Christmas with Grandma

This Christmas season was made very special by a visit from Grandma Liz. The kids were thrilled to have her fly out right after Christmas. They get to spend some time with her and have Christmas extended! Poor Liz's trip was postponed by a day, due to some bad weather and flight issues.

 

Learning to take turns

 

We kept our Christmas decorations up to keep the festive spirit around. Plus, Meli did not want our tree to go away. (It is gone now. Meli was very distraught, but she got over it when we started rearranging our furniture to fit in a new lamp).

Liz with her apron I made her. She got the upgraded version with a pocket!

cutie

  Meli wearing the hat and scarf Grandma made her.

Meli's cowl from Grandma.

My sweetie

Colin with his scarf from Grandma.

Cuddles

Sunglasses that take photos and videos!  I am excited to try them out

Will's gft from Liz. So sweet. An old spelling of Gallagly.

Meli got a wood dollhouse from Grandma. It is so neat and beautiful! Will and I had a good time putting it together...then Meli wanted to help. It will keep her attention for hours! That never happens. She wanted dad to come to the door and say "trick or treat". Then she grabs the pretend candy from inside the house and says "thank you". A little backwards, but cute!

 

Helping Daddy

Her house!

Aprons

 

I finally finished the kids' aprons. My little cuties! I did not use a pattern, so I can definitely see a few areas that could be different...but they are functional and the kids love them. Works for me!

 

 

 

December Adventures

 

Christmas Mimosa (cranberry & OJ)

This Christmas season was very fulfilling. I am truly blessed!  There was so much to do in our area that kept us very busy. Meli really started to notice the whole Christmas thing. She would yell "kisstmas lights" anytime we passed a decorated house. One night, when I had taken the kids to an evening story time at the library, Will surprised us all with hanging lights on the front porch. Meli flipped! She could not believe there was Christmas lights on her house. I loved the surprise. I have not had lights hung up since childhood. I love my very sweet and caring husband.

In a previous post I mentioned our visit with Santa and the town tree lighting. It was a great way to start off the Christmas season and put us in the right mood.

A few of our friends' kids had December birthdays. Our children love going to parties. Social butterflies. Meli just had to wear a pretty party dress (even though the party's attire did not require it). Still...She looked absolutely adorable! Plus, it was that or going as Elsa or Aurora. The kids played some cool new games. Meli and Will had to design the tallest, free-standing marshmallow tower with uncooked spaghetti noodles. Meli won! Even though her job was mostly eating the marshmallows. Their supply was constantly being refilled.

Meli's tower

The parents even had games to play and homemade kahlua for our coffee (yummy). There was life size Jenga! It was so much fun! Crazy loud when it fell though.

Jenga pieces

This year Will was in the baking mood. Probably since he has been eating so healthy for the year. We made (all from scratch) shortbread, double chocolate drop, and chocolate chip cookies. We were supposed to make Snickerdoodles, but they kept getting shot down since there was no chocolate involved.  Stinkers. I love that kind. Will was in charge of the placement of the cookies...he possibly put them a little too close.

 

The kids started going to a children's church thing on Wednesdays. They love it! It is story time and playtime. It only cost 75 cents for 2.5 hours. Cheap babysitting! They also were able to go to a movie night at the church we have been attending. They featured a movie (Lego Movie) and games. All of the games were Lego themed. They even had people dressed up in character. The kids had so much fun. It was like 4 hours long. The church put it on so that parents could have a night of Christmas shopping if needed.

A Christmas Eve selfie with Mae

This month has been oddly warm. We took a walk the other day and did not need sweatshirts or jackets. The ducks were happy to see us with food. The temperature did drop enough that it snowed a bit on Christmas Eve,  but it did not stick. So sad. Colin and Will really wanted a white Christmas.

walking adventure

My mom and younger brother came up for dinner on Christmas Eve. We enjoyed a ham dinner. Meli got the cutest princess accessories. Colin wants to be an inventor and work with robotics. So, it was great that Uncle Greggie got him a telescope and microscope to help encourage his science aspirations.

The kids also got to open the Christmas Eve gift from us (pajamas) and a Christmas book to read that night. We set out a treat and milk for Santa and carrots and broccoli for the reindeer (Meli suggested the broccoli and cheese). Then she took a bite out a few of the carrots.

Christmas Eve

My babies

Christmas morning was so much fun with the kids and Grammie. Meli finally got her purple present. She loved all of the little purple things inside. She is learning present manners. She kept asking for more. It is the first year she really noticed gifts. Last year, I had to open most of her gifts.

We had a delicious Christmas breakfast. I had cooked apple, brown sugar, cinnamon and oatmeal in the crockpot all night. We woke up to a wonderfully delicious smell! We also had cheesecake dip with graham crackers. Yummy!

Colin got his Skylanders Trap Team for the WiiU. He was freaking out! It is so funny that all of this started with a book (with all of the characters) I picked up for .25 cents at a MOPS garage sale. He has been into Skylanders and Pokémon. He also got a Star Lord mask and nerf gun (from Guardians of the Galaxy - Will's new favorite movie), and several lego sets. Meli got her purple present filled with purple things, several Disney Princess Barbie-type toys (not sure if those are called Barbie dolls since they are not "Barbie" brand...oh well. Dolls, I guess), and a Jasmine costume. To name a few...they were spoiled per usual. We did good though. Majority of our shopping was done during the summer when we happened upon a 50% off the clearance prince. Great...Amazing deals!

Will and I wanted to do smaller gifts for each other this year. I would much rather spend the money on a trip sometime and we do not have any house projects going on right now ( I love having a new house)...but we are going to do some yard projects later. I think we want to add a deck or stone firepit. Will did get me an auto tuner for my guitar (we are going to start learning soon), a book about the history of Wonder Woman (very interesting story about feminism, etc), rain boots (that Meli picked out - I love them), and clothes. Will got some collector lego sets, comic books, some new board games (for us to play as a couple and a family), Men's Health subscription, etc.

That evening we headed south to have Christmas dinner with my dad and family. The kids had a blast playing with their baby cousins. Abel and Miles are both around a year old. They adored Colin.

We had another Christmas the next morning, a game night that evening with P-pa and Mi-ma, and then last night we had friends over for another game night. The kids have had so many late nights this week. Last night they went to bed around midnight. The B kids need early bedtimes. Meli had a major meltdown last night. It was not fun, but she had done very well considering the crazy, busy week. I think she was just beyond tired.

 

Today we are being lazy this morning. The kids are putting their lego sets together (so cute to see them work next to each other) and Will is watching Washington and Dallas play. It is Mi-ma's birthday so we will have cake and ice cream to celebrate later. I am enjoying some rest time right now.

 

We are getting so excited for our East Coast visitor next week!!!!

 

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season. I am so blessed to get to spend it with my sweet husband and rambunctious but adorable kids! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Sewing Lessons

My mom has tried for years to get me into sewing. She is very good and was always working on projects when I was growing up. She would see clothes for us, a prom dress for me, bridal dresses, etc. I never really had an interest in the actual sewing part. I more enjoyed the designing of what she would make. She did get me to make pillows one year for Christmas when I was about 12.

Now that I am older, I love the idea of sewing. I have been wanting to start the last few years. Now that I am closer to her we are finally doing it. For an early Christmas gift she got me a sewing machine. I love it! It is a Brother and pretty fancy compared to what I used to have.

I started with aprons and tote bags. I made 12 aprons and about 10 tote bags. It ended up being a lot to do before Christmas because I was sick for about a week. I did it though! I am having so much fun with it. I am also making an apron for both the kids and matching totes. Meli picked out a Disney Princess fabric and Colin (of course) Superheroes.

 

The Right Choice

This past month has really shown me how special our small town is...and how we really did make the right choice by moving here.

The town is so community oriented and just a very good place for kids to grow up. There was so many events during the holiday season. Actually, there are events going on year round.

The town also really pulls together in times of need. Right before Christmas, a child that Colin played soccer with lost their dad. He was younger than me and seemed like such a sweet person the few times I saw him. The people have really pulled together to help out this young mother and her three children. There were several bank accounts set up at different local banks for the family. The community set up a meal sign-up. I just could not believe how much the community pulled together to help out. The different churches worked together too. Such a nice thing to see in a time of such a horrible tragedy.

The Jawbone

I have been using my Jawbone (fitness tracker) for almost a month now. I am very excited about it. The tracker monitors my sleep (which I definitely need to track) and my steps. The app I can use to track my food and other exercises. So far I love it. Excuse my plethora of bracelets in the picture. Meli helped me put my jewelry on that morning and was in a bracelet mood! The black "bracelet" is my tracker.

 

It is interesting to see how many steps you are taking throughout the day. I also can see how many times I get up at night, how long it takes me to fall asleep, how many hours of deep sleep, light sleep and awake time. Very cool! I tend to avoid techy trends...but this one I jumped on because I think I could really benefit from the information.

Almost Full Health

I was sick this week. Yucky and right before all of the festivities. I am feeling much better today, so I am playing catch-up on my holiday to do list. Luckily, being sick let me have plenty of sewing time. I cannot believe how many items I decided to see for the holidays. It has been a fun experience though.

I felt decent enough to attend Colin's publishing party at school yesterday. They have been learning about six American symbols and they all wrote a book about them. 

They made treats to go with two symbols: a bald eagle and American flag.

We also made these treats as a family after dinner. 

The kids are so excited for next week. This month has gone by way too fast!

Santa!!!

***I wrote this last weekend and forgot to post***

Our weeks have been very Christmas-filled. This year it has been extra special with Meli getting involved in all of the excitement. Before she would kind of get excited, but without really understanding any of it.

 

Our non-Christmas activity was having company over to watch the Oregon vs. Arizona. Whoa! What a game. Ducks KILLED the Wildcats! I enjoy cheering for the Ducks, but I am not a crazy fan or anything. I usually root for the Beavers in the civil war game. I do enjoy supporting an Oregon team when it involves championships and such. So very exciting!

Visiting with Santa

The next morning, we headed to the local firehouse for their pancake breakfast with Santa. The kids were ecstatic! Colin had sat on Santa's lap at his school a few days earlier. So, Meli really wanted to do it too. Colin asked for the Skylander Trap Team gaming system and Meli asked for a purple present. That is all she wants! She was very excited to show her pigtails to Santa. Once she was done, she took them out and wanted to go back and show Santa her hair down.

I asked her to elaborate on her "purple present". She literally wants a purple wrapped present with a purple bow on it. (We think Santa will fill it with random purple items.)  Just adorable.

By the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony

We have really lucked out in the little town we chose to be our home. There are times when we may get frustrated that there are not a lot of the stores we were used to in Virginia. We have come to realize that we were spoiled, but I prefer the smallness. We have everything we really need here and for everything else we can go into the big city. Plus, I love buying local rather then chain stores. So I am OK supporting the local hardware store rather then Lowes. Our town is very much about the community. People are genuinely nice. They also get very into the holidays. We went downtown for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The kids saw Santa again! Colin is convinced that he is the real one, because we saw the same one three times. I explained that Santa cannot do all of the Santa appearances so he has nice guys help him out.

The town also had a block party where they served hot cocoa and soup. There was also caroling and hay rides!

Daddy baby

More houses seem to have Christmas lights then not. Meli freaks whenever she sees lights. We even saw a tree that had the ball of lights all over it. It was crazy!!!

Silly faces

Will and I enjoyed some Gluhwein. I think next year we are making our own. 

Gluhwein

we also made shortbread cookies as a family. Pretty good for our first time. 

Shortbread

We have done so much more this last week...so more later!

December, It's Happening

Mima and P-pa's tree

 

I love this time of year so much! It surrounds everything with a sense of happiness and joy that just lifts my heart. This last weekend we got our tree, did our decorating and started some of our holiday crafts. The kids and I painted snowmen with a mixture of shaving cream and Elmer's glue. It dried puffy! It was seriously very cute. It is a neat sensory project.

 

Meli got to help MiMa and P-Pa decorate their tree. She had so much fun rearranging the ornaments over and over.

She tends to favor one branch

She kept rearranging the ornaments

Attempting to go higher

On Sunday, we tried a new church. I think that we like this one. There are a lot of kids for Colin and Meli to get to know. A few of my friends go there, which is nice. I love how the different churches in our town work together (no matter the denomination). There are always community things that are going on involving the different church groups. The church we went to is hosting a block party for the town's tree lighting ceremony. Then in a few weekends they are hosting a movie night (free babysitting) so parents can go Christmas shopping. Another church puts on a kids class once a week in the evenings. You pay .75 cents for each kid for two hours of babysitting. They play, sing and learn bible lessons.

Sunday cuddles. A perfect moment

Below is the shaving cream painting. Colin's snowman was in a snowstorm.

snowman painting

Meli helping dad make his coffee. I am pretty sure we are raising future coffee drinkers

Then they get to enjoy hot cocoa

I found the kids holding hands the other morning while they were sleeping. My heart melted. They are so sweet together. Most of the time. They have separate rooms, but like taking turns sleeping in the other's room.

My babies

The kids were the light testers. They took their job very seriously.

Light testing

We went a little shorter for our tree this year, which I think I like. We went with a Noble this year. A lot fuller thenlast year's   oversized Charlie Brown tree.

Our Christmas tree

So Many Blessings

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Today was such a good reminder of all that I have to be grateful for. I am so blessed.

 

I have two amazing children! They fill my life with so much love and joy. No matter what stress they may cause or how exhausted they make me - I am so fortunate to be the mom of two sweet and loving kids.

 

 

My babies

 

I am thankful for my two little chefs. Colin helped me on Tuesday and Meli was my helper today. She had so much fun being a "big girl" and making Grandma Liz's corn pudding and sweet potato casserole. She did a very good job. Messy but that is part of the fun.

 

My little helper

Corn pudding

Thanksgiving selfies

I am thankful for being near my family...which is bittersweet, since that means I am so far away from the rest of my family. I miss my B family on the East Coast. Love you all!

Colin all dressed up for Mi-ma and P-pa

I am so, so, so very thankful for my remarkable husband. He does so much for our family and always knows what I need. It is such a wonderful thing to be with someone who knows you so well and wants to just make you happy.

Silly or serious?!? Oops

I love to laugh with him

Today was a perfect day. A perfect reminder of all the love I have surrounding me.

Happy Thanksgiving!!