Merry, Merry!

 



Yes, it's Easter and I'm updating about Christmas. Let's not fight about it. It's a holiday weekend, after all.

Christmas Card 2014. I have a feeling looking at all these pictures is going to make me sad - Wright has grown up so much. He drove me to work this morning. Practically.

 

Merry Christmas from Matt, Erin, Wright and our FitBits. All pictured.



 

We took a trip on the Polar Express. Wright wasn't sure what to think and I can't much blame him.

 

Guys? Help.

Is this not just about the cutest Christmas outfit you ever did see?

Wright's school is closed the week between Christmas and New Years, so I took off too. It was so fun getting to spend lazy mornings with him. I use the word lazy lightly. He's on the move.

But before school closed, he did have a big time at his class Christmas Party! He played Secret Santa and got a truck. He loved it! Namath, not so much.

He was fascnicated by the tree. He was so good to not touch, just admire from afar. He loves lights, so naturally he loved the tree.

His teachers made the sweetest Christmas gifts. This was my favorite, and will probably be my favorite forever. Those feet. I die.

We also dusted off the board games off and spent some adult time testing our knowledge of the 90s. It's harder than it sounds. That's longer ago than I care to admit.

We got dressed up in some of Daddy's Christmas outfits. The sweetest.

 

 

Christmas morning! Every boy needs his own remote.

 

Every dog thinks he needs his own remote as well.

So many toys to choose from after Christmas....

We decided to start early and host both familes at our house. I know in the future we won't want to spend all Christmas day traveling around, so we started like we intend to go on. It worked out really well. But even after a 2 hour nap between get togethers, this little boy was worn out at bedtime.

 

True to form, the wrapping paper was the star of the show.

But the wagon was a super close second. He loooooves his wagon.

 

 

The celebration continued at Zoolight Safari. Lights. Fascination.

 

 

By New Years, we were all tired. Someone almost got a bottle of half and half for breakfast.

The same someone had learned to tell on Namath when he was up to no good. This could come in handy.

 

We spent a quiet New Years Eve at home. Namath got some guy time by the fire.

While I worked on dinner and dessert. These chocolate lava cakes (Pioneer Woman) were sinful.

Dinner wasn't too shabby either.

 

Christmas was beyond fun this year with Wright. We love seeing the world through your eyes, sweet W!

Over Christmas Hiatus

I had very good intentions of blogging over Christmas vacation. You know what they say about good intentions.

Hanging out with this guy won over. He has relaxing down to a science, and I was happy to be his student. Only a few pouts when USPS/FedEx/UPS over promised and under delivered on his Christmas presents. You know what they say about promising and delivering.

Ironically, (most) of my presents came on time. One of my favorite: a next best thing to gel nail polish. More to come on that. The nail polish is good, but no one promised I can paint nails better than a 5 year old. Maybe a skill I will work on in the new year. With all my free time.

A sweet friend sent these, and Oh. My. Gosh. If I wasn't jealous of everyone that lived close to a Trader Joe's, I am now. They were a huge hit at our house.

We didn't let the season go by without our annual Christmas Eve Eve Chinese food and Christmas Vacation tradition. Up to bat this year: Sesame Chicken with stir fry veggies and brown rice. Topped off with eggnog and chocolate chocolate chip cookies (more on those later as well).

I had a nice view from the couch.

Just the next night we managed to find the Griswolds in our town. My camera couldn't even capture it all. I should have employed the panoramic feature, but I was too in awe, and curious as to their power bill.

Christmas morning brought gifts for everyone. Except Namath. It really was so sad. Thankfully, the grandparents came to the rescue with his very own deer antler. Yes, we live in Alabama.

I bought some more nail polish.

Namath got a closer look at the Pioneer Woman's dogs. He was not a fan. Clearly he hasn't had her cinnamon rolls.

We joined Prime and haven't looked back. I made good use of my one month free and shipped as much stuff as I could. Anything you order off Prime I'm not thinking about?

Notes from the Weekend

It was rainy heading home from the office Friday, but these guys were in no hurry to let me get home. They weren't budging.

The only thing that could get me off the couch Friday night. I heard carbs go directly to plumping up baby. I doubt this is backed by any scientific fact, but I'm currently participating in the 2014 research.

Exhibit A.
Buffalo chicken sandwich and onion rings on a romantic date night.

Exhibit B.
Pancakes round 2.

Exhibit C (not pictured): First round of weekend pancakes at Cracker Barrel. I'm not ashamed. Ok, maybe just a little.

I did a little retail therapy. Found these pillows, but they only had a set of 2. Sad trombone.

I made up for it with this vase. I can't decide if I'm sold.

Namath slept off his disappointment of the Georgia defeat.

MS was kind enough to join him. Twice.

Hope your weekend was restful - or more exciting. Whatever your heart desires.

Five on Friday

 Life's gotten in the way of my blogging, but I'm back with lots of sugary favorites to share. I'll start with the one treat that doesn't spike your insulin levels...

1. OPI's Boris and Natasha

Found this little gem from the Russian collection at my Veteran's Day pedicure. It seems all the dark colors I've picked lately have been more on the black side when they actually go on, so this was a welcome change. Love the way it looks! 

2. No-Bake Cake Batter Cookie Bars

Is there anything about the name of this recipe that isn't appealing? I saw this over at Lambert's Lately and had to try it. I had no idea they made birthday cake Oreos, but they do. It was the perfect celebration after Alabama beat LSU.

3. Hot Chocolate by the Fire
I've been craving some hot chocolate lately. We've also enjoyed many a night by the fireplace. I plan to marry the two this weekend...it should be lovely. Will a 2 hour documentary on the assassination of JFK dampen this winter scene? I'll report back next week.

4. Pumpkin Spice Smores
You read that right. When I discovered there were Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows on the shelf, it only seemed natural two of my favorite fall flavors should mingle. It was very successful. You will want some more. Namath just wanted some. 

5. Winner, Winner Chili Dinner
These guys winged a chili recipe for our church's chili cook off Monday night and came in second! I was pretty impressed. So I made them take this dorky picture.

It is cold and dark and rainy here and with next weekend being jam packed, I'm hoping for a lot of family time and maybe a date night this weekend. Soak up all this free time while we can - that's my current state of mind. Happy Friday to you and yours!

Five on Friday

Another week come and gone - and it was a busy one. The weekend doesn't seem to slow down either, so let me take a quick minute for the Friday Five....

1. Dog Guilt
I worked late last night. Matt worked late last night. And I had to go to the grocery. I was speeding home like I had left my non-fur child. Dog Guilt is real, and Namath knows it. He ignored me most of the night. I still feel bad. I don't know what I will do when Sunburst enters the picture. If MS is reading this - I think Namath deserves a happy hour on the porch.

Turn that frown upside down, buddy.

2. Self-Medication - Opa!
Luckily, it's the perfect weekend to assuage my guilt with food. Yes, the Greek Food Festival is this weekend and it's magical. I'm plotting my schedule to see how many servings of pasticho I can get this weekend. It's heaven on a plate. I'm pretty sure they hand you a jar of bechamel at the pearly gates.

3. Do We Sense a Theme?
I did have a good reason for my grocery store run/dog abandonment last night. Tonight is game night, and it's a tailgate theme. My responsibility is dessert, and you know I had to go for the cream cheese two pack for the win. I'm sure everyone's heard of the cream cheese chocolate chip dip - or cookie dough dip on some circles - but it's worth mentioning just in case. 

4. Never Gonna Give You Up...
This was a new one to me at 6 am this morning - has anyone heard of getting Rick Rolled? MS was telling me about it as he was blasting this famous song while we got ready. I know I've said it before, but we are so blessed his fun spirit lives under our roof.

5. Couch Potato
Fall TV is baaaack. Almost with a vengeance - as Grey's Anatomy has been become almost painful to watch. But I can't stop. Looking forward to catching up with Homeland, Parenthood and Modern Family. We're a little behind, but at least there will be cream cheese dip to watch with.Winning.

Happy REAL first weekend of Fall!