scraps of me...

project 365

Sunday, Dec 12th: Today, we wrapped up some last minute Christmas shopping. The girls were immediately drawn to all the fancy decoration displays at Sear's while Troy browsed the tool department.

 

Monday, Dec 13th: I love catching Troy unexpectantly with the camera. Usually I get a silly face...but sometimes, I get a real genuine smile, like this one.

 

Tuesday, Dec 14th: After going to Madison and Ashlyn's dance program, Meghan, Kaitlin and I stopped at the library. I'm so glad I had the camera with me and was able to snap a few festive photos if the girls playing in the festive Christmas lights display.

 

Wednesday, Dec 15th: Kaitlin and I went to the dentist today for our cleaning. We are cavity free and our teeth are white and sparkling. yay!

 

Thursday, Dec 16th: While I was busy packing today, Kaitlin kept busy listening to these books on cd that we borrowed from the library. I even got to listen to a few chapters while getting the girls' clothes ready for vacation...what a cute story!

 

Friday, Dec 17th: Meghan enjoyed every minute today with the daycare kids...reading stories, coloring, and building block towers. I think we're all going to miss them while on vacation for the next two weeks.

 

Saturday, Dec 18th: We're on the road...off to Indiana...to visit Troy's family for Christmas. The last time we were there for Christmas was 2000, when Austin was only ten months old! We're all tired since we were up at five a.m....but we're so excited to get there!

 

Sunday, Dec 19th: While at Great Grampie's house, we decided to decorate our yearly gingerbread house. The frosting was so thick and it was difficult to spread. This year's house definately was not our best effort to date, but Great Grampie didn't care. He loved watching the creativity and we left it there at his house for him to enjoy.

 

Monday, Dec 20th: It was time to say good-bye to Great Grampie and head even further north to Troy's parents' house. We had an enjoyable visit but it was sad to leave...as it usually is.

 

Tuesday, Dec 21st: Today, we spent the day with Casey and Rebecca, Troy's nieces that we haven't seen in over six years! We also were able to meet Casey's boyfriend and their nine month old son, Aiden. What a special time it was! We opened gifts from Uncle Todd, then "talked" to him via skype. Kaitlin declared it "The best day ever!"

 

Wednesday, Dec 22nd: I've forgotten how cold 25* really is...but apparently the kids don't mind the cold Indiana temperatures one bit. They were outside for over an hour today, sledding and making snow angels. Unfortunately, the snow wasn't wet enough to make a snowman. I cracked the patio door just enough to snap a few pictures, before retreating to the cozy warm indoors.

 

Mery Christmas

I just had a few minutes and I've been wanting to document some tidbits of this holiday season...

• The kids recently informed me that they know that there is no Santa...that Daddy and I fill their stockings. Last year I knew that Austin was on the verge, but I was really hoping for another year or so with the girls. Although, I do have to admit that it has made things a little simpler this year. Troy and I don't have to "talk in code" as much as we have needed to in the past. They also informed me that the Tooth Fairy isn't real either. Seriously? When did they grow up?
• Tomorrow, we're heading for Indiana. The kids are excited...mostly about the snow that has recently been dumped there. Me? I'm excited to spend Christmas with Troy's family for the first time in ten years. I'm not quite so excited about the weather. Today, I'm discovering that it's a lot harder to pack for a winter vacation vs a summer one. The clothes take up more space...plus the coats and gloves and hats and scarves and presents and boots...oh wait, I forgot. We still need to buy boots.
• And speaking of presents...online shopping is so awesome! I love Amazon and free super saver shipping. Most of the gifts, we've had mailed directly to Troy's parents' house. And his Mom has wrapped most of them for us already.
• I'm missing our usual Christmas decorations. It wasn't logical to dig everything out of the attic and set it all up, considering we won't be here to enjoy it...but I still miss having the tree and other decorations scattered around the house this time of year.
• I'm also giong to miss the Christmas services at LifeChurch.tv this year, so I've taken every opportunity possible to blast is throughout the house (or the car) in the past month.

•  And one last thing...I was a total slacker this year and bailed on sending out Christmas cards or a letter. So consider this your "Merry Christmas" wish! I pray that everyone enjoys time with their family and friends and I'll "see" ya'll next year! :)

project 365

I'm a few weeks behind...again...so this'll be a long post. :)

Sunday, Nov 28th: I'm so thankful that we were all healthy and able to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Selke family today. J.R. and Jennifer hosted and served some really yummy soups. Andy made his fabulous apple pies, and everyone munched on popcorn while watching "The Christmas Story"...a family favorite holiday movie. I love our time together!

 

Monday, Nov 29th: We've been purchasing new hats and gloves and coats...getting ready for our vacation to Indiana over Christmas. Kaitlin and Meghan picked the same hat and scarf set. The stripes makes me happy.

 

Tuesday, Nov 30th: Our new shower is done...except for the shower door which will be installed after our trip to Indiana. I love it! I feel like I'm visiting some fancy hotel or spa.

 

Wednesday, Dec 1st: Austin got Uncle J.R.'s old Construx out of his closet tonight. Everyone jumped in on the building and creativity. Meghan made her name. So cool.

 

Thursday, Dec 2nd: We've been doing a Christmas Symbol study this week as a part of our homeschooling. Today, we learned a little about everygreen trees and how they relate to Christ and Christmas. They are evergreen and Christ's love is everlasting. They point towards heaven as a reminder to us to look to jesus, especially during the holidays. The kids had fun decorating sugar cones with frosting and candy before gobbling them up.

 

Friday, Dec 3rd: I finally made a new wreath for Christmas. Super simple, quick and easy. Just some fun ribbon and trims wrapped around a straw wreath. I like it.

 

Saturday, Dec 4th: Austin and I had a fun "date" today. First, he got to hang out at the beauty shop while I got my hair done. Okay...maybe that wasn't so fun for him. But afterwards, we grabbed some lunch and then went to see "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 1". Loved it 100%! Although, I think we need to work on our self-portrait skills...especially Austin.

 

Sunday, Dec 5th: The kids were so happy to see that some birds were in our backyard and eating from our bird feeder. They disappeared for about a month and we couldn't figure out why. A bluejay posed for a good photo up the tree, but the family of cardinals were a little shy around the camera (or of the kids cheering loudly).

 

Monday, Dec 6th: Kaitlin wanted a Santa hat to wear, so we grabbed some construction paper and cotton balls and got right to work. Cute, huh?

 

Tuesday, Dec 7th: Meghan and her horse obsession continues. I love the way she spelled "Brownie".

 

Wednesday, Dec 8th: Even though we're not "offically" decorating for Christmas this year, the kids and I couldn't resist adding a few little touches here and there, especially from the dining room chandelier.

 

Thursday, Dec 9th: It is December, right? You'd never had known it today. It was 60* and absolutely beautiful outside. The kids didn't come in, even to eat lunch!

 

Friday, Dec 10th: Troy got free tickets to a hockey game for tonight. We were supposed to go, but lacked a baby-sitter...so Troy and Austin went instead. They had great seats and a great time.

 

Saturday, Dec 11th: Just this week, we heard about the "Stone Family Christmas Lights" via facebook. He's part of the worship team at LifeChurch.tv's Edmond campus, where we attend. He had a big screen set up in his front yard playing last year's Christmas music videos while the music came through your car radio and all the lights blinked off and on in the same rhythm. Very cool!

 

project 365

Sunday, Nov 21st: Meghan is a horse-lover...so she was very excited when she learned that one of my daycare mom's has a horse named Frost. Today, Meghan got to meet him. Katrina taught her how to groom him and they also tried on his new blanket to keep him warm this winter. After two crunchy red apples, he considered Meghan his new best friend.

 

Monday, Nov 22nd: Kaitlin created her own set of drums from various bowls and spoons so she could drum along with "Little Drummer Boy", LifeChurch.tv style.

 

Tuesday, Nov 23rd: Everyone has chosen some fuzzy flannel for new pajama pants: Meghan chose monkeys, Austin a plaid in OU colors, and Kaitlin has Barbie. They're cut out and just waiting for me to have a little time to sew them. The kids can't wait.

 

Wednesday, Nov 24th: Troy surprised me with a new crockpot yesterday when he came home from work. My other one was simply worn out. I simply had to make a big pot of vegetable soup today. yum.

 

Thursday, Nov 25th: Happy Thanksgiving...kind of. We had plans to volunteer and help serve at the community dinner, but then Austin got sick just as we were ready to walk out the door. I was sick later in the day as well. Today, I was thankful that it was just the two of us, and not all five of us.

 

Friday, Nov 26th: Troy tried out his new turkey fryer today...a day later than planned. It's pretty neat though...it doesn't use any oil at all. It's infrared. It turned out juicy and yummy...and we're looking forward to the sandwiches, pot pie, and turkey a'la king to come.

 

Saturday, Nov 27th: New windows!! We ordered them two months ago and the installation has finally begun. I'm looking forward to a much warmer winter, with fewer drafts and no condensation on the inside of them.