All Wrapped Up

For those of you wondering if I have fallen off the earth....I have not. I have just been spending my nights wrapping Christmas gifts. I wrap a couple a night (or try to) because I am bound and determined to finish by the end of the week-Friday preferrably. I DO NOT want to be wrapping the week of Christmas. I seem to always freak out by about this time because I have to wrap and wrapping just isn't one of my favorite things. I am usually like the picture shown above. I think that has only happened twice as of right now. I have never been able to cut the paper in a straight line which just drives me nuts and I am just not a pretty wrapper-I can't do all those fancy pretty bows and do dads that my sister always does. Her packages always put mine to shame but I am not letting that bother me this year. This year really hasn't been that bad and I think I might be enjoying myself. I told my sister that I decided I would wrap every present and not use 1 gift bag this year especially for the kids presents because I think they have more fun unwrapping the presents. I shouldn't have said that because I now have used 2 gift bags and 1 was for Rylee and 1 for Andrew (it was only the boring clothes though!)

I haven't even had the chance to tell about my 1st (kind of) fake tree experience. We have always had real trees and I vowed to never have a fake tree! I ate those words too but I am loving my fake tree. The lights look great and it looks real and I have my Christmas Tree Scentsey going so it smells real! We also have a fake tree downstairs that Justin's parents gave us a couple of years ago-it is our cheesy tree. Not my favorite tree but I like having one downstairs too. Now I have a new Scentsey down there too so it smells more real and that helps.


Well enough about that. Guess I need to get back to work. Actually, I just had a small procedure done on the bottom of my foot earlier today and I am on hydrocodone for pain. As I am feeling rather dizzy and yucky I think I will have to forego the wrapping tonight. At least I got my blogging done. This next picture will be me by tomorrow night as I will have finished all my wrapping!

Thank Goodness for Tags

Nicole tagged me and I am actually glad about that because I really have nothing else to blog about at this time. The tag (which has been modified down the road) is the 6 things tag. So here goes.

Six TV Shows I Watch:

1-Paranormal State on A&E
2-CSI Las Vegas
3-Iron Chef America (when I am up late enough)
4-Lilo and Stitch (next 3 courtesy of Rylee)
5-JoJo's Circus
6-Doodlebops (pure torture)

Six Favorite Restaurants:
1-Johnny Carinos
2-Red Robin (we are finally getting 1 here-yea!)
3-Garcias
4-Great Hunan
5-Chizs'
6-Texas Roadhouse

Six Things that Happened Yesterday: (O what an exciting life I lead!)
1-Got up-thought about excercising but didn't
2-Went to work
3-Came home
4-Made dinner
5-Took a bath
6-Went to bed

Six Things I Look Forward To:
1-Wrapping Christmas Presents
2-The weekend
3-Snow
4-Christmas with my family
5-The new Harry Potter movie (which isn't coming out in Dec. like it usually does-grr!)
6-Seeing Wicked in April w/ my sister and mom

Six Things on My Wishlist:
1-Another baby
2-Disneyland with my family
3-Resisting chocolate, cheese and bread (this will help with #4)
4-Get rid of that pesky 7 lbs
5-More time to read
6-More time with Rylee

Thanksgiving Fun

So Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone and believe it or not it was disaster free. On Thanksgiving day Justin and I cleaned the house in preparation for Rylee's Princess Birthday Party on Saturday and I knew there would be no time later. For Thanskgiving dinner we went to the Chipp house which was fun. I had to add this picture of Rylee because I just thought her expression was too funny.

Thank goodness I wasn't cooking that dinner-I just made dessert which was yummy. I made my (actually it's Paula Deen's) Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake. This cake so good but so fattening. It has 2 sticks of butter, 4 eggs and a whole box of powerdered sugar. Paula Deen knows how to make something good! I also did Rylee's hair in a new style that I saw on one of the hair blogs. I think it turned out rather well except for I didn't distribute the hair good enough because I have really skinny braids on top and then a big fat braid in the back.

But what I was looking forward to was Black Friday. Every year my sister, my mom and I get up at 4 to go shopping. My sister even made it a special trip because they spent the day with her DH's family and drove that night just so she could shop with us. It wouldn't have been the same without her! But I have to say that we aren't too crazy because we don't even get to the stores til about 5. We don't stand in lines before the stores actually open. I don't know why it is so fun but I just have a blast and I got quite a bit done. There is always a little left over to do but I mostly go just to get Rylee's stuff done. Toys R Us is always our 1st stop and in previous years it seems like we have had plenty of time to shop while my Mom (gotta love her for doing this) stands in line to hold us a place in line. But this year they really must have had their stuff together because I had my mom and sister calling me that they were in the front of a line. Crap! I had what I wanted but I just wanted to make sure I hadn't overlooked any good deals. Kohl's has always been the worst stop for us because the line is horrendous. We stood there for over an hour and Nicole's back is killing her, my arms are about ready to fall off because my bag was so full and poor Mom powersurged the whole way through!

The men took the kids to see Bolt while we were shopping and then we met for lunch. I have to say I was very nervous to see how Rylee looked because horrible mother that I am forgot to lay out an outfit for her and her dad was doing her hair. She was quite the mis-matched sight with bangs in her face. Poor girl but bless Justin's heart for doing that and she had a good time with her Dad. Then my sister and I went to go see the movie Twilight. I am admitting that I had already seen the movie before and so had she but it was fun to see it together.

Saturday was the Princess Party. I pretty much had everything all ready to go. I just had to pick up the balloons and cake. We had already decorated the house Thursday night with the tulle so it was done. I tried to incorporate as much pink as possible. I really don't think Rylee cared all that much but I kept having to have more pink!

The party started at 1:00. We ended up having 5 princesses and 1 knight (Andrew) at the party. He made sure all the princesses were safe. To start we had the kids decorate their own crowns and then make candy bracelets. Then they got to play kiss the frog which was really a cute game and Rylee won that game so that was fun. Then the kids got to hit the Princess pinata which was a lot of fun-especially when it broke and all the kids dove for the candy. Then we got to have cake and then she got to open her presents. She had a lot of fun and I hope all the other little kids did too. I worried that they would go home sick with all the candy and sweets that we had. I think I had a little too much food but you live and you learn. It's not like I have ever done this before so I over planned. I guess I tend to do that with everything though. I should know better. Oh well, I would rather have too much than too little. As long as Rylee had fun. My cat Pumpkin had to get in on some of the fun. Then later we took her to Garcias for her Birthday dinner because she wanted to wear the sombero and get sung to. It was hilarious-all these workers come out and Rylee is frozen with fear-but she got to wear the hat! I can't believe my little girl is 4-I didn't cry too much just a little bit.

3 days packed with fun and excitement. I always feel so empty when I plan for things for weeks and then in such a short amount of time everything is over. Bring on to Christmas!

Job Well Done...Now for Fun

So as a reward for Rylee doing her best at Festival of Trees I told her that she could have her friends over to play. So we had Katie and Kierstin over last night to play. Oh what fun they had. Those girls have so much energy-I need to borrow some of it.

They had a blast playing outside, running around my house and watching a movie (not really-you all know how that is). I love all those girls but I know why I only do this on rare occasions. Kudos to all those parents with multiple kids-I really don't know how you do it!

Festival of Trees

So Rylee had her very first dance performance last night at Festival of Trees at the Red Lion. She was so excited about it-I think I was more nervous than she was. I ended up taking off a little bit early from work just in case we had any snags. I had to curl her hair in ringlets. I did 3 different layers just so there would be tons of curls and she just sat there so good watching cartoons (I didn't even burn her once thank goodnes!) and she never even moved. Then it was makeup time and she was so excited about getting to wear mascara. I could barely even get it on because she wouldn't open up her eyes but she still looked very pretty. After getting on her costume we rushed to the Red Lion as we were supposed to be there early. We had plenty of time to look around but Rylee was so anxious to go in the back with all the other dancers so I just took her back and waited. It was so cute to see all the little girls in all the different costumes.
After waiting for what seems like an eternity (a noisy one at that since all the girls were back there) it was finally her turn. She gets out there with a big smile on that never left her face throughout the dance and she watched her teacher just like we told her in case she forgot the dance. What a natural-no stage fright what-so-ever and she did her dance just great. I just couldn't stop smiling I was so proud! All the girls in her group did great. They did 2 dances one right after the other-the 2nd was just doing jingle bells w/ bells on their wrists and ankles with another group. It was too cute.

She has another one in a couple of weeks which hopefully won't be so crazy because it is just the dancers' family-not all the public. Maybe next time I will be as calm as Rylee (ya right!)

Busy Bee

Sorry-I haven't been very good at blogging lately but it has been a little busy around our house. I am sure everyone knows what that is like. Rylee is turning 4 on the 30th of this month and I have been very busy planning her party. For those that know me I tend to get a little crazy when I am planning something. Not only am I planning her party for the 29th right after Thanksgiving but she has her 1st dance performance for the Festival of the Trees Wednesday night. I will defintley blog about that. So I always feel a little pressure when life gets busy. It doesn't seem busy to some but I am used to work, dinner, bath and bed. Throw in a little extra and all heck breaks loose. Talk to Justin if you don't believe me. He would like to move out of the house when I get like this. He is already worried about me going crazy at Christmas because I am planning to have his parents, brother and girlfriend plus my parents and sister's family at my house for Christmas dinner. I have never even cooked a turkey-but I am not freaking out about that....yet!

D Day

So the dreaded D-Day oops I mean B-Day has come and gone. I did not melt, turn into an old lady w/ gray hair or drop dead. I am still me and I feel the same. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. That doesn't mean I still don't want to be in my 20's but I am ok with it. I think.

I've Been Tagged

To: Me From: My Sister
My loving sister tagged me about a week ago. Better late than never!

I am: A wife, mother, friend, sister and daughter

I think: Too much and Not enough.
Everything in life: Happens for a reason. Even though you hate to hear it sometimes.
I want: The world to stop falling apart.
I have: A great husband and beautiful daughter.
I dislike: Tension and anger.
I miss: My sister.
I fear: The unknown.
I feel: Very blessed. I am grateful for all that I have been given.
I hear: The radio.
I smell: Apple Jack scent in my office.
I crave: Chocolate.
I cry: A lot-over commercials, pictures, songs, whatever.
I search: The Internet for whatever I am in need of at the moment.
I wonder: If I will every be able to make up my own mind.
I regret: Not remembering every day with my daughter.
I wish: For more time.
I love: My family.
I care: About people-I don't like it when they hurt.
I always: Doubt myself.
I am not: The most patient person, but I try.
I remember: When there wasn't a disaster every day.
I believe: That animals go to heaven too.
I sing: Whenever I can.
I don't always: Do things in a timely manner.
I argue: About things that I feel passionate about.
I write: Too infrequently. I need to be better.
I win: Candy Land every once in a while.
I lose: My temper too often.
I listen: To music.
I don't understand: People who have children and then don't take care of them.
I can usually be found: At home or at work.
I need to: Take time to enjoy the little things in life while I still can!
I forget: Very quickly, so I blog.
I am happy: Most of the time.

TRICK OR TREAT

Since Halloween was on a Friday this year my sister came down with Andrew to join us. It was so much fun to have the both of them be able to trick or treat together. I think they had fun too in between the bickering of who gets to dock on the door next. It was nice weather too so we weren't freezing to death by the end of the night and the kids didn't need jackets. Last year was freezing and Rylee wanted to go on and on but this year as we were nearing the end of the block the kids were both ready to go home. So not too much candy but just enough. All in all it was a great night. Hope we get to do it again soon as Rylee is already asking when Halloween will come again-it's going to be a long year!

Boo at the Zoo

So last night we went to Boo at the Zoo. This is our 3rd year of going. I think Rylee has a good time and I like it because I feel like I am getting my money's worth out of her Halloween costume. You spend so much money on these things it is a waste to only wear them once. It was the 1st night out of 3 that they have it. Originally we were going to go on Thursday but I think the weather was supposed to be nicer Wednesday than Thursday so that is why we went last night. It did end up being pretty nice and really wasn't too cold outside. Justin and Rylee never even put their jackets on and me being the lizard had my jacket on and my hands were the coldest out of the 3 of us but as long as Rylee was ok I was ok. It didn't seem like there were as many candy posts set up this year or maybe it was just my imagination. The lights and decorations are always what I enjoy but Rylee kept saying "I need more candy, my bag isn't filled yet" to which I kept replying "your bag is too big to fill up-there aren't enough tables. You will get more candy on Friday!" I swear that kid could live on candy. She never eats what I make for dinner and she hardly ever touches her breakfast. She doesn't even like homemade cookies but if candy is involved she is all about that. I guess she is just a kid and every kid loves candy. Anyway enough of my blabbering and back to the zoo. I tried to take as many pictures of the animals as I could but it was getting dark and they didn't turn out so well. Better luck next year or maybe not. I think Justin and I have decided to skip next year but I am sure when that time rolls around we will have changed our minds (more like my mind).

Halloween Party

Last night Rylee had dance and they were supposed to wear their costumes. All the little girls looked so cute. The teacher gave those that had their cameras a chance to come in to take a class picture (can you believe I was one of those that had their cameras). On Halloween I will have her hair down as it goes better with being a pirate but for dance the kids have to wear their hair up so it's not as cute as it will be.The kids had fun though because they got to play games and do the limbo. At one point they turned all the lights off and turned a black light on and had the parents come in and dance with the kids all silly. It really was kind of fun. Then at the end they passed out treat bags and then whoever wanted to bring a treat they could pass it out at that time too. Usually I participate in this but I figure she will be getting enough candy in the days to come so I did not bring anything extra-I know I am horrible! I think last night was the funnest she has had at dance-wish they could all be like that.

Halloween House

Just a warning-these are only decorations. They are not real and will not come to get you. Just kidding. Finally had to post some pictures of my halloween house which I should have done earlier but didn't I have no excuses-decorations were put up I just never got this part done.

I hope I haven't caused any nightmares or heartattacks. I love Halloween!

The Forgotten "Do"

Forgot to show another hair-do that I tried on Rylee. It turned out really cute I think. She is starting to get better too about keeping still. I am still a learner and it takes me a really long time to get my parts right and figure everything out so I have to give her a little shout out! :)

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? I also did another hairstyle this last Saturday but because this is new to me I did not take a picture. Hopefully one day I will learn to pack my camera around everywhere I go just like my sister.

SNOW DAY

Well we had our 1st snow fall this year on Sunday. Rylee loves snow. 1st thing she wanted to do that morning was go outside in the snow. Justin got all her gear on (I was conveniently getting ready for the day)-snowpants, boots, coat, mittens (can't be gloves) and hat-all of this takes about an hour to get on for 20 minutes of fun outside! But Rylee loves it-she especially loves to eat the snow. It gets her so excited. She always tells me she's going to eat it all gone. So she ate some snow, made some snow angels and had a snowball fight with dad. She had a blast.

Justin is already getting excited to go snowboarding this year. He hasn't gone for a couple of years but he ordered some new things for his board so he can go again and Rylee saw his snowboard adn now she wants to go snowboarding. We tell her maybe next year when she is a little bit bigger adn she says "I will just ride with you on your snowboard so I don't fall". Ya right-they'd never get off the ground!

So everybody is excited about the snow but my hope is that it gets warmer so that we will have a nice Halloween and we won't freeze to death. It has already melted which made Rylee cry (just a little) and I told her we can't go trick-or-treating in the snow. Then I asked her what she would rather have "snow or trick-or-treating?" Her answer...........SNOW!!

After coming in from the snow I did Rylee's hair. I have been reading some blogs about doing girl hair and I love them. They show step by step how to do some really cute hairdos. I have looked everywhere for ways to do Rylee's hair and I happened upon these blogs by accident but I am so excited. I even tried one of the hairstyles on Sunday and did another one on Monday and everybody at her daycare loved her hair. The one where she is sleeping is from Sunday-this was taken after church and she was exhausted and the other is Monday. I think she could care less about her hair as she always wants to leave it down but I am so excited for these fun hairstyles. I can't forget the exciting news that Rylee got a haircut. Well sortof-she cut a little chunk out of the back of her hair. I freaked out at 1st because it looked like a ton of hair and she was crying but in the end it could have been worse-it could have been a huge chunk in the front and then I would have to cut her hair. But once her hair was brushed it ended up being small enough that it blends in. I have been told all little girls do that but I know I never did that. I am going to continue to experiment with her hair. I am going to try a new one each weekend and hopefully remember to take a picture so I can show what I've done.

INCREDIBLE RYLEE

Saturday it rained and it was cold. It is defintley looking a lot more like fall. Everytime Rylee sees the a tree she says "the leaves are changing color-it's fall today". So because of the weather nothing exciting just our normal thing of going to the grocery store. I always enjoy going to the grocery store especially when Rylee is with me. We always have fun and most of the time she behaves herself. This Saturday grocery trip brought us a little bit of excitement. I have to tell this story before I say what it was we found. There is a cartoon channel that plays old (at least I think they are old) cartoons of superman, spiderman, incredible hulk etc. One day I had turned the cartoons on for her and Incredible Hulk was on and I went ahead and changed it to Scooby Doo. She was so upset at me. She wanted to watch Incredible Hulk so I think eventually her Dad changed it for her. She likes watching those cartoons - and this way even Justin watches them. Anyway it just amazes me that this very girly princess girl likes Incredible Hulk. She even wanted to go see the movie with Justin when he went to see it. So this is what we got so excited about.

I know-it's really not that exciting but we really have been enjoying our Hulk cakes. And just to clarify I don't normally buy these types of things but it was too fun to pass up.

Other than our normal weekend chores we really didn't do too much. It was kind of lazy day because of the rain. I did get some of the Halloween decorations up but that I will save for another day.

"Bob" Quest

So Saturday we pretty much spent the whole day looking for Halloween decorations. My whole family loves Halloween. Everyday Rylee asks me if it is Halloween time yet and I always have to tell her no, not yet and to quit thinking about it which is hard for her to do when I am constantly on the lookout for more Halloween decorations. Justin even gets into it. He says he likes Halloween more than he likes Christmas (which is just plain crazy). We don't do the cutesy Halloween house we do the scary Halloween house or so I like to think it's scary. It gets more fun every year as we keep adding to it. I remember the 1st scary skeleton we got and Rylee was really scared at first but then we just told her it was "Bob" and look at his dirty teeth from not brushing them and things like that just to make light of it. Now every skeleton guy she sees is "Bob". She hasn't been afraid since. Here is a picture of a "Bob". She would love this. Sometimes I think that is a great thing other times it makes me a little worried. I even had a guy at Fred Meyer comment on it and how his 8 year old daughter is scared of everything and here's Rylee with a big grin on her face looking at all the scary things. Like I said before, I am not sure if I should be happy that she isn't scared or maybe a bit worried.

We did find some things that day (so did Rylee) but I have only just started my quest for "Bob" and all things scary.