Happy Holidays

Hi everyone. We've had a great Christmas and as usual, we've been really busy. The day before we were scheduled to leave, we changed plans and decided to go to SC first and make sure Bee was doing ok. We got to visit with him and Grandma and Papa a bunch and celebrated Christmas Eve with the usual crowd. Ellie had tons of Uncle Time and it was great. Santa visited us there and was very generous. I will post pics of Ellie with all her cool stuff when we get home. After Santa's visit, we came to TN where Santa has also been very nice to us. We've been able to see everyone we love and that's really the best part of it for me. Yesterday Ellie and I went with MeeMaw to Target and took advantage of the 50% off sales. I still managed to do some damage. I think we are going to take her to the Aquarium this afternoon. There is a penguin exhibit right now and I think she will love it. Time to go sort through some presents. Thanks to everyone for everything. We miss those of you in SC and AL and FL and CO and WI and hope you had a great Christmas. Happy Birthday to Becca yesterday and Papa today and Tyler (and me!!) on Saturday and Austin on Monday!!!!! Hope to see you all again soon. I'll be in my 30s the next time I see you:)

Sugar and Spice and Mostly Being Nice

Just wanted to post one more time before we leave for the holidays. Here's what we've been up to.



Cookie Cuttering


Cookie Frosting

Praising the Cookies

Eating the cookies

Screwdrivering with Daddy

Wrenching

Playing at Jazzercise

Family Time

Yesterday we had some (mostly) quality family time. Brandon joined a range that is really family friendly. It's one price for a year long membership and you can shoot, picnic and even camp out. Brandon needed to sight in some rifles for hunting and Ellie and I didn't want to stay home. The weather was nice- not too hot, not too cold. I packed us a picnic and we were off. While Brandon was shooting, Ellie and I went "splorin". We found mushrooms, berries, rocks, and the outdoor potty. We also found a really giant hole that was obviously the doorway to something's home. I quickly encouraged Ellie to go get Daddy and ask him what lived there. I was relieved when he said it was probably a turtle hole. Apparently they have ginormous turtles on the property. I hope he's right and that we get to see one next time. If it wasn't a turtle hole, I hope we NEVER see what lives there. While on our adventure, Ellie took her signature extreme closeups of the scenery and I took pics of her (shock!) Good times were had by all.



Helping Brandon set up.
Not loving the hearing protection (or headphones as she calls them).

We found berries- don't worry, she knows not to put them in her mouth.

And lots of mushrooms. The orange ones were cool and there was even a pink one. She also knows not to eat these.

This one was not as pretty, but Ellie had to give each one a shot at fame. And the toe of my shoe apparently.

Playing on the giant rock pile.

Slipped into black and white mode again by accident. I still don't know why or how.

And then it went back to color- this is at the picnic table and my hint that picture time is over.

After eating we went over to the pistol range so I could shoot some, but Ellie was getting tired and it was getting rainy so we left. We'll go back again soon, though.

Green Girly Gift Guide and Giveaways

Check out Crunchy Domestic Goddess and her awesome gift guide and giveaways! There are lots of good ideas for people on your list and you have a chance at one of 4 fabulous prizes. I want the HP Photo Books, but several of her ideas are going to be great for the last couple of people on my list. Good luck and happy shopping!

Today I learned...

1. That my camera takes pictures in black and white.

2. That I kind of like the B&W pics because they make it look like I know what I am doing.

3. That I have no idea how to get it back on that setting.

4. That I am way too lazy to actually get out the manual and read it.

5. Ellie has no trouble making herself at home in other people's houses. ( We went to a party at the home of a fellow Jazzerciser yesterday)

6. Ellie still likes to have her picture taken with large inanimate objects.

7. Anything that lights up will mesmerize a 2 year-old.

8. She will sit in Santa's lap.

9. She is not completely comfortable about the whole thing.

10. She did NOT want a book from that Santa. (I think she thought he was going to have the Barbie Jeep, Aquadoodle and all the other things she has been asking for with him today at Brandon's work Christmas party)

WHY me?

Ellie's new favorite word is "why". I was hoping we'd make it through the twos without it. Everything I ask, tell, or say to her is answered with "Why?" or sometimes "Why, Mommy?" Even the simplest things.

"Ellie, put your shoes on."

"Why?"

"Because we have to go outside."

"Why?"

"To get to the car."

"Why?"

"So we can get to Jazzercise."

"Why?"

and on and on and on.....

Why do we have to stop at red lights?
Why do the ducks stick their heads in the water?
Why does she have to sit in the back?
Why can't she sleep in our bed?
Why, why, why??????

I wish I had a dollar for all the times I've said, "Because I said so." in the last few days. I remember my mom used to say "Because I'm the mom, that's WHY!" I'm saving that little gem until she's a little older.
The best is when she asks me why about something that I really have no idea about and I tell her I just don't know. That throws her for a loop. When she asks why I don't know, I have a very hard time not throwing a sarcastic and not very nice reply back. I know all this questioning is actually good because it means she is inquisitive and is just discovering her world. But it's wearing me out. My brain is turning to mush.

Baby Doll Explosion

I forgot to post this proof that Baby Doll Bombs do exist and can go off in much less time than the average adult would think possible.