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 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!

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!

Happy Holidays!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is over and before long it will be 2008. In honor of the New Year I thought I would change my blog look a bit. I have always loved Cookie Monster and the color blue so this template works out perfectly. If you are in search for a new look or need some help with your blog I have found some terrific sites for us blog dummies, if you need them let me know.

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! I know our family did. We were spoiled as we are every year.

I thought I would share a few of my favorite gifts with you. I received a lot of good ones but these would be my top favorites.

First would have to be my Tiffany & co. bracelet from Jas. It's so pretty and perfect to wear everyday. Funny thing I loved the note he included with the bracelet as much as I did the bracelet itself. He usually doesn't take the time to write a special note so this meant allot of me. Awesome gift!

My new 600 count sheets and soft blankie from my Mom. Talk about dying and going to heaven, these sheets rock. Too bad I don't spend more time in my bed although I can't complain too much Alex did sleep through the night last night if only he could keep it up.

Third would be the gift I received from my sister and her fam. It was a basket of goodies with a gift certificate to a bed and breakfast. It came with a cute poem offering to watch Alex for us while we get away for a night. My oldest niece Jillian added a gift certificate to it for dinner. What an amazing gift. I have to laugh though because the poem said they hoped it would result in another son. Between the basket and sheets I think my family is in a bigger rush to expand our little family than Jas and I are. Give us a few years please!!!

Last but not least would have to be the pink fuzzy robe I got from my in-laws. You would think I have enough robes but with Alex up in the middle of the night this robe is perfect. It's so cute, cozy and warm. I love it!!

I received allot of other great gifts but those were my favs!!

Alex was spoiled with lots of clothes, books, toys, a huge stuffed animal, a tonka truck to push or ride on. He had a great Christmas!

I will leave you with some pictures from the past few weeks. Boy have we been busy! Happy New Year!

We went out to dinner on the 15th with our friends the Pews to celebrate Jas's b-day and our friend Jamee's b-day. We took this picture of Alex while we waited to be seated. He was being extra goofy as you can see.

On the 18th, we took Alex to see the lights at Thanksgiving point with our friends the Whites. We had a great time. Here we are all bundled up after our wagon ride.

Here is one of our takes from our Santa baby photo shoot at home.

We wanted to get a cute picture to include in our Christmas cards.

After multiple nights of not sleeping well due to teething, I found Alex asleep on his tummy Christmas Eve for a LONG overdue nap ( he slept from 10-3). I love to sleep on my tummy too.

On Christmas Eve, we had Jas's family over for dinner and presents. Here is his Dad Al and Sister Alanna.

Alex entertaining Grandma OwYoung at dinner.

Who needs a TV when you have Alex to entertain you? He was making us all laugh. Especially when he insisted on having some of Dad's garlic mashed potatoes. Note to self: They don't smell as tasty coming out. Never feed them to Alex again!

Alex with his new frog ( Grandma and Grandpa OwYoung spoiled him rotten).

Alex opening his Giggle Giraffe toy. He loved ripping the paper off his gifts.

In my family I always received a new pair of Jammies on Christmas Eve. I bought this cute pair for Alex, had to show you the bum.

Here is a picture of Alex and Mommy, buddies forever!

We took mostly video on Christmas morning but here is one cute camera shot of Alex playing with his new toys. Gotta love the bow in his hair, probably the only time I can get away with it.

Merry Christmas!!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.... We received a nice blanket of pure white snow tonight just in time for Christmas. Jason's parents and sister came over for dinner and presents. Grandma OwYoung brought the ham and pound cake, berries and ice cream for dessert. We made twice baked potatoes, a green bean casserole and bought some shrimp and rolls. It was a yummy dinner.

As always we were spoiled with gifts galore. Alex of course received the majority of all the gifts tonight and loved opening each of them. He loves the sounds of paper ripping.

I will be sure to post more pictures this week when life gets back to normal and Alex starts sleeping through the night again. He had a tooth break skin this week and has been a horrible sleeper.

Before I head to bed, you know Santa is on his way I wanted to wish you all a very....

Merry Christmas! Love our Santa Baby