Thursday, December 31, 2009

We welcome 2010 with love and food!

We spent NYE 09 with Na & G. We took the pups and spent the night as to avoid any driving after dark! We had a fondue spread and all ended up asleep before even the East Coast ball dropped! So, I guess we welcome a peaceful & restful 2010!





My Resolutions:
Serve & eat dinner at the table as a family.
Run 500 miles. (Sounds big? Break it down, it's just 10 miles a week.)
Achieve my goal weight and stay there.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Girls Night - December '09

A monthly tradition we started around a year ago (dinner out one evening per month) with a holiday twist.


There was plenty of food, good conversation, and lots of baby and mama lovin!



Melissa hosted but Maci entertained.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Daddy's Girls


Big Boy Underwear

successful for three hours tonight! let's build on this!


Monday, December 28, 2009

Play-Doh

Santa brought Cole some Play-Doh for Christmas. We broke it out this evening...and I think Mama and Dada were just as excited as Cole!

(the smell has not changed in the last 20-25 years!)

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Goodbye old friend....

I will miss you. We spent this season together, you making our home so cozy and warm. I will look forward to your return in eleven long months.....

Friday, December 25, 2009

Carlinville Christmas 2009

 We spent Christmas Day with Oma and Opa. We opened lots of presents before heading to The Fullington's for the afternoon. (no photos from Fullington's :()

Merry, Merry! -Christmas 2009

This was my first Christmas morning at home in my memorable life. It was everything I hoped for. Cole enjoyed the mystery of Santa...


This was the first Christmas Cole really got into.  Cole, you are such a big boy these days.  You are more of a buddy than my baby!  You are so much fun.  I enjoyed this Christmas as a parent more than any I had as a child I think!  I love you, Monkey!

Your big present this year was a Geotrax train set.  Daddy helped you set it up and you have practically run the batteries out by keeping it running all.the.time!  You love it.  Daddy is ready to build on your set with more goodies.

Thanks for making my Christmas magical, Cole.  As you and I regularly say these days, "you're the best!"

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas at Na & G's - 2009

...there was the food


...there was some silliness


...then there were gifts


...the smells


...best of all, there was lots of love!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Seafood Night 2009

Derek and I have had a tradition of our own since our first holiday together...A seafood spread! This was Cole's first year to get in on the action. He liked the crab, but preferred to fill up on peanut butter crackers! Derek and I know that this tradition will be very pricey in a few years when he gets that boy appetite!
Cole waiting for the good stuffthe spread!

crab rangoon dip


After we filled our bellies and changed into pajama pants, we went to look at Christmas lights.

There is a wonderful street near our home that goes big!


"Look Mama, Look Dada! Lights, lights, lights!"

After the lights, we came home to watch a video sent to Cole from Santa. He loved that Santa said his name kept saying "Santa said 'Hi Cole!'" I love the Christmas magic!

Cole got a few early presents from relatives and friends. He loved the treat and the new toys!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas with the Brenningmeyers - 2009


We got to spend our Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Brenningmeyer the weekend before Christmas.  Great Grandpa Ronnie and Great Grandma Doris came up to help us celebrate.  We sure are lucky to have so much family that we can't even fit it all in a few days! 

Christmas with the Hood Family 2009

 

Goreville is really far.  Anna is even further (139.04 miles - OUCH!)  You are always a trooper, Cole!  Thanks be to your DVD player and movies!


A visit to PaPa Hood at the Anna Veterans Nursing Home.
  Food Fun: FONDUE!
The kids enjoyed one another's company and the fondue.  



Grandma's game: Pay It Forward!
We were asked to preform a random act of kindness/good deed and tell that story as we gathered.  There were many categories and we voted on the "best" stories.  Bottom line, we all won as we got to practice kindness!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Happy Birthday, G!


We celebrated G's 52nd birthday tonight with margaritas and good friends! 

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

such a neat boy


he uses a coaster...even when he puts his drink on the couch.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Friday, November 27, 2009

Thursday, November 26, 2009

So Thankful

We were home, just the three of us, celebrating Thanksgiving today. So relaxing and easy to focus on all that we have to be grateful for!

I am grateful for....
...a meal that requires days of preparation and glorious anticipation


...a boy who thinks the world of his daddy


...silliness


...Derek's turkey TLC


...technology


...love


...my marriage


...vino


...good cookin'


...carbs!


...wilingness...


...to try new things...


...with gusto!


...leftovers


...sweets


...comfy pants


...help with the dishes


...a dishwasher


...naps


...dogs, and dog winks


...ads!


...snuggles


...a home where we can make a mess and relax!