Trimming the Tree

Well, here I am on New Year's Eve, trying to do a little blog catch up. Expect some Christmasy posts in January 2012.  

Connor enjoying our little skinny tree...

we put some soft ornaments down low.

Until they were getting ripped apart, then they all moved up!

He quickly learned how to use the foot pedal to turn the lights on...

annnd how to balance enough to reach a little higher!

"Drivin' in my car"

This is my only picture, but we had an awesome 6 Christmas programs at church.  We missed Phil, who had to be in the hospital during much of the program...but was able to come and conduct during our portrayal of Heaven on Sunday night...so great!  Jonathan did an amazing job of conducting and a million other tasks, and many people in the audience got a glimpse of the life of Jesus, as well as a beautiful drama that related to people of all ages.  This is a group of fun ladies that I got to dance with this year...every jokes that baby #2 is going to come out dancing!!!  Thanks to all who were involved, miss spending lots of practice time with "y'all"!

Christmas Crafty

I'm sure you clicked on here ready for a big long Lindsay story...

So how could I disappoint?  When we went to buy a wreath, they were all so beautiful and we had a hard time deciding.  We wanted one for outside - but for the door or the archway above?  We also wanted a little something inside for the smell - didn't want to miss out without having a real tree!  I think that we had 3 or 4 different wreaths in our hands when we saw this huge beautiful wreath in the shape of  the cross.  I had never seen anything like it!  We also have a blank wall over our couch, so we decided one wreath for the inside was it and we'd skip the outside one this year.  The cross wreath had a beautifully made bow on it, but we were working on a limited budget and it didn't really go with the rest of our decor.  I thought, you must be able to find a cheap one at the craft store that would look nice.

Big mistake!  I headed out, armed with coupons, and found out that the store I went to had some bows, but nothing like the one we had decided not to buy.  As I walked around a little more, I learned that they made custom bows (which is great, choose your ribbon and your size), but it would have been even more expensive than the one we skipped!  Finally, I decided, how hard could it be to make a bow?  I will just google it!!!!  I came home with some pretty, golden, musical themed ribbon that was way on sale.

Let me tell you...it took a few tries.  After I found the most detailed YouTube tutorial, I ended up with a 9 layer, floofed out, totally storable and reusable, big, beautiful bow (or at least I think so on the beautiful part)!

Perfect for our delicious smelling, beautiful wreath!

...annnnnnd it's up!  Totally baby-proof. :)

Time for a little clean up, thanks boys!

Ha!  This little musical vacuum was Con's birthday present from us, but I put it away til he was walking more.  He is super interested in the big vacuum and it makes it hard to clean, so we finally got his out for him.  He is attached.  Mini temper tantrums when I take him away for a diaper change or a meal....yikes. I guess there are worse things you could be attached to!!!

Mint hot chocolate with peppermint mini marshmallows?

"Yes, please!" says the prego!

We met up with some friends on Saturday evening at the Billy Graham Library.  We had never been there, but heard that the live nativity and Christmas decorations were beautiful!  Definitely true, but also SO crowded...some 3000 people just that day?!

Storytime on the patio.

Live nativity.  Sorry for the sideways-ness.  Lovin' the yak!

Samara and Connor attempting the climb over the fence!

Gorgeous.  Oh, and awesome animals!

"The Barn"...would like to tour on a less busy day!

A crazy but fun time with some sweet friends who are moving away for a while to continue to pursue missions.  Our prayers are with you guys!

Sweet Moments

Aunt SAS took some family pictures for us over Thanksgiving - I didn't want to post any until I made our card though!  Of course, the "chosen one" is not on here!  Now - say a little prayer that my cards actually arrive BEFORE Christmas so that I can send them out...even to get the "7 day" shipping was ridiculously expensive so I didn't do it!!!

We got to visit new baby Tanner during his short time in the hospital.

Loving his Mommy!

Dads and their little boys!

I know.  I take too many high chair pics.  He was 

loving some mixed berry-banana-orange smoothie though! :)

Sadly, we decided to forego the live Christmas tree this year...mainly because of not wanting our little wild boy to knock it over or suck in any pine needles!  We continued our NC tradition anyway and decided we would get a real wreath at least!

I did a bunch of cooking last week, trying out some new dishes.  This week, we have dress rehearsals and then 6 Christmas programs, so not a lot of cooking or sit-down eating will be happening in our house!  Baking?  Possibly...depends on if Connor wants to help out! :)

Taco Pie - a delicious Food Network Magazine recipe.

I did already bake one batch of Christmas cookies (yeah, they're gone.) - brown sugar shortbread.  Enjoyed one with some PUMPKIN ice cream!  Not that I have been having any specific cravings with this pregnancy, but I cannot turn away from sweets.  While that's pretty normal, the pull is just a little stronger - which might just be the holiday season too!

Con found a new way of playing the djembe...I was a little nervous for my poor drum at first but he was delighted and it made a much better sound for him since the bottom was opened up!

Another FNM recipe - sweet potato and lentil soup.  

Plus snowman bowls - although its unlikely we'll see any snow. :(

And now...I would like to welcome you to myself, circa 1989-1992ish.  Ha!  I've been trying to get some "fashionable" maternity duds together without buying much of anything.  When I put this outfit on, I felt like I had headed right back to 2nd grade!  Leggings?  Check.  Long shirt?  Check.  Ponytail?  Check.  As my mom would say..."RE-TROOOO!"  All I needed was to swing that ponytail to the side and get some brighter colors - I'm sure I wouldn't have been caught dead in a black/white/gray combo in elementary school.

Excuse our half-decorated, toy-blasted living room.  After getting the Christmas decoration boxes down from the attic BEFORE Thanksgiving, we have now finished decorating.  As in yesterday.  Phew!  I'll post some delightful Christmasy things soon!

Thanksgiving 2011

We spent Thanksgiving in VA this year with Jonathan's family, awaiting Baby Reagan's arrival and celebrating Sarahann and Jay's move down south!  Thanks for hosting your first Thanksgiving in a home you'd lived in for 2 days, SAS and Jay!

So much to see...uncles, aunts, lots of dogs, and one baby bump!

"Baby!"

We tried to walk that baby out and took some family pictures.

Along with some downhill stroller racing... :)

Swinging did not work.  We also sat kelly on that round thing in the background 

and spun her as fast as we could...ha!  That didn't work either!

First turkey!  Good job guys!

Look how beautiful, especially since most of 

the house was still packed in boxes!

Sadly, Connor woke up from a very short nap right as we filled

our plates, so we moved to the couch to eat with him (totally okay!)

Just in case you wondered, Jonathan was having root beer and Connor was 

having rice milk in a sippy cup...not the other way around like it looks!

Everyone digesting and watching a little "Holiday Inn"

The next day we had a family disc golf game...so fun!

Con enjoyed some strolling and snacking.

This was Kelly's due date!  Walking a few dogs...

Letting that disc fly!

The course went into the woods (too tricky for the little stroller)

so I quit while I was "ahead" (+5 after 7 holes!) and took Connor

and the pups over to the playground with my SIL's.  

One of his fave's...Dada's hats!

It was great to be with family for the holiday and we are also super thankful for some awesome VA friends that let us borrow their house while they traveled!  We love you guys!

The latest in Connor life is that he will walk across the room, turn around and come back...chuckling all the way!  He blows lots of kisses and in the past two weeks has switched from sucking the palm of his hand to actually puckering up and kissing!  He is the sweetest!  We definitely get to see a little temper though when he is not getting something he wants...we're working on "gentle touch", since that little sibling is coming very quickly!!!