Christmas #1....that's right there's more!

 

Emrie and her snow boots

Emrie and Aiden going for a walk

We started celebrating Christmas this past Saturday.  We met Brian's parents at his sister and brother-in-law's house (The Hills) at noon.  With our two kiddos and their three, there was never a dull moment. Aiden got all kinds of cool stuff including a 3-D puzzle, a model car and an engine to assemble.  He was really excited!  He's very good at putting stuff together and has far surpassed the challenge of Legos so I'm hopeful this stuff will keep him entertained for a while.





Aiden and his engine

Emrie had a blast.  Last year, at almost 6 months old, she wasnt really sure what to do with all the presents and paper.  This year she had it all figured out.  She tore through the paper and opened boxes with the best of them.  She got a Little Tykes car from Grandma and Pawpaw.  Once she gets in, we can't convince her to get out.  In fact, Aiden pushed her around and around and around the trail...she wouldnt get out...so she just eventually fell asleep at the wheel.  She also got a pair of snow boots for our trip to Colorado.  Bless her little heart - she had to put them on right away and wear them the rest of the day. 

My little bow head

This past Sunday a clipped a bow in Emrie's hair for a picture with Santa.  Up until that day, she has never ever let me put anything in her hair.  She will wear a hat in the summer but no bows or headbands.  So, I was totally surprised that she didn't immediately pull it out.  I was even more surprised that she now wants to wear it all the time! It drives Brian crazy!  This morning she looked so cute...she had on little overalls with a white t-shirt and her big hot pink bow in her hair.  Brian was like "Take that out. She doesn't need to wear that to school."  I told him he should take it out himself...which he did...which sent Emrie into a tantrum.  The next thing I know he's tossing me the bow and shouting "PUT IT BACK!   PUT IT BACK!"  I did and all was right again in Emrie's world.  I guess I should tell Santa to add hair bows to Emrie's list. 

A new morning ritual?

Every morning Brian and I get up around 5:45 to get ready for work.  Emrie is typically up by 6 and then Aiden at 6:30.  In the past, Aiden would put cartoons on the living room as he scrambled around getting his stuff together for school but neither he nor Emrie ever really watched them...until this morning.  I handed Emrie her morning milk as usual.  She grabbed it and her baby, climbed up on the couch, pulled the covers over her feet  and proceded to watch Mickey Mouse.  Now, granted this only lasted about 5 minutes but was 5 extra minutes I had to get dressed.  And, it was just cute that I had to take a picture.

I know...I know...it's a bad habit to start so early but I'm not really worried.  My little Emrie is very much the outdoors type.  She loves playing outside every chance she gets so 5 minutes with Mickey in the morning isn't really going to hurt.  Is it?!

Recap from the weekend - Sunday

Early Sunday morning the much anticipated rain came barrelling through College Station.  There's something about a thunderstorm that make sleep so much better.  It definitely has a positive effect on my little family.  It was the first morning in forever that everyone slept late and I mean like 10am late.  I felt a little guilty about missing church but I think God understands. 

Once everyone was up, I decided it would be a good day to grab a picture with Santa.  It took some bribery to convince Aiden that he had to do it too so that Emrie would do it, so after a promise of McDonald's off to the mall we went.  We stood in line for about 30 minutes which really wasn't too bad.  It gave Emrie a chance to see the other kids sit on Santa's lap and warm up to the idea.  Everytime the elves would open the gate, Emrie would take off running for Santa and we'd have to pull her back and tell her to wait her turn. 

Finally, it was our turn!  The gate open and Aiden took his spot right next to Santa.  Emrie shot through the gate as normal, got all the way up to Santa when she turned around and started running back to me.  I picked her up and walked over to Santa.  That's when she put the death grip on my neck and started balling.  She was having none of the chubby guy in the red suit...rosey cheeks or not.  So, no picture with Santa this year : (

I did manage to drop her over the railing behind Santa's workshop and snap this picture before the not so nice elves chased us off. 

Recap from the weekend - Saturday

Despite the forecast, Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day.  It was kind of overcast but a very comfortable 72 degrees and zero wind.  It was perfect weather to rake leaves.  As you can see from the pictures, the kids had other plans.  Emrie attempted to help but that only lasted a few seconds before both she and Aiden decided to make the leaf pile they're hangout.   

Recap from the weekend - Friday

Friday evening I had my office Christmas party.  It was really a lot of fun to get together with my friends from work outside the office.  It was also great to see everyone's spouses and families.  5 years ago when I started having this party Melissa was the only one with grade school kids.  This year there were 4 babies between the ages of 9 months and 2 years.  It was absolutely awesome.  Aiden (10), who used to play with Melissa's daughters (now 11, 12, 15 and 19), spent his evening being chased by the two younger ones.  He said he hated it but as he ran around the house with them in tow he always had a big smile on his face. 

Emrie spent her evening looking at the 9 month old baby.  She was in awe of sweet little Ellie especially when mama tried to hold her : )  And, much to Brian's disapproval, Emrie also spent a large amount of time shuffling through the house holding her boyfriend, Addix's hand.  His mom used to baby sit Emrie for me so they go way back...at least 17 months! 

As the evening started to come to an end and the other kids pooped out, Emrie and Aiden spent some quality brother and sister time together out on the patio with Chet the dog.  It was truly a good night!

Catching the Christmas Spirit...

Yesterday, my extremely brave sister-in-law, Kimberly, invited about a dozen kids to her house to make gingerbread houses!  Aiden was super pumped about it.  Emrie, on the other hand, seemed much more excited about the prospect of eating candy verses putting it on a house.  Regardless, they both made a couple great looking gingerbread houses.  I took pictures as proof because once we got them home they both decided to taste a little of each house! 

It's actually really good!

This morning I was in a hurry trying to throw something together for lunch.  I grabbed a can of tuna, some crackers, grapes and carrots.  I meant to grab the cherry tomatoes instead of the grapes but it was early and they kind of look the same.  So, I just put together a makeshift tuna salad - complete with mayo, carrots and grapes.  I can't lie.  It is really good.  There's something about the sweet, salty and crunchy that works well together.  Now I'm not saying its the best thing I've ever eaten but I highly recommend you try it...at least once.

No pictures.  Sorry.  I ate it all!

Radio MASH Recap



The Women of MASH



The week following Thanksgiving was a crazy one.  Our 29 Annual Radio MASH Toy Drive started that next Wednesday and ran all the way through Sunday.  It was our biggest MASH ever and as a result we also had the greatest number of toy orders to fill - 6122 to be exact.  We had expanded this year's event to cover Caldwell, Snook, Somerville, Hearne, Franklin and Navasota. 



Trying out some of the toys



This was my 7th Radio MASH.  I still remember my first time...I was doing the night shift on KORA from 6pm-Midnight so my shifts at the MASH compound corresponded to that.  I was out there til Midnight each night and that first year I'm pretty sure it snowed on me!  The years following I experienced all sorts of weather - rain, sleet, snow but this year was the first time I ever wore shorts to Radio MASH.  That's right, I was talking about Christmas while standing outside getting a mild sunburn, wearing shorts, t-shirt and flip flops.  CRAZY! 



Carolyn the red nosed reindeer



This was also the first year that I was actually worried that we were not going to reach our goal.  In years past, by Sunday afternoon we were pretty much finished.  This year, when I left the MASH compound at 8pm we were still more than 200 toys short of reaching our goal.  Aiden and I had cleaned out his toy box of toys he didn't play with anymore and made two additional shopping trips to Target to find things for the older boys and girls - I was tapped out financially and emotionally.  It broke my heart to think that there would be some children who may not have a single present to open on Christmas morning but what could I do? 



jumping for joy at MASH



I could do one more break on the radio...one more plea to others to bring just one toy.  That could be all we needed to make the difference.  AND, it worked!  My message was heard.  In fact, we received a facebook post from a listener who said she heard me and she sent my message to hundreds of people on facebook.  Within the hour, cars were rolling through the MASH compound and we were back in business.  I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

So, despite the not so Christmassy weather the wonderful peeps in the Brazos Valley came through again.  Because of their generous donations, we were able to fill over 6,200 toy orders.  And, trust me, no toy went to waste.  Every year there are parents who show up at MASH begging for any little toy we can spare for their child.  We were able take care of the children on our initial list and all of those last minute orders too. 

Me and Randy Rogers at MASH!

It's experiences like this that remind me just how blessed I am...how blessed we all are...Thank you, God!  For with You, all things are possible.

Still trying to play catch up...

So where did I leave off?  Oh yes, Thanksgiving!  We ran the turkey trot and then spent the day with my family in Brenham.  And, despite starting my morning with a 3 mile run, my urge to be healthy stopped when I pulled my chair up to the table.  Our Thanksgiving feast was a unique one to say the least.  My brother, Brandon, was protesting turkey.  He said he ate so much last year that he just couldn't do it again so he baked a roast.  It was pretty amazing.  My dad, ever the traditionalist, opted to bake some turkey wings and dressing.  My mom was in charge of the all the sides and then I did appetizers and desserts.  Oh and Brian thought it would be a good idea to make some chili...so, I of course picked up some tamales!  Like I said, it was a unique feast at our house.  We all ate way too much, took a much deserved nap and then watched football! 

Then it was on to Black Friday Shopping...which actually started on Thursday.  And while I don't necessarily approve of it starting on Thanksgiving night, I was totally in line at some of my favorite stores ready to SHOP!!!

I started at Bealls at 8pm, Target at 9pm, Toys R Us at 10, and then wrapped it up at Macy's at Midnight!  Say what you want to about the crazy crowds...I got some great deals and almost completely finished my Christmas shopping!

Lots and lots of updates (since Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving morning we got up extra early to run the Turkey Trot.  I use the term run very loosely.  Regardless, we were in the parking lot of Scott and White Clinic with about 1000 other trotter at 7am.  Last year Emrie and I did the Family Friendly 1 Mile Walk while Brian and Aiden did the 5k.  This year it was my turn.  So as Brian and Emrie prepared for the 1 mile, Aiden and I shot out of the starting gate to do the 5k.  My friend from work, Jon Buchanan, was there.  He actually won the Turkey Trott a couple years back so Aiden thought it would be more fun to run with Jon then me. So when I say we shot out of the starting gate what I really mean is Aiden shot out trying to keep up with Jon and I was left trailing behind trying to catch up with them.  I finally caught up with Aiden around mile 2.  He was tired and said he legs hurt so he wanted to walk.  We walked about half a mile and then I convinced him we should jog/run the last leg of the 5k and then sprint across the finish line.  He seemed on board but after jogging a few steps, he said he needed to walk again because his legs were too sore to run.  As we began closing in on the last quarter mile, we were going down hill and could almost see the finish line, Aiden looked at me and said with a big goofy grin "so long sucker" and took off!  Now I know why they call it the Turkey Trot!  That little turkey was setting me up so that he could beat me across the finish line.  Well, I was not about to let that happen so I sprinted after him mustering what little energy I had left and willed my legs to hustle.  RUN BRANDIE RUN!  Aiden ended up crossing the finish line a 10th of a second before me!   

This was our second year to do the Turkey Trot and I think we're going to make it a family tradition.  Not only was it fun but I don't feel nearly as guilty for eating all the turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes and green bean casserole and corn and pie and ice cream after running a little over 3 miles that same morning. 

Emrie's first time playing in the leaves

Trying to figure out the purpose of sitting in a leaf pile. 

Sunday was such a pretty day (until the cold front blew in).  Brian and I spent much of the early afternoon outside playing with Emrie in the leaves.  It was her first time to experience a leaf pile and she wasnt really sure what do with them.  So, I jumped in and showed her.  After a couple of minutes she was in full leaf tossing mode! 



Playing peek-a-boo from behind the tree