Sunday, November 30, 2008

It's SNOWING

ZOMG

Wow.

It won't stick, but its so pretty to watch fall






You say its your birthday

Well its my birthday too!

Got a big list of things I'm doing this morning. but I have a few things to post about when I get home this afternoon.



Saturday, November 29, 2008

We are now the proud owners of a

Lizard.


Caity went to take her shower tonight and she hollers out "Mom, there's a lizard in here"

yes, a lizard. A little one somehow got into our bathtub. Of course she wouldn't let us put it outside once DH said it would die (cold), so now its in a mason jar (with air holes at the top) until we can find more appropriate lodging for it.

Anyone know how to take care of lizards?




Friday, November 28, 2008

The final day of the Awesome Blog Party

You can find my post on Momdot



Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving -- THE FOOD Baby

Onward to Day Eleven of Momdot's Rocking Christmas Party Are you excited yet? 2 days away from the grand prize!

Today's Question is all about the food, of course. So
If you could only eat ONE food on Thanksgiving Day, what would it be? Do you have a home cooked meal for Thanksgiving or do you go out to eat? Does your family dress up?




Thanksgiving is all about the food baby. One thing. Only one thing. Oh gosh. I'd have to say the Pecan Praline Pie. It's divine. DIVINE. And I only get it on holidays. You know, cause I'm too lazy to make my own.


We have a home cooked meal. We get together with all the family at one location (alternated) and everyone pitches in with the cooking.

We don't really dress up special. The kids play outside, inside, all over. The adults cook, and talk, its really a relaxed setting.






Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Boys. Little boys.

I spent the afternoon with little boys. And all I can say is thank goodness I have two daughters and not three sons.


C, H, and I were a great fun for the girls and they were all pretty good, but man, boys are so gross and disturbing and they have like 3 times the energy of my girls.





Momdot wants to know -- Christmas Decorations

Day 10 is all about the decor! What do you do to decorate?

Check out the Momdot Christmas Party

Do you decorate for the Holidays? Do you have a themed Christmas tree? Share pics! Do you think there is such a thing as OVER decorating?


We decorate the inside of the house, not so much the outside -- We plan to this year, but we'll have to see.

Our Christmas tree is Disney themed. We have all kinds of Disney ornaments, some from Hallmark, some from Disney, and some from other stores too. We have not foudn the perfect Disney lights for it yet, but we're looking. And We hope to get the Tinker Bell topper soon too.

I don't think there is such a thing as overdecorating. I love looking at Christmas lights and scenes.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Cartstopper -- A review and giveaway.

I got the opportunity to try out a new safety product last week. The Cartstopper.

Have you ever gone to the grocery store alone with the kids and the buggy tries to roll away as you are loading groceries into the car. You know what I mean, you have to keep one hand on the buggy, and use the other to load the bags into the car.

Not any more.

The Cartstopper is designed to attach the buggy to your car, so you can load the groceries without fear that your child(ren) will be rolling off in the buggy.

The Cartstopper sticks to your vehicle with a large suction cup while a plastic "handle" holds the cart in place. The Carstopper is easy to affix to the car, and easy to remove.

I took the girls with me to Kroger, it was a drizzly day, and it was just me and the girls. A great day to try out this new device. The car, was mostly clean, and the suction stuck to it just fine. The rain, though light, did not affect it at all. I loved that the cart stayed where I had put it and I didn't have to worry about the girls or my groceries. Unloading the cart was a snap and when I was through, it took seconds to release the cartstopper so I could return the cart to the corral. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who ever goes shopping alone with kids. It is a very novel concept! I only wish it was around 4 years ago when Caity was a baby!

You can click to order your own CartStopper Or you can try to win one on my blog.

That's right, Cartstopper is offering my readers a chance to win. You will receive one cartstopper if you win.

Rules of the contest.

First and foremost, you must go to CartStopper's website and tell me something you learned about the product or its creator.


After you do that, you can have extra entries.

1. Blog about this contest including links to my blog post and Cartstopper.
2. Follow me on Twitter amd Tweet about this contest.
3. Follow me on blogger or add me to your blogroll.
4. Fave me on technorati. Click button on my sidebar.
5. Subscribe to my blog.

The contest starts today and will end December 3rd.




It's all about the Gifts -- Momdot Christmas Party

Just in time, Day Number 9, of the Momdot Christmas Party

Most unusual gift you have received? Best gift? Do you re-gift?


I can't think of anything unusual I have ever received for Christmas.

Best gift -- Hands down, my locket ball necklace. It holds 4 pictures and folds up into this awesome ball shape.

I have re-gifted a time or two, must usually I just return the item I don't want and get what I do.






Friday, November 21, 2008

Think Thin Thursdays -- #2 (a tad late)

WElcome back to Think Thin Thursday!

Lets see. My goals for last week were

#1 I will walk 3 days a week. A half mile, a mile, whatever, just designated walking at the Park on the trail.
#2 I need to lose about 10 lbs, so I want to lose some weight this week
#3 I will do crunches or sit ups 2 nights a week.

I did walk 2 days, the third it was raining.
I lost a pound.
I did do crunches 2 nights.

New goals for this week:

#1 -- Walk 3 days. A mile each day.
#2 -- Crunches two nights.
#3 -- Lose more weight.





Check out the Official rules for Think Thin Thursdays Here at Bridgette's Not so blog Blog



PSF In a Blur

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek













You see that Magenta-ish colored blur in this picture. That is Caity. Yep. Life in the fast lane, in a blur.








Black Friday

Now for day 8 of the Momdot Christmas Party.

Momdot asked:
Do you shop on Black Friday? What time do you start? Do you complete your shopping this day? What's the best deal you have ever found? What's your shopping strategy?

Do you shop on Black Friday? EVERY YEAR. Even when I was hugely pregnant.

What time do you start? This depends on what stores I am going too. Usually 3 am.


Do you complete your shopping this day? Yes, for the most part. The only thing left after Black Friday is stocking stuffers.

What's the best deal you have ever found?
My Toshiba Laptop for $250, Before we minused the best buy bucks from McDonald's.

What's your shopping strategy?
My MIL, DH, Aunt, Mom, and several friends all shop Black friday. We view the ads online before Black friday and start making our lists. Then On Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we split up the stores and decide who's going where. We give everyone a copy of our preliminary wants for each store. Then on Thanksgiving we call and make any changes. The person going to each store, gets the item(s) for everyone from that store. We keep cell phones at the ready in case we do not get something, someone can try somewhere else. Then we meet up Friday night to exchange all items and collect any money owed.







Thursday, November 20, 2008

Naughty or Nice -- I decide!

Fabulous Day Seven of the Momdot Christmas Party. Are you linked up?

Today's Question:

Who's on your naughty list? Whose on your nice list? Why?


So lets see, I'll start with the naughty list, its much shorter!

Naughty -- Jordy -- my baby brother. He's always on the naughty list, that's just who he is.

Jar Jar -- My older brother. He's on the naught list because of his noise maker presents from the past 4 years. Don't worry big bro, Emmy is going to enjoy all kinds of them herself.


Nice List:

Caity -- Mostly nice! She's getting better about listening.
Izzie -- She's a great kiddo.
Emmy -- She's too young to be naughty.
Lexi -- She's not walking yet, so still not naughty.

And of course lots of other friends and family.


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Memories

Favorite holiday memory from YOUR childhood

Oh gosh. This is a tough one.

I think my favorite memory is the year I was very sick. I was so sick; I didn’t even feel like opening presents which made it all the more depressing. But the one thing I remember most about that year, wasn’t the chicken pox, it wasn’t the fever, or the itching or anything else about being sick. It was my brothers who opened my gifts for me, before diving into their own, because they wanted me to be able to enjoy my presents.

It’s amazing, how sometimes, even the people you don’t get along with, are able to do the nicest things.

For more holiday memories, check over on Momdot Post your own and be eligible to win some great prizes.




Off to Children's again

Hoping that the new meds are working.

If we see a change for the good, we'll add the second new drug to the regimen, if not, we'll go to plan B!

Keep us in your thoughts.

When I get home, I'll be posting a review and contest! Keep on the look out.








Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Wordless Wednesday (Mostly)

So I'm thinking these are going to make an awesome Christmas card. *whistles*

You better not cry. You better not pout.


She just adores having her pictures made, can't you tell?


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Because I'm a sucker for new books

Sin a little…And Win! www.cynthiaeden.comEnter Today!Share Image


And contests.







Busy Week

So sorry for the lack of posts yesterday.


I have a few reviews coming your way, here and over on Busymom.

Caity has a checkup tomorrow to see how well her new drugs are working. And we have a little surprise coming up tomorrow, if everything works out!

Girls are sick.

We'll be going away again friday night through Sunday. But I'll be back sunday afternoon to go see Twilight for my birthday! Thanks G!


Volunteering

Another day, another topic. Have you been to the Christmas of Dreams party yet?


Do you volunteer during the Holidays? What organizations do you donate your time to? How do you teach your children the true meaning of the holidays?



I don't volunteer. I would like too, but most years it is not an option. We do get an angel off the tree at the mall and purchase gifts for them. The girls get to help pick out the gifts and we explain to them that not everyone is fortunate enough to have toys of their own. We also always try to donate to the bell ringers when we can.

I do hope that some time in the future I am able to donate more time to some of the great causes.






Monday, November 17, 2008

Holiday Food Food Food.

The party is going strong at Momdot, won't you come join us?

What is your favorite Holiday recipe, describe your Holiday table, biggest holiday cooking disaster

My favorite Holiday recipe is plain ol pecan pie. It's not Thanksgiving/Christmas time without pecan pie.

We have an interesting twist on our holiday table. The table cloth is signed by all who attend with their name and date, and then each name is cross-stitched over in various colors. My mom has done this since I was about 5 years old, and its amazing to see how much signatures have changed over the years and how much our family has grown and changed.

As for the menu, it’s sort of a free for all thing. My mom or grandma handles the Turkey and/or Ham and stuffing, while everyone else is designated to bring side items. Most years include, mashed taters, gravy, rolls, green bean casserole, candied sweet taters, mac&cheese, cheesy broccoli rice casserole, corn on the cob, and tons of desserts.






Friday, November 14, 2008

PSF -- Eww, that's disturbing.

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek




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What A sweet little family picture, eh?

Yeah. Lets do please note that that IS MY BROTHER, and me. It's a picture for our mom, 2(of 3)sibs and our littles.




Today's Topic: Gift Buying

Day 3 of the Momdot Christmas Party. Are you blogging? If not you should head on over to Momdot and start entering.



When do you start Christmas shopping? How do you budget for Christmas? Do you stick to your budget?

I shop for Christmas year round. If I see something on clearance/sale and I know someone on my list would love it, I'll pick it up. I keep a rubbermaid bin in the closet of our bedroom to store such goodies in. This makes it easier to budget too, since I'm not spending one huge lump sum in a month or two. I try to budget a certain amount like say $20 for my nieces and brothers, and then work around that amount. I tend to stick to my budget for the most part unless I get a really good deal on something that I didn't plan on buying.


Thursday, November 13, 2008

Think Thin Thursdays -- #1

Bridgete Over at the Not So Blog Blog has started a new weekly meme challenge. It's to help us all get fit. Think Thin Thursdays starts today.

I don't necissarily have a lot of weight to lose, though I do have some, what I need to do most is tone. I haven't toned my belly since my second c-section when Izzie was born.

That being said, I have set three goals for this week. I'm starting small.

#1 I will walk 3 days a week. A half mile, a mile, whatever, just designated walking at the Park on the trail.
#2 I need to lose about 10 lbs, so I want to lose some weight this week
#3 I will do crunches or sit ups 2 nights a week.


Our task for this week is:

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can." ~Author Unknown

What are your reasons??

My reasons are my daughters and myself. I want to teach my children healthy lifestyles. I want them to know that if you keep up with excercise and eating right, you can keep yourself pretty fit and healthy. I also want to feel better about myself, and when I look and feel healthier, I know I will be happy.














Check out the Official rules for Think Thin Thursdays Here at Bridgette's Not so blog Blog





A few Christmas pic sneak peeks

Because I think they turned out so adorably!

Note: Caity, 4.5 years, Izzie, 20 months, Emmy, 9 months

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Holiday Traditions

Momdot's Christmas party is still going on. Get your posts in!



The Christmas party question of the day is:


Traditions, what are some of your favorite family traditions? What are some traditions you want to begin?


For Christmas, we have a few traditions.

First and most important is Christmas cookie decorating. We get together as a family, that would be My mom, aunt, SIL, myself and our children. If my stepsister was still in town, she would come too. We all get together and bake and cook and make all kinds of goodies. Sugar cookies for the kidlets to decorate, chocolate covered pretzels, peanut butter blossoms, chocolate chip cookies, candy cane cookies, fudge, almond bark, peanut brittle, and all kinds of other goodies. We keep some for ourselves and give the rest out in little goodie baskets to family and friends.


On christmas eve, after we are bathed and in our new christmas pajamas, matching of course, we all sit down in the living room and read the Christmas story out of the bible. After that, we'll read another holdiay book, usually Night before christmas or Polar Express. Then each girl is allowed to open one gift from under the tree and then its bedtime.


We spend the holidays with friends and family, but on Christmas Day, we designate that family day and we stay home with our girls, so they can enjoy their gifts and some downtime in our home. Christmas morning, after the gifts have been opened, we have a huge pancake breakfast.



Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Tis the season to Believe

Macy's invites one and all to Believe this holiday season.



At every Macy's store in the country there is a mailbox. A special mailbox to collect letters to Santa. So Bring your stamped letter to the nearest Macy's and drop it off in the mailbox. Not only will Macy's send that letter along to the Post office, but for every letter dropped off, $1 will be donated to the Make a Wish foundation.



Isn't that amazing, simply write a letter, drop it off, and we can make wishes come true.





Momdot Christmas Party Intro

Momdot's Christmas of Dreams kicks off today. Momdot has asked each blogger to answer a question as their entry to the contests and to join in the fun.

To start us off, Momdot wants us to introduce our families and share past holiday pictures.

I am Kris, I am 26 years old (at least until the end of the month). I am married to Jay, who is 27 and we have two daughters, Caity, 4 and Izzie, 20 months.

Here is Caity's first christmas picture (2004)


And Opening Presents



2nd christmas:



And her first cookie decorating Christmas (2005)
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Izzie's first Christmas (2007)



Such wonderful memories and many more to come!


THe kids

ARe being so silly today.