Our Christmas Weekend

This weekend may go down as one of my all time favorite weekends EVER. We had a jam-packed, family filled weekend that could not have been any better. REALLY.

Friday I cooked my VERY FIRST Holiday meal. I was a little nervous and a lot excited. I might have called my mom and dad about 15 times during the meal preparation for consultations and reassurance. I made Cranberry Pork Chops, Green Bean Bundles, Corn Casserole, Mashed Potatoes and rolls. This may not seem like much to most of you but to me it was quite an undertaking. I am THE WORST at timing things while I cook and getting everything done at the same time so this was major but I DID IT. My mother and father in law, and brother in-law joined us for our Christmas Eve meal and it turned out quite well if I do say so myself. Either they were all being nice or they really liked it. I was AMAZED.

After dinner we headed to church where we attempted to keep C in the service with us instead of sending him to the nursery. This was challenging and took 3 packages of fruit snacks, crayons, books, a NutraGrain Bar, my iPhone (puzzle games on silent....I KNOW that is terrible, but it worked.), and lots of lap changes. He did pretty well for being 2 1/2. He did let out one yell that reminded me why we send him to the nursery on Sunday mornings, but it was nice to have him with us on such a special night.

Once we all got home from church we had dessert, laid out cookies for Santa and then the little guy went to bed. Bed yes- sleep NO. I am pretty sure he was awake until nearly 11:30. He might have been excited, or he just knew that there were lots of people in our house and he was missing something! Missing something he was. Santa worked hard to put together his wooden train set and all of his other goodies.

We enjoyed Christmas morning with The Snyders, but not until 9:30. YES- 9:30. We were all awake and had to wake Clark up because I could not stand it anymore. I was so excited, and he was still asleep. So at 9:15 we opened his door and sent Barney in to wake him up! Once awake he loved all his gifts, he did not get overly excited like I thought he would, but he did enjoy it. Everything he opened he had to play with right then. It was super cute, but took FOREVER.

We had a great morning. I was very excited to find that The Snyders got me the watch I wanted, and Stuart got me a NOOK among other great things like a new jean jacket, a watch, and some shoes. I think he really liked the Abraham Lincoln Chia Pet I got him too! ha! (No- really I got him one!)

After we opened, soaked it all in, cleaned it all up, napped and packed up the car, we headed to my mom and dad's for Christmas dinner and Christmas #2 with my sister and her boys, and my brother who lives on Martha's Vineyard and we do not get to see as much as we would like. So it was wonderful to be at home with them all. Of course my mom (and dad) cooked a delicious meal (that put mine to shame) and we had mountains of gifts to open afterwards. We really must have been good this year because my brother showered us with all things Vineyard Vines. He had such a good time shopping for Clark and got him the most adorable little VV things (like a whole wardrobe-THANKS LANCE!) and we loved it all. My mom and dad might have gotten me a CRICUT EXPRESSION! I am so excited to put it to use. I might have to make a trip to school this week to redo all of my bulletin boards and spruce up my classroom!

The next day, 2 of my mom's sisters came down from Ohio and we had a great visit with them. My Aunt Jennie LOVES her some Clark and Aunt Jeannie had never met him, so it was great to spend the day with them. Being it was Sunday Stuart stayed true to himself and watched football ALL DAY LONG while we visited. We had another huge meal (I am not thinking the dress I bought for NYE will fit now...THANKS MOM.), visited with hometown friends, and played some games. I really loved just being around everyone that we don't get to see nearly enough. It really does just remind me how truly blessed and  loved we really are. I am so thankful for the entire weekend. Yes- I LOVE all of my gifts- but what I love even more is the fact that we were able to celebrate with so many people that we care about.

I took hundreds of pictures because I know Clark will most likely not remember his third Christmas and I want him to be able to see the pictures and know how wonderful it really was. So warning- lots of pictures below! ha! Now it is Tuesday- we are home surrounded by all of our new gifts and just each other. Neither Stuart or I have to work this week so we will get to just enjoy it all. We all slept in until 10:00. YES you read that correctly. 10:00 am. Now Clark and his daddo are putting together a giant dinosaur puzzle, while Barney has his face in the can of Christmas popcorn-ugh!  Most likely you will find us wearing jammies today and doing a whole lot of train track building, puzzle doing, and Mickey Mouse watching. Tonight the Mr. and I are headed to Rupp Arena to watch our beloved Wildcats play basketball (a gift from my mom and dad) and I might even convince him to take me to Barnes and Noble to buy a case for my new Nook! We shall see. But for now I am needed on the floor to finish the dinosaur puzzle and I guess I should think about feeding my child something other than popcorn and candy canes! ha!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and please don't fell obligated to look at ALL the pictures!



My Christmas Eve table.



Yes, I took a picture of my meal.
It was a lot of work for this girl! ha.

This guy posed himself after church on Christmas Eve.
(He was avoiding putting on jammies!)



C reading The Night Before Christmas.
 The book that has been in the Snyder family since the 40s.



Grammy and Grandpa reading The Night Before Christmas.

Yes, we had to leave fruit snacks for Santa. :)

SANTA CAME!!

Clark at 9:15am on Christmas Morning- before we woke him

Checking out what Santa brought.

Checking out the stocking.

Yes- he tried out EVERYTHING.

My boys trying out the new trains.

He "baked" us all some of his new cookies!

He held a piano concert for us too.

Barney loved Christmas too.

Showing Grammy his new toys.

Playing with Uncle Super Stephen.
(He is wearing Clark's new cape.)

Ready for Christmas dinner at Mamaw & Papaw's.

Clark among the Christmas chaos at my mom and dad's.



The hit gift! My dad got he and Clark harmonicas!
It was SOOOOO funny. They played duets all weekend.



Stuart and I with our new VV Shep Shirts! THANKS LANCE.

Mr. Potato Head, Clark and my nephew Brant.

Clark and Uncle Lance.



My sweet boys!



2 THINGS.

Two quick things to share on this day before Christmas Eve as I really need to be cleaning toilets and showers because my in laws are coming tomorrow and it is nap time so I could be working on so many other things, but this is much more fun!

FIRST:
It is a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE. My child got a haircut and looks less mullet-ish and more big boy-ish but I do love it. THANK YOU KERRI for getting us in so that Clark might actually be able to see the
toys that Santa leaves because he now has no hair in his eyes. YAY.

BEFORE
Pardon for the blurry, during lunch shot taken with my phone.

AFTER
Sticking with the blurry, during meal, phone shot.


SECOND:
Last night was our MOPS steering team Christmas dinner. Our fearless leader Betsy brought us some yummy, salty, sweet goodness and my friend Mindy and I tried our best to recreate them today.  You are going to want to write this down. They are the best carmel and chocolate coated pretzel rods you have ever had! So while our boys played and Drew tried to teach Clark how to play online games on the laptop (that kid is AMAZING), Mindy and I worked it in the kitchen making gobs and gobs of yummy goodness! Thanks so much Mindy- We loved every minute of it!!

Step ONE- Make Carmel.

 Carmel:

1 stick of butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup Karo syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Put all ingredients in a pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, boil for 5 minutes- stirring continuously . Then remove from heat and let cool until slightly thickened. Dip the pretzels and lay them on buttered wax paper (to avoid sticking) to cool. After cool, dip in chocolate.

Step TWO: Dip pretzels in slightly cooled carmel.
(Please ignore the no shower look! )

Step THREE: Let carmel pretzels cool.

Step FOUR: Dip in melted almond bark.
We used white chocolate and milk chocolate.

Step SIX: Before chocolate hardens, add decor- sprinkles, sugar and such.

GREAT JOB CLARK! I think Santa will LOVE this one!

Be sure to clean up all messes!

VOILA! Finished product!!

These will be gone in no time!

They are so yummy and cute that we decided this will be what we leave out for Santa- he will need a break from all the cookies. If you do decide to make them, let me know how it turns out!!

Merry Christmas!!



Second Santa Sighting

Last Saturday was C's second encounter with the big guy in the red suit this year. He talked about it all morning and was very excited to remind Santa that he expects would love to have trains on Christmas morning. Our MOPS group hosted a cookies with Santa event. We got to sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and without the hassle of long lines and with the added bonus of enjoying some cookies while we waited. This is our third year at this event and this year he was so much fun and is really starting to understand the whole idea of Santa which makes it all the more fun. I really can't wait to see his little face on Saturday morning if Santa really does bring him trains! :) Here is my guy the last 3 years. Think he has grown???

Clark December 2008- 6 months

Clark December 2009- 18 months

Clark December 2010- 30 months

He really is much more excited for Santa than he lets on in the picture! This must be his serious face. Today alone I am pretty sure he told me at least 5 times that "Santa come to my house on Friday". Speaking of Friday Stuart's parents and brother are coming to our house on Friday to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I am cooking my first holiday dinner and I am pretty excited about it- I will keep you posted if I continue to remain excited and on how this goes. Today was our FIFTH snow day of the year so with no school I was able to get lots done around here AND take a nap- I mean Clark and Barney were both napping so I thought I would join them. I may not have showered, or been outside the house but I would call today a successful one and I am sooooo glad to be on break.

On the agenda tomorrow- GET MY KID A HAIRCUT! Pictured below you will notice the lovely beginnings of a mullet. Something must be done!

True Fans.

Today we had an some cookies and milk with Santa (pics soon) and then had lunch with some friends at McDonald's. While we were there we might have been the entertainment for the entire place as Clark and his buddy Drew got into a friendly debate over their favorite sports teams. Drew's parents went to school in FL and are huge Florida Gator fans. We however are huge Kentucky Wildcat fans which caused for this cute little debate that I caught on my iPhone. ENJOY!

(You might need to scroll down to the bottom of the screen and pause my playlist so you can hear.)





Go Wildcats!

Snowed In.

We have not had school yet this week due to snow and cold temperatures. (This morning when I woke up it was 3 DEGREES!) Many people complain about snow days, because it does mean we have to go longer into summer, but I will take a day at home when I can get it- snowy or sunny. At this time of year a few extra days come in handy. Since we have bee home Clark and I have been busy. I have cleaned, addressed cards and made some tasty treats all the while playing trains and watching lots of Mickey, Thomas and The Wiggles. The forecast is calling for more snow tomorrow night so who knows about school for the rest of the week, so if you have any activity ideas for a two year old, send them my way! Of course I have been taking lots of pictures, so here are a few to show you what we have been up to around here in Snyderville.

We woke up early on Monday morning to help daddy shovel his way out.

It was hard to shovel in mittens- so he took em' off.

Big helper.

We have done a lot of Barney lovin'.

I worked in my closet.
BEFORE

AFTER

We took the front of the crib & made the BIG BOY BED.
Day 2= success thus far!

We made these for our friends.

We found a new use for trifle bowl.

I made a wreath for the mantel mirror.

We slept in on Tuesday & had a late breakfast.
This kid woke up (in BIG BOY BED) at 9:45am!!

We made a trip to Target where I nearly finished Christmas shopping & we bought this.

Our Gingerbread Train- GREAT SNOW DAY ACTIVITY.

He LOVED putting the candy on.

And might have eaten some of the ingredients! :)



Our finished product.
No, it will not be winning any awards- but it was fun.





It has been a productive and enjoyable two days at home. The roads were fine when we drove to Target today, so we will see about school tomorrow!! I don't know about you, but I am excited for GLEE tonight- rerun or not that show makes me smile. LOVE IT. Speaking of GLEE, do any of you watch The Sing Off? It is on Monday nights and I think it is on tomorrow too. It is very entertaining and I LOVE it too- watch it!
Off to eat dinner and bathe this wild child of mine!

Stay Warm!

Christmas Card Reveal

I have mentioned before that not much makes me happier than getting mail. So the Christmas season is like a perma-high for me. I love all aspects of it, but I LOVE going to the mailbox each day to see the fun Christmas cards. I especially love the cards with adorable pet pictures, vacation photo cards and cards with your cute kids on them. I display them as long as I can get away with it and equally love sending my own.  This year I used Shutterfly again and was more than thrilled with the outcome!
Not only are they adorable, but they were FREE! Yes, you heard that right. Free for blogging about them. They were $1.79 each for 50 but because of this awesome deal I got them free & it is my favorite card I have sent yet! I thought this card was perfect because I take so many pictures of Clark throughout the year.

WHAT DO YOU THINK??
  


Thank you SHUTTERFLY. As if I needed another reason to love you even more!
And thanks to this snow day I now have them all addressed and ready to send!!

Thomas Party & Santa Sighting

The snow is flying and I am being so L-A-Z-Y. I have put off everything I had planned to do today in hopes that there will be no school tomorrow. I hope this does not turn out to be a bad idea. We went to church, stopped by Kroger (with EVERYONE else in town...no carts!) and headed home. Since I have been here I have done no laundry and not cleaned one thing. I have a pile of clothes in my bathroom that I am supposed to have hung and ready to go to the consignment store tomorrow that are still waiting on me. I have made some Santa cookies with my little Santa lover and managed to get Stuart to put his NFL Sunday Ticket on pause long enough to watch Polar Express. C loved it and calls it Christmas Express. Of course he loved it, it involved trains. :) We are now all hanging around in the dusty living room wearing our sweats, with a floor covered in trains & blankets and watching T.V. It has been quite the relaxing day and I would love to do it all again tomorrow.

This weekend we went to a Thomas The Train birthday party in Lexington. My child was in heaven. (THANKS KENTON!) He loved every minute of the event. It was like his dream world. I am thinking he would have stayed there forever had I left him. The pictures speak for themselves. I am thinking if this Thomas addiction remains this strong in June, we may have found the perfect birthday spot.

They had 3 train tables.

A Thomas you could ride on!

They even got to paint their own train!

C hard at work on his masterpiece.

Lovin' every minute of it.

Since we were in Lexington we decided to try and visit Santa. C has been talking all about him, but I was a little worried how he would react to seeing him in person. The girls at the party told me that the Santa at Lexington Green TOOK RESERVATIONS! So I called and made an appointment. How perfect! So we went and did not have to wait in a long line. He was a little whimpery at first as he watched two little boys ahead of him. But once it was his turn he did fine. Santa asked him what he would like for Christmas and he said "Trains". Santa asked him what else he wanted and he replied "just trains". It was super cute and I was one proud momma. So proud that I paid $30.00 for the entire disk of pictures. Look how BIG he is!

My sweet boy & Santa.

Yes, Santa- just trains!



 After leaving Santa we shopped for ONE WHOLE HOUR at Joesph Beth Bookstore. He was so good and I scored a ton of books for my classroom. They has an entire section on sale. We are talking $1.99 books and then they let me use m 20% educator discount on top of that! I was thrilled.  It was such a wonderful evening - Great party, successful Santa visit, well behaved 2 year old and cheap children's books!  And nearly equally exciting news just flashed across my screen:
 NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!! 
Now, I am off to put my boy to bed and enjoy my time with the Housewives and the Walkers in their entiriety knowing that I do not have to be up at 5:30 am!! Yipee!