Grandma got run over by a reindeer

Every time I used to hear the song 'Grandma got run over by a reindeer' I used to cry when I was little. I didn't like the idea of my grandma getting run over by a reindeer. This year as always we had Grandma up for Christmas a my parents house. When we used to live in Greenville in Orange County Grandma always used to come and stay over night. I remember yelling one Christmas Eve night that I heard the reindeer on the roof. And one year we even had Christmas at Grandma's house because we lived with her a few months as our house in Sullivan County was being built. This year we went and got Grandma out of the assisting living home. She is 87, and she spent the day with us. She really enjoyed it and I was happy we got to spend it with her as always. I love the top picture of them with her.

My favorite memory of Christmas this year has to be at 3:30 am I woke up for some unknown reason, and I see two little boys at the top of the stairs holding hands ready to go down the stairs. I quickly wake up and yell, 'No guys! Not yet!' Not in a mean way, just because I was totally shocked upon seeing them and surprised that I woke up. Chip jumped out of bed and by the time he got their room, Adam had climbed in with Van on Van's bottom bed, both of them huddled together. How adorable is that? So he gently explained to them that it wasn't time to wake up yet and Adam reluctantly climbed back into his bed and we all got up around 6ish maybe? I can't remember. But Chip suggested we hook the gate after that episode which I agreed was a good idea.

Adam wanted a camera this year so that was his main gift and Van got a snow plow which you can see in the above picture and he LOVES that. What does a little 7 month old baby girl need? So she got a bunch of 'girly' sippy cups. And the cutest pairs of shoes from Uncle Joe and her grandparents as well. A girl can't have enough shoes. I am going to line them up to take a picture because they are just so darn cute.

But it was a fun day. We went to Christmas Eve service the night before and was longer than I expected, the kids got home and were tired, Anna especially since she usually goes to bed when it started. But they were all really well behaved. We had a wonderful few days of Christmas.

The prison Christmas party

For the past few years my dad has had a Christmas party at his work. Last year my parents took Van because we were on the cruise. My how much has changed in a year! We have an almost 8 month old and I am back to work. But anyway, we always enjoy this party. It is low key and the kids have a great time. Santa brings them each a small gift and we have dinner. I remember going one year when I was pregnant with Van and Adam didn't want ANYTHING to do with Santa. This year, everyone likes Santa and has a lot to tell him. I hope we can go again next year.

A confession

This really has nothing to do with my kids but I have a confession that I just realized about myself.

I am obsessed with collecting recipes.

And I just realized it the other day. I posted a year ago or so that I love getting the Taste of Home magazines. They come twice a year and I have been getting them since we have been married so it's about 7 1/2 years. So let's see, 7 x 6 is 42 plus the three is 45 magazines. I have them ALL! And I look through them. Seriously. And have tabs on them and stuff written on the front. Well we got a new TV for Christmas and are moving the living room around so we are getting rid of the 'center' that holds the old TV, and the magazines are underneath. Where am I going to put them? Anyway, I sort of got off topic.

I realized that I really am obsessed with the recipes. I have a binder that I keep, and I honestly use it probably about 3 times a week. It has all of these different recipes that I have found over the years and I have them in sleeves and organized. I used the binder twice today. But it is getting a little full, I think I need a bigger one.

I get emails from Martha Stewart and Betty Crocker and Parents and one other one that Martha Stewart does.... I can't think of it right now. But I always open them and on occasion will print out a recipe and it goes in the binder. I was just on Betty Crocker that is why I thought of this post. And you know in the Sunday paper when you get the coupons and they sometimes say 'go to helavucheese.com for recipes'? I do. And I print them out. And they go in the binder. And when my house is clean (which is the WORST time to cook because then you make a mess again) I open the binder or go to my tabbed magazines and make something. I decided if we won the lotto and I had a house cleaner and my kids were in school and I decided to take advantage of a wash and fold service because holy hat.....laundry takes all day.... I would stay home and make food all day like containers of spiced almonds for snacks and really yummy sandwiches and scrumptious dinners with dessert choices. But for now, I'll keep plugging away at the binder on occasion.

Professional Portraits

My beautiful beautiful children (minus one of course)!

Things I am looking forward to with my daughter

1. black patent leather shoes
2. making intricate sugar cookies
3. toe nail polish
4. baby dolls
5. bows and barrettes
6. gingerbread houses
7. doll houses
8. tea parties
9. french braids
10. American Girl Doll store
11. going to see the Nutcracker with a red wool coat that has two buttons on the top with a black fur collar and a black headband with a bow and the shoes in number one (have I thought about this one?)
12. horses
13. striped cotton tights
14. entering an animal in the fair
15. Mary Janes
16. purses