Christmas is Coming!

We kept our annual tradition of putting up our Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. Scott set up the tree and hung the outside lights. Ryann and I decorated the tree and put some decorations around the house. Ryann loves Christmas, even though she doesn't remember it last year and doesn't really understand. I don't think she even realizes she's going to get presents. She knows Santa and reindeer and likes the music and decorations. I think that's the extent of her understanding so far. We'll work on that. In the meantime, I'm preparing for the holidays. I even went out on Black Friday at 4am. This is the second year that I went. I do it more to say I did it than anything else. I did get a new bedding set for our guest room. It was 50% off! :0) I have several decorating projects underway in the house and that is one of the rooms I'm working on. I have 3 weeks left of work before our 2 weeks off for the holidays. I can't wait! We don't plan to do a lot of gifts for Christmas but I'm really looking forward to the time off and spending the holiday with family. I just love Christmas time.

Giving Thanks

It has been very nice having five days off of school. We've had lots of family time and I've had a chance to start some projects that I've been wanting to do. We had a very nice Thanksgiving. It was just the four of us. All four of us sat at the table together for dinner. Avery sat in the high chair and watched mostly but we were all together. I loved it.
With my time off, I've had time to sit back and appreciate what I have. I have so much to be thankful for!

I am incredibly thankful for my wonderful husband and my adorable daughters. I am absolutely gaga over my family. I love our home together and every minute we spend together, even during tantrums. :0)
I am thankful for my family and friends in NY. I don't get to talk to everyone as much as I want to. I'm terrible about the phone and I always feel so busy but I do think of them often and try to keep in touch through email.

I am thankful for my friends in AZ. They have made Arizona feel like home. I have an amazing little group of friends that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I am thankful for my job. In these economic times, it's great just to have a job. I'm very fortunate to have one that I love. It's exhausting and challenging but I love it.

I am thankful for Weight Watchers. I stuck with it for the holiday. I even took my food scale to the table with me. I had planned ahead and saved points so I had a great meal without cheating a bit. I even lost 2 lbs this week!

There are way too many great things to list them all but those are the highlights. This Thanksgiving, I give sincere thanks for it all. Life is good.

The Holidays Have Arrived

The holidays have officially arrived when we drag the whole family to get a portrait taken. We tried to kill 2 birds with one stone by doing it with Avery's six month photos. I think I blew it on several counts.

First, I made Avery wear the same dress Ryann did at 6 months. I just love it and it's like brand new. Poor kid.

Second, Avery has been in desperate need of a haircut. She had long, full hair until a month or so ago when it started to thin, leaving a scraggly mess. I have some sort of sentimental resistance to cutting it. Ryann has still never had a cut. After seeing the pictures, Avery got a trim.

Third, I forgot to have the photographer take a picture of the girls together without Scott & I. I was so worried about letting Ryann go play, I settled for "good enough." She was much better this time. I should have relaxed and thought about it.

Fourth, I looked horrible in the photos so I hate them all. I was having a bad hair day and I chose a bad outfit. I feel like all my weight loss isn't apparent at all. Ugh!!!

Lastly, I managed to abandon both kids during the outing. Ryann took off in the store while we were deciding what pictures to buy. We didn't notice until someone asked if anyone had lost a little girl. I frantically went searching and Ryann kept going around in JC Penney until I caught her. While Scott and I searched for Ryann, we forgot about Avery, sitting in the stroller in the portrait studio. It wasn't our most shining parental moment. Thankfully, everyone was reunited without incident.

As a result of our outing, we have our 2009 family portrait to dislike forever. I would love a mulligan on this one but I know neither Scott nor I are ready to try it again yet. Maybe next year...... (It's natural for me to say that, being a Mets fan.)

The Streak Continues

On Saturday, Scott and I drove to Tucson to see WSU play U of A. My mom came to town to watch the girls while we went to support the Cougs. The score didn't end up in our favor but Scott and I enjoyed having a day on our own. We don't get to spend much time together without the kiddies anymore. It was a fun day.

This was the fifth time I've been to a Cougars football game. Scott pointed out a disappointing trend. Each time I have seen the Cougs play football in person, they have lost. Not only have they lost, but they have given up 40 or more points. Wow!!! I'm bad news for the Cougs. Scott has seen them win many times, but never with me. Here's the run down of the games I've seen.

2006 @ Auburn -Loss (14-40)

2006 @ Arizona State - Loss (17-47)

2007 @ Arizona - Loss (20-48)

2007 @ Wisconsin - Loss (21-42)

2009 @ Arizona - Loss (7-48)

If this news gets back to WSU, I may be banned from all future games. Let's keep this to ourselves. We're hoping to enjoy some wins someday.

Happy Half Birthday, Avery!

Avery's half birthday was on Monday. She's officially six months old. It's amazing how fast time goes. I took her to the doctor on Thursday for immunizations and a check-up. She weighs 15 lbs 13.5 oz (45th percentile) and is 26 3/4 inches long (85th percentile). She's still long & lean, and quite adorable if you ask me. She is super cute with her 2 teeth and big grin. She's sitting up, eating baby food and trying like crazy to figure out how to crawl. She's really funny because she lays on her belly and swims with her arms and legs. If she ever gets that belly up, she'll be dangerous. She's already figured out how to roll from place to place and spin herself around. She's a very busy little girl. It won't be long before she's truly mobile. Then, Ryann will have quite a time keeping her stuff safe. :0)