How Time Flys

Is Thanksgiving weekend already over?  Because I think it was just yesterday we were packing up to leave for Hometown.  It's hard to believe that was nearly a week ago and now it's already over.   But what a wonderful week.

The drive both ways was uneventful--each time the passes had snow, but the roads were clear and only wet.  No ice or snow on the roads to delay the trip.  As I was driving a leg of the trip on our way to Hometown, I thought of two more things to add to my list, snow plows and big, major freeways through mountain passes.  I remember learning of the Donner Party in 7th grade and it has haunted me ever since.

We were able to meet up with my sister-in-law and her family on Tuesday, where we were able to have dinner and watch the amazing balloon artist.  It was good to be able to share the evening with them:

Peanut loves her Auntie!

We also were able to spend a lot of time at my parents, where the Peanut and my Dad could form an even tighter bond.  :)  They are now affectionately known as the Skipper and his Little Buddy.

My mom bought the Peanut a new hat, so she followed Grandpa around outside like a little shadow.  She loved being outdoors.  Poor thing, as it is too cold here to be outside for any length of time.  We will definitely have to take advantage of the weather here come spring when everything thaws.  Surprisingly enough, she kept her hat on:

That's a little pink kitty on her hat. 

No, that is not a taser in her hand.  She liked holding my Dad's electronics toys (a USB hookup).

This was definitely a fabulous photo opportunity!  

We had dinner at my uncle's home and spent some time at DH's family after dinner.  It was so wonderful to be able to see everyone.  It was a busy trip, but oh so good too.  

We came home on Friday and my parents came back with us and stayed the weekend.  They brought with them their Nintendo Wii and we played the new Super Mario Bros.  Well, if that just isn't addicting.  Plus Peanut liked to dance to the music.  Hilarious!

My mom also took some pictures for our Christmas card....pretty hard when you are trying for six eyes to be open and three smiles and all facing the camera.  Here are a few that didn't make the cut:

Super cute of the Peanut and it's a good one of DH too, but I have three chins. 

DH and Peanut look a little sleepy.  Kinda scary of me. 

On to the next one...

This is the "Oh, Grandpa is here now? Grandpa, come save me!" look.  Given anytime Grandpa is within a 30 foot radius of the Peanut.  IF he is not already holding her. 

Really, it's me being mostly critical of myself in these pictures.  Is it any wonder that I had my senior pictures taken three times?  Hmph.  AND let me just say, natural light is something else isn't it?  I never realized until this weekend that I am looking EVERY bit of my thirty years.  Well, if that just isn't depressing!  But those are laugh lines, right?  Thank goodness for Photoshop. 

All in all, it was wonderful and fabulous and lots of memories were made.  And that's what counts. 

Menu Plan Monday

Back to reality....we had a wonderful Thanksgiving week and weekend and now it's back to normal.  More on that soon.  As for the week in meals, here is what I have planned:

Sunday-Leftover pizza with homemade crust and sauce and green salad

Monday-Turkey Stuffing Meatloaf (the recipe that I printed sometime ago didn't include the apples...strange!), Scallion Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans

Tuesday-Homemade Macaroni and Cheese and Green Beans

Wednesday-Shrimp and Broccoli Fettuccine

Thursday-Lentil Tacos with Homemade Tortillas

Friday-Leftovers

Saturday-Southwest Chicken with Black Beans in Parchment, Spanish Rice

For other great menu plans, visit here!

All Tied Up

Just had to share this little fun thing while we are away for the holiday....we went out to dinner the other night with my sister-in-law and her husband and our adorable nieces.  They had a balloon artist there making these AMAZING balloon characters.  Not just your standard wiener dog either--he made monkeys hanging out of palm trees, Tinkerbell, Yoda, and my personal favorite (which my little niece also happened to choose), Cinderella:

How fun is that?  He also does birthday parties....I am thinking that could be fun for the Peanut's next birthday!  That's a year from now and hopefully she could appreciate it, right?  :)

Menu Plan Monday

It's finally here! We leave in just two days! So of course with being gone for part of the week, the menu is abbreviated as such...

Sunday-Chicken Enchiladas, Green Salad

Monday-Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Fresh Fruit

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday-Visit to Hometown!

Friday-Out to dinner after long drive home

Saturday-Pizza with homemade crust and sauce and green salad

It's Getting Closer...

Ahhh!  We have had snow in our forecast for the last several days.  Although we didn't have snow on the ground this morning, all the hills surrounding us sure did:

These hills are only about 30 minutes away, folks.  Please pray for a safe journey home for us this Tuesday! 

Things I am Thankful For

As the Peanut is napping, I should be making my to do list of things I need to get done before we leave for Hometown for the holidays...however, I completely lack the motivation to do so. So I thought I would make a list of some things I am thankful for. These are not in any order of significance or anything like that...just some things I am so grateful to have~~

*Diet Coke and M&M's --a guilty pleasure of mine
A warm home to come home to
Visits from and being able to visit loved ones
Being able to stay home with the Peanut
Web cams
Google (maps, web, reader...the list could go on)
Novocain and nitrous oxide at the dentist office
Food on the table each meal
The freedom to worship and assemble
Drive thrus--the bank, for limeades, for prescriptions--you name it. So much easier with a baby.
Digital cameras
My Mom and Dad
Costco
Nap time
Being able to successfully breastfeed the Peanut. (Do you know how EXPENSIVE formula is?)
DH's days off from work.
Hearing the Peanut say "Baby." Oh so cute!
God's grace and forgiveness. Can I hear an amen?
Cell phones
Memories
Having known my mom's best friend. She was a special lady. We all miss her so.
A wonderful, loving husband--God knew what I needed.
Cordless Phones
Chocolate
Studded Tires
My old Bunco group...oh, I miss them.
DVR's
DH's new job
Having health benefits
Being an American
My health and my families health

My list could go on and on. I know for myself, I take so much for granted. Like running water and washing machines. Praise God! There was a reason I wasn't born in 1850 in a covered wagon. I wouldn't have survived! So much of what we have are luxuries in other places and I try to be thankful every day, but I know I am not nearly as grateful as I could be. The Thanksgiving season is a wonderful reminder for me to remember that each day is such a blessing.

*Just for the record--that must sound contradictory, but I don't drink diet because it's "diet." I simply prefer the taste over regular.

Too funny....

So I just saw this commercial this morning. "Herding cows the size of schnauzers...." Oh. my. gosh. I about fell out of my chair laughing. Too funny!

Menu Plan Monday

I am getting very excited...just 10 more days until a quick visit to Hometown for the holiday! But until then, life must go on, and so must menu planning. For this week~

Sunday-Nachos with Taco Meat, Cheese, Tomatoes, Olives, Sour Cream, Chilies

Monday-Roast Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Tuesday-Taco Soup and Green Salad

Wednesday-Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese and Green Beans

Thursday-Chicken Linguine with Caramelized Onions and Green Salad

Friday-Tuna Noodle Casserole, Green Salad

Saturday-Leftovers

For fabulous menu plans, visit the Organizing Junkie!

I Could Not Wait Any Longer...

I waited as long as I possibly could. I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I've been planning my Christmas layout on here for over a month. I love Thanksgiving and everything that it represents...but there is just something about Christmas. Don't you agree?

Now I know I didn't really go with a "Christmas" theme per say, but ask anyone who knows me--taking Christmas decorations down practically brings me to tears. So I went with a winter motif (that's for you Dad! *Smile*) so I could leave it up well into the new year.

Enjoy!