It's Big, but at least it's getting used!

When my parents bought the see-saw for the kids 2 Christmas' ago we thought that we would leave it inside just for the winter then put it outside. When it got warmer we rationalized that they used it more inside that they would if we put it outside. So we left it in for another winter. When spring came again and they used it less frequently we were going to put it outside again, even though it was a crowd favorite when small guests came. But then I mentioned that if we moved it that it would leave a big empty space that would need to be filled with a large and expensive piece of furniture. Gabe did not like that idea so we let it stay. Now Reyse has decided she is big enough for it and is on it all the time. She looks little but she holds on real tight!

It got Payge back on it too! She loves to make her laugh on it, and show off like sitting backwards!

Gingerbread House!

So Monday night I had such a great idea, as soon as the girls got home from school we would decorate our gingerbread house, cut out the sugar cookies, and have our favorite kielbasa soup and fresh from the oven rolls! It was really cold outside and was suppose to rain, which would mean Baylee's soccer practice would get cancelled and everybody would be home for the night. YEAH!

So we started the gingerbread house right away, except that I bought this kit about two years ago. After warming up the frosting that comes with it nine times we finally gave up and I made frosting. Then my first frosting bag had holes in in and so I moved all the frosting into another bag, then all my tips were not cooperating. Finally I got it working and started frosting it for them. Gabe checked to see it they cancelled Baylee's practice. They didn't and were moving it up half an hour. In all my struggles with the gingerbread house I got the soup started late and Gabe and Baylee couldn't even eat. The cookies remain in dough form in my fridge and my perfect family evening a bust. Why does nothing work out the way I plan, EVER!!

The final product looks pretty good but the kids discovered that two year old candy isn't very good, and can break your teeth. I actually like it because nobody will dismantle it before Christmas!

Christmas is here!!

As I have been perusing my friends blogs, I love that everyone is putting pictures of their Christmas decorations up. I never get to see what every ones houses look like all prettied up, so I decided since no one but my parents(every other year) come for Christmas I would put a few of mine up as well.

My camera decided to be blurry again but this is the outside of the house. I am pretty positive that this is it for the lights on the outside, Gabe said he was going to put up some on part of the roof but I am not going to hold my breath. My multicolored bushes will have to do!

Our fireplace is running out of room for stockings, especially when Grammy and Papa Bear visit!

When we first moved here(in March) we went garage saling. We found this pre-lit tree for $40. It fits perfect in the front room windows. I would love to set up my old tree in the gameroom for a kid tree, they can decorate, but with Reyse I can only protect one tree.

Thanksgiving Feast!!

I seem to like working backwards with the pictures that is, Gabe's Dad and Step mom Judy came to our house this year for Thanksgiving. We were really excited. I am not the most experienced Thanksgiving dinner maker. My mom is usually here to run the show and I just do as I am told. This year it was all up to me. Judy was a huge help, I am a terribly messy cook and she cleaned up behind me all week. I brined the turkey( which is to soak it in a salt and sugar mixture in ice cold water over night). The turkey was so moist it was really good. Next, I made cornbread stuffing from scratch, it was good but a little strong on the sage for me, my mom told me later that sage cooks strong (good to know now). Homemade gravy, Delicious! Mashed potatoes, and homemade bread. I definitely had some glitches in the preparation but it all came out really good.

This was the aftermath of the Feast!

The before picture, only 2 hours behind schedule!

You might think you were looking at the picture after we had dinner and were full, but this was actually before dinner, I guess the Football game was a little boring!

Heck with the pumpkin pie just give me a can of whipped cream!

Tayt's turn!

Open wide Payge!

The kids in their new outfits from Grandma and Papa! Thanks for coming, we loved having you here. We miss you!

Reyse and Papa Simon BFF!!

My pictures are again out of order, but my computer won't allow me to cut and paste. So, we will begin backwards. From the very first day of Gabe's parents arrival Reyse gravitated to Gabe's dad like a fish to water. They were inseparable the entire week. It was CRAZY! She would jump from me to him in a heartbeat. Run past both Gabe and I straight to him. She would try to hit anyone that tried to take her away from her Papa!

This is a picture of the day they were leaving and she was crying because he had to go and was giving her to me( thanks alot). I think he picked her up and told her goodbye several times.

This is where she sat 90% of the day on his lap. She even obeyed his commands! He would tell her to give Judy a mean face when she wanted to hold her and Reyse would. I think Judy got more than a few slaps when she would get to close to Reyse's Papa. Reyse doesn't like to share!
This is when we went to the Zoo, they had just gotten in the night before and already she was attached at the hip to him!

What a cute couple!!

This was something I had to document because it was so funny. She hated to be away from him at all, and he was always to happy to scoop her up and hug her all day!! He never got tired of showering her with attention! She misses you Papa, good thing she can't talk!

Day at the Zoo!!

Gabes dad and step mom came down for Thanksgiving. Were very excited because this was their first visit since we moved all the way to Texas. Tuesday we decided to go to the Dallas Zoo. It was a lot of fun and the kids have been dying to go! We couldn't get Reyse away from the Elephants. When we would call her, she just turned and gave us this dirty look!

All the girls when we first enter the park! I couldn't persuade Simon and Judy to get in the picture.


Every formation of any kind the girls had to climb!

We had a great time at the Zoo, It is small enough to enjoy in half a day!

Baylee's Birthday Party!

I am playing a little catch up, last Friday Baylee had her party and we had about nine girls come. A much better number than Taytum's party. My pictures are out of order but that will have to do.

Baylee got lots of great presents from her friends!

Gabe stayed and helped with this one, he felt a little sorry for me but I'll take it! He dished out ice cream and definitely got in the spirit!
Reyse the little beggar!

Baylee wanted frosted brownies instead of cake, sounds good to me !