Christmas in the air

Before I start talking about Christmas...doesn't Aiden look adorable in his Thanksgiving outfit. Don't worry he did have pants on...this was post nap hence his sleepy eyes in the 2nd pic. lol Aiden loves his ride on/walker we got him. He was a pro on the first try.

So Clark Griswold has visited our house! We got our tree saturday at the tree farm after taking our Christmas card pictures...I can't wait till next year. Aiden will be big enough to pick the tree then Wes can get to work chopping it down. haha! Awesome holiday tradition right?! It was fun decorating the tree and pulling out all the ornaments that have memories attached to them. Plus it was nice to finally put all the present under it and out of the office.

Since this year we are spending Christmas at my parents I still wanted to display our stockings....but Aiden is WAAY to curious to hang them off the tv console. I can just imagine the HEAVY stocking holders crashing on his head. So next best option get those 3M hangers. Just perfect! See our version of Elf on the Shelf.....and our permanent tv channel, Sprout TV. Aiden LOOVES all the preschool shows.

All weekend we spent hanging lights outside. Gosh, I can't wait to see the lights grow as the years go by....I want to wrap every tree...and get more things for the yard. Maybe deer? Oh and our lights on the house are icicles....well they are suppose to be icicles but for some reason they wouldn't fall straight. But they still look cool. I think we inspired the Christmas spirit among the neighbors because those who didn't do it last year did this year. YA!! Well that's all for now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! I leave with some of our Christmas Card shoots.

Holiday Card

Free Holiday Cards ordered! Ya!! Successful day of getting pics and a tree!

Peppermint Dots Christmas Card

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Black Friday

Today was an amazing day! We had a lovely lunch with the family...then the much needed nap after. So there I am passed out on the couch with Aiden in my arms just toasting me up. lol He becomes such a hot potato! That is what I call a perfect thanksgiving! I think Aiden got the turkey coma too. He was a big boy and ate turkey, sweet potato, sweet peas, and green beans.

I think the rain had something to do with it. We got home at 4pm and slept till 6:30pm. OMG! I was worried Aiden wouldn't be able to go to bed at his normal time, and by 7:30 he was ready for bed. Thank goodness!

So all week I've been seeing all the Black Friday ads and commercials. I will not be one of those crazy people at the store at 4am. However, then I saw a commercial from Walmart about jackets. So I was like hmmm I guess I can go at 12 to check that out. I arrived at 11:42. Conquered and outta there by 12:15am.

But let me tell you it was CRAZY! Literally, I wasn't in that store that long, but saw people going crazy over toys and dvds! I can't even imagine what it will be like at 5am with the Electronic sale. OMG! I saw two women fighting over a Buzz Lightyear and men being bodyguards to carts while the women fought the crowds. Insane! Thank goodness I was only in the clothes isle and with not a single crowd. I got AMAZING deals!!!! I think all the people were going to hit up the clothing door busters after the toy hunt, because I was able to find multiple items in the sizes I needed without having that "panic" mode on. haha

5 jackets, 2 pj pants, 1 pj set, 1 fleece outfit, 1 flannel, 1 pair of jeans= $52!!! Definitely can't beat that!!Yes, you are seeing right I got "Glee" pj pants. OMG! I was gonna get just normal ones, but as soon as I saw them I was like yes those are mine! So everyone in the house has a new fleece jacket and pjs.

I can't wait to decorate for Christmas and take our Christmas photos tomorrow!!!!!! Goodnight!

Let the baking begin

This week was a GREAT week at work! I was a coding machine. haha Finding issues no one knew of, reworked several routines to be more efficient, and developed new logic. Go me! I needed that! Not to mention the fact I got to leave early today!

I get home early to only find baby boy sleeping! ugh...I wanted to play not nap time! He has been on a really weird sleeping pattern for the past 2 weeks now. Down at 7-7:30pm till about 8am and on the weekends till 9am. I'm not complaining one bit, but I miss giving him a big hug when I leave in the mornings. :-(

During lunch today I went to a consignment shop a coworker told me about. Loved!! Great selections for practically nothing. A lot of the clothes were brand new with tags on. Good for me and the bank account...plus they even carried little man's expensive shoes. YAH!

So now that I have so much free time at night....let the baking begin!!! I'm making dessert for tomorrow. So I'm attempting to make my pie crust and pecan filling. I even made some pumpkin spice cookies that Wes approved. lol Tomorrow I'm going to make a pumpkin bread for breakfast. Can't wait to spend the day with family!

Currently, we are trying to teach Aiden to kiss and hug. You know he's getting better when you can break away from his face with no slobber on you. haha He usually is trying to lick you or shark attack you. He still hasn't gotten the grasp of hugging, but we will get there. And apparently I need to say "dadda" to him more, because he keeps calling Wes "momma" hahaha.....what?! You know that brings a smile to my face!

I did do some Christmas decorations tonight. Just a little bit. The main decorating begins Saturday. Speaking of holiday time...so we got all our Black Friday flyers in the mail, you know which one I got most excited about?!?! Lowes! hahahaha WOW! I'm old. I was like "Look honey their ladders are on sale!" "Oh and you can get a 18Volt drill" etc. hahaha nothing more exciting than power tools right?!

Below is our vanity!!! It's not completely finished, but I already looove it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have the best family EVER! Everyone helped out so we could get our vanity installed. We are so blessed! I can't wait to go home and see the outcome.

Bought two base kitchen cabinets. Wes' dad worked his magic and built the top and lip. Wes' mom got rained on by the tile cutter cutting all the tiles. Literally, she had to wear a rain coat so much water was thrown in the air! If I would have cut every tile would be crooked. Sucks only having one good eye! Wes drilled the holes in the tile, since he was the only good one at it. I applied the tiles, grouted, and chaulked...just need to clean up my mess now :-) Uncle Mike plumbed. Needless to say family ordeal! But it looks amazing! Thanks again to everyone, we would be sinkless without you. Now I just need to stain the trim and put up a mirror. Almost there people!!! Here is the road of the vanity....

Side note...Aiden loooves bows. So every wrapped present has had it's bow ripped off by man hands. lol I walk back in the room and this is what I found...and No I didn't place it there, which makes it 10 times funnier! haha SILLY BOY!

Frustrating

So being in IT world means I work basically in the customer service world. I have to constantly deal with frustrating situations, and say 5 million different ways on how to do something until it clicks into people's heads. So needless to say this is VERY hard and constantly tests my patience. Let me say out of my group I'm more calm than anyone else...seriously hard to believe right?! I have the shortest temper. Well I struggle with it, and just have to keep reminding myself...they aren't as tech savvy as you or I make up some crazy excuses like "It's raining outside, so maybe they want to be jumping in puddles." haha Anything to keep my mind of getting frustrated.

Well today, as soon as I walk through the door. I literally have 3 people bombard me asking questions...and I'm like umm whoa! I haven't even had a cup of coffee yet. Needless to say something didn't migrate to production and since I'm the security and change coordinator everyone was trying to point the finger at me. Frustrating point #1. Blood pressure rising. So I had to repeat myself 5 million ways why this one change didn't migrate because the person who was pushing for the change didn't follow the processes. It's not my fault the person emailed the world bitching about how I "messed up"....I'm gonna defend myself when I'm correct. They were trying to go from Step 1 to Step 10 without completing the steps between. Frustrating Point #2. Don't email the upper mgt if you don't have your facts in order. Just makes me have to repeat myself 5 million more times. Thankfully though, I won that battle and this mistake on their part better not happen again or they will be automatically dropped to the bottom of my workpile everytime until they prove all the other steps are complete. I'm not repeating today.

With that over during my lunch break I just had to get out of the office and cool down. So I'm like where can I blow some time...I'll go to Pottery Barn Outlet to look at their Christmas ornaments.....BAD IDEA!! So I pull up in the parking lot. Find a spot turn on my blinker. Then this SUV pulls up beside the spot turns on their blinker wanting to turn down the row im blocking.......WHY?!?!? So there we are not moving...because they are blocking the spot so I cant turn, and I'm blocking her. 2 cars pull up behind me. No ones behind her. She looks away not wanting to notice the fact I was there 1st and waiting for her to move. So I roll down my window and saying "Can you please back up a little, so I can pull in?" She goes "Bitch you back up I'm trying to turn there".......

Why am I automatically called a Bitch? Frustrating Point #1. So I inform the retarded lady "Well sweetie, I would love to but see I have cars behind me and you don't have any".....Her response. "Well it looks like you can just keep driving because I'm not moving." Frustrating Point #2. Blood rising!! OMG! I can't believe she said that....so I lose it. After this morning and this retarded ignorant lady I'd had it. So I drive forward find another spot. Locate this woman as shes getting out and say the following:

"Listen lady. I don't know what your problem is, but clearly I was in the right. But if you don't want someone to go all road rage on you then you should be considerate and get your head out of your ass and be polite and just have simply backed up." Her response. "Whatever." As my blood pressure as reached full elevation, to the point where I'm shaking. I walk off thinking to myself....I hope she gets in a car crash. HORRIBLE thought I know! But its the truth. I spend ALL day everyday trying to do the right thing and being polite to people I really wish people would do the same. Soooooo AGGRAVATING! I guess it really isn't a perfect world :-)

So my next method of cooling down. Look at pictures of my phone of my adorable son. Works like a charm. Everytime! See from last night sporting his xmas pjs. lol I need to go home asap and take a LONG relaxing bath!!

Side note: I got my stocking back....I know I'm a mom now, but it's just weird seeing it.

Shutterfly

Thanks

Allison

for sharing this! I will definitely use it for ours Christmas cards!

Shutterfly is having a great promotion where you can write a blog about Shutterfly and receieve 50 FREE Holiday Cards! Click on the link below to see how you can get your FREE Holiday Cards here.

http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/

Shutterfly is a nice service that one can use to store all there images in one location. You can use those images to do many different kinds of prints. I use Shutterfly to quickly upload pictures I’m going to print to email out to friends and family so they can print some if they chose too. Makes it affordable to me, because I do not have to print and mail pictures to them. They can print the ones they enjoy.

I will be using Shutterfly to do our holiday cards plus birthday cards. But my main usage is to print pictures for my son’s baby album. So every month I select the photos I want and have them delivered directly to our house. Perfect! I don’t have to make a trip, stand in line, or bother with selecting the pictures in a store. Perfect for a busy mom!

Check these cards out, amazing designs! I know you will come across some you will enjoy! I love the Bright Colored Lights!!

HOLIDAY CARDS
BIRTHDAY CARDS

Determined

I must say Aiden is one determined little boy!

Yesterday, he kept wanting to crawl in the kitchen to play with Murph and stand holding the kitchen chairs. Neither I wanted him to do. So I locked the gate. I thought I could go back to checking the mail....WRONG!

I look up...no Aiden in the living room...second spot the hallway. YES! There he is at the other gate doing what???!! PLAYING WITH MURPHY! He was determined to get to him, even if that meant crawling down the long hallway.

I have figured out the best area for him to play/workout is the hallway. Good way to get him tired for bed. Shut all the thousands of doors. and roll a ball back and forth. lol He just loves it! We were having a blast last night. He kept palming the ball...little bball player in the making.

Can't wait for this weekend....we are gonna take his November pictures! I've got an adorable Thanksgiving shirt for him to wear. YAH! Maybe my thousands of pages have finished printing so I can head to my meeting....

Oh to clean

The morning is great now! Little man lets me sleep in past 7am to 9am on weekends! Oh my how I needed that this weekend....I felt like I was getting sick because of the WEIRD weather of HOT cold HOT cold all through the days. Nothing is better than waking up being able to have to a cup of coffee then walking in Aiden's room to him standing holding up his arms like "Hey Mommy! I missed you!"

I had one busy weekend...Yesterday, the cookbook club met up to make gifts in a jar for the church's thanksgiving baskets and the boys ranch. We made some we ordered, then the rest were all for donations. Ranging from cowboy cookies, chocolate chip, Russian tea, hot cocco, etc. We were one amazing work-line...knocked out soo many! Then at lunch we stopped for an AMAZING lunch. I swear Chris is the best cook ever! My recipe book is just growing!! Dill Tomato Soup and Pear Turkey wrap. DELICIOUS!!! We aren't meeting in December, but I can't wait till January rolls around!

So today I spent all day cleaning and organizing....man am I tired!!! Literally vacuumed, dusted, organized every room! I even mopped the kitchen....I must I say I haven't done that in a couple weeks....oops...but at least I vacuum. haha It's hard because one I have Aiden who wants to follow me and then Murphy....but this time I did it during his nap. As I'm doing this dishes this is what I see....

Aiden sure loves Murphy! The crazy one who tangles himself. haha Crazy dog!!!

After Aiden had a bath we had another occurrence of the gangsta booty...I swear! What am I going with that boy!

Oh love

The best part of my work days is when I glance down at my phone and see images like these...

I just love when Wes sends me pictures of Aiden! He's such a cutie...brings a smile to my face when I have a rough meeting or frustrating work in front of me...hence why I need to update my work pictures asap! Btw......apparently Aiden thinks he's a GANGSTA....I guess Memphis is rubbing off on him :-) Pull those pants up!

The biggest pain in butt at work currently is Legal looking into all my emails and ims with one of my business users....everyone know what demand planning says dictates the price of goods. So they want to make sure there was no foul play done with the price increase at the beginning of the year. I don't have any thing to hide and I understand why they do it for audit reasons...but who wants or likes Big Brother watching their every move. Paperwork, paperwork, oh how I loathe you!!

So glad it's the weekend! Tonight, I finally got to work on Aiden's baby book!!! YAHHHH! Why because I literally printed 300 pictures tonight...month 4-8. I only have 2 months to document then I am up-to-date! I'm so proud of myself for actually keeping up with it.

Before that we had a nice little family meal out. Aiden was so cute in the high chair. Just looking around at all the guests and flirting with ALL the waitresses. Geez I'm gonna have to keep an eye on him! :-) He also downed his entire sippy cup! He has now learned once it gets halfway full he needs to tilt his head to get the rest of it. I crack up when he does this, because he throws his head back ALL the way chugging the drink...lol not a good sign.

Tomorrow, gifts in a jar up at the church!!! Excited!

Congrats

Today was the surprise party for my sweet boss, Jeff. He was so surprised...kind of sneaked attacked him. We had our normal weekly meeting in the morning then a few of us popped out to grab everything for the SURPRISE! It was fun being able to return the generosity he's given me and Wes for our wedding and baby showers. *He's in the rose collar shirt* There he is with my gift....2 sets of towels and washcloths! Most everything had to be ordered online, and I didn't have the time so that's what I ended up with. Who would have ever thought Rosemary was green?! I was thinking a rose color as I searched through every Ralph Lauren towel. :-)

Now to talk about the most important part of the party....the cake! Joleen one my coworkers is AMAZING! Just look at it! Hard to find a good looking cake that tastes amazing too! So cute J D J stands for Jeff and Julie Dillon. So cute! Now do you see why she's making Aiden's birthday cake?! Which we now decided on a theme.....WONDER PETS! So excited!

Side note: Since Murphy is now a shaved dog, and he stays outside in 40 degree weather I got him a little sweater to wear. hahaha cruel and funny but I will say one thing....it's calmed him down MAJOR! I think I took his man card away once again. hahaha

8 teeth!

We spotted another tooth! YAH! 4 up top, 4 on the bottom. He's growing up so fast! Probably explains why he's been SUCH a momma's boy lately. Not like I mind.

Today we had mommy and baby bonding time. I cleaned up a little and he just followed me from room to room. But what made it precious was if I stood still he would crawl up to my leg and start climbing up it, raise his arms like "Okay mommy I made it, now pick me up!" He sure knows how to sucker me...gotta not give in every time.

Then we got dressed and headed to the store. Seems like I'm there all the time! Probably because I do my grocery shopping one week at a time, that way I can really meal plan. This week potato soup, pork tenderloin, and spaghetti. YUM! Leftovers the remaining days. Normally Aiden is all about the trips, but 3/4 of the way through he just wanted me to hold him....so there I am holding a 26 lb baby pushing a heavy cart...ugh was that painful!

Below are a few shots before we left for the store...my little strong guy manhandled that stool. :-)

For dinner he had a big boy meal of ravioli and half white grape juice/water. I'm trying to find things that he can work with picking up himself...so tomorrow when I cook the tenderloin I will give him some of the green beans and spaghetti night he will definitely get that. I also think white grape juice wins over apple juice for sure. Drank like half the cup...never has happened before!

Once we were finished off to take a bath...since I was cleaning his bathroom he took one in our tub. To make it fun I hopped in there with him so I could hold him when the jets were running. Ohhh does he love that.....the bubbles grow! I swear he is a water baby. Loves it! Look at that cute little face!

A few minutes ago I finished the face on Aiden's christmas present. YAH! Now it's all wrapped up and ready to go.

Below is the airplane Regina and Steve got for Aiden at the Prison Rodeo. It looks so cute, and Aiden just kept staring at it when we were playing with the puzzles in his room.

Sorry this is such a random post. But one more thing...got this amazing thing for the front yard of Christmas.....the santa goes up and down peaking out of the tree. So cute! I can't wait for Christmas!!!!! Let the traditions begin!