Christmas 2011

Fernando and I decided to take the kids to the incline to see this beautiful sight! It was an amazing view.

I didn't want to put Sadie down, because she wanted to run around on this overlook. Very nerve racking!

The Saturday before Christmas Santa comes through the neighborhood with a firetruck! The kids can hear the sirens and get so excited.

Santa passed out these lollipops and someone is enjoying...he ate on that thing for 2 hours.
Gigi and Tara came to visit. Popsy was at home - maybe we'll get him here one day! We opened some gifts from gigi and Tara. Gray was so excited.
I attempted a gingerbread house this year - my first one ever. I think I will be better next year.
Sadie got these fairies from gigi, because she loves tinkerbell. She hoarded them around the house for awhile.
Gigi gives gray a nutcracker every year and this was the biggest one yet. He was thrilled! (I won't begin to tell the story of getting that thing up here). Gigi and Tara left before Christmas. We sure did have fun and miss them.
Gray and I made cupcakes for Jesus' birthday. When we went to xmas eve church, he said - we forgot the cupcakes for his birthday! so cute
Fernando decided to whip up some egg nog with ice cream. We sure did have alot since it was just three of us (Sadie allergic to eggs and milk - so not a good combo)
We went to Christmas Eve church - it was interesting. Without a nursery for miss priss it is almost impossible....Fernando says we'll be repaid in the afterlife! Ha

I found this girl on xmas eve night like this - she stayed there for a long time and just said "night-night". Tired girl. (excuse our unfinished step after wood floor installation)

This was gray's big item from Santa, but guess who plopped on it first thing...I guess we'll be getting a pink one in April.

Gray got a robe from Uncle Ryan and loved it! I swear he is a little man.

Cabbage patch for Sadie (mommy). I loved these things! Mom fought a woman for one when I was 3. I remember getting it. ANd now they have a vintage 1983 one...It is the same one I had. Vintage - 1983?? They don't dress them like they used to. They still smell lovely.

This was our first Christmas alone. We missed our families, but had a wonderful time creating traditions and making the most of it. Our sweet neighbors invited us to her mom's for xmas dinner. The kids played and we had a beautiful dinner ( minor kid interruptions!)

Hope everyone had a fabulous Holiday!

K-music and queso

I took Sadie to a preview class of Kindermusic on Friday. This child loves to dance and starts to shake it when she hears any music. So, since she isn't quite ready for Abby Lee Millers (Dance Moms) studio here in Pittsburgh, I thought I would start with K-music. When I walked in I felt like the 2 from "Up all night" when they take their baby to the singing class. I am the type who gets the giggles at the wrong time (church,etc) and definitely when people sing. I was thinking I'm glad Fernando isn't here or some other friends that can't handle stuff like that. I would have been in tears. But....Sadie LOVED it and participated fully and then I found myself just as excited as her! I wish I had pics to share - maybe next week.

These two...no words...

Gray and I have "our day" on Thursday, while Sadie is at MDO. I can take him anywhere and he just goes with the flow. He likes to cruise in the stroller. Where does time go? This little man was in the infant seat in this stroller....now look at him!

I had a Friday morning paper delivery to the front door. Love this pic! She then ran away with the paper.

She is probably making up for what she did in the middle of the front yard. She has been digging like crazy. I think there are critters (groundhogs and chipmunks) and she can't stand it.

Bingo has been hanging around the house. He sometimes likes to do a early morning flight (3:30, 6:30 am). I think he remembers at the last minute to go the north pole.

We had Fernando's company party last night. For some reason I had in my head "holiday casual" and I wondered the mall trying to define that. I am not much for casual at a party, unless its at a house and involves a crock pot of queso. I Bought 3 options and re-read the invite and it said "holiday attire". So, dressy it was. Glad I did, because everyone was in cocktail attire. We had a great time and I surprisingly met red raiders from Texas and we ended up having several mutual friends.

Speaking of queso....our sweet babysitter has never had the ole rotel/velveeta combo...so I plan to make that for her asap. She is amazing! I came home to vacuumed floors, fresh laundry and sleeping children!

K

weekend wrap up

Mimi and Papa headed back on Tuesday. We really enjoyed them and we were grateful they came to spend Thanksgiving with us!

Papa and Fernando had some helpers when working on the outside Christmas decor.

Meanwhile....I'm sure you can guess who had been here...

We were in the market for a new artificial tree this year. Fernando kicked the old one to the curb last year because it had some lights out. I sent him to get a new "fake". He came home with this.

It really is nice to have a fresh smelling tree in the house. It was a pain putting lights on and having to water. But, it is worth it. We will probably go back to fake when we head back to Texas.

I attempted to make wreaths for the double front doors this year. My sister in law is very creative and she was my inspiration after we made my mom Thanksgiving wreaths.

I painted some G's for the wreaths. I left them there for a minute....and guess who found the paint!!

Grayson begs to go to Chuck E Cheese all the time (GAG). But having Fernando with me, I decided it was time. Much to our surprise, it was very nice and clean and not too many kids. (I think Fernando had the most fun). I found him by himself in this contraption not too long after this.

Our little tiger. Someone gave us this jumpsuit when Grayson was born. (They were major Texas Fans, so passed it to us) We always thought it looked so big and the day would never come when he could wear it. Daddy is a very happy Tiger fan after Saturday's game.

I have been working on Christmas card pics and trying to shoot a pic whenever they looked halfway decent. Sadie is into making these funny faces when I am taking their pictures. I think it is because she sees whoever behind the camera making the faces. She raises her hands and sticks out her tongue. So, it was hard to catch a shot of these two.

These two are so sweet to each other. When sadie wakes up in the morning she says "Where's gray gray". He definitely gives into her and she gets her way. They play really well together.

We took many pics and had maybe one or two - not perfect, but not bad for two little ones in action.

On another note:

I skyped with my brother and sis in law awhile back and they showed me this cute pumpkin that Brittni made......it took me awhile, but then I got it!

My brother is and always has been a huge tarheel fan. He came home to this one day.(I told you she was crafty) I am so excited for those two!

We are gearing up for this week's forecast! Wednesday is a high of 23. Fernando got the tahoe snow tires this weekend, so I think we will be ready.

Have a wonderful week!

K

Thanksgiving Week

My Thanksgiving holiday started off with the ole vacuum breaking down. Literally it had smoke coming out. I was afraid that it would catch on fire, so I put it on the front porch. I told Fernando "RIP vacuum"....and 2 hours later he came home with the Dyson Animal....worth every penny, especially with our shedding girl, Presley.

Mimi and Papa are still here. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying our time with them. We've been venturing out to see the many holiday attractions they have around the city. We went downtown to see the gingerbread display and the life-size santas.

A Heinz 57 dino. The ketchup is made here. Heinz field is also where the Steelers play.

There was a Tom and Suri spotting at the ice rink last week. We just missed them.

We found Santa in a Hallmark truck and decided to stop by. Grayson was so mesmerized by him. When Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas; he started looking around and just naming things in the room..."table,hat,envelope". WHAT??

Fernando and Grayson tried ice skating for the first time. Gray made it around 3 times, with Fernando holding him up. He did good!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We are getting christmas decor up this weekend.

Playing Catch up

We finally had an empty house this week (the floors are done). Grayson and I went to the mall on Thursday and he insisted riding this little train. They already had Santa's chair set up and said Santa would be there on Friday. I thought they could at least wait until after Thanksgiving.

I have a small obsession with little girl shoes. I tend to think Sadie needs every style and color for every occasion(but she does). I picked up 3 pair at stride rite last week. I found these obnoxious sparkly, silver tennis shoes and thought Sadie could just wear them to play outside. Well, these are her favorite pair. She wants to wear them everywhere. She cries if I take them off to change her diaper. She pushes them in her baby stroller and carries them around in the mornings.

Gray man has been busy entertaining himself...let hope he keeps this up when we are stuck inside because of snow!
Fernando and I went to Grayson's school auction last night. It was lots of fun! They had a band, food and beer/wine. The only people on the dance floor were the teachers. I didn't take any pics. We have been fortunate to find many babysitters in the neighborhood. I think we go out more now than when we lived in The Woods.

When I dropped the babysitter off, her parents were getting home at the same time. Her mom was telling me she just met Tom Cruise! He is filming a movie in Pitt and the filming was at her husbands' office downtown. She said he was so nice and polite. They are constantly closing down roads and bridges for all the filming. Maybe I'll see Katie and Suri out soon.

I'm starting to prepare for Thanksgiving! I've been talking to my mom and getting all the right recipes to re-create some ole family favs (my grandmother's dressing). I hope I can do it.

Mimi and Papa will be here next Sunday. We are getting ready (I hear a saw in the basement right now...guess Fernando is doing some demo work).

Until next time...