. We weren't sure what time we would be home on Christmas Eve so we figured that it was as good a time as any!!!

Pajamas and a new Christmas book!

Holiday Happenings!

Luci had her first ever Christmas program last Friday! It was about 10 minutes long and they sang 5 songs. Each child got to a have a little solo part and sing some of "Santa Claus is coming to Town" if they wanted to. I was very proud of Luci. I know this sounds so weird, but she seemed so "professional" up there. She stayed in her spot, sang her songs, didn't act silly...she just performed like such a big girl! It made her Mommy's heart so proud! Mimi, PePaw, Daddy, and Aunt Quinn were all in the audience. 5 adults for a 3 year old 10 minute program...Can you tell we were proud?!?!

Mitch and I got to have 2 date nights this past weekend. I seriously don't think we have ever done that before. We rarely go on date nights anyway...our lives are pretty consumed with our daughter. Most of our dates are lunch dates during the week...so it was a big treat to go out for dinner not only one night, but two!

Dinner at Fuji and movie at the Movie Lounge with the Magee's

Dinner at Friday's with the Grounds and Johnson's

We put Luci in her Christmas dress for a trial run on Sunday at Mimi's church. I love it! She looks so sweet!

Every year I like to try to do a little something for the folks I work with for Christmas. I am with these people 8 hours of the day and most of them are like family to me!!

For the girls...Nail Polish for their "Mistle Toes"!!!

For the guys... Elf Poop! Ha!

2 years ago, our friends Josh and Rita went to Alaska right before Christmas. They actually visited "North Pole, Alaska". So, they had a Christmas letter sent back to Arkansas for Luci from the North Pole. I forgot to do it last year, but this year I remembered to order her a letter from Santa from the North Pole! She was sooo excited to get her letter in the mail ...plus a few treats! Santa informed her that she was definitely on the "good list"!!



We will have a very busy next few days...

Saturday- Christmas at Nana's with my Mom's side of the family

Saturday evening- Open presents with the Cozen's

Sunday- leave for Broken Arrow for Christmas with Mitch's side of the family

Monday (christmas eve)- Celebrate Christmas with the BA folks

Monday late afternoon- Leave BA and head back to FSM.

Tuesday (Christmas morning)- Celebrate Christmas morning at our house. I will prepare Christmas breakfast for Mimi, PePaw, and the Hoskyn's.

Tuesday (Christmas afternoon)-Leave for Paris to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family. We will stay the night and leave for home on the 26th.

Geez, I know we will be exhausted...but I am just happy we can make this work and spend some time with everyone!!!

12 Randoms on 12/12/12

1. I have got Luci's Christmas Eve present finally ready...new PJ's and a new Christmas book!

2. I am thankful for friends who understand me!!!

3. I can't believe I am posting this...I get really embarrassed about weight stuff with people I am not close with...but I am documenting this so I can look back and see progress...and keep going!!!

Left: Beginning of October...Right: December 12, -14.5lbs

4. I don't believe in "fad" diets...I will laugh in the face of someone who tells me to eat lettuce and grilled chicken and abstain from carbs!!! BAHAHA!!! My weight loss comes from smaller portions. healthier choices, and exercise...but I will never pass up the things I love...moderation is key!!!! I have curves and love them. I probably will try to start maintaining pretty soon...no need to lose all the booty!!! ;-)

5. Luci brought this Rudolph home to me today. She brings home 3 or more papers everyday. I only save the papers that have her hand prints on it due to space. (I take lots of pics of her artwork to digitally save!) I love, love, love watching her tiny hands grow.

6. We got our Santa pic back from when we met him this past Saturday. I love my family.

7. Our Christmas Card this year. Left: front, Right: back...Sorry, it is cropped out a bit in this "picstitch". Some of you should see them soon!!! Sorry, I can't give them out to all!!

8. I made this sweet potato shepherd's pie the other day. It was a variation of the "skinnytaste" version. So.Stinkin'.Good. 

9. My friend Becky's bday is today. 12/12/12. Lucky birthday huh?!!?

10. I love Bath and Body Work's seasonal hand soaps. Mmm they smell good!!!

11. I will watch Luci in her first Christmas program this Friday. A. I hope she actually sings since we will be watching. B. I might cry.

12. And last random of the day... I am thankful for friendship. Friendship that nothing will come between. Friendship that know my heart. Friendship that can finish my sentences. Friendship that has a reason to be called "Best".

Weekend Recap- Santa, Grandparents, Movie

We had a fun, fun, fun weekend!!! Our December calendar is just absolutely full of family, friends, and fun activities! I love this time of year!!

Friday evening, we headed out to the Lions 3rd Annual Toy toss! They collected over 8,000 toys this year!!! It was amazing seeing all of them tossed to the court on the first basket of the game!!! Luci loved tossing our stuffed animals!!!

On Saturday we woke up early to go see Santa again! This time he came to UAFS for a visit! Our Alumni Office hosted "Donuts with Santa," and I was excited to take Luci. She almost crawled up onto Mitch's head once it was our turn...but she settled down quickly!! By the time she ate her donut, the trauma was long gone! :-)

We ran into an elf while we were there...that elf looks awfully familiar! :-)

She kind of reminds me of Mary Tyler Moore at the end of her song where she tosses her hat! lol! She was glad she saw Santa...and got a donut! :-)

After our Santa visit, we did a little Christmas shopping and then headed home to meet Grammy and Granddaddy at the house for a visit! We had lots of fun while they were there...making a Hello Kitty Gingerbread house, looking a Christmas lights, and eating a yummy dinner!!
 

On Sunday, we went to church and then quickly headed home for Luci to get her nap in...so we could go see the matinee of The Polar Express at the Movie Lounge!!! It was sooo nice, and Luci loved the movie!!

After the movie, we headed back to our house where I prepared a quick spaghetti supper so Taylor and Kerri could come over and eat/hang-out with us!!!

Fun, Fun weekend!!! I am already ready for next! :-)

I may have had a few...or 10...of these this weekend!

Just a Random Tuesday

Going back to my "I want to blog more during the during week instead of weekend recaps..." Here is a Random Tuesday...

5:50a- Alarm goes off.
6:30a- I finally get out of bed.
7:35a- Leave for work...Mitch is taking Luci today since I am running a little behind.
8:00a-4:00p- Work..skip lunch since I have a dentist appt at 4:15.
4:15p-4:45p- Dentist.
5:00p- Pick up Luci at school.
5:30p- Start dinner. Mitch has a city board meeting to attend so Luci and I are on our own for a bit.
6:00p- Dinner- picnic dinner in the living room for us! Pantry Pasta for me and peanut butter sandwich, peaches, peas/carrots, and cheese nips for Luci.
6:03p- Luci is lectured on eating some peas/carrots if she wants a piece of taffy later.
6:07p- Luci is reminded again about eating peas/carrots.
6:12p- Luci finally satisfies peas/carrots requirement.
6:18p- Luci gets a piece of peppermint taffy.
6:30p- Bath time for Luci. I talk to Tasha on the phone a bit while Luci is playing in the bath.
6:38p- Luci asks if she can not be "washed" tonight. "She is clean enough from sitting in the water." I get off the phone with Tasha and wash Luci.
7:00p- Mitch gets home and eats his plate I left out for him. Luci plays around the living room and play room.  I wrap a few Christmas gifts.
7:45p- Story time...Luci chooses 3 Llama Llama books tonight...again...
8:20p- We lay down with Luci for a bit.
8:40p- We get up and head back to the living room to watch a show and fold laundry.
9:00p- Luci is finally asleep. She is transferred to her bed.
10:00p- Mitch and I head for bed.

Living room picnic!

Pantry Pasta! Yum!

Nothing too exciting today...just a random Tuesday! :-)