Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

I've been stewing over this post for awhile. I thought about giving everyone the rundown on all of our holiday activities, but I don't think I'm in the mood. We've had an incredibly festive December and I have to admit I've been feeling guilty about it.

Like most people I haven't been able to get my head around the tragedy in Connecticut. I don't understand how something so horrifying could happen. I've considered what I can do, how I can make  a better world for my family.  I could donate or volunteer, and I might. I decided that the best thing thing I can do is appreciate my life and family all year round. So, here is a list of a few of my favorite things during the crazy month of December:

Sunday Tradition Upgrade- Holiday Movies

Baking Cookies

Boboo

Snowballs

Hot Chocolate

Making My Mom Smile

My Christmas Tree

Blake Actually Enjoying Santa

My House Christmas Eve

Christmas Cards

The post holiday dull drums are fast approaching. I'm not going to let them get me. When the dog bites and the bee stings, I'm just going to do another post on this very subject.  In my small way I am honoring those who lost their lives by appreciating all that I have in mine. 

Happy New Year

Until 2013...

This Little Piggie

I know that they few people who read this blog are patiently waiting for Halloween pictures, so here you go.

Halloween was good, but  rushed. This was the first year that Blake actually went trick or treating. She was Piglet and I was Eeyore. She wasn't sure about Eeyore at first, I thought I was going to have to take it off. She eventually came around. Josh had to miss the big day. I know that he didn't want to wear the Tigger costume I had for him, so I'm sure he was a little relieved. A big thanks to Grandma and Gramps for the adult costumes. We made it to four houses before coming home. A fun night for sure.

The morning after Halloween Blake and I caught a flight to Florida. We were guests at Hannah and Derrick's wedding. I am so thrilled that we had the chance to be there. This wedding has been a long time coming. The ceremony was beautiful. Blake shoved sand down her dress the whole time. She was sure to throw out an "amen," at the end of the prayer.  We went to the beach and hung out with family. I have to say this was the first time I flew to the beach for a weekend, so worth the trouble.

I thought I would wrap this up by explaining a picture I posted on Facebook last week.

Blake has been displaying what I would consider typical 2 year old behavior. I was feeling a little helpless, so I decided to take control of the situation. I created a behavior chart. I got the idea from Pinterest. If you don't know what Pinterest is, call me and I'll explain my addiction.

Blake starts every day with 6 coins, all homemade. When she is bad we take a coin. If she displays good behavior I can return the coin, you get the idea. At the end of the day if she has all of her coins she gets a sticker on her board. When she gets 10 stickers, which takes forever, she gets her predetermined reward. The first reward was a Princess Cupcake Party with Mommy. The day before we went we made tiaras and magic wands. There were 3 people in the cupcake shop that were having birthdays, none of them were wearing tiaras.

Until next time

Festivus For the Rest of Us

Blake and I have really been enjoying fall. I've made it a personal goal for Blake and I to attend as many festivals as we can fit in before the season is over.

We moseyed on over to West Fest at the Eitelijorg Museum with Pa. It was fun to be a cowgirl for a day. We did everything from rope bulls to sifting for gold. Pa got to reminisce about all of his favorite cowboys from when he was a kid. I was going to make a rude comment about him being alive when the buffalo roamed, but I'm a good daughter. Anyway, it was an entertaining afternoon.

We didn't stop there, the next weekend was Fall Festival in Franklin. We took Justin along for that one. There was face painting, a parade and a visit to our favorite toy store. A festival isn't a truly great experience without the joy of people watching, there was a lot of joy. Overall, a great afternoon.

This past weekend we visited The Apple Works. Blake and I did this one on our own. It was a little rainy, so we didn't get quite as adventurous as I would have hoped. We rode a train into the orchard, visited the petting zoo and got a delicious carmel apple as well as a bag of fresh apples to take home. Now what am I going to make with all of those apples? This one is always my favorite fall spot. I think Blake had fun too.

We were still had our festive buzz after the orchard. On Sunday we went to Watermans Family Farm and picked out some great pumpkins with Daddy & Mimi. Pappy met us back at the house. We had dinner and carved our pumpkins. Whew....that was a seriously festive weekend.

Festivals aren't the only thing happening at my house. Blake is potty trained, that's right people, potty trained. She's still in a diaper at night and for naps. I'm sure that there will be a few slip ups, but she's wearing her princess panties and pretty happy about it. My mom was right, she's too stubborn to train, she had to want it.

The potty training led to making Blake's crib into a toddler bed.When Josh and I discussed it I was only worried about her getting up all the time. When I was out buying big girl sheets, reality started to set in. The first time I tucked her in and kissed her goodnight it she broke me. I'm always telling Blake she's, "mommy's baby." I'm not ready for "mommy's big girl?"

This is what she looked like when I went to get her up the first time!

until next time

Romance, Hurricanes and Happy Endings

I can't believe summer is over, but I think we ended on the right note.  Lets start with our trip to San Francisco. We packed our bags and headed out the door, Blake to Mimi and Pappy's and Josh and I to California. The trip was our gift to each other for our 3 year wedding anniversary. It was a short, but great trip. We went to Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, to name a few stops on our whirlwind tour. I missed Blake, but I can't tell you how nice it was to have a real conversation with my husband. Three years later, I still love you babe.

We weren't the only ones enjoying our weekend. Blake was relaxing with the Nies crew. It must be rough being a toddler and the only grandchild! Photo was provided by Mimi photography.

Next  stop on the vacation recap is Siesta Key, Florida. I have been to the The Key more times than I can count, Blake has also been a few times. Josh has never been, so this was a big trip. We also drove down to Florida, which is another family first. We had a chance to spend a few days with Monica and Brian, which was a bonus. Hurricane Issac loomed the first few days, but all it gave us was a nice breeze. We made sand castles and jumped in the waves with Jan and Harvey. Josh even got down and dirty in the sand, which we all know can be hard for him. It reminded me of family vacations when I was a kid. I would say that the trip and travel were a total success.

  Mom, Mitchell and me and VERY long time ago

Once we got back from our family vacation I was on bridal patrol. Katie and Jim's wedding day was the next week. As her Maid, Matron is not a word I use, of Honor I had to be totally prepared. We had a few hiccups on the big day, but I would say that everything turned out absolutely beautiful. I have to admit, there were a few tears, c'mon people, it's Katie!  I can't believe all of my girlfriends are married and most of us have kids, way too grown up.

College Days (again, a very long time ago)

Katie and her Jimmy

I guess I'm feeling a little sentimental.

Until next time
   

My Bra Is Always Showing

My bra isn't really what this post is about, it's just something that has been bothering me. Since I've been a mom my bra is always showing. I'm holding Blake and it's pulling my top down, or she's grabbing it and stretching it out. I'm just saying that I look a mess all the time. I think I need to get some better looking bras.

As always it's been way too long since I've posted. I have a good excuse, I've been making a real effort to enjoy every moment of this summer with my family and friends, especially my family. It's not often that Blake, Josh and I have time together as a family.

So, the biggest thing happening right now is potty training. I've been worrying about it all summer, what to do, when to do it, blah, blah blah..... Every time I bring it up my mom assures me that Blake is too stubborn to be trained, she's going to decide when and how she's going to do it. Of course she was right, this past week she's been going gang busters. She asks to go when she's ready and it's so great! Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of bells and whistles that go along with a good potty trip at my house.

1. She gets to wipe and flush
2. She gets to pick out a sticker and hang it on her progress board
3. She gets to wash her hands
4. Finally, she gets to call a family member and fill them in on the blessed event.

I'm trying to cut out #4, I think that might get old eventually. The amount of time we're spending in the bathroom is insane.  I'm thinking full on panties by the end of the month. Did someone say shopping!

July was jam packed.  Allie came for a visit, which was unexpected and great fun. There were 4th of July festivities, and a girls weekend/ Katie's Bachlorette party in Florida.  The girls trip meant that Blake had 4 days with just Daddy, big treat. 

This month I'm looking forward to my anniversary, a family vacation and maybe the State Fair. I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures.

Until next time