Christmas

I guess I will start at the beginning… Thanksgiving day, we had dinner at my grandparent’s home and Matt’s aunt’s. We typically decorate the tree on Thanksgiving but unforeseen circumstances (i.e. supposed to get a new tree) caused a delay so we put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. And yes, it is still the old tree! My nephew came home with us and we held our tradition of everyone getting new pajamas for cutesy pictures. Bailey got in to the candy canes while we were decorating! I took the kids out that afternoon and got some Christmas pictures of them. However, it is now the day after Christmas and guess who still hasn’t developed any of those pictures.

The weekend before Christmas, our best friend’s came over and we got a special gift for their girls and ours. They are all getting to take ice skating lessons, which I hope they enjoy. Bailey also got to open one of his presents, a Snuggie. We had Gondolier’s pizza for dinner which happens to be one of my favorites and we received great presents.

We visited Matt’s aunt and family on the night before Christmas Eve. We had KFC and opened presents. Matt’s cousin just had surgery so it was a very laid back event.

Matt’s cousin and family came to visit from Kentucky and the girls opened presents with them.

Bailey watching Matt fry the ham

We celebrate Christmas Eve with our girls and I went overboard yet again. Matt and I fixed a wonderful breakfast with country ham, homemade biscuits, gravy, and scrambled eggs. The girls were in Heaven! I have to admit the gravy turned out a little better. Maybe practice does make perfect.

Matt received his Ipod Touch that he just had to have. He also got the Black Ops game for his PS3 and some other small items. I received a new purse, the Twilight Saga books (because you just have to read them more than once…one hundred times), Scene It Twilight Saga board game, and some M&M stuff. Our special treat was matching Vols shirts for me and the girls. They have Hello Kitty on them and say “Hello Kitty, Hello Volunteers.” We have tickets to the New Year’s Eve game this year. Bailey received dog bones, dog food-the good stuff, two new stuffed-or actually unstuffed dog toys, and two candy cane bones. One of the bones was wrapped with Sweet Potato and he had it chewed off within minutes of me finally getting it open for him. He absolutely loves the Sweet Potatoes!

Pumpkin Pie received a new rug, storage chest, luggage, clothes, video games, books, computer games, American Girl accessories, a memory foam pillow (she asked for it), a back pillow, and a volleyball. Sweet Pea received Olivia the Pig toys, Teacup Piggies and accessories, pig kitchen items (she asked for them), luggage, clothes, and a back pillow. Did you notice the pig theme with Sweet Pea! She even asked for a real live miniature pig and I (YES, I) even considered getting one. I spoke with a lady about one after doing some research but opted out because I was fearful that the pig would not be able to walk up the stairs on those stumps for legs and the bed would be crowded for Sweet Pea when the pig reached its full size of about 60lb. Maybe next year we can get the pig! I was also concerned about how Bailey would get along with another pet in the house. Unfortunately, we would not be able to name the pig “Piglet” since that name is already taken by my sweet cousin’s dog. However, Sweet Pea was trying to choose between “Cinderella” for a girl and “Harold” for a boy. Cinderella I understood but I honestly have no idea where Harold came from.

Sweet Pea's present pile

Pumpkin Pie's present pile


Matt's present pile


Bailey's present pile


My present pile

Matt dancing...so funny!

Me and my brother


Me and my sweet love

On a side note, Sweet Pea and Pumpkin Pie went to work with me several days the week before last because of the weather and school being out. A woman (Kathy) in our office questioned the girls about what Santa would be bringing them for Christmas. Sweet Pea gave me the look and I stated that it was all right. Sweet Pea proceeded to inform Kathy that “Santa’s dead.” Kathy politely looked at Sweet Pea and informed her that she had now ruined Kathy’s Christmas. Sweet Pea actually thought it was funny that Kathy believes in Santa.

Christmas Day, we went to my Grandparent’s and ate until none of us could possibly hold anymore food. The girls (and Matt and I) received more wonderful presents. We are so spoiled. After we left my Grandparent’s, we went to my best friend’s house. After opening yet more presents, one of which I received in October (a blow up M&M for my yard), the kids played the Xbox 360. Matt even got involved and did some dancing to Bel Biv Devoe. If you don’t remember them, you are too young!

It started snowing on the way home and a little over halfway home, the roads started to get slick. We thankfully made it home safely and I managed to get most of the Christmas presents put away neatly. I am already looking forward to taking down the Christmas decorations and getting my house cleaned back up and in order. I always look forward to that one day each week (sometimes every two weeks) that everything is clean and in its place. It doesn’t last long so I have to savor it. Matt will be staying home with the girls this week so I don’t plan to clean before mid-week or I know I won’t get to enjoy any of it. We have been blessed tremendously and have really enjoyed the holidays with our family and friends this year. It is always a good thing to say the holidays were rather uneventful in my family. I have also enjoyed time home with the kids and relaxing. We caught up on some movies and video game time. All of the American Girl doll stuff is neatly organized (one of mine and Sweet Pea’s favorite things to do) and Pumpkin Pie’s room is fairly organized right now too, thanks to me.

End of October and November

Making Gingerbread Houses this weekend. Each of the four girls decorated one and Kari and I decorated the fifth one. It is the North Pole village!


Bailey with his elephant. We are huge fans of these unstuffed plush toys for dogs. Bailey has always loved plush toys but ate the stuffing out of them within a day. It is cute to watch him with the elephant though because he carries it everywhere like a security item.

We went to Disney on Ice several weeks ago and had wonderful seats. We were on the second row so we were right in front of all of the action. The girls loved being so close and I have to admit that it was pretty nice.


I had a kidney stone at the time of Pumpkin Pie's birthday. We made her a cake but the decorative icing I bought for it ended up being a clear yellow so it did not show up well (or look that well but I am not a cake decorator). Sweet Pea chose a cheesecake for her birthday, which we bought because I have no idea how to make cheesecake. Pumpkin Pie chose doughnuts to take to school and Sweet Pea chose mini-cupcakes.





We also had to make a shopping trip the week after Pumpkin Pie's birthday. In the matter of several weeks, she managed to outgrow nearly everything she had for the winter. We bought Sweet Pea a couple of things too just so she wouldn't feel quite so left out with always getting the hand-me-downs.

The weekend before last, we went to eat with my best friend and her family. I love Red Lobster!!! Afterward, we did a little shopping.
Last weekend, we went ice skating with our best friends. We had a great time but those ice skates can hurt your feet.
This weekend, we had Thanksgiving dinner with our best friends. My Papaw is in the hospital again with pneumonia so we are not sure about our family Thanksgiving. I was so looking forward to it too...biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, country ham, mashed potatoes, okra, spaghetti with tomato juice...my Mamaw has me spoiled (and overweight!).
I have over half of my Christmas shopping done and I am pretty sure that I will be doing the majority of the rest of it online because I have had "shopping rage". People can be so rude during the holidays, or any other time of year for that matter but it seems to be worse right now with more people already coming out to shop. My mouth tends to get me in trouble and it would be better for the world if I stay home and not be so rude to others.

All the way into October...

Matt and his BFIL (Best Friend In Law)
Matt attempting to play football with his friends.

A rare happening...someone took a picture of me!

Matt chilling in the heated pool at last weekends party! It was beautiful.

The really neat party favors that I worked so hard on.



I finally took my nephew's 3rd birthday pictures but I haven't checked with my sister to see if it is all right to post any of them yet. They did turn out really cute and I do have a favorite!

We attended the Shriner's Circus last weekend but I did not take any pictures then. We also attended a birthday party for one of my best friend's two children. It was at a beautiful location and the girls (and my nephew) had so much fun, especially swimming in a heated pool in October.

I finally cleaned out all of the baby stuff and sold almost everything I have. We also have a small fund going for our trip to Disney World next year, which I continue to remain super excited about. We have several meals booked and have started purchasing cute outfits for the kids for the trip.

We had the girls birthday party this weekend, despite my battle with a kidney stone since last Sunday at 2 a.m. I did go to the hospital and it is only 3mm but dang, it hurts! I still haven't passed it and have had to miss four days of work. I did work one day last week but I only had two sessions and I left a little bit early, if that counts for working.
The girls party was wonderful and we are such a blessed family to have friends that love us, despite my personality! The girls received many gifts but their favorites were their new American Girl dolls. Sweet Pea got Mia and Pumpkin Pie got Julie. They also got some new clothes for their dolls and new Vera Bradley messenger bags, wallets, and money to go in their new wallets. My kids are soooo spoiled and I seem to continue that trend! We had a Mickey Mouse theme this year since we have planned the Disney World trip (have I mentioned that yet?!) and the party favors turned out cute, even if I did them myself and have to brag about it myself.

So we are off to another week and I am praying to pass this stone. I have had so much time to think of corny jokes about it, such as plans to start my own pet rock collection, rock band, etc...
We are in the works of making plans for this coming weekend. We are working on party, Dollywood, or Boo at the Zoo, and maybe a couple of other options. We also have plans to attend Disney on Ice in two weeks and dinner with friends, and maybe a Halloween party that is less Halloween and more kid friendly. I guess we will wait and see.

August (and some from July)

Kendra and Larry
Me and Kendra (I am starting to show my age)
K-Dog's cake
Pumpkin Pie's back to school present
Sweet Pea's back to school present

Matt chasing my sister with cake icing

Bugaboo's birthday cake

I’ll try to remember the highlights of the past few weeks but it all seems to run together anymore.

Towards the end of July, we attended K-Dog’s birthday party and took my nephew along, knowing he would have a blast. I really have been slacking with pictures, even at a birthday party!

My Papaw was back in the hospital for a little while and we made the trip to Kingsport to visit him and to celebrate my Mamaw’s birthday, if you can call a hospital room a celebration place. My Papaw is back home for now, although he still does not feel well and his strength continues to decrease (and not come back) each time he is sick.

I have spent some time preparing for the school consignment sell because we are finally getting rid of all of our baby stuff. Sweet Pea is almost 7 and I think it is high time that we put thoughts of more children aside.

The girls have started back to school. Sweet Pea chose two Olivia the Pig play sets for her back to school gift and Pumpkin Pie received more American Girl books. Sweet Pea is starting to give her a run for her money on reading though. Sweet Pea got a new backpack this year, although I didn’t take a picture. Pumpkin Pie still had three brand new backpacks so we are using those before we buy another one for her. Both girls are loving their teachers and doing well so far. Music lessons start back again in a couple of weeks and Sweet Pea will be with her original teacher, who blessed us with her return this year! We aren’t sure who Pumpkin Pie’s teacher will be for music yet and she is currently contemplating joining the band to play the Clarinet.

We went to my nephew’s birthday party this past Friday. Saturday, we met my mom and sister at Dollywood. Matt’s mom went with us and within an hour of being there, she passed out and became very ill. We have been working towards a medical issue that she has been having for some time and think the passing out is related. Matt spent the remainder of the day in a hospital emergency room with her. She has two more doctor’s appointments in the next week and a half so we are in prayer that they can find the source of the brain blockage and resolve it easily. Sunday, we attempted to make Dollywood up to the kids and went back for another three-four hours. It wasn’t very crowded and the girls got to ride the remainder of the rides that they missed on Saturday.

I am still working on completing the rest of the stuff for the consignment sale and we are celebrating Matt’s grandfather’s birthday this weekend. My family also has several birthdays’ coming up so lots of cake and ice cream in my future. Yum!

Sweet Pea came to my husband and I the other night and stated that she could not use her mouthwash. Keep in mind she has three loose teeth that she refuses to let us wiggle. Sweet Pea states, “I can’t use my mouthwash because it builds strong teeth. That is why my teeth won’t fall out.”

Ahh, the logic!

We have been super busy this week- Monday we mowed, Tuesday we went to the grocery store, and Wednesday I had to clean the house. Tuesday, when we were leaving Walmart, we saw a guy hang gliding. Pumpkin Pie pointed him out and then got in the vehicle. Sweet Pea asked who the guy was, insisting on knowing his name. I replied, “Bob, me and him go way back.” Sweet Pea was fine with this answer and got in the vehicle. As we were leaving the parking lot, the guy was a lot closer and Pumpkin Pie pointed this out. Sweet Pea looks at her sister and says, “Hey, do you know who that is?” Pumpkin Pie says, “No, who?” Sweet Pea says, “That is Bob. Mom knew him way back.” We all laughed!