Toys, toys, toys!

Here are a couple of videos I took over the holidays of Alex playing with his new toys ( a few of them). I still have a ton of pictures/posts to catch up on but I've been busy with Stampin'. My goal is a post a day until I am caught up, think I can do it?

Alex playing in his new tent with his blocks and Daddy. His name is priceless!

Sorry I can't get this video to flip upright but it's still very cute

Alex loves knocking over Dad's creations with his new blocks

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has been spent at our house the past few years with Jason's family. This year we were able to get a good deal on crab and decided to have it for dinner. Jason's parents and little sister arrived around 4:00 pm for an early dinner. We had a cheese ball and crackers to start then we were on to our steamed crab ( yummy) I also made Red Lobster biscuits & green bean casserole. My MIL brought baked potatoes and coconut cream pie for dessert. Dinner was fabulous!!

After dinner we hung out for a bit while Alex showed Grandpa his favorite movie The Grinch. I love these two pictures of him watching his movie with his famous balloon. He decided this ginormous can of olives made the perfect seat. I had wrapped them up for my nieces who adore olives even though I can't stand them. Alex left the cute paper alone but the bows on top were smashed flat before they made it to Christmas. Can you tell he has on his new jeans that are a tad bit too big for him.

Gotta love the bum

"What Mom?"

I had decided to wait to put out gifts until just a few days before Christmas so that Alex wouldn't be tempted to get into them. On Christmas Eve before our family arrived I had so much to finish up. It didn't help that Alex was into every present. If it was tissue paper in a bag he got into it. He even ripped a bit of wrapping paper before I got it out of his hands. However once it was officially time to unwrap gifts Alex wasn't sure what to think of all of it. His Grandparents spoiled us rotten again this year. Although he loved his new toys he didn't have much interest in unwrapping them.

Grandpa in the background enjoying Alex's reaction

to the tornado of gifts that hit our house.

Alex loving his new Alphabet game. Anything that lights up and plays music is a winner in his book.

We finished taking pictures once Alex's desire to unwrap gifts died. Jas and I however were spoiled with new clothes, tools, food, a printer/scanner/copier, purse, lotions, movies, etc. Alex got a tent, rocking horse, blocks, piggie bank, alphabet game, remote car and a ton of clothes.We were so spoiled by my in-laws that I couldn't believe Christmas was still to come.

Our nice but few gifts we gave them didn't seem to do justice to what they gave us. We got them a new camera ( it's about time they went digital), a camera case and a big basket of food goodies from World Market.

It was a wonderful Christmas Eve. After our family left we got Alex to bed before Santa arrived and then went to work getting our car packed for Christmas and everything ready. After going to bed at 1ish I was up at 4 so I got ready and we left the house at 7:15am to head up to my sister's house for Christmas.

Another post to follow with all of Alex's new toys in action.

Christmas Cards

If you got a Christmas card from us this year consider yourself lucky. It seemed like Christmas came very quickly this year or was it just me. I had great intentions of getting some professional photos of Alex done but it just didn't happen. I finally decided I should try to take a few snapshots myself and at least get some form of photo card to go along with my handmade cards I had already made. Jason tried to be patient with me while I freaked out that Alex wouldn't cooperate in any form. Last year we had our winning shot within a few pictures but that wasn't the case this year. I really wanted a picture in his new outfit I love but I ended up pairing an older photo with the current one and called it good. Next year will be better right?

The best of the worst

I love his grin in this photo

I wanted him to pose with his new teddy bear but this

is as close as he would get to it.

Wanted to show off his cute hair, personality and that toothy grin.

Outtakes

He insisted on carrying his balloon ( okay it was Jason's birthday balloon at one time) everywhere. Let me tell you it's some of the best money I have ever spent. Who woulda thunk it that a balloon would entertain a child so much, not me!

Better not Pout

The last few years we have made it a tradition to go visit the lights at Thanksgiving Point. Again this year we decided to go and after many attempts we finally made it there. Our plan was to visit Santa, see the reindeer and then take a hay ride to go see the lights. We had invited our friends the Whites to come with us again this year. They had decided to join us last minute so we got there awhile before them.

It was the Monday before Christmas so we were a bit concerned about the lines however since it had snowed all day it was slower than usual at Thanksgiving point. First we headed up get in line to see Santa. There wasn't much of a wait and we were done within ten minutes. They printed us a free photo while we were there and even offered to e-mail us a copy, nice huh?! Too bad Alex didn't seem as thrilled as we hoped.

Alex was freaking out!! I guess he doesn't know the old say about not pouting. Check out Santa's shoes, I guess you can't complain about

a free Santa picture right?

As we waited for our friends to come we made our way outside to see Santa's reindeer and stand by the warm fire.

Alex with Daddy meeting Donner for the first time

"Dancer"

"Dasher"

Trying to get Alex to pose for me

Goofy Daddy!

Last try, Alex wasn't up for picture taking I guess.

Enjoying the warm fire with Mom


Yup, the phone seemed to always be connected to my ear.

After the Whites came we went back through the line to see Santa and then decided to have dinner at the Harvest Cafe. We enjoyed our dinner while catching up. It seems like months go by before we get to do dinner again. We always enjoying hanging out with Josh, Natalie and their adorable girls. Natalie is my friend and former boss. I used to see her daily and now I'm lucky if it's once a month.

By the time we finished chatting it was late and Alex was tired so we skipped the lights this year and headed home. I didn't seem to mind. I was still able to enjoy a night out with my family/friends and was able to get a Santa picture we will always remember. Thanks for a great night!

Happy Birthday Jas!

Well today my hubby turns... old! HA HA! jk babe you aren't old, you are still married to a 20 something year old at least for a few more years. Happy Birthday Jason! I can't imagine my life without him, he truly is my very best friend! He works hard so that I can stay home with Alex. He is my biggest cheerleader and believes in me when I don't believe in myself. He makes me laugh, occasionally frustrates me but always stands by my side no matter what.

If Alex could type he would inform you that he has the best Daddy in the whole world and I would have to agree!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! We love you! XOXOXOXOXO

Jason's usual photo smile or lack thereof

An engagement photo

My favorite thing to do.. kiss those sweet cheeks

Alex with his buddy camping this summer

Jason joins in on the fun.. his favorite thing

19 months old

Alex is growing up! I have now said it out loud. My baby is not much of a baby anymore. Today he turned 19 months old, he is officially over the 1 1/2 mark. Can you tell I am having a tiny bit of a problem allowing him to grow up. It's funny how I love each stage he has gone through and look forward to the next thing he will do however I want him to always stay little. It really seems like it was only yesterday that I was ready for him to make his way into the world and now I am running after him everywhere.

Today was the first time I had to fish something out of the toilet. I am usually very careful about keeping the doors shut. I was busy getting ready and didn't realize my bathroom door was open. It wasn't but two second that I turned around to find him throwing my neosporan in the toilet, YUCK!!

Everyday it's something new. He is pure entertainment!! Tonight he found out that he could flip over my stool, pack it with his treasures and then procede to ride in it like a car. He was done before I got my camera out so hopefully I can catch it next time. He has been sleeping great * knock on wood* but being a very picky eater. One day he will plow through say oh mashed potatoes so the next day I think okay I will make him more potatoes and he spits them out. I really hope it's a phase. He also loves rolling around on the floor while I tickle him. It's so cute to hear him giggle.

His latest obsession is books. As my Mom would say.. wonder where he gets that from. Although I am not a huge reader now I used to be. I still love books I just know my obsession and if I am reading that is all that matters. When I was little I would read constantly. My Mom said she would think I was cleaning my room only to find me hiding in the closet reading books. I even convinced my Grandma Stewart that I could read because I had memorized my favorite book and could "read" it to her. Looks like I have passed that love of books onto Alex. He carries around his books, asked you to read them all day long and of course the same few favorites, over and over again. Tonight's bedtime story was my favorite, the one I could read at a young age to my Grandma ....



I thought it would be a good idea to take a picture of Alex tonight with his Bear and his book, ya my idea not his as you will see.

" Alex leave the bear alone so I can take a picture please."

"Come on it's only a stuffed animal, smile please."

Fine, a picture with your blanket/bink ( another obsessions)

and your book will do.

Done already, that was a quick photo shoot with very little luck. There's always tomorrow, right?

The Grinch

Don't judge me.. I know of at least a few of you that will cringe in your seat when you read this, please don't be too quick to judge me.

I've found the greatest babysitter... THE GRINCH!!

With Jason working long hours and me trying to finish up homemade Christmas gifts Alex has spent more time than usual playing alone, reading books or watching TV. Although he LOVES Blues Clues, the dog has been replaced with someone new.. THE GRINCH.

Alex will sit contently watching the Grinch until a commercial comes on. This is when he pipes up "Mommy, Mom, Sharie" and takes me by the hand to go fast forward through the commercials . He loves the dog, the music, the who's and even The Grinch. He will grab his bink, blankie and lay down on one of my lounge pillows and watch his movie. It's be nice to have some time to work on projects and bake/cook like crazy without Alex being at my feet. Speaking of cooking/baking besides making homemade sugar cookies I have also been on a cooking spree. Last week I bought the The Food Nanny cookbook ( be sure to check out the link) as an early Christmas present to myself. I have since made two batches of homemade bread sticks, creamy tomato basil soup, red & white pasta with homemade marinara and Alfredo sauce, and chicken burritos with santa fe lime rice and salsa verde. For the most part all have been quite tasty. My first batch of bread sticks tasted flat so I doubled the salt on last night's batch and they turned out pretty tasty. No worries my kid won't always be a couch potato but for the holidays I may be using The Grinch a bit more so I can do a little more cooking, baking and stamping. With snow in the forecast Saturday-Thursday of next week I think I will have plenty of time to create while Alex reads or watches The Grinch. Happy Holidays!

It's Here!

What are you doing this weekend? I plan to meet up with my family for a girls days out of lunch and shopping. We will first stop in at Oh Sweet Sadie.. not sure what that is? Check out the link to see their website. I have to say I am hooked!! They have such cute things and I have even won a few prizes from their drawings.. talk about sweet! After shopping at Oh Sweet Sadie we will make our way over to the Festival of Trees. For me this is one of the highlights of the Christmas season. I have had the opportunity to participate as a tree decorator twice and many years as a spectator. I look forward to it every year. If you don't have plans this weekend I would highly recommend going to both of these SWEET events.

Speaking of Christmas... its officially on it's way. Yesterday morning it was snowing, too warm to stick to the ground but snowing enough to enjoy it from the warmth of my kitchen while listening to Christmas music, putting dinner in the crock pot and frosting sugar cookies. My favorite time of the year is finally here.

I decided to put on the Grinch while working on Christmas projects. Alex sat down and didn't move for a good half of the movie. I guess he loves Christmas as much as I do. Now I just need to convince him that THE CHRISTMAS STORY is the best Christmas movie ever.. I guess that can wait awhile.

This year I decided instead of getting out my breakable ornaments and decorations that I would only put a few things and make my decorations for the tree. I dried fruit, made applesauce cinnamon ornaments and added ribbon and a few new find from the store. It was quite the project but I am very satisfied with the simple end results. Here are a few pictures of our tree and some of my other favorite Christmas things around our house.

My tree!

My precious moments dolls under the tree, Alex likes to play with them much to his Dad's dismay.

a dried orange, I also did lemons

My new star atop the tree

Jason asked me Believe in what.. my reply.. in Christmas silly!

The real reason for Christmas!

my sweet treat

The cookie jar my mom gave me

Our stockings ( left Santa is Alex's, the Tiger I bought Jas when we first started dating and the full length Santa I have had since I was little. My Grandma Glenn made it for me and of course I love that it has my unusual name on it)

My homemade cinnamon ornaments shaped in stars, trees, gingerbread man and candy canes.

My snowman salt and pepper shakers my Mom gave me a few years back, if you can't tell Snowman are usually my overall theme.

As a horrible blogger I wasn't very good at picture taking on Thanksgiving so my journaling of the day may seem pretty boring although we had a fabulous Thanksgiving. We spent the day with some of my family at my Aunt Sheila's house in Sandy. First off it was so nice to be close to home and not have to travel far. As usual the food, entertainment (thanks to the Wei) and company were great. My Mom's homemade pies finished the night off perfectly.

Alex checking out the appetizers

Helping himself to a cracker.. not too shabby

Alex was a little scared of my cousin's dog and ran to Daddy for comfort, humm I wonder where he gets that from. I have to add though that Aspen is one of a very select few I can handle being around. She is very well behaved.

I have so much to be thankful for this year. I don't think I can find the words for my level of gratitude for the men and women who have made my freedom possible. After Christmas of '95 in Honduras I have realized just how lucky I am to live in America and have the freedoms I enjoy everyday.

I am also thankful to be married to my best friend. I know I don't thank him enough for being my everything. He is an amazing Husband and a terrific Dad. Whether it's picking up dinner when I've had a rough day, getting up with Alex in the middle of the night or having a Daddy night so I can go play with the girls, he is awesome!

I am very grateful for the ability I have to be a Mother. I know that this does not come as easy to many women. Although it's the hardest job I have ever had it is also the most rewarding. Alex fills me full of so much joy. I am so lucky to be his Mommy.

I could go on and on about all I am thankful for but we don't have all day. Here are just a few more things I am grateful for this year. My home, my family, my friends, my SU! hobby, my new car, my hubby's job that allows me to stay home, being able to read books to Alex, my health that allows me to run and play with Alex which wouldn't have been possible just years ago, my knowledge of life after death, my neighborhood, my family's health, my many relationships, my camera and computer to record memories each day, and my ability to cook.

Life is good! Have a great weekend!