Really unhappy about the situation.
Still traumatized from the incident.
There is our family's first screaming baby with Santa photo! I will treasure it for years!
Dad.
4 years ago
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Terror!
On Monday our playgroup hosted a Holiday party so I got AJ dressed in her Christmas outfit and we headed out. I knew Santa was going to be there and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to get a classic terrified-baby-with-Santa picture to display until AJ turns 30.
There is our family's first screaming baby with Santa photo! I will treasure it for years!
There is our family's first screaming baby with Santa photo! I will treasure it for years!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Army-Navy Weekend
We had such a fun time in Washington, D.C. for Army-Navy weekend!
D got off work early so we were able to leave here mid-afternoon. That meant we weren't too late getting in, and the boys (ages 5 & 3) were awake and waiting for Miss AJ to arrive! The three kiddos played until almost 11 when we finally put AJ down and crashed ourselves.
AJ did not nap on Friday and was over-tired from no nap and staying up late so she did not sleep well at all the first night we were there. She and I were sharing a room, so I was VERY tired Saturday from her waking me up over and over!
Saturday morning the kids played after we had breakfast and then we got everyone dressed and ready for the day's events. We took the Metro into the city, where D, his friend, and W, their older boy went to the game while the girls and PJ, the younger boy, went to the Smithsonian Natural History museum! Yep, there were two Mamas and 3 kids at the museum (we had a double stroller and a wheelchair we were pushing around--people were moving out of our way!). We were a little outnumbered, but it was very fun!
I was a terrible blogger and I literally only took 1 picture the entire time we were at the museum. My friend took some pictures of the kids and things, but I haven't gotten them from her yet, so maybe I'll post them when I get them!
AJ was so funny at the museum. She had certain things that she would focus on and she didn't want to move forward to see other exhibits, she just wanted to stay where she was. The first time this happened we were in the room with all the skeletons and bones. She found funny chairs and just wanted to sit there and hang out. Later she got hung up on the actual map of the exhibits that was situated at the beginning of where all the taxidermied animals were. Once we got her moving again she went crazy for the animals, but she really liked the sign! Ha! Kids are so funny sometimes.
As I'm sure you know, Army lost (again--10 years in a row, WOW). Its okay, the guys had tons of fun and it was really just great to be able to spend time with our good friends again! The last time we saw their kids was PJ's baptism in 2009, and they saw AJ when she was about 3 months old, so its been a while! It was also the first time the boys and AJ had met. They had so much fun playing together and AJ was walking around the house yelling out PJ's name Saturday night! So cute!
We got up Sunday morning and drove home. Its not too far, so we were able to get home by mid-afternoon and put AJ down for a nap to try and catch her up on some of the sleep she missed this weekend with all the fun and excitement!
All in all, it was a great weekend and I think we're both hoping that we'll be able to get back up to D.C. again and spend some time actually touring the city, going to the monuments and doing all the touristy stuff! I know I haven't done that in years and would love to go back and see it all again as an adult.
D got off work early so we were able to leave here mid-afternoon. That meant we weren't too late getting in, and the boys (ages 5 & 3) were awake and waiting for Miss AJ to arrive! The three kiddos played until almost 11 when we finally put AJ down and crashed ourselves.
AJ did not nap on Friday and was over-tired from no nap and staying up late so she did not sleep well at all the first night we were there. She and I were sharing a room, so I was VERY tired Saturday from her waking me up over and over!
Saturday morning the kids played after we had breakfast and then we got everyone dressed and ready for the day's events. We took the Metro into the city, where D, his friend, and W, their older boy went to the game while the girls and PJ, the younger boy, went to the Smithsonian Natural History museum! Yep, there were two Mamas and 3 kids at the museum (we had a double stroller and a wheelchair we were pushing around--people were moving out of our way!). We were a little outnumbered, but it was very fun!
I was a terrible blogger and I literally only took 1 picture the entire time we were at the museum. My friend took some pictures of the kids and things, but I haven't gotten them from her yet, so maybe I'll post them when I get them!
AJ was so funny at the museum. She had certain things that she would focus on and she didn't want to move forward to see other exhibits, she just wanted to stay where she was. The first time this happened we were in the room with all the skeletons and bones. She found funny chairs and just wanted to sit there and hang out. Later she got hung up on the actual map of the exhibits that was situated at the beginning of where all the taxidermied animals were. Once we got her moving again she went crazy for the animals, but she really liked the sign! Ha! Kids are so funny sometimes.
As I'm sure you know, Army lost (again--10 years in a row, WOW). Its okay, the guys had tons of fun and it was really just great to be able to spend time with our good friends again! The last time we saw their kids was PJ's baptism in 2009, and they saw AJ when she was about 3 months old, so its been a while! It was also the first time the boys and AJ had met. They had so much fun playing together and AJ was walking around the house yelling out PJ's name Saturday night! So cute!
We got up Sunday morning and drove home. Its not too far, so we were able to get home by mid-afternoon and put AJ down for a nap to try and catch her up on some of the sleep she missed this weekend with all the fun and excitement!
All in all, it was a great weekend and I think we're both hoping that we'll be able to get back up to D.C. again and spend some time actually touring the city, going to the monuments and doing all the touristy stuff! I know I haven't done that in years and would love to go back and see it all again as an adult.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Dress (and other) Shopping Woes...
I officially received one of my first holiday gifts in the mail yesterday. My grandparents always send me money for Christmas and birthdays, and I told D that if I didn't get a Kindle for Christmas this year (hint, hint) I was going to save up my Christmas money and buy one for myself. I know, look at me!
Well, I got a card from my grandparents yesterday and now I'm in a very intense internal debate with myself. Do I go ahead and buy the Kindle (which I know I'm not getting, by the way) or do I wait on the Kindle and buy a dress to wear on New Years Eve to the formal wedding we're attending?
I'm leaning towards the dress at this point because I'm thinking I'll just buy the Kindle after Christmas, but I'm having lots and lots of trouble finding a dress that fits my criteria.
It has to:
A. Cost less than $150.
B. Be sparkly or fancy (don't worry, I got the go-ahead from the bride on this one).
C. Be impressive.
D. Be available in my size (or preferably in store, so I can try it on).
E. Lookgood great on me.
So I'm sure you can see where I'm running into problems. I've found plenty of to-die-for dresses online that I assume will look great on me, are sparkly, impressive and less than $150, but not available in my size, or they come in my size but cost $275. I just can't justify spending that kind of money, ya know?
Here are a few that I'm considering so you can get an idea of what I'm looking for, and then hopefully you can all look and find me one that will be perfect! (Hey, why do I have a blog if not to enlist my readers to do my dirty work?!)
I want to point out that these dresses are not in order of favorites, so let me know which ones you like and which you don't. I'm also interested if you think any are more New Year's Eve-ish than others (obviously the sparkly one is). Hubs will be wearing his blues, but that doesn't stop me from wearing a black dress! Also, if you have other suggestions, by all means, let me know!
Well, I got a card from my grandparents yesterday and now I'm in a very intense internal debate with myself. Do I go ahead and buy the Kindle (which I know I'm not getting, by the way) or do I wait on the Kindle and buy a dress to wear on New Years Eve to the formal wedding we're attending?
I'm leaning towards the dress at this point because I'm thinking I'll just buy the Kindle after Christmas, but I'm having lots and lots of trouble finding a dress that fits my criteria.
It has to:
A. Cost less than $150.
B. Be sparkly or fancy (don't worry, I got the go-ahead from the bride on this one).
C. Be impressive.
D. Be available in my size (or preferably in store, so I can try it on).
E. Look
So I'm sure you can see where I'm running into problems. I've found plenty of to-die-for dresses online that I assume will look great on me, are sparkly, impressive and less than $150, but not available in my size, or they come in my size but cost $275. I just can't justify spending that kind of money, ya know?
Here are a few that I'm considering so you can get an idea of what I'm looking for, and then hopefully you can all look and find me one that will be perfect! (Hey, why do I have a blog if not to enlist my readers to do my dirty work?!)
I want to point out that these dresses are not in order of favorites, so let me know which ones you like and which you don't. I'm also interested if you think any are more New Year's Eve-ish than others (obviously the sparkly one is). Hubs will be wearing his blues, but that doesn't stop me from wearing a black dress! Also, if you have other suggestions, by all means, let me know!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Go Army, Beat Navy!
Since we finally live close enough to the location of the Army-Navy game, we decided to make the drive up for the weekend and go to the game. D has obviously been to the game when he was a cadet, but he hasn't been since he was in school.
AJ and I will not be attending the game itself, but we're planning to go tailgate and hang out before the game and then we'll probably head back to hang out with our friends we're staying with while D and his friend go to the game!
I'm excited to see our friends again (its been a long time since we've seen them) and I'm really excited that D will get to go to the game again!
I'll be back next week with updates!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Double Chocolate Chunk Mocha Cookies
This next cookie is a more "grown-up" cookie. As a kid, I wasn't really a big fan, but as an adult, they're one of my favorites. Its a little bit of work, but I really appreciate the effort my Mom puts into making these bad boys every year.
If you like chocolate (and who doesn't?) these are a must make.
***
Double Chocolate Chunk Mocha Cookies
8 Squares semisweet chocolate, divided
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 T instant coffee
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1/2 t baking powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 t salt
Melt one square of chocolate.
Cut 3 squares of chocolate into 1/2 inch chunks and set aside. (I sometimes just use chocolate chips for this part because it is very hard to cut up the chocolate squares).
Beat butter until light and fluffy, gradually beat in sugars and coffee. Mix in egg and vanilla; stir in melted chocolate. Add flour, baking powder and salt and mix well. Stir in chocolate chunks. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drop by Tablespoonful about 2" apart on parchment paper covered cookie sheets. Bake 8 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets and then cool on a wire rack.
Melt remaining chocolate. Dip 1/2 of the top of each cookie in chocolate and let chocolate set.
***
These are so delicious, but they're not too sweet because you use the semi-sweet chocolate blocks.
This completes my all-time favorite Christmas cookie line up. In case you missed any of them, here they are:
Iced Shortbreads
Buckeyes
Holly Wreaths
If you like chocolate (and who doesn't?) these are a must make.
***
Double Chocolate Chunk Mocha Cookies
8 Squares semisweet chocolate, divided
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 T instant coffee
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1/2 t baking powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 t salt
Melt one square of chocolate.
Cut 3 squares of chocolate into 1/2 inch chunks and set aside. (I sometimes just use chocolate chips for this part because it is very hard to cut up the chocolate squares).
Beat butter until light and fluffy, gradually beat in sugars and coffee. Mix in egg and vanilla; stir in melted chocolate. Add flour, baking powder and salt and mix well. Stir in chocolate chunks. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drop by Tablespoonful about 2" apart on parchment paper covered cookie sheets. Bake 8 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets and then cool on a wire rack.
Melt remaining chocolate. Dip 1/2 of the top of each cookie in chocolate and let chocolate set.
***
These are so delicious, but they're not too sweet because you use the semi-sweet chocolate blocks.
This completes my all-time favorite Christmas cookie line up. In case you missed any of them, here they are:
Iced Shortbreads
Buckeyes
Holly Wreaths
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Our Tree!
Since I didn't post the picture of our tree when we first put it up, I'll share it with you now!
As soon as I actually send out our Christmas cards, I'll post them here so you can all enjoy the cuteness that is Miss AJ!
Happy Holidays!
As soon as I actually send out our Christmas cards, I'll post them here so you can all enjoy the cuteness that is Miss AJ!
Happy Holidays!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Holly Wreaths
In keeping with my Christmas cookie recipe updates, today I'm going to share a fun, festive cookie.
My mom makes these every year and everyone loves them, but I will admit, you can usually find red hots hidden around the house because I'm convinced that no one actually likes them, so we always pick them off. ;) I've suggested to my mom that she should just leave the red hots off, but she claims that they're an integral part of the aesthetic of the Holly Wreaths. Whatever.
***
Holly Wreaths
1/4 cup butter
1 (10 oz) bag marshmallows
5 cups corn flakes
green food coloring
red hots
Melt butter in a large pan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted, then add green food coloring to make the marshmallow mixture very green. Remove from heat and add cornflakes. Stir until well coated. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper or well greased cookie sheet. Add a few red hots immediately to each spoonful so they will stick-they should look like holly berries.
***
These guys are yummy, but like I said, the red hots are really just for show, so don't be surprised if you find them on your kitchen counter or hidden in the couch cushions (not that I ever did that as a kid).
My mom makes these every year and everyone loves them, but I will admit, you can usually find red hots hidden around the house because I'm convinced that no one actually likes them, so we always pick them off. ;) I've suggested to my mom that she should just leave the red hots off, but she claims that they're an integral part of the aesthetic of the Holly Wreaths. Whatever.
***
Holly Wreaths
1/4 cup butter
1 (10 oz) bag marshmallows
5 cups corn flakes
green food coloring
red hots
Melt butter in a large pan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted, then add green food coloring to make the marshmallow mixture very green. Remove from heat and add cornflakes. Stir until well coated. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper or well greased cookie sheet. Add a few red hots immediately to each spoonful so they will stick-they should look like holly berries.
***
These guys are yummy, but like I said, the red hots are really just for show, so don't be surprised if you find them on your kitchen counter or hidden in the couch cushions (not that I ever did that as a kid).
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