Traditions

It seemed like everywhere I turned this year, I kept hearing about traditions. And I started thinking about the fact that Brandon and I don't really have any. So we made a point to start doing things with the boys to see what would possibly work in the future! That's right folks... we tried things out before decided whether or not to consider making it into a tradition. When you have 3 kids under the age of 3, nothing is easy. Some things we have gotten down to a science. But just the normal everyday things, are so difficult. So we had to try things out, plus we all three boys are sometimes so different in what they like to do.

We started off the Holiday Season with making a Gingerbread train. I bought the kit at Target. I mean really.. am I supposed to have the time, engery, or baking pans to make a gingerbread train on my own?! I think not! I decided that I would be super smart and go ahead and glue the train together while the boys were down for a nap, and it would have time to set before we put all the decorations on after dinner. (Smart thinking, right?) Well, it only took me about 15 minutes to do.. and it only took Bentley, our genious beagle about 2 minutes to eat. That's right... our dog ate it.

Somehow it got knocked off the counter ( I actually know exactly how it happened, but I don't want to hurt anyones feelings!), and before I could get to it, the dog had attacked it. So I immediately called Brandon and had him pick another one up on the way home. I am so glad he did. Lincoln and Greyson LOVED putting the candy on the train. Daniel on the other hand, just loved to eat the candy. Lincoln had to have every piece perfect on the engine, while Greyson just put whatever wherever on the backend. Brandon and I did very little helping, once they figured out that it was okay to touch the icing! It may not be the most beautiful train, but it was perfect in our eyes!

The second "craft" we did was making gumdrop Christmas Trees. Okay, so maybe we ate more gumdrops than we put on the tree.. but they were a blast!

Lastly we made cookies... okay well, really we made them the night before the Gum drop Christmas trees.. but it stressed me so much, that we are saying it was last! Why in the world would I think it was a good idea to let three toddlers and Brandon into the kitchen at the same time?! While it was crazy, we all had a good time, and Poppa (Brandon's dad) even got in on the cookie decorating action. Every time he came to "check-in" on what was going on, Grey never had a cookie or the one he had wasn't decorated. So he said he needed to come and help Grey.. little did he know, that Greyson had already eaten 4 cookies! Everytime I would lay one down infront of him, and turn around to get the icing he would shove the whole thing in his mouth! He was on such a sugar high!

So maybe next year we won't try so many new things. But we all had a blast this year, doing new things as a family!

Christmas Day and the Day After

We spent Christmas at my parents this year. Not knowing what the weather will do, we ended up spending an entire week. We all had a blast!

Christmas is a little stressful for us. Okay well every major holiday is a little stressful for us! But this year seemed a little more relaxed.. which made it all the more enjoyable!
The first Christmas Brandon and I were married, we were living in Springfield and couldn't really figure out what to do about the holidays. He was working retail so he had to be there the day after, but we didn't really think it was right for us to spend actual Christmas day with one family and not the other. And knowing the huge committment of law school was ahead of us for the next 3 years, we decided to spend Christmas Day alone. Just the two of us. That year we started a tradition. Feliz Navidad Howard Style. That's right. For our first Christmas Dinner we made Enchiladas, refried beans, and mexican rice! All while singing Feliz Navidad. It was a blast, and something that we've continued every year since. We might not have them on Christmas, but within a couple of days.

Since we were at mom and dad's this year, we knew we were going to be having the normal Christmas feast, so we celebrated on Christmas Eve! We even made chicken wraps for the boys, so they too could be in on it! It was so yummy!

Anyway the boys opened their new Christmas Eve pjs (another new tradition) and got a bath so they would smell all yummy the next morning plus look good for pics!

We had them open their stocking first while we waited for Mimi and pappaw to finish getting ready. And then all chaos broke out! We could have had the best assemly line in town. I sorted the presents out into 3 different stacks, and Brandon postioned a child infront of each stack. We thought this would actually work! HA!

Greyson wanted to open each one. As he would finish he would pass the open toy to Lincoln who would then look at it and sit it down, to continue opening his present. Daniel was at the end, and would yell out each toy, " OOO a WOO TRUCK", or " OOO MELMO!" It was too funny! Greyson flew through opening his toys in about 10 minutes. Lincoln finished behind him in about 15 minutes, and Daniel had to be helped.. he didn't want to rip the paper. It wasn't until Grey had to be held back, that we really started to push Daniel along in the opening process. It was too funny.

After a delicious lunch all prepared by MiMi, we all sat down to watch Polar Express ( The Ho Ho Man Train ) I thought the boys would sit quietly and watch, and they did for about 10 minutes.

They were so excited about all of their new toys that they didn't nap nor did they fall asleep until 10:30. Even then they were still giddy.

The day after we had my Aunt, Uncle and their 3 boys, and my brother and sister in law over. We had another yummy lunch of potato soup and other finger foods and played games. Once again the boys were in heaven. They love it when they get to hang out with Taylor, Ethan, and Noah. And they all play so well together. By the end of the night, my boys were so worn out.. and that equals a happy momma and daddy!

So all in all we had a wonderful Christmas and hope you did too!

Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree!

Christmas is my most favorite time of year. I have always been that way. I love the music, Christmas musicals, the decorations. I just love how the atmosphere completely changes at Christmas time. I usually have my tree up a week before Thanksgiving, and my house decorated top to bottom in matching decor. Since having kids, and such a small space, I've scaled back on the decorations. So much that all I really put out is the tree and stockings! Brandon gets a little aggravated because I always want a "pretty" tree. That means all white lights, the ornaments match the living room, and are hung perfectly. No "fun" ornaments as he calls them. Well last year on a trip to Wal-Mart, I found the perfect balance to make us both happy. They were the unbreakable and kinda retro looking. They were so cute! So we got them before Christmas and were able to use them on our full sized tree.

Something just wasn't quite right with it though. So this year I decided to use the same ornaments, but with our skinny tree. Brandon wasn't very happy at first. He says a skinny tree just isn't the same as a big fat tree. And I politely told him, that when he started spending the 3 hours it takes to put up and take down the fat tree.. we would go back to using it. But until then we're using the skinny one that takes a half hour! And so he agreed!

The boys had a blast helping to put up the tree. Lincoln (the older of the twins) definately let his "first born" nature come out. He turned into Martha Stewart! It was so cute. He saw me moving around branches, and so he started to move them around, would take a step back and look at it, and then go back into to move more around! Greyson, had no clue what was going on, so he just stared at the tree, and Daniel played with the ornaments until it was time to put them up. The ornaments are candycane spirals, big poofy balls in four different colors, and normal round ornaments with regular candy canes mixed in. Since this would be the first year that the boys kinda understood what was going on, I let them do most of the decorating. And I didn't move the clusters of ornaments until 2 days later! That's right.. they hung every single ornament on about 5 branches at the bottom of the tree... and I didn't let it bother me! I was so proud of the boys and of myself.

Now, I will admitt that as they hung the ornaments, I did try to move them into a normal arrangement, but they wouldn't have any of it. They had so much fun, and so did Brandon and I. Every morning they would run out of their room and race to see who got to turn on the "ho ho tree" first. I was kinda sad to have to take the tree down. I didn't want them to get upset about it. Seriously, they loved the Christmas tree that much. But we told them that it was at the "ho ho guy's" house, and would come back next year. I seriously doubt that they understood, but it kept them from getting upset!

Thanksgiving 2009

This year was a first for Brandon and I. Since we(mainly the boys and I) had been traveling so much, we decided to stay in St Louis for Thanksgiving this year. In 4 years of marriage, this is only the second holiday we've ever spent alone. Since our families live 3 hours away from each other, we rotate every holiday. This year was Brandon's parents turn for Turkey day and my families turn for Christmas. With Brandon's sister living so far away,her husband deploying in March, and his neice turning 1 two days before Thanksgiving, they headed to Alaska on Thanksgiving Day. So we had the whole house to ourselves for a week! At first I was kinda bummed about not being around family. But as the day approached, I became more excited.

I didn't have to wake up early to cook. We weren't in a rush! Brandon got up and drove his parent's to the airport, and I made the boys Monkey bread. Like I said.. no rush!
We were able to start a new tradition. In the last few minutes before lunch was ready we had the boys trace their hands, and color their "turkey"! They had a blast and Brandon and I got in on the action too. I decided that next year we'd do it a little earlier, so I could put contact paper on them and make Thanksgiving Placemats.

This year has been a rough one for us.... not 3 kids in one year rough, but a difficult one to say the least. Having time to ourselves, was much needed, and helped B and I to remember what we are so thankful for. There was a down side to doing Thanksgiving alone though... I didn't get to go Black Friday shopping. I have gone every year.. for as long as I can remember. Last year we were in Louisiana for Thanksgiving, and I still managed to hit a WalMart in the afternoon. Even since moving to STL, I have drug Brandon's mom out. And I am not any sort of morning person! So I didn't even tempt myself with the paper. No sales ads.. no computer shopping , Nothing. ( I Can't wait til Black friday next year.)

This was our delicious feast. It didn't matter that there were only 2 adults eating.. I still made everything! Turkey, 3 casseroles, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and of course my mama's sweet tea! And 2 desserts!

Going to the Chapel...

So 34 hours after I got home from Ozark, I barely had time to unpack before boarding a plane to San Antonio, Texas. This trip was a very special trip for many reasons... 1)It was the furthest and longest time I had ever been away from the boys, 2) It was the first time I've ever traveled by plane by myself, 3) I was going to San Antonio for the first time ever! 4) One of my dearest friends, Amber was getting married! I have many embarrassing pictures of Amber and myself.. but non are on my computer so unfortunately I can't post any!

Amber and I have known each other since 1993. She was one of the first friends I made when we moved to Ozark. We went to school and church together, so we were together ALOT, and formed a lasting friendship. Even though we had our caddy "girl" fights in high school, Amber has always been by myside. She was one of my first friends to meet and approve of Brandon, and she came all the way from Austin, TX to be a bridesmaid in our wedding. She has a very special place in the heart of Brandon, myself, my parents, and my extended family.

I was honestly a little nervous about going down there. I had only met her fiance, Sean, once before, and the evening didn't go according to plan. But after getting to spend some quality time with the two of them, they are a perfect match.

Amber was such a laid back bride. Melissa and I ( 2 of the 3 bridesmaids) were more stressed out about the wedding details than Amber was. I think Sean stressed a little more than she did too! Seriously, as soon as I got to town, I said I have to see your dress. She said that might be a little hard, since my aunt still has it in Missouri and won't be down until tomorrow to do FINAL alterations. My jaw dropped! She wasn't even stressed about it! But oh my goodness that dress was perfect. This is a picture of Amber trying on her dress after her aunt (standing next to her) had done the final alterations.

The dress was simply beautiful. I wish I had more picutres. Her Aunt Linda did a FANTASTIC job.

While they did the finishing touches Melissa and I decided to scope out the Riverwalk and take a quick, and I mean quick tour of the Alamo. We unknowingly got there 15 minutes before it closed.

Later on that evening Melissa and I took Amber out to the River Walk for her mini bachelorette party. We just ate apps at different restaurants down the RW, and talked about the good ol days!
The next day Amber and her mom went for some mother daughter bonding, and got mani's and pedi's, and then we met up for lunch, and got ready for the rehersal dinner. I wish I had more pictures of the weekend, but my camera battery died, and I forgot to bring the charger. But it was beautiful. It was unlike any wedding I've ever been too. First it was a Catholic ceremony..so it was long. Standing 45 minutes in 4 inch heels is no easy feat, especially when your upper arm is being attacked by a Texas Sized fly, for most of that 45 minutes. There was a 4 hour break after we completed pics and the beginning of the reception, so we once again headed down to the Riverwalk. The weather was gorgeous, and we (the bridal party) were starving, so once again we ate, and people watched. The reception was held at Sean's dads Art Gallery; Blue Star. So the reception had a modern but classy feel to it. And the food, that I did eat, was to die for! Especially the cake. The easiest was to describe it, was 5 layers of strawberry and cream cheese icing Heaven. It was hands down the best cake I've ever had.

My trip ended with Melissa and I eating a Whataburger (one of my favorites), and then going to get Brandon and the boys a souviener. B and I watch a show called Man vs Food. The host of the show travels around to different cities, and tries complete the challenges that different restaurants have. (EX: eat 10 of the world's hottest hot wings in 30 minutes without anything to drink. or something like that) Anyway, on one episode he went to SA and showed a 4.5 lb cinnamon roll. And there is nothing my 4 boys love more than cinnamon rolls! Luckily the mom and pop joint was just minutes from Amber and Seans house, so we went a picked one up. I seriously had to send stuff home with Amber's parents, so that I could fit the roll in my suitcase without going over the weight limit. With the roll included I was .5lbs away from having to remove more stuff!

November... where did you go?

November was a crazy month. It started off with the boys and I spending two weeks at mom and dads. Usually if I can swing it, I'll plan a trip to mom and dad's so that I can attend MOPS at church. I love going, and it gives the boys some interaction with other kids, besides when they are at Sunday School.... Plus they love Ms Patty and Ms Reba, their teachers.

This time it ended up being easier on me to stay for 10 days. I had MOPS, a jewelry party at mom's house, and then I co-hosted one of my best friends baby showers. (That's mainly what I'll blog about this time!)

Sara and her husband Justin are pregnant with their first child. A daughter named Molly Abigail. She is due in Feburary and you can follow her blog http://sfloyd-nutshell.blogspot.com/. It is super cute and she keeps up with it! Anyway.. whenever we started talking about the shower Sara had told me that she wasn't going to do Molly's nursery in "normal" girl colors. At first I was a little shocked, because as long as I can remember Sara has loved the color pink. But I am so glad they went with the theme they did. It is so cute! I wanted the shower to match the nursery so Kelly and I were on the hunt! I finally found ( with the help of my neice Brooke!) the most perfect invites, and then everything fell into place.

I have a friend in Ozark that does all of my cakes. She does such an awesome job, that I just tell her the theme or in this case show her the website and she completely does the cake on her own! I knew that this might be kinda a difficult cake to match, but she did a wonderful job!

Sara had also told me that she didn't want to play games, but

that she wanted everyone to make a scrap book page. Again, I

was a little worried, but they turned out wonderful, and everyone

got involved. I was so busy taking pictures that I totally forgot to

do one, so I'll have to make her one some other time!

Here are a couple of pics:

Overall the shower was a great success! Molly will have enough clothes to last her a life time! Congrats again to Sara and Justin, I know y'all will be great and wonderful parents!

Girl Time!

Okay, so I should have written this post weeks...okay maybe months ago. As most of you know, Brandon's sister and her family live in Anchorage, Alaska. Normally you would think that since they live in Alaska we don't get to see them much, but I think in the two years they have lived there, we've seen them more than when they lived at Whiteman Air force Base in Sedalia! Seriously! Before they moved in January of 2008, they stayed a week with us, then came back in September for a week, then this past May Heather and the girls came for two weeks and a couple of times since!
Each time she comes Heather and I make a point to have some "us" time. Even if it is just an hour away to our favorite store Target! Anyway, when she was in in October Heather and Brandon went out for a little while and I got to spend quality time with my niece Brooke!

I've never really spent one on one time with a little girl! It was so much fun! Even though she was only ten months old.. we still had a good time. Girl talk, fixing her hair, eating and we even did a little late night online shopping! I decided to take some pictures of her chomping down on a graham cracker and water, but every time she saw the camera she would start posing! Here are a couple: