I Think It's Time

I have been missing a lot of my loyal commenters but I certainly understand the busyness of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It is about to hit me square in the face, too.  We are having Dwight's mom here for Christmas Day lunch and I'm making the bulk of the food (by choice).  On Saturday, we are driving west to see my family for the day.  Make that one Christmas luncheon of appetizers/snacks with my dad, Sharon, my sister & her family and then that evening, we are having a big dinner with my mom, Mark and again, my sister & her family.  I am making food for both and we will all be full as ticks.  The hard part is that I can't make any of it very far in advance so when the time comes, I will be working my fingers to the bone.


For Christmas Day, I'm making a pot roast, tater tot casserole and a Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake (courtesy of Paula Deen).  I'm taking haystacks for the luncheon IF I can find butterscotch morsels anywhere.  So far, two stores don't have them anywhere in sight!  If not, I'll make cheese straws.  For the big dinner, I'm making baked macaroni and cheese, pineapple casserole (which I shared after Thanksgiving) and a pig-pickin' cake (which I shared during the BlogHop).


In addition, I still have to get one of Andrew's gifts pieced together, attend Christmas Eve service, cut Dwight's hair and clean house.


I think this work is going to require a blogcation!  I'm leaving you with a few pictures of my little fella as we prepare for Christmas....

Packing up some toys to make room for the new ones.  Andrew had other ideas like sitting in the bin and tossing the toys out!

He later decided he should type that letter to Santa.

But then, he wasn't sure a letter would do, so he decided to brown-nose and color Santa a picture too!

He even decided to pose in his new Cars pajamas so Santa would know he was well-prepared and ready for his visit!

He ended by saying "Mommy is on a blogcation and I'm just hanging out - doing what I do best!"

Merry Christmas to you all!

♥ - The Kellys

Christmas Traditions

Last week, Christy shared her family's traditions and then tagged me to write a post on our Christmas traditions.  As a child, we really didn't have a lot of set traditions but we did always put out cookies for Santa and usually had our family get-togethers around the same time.  I do remember going to see my maternal grandparents on Christmas Eve very often.  I don't know that it happened every year but I vividly remember sitting in my mom's lap (no seat was required) looking out the windshield as we drove to the family get-together.  I would look up into the star-filled sky keeping my eyes peeled for Santa's sleigh.  I never did see that thing!  About 8pm, the news people would start cutting into programming to track Santa's sleigh.  I would always beg my parents to leave because I was so afraid I wouldn't get in bed before Santa came through my little town.  I thought he would pass me over but do you know, he never did!  My sister and I would always wake up early, go get my parents and then open our gifts.  Christmas mornings were just for us!!


Now that I have a family of my own, we are starting our own traditions.  They aren't anything extraordinary but things we like to do.  Most of these traditions were started last year since it was Andrew's first Christmas.  I have a few personal ornaments from my childhood but Dwight has a whole box.  I decided that is a tradition I wanted to carry on for Andrew.  Last year, he got an engraved "First Christmas" ornament and this year, he got his John Deere tractor ornament.  The ornaments will always be something he has enjoyed over the year and relates specifically to him.  It will be a box of ornaments that he can take with him when he leaves home (ewww, I hate the sound of that!) and they will hold special meaning!

We also go to see Santa as a family.  Yes, I stay at home and have a lot more time than Dwight but I think it is important and special for Dwight to be there too!  I get to experience a lot of milestones that Dwight misses out on since he works so I don't want Dwight to miss out on any more special moments with Andrew than is absolutely necessary.  Sometimes plans get changed due to Dwight's work schedule but we find time to do it.

For the past two years, we have gotten our family picture made professionally.  Nobody really likes having their picture taken but I think Christmas time is a good time to do it because we have to send one on a picture card!!!

Before Andrew was born, Dwight and I spent Christmas Eve with his parents and usually went to the Christmas Eve service at their church.  This year, we are starting a new tradition!  We are going to the Christmas Eve service at our new church.  I am looking forward to seeing how they do it and keeping Andrew out there with us and experiencing it together as a family!


This year we also went out looking at Christmas lights in a very nice, upscale neighborhood in our city but were disappointed.  The homes were beautiful but not many lights to catch the attention of a 22-month old.  There are a few places around here with huge light displays but with Dwight working so much since November, we haven't been.  We also had planned to attend two local parades but the weather and again, Dwight work schedule messed up those plans.  We will start those traditions next year!


Dwight and I have watched Christmas Vacation every year together since getting married and plan to do it this year.  He has been watching bits and pieces already but we haven't watched it completely.  We just can't help ourselves - it is a classic and one that never gets old.  For a more kid friendly movie, we watched Home Alone 2: Lost in NY on Saturday night.  Andrew sat completely still for 50 minutes!  Last night, we watched Polar Express and he watched the entire movie with a random "whoa," "wow" and "deer" here and there.


Last year, I was very verbal about no family at our house until 12pm.  There was a little tension but I am sticking to it and honestly, I don't care who likes it and who doesn't!  Christmas morning is going to be spent together as a family of 4 - watching Andrew and Penny open gifts and then getting to play with them.  There will be no rushing around or appeasing family members.  The MIL came on Christmas Day last year and will do so again this year but that is not promised to become a tradition.  It will be determined every year based on behaviors!


Finally, the one tradition we need to start that I think is so great is the reading of the Christmas story.  Afterall, that is what Christmas is about!!


If you would like to share your traditions, please do!  You can either follow the rules or leave them in the comment section on this post. The rules were to tag 5 other bloggers but since it is so close to Christmas, you may or may not have time.  Here are the rules:

• write a Christmas memories blog.
• include the link to my post somewhere in your blog.
• tag five other bloggers.
• then return to this blog's comments and paste the link to your Christmas memories blog

Music Monday

Today's theme is All About Christmas.  Last week, I shared two of my favorite secular songs.  This week I am sharing two of my favorite religious Christmas songs.  Mary Did You Know has been recorded by so many people but I really didn't see any videos on youtube by artists I like.  Just listen to the words and think of how Mary must have been feeling when the angel appeared to her with the good news.  Think of how people would judge her when she told them she was pregnant, not married and it was not Joseph's baby but she also hadn't been with another man.  Who would have believed her and back then, she could have been stoned to death!  Put yourself in her shoes and how she must have been feeling when faced with the task of explaining the situation to Joseph.  Would he believe her?  Powerful song!

O Holy Night is just a favorite of mine! I chose this video because I am a fan of Carrie Underwood and it was recorded at the White House Christmas in 2005.  I miss the former President George W. Bush and he makes an appearance so I couldn't resist.  But back to the song - what a night it must have been!  After traveling for hours to register for the census, it was time for the baby to be born.   In a lowly manger surrounded by animals and hay, our Deliverer was delivered!  I think this song can be summed up by these two lines:

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Enough is Enough

I think I've shared enough Christmas stuff this week so today is just random thoughts and events.  Hope you get at least one laugh or smile today!


The other morning I was getting dressed to take Andrew to see Santa.  Dwight had a dental appointment so he left earlier and then we were going to meet him in Raleigh.  As I was putting my makeup on, Andrew was messing around in the bathroom with me.  My stomach growled very loudly.  Andrew looked up at me with a "what's that?" look and said "dog!" and pointed at the window.  He thought a dog was growling outside.  Ha ha!


I have been a little upset over the past week because I lost the ring I wear on my right hand.  We bought that ring on our last cruise and I have gotten so many compliments on it.  It is a silver filigree ring.  Since I've lost some weight, it has been getting very loose.  I had it on the Wednesday we had our family pictures made but I first noticed it was gone the Sunday after.  I didn't know if I had lost it at church, it fell off in the house somewhere, I sucked it up with the vacuum, Andrew had knocked it down the sink drain while brushing his teeth or what?!?!  Well....I found it!!!! and you won't believe where.  I went to pull out a grocery bag from my downstairs drawer and it was lying on top of a bag.  I guess when I stuffed the bags in there, it just fell right off my finger.


Have you seen those monogrammed decals everybody seems to have on their car windows?  I see them all the time but have never seen where to buy them - not that I necessarily would.


Butt cracks!  I am sooooo sick of seeing butt cracks.  Do you know how many butt cracks I saw just while we were getting family pictures made?  More than I ever want to see again.  Ladies,Girls Women Females, if y'all are going to wear low-rise jeans, please wear a long enough shirt that will cover your rear.  And ESPECIALLY when you go have pictures made, you know you are going to be chasing your kids all over the place and positioning and re-positioning them a million times.  No one wants to see what needs to be covered!  And, surely you can feel the cold air on your skin (afterall, it is December).....you know it is hanging out!  Please have more respect for those around you and of all people, YOURSELF!!!  Ughhhhh!


Earlier this week, I felt like we were out of everything I needed in which to cook.  Tuesday I made a trip to the grocery store and between coupons, regular sale items, my Lowes Foods rewards and double coupons, I saved $60.68!  That just thrilled my soul because it is the most I've ever saved in one trip.  Normally, ~$40 is a good day but $60?!?!  And, our grocery store has a gas station so I also saved $0.10 on every gallon of gas too!


Wednesday night we had to make a Target run to buy a few things.  Then we were going to ride around to look at Christmas lights.  As we were driving, I saw this bumper sticker on a truck in front of me that made me laugh and immediately made me think of my loving husband, Dwight.  Brace yourselves - it said "I'm only speeding 'cause I have to poop!"  I tell Dwight all the time that I'm tired of my life being dictated by his poop. It never fails that every time we go anywhere, he has to go to the bathroom.  Remember I said we were going to meet Dwight in Raleigh since he had an early dental appointment on Monday?  Well, I called to tell him we were at the stoplight in front of the mall and to find out if he was in his car or inside Best Buy.  He informed me he was in Best Buy using the bathroom so Andrew and I found his car and parked.  As we waited, Andrew started fussing because he wanted out of his car seat.  Dwight came out and with an excited tone told me that Best Buy had the best bathrooms ever!  Wednesday night, before Target, we went to PetSmart to get Penny her Christmas gift.  I know exactly where her favorite treats are located and what kind so I said I would run in real fast so we didn't have to get Andrew out of the car.  I was literally in there for maybe three minutes and when I walked out into the parking lot, there stood Dwight at the back of my car on the passenger side.  Immediately, I thought someone had hit my car and so as I got closer, I asked "what are you doing" while preparing myself for bad news.  Dwight's response was "I've got to use the bathroom and was hurting so bad I had to get out to stand up" - in 30 degree weather no less.  Once again, Andrew and I waited on him and eventually I had to drive around the parking lot to calm Andrew!  Oh the stories I have.... it is a wonder that we haven't been pulled for speeding because he's had to poop!


I am so amazed at how dirty my laptop gets.  I think I'm going to have to start doing a weekly deep cleaning on it.


I must say I enjoy Dwight being home but I always end up gaining weight.  When he isn't home, I basically starve myself during the day.  I might pick up a thing or two here and there but never eat a full meal until dinnertime.  I guess when I eat more than usual, it just latches on.  I am definitely starting back to exercising after the new year.


Finally, I saw somebody's Facebook status the other day and it said exactly what I have been feeling but haven't put into words.  It went like this - just because you are a good friend, doesn't mean you'll always get the same in return.  How many times I've learned this over a lifetime!


The weather people are calling for snow here in NC - a lot of it but we are right on the border of snow and rain.  Last night on the 6pm news, "the Fish" had already changed it to if you are a snow lover, you will probably be disappointed.  I'm no snow lover but a little bit would be nice, geez!

Christmas Meme x 2

I have seen these questions around the blogosphere and decided to participate. I got one set from Theta Mom and the other from Amy. I just added them together and deleted the duplicate questions!

1. Have you started your Christmas shopping? Thankfully, I'm done!
2. Tell me about one of your special traditions. I have been tagged by Christy so I'll post on this later☺
3. When do you put up your Tree? When we were newlyweds, it went up the day after Thanksgiving. Then, traveling became too tiring so it was moved to the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year, I am so embarrassed to say that it was a process. Started it (the first week of December) on Tuesday and got the inside done by Friday. Having a 22 month old running around and a husband who has been working all the time threw a monkey wrench into my "tradition" and that's ok.
4. Are you a Black Friday shopper? Ab-so-lute-ly NOT! My theory is that if I have to get up at 3am or stay up all night to get a discount, I didn't need the item in the first place. My sleep is much more important for me and those around me.
5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home? Traveling with a little one is one of my least favorite things to do. You have to pack the whole house so I put out word before Andrew was born that after the fact, we would not be traveling. Last year, everybody came to our house. This year, the MIL will come here on Christmas Day and then I guess we'll go see my family for the day on Dec. 26. Next year, I have no intentions of traveling so they'd better go ahead and make plans to travel East.
6. What is your funniest Christmas memory? I don't know that it was funny because it certainly spoiled the innocence of being a child and believing in Santa but when I was 9 (sister was 14), we were looking for some Cokes in the house and knew my mom had bought several 2-liters. My mom and dad had a waterbed with lots of enclosed storage underneath. I don't know why we looked under there but we found our Christmas gifts from "Santa."
7. What is your favorite Christmas movie of all time? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (it's just fun-ny!!) and Home Alone 2: Lost in NY (b/c I ♥ NYC and would love to be there at Christmastime one year)
8. Do you do your own Christmas baking, what’s your favorite treat? It's kind of tradition to have a pig-pickin' cake at Christmas dinner and that is one of my favorites. Sugar cookies are so good and simple to make but I enjoy a little fudge with nuts too. I'm not picky when it comes to sweets.
9. Fake or Real Tree? Fake! I can't see spending $$$ on a real tree when it's just going to die and it just causes more work for me in the form of needles and sap everywhere along with having to keep the thing watered. We had one when I was growing up and it died before Christmas. Luckily, we were able to pick out another one. I think they are a waste of money but that's just my opinion!  I'm sure you love your real tree and it is beautiful!
10. What day (as a mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done? This is why Christmas is NOT my favorite holiday. Why must there be panic? If it was left up to me, no one would get gifts except for the kids. (Go ahead and call me Scrooge) I just prefer to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and not stress over gifts, though I am guilty from time to time but not this year.
11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve? I do like wrapping gifts so I do it soon after buying them.
12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas? Now, it's taking Andrew to see Santa but I love just spending time with my family period.
13. What Christmas craft do you like the best? I am so not crafty!!
14. Christmas music? I like it all but probably my favorite secular songs are Sleigh Ride, Chestnuts Roasting and Jingle Bell Rock. I love all the religious Christmas music.
15. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?Hot chocolate hands down!
16. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  Well having a little one, half the stuff has to be assembled beforehand so that stuff is unwrapped and sitting in its respective places with giant bows.  The "no assembly required" stuff definitely gets wrapped!  I enjoy the surprise and excitement (even if for my own selfish reasons right now)!
17. Colored lights on the tree/house or white.  White.  Why?  Yes, I think they look cleaner.
18. Do you hang mistletoe?  I do and it is as faux as faux can be!
19. What is your favorite holiday dish?  I always make the sweet potato casserole and cranberry salad (for Thanksgiving and Christmas) so those are my favorites but I love my sister's tater tot casserole and potato salad, love my mom's homegrown and canned green beans.  Like Amy, it would be easier for me to say what I don't like.
20. Favorite holiday memory as a child? family get-together at my Grandpa Troy's house and going to my other grandparent's house on Christmas Eve.  More on this in my tagged post...
21. Do you open a gift on Christmas eve?  We never did this when I was a child and thought it was crazy when Dwight's family would talk about it.  We wait until Christmas morning!
22. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?  Christmas tree downstairs is the formal tree with all the nice, expensive decorations.  It is a huge tree and takes me at least 3 hours to put up.  I put it together and fluff the branches.  Dwight will help hold the lights as I string them.  He'll hang a few ornaments but I don't like a ton of ornaments so they have to be strategically placed.  The Christmas tree upstairs has mainly Dwight's childhood ornaments but a few of mine too and now we are adding Andrew's.  I put up this tree myself and luckily, it is pre-lighted.  Again, Dwight will try to help with ornaments but I'd rather just do it all myself.  I'm picky like that.  I have  a feeling when Andrew gets old enough I'll let him help.
23. Snow. Love it? or Dread it?  Love to look at it, love to play in it, hate to drive in it. (Amy's answer and I'll just say "ditto").  Let me add that three days of snow is more than enough for me at once.
24. Can you ice skate?  I have never tried because I do live in North Carolina and though we now have an outdoor rink in Raleigh, I will promise you I still won't be trying.  I need all of my body parts to remain intact and not broken!
25. Do you remember your favorite gift?  In middle school, I got two rings - one was heart shaped with a teeny tiny diamond in the middle and the other was an opal ring.  I still have both in my jewelry box.
26. What's the most important thing about the holidays to you?  Remembering the true meaning of Christmas, and making attempts to make it less about gifts, and more about our Savior's Birth. (Amen to Amy's answer)
27. What tops your tree?  I prefer elegant over flashy so just big bows.  No stars, no angels, no music playing do-dads
28. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?  I seriously love giving a whole lot more than receiving.  Now, I do like receiving if it is something I def. wanted or liked but would rather give anytime.
29. Candy Canes, Yuck or Yum?  They're alright.  Not my favorite but I will take a lick ever now and then.

"Ho! Ho! Ho!" Makes Andrew Smile

Last year, Andrew didn't exactly know Santa and hadn't developed separation anxiety yet.  This year, I wasn't sure how it would go.  Because Andrew is so social and outgoing, I was pretty sure he would be fine.  I was right.  As we waited in line, we could see Santa in his big chair.  At first, Andrew was more interested in all the shiny decorations but then, Santa and Andrew made eye contact.  Santa looked directly at Andrew and started waving.  Andrew was a little shy so he smiled back instead.  Then Santa grabbed a little stuffed bear toy and started playing with Andrew across the little winter wonderland set while he waited on the next child in line who would inevitably throw a fit.  As we got closer, Andrew became restless so we let him down and it was almost as if he was going to sneak through the fence.  It was Santa time.  I positioned Andrew on Santa's lap as he talked to Andrew and I ran off so I could get my own picture before the photographer started snapping away.  Andrew looked a little confused and didn't really look at Santa.  He was very interested in watching the elevator ride up and down.  The photographer was able to get a really good picture.  Before we left, Santa made Andrew a reindeer hat and waved goodbye!

Amazed at all the decorations!

Andrew looks confused by the naughty or nice question

The passing of the reindeer hat and saying goodbye

Rockin' the reindeer antlers

2008 & 2009 w/ Santa

After visiting Santa, we were all hungry so we went to eat at the food court.  We did a little shopping and stopped at the Disney Store before leaving the mall.  We bought Andrew a stuffed Pluto dog.  He doesn't have any special feelings for Pluto but it was sooo soft and before we even left the huge pile of stuffed animals, he was rubbing Pluto's ear under his nose.  We knew it was the perfect choice!  He also got a new pair of footed Cars pajamas!

Later in the night, we went out again and before coming home, we stopped to get dinner at McDonalds.  Here is Andrew wearing Christmas beads around his neck and ketchup on his mouth.

Have No Fear

the neighborhood security guards are ON DUTY!

Keeping an eye out

She sees something

And now she's going to scare them off with her ferocious growl and bark

Andrew has to take a closer look for himself

They decided it's safer to just stay on the sofa!!

BTW, I hate to do this but I've been having some comment spam lately so I must put the word verification back on at least for a little while.  Maybe this will get rid of all these comments in Chinese I'm having to reject plus those trying to sell stuff.