Christmas tree, o' Christmas tree

Saturday afternoon we finally put up our Christmas tree. We've had a fake tree for a couple of years now. I will admit, I do miss our days of venturing out to buy a real Christmas tree and Theo trying to figure out how to strap it to the roof of our car! :) But the convenience of our not so real tree can't be beat. Carter was quite the little helper this year. Almost too much.....we had a hard time getting lights untangled after he got ahold of them! And then he cut on of the strings used to hang the ornament off. So then we had to put the scissors out of reach. As is our family tradition, we had hot chocolate and apple cider and played Christmas music while we were decorating the tree. We have yet to locate our tree skirt and star tree topper since we have moved. I am afraid they might be in a mislabeled box in the garage and we may never find them again....at least not until we move again! We had a good time putting all of the ornaments on and we enjoyed watching Carter having such fun! Olivia was quietly hanging out in her swing for the most part. Now it's present wrapping time!!




Our before tree:


Our after tree:



I thought this was a cool picture despite how dark it is


Our family Christmas picture from today

39 and counting

Saturday was Theo's parents 39th wedding anniversary! I don't know hardly anyone who has been married that long! We celebrated by taking them out to dinner at the Mason Jar. I think everyone had a good time. Olivia was a good sport until it was her dinner time and then I had to make a beeline for the house. Carter was very good and PopPops shared his strawberry shortcake with him.


Congratulations to grandma and pop pops on 39 years of marriage! What an accomplishment!

In my daughter's eyes

Thursday we got all bundled up and ventured out to MOPS. But as I looked at Olivia sitting on the couch in her bright pink fleece bunting outfit Aunt Laney made, I was struck my how blue her eyes still are! One of my preceptors in nurse practitioner school told me that by four months, you should be able to tell what color a baby's eyes will be. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying that her eyes will stay blue. I guess this is so important to me because I have blue eyes and when I look into her eyes, I see so much of myself. I often think of the Martina McBride song, "In my daughter's eyes" when I look into my sweet baby girl's blue eyes. This song is extra special to me because my mom had this song played for me at our wedding reception. So not only does it make me think of Olivia, it makes me think of my mom and the incredible bond moms and daughters share.

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

Since I've been gone...

Since I have left the state of Louisiana, two things have happened that rarely occurred while I was residing there:

#1-It snowed in early December

#2-The Saints are undefeated!!!

What's up with that?

Christmas preview

We ventured out in the 20 degree weather this morning to go to MOPS. As always, it was a blast and I was blessed by being around my new Christian friends. Since it's December, I figured I could dress the kids in Christmas outfits. I haven't been out to get Olivia a Christmas dress so she is wearing a hand-me-down outfit from Carter's first Christmas. When we got back home, I wanted to take pictures of my adorable kids in their outfits. Carter loves when I take pictures of him and Olivia. He was quite the good sport!








We haven't put up our Christmas tree yet. I prefer to wait until we have some family alone time so maybe Saturday night. It seems everyone in Colorado puts all their Christmas stuff up the day after Thanksgiving. We are not quite the go-getters like everyone else is :) Oh well. Theo's work Christmas party in the 18th. I am trading some babysitting with my friend Christine so we can go. I will have to take Olivia because I don't think she will be quite ready for a bottle by then. So Christine will babysit Carter and I will "wear" Olivia to the party. It's at someone's house and I don't think it's anything too fancy so it should be fine. What are your holiday plans?

Apparently

A conversation between Carter and I in the car....

Carter: "Momma, it's stinky in here!"

Me: "Did you toot Carter?"

Carter: "Apparently."

I couldn't stop laughing!

Thanksgiving wrap-up

Olivia's 1st Thanksgiving



The menu





What wasn't pictured:
-cornbread stuffing
-rice and peas
-potato casserole
-green bean casserole
-pumpkin pie

Umm umm good!

Tonight, we are putting the kids to bed a little early and we are heading out on a date! Not sure where just yet but somewhere without our wee ones!