Thankful

What is better than blogging

by Christmas tree light?

Blogging by Christmas tree light
& listening to Christmas tunes
on Grooveshark.
Especially "Christmas piano music."
Try it.
Beautiful!

The Thanksgiving holiday was filled with
all the good stuff:
gratitude, family & food!
And we made caramel, too.

While all the zombie-crazed Black Friday
shoppers were out,
I was enjoying crepes in my HoHoHo jammies.
But Saturday,
I got some steals at JoAnn's.
I'm taking to the sewing machine for a lot of my gift-giving this year.
Yikes. Fingers crossed.

We had to hold Mia back til the day after
Thanksgiving to put up the tree.
She was so ready a week ago.

I love her thrill for the holidays.

She is so my kid!

Bugg was all giggles as we
brought out the ornaments.
How many times a day do I say:
"Wyatt is so awesome."

their bedroom

We did a bunch of hanging out
over the holiday.
Being with family, lounging, eating......
it was good.
But by Saturday night,
I was ready for a holiday adventure.
Something outside perhaps?
Magical. Bright. Christmas-y.
My memory-making wheels were turning & scheming.
Let's do something special.
However,
that's when an impromptu Guy's Night was planned.
Subtract Brian.
Okay, so now what?
I need an adventure.
I want a magical memory with my children
to go down tonight!

And it happened.

I told them,
"Let's go on an adventure!"
We packed up gloves, hats, the hot chocolate canister and
set out for the Riverwoods.
I'd heard about it at Christmastime but have never been.
Oh, my GOODness, it is so magical!
Really? An outdoor mall can be that cool?
YES!

There was live entertainment in the gazebo,

firepits & warmers on every corner,
carriage rides,
Santa visits,
and the lights!
They're everywhere!
It was so fun.
And cold, of course.
And I forgot to pack my coat.
But - miracles!- I found one of the Hunk's coats in the backseat.

Visiting Blickenstaff's toy store is quite an event.
It reminds me of "A Christmas Story"
when all the kids are ooohing & aaaahing looking through
the toy store window at all the toys.
Yeah, that's how it is here.

ooohing & aaahing by Bugg

And you're thinking,
"That girl is crazy!
Taking all those kids out in the cold
by herself at night."
We stayed up past bedtime, indeed.
There was some shuffling.
It was work.
But good golly,
look at this picture:

on the carriage ride

I am so up for a sweet memory
to tuck away forever.
My children were so happy & really good.
They were just taking all the magic in like I was.
They're not always like that.
But this night was ours.
It just clicks sometimes.

I love how Santa reached over
and put his hand on Bugg's hot wheels.
Must be the real Santa Claus!

I am so so thankful.
Thankful for this beautiful season.
Thankful to be a mama.
Thankful for LIFE!

Oh, Hello!

We've missed you all!

If you're still reading this blog,
then,
bless you.

The Hunk said it last week.
While sharing a sundae on a date.
It's something that he's always said
as I've started getting back to my ol' self after morning sickness.
"Welcome back!" he says,
with joy & relief.

My baby belly!

It's been a rough time over here.
But it's been the same with every pregnancy,
so I should have known.

The picture-snapping has been minimal.
But I did take a few on this really bad day.
I thought, "someday, I'll look back at these & laugh, right?"
The biggers were off to school.
It was just me & Ella.
I couldn't bring myself to lift a fingernail
(so how did I manage to put her hair in braids? Go me!).
I plopped down on the floor,
brought out her dollhouse & a ball of string
and let her have at it while I slept & dazed & sulked.

Gee, pictures sure play a good bluff.
But it was bad, people.

Bugg & Ella watching a DVD
on my clean bedroom floor.

The state of our house these last couple
of months has been awesome.
You know, "awesome."

But I've had a swell survival kit,
lest you think I'm completely helpless & pathetic.

Ice cream.
The GOOD kind.
This can only mean one thing:
Haagen Dazs.
I accept no other.
More specifically,
strawberry, chocolate, or
most specifically:
Chocolate on Chocolate Ice Cream Bars.
Where have these been all my life?
I don't know if I can ever go back?!!
Please don't ask how much of our life savings has been spent
on this perfect treat.
I've been ridiculous about hoarding & being quite selfish
with my Haagen Dazs.
Hesitant to share,
hiding it in the back of the freezer,
giving death glares!
Pregnant women,
they can get away with so much!

But mostly,
I've survived because of my Hunk.
Like when I yelped out a last minute plea,
"Please take me away from here!"
He took me to the Marriott in Salt Lake for a night.
I love him!
Love my parents,too, for taking the kids!
And he has dealt with mounds of dishes & laundry & bedtimes.
While I've hid in corners eating my ice cream bars.
There have been good days, though......

Like when we took the family to
Gardner Village last month.

with cousin, Ashtyn

I barely squeaked out costumes for Halloween.
We didn't go Boo-ing.
Didn't roast pumpkin seeds.
Had a really quick Fall Frolic
during heaving moments.
No cool Halloween cookies.
No parties.
And I was just plain off my celebratory game.
But.......
We did host a Pumpkin Carving gathering in our driveway
with all our neighbors.
Brian lit up the firepit.
We had cider & treats.
Very festive & lively!

It's mostly been pretty chill.

Oh, yes, there was this one night
that I sent Brian to the store for diapers at midnight.
He came home with a potty chair for Ella.
Okay, so apparently, I'm ready for this?
Not the best timing, darling.
But the next morning,
she sat right down & went!!
And she's gone 5 times since,
according to the potty chart that Mia made.

She has also decided that naptime
is only necessary about 3 times a week now.
NO!!!
I've been spoiled with naps.
Every day,
I would put her down for a nap.
And then I would nap, too.
For like TWO hours!
But then,
the little sneak,
as I was sleeping she'd just whisper & play.
For an hour!
And then she'd come & tell me,
"I wake up dis morning!"
Mmmm-hmmm.
But at least I still get an hour.
We call it quiet time now.
Sigh.

Days are brighter,
I've got more pep in my step,
we're getting out more,
I've got a baby belly now

& the blogger is back!

Great timing, too!

It's the holidays!
Wahooo!
Ella & I have been out shopping for
Christmas secrets.
I picked up this obnoxious lip gloss at the $ Tree,
thinking it'd be a dollar wasted.
Wrong!
I love it in all its ridiculousness & shine.

And yeah,
you bet I rocked the gloss at Sam's Club
while eating my soft pretzel
and shopping for bulk stuff.
Only to notice that the pretzel is wearing the gloss, too.
Ew.

Do you see what I see?
YES!
Bulk Haagen Dazs!
But alas, not in chocolate.
Vanilla - you just don't do anything for me.
Sniff.

We got an early present:
the Nikon D5100.
It was on a psycho sale & the mister just couldn't
pass it up.
The camera is freaky.
It does freakish things.
And weighs a lot.
And it really intimidates me.
I feel like I'm cheating on my D40.

But it takes wicked pics.
Right now,
we're on a His & Her camera basis.
The Hunk uses the 5100,
I use the 40.
Brother.

Cookies are back, too!
And on the doorstep after school.

And really,
REALLY,
all I wanted to say in this long post is......

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!