Changes in the weather

The weather here in Texas never ceases to amaze me!

We went from this...

to this!

The first day of December we had snow, and now we have sun and a 70 degree Sunday.

We had fun playing outside all afternoon, and it was good while it lasted!

It is gonna get cold again tomorrow, and then the little bit of green grass we still have will be brown.

CandyCanes & Pajamas

I wasn't sure if the kids would like candy canes.

I know you are thinking...WHA??

Layla doesn't like anything peppermint flavored. Umm like toothpaste.

Yep, she hates it. Don't worry she uses toothpaste, that icky bubblegum flavored stuff. Blech! And I get a whole package of chewing gum to myself. She won't touch it. Yay for me when I remember to chew gum.

When I busted out the candy canes I was worried. I was worried Hayden would choke. He is an all or nothing kind of guy. I was expecting him to take a huge bite and run away with me chasing after him in a tissy.

Nope.

This is what they did.

They sat still and ate them.

{rare to sit still in our house}

Awesome!

Christmas makes our home feel warm

Do you have a Christmas theme?

I love reindeer.

And I decorate with red & gold.

I guess that is kind of a theme.

We love our tree.

I love having vaulted ceilings...it allows us to have a 9 foot tree.

It has many ornaments on it, but mostly just random-ness.

It is decorated with mine and Gary's childhood ornaments, and all the ornaments we have gotten the kids over the past few years. I always want it to be random.

I want the kids to feel like they can put their creations on it and not worry they are

'messing up' Mommy's tree. IT is our tree and I love it.

But don't mess with my mantle...heehee!

I love mantles.

Especially at Christmas time.

They add so much personality to a home.

I think I'd be really sad if we didn't have a fireplace.

I really love ours.

I saved a few ornaments from Gary's moms Christmas decor.

You guess it...I love them.

She doesn't get to put up a tree anymore. So I use them on my mantle.

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This art niche drives me NUTS. It needs help. It is the first thing you see when you walk in my front door. I usually do holiday decor, but want something more permanent.

That really is another post for another day.

I love this candle holder.

Right now it is the only thing on my kitchen table.

I need to do a center piece.

Hopefully, I'll be getting around to it soon.

Layla loves this reindeer.

She hung it on our front door, and an angel similar on the back door.

Can you tell I like Christmas time?

I said "I love" like a million times...silly me.

O Christmas Tree

It seems as though everyone in our house is enjoying the tree.

Harley was just sitting in front of it gazing up at it.

{until I took the picture of course; then she turned her head}

Layla uses the tree as her background for all her fashion shows.

She tries on a million outfits a day and is constantly begging me

take pictures. I could post them all, but it would wear you out.

Hayden just looks at the tree and acts like he is about

to touch it. He taunts me...drives me nuts. Toot.

And then there is Callaway.

He lays on the floor in front of the tree every night.

This picture mostly just turned out paws.

I have to take pics of him fast. He can't hear very well, but it never

fails he can hear the flash pop open on my camera. He is terrified of the camera.

It sends him running EVERY time.

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I have been having a ball capturing tons of memories of our family this Holiday Season!

Cookie Exchange

I just love reading Jessica Turner's blog.

She has the most adorable son Elias. Elias is about the same age as Hayden. I remember reading her blog back when she was expecting him and I was also pregnant with Hayden.

Her blog is so fun...she blogs about many things like scrapbooking, crafting and her adventures with Elias.

Jessica is hosting a cookie exchange and I decided to participate.

I love cookies...who doesn't? Jump on over to her blog and share your favorite recipe too!

Pecan Shortbread Trees


1cup butter, softened
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
5 drops green food color
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
32 pecan halves
3/4 cup white vanilla baking chips
Granulated sugar, if desired
32 yellow decorating stars, if desired




picture found @ bettycrocker.com...

mine weren't as cute as these, so I posted this pic!


Heat oven to 325°F.

Spray or lightly grease 2 large cookie sheets. In large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Beat in vanilla and food color. On low speed, beat in flour just until mixed.

Stir in chopped pecans.

Divide dough into 4 equal parts; shape each into ball.

Place 2 balls of dough on each cookie sheet, on opposite ends. With rolling pin or floured fingers, gently flatten and shape each ball into 6-inch circle. With large knife, divide and cut each round into 8 wedges, slightly separating each cut with knife.

Poke tops of wedges with fork, and place 1 pecan half in middle of each outer edge to make tree trunk.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until firm but not brown. While still warm, cut into wedges again. Cool completely on cookie sheets, about 30 minutes.

Place cooled tree wedges on cooling racks or waxed paper. Place baking chips in small resealable freezer plastic bag. Microwave on High 40 to 60 seconds, turning bag over after 30 seconds. Squeeze bag gently until chips are melted and smooth.

Cut small tip off one corner of bag, and drizzle side to side over wedges to make tree garland.

Sprinkle with sugar Top each tree with star.

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These cookies are so pretty and super yummy!.

Your family and friends are sure to go nuts over them...teehee!

Battle with a bed & a shirt

Hayden looks so big in his little crib.

He HAS to move to his big boy bed soon.

I know he is ready, but with what happened last week, I am a bit nervous.

These photos were taken a week ago yesterday.

Hayden was in his big boy bed and fell out. He hit his head on a step stool.

I don't want him to get out of his big bed,

so why I put a step stool down there??...must have been a brain fart...ughhh.

Anyway...

It was horrible.

He flew out of his bed like a rag doll with me standing right there.

I couldn't move fast enough. I still replay that moment over and over in my head.

He was so upset...crying like crazy.

I was crying too.

Then of course Layla started crying. She cries almost anytime Hayden gets hurt.

With all the noise even the pups ran into the room to see what the noise was all about.

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As you can see in the picture below, taken yesterday...his head healed nicely.

He is trying so hard to take his own shirt off. He tried very hard and got mad.

He has a terrible temper. If he can't do something he throws things, screams and yells.

In this case he threw himself on the floor and pretty much got tangled in his own shirt.

The shirt beat him.