Happy Thanksgiving

It's finally here, my favorite holiday! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The traditions we have as a family for this day/weekend are the reason I love it so much.  We've done nearly the exact same thing my entire life and I wouldn't have it any other way.  It's filled with family, friends and food in my favorite place, Aspen.

We are so blessed and I'm thankful for more things than I could even attempt to write down in a month.  I wish for you all a wonderful day, a full belly and time spent with friends and family. 

Thankful 22 and 23

Day 22...
91. for our wonderful family Doctor
92. A day without vomit
93. crossing everything off my "To Do" list

Day 23
94. a wonderful early morning coffee date
95. being introduced to an incredible family 12 years ago and they are still a huge part of our life
96. everyone arriving safely to Aspen
97. driving with Grammy to help entertain Josie
98. a wonderful sister-in-law that we get to spend Christmas with
99. my brother, he's the best brother a sister could wish for
100. morning snuggles in bed with Josie

All bundled up...

...and ready for Thanksgiving in Aspen!

Kitchen cupboards

Who needs toys when you discover you can open kitchen cupboards and drawers?!  JACKPOT!  At first she took a couple pans out, then it was everything, lids and place mats. Thankfully in our kitchen at home, she can't open the cabinets. I have purchased a few baby proofing tools for Thanksgiving, when we're back in Aspen.  She's is going to be sadly disappointed when all of the cupboards don't open. 

Just testing the waters with one pot

The next morning...a few sauce pans

scoping things out

...and welcome the lids to the party

bringin' the big guns out {this pan seriously weights more than Josie}

Just talking to the baby in the lid

Meal Planning Monday

It's the week of my FAVORITE holiday and we'll be sourrounded by good food.  So excited!

Monday: Grilled sausages, sauteed peppers and onions and couscous
Tuesday: Shrimp toasts
Wednesday: Absolutely no idea...we'll be in Aspen.
Thursday: Thanksgiving...turkey, stuffing, scallion mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy {my specialty}, sweet potato bake {compliments of family friend Laura}, raspberry jello salad {sounds ghetto, but delicious!}crusty braided white bread, pumpkin pie and derby pie
Friday: New Mexico Style Enchiladas, I'll have to post about this at a later date, they're like nothing you've ever had before!
Saturday: Chicken Pot Pie
Sunday: Hot browns, leftovers?!

Thankful 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21

better late than never...

Day 17...
71. a happy, healthy, good napper/sleeper, eats well, and on a schedule toddler
72. an evening with at my sister/brother in law's
73. a husband that has an insane natural alarm clock. my body doesn't work like that

Day 18...
74. half days
75. gorgeous sunny 60 degree days in November
76. friends in town for not good reasons, but a good reason because we got to enjoy a dinner together
77. pictures capturing our life and memories

Day 19...
78. amazing in-laws!!!!
79. plans that fall through, it happens for a reason
80. quality time with my sister, priceless
81. delicious spaghetti dinner made by hubby
82. a trip to the store that returns home with only items on the list

Day 20...
83. a washing machine that cleans clothes, sheets and bumpers covered in vomit
84. a baby girl who is feeling better
85. coming home to an awesome dinner
86. Stella & Dot

Day 21...
87. a huge "to do" list that is being check off
88. again, for a washing machine and soap and things that make things not smell like vomit
89. amazing friends
90. a phone so I can stay in touch with all my out of towners

Thankful 14, 15 and 16

Day 14...
60. unexpected happy things
61. accomplishing a lot off my "to do" list
62. a hug from my husband

Day 15...
63. dinner with a good friend
64.  trials for friends going smoothly and short
65. phone calls
66. prayer

Day 16...
67. Josie
68. cold days that are sunny and not a cloud in the sky
69. a clean house
70. good health

Bins, drawers and baskets

It doesn't really matter what the "container" is, she want to sit in it.  The first few times she got in the bottom drawer of our island, it wasn't a big deal.  Now, unfortunately, it's broken.  I can only stop her so many times and those "oh so famous" tantrums I've heard about....they've started.  She's also taken a liking to the baskets on her changing table, the ones that hold diapers and other necessary items.  She'll empty it out in the blink of an eye and get in to read a book, or get in to get out again.  This discovery just makes me laugh, I love it!

Do you see what I'm taking about...broken?  It touches the floor

Just hanging out in the drawer

Reading in the diaper basket

 

The attempt to get out

...and back in

 

emptying basket #2

and down the hall

Meal Planning Monday

It's been a few weeks since I've posted our meals, and they have been a bit of a scrounge and see what I can make. 

Monday: Taco bar
Tuesday: Out with a friend
Wednesday: Chicken Tetrazzini
Thursday: Kyle's out, Josie and I will play it by ear
Friday: Roast

Another snow day, a BIG snow

She loves to watch it fall, play in it and eat it.  You can tell from this post I hadn't purchased "snow gear", so we made do.  I assure you in my next snow post, she'll be dressed appropriately. She is a little snow bunny in the making and I LOVE it!  Only 18 months and this little one will be in ski school! 

the snow plow drove by right as we got outside

Step 1: pick up snow

Step 2: in the mouth

Step 3: water spout

 

and her hands are finally cold

off and running

just chillin' with a snowball

the cold has set in...rosy cheeks and ice cold hands

Thankful Day 11, 12 and 13

The weekend of Thanks, seem to be turning into one post...

Day 11...
45. family babysitters
46. sunny days
47. cleaning off the kitchen table {where everything gets dumped}

Day 12...
48. morning trunk shows
49. an event that a friend has been planning for 5 years went off without a hitch
50. finding out a friend is having TWINS!
51. a healthy family
52. getting my office organized
53. boxes of Biscoff spread arriving in the mail from my MIL!!!

Day 13...
54. The Cramers
55. a good cry
56. gorgeous 60 degree days in November
57. dinner made by Kyle {Shrimp & Grits tonight}
58. laundry done before the start of the week
59. finding a CD of pictures

Thankful Day 10

39. toddler tumbling
40. my mom
41. gift cards to a fabulous store that you don't normally shop at
42. 37% savings at the grocery store
43. invitations in the mail
44. the post office delivering goodies to friends across the country

Thankful Day 9

34. celebration lunch with friends
35. a great trunk show
36. a cup of hot tea
37. a warm house
38. hot water bottles

Thankful day 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

I've made a list each day, it just hasn't made it way to the 'old blog.

Day 4...
14. a place in the mountain to retreat to
15. safe driving
16. dinner with friends and family

Day 5...
17. watching big snow flakes fall on and off all day
18. breathing in ice cold mountain air
19. my cousin Kelsey getting engaged
20. deep belly laughs
21. my sis and BIL for crossing their first 1/2 marathon finish line

Day 6...
22. easy drive home from the mountains
23. a wonderful sister
24. a little girl that is so excited to see me when I get home
25. loving my job

Day 7...
26. my mom getting home safe
27. packages in the mail
28. find out a dear friend had her baby

Day 8...
29. a morning email for one of my besties
30. leftovers for lunch
31. naptime
32. surprises
33. a hug after a long day

My messy memorable moments

I realize I've already posted this messy picture, but it makes me laugh.  It's happens every time we eat spaghetti, every.single.time.  She picks around looking for the right bite, and after she's wet her palate,  it's game on.  The mess begins around her mouth, obviously, and slowly gets bigger.  She plays peek-a-boo when she's done eating, which takes the mess to a whole different level. 

{I received information about Clorox’s Bleach It Away campaign and am sharing my messy moment for the chance to win prizes from The SITS Girls. To learn more about the messy moment program, check out www.BleachItAway.com.  Sharing your story on the Clorox fan page gets you entered for the chance to win $25,000 and daily prizes, and you can grab a coupon for Clorox® Regular Bleach.}

Thankful day 3

11. patience
12. friends coming to visit
13. a clean house

The bulls eye will be walking distance!!!

For many many years, Tamarac Square was a place for people to eat, shop and go to the movies.  It was the mall in it's heyday, but in the last 15 years it has slowly been vacated.  When we moved into this area there were 4 stores left and the outlaying restaurant had closed their doors.  In May it was announced, after much speculation, that the property had been sold to Target!!!!!   Included in the announcement was a Chic-fil-A was also making it's way to the area.  All other details of the sale and possible other stores or restaurants have been very tight lipped, and still are. The demo started about 4 weeks ago and this outdated building is nearly leveled.

I am so excited to have a Target walking distance from our house.  It's convenient and trouble all at the same time. There are so many things I "need" at Target.  I guess the good part about walking is that whatever I buy, I'll have to carry 3/4 of a mile home with Josie in the stroller.  That will be limiting!

Now the Chic-fil-A is straight trouble!  Who doesn't LOVE that place?  I need to start working on my self control before it opens.  There's more information that has yet to be announced...like when it's opening!  It's not even listed on the "restaurant opening" on their website.  Geeze...why is everyone being so stingy with the details?

Anxiously awaiting an opening date...

Thankful day 2

6. a husband who enjoys shoveling
7. a happy toddler
8. heat
9. friends that beat cancer!
10. the sun coming out after 10 inches of snow falling

Halloween

It was more like a week event.  I assume this is how it will be for the remainder of her little girl life.  We had a fun party with my mom’s group, there were games, coloring, bean bag toss and tons of food.  There were about 50 kids and Josie and a little butterfly played chase, all night.  Connor {who refused to wear his costume} tossed the bean bags and got it about every time!  

Sunday {Halloween eve} we enjoyed the last Farmer’s Market and a kid’s parade and costume contest.  Josie couldn’t have cared less that there were kids all over the place, she was more interested in the dogs and the step from the street to the side walk, up and down, up and down…

She wasn’t so interested in the candy, just chewing on the crackly wrappers.  Holding a bucket with a few pieces candy blocks inside was very entertaining! 

Finally on Halloween we ventured to Grammy’s house where Josie trick or treated and got a sweatshirt!  The Cramer’s where she was loved on by everyone including Chloe the dog who she is not so fond of, and finally Aunt Kelly and Uncle Dan’s.  It was way past bed time when we arrived home and we all suffered on Tuesday.  Until next year when I think she might actually get it!

 

Spaghetti Dinner

Someday meals won't be so messy...someday!

Elmo, Clifford and Teddy

We went to Fun Fest and became a member of Rocky Mountain PBS.  Our “receipt” was an Elmo doll, at first I thought ok…a little strange.  Now, I couldn’t be happier our receipt was a doll, because she loves Elmo!  She has three stuffed animals, Elmo, Clifford and Teddy, who sings.  She totes them all over the house Elmo and Teddy in her arms and poor Clifford gets pulled around by his ears. 

The funniest part is that she calls Elmo like he’s going to come running down the hall.  Oh it makes me laugh every time.

A month to be thankful

It's my favorite holiday, and so it begins today...

I'm thankful for:

1. a warm home
2. a friend coming over for lunch to catch up
3. the possibility of a lot of snow tomorrow
4. nap time
5. S&D meetings, they motivate me!