The BIG reveal

Today was the day.

I honestly didn't need to go to my appt. to know what I am having.

I knew from the start.

I called my sister in-law yesterday and she asked what I thought.

I told her.

And I was DEF. right.

There is no way we are having anything other than a BOY.

Joseph and the kidlets joined me at the appt.

The kids were so good.

As soon as the tech said "It's a boy!"

Abbey screams "No no no it's supposed to be a girl! Her name is Olivia"

She starts crying and my heart was being ripped to shreds.

Ugh. So sad for her.

Joseph calmed her down. And I reminded her that she and Mommy are the princesses of the house.

We wear the fancy dresses, fancy shoes, jewelry and get our nails done.

We wouldn't have to take anyone else with us, just Mom and Abbey.

She loved it.

Now she is excited for our little Joshua and will proudly tell you,

"I'm having a baby brother Joshua Hugh and I don't have to share my princesses with him".

Love that girl.

Baby is healthy and measuring ahead *shocking i know*.

We are happy. We are blessed. We can't wait to meet him.

Fancy Nancy

Last night was Joseph's company Christmas party. So it was a great excuse to put on a "fancy" dress, aka something other than the sweat pants I can be found in most days. We had our fabulous friends feed and put our sweet critters to bed (and they were spoiled out of their minds). It's always so fun to go to these functions and see the people that I hear Joseph mention. It was also very nice to hear all of the wonderful things that people have to say about Joseph and how talented and hardworking he is. We ate fabulous food and chatted it up with friends and as we were ditching the par-tay (I mean I love to dance but seriously dancing while pregnant isn't so fun) we were stopped by the V.P. of the company who praised Joseph for his hard work and dedication. And congratulated him on his major promotion. It was such a nice evening.

Angel

Abbey had her Christmas program at school on Thursday. She was so cute. She smiled and smiled. She waved at Jack and I. Jack was heartbroken because he just wanted to go and stand with her and sing. They both love to sing and it's so funny to hear. Abbey's class were the angels so they all wore little gold headbands. After about 15mins of wearing it Abigail decided she didn't need to wear it anymore. So she takes hers off and so does everyone else. It was hilarious.
I love my pretty angel girl.

Our Christmas tree

Before Joseph left we bought our Christmas tree. Every tree that was over 12ft tall Abbey claimed as ours. We had to explain to her that even though we have vaulted ceilings we couldn't have a 12ft tree in our house. So she settled for this one. I love our tree. From the time I was born and every Christmas since my Mom has given me an ornament. I love it. I can remember receiving so many of them in Christmas' past. I now carry on the same tradition for both Jack and Abbey. I love it. So now our halls have been decked and we have moved on to the baking and eating portion of the season. Oh joy!

Merry Christmas to me

Once upon a time a long time ago, my dear sweet mother in-law bought each of her daughters a Kitchen-Aide (I know she is awesome). Back in those days Joseph and I were living it up as newlyweds. I didn't cook because it was cheaper for us to eat off the dollar menu or order Chinese food and I had no time or counter space in our over-priced 1 bedroom cardboard box, I mean condo. So I took the Kitchen-Aide back. Soon we found out we were pregnant with Abbey, so I decided to spend that money on her furniture. A much better decision in my head. So fast forward a few years to 2007. I finally decide that I need a stand mixer. I decided on the Kitchen-Aide Professional 500 even though I secretly wanted a Bosch but I couldn't stomach spending that much on a mixer. I hate buying expensive things (except for clothes). I would rather buy a cheap version of an item and keep buying it when it brakes. Dumb I know. Fortunately I married a man who would NEVER do that. He will only buy top of the line electronics and kitchen gadgets. So we purchase the Kitchen-Aide and I immediately have buyers remorse. I cancel the order. After seeing Aunt Connie and her amazing Bosch, I wanted the Bosch. So another year goes by. My handheld mixer is dying because I have used and abused it. I panic. I call my Erika. Erika has a Bosch. I say "Erika tell me you love your Bosch and that I shouldn't buy the Kitchen-Aide". She laughs and says "I love my Bosch and you can borrow mine for the whole month of December. I won't need it." And that was all I needed to hear. With a deep breath I sat in front of my computer and found the best deal I could on the Bosch. I have been anticipating it's arrival for days. And yesterday was the day. And I was not disappointed, even Joseph was amazed when he saw the size of it. I am in love and am very grateful that I now have an excellent mixer AND and a new wheat grinder courtesy of my mother in-law.

So Merry Christmas to me.

Countdown to Christmas

What do you do to countdown to Christmas?

Our traditions are simple but we try and make them fun.

We buy each kid an Advent Calendar (think cheap .97cent chocolate wax filled) and they open the door before bedtime.

We also try and do a simple and fun activity every night.

Here is this years schedule.

What do you do to celebrate the countdown?

1. go christmas tree shopping

2. write letters to Santa

2. watch how the grinch stole christmas

3. read Little Critters Christmas book

4. make gingerbread men decorations

5. watch Rudolph

6. watch Shrek the Halls

7. read: the tale of the three trees

8. make hot chocolate floats

9. watch: the nightmare before christmas

10. finally decorate the tree when Daddy gets home from his trip

11. have a picnic dinner by the christmas tree

12. Christmas Party

13. Dad's work Christmas party sans critters

14. Temple lights

15. gingerbread house

16. watch: White Christmas

17. make home-made bread for hot chocolate & toast

18. ugly sweater party

19. have breakfast for dinner

20. have a fondue/ candy cane dipping party

21. read: why christmas trees aren't perfect

22. drive around to see the neighborhood christmas lights.

23. watch: Elf

24. sing christmas songs, tell the story of the true meaning of Christmas, & read the christmas story

Change

That's some kind of joke right?

I try not to get all political here on this wondrous blog o' mine, politics doesn't bring out the best in me.

So after campaigning for months about this GREAT change our President-elect is going to bring, I'm sitting here laughing.

How on earth is this man going to bring on such a great "change" when his cabinet is full of Washington insiders?

People who have been in the business for years.

Yea, bring on the "change". *insert eye roll*