Why yes, I did post

Okay listen, I really don't have a post but thought I better type something.  Anything.  I'm really wanting to have something to say everyday, but let's face it.  I'm not that interesting.


Well, I've been doing laundry all day as I'm trying to pack to head to M to the Izz-A's mom's tomorrow.  The only problem is that I still haven't unpacked from last week's trip.  Yep - suitcases still full and we've just been living out of them every since.  You can officially disown me if you like.  Because I agree, that is pa-thet-ic.  Technically I could just leave them packed and head out of town, but unfortunately it's supposed to be 80 degrees or more this Thanksgiving so I need to pack more weather-appropriate clothing.  And since when is 80 degrees appropriate for Thanksgiving?!


Let's move on...


Hamp officially turns 6 months old this week and I really can't believe it.  That little guy is getting so big.  He's eating three meals a day and sometimes a snack before bedtime.  Tonight at the grocery store, I found myself struggling to pick him up in his big ol' car seat.  And so what if that's mainly because I've been lifting dark chocolate (with nuts) M&M's instead of weights.  Thankfully, he's starting to sit up, so sooner than later he'll be able to sit in the buggy all by himself...upon which I will promptly put in one of those big puffy seat covers, because I've seen the reports about the germs on those things!  Side note:  M to the Izz-A rolls his eyes when I say this.  You can, too.  Because the fact of the matter is, that kid is exposed to more germs on a daily basis than I care to know about.  BUT -  those grocery cart covers are CUTE.


Alright, I think I'll post some pics from last Sunday, "Thanksgiving Sunday" if you will.

just gettin' a quick sports recap on yesterday's games folks

I will go to town on those cheeks!!  You hear me??  To town!!!

Thanksgiving thoughts and trip recap

Is it just me or has everyone forgotten Thanksgiving this year? 


I mean, we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet and everyone is already moving on to Christmas.  Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas with all of my hot chocolate lovin' heart, but I also love Thanksgiving (and on a side note, would like for the traditional Thanksgiving feast to be worked into the dinner rotation year round).


I think my sis, Big Al, summed it up best when she said, "Respect the turkey."


I'm headed to the in-laws for Thanksgiving to enjoy some food, family, and farm time.  Where exactly is this place, you ask?  Click here in case you missed that post.  And while I'm talking about Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law, and food...you may want THIS RECIPE for your upcoming holiday feasts!  Last year she didn't include it in her menu and so no one would share what they were thankful for around the table before the meal.  Oh I'm kidding, but we did pout just a bit.  You don't just throw out a menu item involving cheese without good warning.  This year, I've already been told, that it has regained its rightful spot on the table. Thanksgiving is now complete.


Last week we went out of town again for M to the Izz-A's job.  Now you and I both know there's no need to do a recap of the same trip taken within less than a month apart.  Plus, I get tired of typing the name of that chicken joint we hang out at a lot because it has too many dashes in it (okay only two but who's counting?) and that throws off my typing speed.  And I'm pretty sure you don't want summaries of all the Dinosaur Train episodes we watched.  If you do, email me, and I'll hook you up.


So I'll share our lil' trip in the form of photographs (and a few captions).  Ya'll know I can't be completely wordless!

Why in the world are his socks like that?

Oh, that's right, because he does this.

Best smile ever

Love

Such a good lil' helper

And somehow we managed to make it home with yet another Olivia. 

We found a fun place called Johhny G's.  I can only assume that it's NOT named after Johnny Gill.

love this pic --  love her even more

Look who's learning to sit up by himself!

Wordless Wednesday

Make cards, not war

I love Christmas.


I love cards. 


And when I say I love cards, I'm talking all year long, all occasions...even non-occasions (which may or may not be a real word).  Whenever M to the Izz-A and I decide we are skipping gifts for whatever the reason, he knows (at least, now he does) that he better I would at least like for him to get me a card - with some form of handwritten message attempted inside.  Heck I'll even accept a quick jotted, "U da bomb".   Just something.

It's been somewhat of a bumpy yet educational journey, but we've finally arrived to the point where he understands the fact that 'no gift' does NOT mean 'no card'.  Got me? 


Did I ever tell ya'll about the time we both scrambled for a last minute card and unknowingly presented each other with the same one from our local Dollar General?  Yeah, it happened.


Well, take my love for Christmas and combine it with my love for cards and you'll know why I was beyond excited to find out that Shutterfly was offering 50 free Christmas cards for bloggers! 

50 FREE!  Do I even know 50 people? 

Regardless, you're speakin' my language Shutterfly, you're speakin' my language - the language of Tightwad.


I'd like to think of myself as a Shutterfly veteran, as I've enjoyed their wonderful products for the past several years, making photo books (like Kate and Hamp's birth story) and personalized gifts (such as photo coffee mugs).  And I think it'd also be fun to make a photo calendar to hang in our house and to give as granparents' gifts as well!  You can even make your own Christmas gift tags if you're feeling extra festive!


They offer a huge variety of cards to choose from.  I'm going to have a hard time choosing, I can already tell.  Ya'll know how indecisive I can be!  And I haven't yet decided whether I'm going to do a kids only picture, one of the whole family, or a mix of both.  We shall see, but as of now I'm leaning towards the kids only one. 


When choosing a card, first and foremost, I need it to say "Merry Christmas" and not "Happy Holidays".  Take that and run with it however you wish.



Here's some of my favorites if I choose a kids only picture for our card:

And if I get a wild hair and choose to throw in a family shot or two, here's some that I love:

Can you see a recurring theme?  COLORFUL! 



Wouldn't it be just like me to end up choosing a totally different Shutterfly Christmas card than the ones I've posted here?  I have no idea why, but don't put it past me.  I drive myself crazy sometimes.


If you're a blogger and would like to receive free cards of your own, go HERE to find out how!

Her colors aren't brown and brown...

...but apparently mine are?


Seriously.  Be honest.  Should I go with brown, brown, brown, or brown?



Or



brown?

We're considering repainting our bedroom.  I am completely over the super dark green color on my walls.  It's dated, to say the least.  Plus, I think I actually described it as 'depressing' the other day.  I need something more neutral, more natural, more....well, brown.

I need the perfect shade of boring brown, or...basic beige?  Something that will stand the test of time and the changing of my bedding over the years.


Since when did the color of dirt become so popular that it needed a million gazillion shades? 




Well, Kate wasn't feelin' as much brown as she was sparkly blue and purple, circa my middle school makeup years.

She didn't want to go upstairs to sit in front of the bathroom mirror, so we set her up a little makeup vanity at the kitchen table, with the help of Hamp's formula can and an old compact of mine.  Old?  Who am I kidding?  I'm still digging at the corners of that thing trying to get every last drop of powder out that I can.  But I'll call it 'old' because I plan on getting a new one TODAY.  Or tomorrow.  Hold me to it.

Putting on makeup first thing in the morning?  She's way ahead of her mama.

Simply gorgeous. 

Makeup by 7am - You're my hero, Kate.



But who could ever be grumpy in the mornings when they get to see this little cutie staring up at them?

And Mr. Man was sportin' his blue jeans today. 


Only he could make jeans with a drawstring waist look cool.

His best 'surprised face'

Can someone please come and rescue that family of dust bunnies living underneath my benchseat?