One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. ~Andy Rooney

Christmas morning was wonderful just as always, Ryley woke up first (somewhere between the 4-5 am range lol) then after going thru his stocking and other “Santa” stuff went back to sleep, bailey was the next one up she hurried and ran out (her finding out about Santa this year tugged at my heart a little bit, but it was time I guess, pretty sure she had her doubt’s being as smart as she is, bless her) anyways… she was up at about 7, then I had to go wake Peyton up…

the kids got exactly what they asked Santa for, Ryley got his Playstation 3 (which is also a blueray player) along with a new headset and a few of the games he wanted along with lottery tickets, new Nike Elite socks, new boxers, gift cards and more…

Bailey got her electric scooter and a new helmet, along with a book, gift cards, jewelry, itunes card for her ipod, Antfarm, Taylor swift and Selena Gomez cd’s…. and more

Miss Peyton asked for a new bike (which she needed a bigger one so it was perfect! and she also got some dvd’s, a monster high sketch book, new dining ware table set, gift card for claire’s, slippers, makeup, toothbrush and other stuff…

Little man got a cool pirate water table for this coming summer, and some onesies, thomas the train stuff, new sippy, socks, fishy crackers, cookies, and some binky strap clips, oh and some new mickey mouse hot wheels! : )

the girls opening their stockings

Missy got a stocking too with a collar, some toys, a brush and some treats!

Brody loved playing with this peek a boo sesame street toy in the store, and peyton really wanted a monster high doll

bailey mostly asked for new clothes so lots of her boxes included several clothing items, ryley also got some clothes, peyton got a few outfits as well!

new lunch boxes for the girls, they also got a few decorations for their bedroom, brody loved his dinosaur ball poppin toy!

Ryley has had a blast with this magic kit!

ry got new Jordan’s, bailey got 2 pairs of shoes and 2 pairs of boots, peyton got 1 pair of boots.. they should be good on shoes until spring!

lawn mower for the summer, and more clothes and PJ’s for bailey!

new Jordan hat, clothes for peyton!

the girls got the Kinect to share and 6 new games for it!!!

they were VERY happy about that… (especially bailey)

Brody with his 2011 nutcracker (were collecting them each year for him)

didn’t get pics of them opening every single gift but a good majority of them,… afterwards we had some breakfast and then the kids wanted to head outside to ride their new bike and scooter..

and we even set up brody’s water table in the den/playroom so he could play with his!

While the kids played with their new stuff I finished up our Christmas lunch/dinner and around 1 we got to eat!

but first we opened our Christmas crackers!!!

and put on our silly hats that came in them, the kids got some silly toys.. ryley actually got this tiny whistle that blows so loud he played with it all day ha!!

we dined on Ham, crack bread, 7 layer salad, broccoli casserole, hashbrown casserole, and a cranberry dish…. it was all so yummy!!

later that evening peyton and I made Jesus’s BIRTHDAY cake…..

We even sang happy Birthday before cutting and eating some!

It is amazing to think that God sent his Son to the earth as a tiny baby to save us...How grateful we are for His birth, life and death on the cross!….. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!!

MEAL PLANNING MONDAY

 

Monday: Shrimp Salad Sandwiches, Chips and fruit

Tuesday: Pinterest’s Chicken Enchilada’s, (hint of lime) Tostito’s chips (the BEST!!) : )

Wednesday: Potato Soup with bacon crumbles and cheese, garlic toast, fruit

Thursday: Grilled Chicken, Creamy Italian Noodles, green beans, fruit

Friday: Avocado Chicken Salad Pita Sandwiches, Tortellini Pasta

MY NEW BABY

Well I sold my Nikon.. and am a soon to be (this weekend) owner of a Canon.. I’m so excited!! this is the pretty little thing I am getting!

and this is the extra lens I am getting with it

MEAL PLANNING MONDAY

 

Monday: Shrimp Po’Boy sandwiches, steamed broccoli, fruit

Tuesday: Sun dried tomato basil chicken, rice pilaf, salad, corn on the cob

Wednesday: Taco Salads, nacho’s, fruit

Thursday: Meatball Subs, chips, fruit and snap peas

Friday: Pizza, salad, fruit

CHRISTMAS EVE 2011

Christmas Eve is always so exciting! There is nothing like the anticipation of the day that is to come!! I love all of the last minute events to prepare for the big day!! …And, this year was no different. …

The day was spent at home, baking, cooking, last minute wrapping (and putting things together) (I really wanted to go to our church’s Christmas Eve service, but stinker pot brody just wont allow that yet).. : (

the girls helped me make some sugar cookies from scratch (I tried a new recipe this year and oh.my.gosh they were so soft and chewy.. the best!!) and we decorated some special ones for Santa!

then it was time for my family to come over, I made Olive Garden’s Zupa Tuscano soup (were loving this recipe), mini taco bites, these cute little brownie pop’s, and the best chocolate crinkles, other food we dined on was meat and cheese tray with assorted crackers, breadsticks, shrimp and crab dip tray (soooo good!!)  and I also made The Roadhouse’s texas egg rolls (only thing I add shredded cheese to the roll too) everything was so yummy!!

{this is not my picture I forgot to take one of mine but this is exactly what the taco bites look like!}

all the kids (minus josiah)

 

 

 

 

 

bailey was so excited to finally get her Bible : )

Amaiya’s new sparkle TOM’S and Ry’s new Jordan sweatshirt

Makaela with her new scarf and hat

 

Obviously I was not able to get pics of everyone opening their gifts, like me opening my beautiful crystal candle holders, and our new blue ray dvd player, bailey with her special backrest pillow thingy, makaela and ryley got more clothes and money, grandma and grandpa with their tea maker, and cash, my mom got new shoes, money and a candle holder as well, amaiya got a few other things too… there was just too much unwrapping going on!! : )

Brody loves cars, and bailey loves Claire’s gift cards!!

Sports fan’s : )

 

Brody’s new basketball hoop, and mommy snuck and got daddy a new Braun shaver, he’s had his Norelco for years and really wanted to try the Braun.. maybe he will get rid of that old man beard he’s got going on : /

after everyone left it was time to sprinkle the magic reindeer food out in the yard

 

and hang the magic key

and get the cookies and milk and carrots ready for Santa and the reindeer

 

we also said our goodbye’s to Elfis (I forgot to get a pic of that oops)

then it was time to get ready for bed, so Santa could come, we were all so excited for the morning to come!

MEAL PLANNING MONDAY

I am going to start posting my weekly dinner menu’s here, just mostly as a referral to myself so I can keep track of things we liked and where the recipe’s are if I find them online.

 

MONDAY: Parmesan Garlic Chicken, Ranch Roasted Red Potatoes, Salad, & Garlic bread

TUESDAY: Tilapia with mustard chive sauce, wild rice, green beans, strawberries

WEDNESDAY: Shrimp stuffed potatoes, Balsamic salad, and pineapple

THURSDAY: Home made Chicken pot pie, fruit salad

FRIDAY: Taco Salad’s, grapes, Spanish rice

A PHOTO A DAY FOR JANUARY

Ok, while i play catch-up on my blog (I have several posts coming, all about Christmas) I thought I would share my new photo a day challenge, I think this will be fun.. and I may even find more thru out the year to do as well….. stay tuned for post overload….

DAY: 1 {You}

This is the only pic I got of myself today

DAY: 2 {Breakfast}

forgot to take a pic of when I was actually eating, so I just took a pic of the box later lol