Christmas 2011

Trying to squeak this post in before we ring in 2012.  Well, not that I will be ringing it in... I have a horrible cold so I will be going to bed early tonight. :(  Anyway, we had a wonderful Christmas this year with our families.  Jackson was much more aware of everything (so much so that we had to have a count down to Santa).  He didn't understand why Santa couldn't come to our house the night after we visited him at the mall.  So I made a calendar and we crossed off each day until we arrived at Christmas.  I guess it's better than last year when he screamed on Santa's lap.  His only request this year, a big Thomas as in Thomas the Train.  Santa brought him the biggest Thomas he could find and the funny part is it is his least favorite gift!

Our schedule was the same as prior years... Christmas Eve at BJ's parents, Christmas morning at our house, then on to Nana & Papa's and then up to Chelan for the rest of the day to see G & G Terry.  We had a blessed Christmas and as always, it was great to spend time with our families.         

Christmas Eve @ Nana & Papa's house

 Waiting to open a present

 Jackson's favorite

Putting out cookies & milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer 

Christmas morning - Santa came

Nana & Papa's for presents

Chelan at Grandma & Grandpa Terry's

Light Show

Time to catch up on some Christmas postings!  The Friday before Christmas we decided to do the light tour around Wenatchee/East Wenatchee.  The local paper prints a map of all the houses so after a special dinner treat at McDonalds, we were on our way.  I think there were around 12 houses and we made it to about 6 because our back seat passenger was tired. :)  We'll have to shoot for more next year.  At least we got to see this one...

Happy Meal toy

My Little Helper

Have I mentioned I love this time of year?!  One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is bake and since Jackson was born, it has definitely slowed down a little.  Since we will have have a baby this time next year, I'm determined to get my baking fix now!  So I started baking this weekend with the addition of a little helper.  Definitely took more patience but it was way worth it.  It was so fun to hear the excitement in Jackson's voice as we added our ingredients into the mixer. In the end, I loved having the company and I know Jackson loved helping.  Fun time spent with my little guy.

     

Special Ornament

As I was going through my pictures this morning, I realized I'm a little behind!  The first week of December, Jackson made his first homemade Christmas ornament at daycare. 

He was really excited to show me when I picked him up and couldn't wait to get home to show BJ.  I loved how proud he was of his creation although I think I love it more than him now. :)  I just love how it personalizes our tree even more... can't wait for many more years of homemade ornaments.

Tradition

From the time BJ and I have lived together, we have eaten spaghetti every Monday night with only a few exceptions.  The tradition came from my family, where we would eat spaghetti many Monday nights especially during football season.  Mom and Dad would let us eat in front of the TV (which never happened otherwise) and it was a big treat for us. :)

So since BJ's FAVORITE (and all caps doesn't even describe it) meal is spaghetti, we have carried on the tradition with great consistency.  And I love it, because after a long Monday at work, I don't have to think about what to cook for dinner.  It's a given. We are having spaghetti... and garlic bread of course. We make it simple, just some ground beef and some traditional Ragu.

And don't forget the noodles...

Tonight happens to be a special Monday night spaghetti night because the Hawks are actually playing Monday Night Football.  Jackson and his daycare buddies got in the spirit today at daycare.  Deanne's son Trent took some cute pics of them.

10 on 10 December

Hard to believe it is already the 10th of December!  I feel like I just posted November's 10 on 10 and here I am posting December's.  It has been a busy month so far filled with decorating, shopping and planning for the holidays.  My pictures for this month's 10 on 10 were taken last Sunday where we did a little of everything I just mentioned.  It felt like a whirlwind day but we got a lot done and I was able to capture most of it with pictures.

Happy December to everyone. Merry Christmas!

12.4.11
little hands.hung with care.up to nap.storytime.beautiful day.Christmas shopping with the hubs.dinner=dishes.favorite dessert.monsters in the bath.and my bedtime

Tree Time

The holidays... always one of my favorite times of the year. :) We decided this weekend was going to be our weekend to decorate.  So we got a head start on Friday night and started on the tree.  Since we have a fake, it is pretty easy.  We ordered pizza for dinner, BJ brought the tree in and we got started.  To say Jackson was a little excited would be an understatement.  He was so worked up that he didn't sleep well that night (finally slept well at 2am).  So Saturday morning, we decided that we would finish decorating early so he would calm down well before bedtime.  Thank goodness it worked because this pregnant mama can barely handle one night of no sleep, let alone two.

I loved sorting through all our pics.  It was hard to pair them down so just a warning, lots to come.

Getting started

Spreading the limbs 

 
 Topping it off

Jackson's new ornament this year - a firetruck

 Christmas bulbs

 Trying to learn how to be gentle with the tree

 Finished product