To Grandmother's House We Go

Clear Highway

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve

Christmas Past

cheese

Getting into the Spirit

Holidaze

From Thanksgiving to Christmas has been a blur, a massive candle-burning-at-both-ends blur. With all of the parties to attend and prep for: school, work, shopping and reunions, I'm just plain exhausted. But I will sleep when I am dead because my mom is in town... and I am determined to finish the year with a slower, more fun pace to set the tone for next year.

I have the best pajamas ever! 

For NYE, my mom and I will be making lumpia (of course) and some cute champagne cupcakes. The plan is to use the frosting and decorations featured in this recipe and make the actual cupcakes and pastry cream from this recipe.  #fingerscrossed

Christmas Sketches

Christmas Scenes

O Christmas Tree

After Thanksgiving we had big plans to visit a local tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree, Griswold style.

Elfin Goodness

Merry Christmas from the Morgans!

Morgan Adventures

The last few days have been crazy busy with Christmas parties and programs.

Thursday night we went to a friend's church to watch a cool Christmas program.

And Friday night we went to Emi's basktetball team's Christmas party.



Saturday we spent a fair amount of time on the road, at a family reunion, at basketball games and back home. We made our rounds and it was nice to see everyone.



Today we slowed things down a bit and tried to get ready for the colder weather. Brrr

Done

I finished this latch hook rug (except for the trimming) last weekend so I thought I should post a picture of the object of my short obsession. It might seem early to be thinking about Christmas but we only have 2 months, folks! 

Can you believe it?

Christmas Pasts

I thought it might be neat to review pictures of us from Christmases ago...but what do I know about fun?

Christmas 2005

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2010

Can't stop thinking 'whoa!"...

No Coal in Our Stockings

This year I got a lot of things I wanted and quite a few unexpected nice things as well. On Christmas Eve my parents were all about the cash which was too much, but also awesome! {Thank you!} For the Dirty Santa game, I got a cute Rudolph ornament and some red & white bootie socks from VS (which I passed along to the Emster). From my family, I got The Biebs' perfume, Someday (I was goofily happy about it) and a pretty pink, ruffly robe that came with it. I also got a sweet sign from Emi that I will hang on our kitchen wall soon:

My Baby Girl is So Thoughtful

In my stocking I got an Ulta gift card (my eyeliner is down to a nub), that Bentley I've always wanted and my favorite chocolate bar (among other candies, an apple and an orange). I got a cool Sgt Pepper tee from my in-laws (they always gift me some cool Beatles items!) and more cash. For the Morgan Christmas we usually just bring a man/woman gift and do the straight Santa thing. I brought a high sided griddle that my mom ending up getting and then giving back to me (score!!). I didn't think she'd want to lug that thing back to Florida. I left with a cool candle that mimics a crackling wood fire, a cute snowman tea towel, some peace socks and coconut lime hand soap. Scott's sister and aunts seem to have started a tradition of buying certain items (tea towels, socks, hand soaps) in bulk and sharing with the other ladies. I guess I need to get on the bandwagon and start participating next year. {I have almost a year to get creative.}

My mom got me something I've requested from my husband for 3 years (at least, maybe longer) now - a salad spinner. I know it may not be a big deal to you, but it's something I've wanted and have yet never bought for myself. I haven't used it yet, but I was just getting good and sick with my head cold when I received it. I did manage to use the griddle yesterday morning to make pancakes for the family though....

Wearing my Sgt Pepper tee and showing off my salad spinner!

My kids got their (current) hearts' desires. Emi got the Black Eyed Peas Experience Wii game and I think all of the adults in the family are hurting today from trying to dance like apl.de.ap, Fergie, Taboo and will.i.am. I will honor their requests not to post those videos to my flickr, blog or FaceBook but man were they hilarious!


What about you, did you get everything you asked Santa for?




Christmas 2011

Whoa! Christmas hit us with a vengeance.  I need some time to recuperate. I know, WAAAH! But someone gave me something that wasn't on my list, A Christmas Cold!!!

Even though I wasn't particularly good, Santa brought me a lot of stuff this year. And my kids were overloaded with stuff too and it's not over! Oy! I have already filled up a few bags with toys to donate and had to put many of the new items down in the basement to bring out here and there once things are not so overwhelming for them. (for me).

To recap the events thusfar, we went to bed way late Christmas Eve because we were having too much fun at my parents.



We had the Ugly Sweater Contest and Scott and my nephew Vincent tied for first.

A fly went by (apparently)

New (Old) Favorite

I was watching Jimmy Fallon last night when Kermit and Robin joined Jimmy and Roots (the band) to sing When the River Meets the Sea like John Denver did back in 1979. The song brought tears to my eyes...first time for a muppet to have that effect on me...



Very touching song that I imagine would be welcome at a loved one's funeral. {not to sound morbid}  The song ranks right up there with Amazing Grace for me. I was totally caught off guard by the emotion evoked by JF and the Muppets. I recorded it and shared it with the family about 17 times already today. I am hoping that Scott and Emi will learn to play it so we can share with the other family members.

Here's another song from back then:




And another sweet Kermit song:




We've been tracking Santa on NORAD and his next stop is at Mt. Everest, Nepal!

Morgan Adventure - Day 23

Tonight started off with a little Happy Hour at The Mont...

Kristy, Stacey, Nolita, Jennifer & Sharmin

Sharmin, Leslie & Nolita

We didn't hang out as long as usual because we all had other things to do. I came home and prepared 2 lasagnas - one that we ate tonight and then another for this weekend when we don't want to cook after holiday gatherings...

While the lasagna cooked and we waited for my mom, sister and nephew to get here, the kiddos caroled to our neighbors:



And after dinner, my mom (aka the kids' lola) blew out the candle on her coconut birthday cake.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Some of us played Wii Golf (Scott and Emi are actually still playing!) and some of us played matching games with the Little Ones.

Happy Christmas Eve Eve, Everyone!

Morgan Adventure - Day 22

After a l-o-n-g day at work, I came home to this:



Another thing that Scott and Emi took care of for me!! {Ok, so it was for David and Aubri, actually, but it was on my list.} Having bunk beds in their room really opens up the space.

Later we put the pups in the tees that Aunt Dee gave us last night:

My handsome Kirby in his Woodstock tee

Abbey was so comfy in her Scrabble tee that she immediately took a nap...

After dinner we had some hot chocolate and watched Rango! I cannot believe that it's almost Christmas!

Morgan Adventure - Day 21

Christmas Party

Dee & Her Dogs

Playing Games

Morgan Adventure - Day 20

This one is not very imaginative. Pizza Picnic and The Grinch. I thought it might be too scary for Aubri but she said she wanted to watch it...

Almost finished with the Christmas shopping...almost.