Jingle Bells Santa Smells I scratched myself inappropriately during the song...

Today was the Christmas party at preschool. Oh 4 year old preschool. As Mike was engaged in mandatory training at Travis AFB, my Dad went with me and served as official photographer. Thanks Dad! Having you there was very handy for the gingerbread house building and for an extra set of eyes and hands to keep Katie and Jessica contained once the buffet was set out.

I blame their bad behavior on the penguin cupcakes. Those little plastic penguins on top were actual plastic rings you can wear on your fingers. It was too much for them to stand.
The kids had practiced a poem and two songs to perform for their adult guests. Jessica the German Nazi pointed out to the teacher as soon as they all lined up that "we will be doing the poem first, then jingle bells, THEN Rudolph right?" The teacher kindly said "yes Jessica you are right. That is the correct order." Jessica then turned to the little boy next to her and said "See??? I told you we weren't doing Rudolph first!" This all went down while all the other kids were silent, waiting for the signal from the teacher to begin. Yep, that's my kid. In kindergarten I ran around during the Thanksgiving play saying every kid's lines because I was positive they would forget and I had memorized the whole play. Mike did stuff like that too. We were both obnoxious know-it-alls. Thank goodness that has changed. Whew.

Then, during Rudolph, Katie had a little mis-step. First, you must realize that Katie marches to a totally different tune than anyone else in the room - any room. As they were performing, she was looking out the window watching cars go by, twirling her hair, dancing the little dance they made up to the wrong song. I wanted to yell "Katie! Look Alive! Jingle Bells has a dance...Rudolph has hand motions! Get your head in the game!" But I didn't. So she had her hands on top of her head as "antlers" while she danced the dance that went to Jingle Bells. She never took her hands off her head as she looked up at the ceiling and made some face that I couldn't figure out. All of a sudden around "won't you guide my sleigh tonight" she remembered she was in the middle of performing so she lifted her skirt, scratched her twinkle and picked up the hand motions with all the other kids. She managed to make it in time to "you'll go down in history" (it's the big finish don't you know?) and then curtsied to the crowd. At first, I wanted to die. Then, I started to laugh because it's just so Katie. Had she kept time and didn't spaz out I would have actually died of shock.

It was a fun party and the food was great. Most of all, I am so thankful to our teachers who devote countless hours beyond what they get paid to do, in order to make preschool a magical, fun learning environment for my girls. Seriously, just the time it takes to clean up all the glitter makes me want to get down and kiss their feet. Thank you to teachers everywhere! Notice all of the kids at attention and notice mine in the back of the group? Merry Hyper Christmas!

Dinner My Way...

I feel really pressed for time this past week. In looking at what is ahead of me in the upcoming week, I feel overwhelmed. So Mike suggested, rather than trying to cook or ordering take out, that I go to "Dinner My Way" or "Dream Dinners" and pick up some ready made meals. WE don't have a Dream Dinners in our town but we do have a Dinner My Way. So I picked up 5 meals for $50. They each serve 3 people. Given that we have two adults and two tiny people, they are the perfect size for our family. This had made life so much easier the past three days. We have dined on Shepherd's Pie, Greek Chicken with Orzo Pasta and Tortilla Soup with all the fixings. I have added bags of salad being sure to do dark leafy greens to keep things healthy. I've been surprised at how healthy the meals are in regards to fat/calories/sodium etc. Also, they have been delicious and easy. All I have to do is take the container out of my fridge, pop it in the oven and toss some dressing on the salad along with a diced tomato. We all feel like we've eaten a home made meal and it was easier AND cheaper AND healthier AND tasted better than fast food or take out.

If you are short on time, I recommend getting some ready made meals from one of these companies. You can also get frozen meals from Costco or the grocery store, but those are less healthy and you don't control the ingredients. These are all freshly prepared and I didn't have to do the work, but I was able to ask them to make them with less oil/salt than the recipe calls for.

I have so much cooking to do over the next week that any night I can do something else instead of cook like shop, wrap, clean, BATHE etc. is a good use of time and resources. Happy dinner time!

Thinking About It Tomorrow...

I am just that big of a geek with massive insecurities that I thought I would be the only person alive that waited for the past month for the airing of Gone With The Wind on TCM yesterday. You see, it was 70 years ago yesterday in which Gone With The Wind premiered in Atlanta, Georgia. And I guess I just really think I am all alone in my obsessions that I assumed nobody would even notice that it was on. Then, PDub went on and on about it on her website and I realized how silly of me that I thought I would be the only one to look forward to the anniversary of the biggest movie of all time.

I read Margaret Mitchell's massive book in 1988. I was 16. I carried it around with me at school and people looked at me like I was an alien that I would ever read a book that big. I loved it. Loved loved loved LOVED IT.

Then I saw the movie. And here is a little bit about that...

I wanted to be Scarlett. I wanted her spunk and courage and 19 inch waist. I died my hair black and determined to stay out of the sun. I looked into getting green contacts. I knew someday I would have a daughter named Katie. See, I told you. This movie was life changing.

Rhett Butler is still the coolest, most dashing hero in any movie. (Except for MAYBE Carey Grant in An Affair To Remember) I love how he handles Scarlett and how he sees her faults but loves her anyway. I dreamed of a man who would know me like that, but love me despite my flaws. I didn't marry a Rhett. I most definitely didn't. Luckily, God knew I needed an Ashley. Oh, by the way, Ashley is Katie's middle name. Told you...LIFE CHANGING.

Melanie used to bug me. I used to think she was plain and weak. How wrong was I? She is so beautiful and strong and amazing. I love her so much. When Scarlett came to Ashley's birthday party after India spread the rumor that Scarlett and Ashley were caught fooling around and Rhett made Scarlett go inside by herself so Melanie can kick her out in front of everyone and Melanie goes up to her and kisses her on the cheek and welcomes her into the house I was in a puddle on the floor. Melanie Hamilton Wilkes. Man, that lady had class.

Watching this movie at 38 is so different than watching it at 16. Scarlett, although she IS strong is selfish and cruel and not nearly as fantastic as she appears. Seeing Rhett lose Bonnie through my 38 year old eyes is painful and hits too close to home. Watching how Rhett loves everyone, from Mammie, to Melanie to Belle Watley to Ashley (he saves his life) and of course, Scarlett. The fact that he walks out on her in the end into the fog in some ways makes me love him more. In my mind, he always came back eventually. But that was when I was 16. Now, I'm not sure even Rhett and Scarlett could survive the loss of a child. Especially with all the blame back and forth. It's just so wonderfully sad.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the anniversary. I can't believe Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind came out the same year. What a great year. It's like 1994 when Shawshank Redemption and Forest Gump competed for Best Picture or the next year that Sense & Sensibility and Braveheart were nominated. How did they choose the Oscar?

I know this crazy time of year does not justify the time it takes to watch this movie. But it's worth it and will remind you of all of our humanity and how some things are just timeless.

Gift Guide - Amy Meeker Edition

I decided this past weekend that I hate the mall with a surprisingly large amount of hatred behind my statement of well...hatred. I went to the mall last holiday season. Then once this past year, then once again this past weekend. And each time I hate it even more. I love, love, love, however, online shopping. I love it so much that I even bothered to click up (that's tech for pick up don't you know?) some gifts for my very high maintenance Grandmother who is not Grammie Bea who is in her own way high maintenance but nothing compared to this other Grandmother. Lucky for me, neither Grandmother knows what the Internet is. They think it's magical every time I get an email and think I order the presents I get from a big chute attached to my house and that they just magically appear.

So I thought you might feel a little bit overwhelmed and need to blaze through a last minute shopping list. I know you can still get these things online but you might have to pay for shipping given it's the 15th.

For Him: Bosca Leather Wallet from Nordstrom.com
For Her: Anything from Tiffany. I know, you think, it's out of my budget. But you'll be surprised by some of the things you can get. And one gift in a little blue box is so much better than say when your husband gets you a Playstation and Guitar Hero just so he can play Call of Duty. (Merry Christmas to me 2008)
For Your Brother: Sweaters from the Gap on are on sale 50% off. And socks that normally go for $15 are marked down to $4. Please do NOT just buy him socks.
For Your Sister: If she's a homey type (that's homey not homely) get her either the hand soap/hand lotion in the holder set from William Sonoma. If she loves to cook: you can't go wrong with either cookbook Mastering The Art of French Cooking, by Julia Child or The Pioneer Woman Cooks, by Ree Drummond. Add a nice bottle of olive oil or some fleur de sel (French sea salt). You can get all of it at Amazon. If she's a fashionista: Get her some earrings at Anthropologie. Don't buy a fashionista clothes, purses or shoes. If she's granola and the etsy type: Get her something from etsy, I have no frame of reference for this type of girl.
For the newlyweds: A really nice ornament from swavorski or Nordstrom.
For the teenager: cash
For the tween: anything with New Moon on it. You can get it all at Nordstrom online. If it's a boy tween, I hear video games are popular. I have no idea where to get those.
For the little girl: A trunk of dress up clothes. You can either get a ready made trunk at Amazon or you can go to the thrift store and make your own. The thrift store version are always better but who has time. My girls are getting a trunk of sparkly gloves, skirts, crowns, hats etc. I also recommend the American Girl merchandise. My cousin Tara recommends starting out your little girl with the bitty baby then moving up around Age 7 to the actual dolls. But I am not doing either yet because my girls are not into dolls at all. So I bought all the Felicity and Molly books and we are going to start there. Amazon again.
For the kids who just won't leave you alone for some damn peace and quiet: The Safari Monkey with extra wand. It's a monkey that you hide. Then as the kids hunt for it with their safari wands in their hand, the wands start to light up as you get closer to the monkey. The closer you get the more lights that light up. It's a 2009 version of the hotter/colder game. I plan on making Katie hide it for Jessica and vice versa. Again, Amazon.
For Grandmothers: Estee Lauder White Linen perfume. This is the way all Grandmothers should smell. Digital picture frames with a bunch of family pictures loaded on them are a great idea too. My Dad is going to put in the hours of time it will take to load those on the frame bless him. DON'T get Grandmothers flowers. They will die by New Year and they'll forget what you got them. Grandma's also seem to like anything with a picture on it of you. At least, they act like they do. Estee Lauder is available at ulta.com or sephora.com. The picture frames are best at costco.com or officedepot.com. Chocolate at sees.com.
For Grandpas: This makes me sad because we haven't had a Grandpa for a few years now. But when we had one we found they liked treats to eat, warm socks, flannel shirts and being taken out to dinner. I really miss our Grandpas.
For your neighbor or coworker: I don't bake. I was going to but I just don't. Also, I don't drink. I get people a really nice bottle of French Lemonade or Olive Oil from our grocery store. The lemonade will run you $6-8 and the olive oil will cost around $13-$20. Sea salt is also nice.
For your boss: A nice picture frame for their office is nice. They'll put their family in it but they'll think of you. Thus, you = family = being harder to fire.
For your kids' teachers: This is where we might disagree. I go all out for the girls teachers. First, I have 2 kids in the same class so I feel like my gift should represent two kids. Secondly, they work harder than anyone I have ever known for very little pay. They love and protect my children day in and day out and I really want them to know how thankful I am for them. I do gift cards to Borders in the amount of $50. But, remember TWO kids. A lot of the kids in our class do really nice ornaments for their teachers. But that's still going to run you close to $20. So I think a gift card for Borders, a gift card for a pedicure/manicure, a gift card for a massage or something to make them feel relaxed and pampered is the best way to go.
For your hair stylist/nail technician/cleaning person/nanny: The standard is a tip for the amount of one of their services. If you pay $30 for your nails, you leave a tip for $30 when you get your nails done in December. I give my mother's helper Kayla, one week of pay as her gift.

And please, especially this year, don't forget to donate your used coats to coats for kids, your gently used toys and clothes to a charity, a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and any non perishable foods to your local food drive. There are also giving trees all over every town with the name, age and wish of a needy child on a tag. Then, you go buy that gift, wrap it and tape the tag to the gift.

And most importantly, for yourself: get yourself something good this year. If your "to do" list looks anything like mine, you are going to need a gift card for a nice long massage. Schedule it now for Saturday, the 26th. You'll be so glad.

I feel so much better...

My Barack O'Boyfriend sat down with Oprah and Michelle for Christmas At The Whitehouse. My faith in human kind and Christmas and wonderfulness is restored! Take that hussey Jenny McCarthy!

Because I'm sure Santa wanted a Playboy Playmate of The Year for his DAUGHTER

I remember when getting ready for Christmas included things like trimming the tree, making fudge and watching ol'Bing belt out his velvety smooth rendition of White Christmas. After today, my faith in Christmas might be in danger of vanishing a little bit. After spending 45 minutes trying to get from the Arden way exit to the actual mall parking lot, I arrived home tired and ready to kick my feet up. Then I saw a preview for a new Christmas movie that the guy inside the TV told me would be sure to be "an instant Christmas classic!" The movie is called "Santa Baby" and apparently, Sunday night, they will be airing both "Santa Baby" and "Santa Baby 2 - Christmas Maybe". So this movie had enough of a following LAST year that they made a remake. Oh yes they did.

The movie stars a very blond and airbrushed Jenny McCarthy. Is it just me or didn't she become famous by taking her clothes off and posing for Playboy? Wasn't she the wild MTV girl that flashed us and talked dirty to our college age ears? And now, I'm supposed to buy that she is the daughter of Santa Claus, played by Norm from Cheers! Are you kidding me? I expected Santa to belly up the bar for a cold beer and his daughter to wiggle her way across the room wearing mistletoe and nothing else. Is this really what "Christmas Classics" are coming to? A nudey model and an alcoholic bringing us the joy and magic of Christmas? And now in the 2nd sequel version, Tori Spelling's husband Dean is going to play the love interest of Jenny McCarthy. There are so many thoughts buzzing in my head about Tori and Dean that I even wrote a letter to the girls one time about it on this blog. I'm sort of ashamed of us and the ABC family channel and television in general. I know Jenny McCarthy is an Autism crusader and all that Jim Carey nonsense now, but really that just means she wants me to not immunize my kids and dates Jim Carey. Gross. Sorry Jenny. You have a fantastic shape for a Mom but your sweater is too tight to belong in any Christmas classic movie of mine. I vote to stick with Bing Crosby and Jimmy Stewart and a clay model of Rudolph for my Christmas movie cheer.

On Dasher! On Dancer! On Prancer! On Trudy?

Many of you know who my Grammie Bea is. She is awesomeness in a Grandma. She lives at The Meadows. The Meadows is an assisted living facility for senior citizens. It's a pretty classy joint. It's just been remodeled and is designed in sort of a Tuscan style. I can't say enough about how happy Grammie is at The Meadows. This is shocking to all of us who are related to her. We thought when the time came that she could no longer live alone that she would have to be dragged from her house kicking and screaming. Surprisingly, she went chose to go to the Meadows and she loves the food, activities, friends she has made and mostly the staff who in my humble opinion, are some the kindest people on the planet. It takes very special people to work with senior citizens. Yes, they are wise and wonderful and have amazing things to teach us. But they are also grumpy and complain about anything ranging from noise to the size of piece of pie they get for dessert. But the staff is hip and cool and loves these old people . One of the activities people announced to us tonight that the residents weren't old, they were vintage. I thought that was cute.

So tonight was the Christmas dinner celebration at The Meadows. Family members were invited to purchase a ticket for dinner and join their senior citizen. My Mom bought tickets for all of us and at 5pm (because hello? can you say early bird special) we gathered at the Meadows for some Christmas cheer. Huge shrimp cocktail, asparagus, seafood newburg and awesome prime rib greeted us. Surprisingly, there wasn't a jello or mashed potato in sight. Tiny individual desserts, sherbet punch and very very warm temperatures inside were had by all. (They gotta keep it very warm for all the arthritus and weak lungs in the crowd) Finally, after much waiting, jumping up and down and waiting some more...Santa arrived. Instead of sitting in a chair, he walked around and greeted all the people. He would approach a table and shout out in his jolly voice "Hello Norman! It's wonderful to see you. Ho Ho Ho!" And then he would go around the table greeting each person by name. After a few tables, I started to get teary. He was greeting people named Stanley, Betty, Isabel, Lou and Trudy. There was a Vivian and a Helen, along with an Ester and a Joy. As he made his way to our table with "Katie" and "Jessica", the thought came to me that the room was filled with my four year olds and many people that were 75 and up. But the look on their faces was the same. As all of us who were visiting family members checked our watches and wiped the sweat from our brow, the young and old had pure undiluted joy on their faces. They were in the presence of Santa Claus and it was Christmas and the world is wonderful right in this moment. Katie and Trudy both giggled as Santa reached out his white gloved hand. Jessica and Norman grinned from ear to ear when Santa got closer to where they were sitting.

It was wonderful. And I promised myself that I would try very hard to take a moment and think of things like a very very young or very very old person this year. I will try and enjoy the simple magic of Christmas. And I would like to say that there needs to be more people named Betty. We can't let that name die out. Get on that will you?

Different Strokes For Different Folks...

Katie's preschool teacher pulled me aside today when I dropped off the girls. "Amy, I wanted to know if there was anything we can do to include your beliefs and family traditions this Christmas so the girls feel included." I looked at her like she was sprouting antlers from her head and said "say what?" She went on to explain that Katie has been announcing her distinct and varied religious beliefs to the class over the past few weeks. When I asked her teacher what exactly did she tell you? She told me that Katie told her she was "A Jewish Mormon Lover of Christ!" She wanted to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas and said she was a Jew that loved Jesus. I explained to her teacher that we were just normal Christmas believers, Mary/Joseph/Baby Jesus in Bethlehem, Santa/Reindeer etc. at North Pole, egg nog, stockings hung by the fire, caroling, mistletoe and lots of ham, turkey and fudge. Based on what Katie has been telling her, she was getting ready to break out the feast for Kwanzaa, the dreidel and menorah and candy canes, presents and carols. I told her that I appreciate it, but just the Christmas stuff is needed.



Points to Katie for wanting to encompass and involve all people from all different religions. She's a unifier that one. A little Jewish Mormon Lover of Christ.

All I Want For Christmas Contains Your Two Front Teeth

So Katie said the following to me today:

K: Mom. Do you know what I want for Christmas the most of all?
M: What?
K: I'll give you a hint. It's not a toy or a game and it is on every one's self.
M: I don't know what?
K: Mom, I want your smile for Christmas. I want to get a big smile from my very best Mama on Christmas Day.
M: Ohhhhhh (seriously touched)...that is SO sweet Katie Kate! I love you!
K: Don't you think Santa will really like that I want that for Christmas Mama? I'm sure that will get me on his nice list, don't you think?
M: Mmmmmmm. I'm not sure Katie. I'm sure Santa will think it's very sweet. Now go play.

That kid can work it like nobody I know. She is always working some angle. Her favorite sentence is "Mama, I have a GREAT idea!" Followed by something that is most definitely NOT a great idea.

If it's like this at 4, I don't have a prayer of survival when she's 14.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like - Chaos

Why do I not prepare more for the holidays? I need to start earlier. Much much earlier, so that I don't have the feeling deep in my chest that I have right now. That feeling that says..."Amy you are smoking a very special kind of crack if you think you are going to get it all done." Here's what I have done. Lights up outside: check. Christmas Tree and all decorating supplies out and ready to go: check. Presents for 70% of people bought: check. So I only have to: buy the rest of presents, decorate the tree, wrap 1,347 presents, take girls to see Santa, buy stocking stuffers, bake cookies and bread, have dinner with Grandma Meeker, go to Christmas party at Grandma Bea's senior community, go to Mike's Christmas party, go to dinner at Grandma Houlie's, buy and cook dishes for dinner at Grandmas, Christmas Eve at home, Christmas Day at Mike's parents, finish shopping, pack for a family of 4 for Mexican cruise, gingerbread houses, nails done, get girls hair cut, watch Frosty, Charlie Brown and Polar Express and make sure everything is spit and polished come the 24th. Make sure we are ready to leave on the 26th. Seriously, I am so glad we are going on a cruise this year right after it's all over. It will force us to relax and recover from all the hustle and bustle.

I am concerned but not complaining. I am so lucky to have my family and all of these things to do. There are lots of people who dread this time of year not because of all the activities but because of the loneliness. That would be the worst. There have been moments in the past week that have been wonderful. The excitement on the girls eyes when they got their special snow globes on their beds that officially kick off Christmas at our house, hanging lights with them in Santa hats, having MIKE HOME this year (can I get an AMEN and a HALLELUJAH?). We have had our hot cocoa and looked at lights and have had Christmas music on in the car 100% of the time. We went over to Grandma Bea's apartment at The Meadows today and brought her a wreath for her door and a pink table top Christmas tree with pink lights and purple/hot pink/lime green/turquoise blue ornaments. (Guess who picked out the pink tree?) Even though she acted like it was no big deal, we could tell she was really excited that she had a little tree and a wreath for her door. She was excited for the girls to decorate it with her. And after they were done she moved all the little balls to just where she thought they should go. My mom brought over an extension cord so we could plug it in for her. It was really cute. My Auntie Lori got her this really classy and cool sign for her door that says Count Your Blessings which is awesome because she needs to remember all the ways she's blessed for as long as Alzheimer's will allow her to. So the little sign is below the wreath that I brought and both have gold running through them so they look good together. So all in all, there have been some great moments so far.

Right now, the girls are counting to 100 and then when they are done I will be going in their room to read the The Polar Express while we suck on candy canes. They have their candy nightgowns on and they are so excited to read the book together. This will be the first time we've read the book, I just bought it Friday. If I seem a little frazzled and sort of stressed out, their level of excitement and Christmas joy causes me to remember each day that I need to take a second and just enjoy the season. They'll never have a Christmas again when they will be four. And let me tell you, four year olds are the BEST if you are looking for innocent joy and excitement and loudness. Ear splitting loudness. It's awesome.

Pictures of all of it to follow...

Thanks In The Giving - My Awesome Aunt & Uncle - Christmas Kickoff

Turkey Day came and went. The girls made dream catchers for all the guests out of paper plates, leather cord, beads and feathers. We cooked and seasoned, then went over to my parents for the feast. Auntie Lori and Uncle Terry were visiting from Oregon. Have I not introduced you to them before? Oh my. I must correct that immediately. Auntie Lori is my Mom's younger sister. Number 3 out of 4 girls. She is the awesomest! She was a school teacher and is the best "with kids" person I have ever known. When I was a kid she would direct our cousin Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve. She would play the part of the angel and she would read the Christmas story while we played our parts dressed in bathrobes and towels. As the only girl cousin in the appropriate age group, I had to play Mary forever. Susan played the baby Jesus until she was like 5 or 6. We all acted like we hated it but secretly we loved it. Auntie Lori was the person that would flop on my bed when I was a teenager and ask me all about my friends and boys and get excited at all the stuff in my life that my Mom thought was dumb. She loved to talk, shop, read and would hide with me when it was time to do the dishes. She gave me my copy of Charlotte's Web, the first book I ever read AND the first book that made me cry. It's the book that made me realize that literature has amazing power. She always made me feel super important and smart, even when I made dumb mistakes. And Uncle Terry, well I can't say enough about Uncle T. Except for my Dad, he was the single biggest influence on me as a kid (as far as a guy goes). When I flew for the first time by myself, it was to Oregon to visit them. He was so different than my Dad. My Dad is mellow and chilled out. Uncle Terry was animated and emotional. My Dad did stuff to let me know he loved me. Uncle Terry would tell Jeff and I every night how much he loved us and how we were his buddies and he'd tell Shmedley stories about his pet raccoon. He was all about "awesome", "neat!", "wow" and animated stories about anything and everything that included sound effects and hand and body motions. When everyone in my family told me that Mike reminded them of Uncle Terry when he was younger, I knew I had a good guy and not to let him go. Both my Dad and Uncle Terry are "those" Dads. The ones that will do anything for you, will make signs to get you elected to Student Body President (my senior year) and pick up Thai food on the other side of town because you are sick and feel like chicken with yellow curry. (last night) They are the move you in and put up shelves and paint and fix stuff for you Dads. And they are the never let you down Dads. Ever Ever. Mike is on the right track on being that sort of Dad. It was important to me even at a young age that I picked somebody like that. And I totally totally totally did. (Except for the handyman part. Mike is all about hiring a handyman if it will save him having to do a huge job. Or calling my Dad if it is something little. But if you need your computer fixed or a vasectomy, Mike is your guy) Anyway, is there anything better than a good guy who loves being a husband and plays dress up with his daughters including a hot pink boa while watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer? I dare say there is not. (That is what is going on at my house right now)

So Thanksgiving was fine. I ate the wrong things and my Dad pitched a gravy hissy fit but we learned what Wondra was. (A separate post in necessary about Wondra alone) I made leftover turkey pot pie Sunday night. Yum. That recipe will go up on my recipe blog ASAP. Now, we are online shopping for gifts and looking forward to beginning Christmas traditions this week. We have already looked at lights. Tree and our own lights will go up this weekend.

It's sure different this year having Mike home. My heart goes out to anyone (Amelia) who's husband is deployed right now. It just sucks. I will be there again next year. I am not looking forward to it. For now, I am going to soak up all the family Christmas spirit and fun we can have. Rudolph and Yukon Cornelius just landed on the island of misfit toys so obviously...I gotta go.