Catch Up

Ok, so I have not posted since WELL before Christmas. I was too busy to even contemplate typing what wew were doing on the computer. I didn't even check email or blogs for over a week. Well where to start, I finished my Christmas quilt. It is currently on my couch being used by my family.



















We went Christmas caroling and Christmas light looking. That is a tradition in our family to drive around close to Christmas and look at lights. We always go to this retirement community in Tavares that has all their homes decked out. Ethan kept pointing and yelling, "lights" at every house. He also was singing "jingle bells, jingle bells, HEY!" I need to get that on video, it was too cute.

My sister came down to stay for two weeks so she was able to come to Olivia's Christmas play. Liv was an angel, (no laughing please) and a cute one she was.

Olivia and her friends Sara and Joe

This is wrong on SO many levels. Lyndsay this is not the Victoria Secrets "Angel" collection show....

Well we also have our Birthday mania during December and January. Ethan, my dad, Mike, Myself, Olivia and Maddy all celebrate birthdays in a 2 month period. You'd think we could have used a little forethought on the matter.. On a side note Liv and Maddy had the exact same due date just 5 years apart. My aunt struggled with infertility with her 2nd child, and her daughter Sara would pray every night for a baby sister. My aunt said she finally just gave up after 7 years and it was so sad to hear Sara pray every night for a baby sister. Well she became pregnant with Amelia ( a sister) who was born on Sara's birthday. How about that for a birthday present from God!!! Ok, I am rambling....but I love that story. Anyway, Ethan had a rocket Birthday, Mike had a bowling alley Birthday

While going upstairs to check on Ethan I found this sweet picture. My sis thinks he is doomed to be a sissy because he plays with dolls. I think it is sweet, and who doesn't love a man who loves babies???

Preschool had a Christmas party on the last day of school. I was really ready to have Liv home for a few weeks. I am bad about wanting to be on someone elses schedule. I LOVE Ms Shawnie and the school, I was just ready for some home time. One of my favorite parts of Christmas is staying up late with my kids and doing projects and watching all the Christmas specials on the family and Hallmark channel.

Oooh SUGAR

I see London...I see France... I see Livvys underpants (Thank Goodness)

Random Pictures to follow

Guess who was making presents this year...I am sure Michelle's sewing room does not look like Joanns blew up in it...

Peppermint Red Velvet Cake

Christmas Eve, I was in the middle of preparing dinner for some friends when Ethan walked in front of Olivia while she was swinging. Mike was outside and thought he had injured his mouth, as it was the area that was bleeding. I cleaned him up and made sure there was no gashes or teeth missing. Well naptime came and I put him down in my bed. He woke up cranky and of course he just wanted me to hold him. I was at the height of getting the food completed and everyone ready for candlelight service at church, so rocking a baby was not on my To Do list. Well he started vomiting, and Ihad flashbacks of last New Years Eve when the girls had the stomach bug. I put him in the shower and while washing his hair I felt a goose size egg on the back of his skull! Then he became sleepy and was hard to keep awake. So, change of plans, I dress us both, call Mike (who was delivering our friends meal) and get ready to sit in the ER. I can only say, "God bless David" he called ahead and had the ER triage waiting for Ethan. He was still lethargic and vomiting when we walked in the door, so they took him right back. We were in and out in and hour and 15 minutes, CT scan and all!! The staff was amazing, they gave Ethan a teddy bear and worked hard to get Ethan into CT quickly and back out the door so Santa could come. He had no bleeding in the brain, and just a mild head injury.

The kids fell asleep on the couch waiting for Santa. They put Ethan on the ottoman...


























Santa Claus came....

Daddy really like the Geotrax, my kitchen nook has become a train track palace..

After presents were opened we went down to Altamonte to have dinner with my grandmother. She is a fabulous cook and made a crown roast, cranberry dressing, and tons off other yummies. I brought the peppermint cake =) It is her recipe and a tradition in our family.

The next day I took down the tree, and started organizing the house. I love to get the Christmas stuff out, but when it is over, it is OVER. I am then in cleaning organizing mood. So of course I buy a ton of bins and decide which room needs painting...(just kidding, Tiff) Well I did paint the girls bathroom, but it truly did need it. I pulled the wallpaper down and it needed for me to orange peel it and paint it. So that was my Thursday project. 3 cans of spray popcorn, and a can of weathered glass paint later and Voila