The Year in Review 2009 edition

This year was a HELL of a lot better than 2007. And while it didn't have the highs (Jack!) of 2008, it didn't have the lows either.

We had two great vacations (St. Augustine Beach and Mountains 2008-2009) and 1 OK one (Mountains 2009). Bought our super-duper adorable house. Had so much fun with our little boy and made a lot of great new friends because of him. We grew up a lot and became a family. We received more help and gifts and love than we could have ever asked for from our extended families. Jack had three new 2nd cousins born in 2009. We (think!) we found a church home. We had fun with friends at Halloween and Daniel and Jack dressed up in ADORABLE costumes. We built a fence. We boated (not enough!). "We" got a new boat. Jack and I are still nursing. Daniel had a great time at Spring Fling 2009. No one in my family has been seriously ill, and I am still blessed enough to have 4 living grandparents. We've had good luck with tenants.

On the other hand, we lost Magoo a few days ago. We had to give Lorelei away (I still regret that decision, and still can't think of an alternative). My sister lost her super-sweet Mollydog. It's been a bad animal year.

It hasn't been a perfect year, but it's been good. We've loved each other. And we'll do so in 2010.

Now I am looking forward to a quiet evening alone with Daniel and an early night for Jack:-) And I REALLY WANT TO WATCH THE BALL DROP, SO LET'S PRAY HE DOESN'T WAKE UP UNTIL AT LEAST 12:03!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Daniel's Stocking

When my mom and dad were married, she made a special Christmas stocking for him. It was a pair of Santa Pants, made from felt, and had Tyrie written on the leg. They were adorable and I loved them when I was little.

When I was 10, my parents divorced. Mom kept the Santa pants. She dated some guy I didn't know about that first year, stuck a new piece of felt on, called it a pocket, and wrote his name.

The next year she started dating a man she'd eventually become engaged to (but they didn't ever marry). She added a new patch on top of the old, and wrote his name.

They broke up the year Daniel and I started dating (1998 if you care). So, that year, we added a new patch, wrote Daniel, and they've been his ever since. He LOVES his stocking.

Well, my sister thinks that when she gets married the pants should pass to her husband. Daniel says that they are his until I leave him or kill him(:P) Kelley says it's not fair for her to be left out of the tradition.

Regardless, it's a fun story and they are really cute pants. I'll try to find a picture. Or take one when I get home, as they're hanging on my fireplace. (Unless my sister stole them. She has been there alone with them for 4 days. Oops.)

Christmas Round-Up Part 1 (the crazy!)

There were tears. There were toys. There was a skateboard for the Monkey. There was a daddy who broke it. There was drinking. Lots.


Christmas began on the 22nd in my little world. That's when Daniel, Jack and I went to my dad's house for Christmas dinner. My little sister, Kelley, was supposed to be there. But, snow in Amsterdam caused her to miss her flight, and she ended up stranded with our cousin kat for a few extra days (she made it home on the 23rd). Anyway, that Christmas was lovely. We got generous and practical gifts (wood to fill in the dock, a landscape plan, an Amazon gift card, a beautiful necklace, some tools), had a wonderful dinner (Rosemary Shrimp) and took lots of goofy pictures in lots of silly hats. The monkey had fun opening his presents and then went to bed calmly and happily.


On the 23rd we headed to the annual Christmas Trivia party at sMIL's best friend's house. Unfortunately, Jack fell asleep in the car on the way there. Sneaking him in failed, so he was up for the duration. Or until we were 1/2way into the game and he started having an utter breakdown. Oops. He was super-cute playing with his cousins, though, and we had a nice night.


The 24th, Christmas Eve, began with a whimper. Kelley had finally flown in the night before and due to a misunderstanding was mad at me. She was at my mom's house and they were supposed to come over and bake cookies. They didn't. Well, finally they did. Around 2. Along with my aunt. and 4 dogs. And it all failed. There were tears and fights and unpleasantness.



So, at 4, Daniel and the baby and I left to go to my in-laws to open presents, then church, then back to in-laws for dinner, then home to put baby to bed, then back to inlaws for more presents. Get all that? Yeah, we didn't either. Jack and his cousins opened presents early, as they'd be asleep with visions of sugarplums by the time everyone else opened presents at midnight. Or that was the plan. We didn't account for my child's sleep refusals or the drunken screaming mess I'd walk into when we went home to put him to bed. Let's start over.


My mom and aunt, sister, her boyfriend, and my mother's childhood friend/ex were all coming to my house for Christmas eve dinner. I wasn't going to be there.


We went to in-laws, the kids opened gifts, played, and then we went to church. GIANT CHURCH FAIL. HUGE. DISASTROUS. Jack wanted to run the aisles. Since that couldn't happen, he screamed. We spent the entire time in the Narthex. We left after communion. Headed back to my in-laws for dinner (where we got to see Jack's ADORABLE 2nd cousin, Alison) and where my child showed himself to be utterly incapable of sitting still for longer than 5.5 seconds. I know there was judging going on. At this point we were well past baby bedtime, so we took him home.


Home. Oh, the peacefulness of home on Christmas eve. Christmas lights in the windows, soft George Winston music playing.


Oh, right. Back to my life. We got home and dinner hadn't started (9pmish) and everyone was fairly wasted. Jack went to bed and my sister picked a fight with my husband over his Christmas stocking (which is a funny story deserving of a post all its own). Screaming, crying, threatening. Car keys found. Eventually, Jack woke up, the inlaws started calling looking for us to open presents, Jack didn't go back to sleep, so we all piled BACK into the car.


And opened gifts. Which were generous, and lovely, and we had a very nice time.


Then back in the car, back home, and we went to bed. (the drunks were still drinking, btw. no tears, though).


I'm tired just remembering and I think I need a nap. I'll finish this later. Or never. Who knows with me.

It's Christmas Eve. My sister who has been in Amsterdam for 4 months is here. My mother, my aunt, sister's boyfriend. Daniel's working. I'm...tired. Of all of it. They're bossy and moody and opinionated. They're annoying as hell.

We (daniel, jack and I) have a long night ahead, and a long day tomorrow, and I don't want to deal with these people. I want my house with my family.

Not happening. Merry Christmas & Bah Humbug.

(I'll get a better attitude I promise).

Fall Photos

Yes, I know I had pictures taken of Jack in October, but those were HALLOWEEN themed. And when Jess offered some mini-sessions at a great cost, this photo addict couldn't say no.



And a sampling:











Jack was busy (shocking I know), but the pics are wonderful. Thanks, Jess!

November 2009

Since I am awful, awful AWFUL about blogging, I'm doing November all-in-one.

So, first was the Sibling Rivalry Car Show (Toyotas and Scions). Daniel has to go, so we dressed Jack in his cute MR2 outfit and off we went.

First, Jack had to help Daddy work on the car


And drive the car


OK, daddy, you can sit here, but I'M driving!


Then...NAKED BABY! This kid won't keep a diaper on for 7 seconds anymore.

We got a package?!


Cool!


What's in it???


It makes a good chair!


Really


And with clothes on, playing with the neighborhood kids:

(a six year old, a pair of 4 year olds, a pair of 2 year olds, and an 18 month old and Jack. We have fun!)

I love my Moe!


Hmmmm....


Attacking poor Little N at Doing Dishes pottery studio. We made cute stuff though!


In St. Augustine for the Lighting of the Town


Canon rides!


Present Rides!


Dancing with mommy


I found a leaf!


Family portrait;)

From November 2009 Favorites

And the tree was lit and we went home and went to bed.

Then, Thanksgiving. Which means food, family, and...hunting. Daddy killed a big buck (ask him, he'll tell you!)




Daddy, Jack, and Grandpa


Deer rides!


And then off to see Grammy Duck in Lake Wales

Feet in the lake


Cousin buster...covered in sand.


Sand is HARD to run on!


REading


And then, off to the Christmas tree lot (same place as the pumpkin patch) with friends!

MOM, I want to go through here!


Pretty ornament!


Friends (taking a photo of 4 14 month olds is HARD!)


Jack in a wreath


We mean it. Really!


And then we went home to give Daddy BIG kisses before he left for a week.

So, forgive the awful header. I will fix it when I get pro photos done by Karen tomorrow. And now, i'll blog:-)

Jack Swimming, Part 2

Here's a montage made by his instructor of him swimming and floating. The black suit he's in is a footie pajama, NOT a wetsuit!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com