Lazin' Around the Christmas Tree

Nothing says "The Holidays" to me like wearing a bathrobe 24/7. We set up our Christmas tree on Saturday and it really makes me feel like Christmas is here.

Bun in the Oven!

And no I do not mean delicious cinnamon buns...although those do sound yummy. Ike and I are on our way from growing from a family of three to a family of four. We had an ultrasound and they even printed out a picture of the little guy...or girl. He was a dancing machine while they were doing the ultrasound so I think that this child must take after Ike seeing as he has all the moves.

Hey little baby!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Some people say less is more. But I say More is More! Especially when Holiday food is involved. Ike and I stayed home this year so it was just us and Jackson at our table but I made enough food for about 8 fat adults. Why? LEFT-OVERS!!!! I want to be eating this dinner for another week. Overall the entire meal was a complete success. I have never had a moister (is that a word?) turkey. I am officially a convert to the Turkey Brine. I will forever brine my turkeys from this day forth. Jackson ate nothing but pumpkin pie and Jello (which turned out lovely by the way) which usually I would not be OK with but hey, it's Thanksgiving!!! How else can I consume 10,000 calories in one meal and not feel like shooting myself in the face? The only thing that would have made this Thanksgiving better would have been if we could have spent it with some family. Next year we will be in Vermont and I am already counting down the days.

I believe the words you are looking for are, "HOLY CRAPOLA! THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL BIRD!".

See the Jello in the background? So pretty delicious!

Hot Hot Hat

So I was playing with some extra yarn yesterday and I came up with this cute baby hat. I don't have a daughter but hopefully I will have one someday and when she is born she can wear this adorable hat.


The bear models the hat nicely, no?

Winter Travel, Nebraska Style.

The weather is cold now and that means we bundle up when we leave our house.

Step 1. The Telly Tubby-esc fleece jump suit. Easily worn over long sleeved shirt and jeans.


Step 2. The Heavy Duty winter coat. (Best if supplied by Grandma to reduce over all costs.)


Step 3. Add beanie and activate mitten hands ( A nice feature of the Telly Tubby suit.)


Step 4. Place in Stroller and add 2 or more blankets. Tuck in the feet.


Now You are ready to leave your house. Another option that will come in handy in a month or two will be adding a layer of snow pants between steps 1 and 2.

For the Adults, thermal underwear will soon be more of a priority than food.

Talk TurkeyTo Me, Baby!

Is anyone else counting down the days until Thanksgiving?!? So here is my tentative turkey day menu:

1. Brined and Roasted Turkey (recipe from marthastewart.com)
2. Traditional Mashed Potatos (We're talking butter, salt, more butter and maybe some sour cream.)
3. Green Bean Casserole
4. Turkey Stuffing
5. Roasted Carrots (Roasted in the pan with the turkey)
6. Homemade Dinner Rolls
7. Jello Salad (Jello,fruit and whipped cream in a jello mold to add prettiness to my table.)
8. Pumpkin Pie for desert.

The biggest challenge I have here is that I want to do this whole dinner for $25 or less. I already have a lot of the ingredients I will need and I am making everything I can from scratch. I think I can do it! I will let you all know if I stay in my budget!!!

I have only done two other turkey dinners in the past and one of them gave me horrible food poisoning for two days. My success rate is not great. Pray for me.

This will not be me!

My Family Is So Cute!

This was just a cute scene in my living room the other night. Ike wasn't feeling good so he had the bed couch pulled out and was watching a movie and Jackson wanted in on the action.

Just too cute.

Little Big Man

Jackson is growing up. One of Ike's coworkers gave us a really good (like practically free) deal on a toddler bed.



We only had one crib sheet (I know we should have more but I always just washed the one he had when he wasn't sleeping in it.) so I took a twin top sheet that we don't use and made a new crib fitted sheet and even had enough fabric left for a pillowcase.



So today for the first time Jackson took his nap in his new bed. I actually had to wake him up because he was on his way to taking a three hour nap.



Where has the time gone? How is Jackson already 18 months? How am I going to be 24 on my next birthday? Time apparently flies when you are tired and stressed from raising a very active toddler.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things!

Today I feel like writing about the things I love most. I am focusing on THINGS and not people. Obviously my awesome husband and baby would top the list of favorite people but today its all about the material things.

1. Frito Pies!
It might just be because I had one for Lunch and Dinner or it might be because they are amazing but either way I love frito pies. Whats not to like? The chips, cheese, chilli, sour cream...just thinking about them makes me want to have a third bowl...can my stomach take it? I guess I will have to find out.


2. Bathrobes.
Nothing says warm and comfy like a bathrobe...except maybe a snuggy but bathrobes are way more classy. Bathrobes have a special place in my heart, especially ones made by my mother.


3. JoAnn Fabrics. My favorite store. I could spend hours and hours just looking at everything. This store literally has everything I want in it. (Christmas is coming....just saying.) I would be willing to push over an old lady to get in there when patterns are on sale for $.99! Who can resist the 40%off coupons? Jo Ann is like my very expensive and money sucking best friend.


4. Young Adult Fiction.
Yes I have a weak spot for Jacob black and Harry Potter but cut me some slack. Is it so bad if I don't want to read this week's New York Time's best seller and would rather curl up to a juicy teenage thriller? Pulitzer...schmulitzer, I have Twilight.


5. Crafting.
Who doesn't love making something out of nothing. Sometimes as a stay at home mom it is pretty easy to feel like I am not doing anything with my life (I know its not true don't worry!) but making some kind of pretty craft I can display in my home always makes me feel good and worth while.


I do like more things than just what is on this list but these were at the forefront of my mind today.

Harry Halloween!

Happy Halloween!


So I recycled Jackson's costume from last year because the one I made for this year looked stupid. Luckily, I must have sewed last year's costume way too big because it fit him perfectly this time around!



He had the glasses but he did not like to wear them. I guess I wouldn't want to wear felt strapped to my face either so I can't blame him.