You're a mean one Mr. Grinch

This past Saturday we ventured out to get our 'family' picture taken with Santa. There is a vet on the corner by my school and I noticed that they were going to have Santa Clause there to take pictures with your pet for free. Since Dasher is named after a reindeer we had to go and get his picture taken.



He was really nervous so he didn't pose as well as he normally does.



Paul and I began a new Christmas tradition last year. Each year we want to do/see something that involves Dr. Suess' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". This all started last year when we went to see the 'ICE' show that the Gaylord Texan puts on in Dallas, TX. It was amazing. They carved the entire story out of giant blocks of colored ice.

Anyway, this year I noticed that they were having "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" the play showing here in Houston. It was one of the best plays I have ever been to. It was so interactive and fun for everyone, but I am sure if I was a kid it would have been even more fun. The characters actually talked to you and incorporated what you said into the show. It even snowed on the audience. It was a very magical experience.

Deck the Halls...

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the decorations. There is just something nice about sitting in the light of a Christmas tree at night that warms your soul. I also love pulling out all the decorations and remembering where you got them and/or who gave them to you. My mom gave Paul and I about 3 different 1st Christmas Together ornaments last year, because she kept finding 'better' ones. Another, interesting event is how for some reason or another that one Christmas decoration gets lost. For instance, this year I cannot seem to find my oustside, front door rug anywhere. I am sure we will find it next year or as we are packing away the Christmas stuff this year, but for now it will remain hidden. Last year, we couldn't find Paul's Dallas Cowboy candy canes his little brother gave him for Christmas to hang on the tree or our Mickey and Minnie ornament, but this year they hang front and center on our tree.

Paul and I decorated our little house on Sunday when we got back from Thanksgiving. I was really excited because we got a new tree this year. Now, I have to say that Christmas trees in the store are deceptive. They look much smaller in the open isles of a store than they do in your tiny living room. It is a good thing that Paul talked me out of the 9' tree that I wanted to get.

7 1/2 feet is much taller than you think.

Hanging the first ornament.

Paul hanging his first ornament

Paul putting on the Angel...I was too short even with the step ladder.

Yay! We found our Mickey and Minnie ornament
(for those of you who don't know we honeymooned in Disney)

Dasher learns from my mom's cats that you should lay
under the tree in the way of putting on the tree skirt.

TaDa!

Dasher is all decked out and ready to help Santa delliver presents.

This year I also decorated my classroom. I thought since I spend more time there than I do at home I should be able to enjoy Christmas decorations there.

The door to my room. I have an outside, portable room.

I put up our old 6 1/2 foot tree in my room at school.
I am having each of my students make a stocking ornament to use as a sticker chart.
When they get their 5 stickers they will get their Christmas prize/present from me!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving!

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Tyler with Paul's family. Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite holidays and it just isn't Thanksgiving without spending hours in the kitchen preparing for a feast. Paul and I did alot of the baking before we left and took it with us. This was the first year I had attempted a few dishes: angel biscuits and pumpkin pie. I hear the pumpkin pie turned out ok and everyone liked the biscuits, but nothing compares to my grandmas.  I still need some practice. One year I will get it right though.

Making pie crusts

Paul always makes the icing for my cakes...I don't even know if I could do it.

Pies baking...they actually look good.

Attempting to ice on a Turkey

finished product...way to go Hobby Lobby cake decorating classes

side view

Making angel biscuits...something is just not right. This calls for an emergency call to Grandma K...good thing she has a minute to spare from making her own Thanksgiving meal.

Finished Angel Biscuits...not perfect but edible.

The spread

Enjoying our feast...minus Paul's mom she is taking the picture.
Around the table starting on the left: Paul's Dad, Anne, Jessica, Me, Paul, Jacob, Megan and Bethany

Playing games around the coffee table

Christmas card photo time.

I normally go Black Friday shopping with my mom. We don't always get up at the crack of dawn to brave the crowds unless there is something we want, but we always go out at some point on that day. This year I wanted a sewing machine from Wal-Mart. I had scouted out a few that were going to be on sale and asked for advice from Grandma to make sure it was worth it to fight the crowds. I dragged Paul and Bethany with me to get my sewing machine at midnight. Paul had never been black friday shopping and he loved it. He thought it was hillarious all the comotion and craziness. I ended up getting my sewing machine and a few movies that night. We went out again in the morning at 7:30 to see what else we could get. Overall, we got a lot of good deals.

Bethany leading the way

Yes it's mine!

Paul lugged the thing all around Wal-Mart while we saw what else was on sale...he thought a cart would just slow us down.

After our Black Friday Madness Shopping Spree we took a little nap and then all went to see the new Disney movie...Tangled. I love Disney cartoons. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite and always will be, but this one was really good. I highly recommend Tangled for all little girls to see.

waiting for the show to begin

With the giant poster.

And now for an update on  the great Spruce Tree Growing Competition. I am pulling ahead with multiple little sprouts that had grown while we were away. Although, Paul still claims he is winning, because his two measly sprouts are taller than mine. We will see.

mine

Paul's

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  Now it's time to get ready for Christmas!

Thanksgiving Preparations

I love my new job!  Not only do the kids keep me laughing all day, and keep me smiling when they reach their goals. I have to say having a week off at Thanksgiving is pretty nice. I needed a break. I was feeling very overwhelmed with paperwork and treating kids. I did have to bring home some reports to write, but writing them is much more enjoyable on the couch in my pjs in front of the TV.

So far I have been enjoying the time off. Paul's cousin, Staci, and her husband, Michael, came down and visited us on Friday evening. We had a great time talking, playing games, and painting pottery. It is so nice to hang out with a couple who are at the same stage in life as you are. We can't wait until we have a chance to hang out again. I meant to take pictures, but forgot...next time I will definately take many.

In addition to starting the break off right by hanging out with family/friends, I have been spending the week baking and making goodies. Dasher enjoys this because his favorite game to play is 'cooking'. For some reason he is scared of pots and pans, but enjoys being chased around the living room with them. He is too funny when you ask him if he wants to 'cook' he runs to the kitchen and gets all excited. We are spending Thanksgiving in Tyler this year and I am making a ton of food to bring with us. Look for a new blog after Thanksgiving with pictures of all the fun!

Update on Christmas Spruce Tree Growing Competition:
Leader - Paul :(

My tree...nothing is growing :(

Paul's tree...if you look closely you will see two sprouts.

'Tis the Season

We are enterning my favorite time of year. I love fall, and am so greatful that Houston has decided to recognize it by gracing us with cool, brisk weather (that's right it reached below 70) this weekend. The leaves are actually beginning to change color too! Anyway, I love this time of year because of the smells. The houses and stores always smell so good with all the things cinnamon and peppermint floating around, and who can forget all the delicious smells from the kitchen. I really enjoy cooking/baking and am looking forward to next week when I can begin getting ready for Thanksgiving. I also love fall colors and clothes. I love the way a sweater or jacket keeps you warm while the cool crisp air blows around you. Something about it just makes you smile and get a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

This weekend Paul and I did a little Christmas shopping. This is quite a feat for us since we have about 25 - 30 people that we need to buy Christmas presents for. I love having a big family and also love that Paul comes from a big family, but this time of year does get stressful. One day maybe I will be more like my mom and plan ahead. I can't believe she is already done with her Christmas shopping.  Anyway, we went to a little craft fair in a neighboring suburb. Yet another thing I absolutely love about this time of year is craft fairs, and I think you get the best stuff there. Paul had never been and needless to say he had no idea what he was getting himself into when he agreed to go with me. I think Paul was really amazed with the stuff people could make and sell at craft fairs (both good and bad). We ended up getting some really great stuff for Christmas presents, although I will admit we also got a lot of great stuff for us too. One booth lady even has Paul talked into coming back next year to get another piece for his 'collection' of her stuff. She sold these really beautiful winter scenes made out of porcelain that lit up. I am grateful that Paul had a good time and wants to make it a tradition to go to craft fairs this time of year together. I am also grateful that while Paul may not enjoy a craft fair and is like a fish out of water walking around one, he will go with me and never complain.

Another fun item we picked up while shopping, was a grow your own Christmas Tree project. Now, those of you that know me well know that there is nothing I hate more than Christmas decorating and Christma music before Thanksgiving. I feel sorry for Thanksgiving and think people miss out on a great holiday when the skip it and go strait to Christmas. I mean if your house is decorated for Christmas right now then when you have Thanksgiving dinner the only difference between Thanksgiving and Christmas is exchanging of presents. I also think that by celebrating Christmas too early you lose the specialness of it. I mean you can't eat dessert before dinner without ruining the point of dessert. Anyway, I broke my rule and this weekend and Paul and I have 2 Christmas items in the house with our Thanksgiving decorations. This is because I want the spruce trees to be growing/grown/visible by Christmas time.  Here are a few pictures of our project. I will try and post how they look as the weeks go on. Also, I think it is important to note that Paul and I are very competitive and everything is a game to win for us. So you should know that I plan on my tree growing bigger, better and taller than Paul's.

I hope everyone is having a great fall and enjoying the best time of year!