Saturday, January 12, 2013
Family pictures
We had a friend take some family pictures for us before the holidays. I just wanted a couple so we had some updated ones since babies change so much. I didn't really plan our outfits, just made sure they didn't clash. We went to a little cemetery with an old white church, that some friends had taken their pics at. My friend snapped photos for about 20 minutes and the kids behaved amazingly well. The wind was the only thing not on our side, but I could not have been more pleased. I love all of the photos.
New Years
Jared's parents were in Arizona for Christmas so they took a detour to Arkansas on their way home to spend New Years Eve with us. We pigged out on yummy appetizers, played phase 10 and toasted sparkling grape juice at midnight.
It was a good night. Excited to see what this new year brings.
Christmas in St. Louis
Is anyone else tired of posting about Christmas? Oh wait, you're already done? Well, I'm tired of it. But I must go on.
I really love spending the holidays with so much family, but every year I kind of wish we would stay home and have our own Christmas....we actually do have our own Christmas at home before we head to St. Louis. Santa visits us a little early, but it's just not the same, because I know it's not really Christmas. And as Addi gets older, she will start to realize too.
Addi asked for a "Hello Kitty music player" this year....and when I say year I mean she asked for it for 8 months. Her friend Emma has one and when ever she would play at Emma's house the first thing she went for was the mp3 player. Since it is a larger ($) gift it would have to be a birthday or Christmas gift. Unfortunately Addi discovered this right after her birthday, so I kept telling her she would have to wait and ask for it for Christmas. She never forgot, and Santa didn't disappoint. That little girl got quite a haul this Christmas. I started shopping in June and just found one awesome deal after another. It kind of helps when she only asks for 1 thing because then she can get some awesome surprises that I know she will love. With the help of Vendor Sample Sales, the Walmart Associate Store, and Black Friday almost every item was $10 or less. Pots and pans for her kitchen, a vacuum, a furreal pup, a Lalaloopsy tree house with 8 dolls, barbie clothes, a princess cash register and the list goes on.
Eli was looking to have a pretty depressing Christmas, but then a mega blocks sample sale saved the day. And it seems that no one loves that Furreal pup more than Eli. Eli LOVES animals. Real or fake.
Actual Christmas was an absolute blast. We spent it in St. Louis with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins....you get the picture. No? Well good thing I took some.
I always forget something when I'm buying gifts for my kids...they are going to get a ton of gifts when we go to St. Louis. I could probably cut out half of what I buy and they would still have an amazing Christmas. It's because we have so many people in our family and we decided when everyone started having kids that we would just buy for kids. My kids are blessed with the best aunts and uncles who love to spoil them. They get gifts from each of my siblings, my parents, my grandma, my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Like I said a ton of people.
This rolling tea cart from auntie Jessica is getting a lot of use. Even Eli has a go while Addi's away.
This also means that we give a lot of gifts. That is why I start shopping in June, and look for the best deals. I actually made a lot of the gifts I gave this year. My nieces and cousins got owl rice filled heating pads that I made. I also made my nieces shirts with their birth state outline on them and a little heart in the city they were born. I also scored them Disney princess cash registers for $2.50 at the Walmart Associate store.
My brother got my parents this teeter thing that is supposed to be good for your back. We each enjoyed our turn on it. Even Eli got rocked to sleep on it. So, Christmas was awesome, but I am glad that the busyness of December is over.
I really love spending the holidays with so much family, but every year I kind of wish we would stay home and have our own Christmas....we actually do have our own Christmas at home before we head to St. Louis. Santa visits us a little early, but it's just not the same, because I know it's not really Christmas. And as Addi gets older, she will start to realize too.
Addi asked for a "Hello Kitty music player" this year....and when I say year I mean she asked for it for 8 months. Her friend Emma has one and when ever she would play at Emma's house the first thing she went for was the mp3 player. Since it is a larger ($) gift it would have to be a birthday or Christmas gift. Unfortunately Addi discovered this right after her birthday, so I kept telling her she would have to wait and ask for it for Christmas. She never forgot, and Santa didn't disappoint. That little girl got quite a haul this Christmas. I started shopping in June and just found one awesome deal after another. It kind of helps when she only asks for 1 thing because then she can get some awesome surprises that I know she will love. With the help of Vendor Sample Sales, the Walmart Associate Store, and Black Friday almost every item was $10 or less. Pots and pans for her kitchen, a vacuum, a furreal pup, a Lalaloopsy tree house with 8 dolls, barbie clothes, a princess cash register and the list goes on.
Eli was looking to have a pretty depressing Christmas, but then a mega blocks sample sale saved the day. And it seems that no one loves that Furreal pup more than Eli. Eli LOVES animals. Real or fake.
Actual Christmas was an absolute blast. We spent it in St. Louis with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins....you get the picture. No? Well good thing I took some.
Eli's "cheese" face is my favorite. As soon as he sees my phone "cheese!"
I always forget something when I'm buying gifts for my kids...they are going to get a ton of gifts when we go to St. Louis. I could probably cut out half of what I buy and they would still have an amazing Christmas. It's because we have so many people in our family and we decided when everyone started having kids that we would just buy for kids. My kids are blessed with the best aunts and uncles who love to spoil them. They get gifts from each of my siblings, my parents, my grandma, my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Like I said a ton of people.
This also means that we give a lot of gifts. That is why I start shopping in June, and look for the best deals. I actually made a lot of the gifts I gave this year. My nieces and cousins got owl rice filled heating pads that I made. I also made my nieces shirts with their birth state outline on them and a little heart in the city they were born. I also scored them Disney princess cash registers for $2.50 at the Walmart Associate store.
My brother got my parents this teeter thing that is supposed to be good for your back. We each enjoyed our turn on it. Even Eli got rocked to sleep on it. So, Christmas was awesome, but I am glad that the busyness of December is over.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
On the 12 days of Christmas procrastination brought to me....
Maybe I'll be done blogging about Christmas before January is over....don't get your hopes up.
The Countdown
The countdown to Christmas was an exciting and stressful time at our house. I had decided to make several Christmas gifts and procrastination had got the best of me. I was also working on stock for the store I sell my ties at, as well as costumes for an upcoming dance recital. I miraculously got it all done.
stockings...
Fairy crowns for my little sugar plum fairy's dance recital....
Shirts for my nieces with their birth state and city on them. Brooklyn's Utah shirt got mailed to her since they couldn't come for Christmas....
Owl heating pads for my nieces and cousins....
Heating pads for teacher and family gifts... Baby blankets for Vintage Crush...
We started a new tradition this year with the elf on the shelf. When the package arrived in the mail from the "north pole" Addi was really excited. She wanted to open the elf right away.
I started reading the story to her and she immediately changed her mind about the elf. She was definitely not okay that this little elf flew back to Santa every night and then back into her house. She was also freaked out about her losing her magic by touching her. She kept her distance but was still interested in the elf. Because of this, instead of leaving her room in the morning as she usually would, she would scream "MOM" until I came in to get her. Then she would say, "Let's go find our elf!"
I tried to encourage a Christmasy name for our elf but Addi insisted on naming her Audrey. Addi knows two baby Audrey's so I'm thinking that's where she got it. Our elf wasn't too mischievous. She did TP the tree one night, but Addi didn't really get it, she thought Audrey had pulled toilet paper out of the trash or something and was confused. She thought it was way funnier when Audrey was with one of her toys or in a silly place so I got off easy this year.
I convinced Addi that she could hold her elf just for a second so I could take a picture without taking her magic away.
This one was my personal favorite. I had been sewing til about 2am one morning and left the elf to finish my work. I could not stop laughing while I was posing her. I'm sure it being 2am was adding to the hilarity of the situation.
Addi had so much fun decorating the tree. I was really worried that Eli would be all over the tree this year so I left the bottom kind of bare. But he didn't touch it at all! Addi on the other hand kept rearranging the ornaments so having shatterproof bulbs came in handy after all.
Addi's preschool put on a little Christmas program on their last day of school before break. It was really cute watching the kids sing. Here they are signing We Wish You a Merry Christmas as they sing. It was the cutest thing ever, and I wish I had it on video.
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