New stuff...

Gma and Gpa Clipper gave me new boots! I love them so much, I want to wear them all the time! Mama and Dada gave me new jammies. They are sure soft and I couldn't wait to get them on. They even say my name on them. They have the sock monkey's on them, Nick & Nora - how cool! Mama managed to snap a few pictures of this bedtime process. Silly Mama.

Christmas Fun...

Trying to get a picture with Todd's Dad, his wife Wanda, and Nick was comical (AKA Nick's Gma and Gpa Allen). Dad needs to learn to look ahead and keep smiling and let Nick do his own thing. We did get a few good ones. Here is one of my favorites!
Also, a picture of Todd's Dad, his cousin Bob, and Todd...they are all like brothers!

3 generations of Allen's...

Christmas Day meant Christmas with Todd's Dad's side of the family. We were able to make it there for the first time in awhile. Got to snap this picture of the 3 generations of Allen Boys....

Christmas means...

FAMILY!!!! One of the best things about this time of year is getting together with family. Sure holidays are a pain, and stressful...but what better time to celebrate with the ones we love. We always take family pics, but this year we learned a hard lesson. Take the pics before we open presents, as Nick was done a long time ago!

Dad's girls...

My Dad for many Christmas' now, has given the GIRLS jewelry/diamonds. I don't know how this tradition got started, but we have quite the collection now. We are Dad's Girls, and we LOVE IT! Now even Lauren gets Diamonds!

Christmas Eve with The Hazlett's

Presents...one of the fun parts of Christmas! Boy did we have tons of them. We started with Christmas eve at our house. My parents, Todd's Mom, and my brother, sister-in-law and kids were all there. We had a soup supper, and lots of yummy food. There were tons of presents to open, and Nick soon tired of it. A big hit was the Tonka truck from Gma and Gpa Clipper. I gave Todd a new pool cue, which he said, "I'm not a good enough player to have this nice of cue!"

Santa...not so much...

So, we made our annual trip to the mall yesterday to visit Santa. I have been doing this with my nephew and niece since they were born, so they met us there. Curt, Valerie and Dori joined Todd and I and the 3 kids. I kind of worried that Nick wouldn't like Santa. He can be kind of skittish when it comes to new people. But, I thought that if I had Colton hold him, he would be okay. So, we had to wait in line, probably about 40 minutes or so, but Nick did really good (it helps when the kids are there to entertain him - he also enjoyed riding the carousel!) He even sat on the floor and watched the other kids sit on Santa's lap. We are doing good - this will be fine, I thought.

Well, when it was our turn, Colton was holding him and as they walked up, they got about 2 feet from Santa, and that was all it took. Tears and sobbing and clinging and trying to get away! So, snap snap, the pics are done...and here they are....Oh well, maybe next year!

Last but not least...

What an exciting and fun-filled family day...we went out to supper together, and then did a little shopping. And Daddy had the wonderful idea to buy a movie he has been wanting. So, we bought Polar Express. Nick is totally into "choo-choo's" right now, so how appropriate. Although Pickle didn't make it thru the whole movie, we enjoyed relaxing by the fire together.

Not so much snow fun...

And all fun must eventually come to an end I suppose....Daddy accidentally got to going too fast (he felt really bad by the way), and over he went....Nick did not like falling off the sled.

SNOW MUCH FUN

Nick gets to experience his first fun in the snow, and Daddy and I get to remember our youth too! The video's are too long to list, but if you look close enough at the pics, you can almost hear him laughing!!

What is this white stuff??

Our first real SNOW of the year....almost 4 inches when we woke up this a.m. Nick hasn't gotten to play in the snow yet, as he was too little last year. So, we found some snow boots and a sled today. When we got ready to leave the house (after our pictures at Sears, as you can't go out and play in your dress clothes!), we put on the boots. He thought these were pretty cool. He was stomping around the house.

Then it was time to go outside....he didn't know quite what to think. He stomped around a little bit, but with snow that deep, it's hard to walk. So pretty soon, we fell, and hey, guess what??? Snow tastes pretty good (white...not yellow!).

Could I possibly be 15 months already?

The answer is yes....Pickle is 15 months tomorrow. So, this morning....despite the crummy weather, we hopped out of bed, got ready in 35 minutes, and sped down the snow-packed road to take pictures at Sears. We even arrived before the store opened! Nick did so good. You never know how kids are gonna react, but he was a trooper. I told the photographer that he is a busy body, and we would be happy with 6 poses (the minimum), but we got 9 poses! Then, we went on our search for snow boats and a sled. Would you believe that Payless had no snow boots for kids. I mean seriously, this is the mid-west....anyhow, we did find a pair, a little big, at K-mart.

So, here are a couple of my favorites....

Christmas Kitties...

We were sitting here tonight, in front of the nice warm fire (which is nice when it's like 1 degree outside...) and the kitties were snuggled up together. Don't they look content? Of course, my thought while admiring them is this...."Why use the nice kitty bed I bought you, when you have the nice sofa to sit on???" Baby (the kitty in the back) and Shady are the kids I had before having a kid. They are sure part of the family, but I realize now, how much extra work they are...while I chase a toddler around and clean up after him too. But nonetheless, they are still worth every single chore (aka labor of love)!!

If Heaven Ain't a lot like Dixie....

Then, I don't want to go!!!!! (By Hank Williams, Jr.)

Put your MP3/iPod on shuffle. Answer each question with the title of the song that comes up. Don't skip it just because it sounds weird or doesn't make sense.
WHAT A FUN LITTLE GAME!!!
I LOVE music. There's hardly a time at home when we dont' have something on. Obviously, I have a kiddo, so I have kid songs on here too, but I swear I have plenty of adult music too...Some of them are pretty funny, but some I think are off a line -like pretty sure that I'm a nut should be on the line what my friends think of me! And what do I want to be when I grow up, would have been funnier if it would have fell on, I wish I were a bar of soap...anyhow...enjoy!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? Loch Lomond by Kids sing for kids
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? She talks to Angels by The Black Crowes
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? I'm a nut by Kids Sing for kids
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Find the real by Alter Bridge
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? What a friend we have in Jesus by Growing Minds with Music Hymns
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? One Song by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs....
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Be prepared by the Lion King
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Mornay's Dream by James Horner
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Bethlehem Down by Sting
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? I wish I were a little bar of soap by 110 Silly Songs
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? crazy for you by madonna
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? If you're gonna play in texas by Alabama
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Long live rock n roll by Steel Dragon
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? I've got the joy by Baby's first hymns
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? I can't get no satisfaction by Brittney Spears
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Better than me by Hinder
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Lounge by Eminem
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Gypsy Road by Cinderella
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? The farmer in the dell by lullabies for your little one
HOW WILL YOU DIE? Na laetha Geal Moige by Enya (i dont even know what that means....)
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? Head over heels by the Go go's
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Wearing the inside out by Pink Floyd
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Control by Puddle of Mudd
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? Painful by Staind
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? Still don't give a f*ck by Eminem
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? Grey Matter by Jewel
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? Before he cheats by Carrie Underwood
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? By the way by Hinder
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? If Heaven Ain't a lot like Dixie...(then I don't want to go)...by Hank Williams, Jr.
Amen...what more can a girl say???
C

Which one is the Angel????

Since 1993, I have bought an "annual" ornament. Usually something of character to summarize the year we just finished. I have so many "annual" ornaments now, that I have a whole tree dedicated to them! This year, our ornament is a bigger bear, reading "The Night Before Christmas" to a little bear. We chose this one because Nick just loves to read. We read about 3-4 times a day. Sometimes he just picks up books and carries them around. It is amazing to me, and I hope he continues his love for books. I have included a picture of this same time last year (admiring our Winnie The Pooh ornament).

Another Christmas tradition is one that has been going on I think since I was in college, maybe longer than that...I have someone take a picture of me putting the angel on the tree...and the caption is, "Which one is the Angel?" I don't know how this tradition started, but I giggle every time I think about it. We finally finished putting up our 3 trees (don't ask me why...I just love Christmas, okay?) And I get to the put the Angel on the tree. Now I don't know how old this angel is...but let's just say, older than me. My Mom wanted to ditch her, saying, "she's ugly." But to me, this Angel has "character." I can almost guarantee that no one in this city has one like her. She has a toole white dress, and red hair. Just amazing. Anyhow...this year I have a "lil' helper."

I'll let you decide...WHICH ONE IS THE ANGEL????

I be cool dude....

Today is just another silly day at our house. After we got done with lunch, I am cleaning up, and here comes Nick with Todd's hat that he had gotten off the back of the couch. He is STANDING in his wagon, and just puts on the hat...It just so happens that Daddy had the camera handy. Pickle was so proud of himself.

Chuck Taylor's....

So, we had a day off together today. It was so nice to be able to spend our whole day together as a family. Sometimes those days seem so far apart...We took a nice nap in the morning (since Todd and I were up late the night before). Then after lunch, we went to the mall and we all got new shoes. We picked these Chuck Taylor's for Nicholas. It brings back memories for Todd, as he used to have some like them. He looks so cute in them, and man you should see him run! I am sure he is convinced they make him "JUMP" higher...just ask him and he will demonstrate for you! :) And I would have taken a picture of him jumping or running...but do you know how hard it is to photograph a busy toddler?

My big boy...

Nick thinks he is a BIG BOY today....Our day started off with him peeing on me, not on purpose of course, but dang, give me some warning! Then, I got him out of the wet jammies, and into clothes for the day(which as you may have heard me say, is like roping a calf to get him dressed in the morning!) Task accomplished. I am picking up his room, and he's quiet, and I think, "Gee, what is he up to?" So, I find him in the bathtub, with the kitty. First of all, I didn't know he could get in the bathtub by himself, so that is scary. Secondly, there are some cups and toys left in the bathtub from last time, and of course, they have water in them. So NOW we have to go through the whole clothes changing ordeal again, because of course, he has found the water, and he is soaked! UGH!!!

So, we are on our 2nd outfit of the day. We are having a fun morning. He loves to crawl UP things. So, I set up my little stool in the bathroom closet while I am showering, and he crawls up and down and up and down....Then, I decided to give him a cup to play with and he pretends he is drinking out of it. So, I gave him just a little bit of water in it to drink, and he thought that was pretty cool. We did that several times. He even sat down on my stool to have a drink. How precious these moments are...

Thank you for....

my little boy, my loving husband, and my family. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family. My Mom and Dad cooked a wonderful meal and my brother and his kids were there too. We were able to take our Christmas card pictures, which I can't post because they are a secret :) However, here are some of my favorites from the day...