Verbally Challenged

Christmas X 4 – and I’m exhausted. I am one gal who LOVES Christmas. I love everything about the season. But now, I’m ready for it to be over. We celebrated on Monday night (the 25th) by showing up at my family’s party after getting out of the hospital THAT DAY (that was REALLY tough). And then because Liam is 4 we were able to fib a little and tell him that Christmas was on Wednesday (is that wrong?)– so he had that day ALL to himself. Thursday my folks had us over to celebrate Christmas with them and yesterday we had my in-laws over for another Christmas celebration. That’s enough Christmas! Now let’s get back to “normal” – whatever that is with a newborn in the house!

And for those of you who didn’t get a Christmas card from me this year (chances are that I didn’t have your address) – here you go! Better late than never eh (and remember that I WAS pregnant)! Gosh…I need to find a new card to play now! And for everyone who sent us a card this year – THANK YOU!!!!! I LOVED seeing all of the creative talent out there and man – there is a TON!

And a Happy New Year to everyone! Make it a safe one!

Who would have thought that it could get any better. This little girl melts my heart. And watching my boys with her just makes it all the better.

My little beauty.

And the nursery. I was feeling the whole cherry thing – hence the bedding with cherries on it and the cherry blossom trees on the wall.

Back to being mommy.

Hi everyone!

This is just a quick note to say that despite anti-labor vibes flooding in from around the globe, Marla gave birth to a healthy 6 pound (even) baby girl mid-morning on December 23rd. She is resting comfortably at the hospital. Little Adeline Jane Kress is keeping her company while Liam and I run wild like a dometicated version of “Lord of the Flies.”

Happy Holidays!
Nate

Addy was named winner of the cutest newborn baby girl in the world, Sinead O’Conner Division.

that’s where I am. No baby…but I feel like it’s getting closer. Please DO NOT send me any labor vibes until Tuesday! Store them up because right now I don’t want them!!!!

I’m putting myself on bedrest so that I can get through the holiday!

I scrapped!!!! TWO layouts done in less than two days – go me! It felt SO good! I know that over the past month I’ve been a bit distracted with the pregnancy and doctors appointments 2-3 times a week, Liam in school (yet a whole other adjustment), the house, family life, you name it so sitting down in my studio has come last. And that’s ok. I just happened to find some time over the past couple of days. It helps that the kit I had to work with was totally inspiring – and some of the photos I have on hand are fresh so that always helps.

Anyway – here are two layouts that I did with the December kit from Memory Creators.

More from me later!

And my little Liam lost. It was three minutes before naptime and he was REALLY wound up, hit our upholtered club chair on a flat part and ended up with this. My poor little guy. And why is it that accidents always tend to happen either when we’re out of town or on the weekends? Really.

This happened yesterday. Today, it looks worse but apparently feels better (according to him). Kids.

I did a page last week that I couldn’t share right away – but here it is! I loved coming up with this challenge and executing it myself! I’m on my laptop now or I’d link the image in here – maybe later. You can enlarge it on the site if you need a closer look – it’s called “Atypical” and was so fun to create!

*******Just thought that I’d link in the page now that I’m on the right computer!

I’m pulling together some ideas now as well for the December kit over at Memory Creators. It’s FILLED with goodies this month – new BasicGrey fruitcake papers and fun accents that go along REALLY well. You can get a peek on the homepage and will soon see some pages from the design team. It’s definitely a kit worth getting!!!

Happy Saturday!

Consider yourself warned! I wanted to share that recipe for the Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls – good stuff AND EASY! It’s a great recipe for kids to do because it’s basically a dump and mix kind of thing – so get them involved! And for the record, they fit more into the candy category than cookie but does it really matter? They’re still darn good!!! OH and I didn’t create this on my own, it comes from a Taste of Home booklet I bought somewhere along the way!!!

So you need:
1 1/2 cups Krispy Cereal
1 1/2 cups Peanut butter
1 jar marshmallow crème

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
4 tablespoons shortening

Mix the first three ingredients in a bowl. Roll into 1 inch balls (it’s gooey so it’s more like scoop into 1 inch balls). Melt the chocolate and shortening in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Dip the PB balls into the chocolate and place onto wax paper. Refrigerate to harden. ENJOY!!!

And while I’m talking baking, if you’re ever looking for something yummy to bake check out this site.
It’ll make your mouth water and totally get you in the mood to try something different (and who doesn’t like cupcakes)! And check out the photography – food photography is a real challenge for me so I admire the photos too!!!

Oh, and because I’m now talking about food and photography, check out Mel’s recipe journal. Not only yummy recipes (the pumpkin pancakes are AWESOME) but fab photography. Total inspiration. She makes me want to cook more. I like that. My family likes that too. Thanks Mel!

I had a fun afternoon today with Liam. Half of it was spent building a crane that I just got him (if you’ve never seen these toys they’re great) and the second half singing karaoke. Oh yeah – this hip mama knows the tunes popular in the four and under crowd! It was one of those afternoons filled with hugs and laughter – and time just FLEW by! Now he’s up in bed where he’s supposed to be napping but isn’t since I’ve now heard the 12 days of Christmas for the 80th time now! I have a feeling that 81 is coming soon.

AND because I am who I am, I had my camera in hand to capture some of the silliness – and other random things that came my way. I took this one while sitting next to the Christmas tree – yup that’s me in the living room – in a Christmas ornament.

And then I took this one while waiting for Liam to wash his hands. I can’t imagine why people tell me I look like I’m going to split!

My Mr. Fix it working on the crane…such determination!

And our musical entertainment. Thanks Fisher Price!

Apparently this evening is to be filled with playdoh and more karaoke. I think dad may need to get in on the action!

Have a great night!

Still alive, kicking and pregnant! I think that I’m in nesting mode – trying to keep the house clean (just in case), Christmas shopping and wrapping, decorating, baking, organizing – I think that’s about all! I’m getting close to caught up and just want to get closure in many areas so that I can kick back and say “come baby come”!!! I’m not there yet! And hopefully, this baby won’t arrive until AFTER the holidays. Liam is really into Christmas this year and I’d love for it to be great for him. He doesn’t need mommy in the hospital!

So let’s talk baking. I bake TONS every December. We’re talking 12-15 cookies (and candy) and I give away most of them. I’ve always said I bake, not cook (even though I do cook I’m just a better baker). And tonight I made a new cookie with Liam’s assistance (which basically means he eats the ingredients as I go along). It’s a crunchy peanut butter ball that is SUPER easy to make – more of a candy than a cookie – and it tastes just like a Whatchamacallit candy bar. YUM!!!! I’ll be adding that one to the new list! LOVE new recipes!!! Maybe I’ll post it tomorrow so that you can try it if you want! So are there any recipes out there you make that I need to pester you for?