Christmas/New Years

As become our tradition, we celebrated Christmas at my parents house in Illinois, and rang in the New Year with Chris's family in Tennessee. The two holidays were separated by a mini-vacation to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area (but, look for a separate post on that tomorrow).

Saturday was the big family Christmas. Mom went untraditional and fixed mouth watering ribs, baked beans, and Mac-N-Cheese. The girls made pickle wraps (Yum!) which I am usually responsible for, but with driving the morning of- there was no way I was going to get them done in time for the lunch.

I didn't have a camera for this part, but Katelyn got two new ride on toys, a puzzle, and a pull around puppy. I got a camera from my parents, so I would be able to take pictures on Christmas morning!

**CHRISTMAS MORNING**

(With their Stockings!)

(Katelyn gave me a dirty diaper, yeah buddy!)

 

 

(Katelyn/Daddy got an IPad protector, so he doesn't have to worry about her breaking it!)

(Panoramic view on the camera!)

(Blaike and Katelyn)

.
Chris's big gift was a remote control helicopter from me, and a Guy Fieri Dutch oven pot from my parents. My big gift was the camera from my parents, and a new GPS from Chris.

**Tennessee New Year**

(((A Story in Pictures)))

 

(Happy Girl with Grandma)

(At Famous Dave's)

(Tasting all the FD BBQ flavors!)

(No Words.)

(Getting a little help)

(Chris got a collection of yard games!)

(Starting her young!)

 

(Chuck E Cheese's)

(Chris Photo Bombing)

 

(2013 is here!)

(Sneak Attack on V)

(Cheers!)

(Moonshine Shots are about to start!)

(A Late Bday gift for the Man Cave.)

 



Christmas Craft!

Katelyn had a great time making her gift to the Grandparents.  She figured out the painting thing real quick, and had a blast dipping the brush in-and-out of the paint colors. She also painted ornaments we made with cookie cutters for her doctor. Him and his wife were both thrilled to have received them along with a batch of the Butter Mints, and a batch of Craisin and Oatmeal cookies we made.

What I'm Watching!

Awe, Flashback movies are so much fun! This has long since been one of my all-time favorite movies. Check out the IMBd here. I'm famous for asking if people have seen this movie and responding with, "You've got to watch it!" My best friend in Jr. High played this game where she wrote quotes from movies and you had to be the first to respond with what movie it is from, she said, "It's the safest thing you'll ever have between your legs." I knew it was this movie, and she responded- "I knew you would get that one, It was just for you."

It stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt, and Lee Montgomery. It also has Shannen Doherty and Ed Lauter.





I love the Cyndi Lauper version, but I'm really digging the acoustics right now, so I found this gem on YouTube. Check her out.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year


It's that time to make a list of all the changes we want to see in our lives. I must say, I'm pretty happy with
what I set for myself last year, even though I didn't get it all accomplished.
Let's take a look at 2012 resolution/goals:
1. Become a Big Sister  :::::I did not get around to this, but we started hosting Victoria, so I think that is a good swap.::::

2. Improve my Sewing Skills  ::::Yes! I did a lot of sewing this past year, and I'm very proud of myself for what I was able to make. ::::

3. Grow a Vegetable Garden    ::::Yes! We had so many tomatoes it was crazy! 2013 is going to be a larger garden.::::

4. Make a monthly donation  ::::Well, this really didn't get off the ground, humph!":::::

5. Host at least 4 brunch/dinner gatherings ::::Four was obviously a little out my reach, but I got half way there!::::

So now it is time to decide on resolution/goals for 2013:
....Thinking.....Thinking.....Thinking....

1. Find a church.
2. Host 4 gatherings.
3. Submit story for publishing.
--------
1. This has been an area of little success for us, maybe this year will be different.
2. I can do this one this time. I already got a book club meeting scheduled. There's one!
3. I've been hesitant to do this for many years. I have several written, and about a hundred in various stages of construction. I'm going to be brave and risk the rejection this year.

That's it! So, let's reflect on the year if 2012 now -

1. BATH and LONDON! (and Germany).
2. Disney World! (A first for all of us.)
3. Spring Break with this nieces and nephews.
4. First Father's Day and Mother's Day with K.
5. Niagara Falls & Family in PA.
6. VICTORIA!
7. Colts Games.
8. New Lawn Mower.
9. Swim Lessons with Miss K.
10. K's Birthday Bash!
11. Sewing Time (Mostly K's costume!)
12. Washington D.C.
13. Daphne Concert
14. FAMILY (ALL YEAR!)

Daily Celebrations

Almost every day of the year has something being celebrated somewhere. It may be serious, it may be educational, or it may just be for laughs. Starting with the New Year- here are some things being celebrated:

January 1: Not only is it New Year's Day, it is also "Z Day". A day to appreciate the letter Z. I always take a nap on this day, so instead of napping- I am going to say, "I'm going to catch some ZZZZ's!" & see if I can teach Katelyn how to say Zebra.

January 2: National Science Fiction Day - Since I like to write, I'm going to write a short, one chapter Science Fiction story.

January 3: Drinking Straw Day -Even though I try my best to reuse and recycle them- I love straws, so I'll be sure to use one today!

January 4: National Spaghetti Day - Guess what we're having for dinner?

January 5:  National Bird Day! - "The survival and well-being of the world's birds depends upon public education and support for conservation" Take a few minutes to just stare out the window at all of nature's beauty and see how many birds you can spot. Katelyn and I will be counting.

January 6: National Apple Tree Day - Much too cold to go to the Orchard, so Katelyn and I will color one of these Apple Tree coloring pages.

January 7: Harlem Globetrotter's Day - You can dress up if you want, but I think Katelyn and I will just spend sometime bouncing the basketball around the house.

And there is the first week of fun goodies for the first week of the New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Last week I was in a panic over not being able to find my Nsync Christmas CD. Thankfully, I have about six of them and was able to scrounge one up from the basement pretty easily.

{I keep on in my car, because I love it that much- and I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure the rat who broke into my car this summer and stole my GPS must have stolen the CD too...but they left the Evanescence CD?? - No I am NOT loosing my mind nor playing tricks on you. The Nsync CD is gone, the Evanescence CD still there!}

Anyway- Poor Victoria got stuck standing there while I showed her all the pictures of me and my *Nsync obsessed bedroom. Yes, I'm talking wall-to-wall posters and NSYNC painted in huge letters on the wall. No, I'm not posting pictures because I don't feel like going down to the basement again.

Enjoy the video- and your family!

Christmas Eve!

I started my search for a cute Christmas Eve photo to post, and the first things to pop up were photos by "you" (ME in this case)- And I thought it's be fun to share again! These are from The West Family Christmas 2006. (Makenna was just a wee-one!)

 

Here comes Santa Claus...

Minus the two oldest, here are the younger nieces and nephews with Katelyn and Victoria. The Village Mall is no longer more depressing than the Marquette Mall in MC....but we still have the outlet, hehehe.

College bound...again.

Hehe, College text books arrived last week for the Spring Semester. Just studying for fun this time around. Katelyn keeps me busy, but school will (hopefully) be a welcomed distraction from chasing her around all day.

Candy-Making Good Time

Victoria and I made over hundred pieces of candy Tuesday morning. This is my Aunt Marianne's recipe. Usually I add Butter flavoring, but this time I used Butterscotch- and they are ohhh, soooo-FANTASTIC!

A Monkey Eats....

Bananas!

And my little monkey loves Bananas too!

 

Smoky Mountain Christmas

This is from my favorite Christmas Movie - "A Smoky Mountain Christmas" with Dolly Parton. I'm not real keen on he witch, but I love the rest of the story, and the music in it is absolutely wonderful!

Christmas Lights

Found this on YouTube. Is it the super coolest? Probably not, but it's not far from our town, and I think it's fun. Enjoy.

House Concert with Daphne Willis

This year has been amazing. Chris and I have been to two house concerts, and now I'm hoping to have one this coming summer. Because our house is on the smaller side, we may follow in Stuarts footsteps and actually have the concert in the backyard if we are actually able to pull this off.

We'd like to thank Brent & Amanda for providing us with such an entertaining night! I'd heard Amanda talk about Daphne Willis before, but I just never remembered to look her up once I got the my computer, but after being introduced to her music in such a magical way...I'm head over heels. (The food was great too!! Pot Roast over New Years, anyone??)
 ((Sorry had to get that request in there)) <<<Lame, I know.

Anyway, I know my mom wanted to see some vids, so here you all go! The first is the first song she sang, and the second video is her sharing a story.






It's cool if you're digging some Daphne now. Just click on over to **Daphne Willis Website** and buy some cool junk.

Family Name Rankings

Well, Chris and Victoria rank in the top seeds of popularity, Katelyn comes in second, and I am in dead last....waaaaay- far down the list. (But I like my name and the fact that it is not very popular, but it seems to be the only one on the rise.)

 

The Neverly Brothers

This is for one of my favorite ladies.. Missy! She loves, loves, loves, this band- and even had them play at her Graduation Party!  (That's her on stage with them!)

The Neverly Brothers:
A Rock 'n Roll Evolution - From Elvis to The Beatles!
Fasten your seatbelts for a guided musical tour through
rock 'n roll history in a truly one-of-a-kind retro rock
MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR!

The Neverly Brothers put on a super great show. Chris and I can not wait to find them at the Blue Chip to rock again. Check out their website: The Neverly Brothers and see when they are coming near you! Just as they claim, they are so knowledgeable on the history of the music, and you will no doubt learn some interesting things while you dance the night away.

Family Photos

 

This years family photos are finally taken. We'll be taken our "new family" photos after the new year with Victoria. We tried to schedule them around all of our schedules, and it just couldn't work because of the Holiday Rush at the photo studio! There was one time slot when it would be almost possible, if we got in-got out in record time...but before I could book-it, someone stole it! I had to do Katelyn's "birthday photo" (at 14 months, shh) with her anyway, so we snuck in a family one at the same time.

Thanksgiving Trip

We had an amazing Thanksgiving Holiday in Washington D.C. Why Washington D.C.? Because when we asked Victoria what is the one thing that she has to do while she is in the United States, she answered, "Go to the White House"! Since she will be traveling to Spain in the Spring, this is the best time we could think to go.

 

We weren't alone for Thanksgiving though! Don't worry. Chris's cousin Cathy, her husband Brad, and Jamie were mega kind in letting us spend the week with them! They opened the doors, and let us make ourselves right at home. As for the holiday dinner - We joined them and their family for a very delicious feast!  

 

 

It's been awhile, but we're still here. We had to buy a new computer since the screen got busted on the other one. I am busy catching up on some writing projects and loving on Katelyn. =) However, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving and trip to Washington D.C. - I'll be posting about it once I get everything else caught up. Love you all!

Picture Post