Decorating for Christmas

It's kind of embarrassing to say this, but Garrett and I have never gotten a Christmas tree since we've been married, and we don't plan to this year either!  We've always gone out of town for the holiday, and while it would be fun to have a tree at our house, it just doesn't seem to practical in the budget.  We do decorate, though.  We put up lights around the room, set out the Nativity, and have a whole stack of Christmas books that we (I) read each December.  We also play a lot of Christmas music.  I do love Christmas and the whole season - don't think that our lack of a Christmas tree means we are Grinches!

It was so fun to see Ellie's face when we turned on the Christmas lights for the first time.

It seems that Abby has reached a point where she likes to make her pictures dramatic rather than just smiling for them.

Then we found the snow globe, which was Abby's favorite decoration last year......

Of course, it just wouldn't be Christmas without one child screaming for something that another child has.

Not so happy.

We are so excited for Christmas!  I have been working on a special Christmas project which I will blog about later this week, hopefully.  I just have to finish it and get one sent out to my brother's family before the big reveal.

Today's the day...

I still get goosebumps when I see this final play of the game (below). 2006 season, BYU at Utah, and Utah is winning 31-27. Just 3 seconds left.

Of course, I wasn't a BYU student when this game was played. Notice how at the end of the clip, the announcer says, "Not 5 in a row for Utah"? That's because they had won 4 in a row against BYU. The 4 years I was there. I'm not even going to pretend that I'm not bitter about that. I did see this game live, though, and it was a lot of fun. Definitely lost my voice from screaming so much.

Anyway, today's the big game (1:30 MST... hopefully we'll find it online somewhere!). Utah has had a good season (it started much better than it has ended up) and BYU has had a pretty rough one, so I'm interested to see how it will turn out. I think that previous games should be thrown out the window when trying to guess how these teams will play today. It's such a huge rivalry and emotions run so high, you just never know what will happen. I'm excited. 

GO COUGARS!

Happy Black Friday!

We had a quiet Thanksgiving.  It turned out that Garrett didn't have to leave for work until 1:30, so we spent the morning together and hung out.  I did a workout video, he went running.  Played with the kids.  Once Garrett left for work, Abby and I made some chocolate chip cookies, which we then dropped off at the ER for Garrett and the other staff that was unlucky enough to get scheduled to work that day.  Unfortunately, we got there as soon as a couple ambulances were arriving so we only got to see Garrett for about 30 seconds.  Then we went home, I fed the kids dinner (grilled cheese) and put them to bed at 6:30 (it was a rough afternoon... they both have colds and it's making them (me) crazy).

Then, when Garrett came home a bit after midnight, I headed out and hit up some Black Friday sales!!  Haha just kidding.... I'm not that crazy.  I mean, I love a good deal as much as the next person (maybe even more), and I spent some time last week researching some of the great deals to be had (and let's face it, I was mostly looking at things for myself), but in the end there was nothing good enough to tempt me to face the crowds.  And to be honest, I don't ever see myself becoming a Black Friday shopper.  I've read the horror stories in the news, and seen pictures.  I hate crowds and I hate the "I-have-to-run-through-the-store-and-beat-everyone-else-to-the-electronics-section-before-everything-is-taken" feeling.  Online deals, though?  You can bet I love those.  But I still didn't pull out my credit card for anything today. (Although I can't say the same for Garrett... but that's for another post, I think.)

This year I am particularly thankful that Garrett has a job.  He's worked a lot this week, so it's in the forefront of my mind and the gratitude helps me not become bitter about it! :)  Seriously though, I am so grateful that he's working, and that he's in a job that is stable.  I'm grateful that he's in a chill transitional program that allows him lots of family time.  

This week I am thankful for Gmail video chat and Skype. We've gotten to "see" all my siblings and my parents over the last couple of days, and Garrett's parents and some siblings too.  So, even though we didn't go visit family this holiday, we still got to interact with them, which is always fun.

Today I am thankful for baby Tylenol.  Ellie is teething and it's brutal (for me.  And okay, for her too).  She was in rare form today and spent most of the day screaming and crying and whining.  Poor thing.  It doesn't help that she has a cold on top of it all.

Right now I am thankful for my warm bed waiting for me... and thankful that I'm not working a 10-hour shift in the ER, like a certain person I am married to.  Tonight around 9:30, my eyes were starting to feel tired and I was thinking about my bed, and meanwhile Garrett was loading up on Coke Zero to prepare himself for work at 10pm.  Sooooo not jealous of him.

Mariner's Museum

Last Saturday, the Mariner's Museum offered free admission to all hospital staff and their families.  We jumped at the chance to go for free!  Unfortunately, Garrett was working all day so I took the kids and tagged along with Rob & Haley.

It was a lot of fun and very interesting.  There was a lot of history about the Chesapeake bay, which was pretty fascinating.  There were also exhibits for how the ocean and ships were used for wars (Civil War, World Wars, etc), and a big exhibit about the USS Monitor.  I loved visiting the museum and would love to go again without the kids so that I could spend more time reading about the different displays and things.  I discovered that I really enjoy learning about maritime history - it's pretty fascinating.

The Mariner's Museum here is the biggest in North America (it's over 60,000 square feet!), and that's not hard to believe.  It seemed that every time we turned a corner there was another exhibit to see.  It was huge!

November snapshot

I can't believe we are already halfway through November.  Growing up I used to love when the days got shorter (I don't really know why), but now I really hate it.  I don't like driving in the dark, and I don't like that we hardly ever get to go running together when Garrett gets home from work.  On the other hand, I do like that the kids are tired and ready for bed by 7pm. (Unless, of course, Abby falls asleep during quiet time).

Abby is cute as ever.  She is definitely three, though.  Sometimes I feel like I'm dealing with a teenager, with the way she says "No!" and with how stubborn she is.  Some days it feels like I have to make everything a game. "Hey Abby, let's see how fast you can clean up your toys!  I'll count!" or "Abby, pretend your spoon is a shovel and eat all your dinner!"  It gets so exhausting.  I feel like I should just be able to say, "Abby clean up your toys, please", or, "Abby, finish your dinner", and she should just be obedient.  I shouldn't have to make everything a game.  But, that's what works, so I'll just keep plugging away I guess.  And I know you are probably thinking, "what's so exhausting about making things into a game?  Games are fun."  True, games are fun.  But it gets old.

Garrett showed Abby some origami last weekend and she loved that.  Now every time she sees a balled up piece of paper, she thinks it will turn into a nice little square if she blows into it.

Abby also really likes to help me in the kitchen, whether I need her help or not. :)  She drags a chair into our tiny kitchen and insists on pouring, stirring, and tasting.  Last weekend we made Rice Krispie Treats (or, as Abby calls them, "Ice Krispie Treats").  It's a pretty big deal when I make treats because it's a very rare occurrence in our house, so Abby was in heaven.

(Waiting.....waiting.... )

(...Got it!)

What can I say about Ellie?  What is it about her that makes me laugh every time she does something naughty??  A few days ago she was playing with Abby's little toy laptop, pushing the buttons and listening to the music.  Abby came and sat next to her to share it with her, and Ellie scooted over so that she was sitting in between Abby and the laptop.  Abby patiently moved over a little bit more so she could see better, and sure enough Ellie scooted over again so that Abby couldn't see.  Of course I was hiding my laughter, but at the same time I couldn't believe that she would be so naughty.  Where does she learn this stuff??

Like I said a few days ago, Garrett is almost done with his family medicine rotation and starts ER next week.   Garrett hates the ER for many reasons, the main one being that most of the patients who come in shouldn't even be there.  He also doesn't do well with shift work where the schedule changes frequently.

I have been keeping busy making Christmas presents.  We draw names in my family and in Garrett's, which makes it easier.  I am making something really great for my brother and his family, and I'm making the same thing for my family at the same time (I'll tell what it is & show pics after they get it!).  I will say this, though... I don't know what I was thinking, taking on a project of this magnitude.  I've already put in at least 10 hours (into each one) and I'm about halfway done.  Thankfully we've already finished the gifts for Garrett's sister & husband (Garrett made their gift in about an hour), but I still need to finish gifts for everyone else on my list.  Including Abby & Ellie... I'm making the neatest thing for them and I'll show lots of pictures when it's done.

I've also been reading a lot, since I finally got a library card.  Speaking of reading, I don't think I ever blogged about finishing the third book in the Hunger Games series.  I read it back in September when we were visiting my parents in Pennsylvania.  I won't bore you all with the details, but in short I hated it.  It seemed so disjointed from the other books and it was really boring.  The only redeeming factor was the very last page when the author finally revealed what boy the heroine ended up with (and it was the one I was rooting for).  But all in all, I was so disappointed in the book and consider the time I spent reading it, wasted. (If you liked the third book, good.  I'm happy for you.)

What else am I up to?  I have a list of things to do this week: fix my jogging stroller tire, finalize the Thanksgiving menu, organize my LR closet, teach piano lessons, and just clean.  I'll admit, I "straighten up" my house a lot, but actual cleaning doesn't happen as often as it should.  I'm also hoping to spend more time at the park (hopefully with my stroller!) since the weather has been just gorgeous lately.  It's times like this when I really miss having a private lawn so I can lay down on a blanket outside all day while the kids run around.

Other than that, not too much.  Just making (and constantly editing) my Christmas list.  You all remember all the things I want, right?  Some of those things are on my actual Christmas list, but most are still on my "someday in the future" list.  I'm nothing if not realistic.

Post call

Garrett enjoys a post-call nap while the girls (& their Mei Mei's) watch "Kipper" on Netflix.

I'm making this spaghetti squash recipe for dinner tonight.  I've made it before and it's so good.  Try it!

Take two

We visited Daddy again in the hospital tonight.  Abby's getting better behind the camera...

Garrett's almost done with his family medicine rotation, woohoo!  To be honest it really hasn't been that bad (says me, ha).  He's only had to work one Sunday, and he had the whole weekend off this last weekend.

It's the next rotation - ER - that I'm really not looking forward to.  Especially since he has to work the entire week of Thanksgiving, Monday-Saturday, with no days off.  I'm not complaining (okay, clearly I am) but that totally stinks!  I love Thanksgiving so much but it's looking like we will just have to celebrate it on a different day, maybe the next week.  Anyway, I should probably get used to it as I'm sure this is just the first of many times that Garrett will have to work on a holiday.  I'm just thankful that the girls are still too young to notice.

Does anyone have any great Thanksgiving recipes they want to recommend?  I am definitely planning to keep it simple - a small turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, a salad, a cranberry dish, and maybe this butternut squash soup (I made this last week and it's so good).  And one (maybe two) pies.  Of course, we'll be celebrating with the Egberts (hopefully) and I'm sure they will have some great recipes (no pressure, guys), but I'd love to hear what you all recommend.  Any favorite Thanksgiving dishes?

It's a tough life

Abby found a new game on the iPod Touch and it was too difficult for her to play.

Needless to say, she was not happy.  She even had real tears but I wasn't able to capture them on the camera.  I eventually had to take the game away because I couldn't take the whining and screams of disappointment anymore.

Now that I think about it, I haven't seen that game before.  I hope she didn't buy it.....

We visited Daddy at the hospital.

Tonight we went to the hospital to visit Daddy.  He's on call and won't be home until tomorrow sometime.

(Can you imagine working a 30-hour shift?  Going in at 7 a.m. and working until noon the next day?  I don't know how doctors do it, but they do.  Things are changing though, and this is the last year that residents will be allowed to work such long shifts.  I am thankful for that, but to be honest it didn't really matter anyway because they didn't have 30-hour shifts at Garrett's radiology program.)

Abby insisted on taking a picture before we left. (You saw in the last post video how much she loves being behind the camera.)

(Doesn't that puffy jacket make Ellie look like a marshmallow?  I love it.  She does, too.)

A little peek

I could tell you about the screeching that this little girl is capable of, but nothing I could say would do it justice. See (and hear) for yourself.

Meanwhile, I'm going to put that baby bouncer BACK into the closet... why I let Abby talk me into getting it out is beyond me. They fight over many things, but this is near the top of the list.

Wardrobe malfunction

First, Ellie woke up from her nap this afternoon with her shirt completely off.  That's the first time that's happened.  Then, later I turned around from playing the piano and saw her like this.  I'm pretty sure Abby helped.

 Abby has recently been insisting that she have a turn behind the camera.  Not too bad!

Can I just say... I am pretty surprised that Ellie still has cheeks... you'd think I would have kissed them off by now.  I could kiss her face all day.  Have I mentioned lately how much I love 1-year-olds??  They are so much fun!

And Abby has been doing the funniest things lately.  Her newest game is to run from one end of the room to the other while she pushes the play stroller.  She says she is "going running" just like mommy and daddy.  Back and forth, back and forth... sometimes she asks me to pass her a cup of Gatorade when whizzes past me.  Nice try.

It's a puppy!

Okay, don't get too excited... no we did not get a dog.  And I don't see that happening anytime soon (as in, hopefully never).  But this morning we had a very cute "puppy" for a while. 

It's amazing what will keep kids occupied.  They have 3 little bins full of toys but won't play with them even if I dump them out all over the floor... but give them a piece of ric-rac from a project I am working on, and they're happy for an hour.

Time to get rid of some toys, I think. (I am always looking for excuses, you know)

Guaranteed

If there is a hat lying around, it's pretty much guaranteed that Ellie will put it on... backwards.  She also enjoys wearing gloves (or, "glubs", as Abby calls them).

And it's pretty much guaranteed that if Daddy makes pancakes, they will be in all sorts of fun shapes.  Here's a spider...

And you can bet that Abby will always choose a sucker or a lollipop over any other type of candy:

Which is good, because I can guarantee you that Mommy has already stolen all the Milk Duds and Tootsie Rolls and hidden them away for herself.

(Funny story about that green shirt Abby is wearing... yesterday I told her to go get dressed, and that if she did it by herself she could choose to wear whatever she wanted to.  Sometimes this can be a bit sketchy, but yesterday she chose that nice green polo shirt and jeans.  When she came out of her bedroom, I said, "Abby! Great choice!  I love that shirt!"  Later that night when Garrett came home from work, she said, "Daddy, look at my choy."  Garrett didn't understand what she was talking about, but I immediately recalled that I had said that her shirt/jeans were a "good choice", and she must have thought that "choice" referred to her shirt/jeans, and must be plural, so "choy" was just the shirt.  Haha, that girl just cracks me up sometimes.)

Rabbits!

Ahhh, finally!!  Halloween is over and I can finally start moving on to more exciting things like Thanksgiving and Christmas!  I am pretty proud of myself that I had a semi-good attitude about Halloween this year.  I dressed the girls up in matching costumes, made some ghost banners with Abby, ate some pumpkin seeds, and filtered everything I said at the Trunk or Treat.  I have written in years past (here and here) about how much I hate Halloween, but I refrained this year from singing the same old tune here on the blog and just focused on getting it over with.  You're welcome.

(By the way, want to know how to steal candy from kids' buckets?  When they come to you and hold out their bucket, you put your hand (with your candy) into their bucket and, instead of dropping a candy into it, you take one out (or, you can drop in your nasty cheap candy that you bought, and take out something good.  That way it's just a "trade).  Works about 75% of the time.  But, I only do this to the kids who hold out their buckets and don't say "trick or treat".  I hate when kids refuse to say it and just hold out their buckets like I owe them something.  The first time around is annoying but doesn't really bother me, it's the second and third time they come around to my "trunk" when it gets obnoxious.  Also, this is only worth it if someone else is giving out good candy.  I don't really like most candy, but I do enjoy tootsie rolls, milk duds, and anything else chocolate-y from time to time.)*

Anyway, I am so happy that now I can focus on Thanksgiving and Christmas!  I love both holidays so much and I'm thrilled that it's finally "the season".  Even though Garrett works a full shift on Thanksgiving, I still have high hopes that we will do something fun to celebrate (just not necessarily on that day).  He'll be on a "six days on, four days off" schedule.  Thanksgiving falls in the middle of a "6 days on" rotation, but hopefully we'll do something exciting for the 4 days off later that week.  Anyone want to come visit??  Seriously.

So I'm trying to think of fun ways to celebrate the holidays here on the blog... maybe writing something I'm thankful for every day in November, but is that too cliche?  Would that get boring?  Maybe I'll just do it every couple of days.  I just really want to celebrate and think about the holidays as much as possible... I don't know why I'm so excited about it this year but I just am.  Maybe because we finally live in a place where we'll be able to fully experience the winter weather? (Well.... more fully than we ever did in Georgia, and certainly more than we'll get in Florida.)  Maybe because we finally have an income and I can buy gifts for people without feeling guilty?  Maybe because Abby is old enough to appreciate the meaning behind each holiday a little bit better?  Who knows.... all I know is that I am very excited for the next two months.  They are going to be great!

So.... when should I start listening to Christmas music?  I usually make myself wait until after Thanksgiving, which is a good rule, but I don't think I'll hold out that long this year.  Christmas music is just too good to only enjoy for 4 weeks.  What do you think?

Thanks for reading this random, rambling post with no pictures.  Mom and Dad, I promise the next post will include pictures of your grandkids! :)

*Okay, I don't really steal Halloween candy from kids.  But it's a good idea, huh?  And I know that my method works... I did try it once or twice.  But I gave it back, I promise. :)

**The title of this post is called "Rabbits" because, growing up, my grandma taught all of us that on the 1st day of each month, the first thing you say should be "rabbits".  It will bring you good luck for the rest of the month (British superstition).  Some people think that you have to be the first person to say it, but I think you just have to say it before you say anything else.  My sister Molly texts me at 2 a.m. on the first of every month (midnight her time) and "says" it.  I think I beat her this year, though (but it was only 10 p.m. her time, so she'll probably say it doesn't count.) :)