Winter Ramblings

We had our first fire this past weekend.  We have never had a fireplace and I am in heaven.  

Cold weekends call for hot chocolate and marshmallows.

And s'mores

Our elves took over the remotes. 

This guy wasn't happy.  I could tell he was getting sick the moment I finished writing my last blog post.    As soon as John walked in the door from work, Brody puked all over him.  (glad he waited for John)  I think he threw up from having a high fever, but he was sick.  

Saturday morning, John took him to the doctor so Mason and I could go on with our planned date.  Brody had a bad ear infection.  Another round of really strong antibiotics for him.  I almost had to take him back in because he continued to feel so bad for days.  I scheduled him an appointment for an ENT.  =(

But he still looks cute. 

Mason and I went to the post office for stamps and then he got to put them in the mailbox.  Oh the little things in life...

Then we headed to the movies to see Frozen.  It has been a while since I've seen a movie but there is nothing better than that popcorn and diet coke.  It was a great movie!  I may have liked it better than him.  He did great thought. 

 He only talked loud a couple of times and they were justified.  He yelled out that I had eaten all of his popcorn.  (I finished it off when he had stopped eating it for a while...bad choice obviously)  And in the movie the snowman yelled out "Watch out for my butt!" and he thought it was hilarious they had said "butt".  Ha.

Sunday morning I was making a gourmet breakfast of frozen blueberry pancakes when I noticed this chunk taken out of one.  They are prepackaged...

Our elves rolled our little trees on the mantle.

It iced a little more. 

And poinsettias definitely are not made for the winter.  They didn't make it.  

This guy cried a lot.  =(

The elves told the boys to be good and listen to their Mom and Dad.  

Anything to please him.  

A Stay Home Day

Our elves have been busy around here.  Leroy and his buddy got into the chocolate chip cookies we made the night before.  They seem to love cookies as much as Mason and Brody.  

Mason doing his best silly face.  

Just hanging around in the kitchen.  

A couple of nights ago I turned around to tell the boys we were home and this is what I found.  He has never fallen asleep like that before and it does not look comfortable. 

The elves were helping the superheros fight off the bad guys. 

Brody does not quite understand Elf of a Shelf.  He thinks they are toys (who wouldn't?!?).  He picks them up when no one is around and begins growling with them or throwing them down.  Typical boy.  Mason is a little worried Santa isn't going to leave toys for him if he continues terrorizing his elf. 

They are his toys and nothing we say or do can change that.  =) 

We found out yesterday that Mason's school was cancelled and my work was closing Friday due to the ice storm.  We were pretty excited.  Not to mention, The Sound of Music Live with Carrie Underwood came on.  I had been telling Mason how it was one of my all time favorite movies all week.  

John had bowling so it was just the three of us. 

I'm not sure if Mason is more excited about the movie or eating his PB&J on the couch in the playroom.   Either way, he was excited...just look at this picture.  

Not only did they wake up to a "stay home" day as Mason calls it, but Leroy and his buddy were roasting marshmallows by the fireplace.  

 And once again, I turned my back and Brody had ripped the sticks of marshmallows from the elves.   (how cute are their cheapo pjs from Target?!  I love them.)

John had to work but we are anxiously waiting on his return.  It is so cold outside and has been raining/ freezing rain/ sleeting all day, and it isn't going to get above freezing tomorrow.  I cooked chili and hamburger stew since we will probably be inside the entire weekend.  

We have watched several Christmas movies today.  The Polar Express has been our favorite so far. (they are allowed on the couch, they just wanted to sit on the floor =)  ) 

And we are cooking homemade ornaments as we speak.  I saw a recipe on Pinterest and had all ingredients at home.  Hopefully we can paint them tonight!

Once John gets home, we are lighting the fire.  I cannot wait!

It's beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

 Saturday night after our 2nd Thanksgiving meal, John and I went to Lyndsey's birthday party for a couple of hours.  She turned 30 and we karaoked.  There were speakers and microphones galore...Im sure her neighbors were enjoying the music.  

I won't lie, I was worried there would be moments of awkwardness, but not with her family there!  They started singing right away and when John and I left, they were still going.  

Love these girls. 

I have officially stopped decorating for Christmas.  I'm planning to buy some new decorations once Christmas is over when everything goes on sale.  All of our old stuff just doesn't fit so I had to use some DIY skills!!!  

I was super excited to decorate the front door.  I bought a couple of things that lit up, went to plug them in, and sure enough, the outlet was broken!!  I was determined.  I had a half day off the day before Thanksgiving.  Once Brody went down for a nap, I got my electrician skills on and replaced the outlet.  Only got shocked a couple of times, but it works now!

The tree.  Mason said it has "crazy man hair".  

Made a wreath to go over the couch.  That deco mesh is cheap and easy!

I changed out my kitchen sign with a Christmas saying. 

Mason's tree.  Brody doesn't have one yet, but I'm thinking of getting him one next year when he understands. 

Our old tree in the playroom with our Ole Miss stockings.  I put all the boys' homemade and picture ornaments on this one.  I love looking back at them.  I have already bought little picture ornaments for 2013. 

The front door.  (I just found out Poinsettias don't go outside in the cold...we will see how long they stay alive). 

All lit up in the dark. =)

I also have this garland inside the front door.  I love it...and if you look closely, you will see Leroy is back!  And he has brought a friend for Brody.  (I guess he won't have a name until Brody can name him)

Happy boys.

I really wanted an ornament of our new house and our first home.  They are expensive on Etsy and also booked up until after Christmas.  I just decided to try it on my own.  I think it turned out okay...not a professional but it will do!  

Thanksgiving Part 2

We had a great Thanksgiving with John's family.  All the kids love playing with their cousins and get along so well together.  

These three are a little into everything.  =)  

They almost had on identical outfits so we had to get pictures.  Unfortunately Brody was not in a pleasant mood after his nap, but we managed to snap a couple.


A few turkeys.



The cooks.

 Mrs. Judy did all the cooking and Grandma Reba made her famous chocolate pies.


Never heard a peep from these four.  You can probably tell they were having a little fun here.

Mason enjoying the pie.

And we now have the fourth in our family addicted.  He could't get enough.