Going Private

So, after a lot of deliberation we have finally decided to make our blog private.

Email us (jhholdaway(at)gmail.com) if you want to be added and have access.

And I promise that I will be back to blogging lots in the new year...

Sick

I realize that it has been a couple weeks since a new post, but we were busy and now I'm sick.

Not just not feeling well, but really, don't get out of bed the whole day sick. This is my 3rd day home from work and I'm feeling only slightly better (which is code for I got out of bed and am in the living room in the recliner).

This shall pass (hopefully soon) and then I'll be back to blogging...

Sharing

Jase and Meghan are getting better at sharing toys, blankets, and Jase's beloved couch (I think Santa will be bringing a couch for Meghan, as there are many fights over this little couch).

I caught them sharing not only Jase's couch, but Meghan's new attachment blanket as well. Then the poking and crying began...

Breakfast monsters

Our kids love breakfast - probably because they are hungry (they don't always eat a great dinner and we're trying to cut back on evening snacking).

So, this is what happens when you put the plates with the eggs on the table and go back into the kitchen to get the toast and homemade jam...



Cute little breakfast monsters...

Christmas pictures of the kids

So I've been meaning to get some pictures of the kids for our Christmas cards (especially since I was able to get 2 sets of 5x7 cards from Kodak Gallery for $2.98 and 20 4x8 cards from Snapfish for $6.62. That's all our Christmas cards with not having to write in them, or add pictures to them, for under $10!



I had wanted to have a cute family picture taken, but we haven't gotten around to it... Anybody want to take it? I'll pay in a yummy dinner and dessert!

Happy Birthday to Joe!

So this is a few days late (the 19th was the day), but I still wanted to document it.

Joseph had a pretty good day I think. Some time to himself, a yummy dinner at Lonestar (did you know they send you a coupon for a free entree on your b-day), and then some play time at Chuck E Cheese.

Jase likes the tokens and the tickets equally. Getting him to use either takes some effort...

I love these pics of Jase! He is such a nut when it comes to "cashing" in the tickets for a toy. He would rather bring the tickets home and cut them up... Nevertheless we have a new rule that states any tickets won must be cashed in each visit... He's so happy to have his jelly beetle!


Joe's homemade b-day dinner was on Sunday (beef stroganoff and a from scratch German Chocolate cake - yumm). I didn't get a pic of the cake because it was cut into before I even sat down to eat dinner...

Sick baby girl

Meghan got sick on Friday again. Her runny nose with green snot migrated to oozing green snot out her eyes, which then made her rub her eyes and look red. She had a mild fever the whole weekend (100-101) and slept horribly both Saturday and Sunday nights. She went in to see the Dr this morning and her one ear was very red along with her throat. She is now on antibiotics and acting much more like her little devilish person usually is (getting into everything, picking and biting Jase, etc). I'm glad that my little girl is feeling better. It really isn't any fun as a parent to see your little loved ones not feeling well.

Tagged!

I was tagged by a friend, so here goes:

RULES
1. Post rules on your Blog
2. Answer the six "8" items
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment

8 Favorite Shows
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Private Practice
3. Ugly Betty
4. The Unit
5. Prison Break
6. Arrested Development
7. Fringe
8. Life

8 Things I did Yesterday (I started the tag on Monday, so this was my Sunday)
1. Woke up several times in the early morning with a sick and restless toddler
2. Went to church with the preschooler, leaving sick toddler home with daddy
3. Made Joe's birthday dinner
4. Made Joe's birthday cake (oh so yummy German Chocolate cake from scratch-I'll never make a boxed one again)
5. Puked on by sick toddler
6. Changed clothes
7. Puked on by sick toddler
8. Changed clothes again and went to bed to read Austenland (an enjoyable and quick read) while holding sick, sleeping toddler

8 Things I look forward to
1. My sick toddler getting better
2. Holiday breaks
3. My one day decluttered house
4. Making some yummy soup and rolls
5. Exercising more
6. Getting out of debt
7. My preschooler being potty trained
8. Springtime

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. El Rodeo
2. Sonic
3. Bea One
4. Texas Roadhouse
5. Bennigan's
6. Eggs 'n Things
7. Heisei
8. Bombay Indian Restaurant

8 Things on my Wish List
1. Traveling to Europe with my family
2. Moving to a place where there isn't snow and it doesn't get cold
3. Writing a book
4. Scrapbooking my kids lives
5. Finish all my partially started craft projects
6. Have a freezer full of meals
7. Money
8. Visit all 7 continents

If anyone wants to join in the tagging fun, then feel free...

I Made it Myself

I love knitting, I just never have enough time to get much done at a time. That and I have too many projects going at one time...

I finally finished Meghan's Christmas stocking. It is just a simple stockinette stitch. We now have matching Christmas stockings in my family (Joe-navy and cream, Heather-wine and cream, Jase-hunter green and cream, Meghan-fuchsia and cream).


Did you make something? Head on over here and join the group!

Christmas Giveaway

I love this site and have won several giveaways over the past couple of years. Check out their 3 weeks worth of giveaways...

Mice

We love cheese in our family. Here are my two little mice eating some cheese... say cheese!

Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

I saw this quiz on a blog I frequent and thought what the heck.

Here are my results:

You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"

Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.

How to Get Along with Me
* Stand up for yourself... and me.
* Be confident, strong, and direct.
* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
* Give me space to be alone.
* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.

What I Like About Being a Bette
* being independent and self-reliant
* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
* being courageous, straightforward, and honest
* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
* upholding just causes

What's Hard About Being a Bette
* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
* never forgetting injuries or injustices
* putting too much pressure on myself
* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right

Bettes as Children Often
* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
* are sometimes loners
* seize control so they won't be controlled
* figure out others' weaknesses
* attack verbally or physically when provoked
* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Bettes as Parents
* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
* are sometimes overprotective
* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

I have to admit that I am a lot of those things...

Rides

Remember how much Meghan loves her doll stroller...

Well, she has found a new toy that she can ride on, the activity walker. What is even more fun than sitting in it by herself, is pushing Jase around the house...

Can you tell how much fun they're having?

Jase's favorite spot

Jase has loved sitting on the top/back of the couch since he was big enough to get up there (around 14 months). Now he loves to go up there and "drive" his cars because Meghan can't get him.




Well up till now - she has mastered climbing onto the couch.

Let the battles (and falling off the couch) begin!

Meghan loves clothes

Meghan is a girl through and through. She loves her new "fur" coat and if she sees it, she has to have it. But then she is that way with any coat. And if she sees clothes lying around (or being folded when laundry is done), she must try and put as many on as possible...





It is so cute, but not when she is old enough to change her clothes 5+ times a day, and I know that day is coming.

Halloween!

Over the last week we've had several fun activities leading up to Halloween.

We made pumpkin and bat sugar cookies. Jase loves cutting out sugar cookies and frosting them. He finally figured out that cookie dough is yummy to eat, while other "dough" isn't (ie-bread, pizza, and pie). It is really cute to see the distinctions form of what is "good" and "bad".


Daddy and Jase made a bat mobile - not the one for batman though... Some of the bats have glow-in-the-dark eyes and the moon at the top glows too.


Then there was the wonderful Halloween box from Grandpa and Grandma. It came with candy, toys, and a book!





Thursday Jase's class had their fall party and Joe and I went to spend some time with Jase's class and have some goodies. Like usual, we forgot the camera... Most all the kids had crowns on and vests from paper bags. It was cute!

Everything led up to Halloween night nicely. Same as Thursday, I forgot the camera while we were out trick-or-treating. We happened to run into the Colver's as we were starting out, so we enjoyed their company as we went along for a bit. We ended the night with the trunk-or-treat at church. When we got home I got a couple pictures of the kids. Jase was a dragon and Meghan was tinker bell. What a cute pair!


Jase got quite a bit of candy - more than he needs. Meghan got some, but she doesn't need it either (nor do we). Jase picked out 2 pieces of candy and ate them. Then he headed off to bed. He was coughing on and off for a bit and I thought it was because he spent time outside (allergies). Anyways when Joe went in to check on him, this is what he found:

He had coughed so hard that he threw up, but he didn't let us know. So we had to clean it up and having the lights on woke up Meghan, etc. It seemed like a long night. At least both kids slept in until 7:45a! That hasn't happened in over a year...

Fall Break, part 4

Monday we headed to Heather's Gramma's house for the day and night. Thankfully it was just 2.5 hours in the car and we didn't have to stop at all.

Meghan loves Great-Gramma's doggies, Molly and Muffin. Meghan also liked playing with Heather's cousin Logan (I think he's going for a Beatle's look).


Before our trip Jase said that he wanted to paint with Gramma, so she had everything all ready for Jase to paint a dinosaur. Boy did he have fun!

Now Jase's dinosaur is hanging in the his bedroom.

Jase, Gramma, and Jase's second-cousin Lucy.

Jase and Meghan riding the "pretty pony"

Heather's Gramma relaxing (and not liking me for taking her picture)...

I'm an Esme...

I just saw this on a friend's blog and since I liked the books, wondered which Cullen character I am like. I guess it really isn't too hard to imagine that I am an Esme (although I really don't like the actress picked to play her role in the movie, but that is another post).


Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Which Twilight character are you?

PS - There is also a quiz for the male characters as well - maybe we should do it for our husbands (since I don't think they'll do it...)

Fall Break, part 3

On Sunday we had muffins for breakfast. Meghan just loved hers - see all the smiles:






We played outside and played with the Wii. We really had fun with the bowling, tennis, and boxing. Heather beat Joe 2x boxing. Jase even beat Pete.

Fall Break, part 2

On Saturday we went to a local cider and pumpkin farm/festival. The kids loved all the play things, including lots of bouncy houses and slides, a labrynith, a corn maze, a hayride, pedal tractors, sand area, and farm animals to pet. Meghan also loved the adopt a greyhound dog area.

Here is Meghan in one of the bouncy houses - this was her first time and she loved!

Jase going down one of the slides...

Meghan taking a walk with daddy - the stones look like something fun to play with...

All the kids loved the pedal tractors, but Meghan grew especially attached to them. I can already see that next summer we won't be able to get her off of the tricycle...

Jase loved feeding the goats (he really is fearless when it comes to animals). the goats even ate the ice cream cone!

Jase going down the big slide (he loved this one, but he got really exhausted climbing up to go back down).

Meghan having some fun with Bridgette in the play area...

Pete and Meghan playing in the sand...

Meghan and Mariah in a small bouncy house

Bridgette and Mariah

The whole gang (minus Heather) outside the corn maze. Meghan decided to zonk out while walking to the corn maze. In her defense, we had just eaten our picnic lunch and it was her usual naptime.

Bridgette, Mariah, and Jase on the hayride; Meghan was still asleep...


I was also able to go to an IKEA for the first time and loved it! Jase got a 5ft dragon, Meghan a hippo pillow, a matching dragon rug for Christmas, some kids plastic utensils, and some kitchen things I've been meaning to get for a while. And the best part is that it was only a couple minutes from their house! I think IKEA will be part of each visit now...