Happy Birthday Melissa!

Happy Birthday to our cousin Melisssa! Enjoy your birthday and New Year's Eve! Ready to see y'all soon! All our love.

What I've been up to...

Have you ever been so busy around the house, only to look around thinking that you've accomplished nothing? That's been me! I felt like my house was a disaster! I'm gonna blame it on all the decorations, new stuff, kids being out of school, and Anthony being home for over a week on vacation. Not that they're all messy, but kinda hard to keep a clean house with all these people here 24/7! Ha! I took down all things Christmas on Saturday. Even packed it away, however, all the bins, even the tree, are all out in the garage. Not in the attic. Monday, Ant heads back to work and I cleaned up the kids' rooms to make room for all of their new Christmas loot and put away mine. Then, yesterday, I got to work on cleaning the rest of the house and the humongous pile of laundry!
Today, crazy day... Repair men. Men, not man. Now, I know you feel like when it rains, it pours! That would be the situation here. My hall bath's toilet is leaking, a lot, so much that we had to turn it off. So, the plumber is coming. My kitchen lights have been out for evah (not even new bulbs work), so the electrician is coming. The fan on our AC unit continues to run non stop AND my heater is not working! So, the heating guy is coming. Is that it? Yes, I sure hope so!!!
OH, then late this afternoon
the carpets in the whole house are getting cleaned!What a way to spend my last week of vacay! At least it'll be done in one day!

Our Christmas and my birthday

What a wonderful Christmas we had! I also had a very happy birthday!
We went to Bryan for a couple of days and visited family and friends. I don't have any pictures of that, I was a bit off that trip. Austin had a seizure on the way there and then two more while we were there, so he stayed with Mimi and slept for most, while the rest of us went on our visits. For Christmas eve, we were home. We went to church that night, then out to eat Mexican food. We came home, exchanged presents (including their Christmas pjs), baked and set out cookies and hot chocolate for Santa, and put the Magic Reindeer food and water for the reindeer outside. Christmas morning, we all woke up to see what Santa brought. The kids all got the things they wanted. Anthony got some good gifts and sooo did I! Anthony made a huge breakfast. I relaxed (it was my birthday after all), and the house was in complete chaos...a good chaos, with all the toys, clothes, food, snacks/treats, and the loudness of the kids! I believe our house was taken over by Band Hero, DJ Hero, and Zsu Zsu Hamsters...just to name a few! I then made a big ol' dinner. After the kids went to bed, Anthony was a sweet hubby and watched The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles with me. Oh, and did I mention that we all stayed in our pjs all day?!
I hope you all had an awesome Christmas and remembered the real reason we celebrate. Thank you for all of the phone calls, txt messages, and Facebook birthday wishes! I really appreciated it! Made my day!

Side note: At church on Christmas eve, the service was about to start, one of our Pastors was walking up the isle to start the message. Anthony was on the end of our row. He shook Anthony's hand and in kind of a loud voice (loud enough that I could hear five seats down), "Hey there Anthony, long time no see!" and laughs. Me, totally embarrassed and even feeling the heat in my face, thinking "oh my gosh, he totally just fronted out Anthony and everyone around us heard-they all probably think that we never go to church!!!" Well, it had only been a couple of weeks since we had been in church, but STILL! Well, fast forward to the car ride to eat dinner, Anthony said, "Yeah, did I tell you I saw Pastor John and his wife at Walmart last night at 11pm? They were right behind me in line that late. That's why he said "Long time no see"" . I died laughing and told him that NO, he did NOT tell me that and then I explained to him what I thought!!!! We laughed for quite a while!!!

Baptismal Birthday

One year ago today, was such an amazing day! You can read about it here HAPPY BAPTISMAL BIRTHDAY AUSTIN, TYLER, AND CARLI!!!

Merry Christmas

Christmas cards

I haven't sent out any Christmas cards in the past two years, but this year I did. Not alot, just to people who sent us one and some out of town family. Next year I'll sent out more. I gotta get back into the swing of it. I wish I had a scanner so that I could show you our card this year.
I love getting Christmas cards! I look forward to the mail everyday! I stole this idea from someone's blog and I sure love it! This is how I display our Christmas cards we get. I actually have a stack of some I got yesterday that I need to put up there.

Let's go to the movies...

Carli and I set out to the movies yesterday...The Princess and the Frog! She's been begging to go now for the longest time. She, well we, were both very excited!! We grabbed our coke, popcorn, and m&m's, and watched the movie. There were of course some scenes she didn't care for. Remember, it's set in New Orleans, and there is a witch doctor, some ghosts, and voodoo. But other than that, it was WONDERFUL!!!! Carli stood up and danced with every song! She said the Prince was "so very handsome". She said Tiana was " ah, just beautiful!". Then she said, "oh, they lived happily ever after!". She was so happy, she had tears in her eyes!
What a terrific time I had with my daughter today!

Employee Christmas Party

Food pictures? AGAIN?! Sorry, but YES! As much as I love me some grub, I DID want to have pictures of PEOPLE in this post!
Saturday night, at our house, we had a Christmas party for Anthony's employees. I took pictures before the party, when most of everything was ready (not all of the desserts were out on the table yet). I had good intentions of taking pictures, really I did. I even left my camera IN THE LIVING ROOM! Everyone had a great time. They ate, drank, watched the Cowboys play, and played the white elephant gift exchange. Me? I took care of a sick sick Carli! She's had (and still does) fever and a yucky cold for the past couple of days. While playing in her room, she started a coughing fit and low a behold...THREW UP ALL OVER HER BED!!! Oh my poor baby! UGH!
So you see, that is why you only get food pictures!

Christmas at preschool

Wednesday was our last day of preschool until January 5th. It was a wild day with a Christmas program (my class and Carli's class performed with the pre-k and kindergarten classes), then we had our parties. I made Reindeer food for my class.
Peppermint Bark for her teachers and my co teacher. I made picture frames for each of Carli's friends in her class. Carli's gift to her teachers. Everything packed and ready for the day.
Now, remember, Carli is SUPER shy, so for all her her program rehearsals she would hold her "makeup" (chapstick) in one hand and with her other hand, she would hold BRADY's HAND! Her little crush! She wouldn't sing. So, on program day, I expected her to do the same. She did, BUT she also sang a little and did a couple of the hand motions. She didn't even have her makeup with her, but she did have BRADY's hand.
I didn't get to get a picture of her during the program because I was with my class, but I did get some of her before it started. Look at her looking at her "favorite friend", Brady.She was too busy watching him to look at me!Finally she looked my way! At Carli's party.Working on her craft project.At home playing with just some of her gifts from school. She got so much stuff from her friends! I also got tons of absolutely wonderful gifts from each kid in my class. I'm very grateful! What a FUN day!The boys get out today for Christmas break! I can't believe it's already that time of year!

My work party

Last night, I went to my work Christmas party. Anthony stayed home with the kids, and so Rose, Lindsay, and I went together. It was at a local Mexican restaurant. MMMM...fajitas! We also did a Christmas ornament white elephant gift exchange.So funny to see such sweet preschool teachers turn into mean fightin' machines over ornaments! It was lots of fun! My head hurt from laughing so hard!
Did I take pictures while I was there...NO! I even had my camera! My New Year's resolution...take more pictures!I came home with this this cute lil' guy! He's made of glass. He exchanged hands a couple of times and thankfully it was "frozen" once I picked him. When it was over, we got to draw to see what decorations we could take home. I got this sweet candy dish.
Yesterday was our last day of work until January 5th. We had our class parties and programs, so the night out was definitely enjoyed!

CUTIE COOKIES!

You know I LOVE food, especially desserts! My coteacher laughs that I post pictures of food.
I have to share pictures of these cute Gingerbread boys and girl cookies that were given to my cute boys and girl! They said they were good, I wouldn't know because no one would share!

A message from SANTA!

Carli received a very special message from SANTA himself! Click on the link below to view her message!
http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/46aad53adb06e20a17b805f9a2429819

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEYANIRA!

Today is my best friend's Birthday! We love you Deyanira! May your day be filled with lots of cake and cheer! You deserve the absolute best!

"Scentsational" time

Last night, I hosted a party for my friend Rose, who sells Scentsy candles. I only took TWO pictures! Wish I would've gotten more. You know, when I'm around food, friends, and shopping, I forget to take pictures. Oh and throw in a newborn baby to hold, and I really get nothing accomplished! Ahhh, a new baby, nothing sweeter! Anyway, you have to check out these candles. AWESOME! We haven't closed out my order, so if you'd like to order, let me know.This is a picture of mine. The color of it looks nothing like in this picture. It's really a brick red color. It looks great in my house! I have three different scents: Clean breeze, sugar cookie, and honey pear cider. I do plan on getting more warmers and of course scents. You so need one of these!
You'll thank me!

Science Fair

Tyler had a science fair project that he had to do for school. They really stress that the child do it themself. Okay, that's hard for Anthony and I. Me, being all crafty like and Anthony loving anything school. But, Tyler did it; last minute, but he did it. He picked the difference in skateboard wheels. Does cheaper skateboard wheels make a difference? He tested three different skateboards.Aparently, sister needed to be out there assisting. Finished project.

Saturday Family Fun

Saturday morning, we woke up to what was left of our snow day Friday. Still quite a bit actually.After daddy made his Saturday morning pancakes, we dressed for the day and went to our outdoor mall. Tyler is in the choir at school and they were performing at the Barnes and Noble there. This is the only pic he would let me get. I took lots of him during the performances, but none of them turned out good. Why? Because he was purposely hiding behind taller people so I wouldn't! Shocker!Once we were done there, we hung out, ate Cinabon, walked around.
Check out Carli...MAD! She was wanting to go watch the ice skaters, but we were waiting on daddy to bring us our food, so we told her we would later.Then....she spotted the carriage rides, so she was yelling at the horses to "COME BACK HERE! We told her that once we were done eating, we were going to ride them. Finally, she said, "I quit! I give up!" and she went and sat like this! She didn't even eat!See, we got to ride!Nice little carriage ride. Carli and I loved it! The males in our family, not so much! This girl. DRAMA! She was SO happy to be on it, but as soon as it was over...MAD! One last shot of the girl horses. It was a fun family day. The weather was great! When we were done there, I dropped the fam off at home and I did some Christmas shopping, by myself. So nice and relaxing!