Friday, December 12, 2014

French Fries and Fancy Guys

Mornin'! It's raining, it's pouring, all 5 babes are still snoring! Watch out, Dr. Seuss, I've got some pretty impressive rhyming skills. 

Last week was fabulous. One of the best ever! We went to the Galleria in Dallas to American Girl and let Rylie Cole spend her birthday money. Having my husband and two boys at that fancy, over the top place was a sight! My kids are definitely not used to seeing "fancy" guys and would do a double take every time they saw a man wearing skinny jeans or carrying a "man bag". These kids are pure country lol! 

[He drives like he is in Nascar lol!]

On the way home, we stopped at Bass Pro and saw Santa. That is one of my favorite traditions. Last time we were there, a lady had a mannequin, that she owned, sitting in a buggy and stood in line with everyone else. When it was her turn, she sat the mannequin on Santa's lap for a picture. I'm sure Santa was like, what the heck did I get myself into?! Wonder what that mannequin asked him for. 

Since Caleb found his Christmas gift early ::eye roll::, he tried them on and took them back to get the tall size. (I got him coveralls just incase y'all didn't hear.) He couldn't find any tall, so he got a refund and bought a French fry slicer. Not a little cheapo. This thing is actually for a restaurant. Obviously he really likes fries. (That's why I have the fry emoji by his name in my phone ;) ) It weighs like 76 pounds. He said he was mounting it on my kitchen wall. He better not!! It's something he has been wanting FOREVER. You should have heard his speech about it being a "good investment". He is a mess. (P.S. If you invest money, invest in Heinz ketchup, because we will be going through it like crazy now.) [You're welcome]

We also went to The North Pole of Texas and took the bambinos ice skating, too! I LOVE when Caleb is home and can go with us to do all the fun stuff. 

[Inside Santa's Workshop at The North Pole of Texas]

I'm just about finished with my Christmas shopping and while I was out shopping last week, Baby threw my phone out of the buggy and SHATTERED it. Not just a small crack. It was sharp and would cut your finger every time you'd touch it. When I picked it up, I saw the crack and was like, eh, it still works. But since I didn't have any Keplar razor-proof gloves to text with, I got a new phone. I got the iPhone 6+ and its freaking awesome. I wasn't prepared to have to buy a new phone, but I'm thankful I was able to get one. I take pictures of my kiddos on the daily. Make that hourly. The slow motion video is probably my fave. 

In not so fun news, my dryer went out. Not like it went out on the town with other appliances, like, it died. It's dead. I can't be without a dryer with a kid crew this large. So the RCC Gang and I loaded up all of our laundry and went to the laundromat and got everything done in an hour. It cost me $14, but it was well worth it. I spend so much time in my laundry room that I keep walking in there to fold some clothes and looking around and walking back out. It's so bare. And we actually have a floor in there. For a while I was starting to wonder. 

Today I have to make the drive to Walmart and get stuff for our Crawley Christmas Party that's tomorrow. I am excited! I love getting to see the family! I'm making peanut brittle, Oreo balls and buffalo chicken dip. I've never made brittle, so I sure hope it turns out! Lord knows I've had my fair share of kitchen catastrophes! By the way, did you know if you broil your meringue too long that it will actually catch on fire? Well, it will. Don't ask me how I know that.

Y'all have a fantastic Friday! 

❤️ Jennifer










Tuesday, December 2, 2014

10 Things About December

Good morning, y'all! 'Tis a cold one today! Brrrr! I'm sipping on my second cup of coffee and refereeing my little raccoons over Legos. Heavens to Betsy, Legos are my nemesis. The kids love them, so I deal. Most of the time. I threaten to throw the whole box in the trash almost daily. I never actually would, but they don't need to know that ;) Today I'm joining in on the Love The Here And Now 10 Things About December. Here are some of my fave things about this month! Getcha a cup of coffee, a blanket and read on. 

1) The reason for the season! My most favorite thing about December is THE reason we celebrate Christmas. Jesus' birth, y'all! Celebrating our King! It's not all about the presents and gifts. Sadly not everybody sees it this way, but don't even get me started on that. I teach my babies that presents are like a goody bag to Jesus' birthday party. The gifts are just a perk. Not the star of the show. 

2) Family time! I LOVE getting to see all of our family! I absolutely love being part of a big family. It really blows my dress up! Lol!

3) The decorations! I love the vintage, tacky, over the top, whimsical Christmas decorations. I'm very traditional, but my style is not. Give me wild and crazy! I love the glow of the Christmas tree at night. It's the perfect nightlight and it just makes ya feel good! I love going to the malls and seeing all the huge decorations!

[P.S. In case you didn't know, if you live "in town" it's a requirement to decorate the outside of your home. Brother Greg, you win at this.]

4) Holiday food! Turkey and dressing and cakes and cookies and candies and all that good stuff! Y'all know I love to get in the kitchen and rattle those pots. Desserts are my most favorite thing to make. I'm sure you can tell that by the size of my butt. 

5) Christmas parties! Every year my inlaws have the Crawley Christmas Party. We play games and swap White Elephant Gifts. It's always fun to see what you end up with. 
Tacky Sweater party 2013

6) Joy! I love hearing Christmas music while I'm shopping and I love that [most] people are so much more joyful and jolly this time of year! Don't be a Scroogey ole Grinch! Say Merry Christmas (not Happy Holidays) and spread some Christmas cheer! Just smile real big, push your buggy through the swarm of shoppers and say 'Thank you! Merry Christmas! God bless!' as you pass through. Besides, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. 

7) Caleb's birthday! My husband's birthday is on Christmas and we always try to do something special for him. It's easily overlooked with the commotion of Christmas. You know I gots to remember my boo thang, too. He will be 31 this year! 
Hot husband alert! Hey, baby, how you doin'?!

8) Building fires in our fireplace! I love having a fireplace and we use it a lot! I sit on the hearth until my back feels like it's on fire and then I stand up, cool off, and do it again. Anybody else do that? I even got me pretty little leopard print lighter to start the fires with. 

9) Christmas parades and lighted parks! The North Pole of Texas is my fave! It's literally out in the middle of nowhere. Millions of lights, free hot cocoa, a train ride, music and Santa! Y'all need to check into this place!

10) Bass Pro! Typically, I can take it or leave it. But at Christmas, Bass Pro is the bee's knees! Lots of toys for the kids to play with and beg Momma and Daddy for and FREE pictures with jolly ole Saint Nick. You can't beat free. It's quite the drive for us, but worth every mile. We usually make a day of it and talk Caleb into eating at Saltgrass while we're there. 
At Bass Pro 2012. Note to self: Don't stand in front of the huge sunny window next time. 

What are some of your favorite things about December?

❤️ Jolly Jenn

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