These Are the Days
11 years ago
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Catching up...
I took an unintentional hiatus for almost a year...but I'm going to try and make blogging a priority again. We'll see how that actually goes. :)
There is way too much to catch up on from almost an entire year, but I'll try and hit some highlights.
We had a really fun fall...
Love these birthday buddy cousins! These two girls have two of the most precious, sweet and loving hearts of any kids I've ever known. I am so blessed and honored to be a mother and aunt to these adorable girls!
Landon is into everything. All. The. Time. He is "noise with dirt on it." (A quote I saw on Pinterest about boys. A definite fit for my boistrous son!)
Love my daughter!
Halloween was a lot of fun. We loaded up and drove to some friends houses and really enjoyed seeing everyone's costumes. Then it was back home to trick or treat in our neighborhood with some of our favorite friends!
Ava and Landon are squished into that stroller. Hahahaha...the big kids were sweet to not want to leave them behind. The daddies walked around with the kids and us Mamas had some soup, chatted and passed out candy every few minutes. It was a lovely evening.
We had a shared Princess birthday with cousin Annalise. It was a really fun day with our family. The girls had a blast and Aunt Stephanie made an AMAZING cake and all the decorations were so adorable.
I'm FOUR!
Our Christmas card photo. Pretty "classic" of our children.
We attended the annual ornament swap with other couples from our church family. This year the hostess decided to make it a costume/tacky Christmas sweater event. I was a dark chocolate Hershey's Kiss, Aaron taped some mistletoe to his head, our friend was Jack Frost (although Aaron coined him a Snow Fairy) and his lovely wife busted out a tacky outfit! It was a fun night.
Mamas of two or more kiddos family Christmas survival tip: drink coffee regardless of the hour.
Silly girls!
I think we're going to have to make matching pjs a must every year. We'll have to have a set for the boys and a set for the girls.
I think I'll all it quits for now. Goodnight!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Christmas
And...one month later...
We had a wonderful Christmas. We spent lots of time baking, singing, wrapping, and just loving seeing the season through the eyes of our children.
Caroline loved everything about the season. She loved the tree, Santa, each and every decoration, all the stockings, wrapping gifts, the food, just everything. She also enjoyed spending a lot of time with family and friends and staying up wwwaaayyy past her bedtime several nights! Landon really liked looking at the lights on the tree and loved watching everything his big sister did. He however, did not enjoy the change in his routine so much, but we made it through.
(opening a gift with Ms Deborah)
(Yes, GrandKev is a KISS fan, and no we will not be encouraging Caroline to be one.)
We had a Pop-Up Eric Carle "Christmas Countdown" advent calendar this year that Caroline really liked. This was the first time in my life I've had a Christmas countdown. We didn't do this tradition in my family while I was growing up, but Aaron has fond memories of his, and I got the calendar for free so we decided to do it. Caroline had a good time with it each night and Aaron was diligent about counting each day with her. She was just up to counting to 20, but now she can go to 25. :)
Christmas morning was fun. Caroline had a good time opening her gifts and looking in her stocking. Landon was pretty indifferent, but also had a good morning.
This light-up Santa is from my childhood. Mom and Dad had him out at their house and just like last year, he was a favorite of Caroline's.
We had a wonderful time with Aaron's extended family....we even had a white Christmas!
A truly wonderful holiday was had by our family!
We had a wonderful Christmas. We spent lots of time baking, singing, wrapping, and just loving seeing the season through the eyes of our children.
Caroline loved everything about the season. She loved the tree, Santa, each and every decoration, all the stockings, wrapping gifts, the food, just everything. She also enjoyed spending a lot of time with family and friends and staying up wwwaaayyy past her bedtime several nights! Landon really liked looking at the lights on the tree and loved watching everything his big sister did. He however, did not enjoy the change in his routine so much, but we made it through.
(opening a gift with Ms Deborah)
(Yes, GrandKev is a KISS fan, and no we will not be encouraging Caroline to be one.)
We had a Pop-Up Eric Carle "Christmas Countdown" advent calendar this year that Caroline really liked. This was the first time in my life I've had a Christmas countdown. We didn't do this tradition in my family while I was growing up, but Aaron has fond memories of his, and I got the calendar for free so we decided to do it. Caroline had a good time with it each night and Aaron was diligent about counting each day with her. She was just up to counting to 20, but now she can go to 25. :)
Christmas morning was fun. Caroline had a good time opening her gifts and looking in her stocking. Landon was pretty indifferent, but also had a good morning.
This light-up Santa is from my childhood. Mom and Dad had him out at their house and just like last year, he was a favorite of Caroline's.
We had a wonderful time with Aaron's extended family....we even had a white Christmas!
A truly wonderful holiday was had by our family!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Little Eyes
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing; I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
Little eyes see a lot.
Written by: Unknown Former Child
My New Year's Resolution? That the little eyes in our home will see a mother who is dedicated to her Lord, her husband, and her children.
Happy New Year!
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing; I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."
Little eyes see a lot.
Written by: Unknown Former Child
My New Year's Resolution? That the little eyes in our home will see a mother who is dedicated to her Lord, her husband, and her children.
Happy New Year!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Spring
We've been enjoying the beautiful weather lately. It's so wonderful to see the flowers blooming and the trees beginning to bud and come back to life after the cold winter.
We had company for Easter. I did ok with my eat-from-the-pantry challenge. I didn't go grocery shopping, but we ate out a few more times than I had allotted for. Oh well...not a total bust, I did get several items used up from my freezer and pantry. We had a good time with Aunt KK and Uncle Jud for the holiday. It's always fun to be with family!
We had company for Easter. I did ok with my eat-from-the-pantry challenge. I didn't go grocery shopping, but we ate out a few more times than I had allotted for. Oh well...not a total bust, I did get several items used up from my freezer and pantry. We had a good time with Aunt KK and Uncle Jud for the holiday. It's always fun to be with family!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Easter Eggs and a Challenge
Today has been a fun day! Caroline and I dyed Easter Eggs! Aaron helped by taking the pictures. :)
(I was really excited to have something to use those birthday cups for! Those are leftover from her 2nd birthday...not her first. The company sent me the wrong ones! Anyway...glad they got put to some use!)
I really enjoyed dying the eggs with her and I think she enjoyed it too. Well, she liked it except for the part where she accidentally spilled the cup of yellow on her leg. She did not like that one little bit! We got through it though. :)
So...now the challenge. I've read a lot about this on Money Saving Mom, but I've never actually attempted it myself....an eating from the pantry challenge. Basically, you try not to shop for groceries for a scheduled amount of time by eating from your pantry, fridge, and freezer. I love to coupon and shop sales, so I do have a pretty well-stocked kitchen most of the time...and right now we're bulging at the seams. My last trip was a week ago. I was able to get 2 HUGE boxes of Corn Flakes for very cheap...not remembering the exact amount at the moment, but cheap enough that I bought them. We don't normally eat Corn Flakes, but Aaron will eat almost any cereal, so I'm not too picky and buy what I can get a good deal on. Anyway....since I have 2 ginormous boxes, I'm on the lookout for recipes that use Corn Flakes. We're having company this weekend (Aunt KK and Uncle Jud!) so I'm going to make Corn Flake cookies. Tonight I'm making a potato casserole I got from my friend Becca years ago when we used to have a supper club. I'm so excited to make it. I had all the ingredients except cream of mushroom soup, but I do have cream of chicken, so I'm going to substitute and hope it turns out ok! :) I'm making sausage balls and eggs to go with it. I've had the sausage in my freezer for a while...it's time to use it!
I also found this recipe for a chicken meal that sounds good. Did you know you can go to All Recipes and search for ingredients you have and it will pull up recipes using the ingredient! I also found this for french toast, so we'll probably be having that for breakfast next week. French toast is one of Caroline's favorites so I know it will be a hit!
As for my Eating-From-the-Pantry challenge...I'm starting with dinner tonight and I'm going to try and avoid the grocery for a week. Yes, that includes having company this weekend...but we're planning to go out for one meal while they're here.
Meals Ideas:
Breakfast:
Cereal and milk
French Toast
Pancakes
Scrambled Eggs with Toast
Oatmeal
Frozen Pastry
Fruit (grapes, apples, strawberries)
Peanut Butter-Banana Muffins
Lunch:
Grilled Cheese sandwiches
Peanut butter sandwiches
Fruit (apples, strawberries, grapes)
Leftovers
Totino's Pizza Rolls (never had these before...got them for free a few weeks ago at Winn Dixie)
Cheese and crackers with yogurt/applesauce
Dinners:
Sausage balls, eggs, and Potato casserole
Spanish Chicken and Rice
Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes
Baked Spaghetti
Honey Mustard Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
Crunchy No-Fry Chicken
Layered Enchilada Bake
OK...thats all I've got for now! Wish me luck!
(I was really excited to have something to use those birthday cups for! Those are leftover from her 2nd birthday...not her first. The company sent me the wrong ones! Anyway...glad they got put to some use!)
I really enjoyed dying the eggs with her and I think she enjoyed it too. Well, she liked it except for the part where she accidentally spilled the cup of yellow on her leg. She did not like that one little bit! We got through it though. :)
So...now the challenge. I've read a lot about this on Money Saving Mom, but I've never actually attempted it myself....an eating from the pantry challenge. Basically, you try not to shop for groceries for a scheduled amount of time by eating from your pantry, fridge, and freezer. I love to coupon and shop sales, so I do have a pretty well-stocked kitchen most of the time...and right now we're bulging at the seams. My last trip was a week ago. I was able to get 2 HUGE boxes of Corn Flakes for very cheap...not remembering the exact amount at the moment, but cheap enough that I bought them. We don't normally eat Corn Flakes, but Aaron will eat almost any cereal, so I'm not too picky and buy what I can get a good deal on. Anyway....since I have 2 ginormous boxes, I'm on the lookout for recipes that use Corn Flakes. We're having company this weekend (Aunt KK and Uncle Jud!) so I'm going to make Corn Flake cookies. Tonight I'm making a potato casserole I got from my friend Becca years ago when we used to have a supper club. I'm so excited to make it. I had all the ingredients except cream of mushroom soup, but I do have cream of chicken, so I'm going to substitute and hope it turns out ok! :) I'm making sausage balls and eggs to go with it. I've had the sausage in my freezer for a while...it's time to use it!
I also found this recipe for a chicken meal that sounds good. Did you know you can go to All Recipes and search for ingredients you have and it will pull up recipes using the ingredient! I also found this for french toast, so we'll probably be having that for breakfast next week. French toast is one of Caroline's favorites so I know it will be a hit!
As for my Eating-From-the-Pantry challenge...I'm starting with dinner tonight and I'm going to try and avoid the grocery for a week. Yes, that includes having company this weekend...but we're planning to go out for one meal while they're here.
Meals Ideas:
Breakfast:
Cereal and milk
French Toast
Pancakes
Scrambled Eggs with Toast
Oatmeal
Frozen Pastry
Fruit (grapes, apples, strawberries)
Peanut Butter-Banana Muffins
Lunch:
Grilled Cheese sandwiches
Peanut butter sandwiches
Fruit (apples, strawberries, grapes)
Leftovers
Totino's Pizza Rolls (never had these before...got them for free a few weeks ago at Winn Dixie)
Cheese and crackers with yogurt/applesauce
Dinners:
Sausage balls, eggs, and Potato casserole
Spanish Chicken and Rice
Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes
Baked Spaghetti
Honey Mustard Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
Crunchy No-Fry Chicken
Layered Enchilada Bake
OK...thats all I've got for now! Wish me luck!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Holiday Review
We had a really nice Christmas. Exhausting, but nice. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, but as an adult...it's a bit more tiring than I expected it would be. Between all the shopping, wrapping, parties, baking, "bring a $5 gift" exchanges, and traveling, it can wear a body out! When I was child...life seemed to stand still and halt around Christmas time, but now I realize that is not the case. If anything, life gets faster and more hurried now. It's sad, in a way, because this time of family, friends, fun, joy, and laughter is easily turned into a time of tantrums, frustration, crankiness, and arguments. (Not in our family, of course. :) ) That being said, amid all the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season, we had a joyous time with our friends and family.
Caroline really loved Christmas. She loved the trees, sparkling lights, Santa Claus, presents...everything. It was a blast spending time with her and seeing her face light up at the cookies baking in the oven, or the snowman she spotted on someone's lawn as we drove by. I love seeing her discover the world around her and begin to enjoy Holidays and events that I dreamed of one day sharing with her. What joy!
We were able to spend time with family and it was wonderful to be together. You think those two grandpas like that little girl? ;)
Caroline really loved Christmas. She loved the trees, sparkling lights, Santa Claus, presents...everything. It was a blast spending time with her and seeing her face light up at the cookies baking in the oven, or the snowman she spotted on someone's lawn as we drove by. I love seeing her discover the world around her and begin to enjoy Holidays and events that I dreamed of one day sharing with her. What joy!
We were able to spend time with family and it was wonderful to be together. You think those two grandpas like that little girl? ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
