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My Funny Valentines

Happy Valentines to all of my favorite people! I know it’s a cheesy greeting card company holiday, but I always like any excuse to tell the special people in your life how much you love them (and of course, involving Hallmark is a personal decision). So to all of my family and friends, near and far … thanks for being in my life and I LOVE YOU!

This year, with all of our recent out-of-town-ness, we didn’t do so well with making Valentines. Tabby and I constructed 18 glittery messes for her classmates and I made these mailboxes for the kids (they are filled with new socks and sunglasses and probably some sort of candy I’ve since forgotten about). I will hand them over to the kids at dinner tonight.

I was happy to see the mailboxes in the Target dollar bin when we were there one day. I still have a little white mailbox with red hearts on it that was given to me one Valentine’s day by my parents. It sits on a shelf in my office and holds my sticky notes. I just decked these out with a little light pink vinyl, cut on my Silhouette.

I hope you all have a Happy Valentine’s day with your special people.

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With New Resolve

I'm a total sucker for a blank slate. So of course, I like a new year … new possibilities, and all that jazz … and the “resolutions” that go with them. I know, logically, it's just a pretty arbitrary mark in time, but there it is. Why not take advantage?

Last year I had three main goals:
1. give less of a damn about my to-do list and spend more time with my kids – I definitely did better with this, but I can still see room for improvement. It is something I will continue to work on.
2. get back into a good routine of cooking at home I did VERY well with this – we are definitely back in the cooking groove
3. lose my baby weight – I give my self a solid B on this … 84%. I still have a few pounds I'd like to drop, but I was quite successful.

So what am I planning for 2011?
• work on our grocery budget, specifically by using what we ALREADY HAVE
• the running – want to keep going and in my wildest dreams, I'd like: a 5K under 28, a 10K under an hour and a half marathon under 2:15 … dare to dream? I think training for a tri would be fun as well.
• sort of in the same vein, I'd like to work on my general strength and specifically core strength – having kids does fun things to your “abs”
• I read loads of books last year and I don't plan to stop … this year I'd like to add a bit more non fiction into the mix … feel free to leave suggestions!

Do you resolve?

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Christmas All Wrapped Up

 


I didn’t drop off the face of the earth (swear) … I’ve just been enjoying Christmas and all that comes with it. We had a very lovely Christmas and the many festivities surrounding it. We got to spend lots of time with friends and family.

 

The kids had an absolute BLAST. They got to see tons of people they hardly ever get to see and of course … THE PRESENTS. They were spoiled beyond belief. Tabby is loving her Marianne doll my parents got for her and changing her outfits as regularly as she changes her own. Ben is not quite as specific in his favorite but he is enjoying anything snuggly (Tickle-me-Elmo from my inlaws and the Pooh Bear my sister got for him) as well as anything that goes (Plasma car from Santa, trucks from … everyone) and of course books. Santa also brought him two Buzz action figures (read: one Buzz, one Woody) and he is a HUGE FAN.

Tabby of course was big into the whole deal and had a wonderful time, but I was surprised how much Ben got into everything. He was much more into unwrapping than I remember Tabby being at that same age – though I should remember, it is a form of destruction, one of his favorite everyday pastimes. He also talked up a storm … it seems his language explosion happened right before Christmas and it was the perfect gift.

Matt and I of course were not left out in the cold either. We got lovely gifts from many. I’m carrying a new purse with me to work today and I have about 10 new items of clothing to try on. Matt got plenty of new clothes too and an Egg Bot from some crazy person (me).

Sadly, we have already put away Christmas at our house (boo. sad.) and this week is the start of a whirlwind packing job. We will simultaneously pack up the main floor of our house (dining room, living room, family room, kitchen) and pack our family to be away for two weeks. While we’re gone, hardwood floors will be installed and I really cannot wait. I want them … but I also really want the whole thing to be over with.

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and I’d love to hear all about it. Cheers!

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Stop. Breathe. Blog.

early christmas

We've been crazy busy at Casa Nichols this last little bit. Our Nashville Family flew in last Tuesday and that kicked off a crazy fun week. Wednesday Matt and I worked and Tabby and Ben got to play with The Nashvillians (as I affectionately refer to them). That evening we had dinner at my father in law's favorite restaurant, THE FORT (home of Rocky Mountain Oysters and other unusual eats). Thursday it was up to Vail for some skiing. Tabby went for a couple of hours and had a wonderful time. I was amazed to see how much 8 months time matters to her abilities. She was doing amazingly well. I think we'll put her into lessons here pretty soon. The rest of us got some great time on beautiful, uncrowded slopes. It was a lovely day and every time we rode the lift, you could just breathe in beautiful pine smell.

Friday I deviated from my norm and went into work. I had to take care of some stuff that I hadn't been able to do on Thursday and the kids got to play with their Nashville Family some more. That evening, my Step Mom in Law cooked us a nice dinner and we followed it up with a trip to Apex where we tested our mettle on the ice. My sister in law is pretty good and the rest of us ranging from abysmal (me) to decent (Tabby – her first go on skates), but it was fun in any case.

Saturday we had a double header. We started out the morning by running errands and then getting the kids down for early naps. Then we all went to see Disney on Ice where the kids were spoiled/sugared to an inch of their lives. Both kids loved the show and Ben was (of course) particularly enthusiastic about the Toy Story gang. Afterward, Matt and I took off to my company Christmas party at the lovely Hudson Gardens and the kids took off with The Nashvillians to Chuck E. Cheese. Tabby had a wonderful time, ate cheese pizza and traded in $30 worth of tickets for a plastic snake she christened “Hissy Pis.” Ben apparently went a little insane and tried to make a break for it and take up residence in the ball pit rather than leave. They slept well (if only until 7).

Sunday was our early Christmas. We had a nice Christmas dinner (Honeybaked Ham – Matt was in heaven), mac 'n' cheese, scalloped potatoes, fruit salad and green salad. The kids got to open lots of great new toys and movies and books and we all played Dirty Santa. The Dirty Santa included THREE Snuggies.

It was a very nice visit and we had a lot of fun with our Nashville Family. As I told them, it is a big help to us to have them come here since traveling with little kids at anytime, but particularly around the holidays, is a BIG headache. I also enjoyed it since it forced me to get shopping, etc. done pretty early. Now I can coast just a bit and enjoy the next couple of weeks.

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Thanksgiving Weekend All Wrapped Up

thanksgiving 2010

Well our Thanksgiving weekend/break has come to an end. It was really nice, so of course it's a bit hard to get back to the work-a-day reality. We had lots and lots of fun and even with two kids fighting colds, it was pretty fun and easy-going. We are truly blessed.

Thursday was the eating extravaganza. Matt and I started out the day running the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot with some friends … we both clocked times around 40 minutes which is respectable, but about DOUBLE that of the winners (so cannot imagine being that fast!!). Thanksgiving dinner (4pm) was a big success with tons of tasty foods. The only new recipe I tried, The Pioneer Woman's mashed potatoes, was a big success and universally loved. Sweet Potato Spoon Bread was every bit as good as I remembered it. Tabby dug the potatoes and GRAVY big time. Ben was most in love with the cranberry sauce which he smeared from head to toe more or less. My mom set a beautiful table and we had lots of fun before and after watching TV (football) and movies and playing games.

Friday was a calmer day but we got off our duffs in the late afternoon and met up with my family once again to have dinner and then hit Zoo Lights. We've done Zoo Lights since Tabby was a baby. They deck out the whole zoo with incredible lights and this year they had fire dancers, ice sculptors (we didn't really see this) and SANTA. The Santa was awesome and the kids got to sing Jingle Bells with him and Tabby got to talk his ear off. We also got to meet up with some friends and their kids which is always fun.

Saturday was once again pretty chill, but in the afternoon my mom, sister and I took Tabby to see Tangled. Even though she wasn't feeling the best (runny nose) she thoroughly enjoyed it as did we all. Then we got to have some leftovers and an early evening.

Sunday was the typical mix of laundry and errands, but with one big, FUN difference. We DECKED THE HALLS! Matt and I got everything set up (garland, tchotchkes, tree with lights) and then we let the kids add the ornaments to the tree. Ben was a bit confused on the whole “we put them on and LEAVE them on” bit. I will share more on that tomorrow.

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What We’re Thankful For

Here are the things my family is thankful for, either by their own testimonial or by my guestimation.

Me
• amazing kids
• my excellent hubby/best friend
• wonderful family and friends
• a happy, welcoming home
• good jobs we like
• a sweet puppy with a wagging tail
• health!
• living in this excellent, if slightly flawed, country
• my library!!
• my super comfy bed
• my treadmill
• my tivo
• heated seats
• hot chocolate
• the internets
• naps
• mint green tea
• hot baths
• me time
• deep fried turkey and sweet potato spoon bread … mmmm

Ben
• cranberry sauce
• blankies and other soft things
• milk (in sippy cups)
• two strong legs on which to run around
• cheese (his absolute favorite word and most frequent request)
• anything more than 6″ off the ground Continue reading “What We’re Thankful For”

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Family Photos!!! Great weekend! Woot!

Friday morning, bright and early and COLD we met with Angie of More Sugar than Spice Photography to have some family photos taken. We’ve been doing the “hand Kelly the camera and let her click away” method for the past few years and while she’s gotten some pretty fun shots of us, we wanted to try a professional this year. Angie was great to work with and we had a fun time, despite the cold, hanging around Clear Creek Historical Park. Due to the cold and some digestive issues with Ben, we were setup for failure, but I think things worked out pretty well and so far, the photos look like a good testament to that!

After photos, we headed home for lunch and naps. Later I dropped the kids off with my parents and headed back to my house where Kelly and I went to Bunco and Matt stayed at home to finally set the toilet in the kids’ bathroom.

Saturday morning we slept in until 8 and then hit the gym for a couple of hours. After that we picked up a couple of things at the store and the kids at my parents and headed back home for … you guessed it … lunch and naps. While the kids slept, Matt and I did pop-in cameos at our neighbors house where they were introducing everyone to their new grandson (such a cutie!!), Oliver.

Around 3 we took off for our friends’ house. Tabby, excited to see her friends, bounded up the stairs with tons of enthusiasm and promptly puked all over their porch. Yay! Since she seemed otherwise fine, we let things go and successfully executed Turrrrkey Day and deep fried a 13.7 lb bird. We also enjoyed some sweet potato fries, rolls, rice, pumpkin butter, cranberry sauce, dressing, green beans and outrageous oreo cake. Glad the next turkey day is still a few days away. Tabby did not eat much and had an upset tummy all evening, but returned to her normal self on Sunday.

Sunday we did the Costco thing and not much else before we jumped ship and came home for naps … for everyone. Everyone but Tabby got up a little while later and we worked on laundry and getting the house cleaned up.

We finished up the weekend with a very nice dinner at my parents’ house … and some laundry folding. The house doesn’t even look too horrendous.

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Nothing to See Here

We're busily going about our lives. Monday we had our good friends (and their awesome new minivan) over for chili and cornbread (I did not do the chili/cornbread jar thing – I DO think it looks darn cute – but I did use the cornbread recipe, Tabby helped and it was delicious). Tuesday night Tabby and I got haircuts and then we had to get the house picked up since our cleaning people came yesterday. We had lasagna for dinner which was pretty good.

Last night Matt and I had Lemony Crab Pasta for dinner and the kids had plain ol' spaghetti and meatballs. Then we proceeded to completely wreck the house (well not really) with projects. Ben, who was cranky and tired, went to bed early. Matt painted one of the picture frames he's been constructing in his shop and I worked on some sewing. Tabby flitted between Matt and I and her room, where she was playing go fish with herself and working on her alphabet workbook.

I am doing just fine with regular old sewing and made Tabby a cute quilted “blanket” for her stuffed animals. I actually feel moderately successful when I do those sorts of projects … but that freaking rolled hem thing? It eludes me. I get the concept. I can even make a go of it like 70% of the time … have 8″ of good rolled hem … but then I'll have ups and downs and I have no idea what to do at the corners. I think I will enlist my neighbor's help. She's an awesome seamstress.

All of this going on … but of course I have been LOUSY about taking photos.

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Weekend Recap: May I Have Another??

After a crazy week, we (per normal) jam-packed our weekend.

Friday morning we dropped my SIL, Theresa off at the airport. The kids had a great time with her and it was (of course) a huge help to Matt and I to have her last week. All day Friday Tabby wanted to know where she was and when she was coming back.

After the airport we had to hit it. Tabby and I dropped the boys at home and hit the grocery store to get food for the weekend, particularly my Bunco party. As I mentioned, I made lentil soup, stuffed potatoes, salad and apple spice cake for dessert. With all that to cook, plus a house to clean, I was at it pretty much all day. Luckily, I had the kids to help. Tabby helped me mash potatoes and they both sampled goodies and watched me as I worked. Ben can now proudly say “tato!” Tabby plugged the vacuum cord back in over and over for me as well and helped pick up. They were both good as gold in between and took fairly long naps. Matt took off with the kids around 5 so I could finish up and the kids could hang with my mom overnight so they could get a good night’s sleep.

Bunco was its usual raucous fun of moms unleashed into the wild sans kids. Everyone was in a super chatty mood and for the first time ever, we only played two rounds and quit after dessert and just hung out. At least 5 bottles of wine were consumed.

Saturday we got to sleep in for the first time in … a VERY LONG TIME. Really sleep in. It was blissful. Then we picked up the kids, ran one errand (Target, duh) and headed home for lunch, followed by naps. Before any time at all had passed, we headed out to our friends’ Halloween party where they outdid themselves as usual and everyone had a great time.

The kids were exhausted when we got home, but Matt and I got to stay up later and hang out, just the two of us. Super nice.

Today dawned early with both kids up by 7 so we took advantage of the early start and went for a 4 mile run (plus an extra mile walk) with a friend and then raced like mad over to our friend’s b’day party which included swimming. More naps and another trip to Target and Sunflower followed. Then we came home for family dinner and chores and sent the kids off to bed.

Now I am here, with little checked off on my to-do list, ready to head back to work tomorrow. I guess I know where my weekend went, but I’d loooove another!!