Finally Feeling Like It

I am not even going to apologize for being a bad blogger lately because I'd be lying.  I just haven't felt like it.  I have actually only been on my computer one time since Christmas...pretty crazy actually.  Life returns to normal tomorrow though!! 

We had a wonderful Christmas and have had a Happy albeit SUPER COLD AND SNOWY New Year so far!!  The kids have spent more time inside the house in the last two weeks than they have in the last two months!  They are getting good use out of all of their new toys!  Tom and I have done a few projects around the house and now have an itch to do more.  An updated kitchen maybe?  Or maybe a new basement?  I'll keep you posted!!

Had to get some pics before bedtime on Christmas Eve!!  YES...I know I dropped the ball on Christmas jammies this year, but oh well.  

The kids wanted to take a picture with Riley...can you tell how happy she was about that?!

 

The night was not complete until the kids wrote their lists to Santa on the cookies Nana sent.  Taylor wrote a little extra note...shooting for extra brownie points with Santa...she could use them trust me!

 The cookies must have worked...haha!!

Christmas 2014 is in the books!!  It was wonderful, but like last year I missed being with family!  I hope one of these years we have company on Christmas!! 

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours!

iPhone Photo Dump

From top left:
1.  My hubby and Thomas went to an ugly sweater party while the girls and I were out of town...before I left I found this ugly shirt at Salvation Army and added a few embellishments for Thomas to wear!
2.  My hubby whipped up homemade Kahlua, he took a bottle as his white elephant gift...it is delicious.
3.  I had to take a pic of all the wheelchairs in the airport when we flew home...I'm not kidding when I say I have never seen so many wheelchairs or senior citizens in my life.  No doubt I was the youngest adult on the plane and definitely the only one with kids.
4.  Can't wait to hang my new sign...I wrapped it up and checked it at the airport...my mom was going to donate it...NO WAY!!  I knew I could get it home.
5.  This is where I found her after listening to her scream for 30 minutes...she HATES sleeping in her own bed.
6.  Our awesome neighbors brought us a Christmas present on Saturday...some yummy treats and this Seahawks grilling spatula.  I'm sure they cringed when they bought it...they are Cincinnati fans.
7.  Look at me...gettin' my bake on!
8.  My lunch on Sunday...SO DELICIOUS!!
9.  Woke up to snow this morning!!

An Annual Affair

Last weekend was the 5th Annual Cookie Party!!  Five years ago my mom had this idea...what she thought was a little crazy idea...to have a party where she attempted to teach us, her girls and our friends how to decorate beautiful sugar cookies like her.  Well...we weren't quite good enough to be her apprentices, but we sure did have a good time trying to be.  And best of all...a tradition was born!  An invitation that seems to be pretty hot! 

For the second year in a row I flew back for it.  Jackie dubbed the day "Melissa Day!"...I think it's catchy.  I myself did very little cookie decorating this year.  I had both girls to keep an eye on and lots of catching up to do with some of my most favorite ladies!!

Nana made the girls their own aprons...Could they be any cuter?!

The Cookie Queen and two of her favorite munchkins! (Thomas stayed home with dad)

I wasn't sure I really wanted to bring them with me, but they were pretty good!  They might be invited back again next year...well Taylor maybe, not sure about Tatum.

 What's a party without a Candy Bar?!

Me and Sarah!!  She was my first friend in AZ and even long distant we remain super close!!  I love you Sarah Harding!

This one...so proud of her cookie decorating.

Taylor surprised me beyond words...not only did she decorate all of her own cookies, but she took over my plate and finished all of my cookies!  She is getting quite good...maybe she should be Nana's apprentice!

Each one of these ladies has a special place in my heart.  School (preschool and elementary) brought us together...our boys and girls' friendships helped lay the foundation...and from that we have all become great life long friends.  Jackie, Lin-Z, Lisa and Chanon...I love you all!!

It was another great party...thank you mom...and I am already looking forward to next year!! 

Can You Tell Who Was Not A Fan

You can't quite make out the alligator size tears, but Tatum WAS NOT A FAN!!  I attempted to put her on Santa's lap, but that did not go very well.  I convinced her to sit on Thomas' lap for just long enough to capture this pic!!  At least they all look cute!!  Maybe next year she'll be more interested!!

iPhone Photo Dump

From top left:
1.  Guess who's back...ELFIE!!  And he's been moving around, keeping an eye on my munchkins and reporting back to the North Pole nightly!
2.  Yes...this is what remains of a 4lb container of Spice Drops!  DON'T JUDGE!
3.  My mantle...filled with all 13 of our family ornaments!!  I love it, but will not be able to use the fire again until after Christmas...apparently the mantle heats up and they melt off!!  OOPS!
4.  Taylor drew this pic of our tree and her walking down the stairs to see Santa...she even wrote a little conversation.
5.  Ugh...the Under Armor store forgot to remove this security tag.  I wrapped it anyway...I'll deal with it later!
6.  How cute are these containers from the Target $1 spot...well they were actually $3, but so worth it!  Soon to be filled with delicious treats!
7.  I went in to pick up Taylor's room this morning and noticed she snagged one of my decorations to set next to her little tree! 
8.  My little ragamuffin...needs a haircut BADLY!
9.  Had a little laundry accident today...I didn't notice Taylor's elephant pin still attached to her shirt.  It melted and this was the result!

Our Four Legged Friends

One of the things I love about our house is that there is a walking trail behind it and just beyond that an open field.  And in that open field...3 beautiful horses...that once a day (usually) come right up to the fence and hang out.  Thanksgiving was ridiculously nice weather and I happened to notice them right as they got to the fence, so we took a few apples and headed over.

This was as close as Tatum would get!!

Taylor was a little nervous at first, but eventually had no problem petting AND feeding them!!  They lucked out...all I had was $2.99lb Honeycrisp Apples on hand...I needed my Granny Smith's for the apple pie!

The girls convinced daddy to take them on a walk after they fed the horses!! 

Daddy Daughter Time

After a rough loss by the Seahawks on Sunday my hubby could have easily just sulked on the couch for the rest of the afternoon...but he didn't!

Instead he did this!!

Him and Taylor built this funny looking snowman...and she was pretty darn happy about it!!

Bundled Up

Where to start??

It took me 20 minutes to get Tatum all bundled up...

It took Tatum 1 minute to kick it all off and throw it at my head in the car!

Yay for winter!!

Thomas wanted to wear shorts to school...I didn't let him of course.

He went outside to take this picture and came right back inside for a beanie because his head was cold...go figure!

Taylor whined the entire 5 minute car ride to school that she was itchy and hot!!

Yup...YAY FOR WINTER!!

It's going to be a long winter!!  Good thing I love them so much!!

Only 10 Days Late

The intention was there all last week, but things came to a screeching halt when not 1, not 2, but ALL 3 of my kids got sick.  And when I say sick I mean..."the number 1 reason why I will never replace this carpet with NEW carpet" sick!!  I guess the only good thing was that they kept it contained to MY bedroom, so guests will never be privy to the hot mess that is the carpet in my bedroom. 

Anyway...I digress!!

Halloween was just as fun this year as all the years past, but I will admit I was pretty excited for my Dallas trip, so I was anxious for the night to be over.  Is that bad?! 

This year was not much different than the years past...I picked the girls' costumes and it took ZERO convincing because they, and when I say they I mean Taylor...Tatum would have done anything I asked...loved the idea.  I thought it would be much simpler to find this costume, but it was not...SO I channeled my inner Terri Dodd and created the costumes myself.  I sewed them both...with no pattern!!  I was pretty proud of myself!!

Thomas on the other hand...picked his own costume.  My rule for costumes is that they need to be creative and original.  He protested at first and then after a little Pinterest perusing he landed on his choice.  The original plan was for Nana to make his costume, but it just didn't work.  Totally OK though, the party stores costume was actually pretty decent.

There they are...Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas and my two Devil/Angels!!  This year everyone walked.  Tatum was all about it!!  She knew exactly what to say and said it!!  Although she did stick around at EVERY house for double the candy!!  I guess when you are cute people don't mind giving you two pieces!!

 

Man I love these kids!!  And can you believe I have already given a little thought to next year?  Just a little I promise!!

Jerry's World

I don't even know where to start...my sister and I just spent 3 amazing days in Dallas.  So, if I haven't told you...my sister has this bucket list of sorts to see EVERY football stadium.  And although I would LOVE to see them all with her I know that is never going to happen.  BUT my wonderful hubby has agreed (reluctantly) to let me tag along on a few.  Last summer she came to Denver to see Sports Authority at Mile High...easy because I live here.  This year though we planned to travel somewhere we had never been.  We combed through the schedules and our calendars and finally decided on DALLAS!!

We woke up crazy early on Saturday morning to catch a flight out and hit the ground running.  The food was great, the people were nice, the roads SUCKED and Jerry's world was well worth the money!!!

Our first stop...some delicious Texas BBQ.  It did not disappoint! 

We thought we were going to hit Six Flags Over Texas, but decided touring AT&T Stadium sounded a little more fun...AND IT WAS!! 

If I really were a Cowboys fan I would have bought this, but I still had to try it on! 

On the field!!! 

Heading into the Cowboys locker room...or as my sis referred to it...Romo's walk of shame! 

Speaking of... 

I will never look at that podium the same when I see it on TV...and can I just tell you how BRIGHT the lights are.   

I made her do it! 

The players walk through this fan-filled hallway when they take the field and of course there is this amazing star on the ceiling. 

Just havin' a beer! 

 That star is a lot bigger in person...and we couldn't resist partaking in the cheesy photo op.

 We saw some pretty cool buildings while driving through Dallas...on our way to get pedicures.  Mine was relaxing and wonderful...my sisters...not so much.  She thought the guy was trying to murder her feet.

Uncle Julio's....BEST MARGARITA I have ever had!!!!  Yup...that's a fresh grapefruit slice on top. 

 My delicious meal!!!!!!

 Another gem we found...the diner for breakfast. 

 Traditional stadium jump!!

So excited for the game!

Just in case you wondered what the stadium looks like from the 400 level!! 

Can you tell we were having a good time?! 

Sunday started the month of honoring the military during NFL games and after the National anthem was played...these guys repelled down from that RIDICULOUSLY HUGE screen and as if that wasn't cool enough...so did that German Shepard...and yes I got tears in my eyes.  It was pretty cool!! 

Because it was SO good...we went back our last morning for some more breakfast.  That is our bill...$15.63...for two full meals and drinks...and an extra biscuit.  See...good food and great service doesn't always cost a fortune.  

Loved the back of the building!! 

Couldn't resist the urge to see where JFK was killed...Sixth floor Museum at Dealey Plaza...we just drove by, but now we know!  

More beautiful, old buildings in downtown Dallas. 

We spent our last hours doing what we do best...shopping...then a quick stop at Starbucks and off to the airport where we parted ways.  It was awesome and I am so grateful to have the relationship that I do with my sister. 





I can't wait to find out where we are headed next year!!