Sunday, December 29, 2013

Preparing for 2014

We're entering the last few days of 2013 and I'm already setting new goals and plans for next year.
My list is long.
Among them, being a better wife, mother, not trying to please everyone, cooking and exercising more.

But, in these last few days of the year, we still have more parties and events to attend.
One being tonight, then it looks like we're hosting a small dinner party here New Year's Eve.
We were planning on going to a NYE party at my co-worker's house but we couldn't find a local sitter.
My parents offered to come back and watch Shelby but we've just decided to lay low and stay home with our neighbors and do a progressive type dinner.

So, what has been going on around here since Christmas?
Well, starting with the 26th, I had oral surgery for two implants and Brad and Shelby both got very sick.
We were all down for the count and thank goodness my parents stuck around to help us out. 
They helped get us to doctors, took care of Shelby, cooked, cleaned, did laundry and the list goes on.
Lifesavers for sure.

After hours of sleep that day, I did manage to get outside for a walk with Buddy and Shelby.
She loves her wagon.
Since then everyone is feeling much better, but my mouth is still sore.
~~~~~~~~
Shelby is really into Buddy these days.
They're learning to play pretty good together.
Right before Christmas Buddy would growl and get a little too excited for Brad's taste, but now he's taken it down a notch and has even learned to let Shelby play tug-a-war with him.
She gets so excited and it melts my heart to see them become such good friends.
My big gift from Brad this year was a Kitchen Aid mixer.
I asked for it after not wanting one for years.
We both agreed it was time.
Brad is already enjoying it as much as me.
Pizza dough was the first thing made in it.
Delicious indeed!
Shelby is enjoying all of her Christmas loot too.
She got her first Highlights magazine in the mail and was so cute sitting in her little chair reading it.
Brad's mom bought her the subscription and I know she'll look forward to getting these little books in the mail.
She's already obsessed with this one!
Shelby and I got dressed up and did a little after Christmas shopping.
She wore her fur vest from Miss LuLu for the first time and of course, I had to semi match. 
:)
Yep, I'm one of those Moms!
OOPS!
Another one of Shelby's Christmas gifts included a growth ruler made by her Daddy.
Looks perfect in her room.
I would like to put her name on it somewhere, just not sure where or how.
Thoughts?
Brad hung it today and we put her first mark on it.
How cute is this??
30.5 inches, just as the doctor measured the other day at her 1-year appointment.
Look how proud?!
Growing.Growing.Growing!
I'm enjoying posting a lot the past week or so because I've been off work and there's been a lot to report.
Hope you guys are enjoying the last few days of this year.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas Day 2013

Christmas Day 2013.
Last year Shelby spent the morning in her swing snoozing for the most part.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS YEAR....
Christmas morning was spent at our downstairs, 'pink' tree aka Shelby's tree.
We decided to do this for 3 reasons.
#1. More room and it doesn't bleed over into our upstairs living room space.
#2. Keeps us from having to carry gift upstairs.
#3. Keeps us from having to carry trash and gifts downstairs.

It was perfection to say the least.
We will be doing this again.
Upstairs all of our stockings still hung with care.
Traditional breakfast casserole.
I've been making this since Brad and I started spending Christmas together.
Stockings!
Mr. Buddy is all about Christmas and has always been as into it as everyone else!
Daddy walked Shelby down to the tree to show her what Santa brought.
It included that big growth ruler that Brad made her for Christmas!
Along with a chair from my Mom and Dad!
And, of course, much more.
We all received way too much.
My big gift was a KitchenAid Mixer!
Look how excited Shelby is ;)
There's nothing like the joy of Christmas morning.
I can't wait for the next few years to come.
Exciting indeed.
After Shelby's nap we headed out to Brad's brother's house for gifts and an early dinner.
 Shelby got more toys including this baby and stroller.
She loves them.
 Nephew and niece made out nicely as well.
 Attempt at a cousin picture never pans out.
I should quit trying.
HA!
 One of our gifts from my in-laws.
 Soon after opening gifts, Shelby was tackled by puppy Ellie.
From there she was pretty much out for the count for an hour or so.
Not a happy camper.
 My parents joined us all for dinner.
Nice as always for them to include them.

And, that's Christmas!
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!
Here's to a prosperous New Year!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Christmas Eve Dinner at Home 2013

As I mentioned in my previous post, we enjoyed Christmas Eve at home after church.
My parents always spend the holiday with us.
My brother and his family live in South Louisiana and his kids are in their 20's so they've been coming her for the last few years.
 Brad's family attends another church service that is on the other end of town and starts at 7pm.
That's Shelby's bedtime.
We prefer to keep on schedule and go to our home church.
So, dinner was just the 5 of us(4 since Shelby was in bed).
 Before putting her to bed Brad tracked to see where Santa was with Shelby.
He was in Africa at the time.
As Shelby gets older, I can't wait to really play up Christmas with all kinds of traditions.
It will be so fun!
 Then meal time.
Brad made his family recipe of roasted red pepper pasta with grilled chicken.
 This is a very special meal for him to make and always a joy for me to enjoy!
This would be my parents first time to have it.
 Mr. Buddy, would NOT be enjoying any pasta.
He's getting thrown so much food from Shelby these days that he ends up getting sick in our bedroom on a weekly basis.
He just doesn't have the stomach for it.
 Slide show running with Christmas tunes.
 More cooking and cocktails.
Heavy cream sauce.
 Pasta..
 The finished product.
 DELICIOUS!!!!!!