25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Merry Christmas Eve!

**Photos by Kristi Richards**
Thanks Kristi!  You did a great job!

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Yeah, yeah… I didn't post anything for the weekend…  We had the Wagner Family Christmas (much like the Griswold Family Christmas) and there was no time.

We had Randy's parents and his Uncle & Aunt staying with us.  Also, on Saturday, we had his brother, fiancé and 12 years old daughter here for (early) Christmas festivities.

So, needless to say, between hosting and cooking… I was pooped out!

Here's a brief highlight of my weekend.  Randy photobombing in a picture.  Hilarious!

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Elisan did not win the contest, but she sure did look cute! 

I think she could have easily won  the 

"CUTEST CHRISTMAS SWEATER CONTEST"

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Bigger project than I anticipated, but these turned out so cute!

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Elisan's Ugly Sweater for her class party on Friday.

The prize is a $10.00 gift card! 

She's IN IT to WIN IT!

Her teacher told them, "I want your shirt to look like

Christmas threw up on it!"

Done.

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Did you know that the movie "Elf " is not showing on television this Christmas season?  Some company called Sky Movies bought the television rights... So, you can watch it, IF you are a channel subscriber.

Bah humbug!

So, what did I do?  I bought a used DVD on eBay for super duper cheap!

Take that you joy stealer!

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Today was my BIG shopping day.  11 stores in 5 hours.

The girls get out of school on Friday, in laws are coming in this weekend and then next week, I'll be preparing our family for a ski trip.  So, I needed to get most of my shopping done today.

I'll finish up tomorrow and thank goodness, I'll be done!

This year has been easier for me, as far as shopping goes.  Elisan went online and picked out several things for me to buy.  Kyla wants a pair of cowboy boots, in addition to a few clothing items, so she was easy to shop for as well.  Randy also bought a few of their Christmas presents - Daddy styled gifts… Stuff I'd never in a million years get them!

Speaking of Randy, he's the hardest person to buy for because he doesn't need anything… well, he does need a haircut, but I digress...  In actuality, he needs a wardrobe makeover.  He's begun wearing his North Face convertible pants everyday. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  The other day, he came home with three identical long sleeved shirts he bought at Sam's.  And when I say identical, I mean… same color and same style.  THREE of them.  What?  Who does that?

So, today, I bought him a few trendier items.  I hope they don't get relegated to the back of his closet in lieu of the Sam's shirts.  -sigh-

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

This post has nothing to do with Christmas, I'll admit.  It does however, have to do with the winter "mid-season" cliffhangers of some of my favorite shows!  Last night I caught up on ABC.GO.

First up… "Grey's Anatomy".  I was never a "Grey's Anatomy" fan until one morning, I woke up at 2 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep.  So, I browsed Netflix and decided I'd watch the first few episodes of "Grey's Anatomy".  Well, three months later, I had plowed through EIGHT, count 'em EIGHT seasons of Grey's binge.  So, yeah… mid-season cliffhanger…. Oh.My.Goodness… Jackson at April's wedding professing his love for her.  Totally did not see that coming.  Really, I didn't.  And, then Alex and Jo?  Did Alex propose?  Or did he?  I'm not sure.

So, then I watched the mid-season cliffhanger of "Scandal".  LOVE this show.  If you are not watching Scandal, then…. well, watch it.  Seasons 1 & 2 are on Netflix.  So… what happens with Olivia's mom?   And then Jake is the new command?  And now David has the dirt on the Madam Vice President?  And poor Quinn.  Oooo, it's getting crazy there in D.C.

Tonight, I'm going to watch last week's "Revenge" and try to watch tonight's airing of "Revenge" tomorrow night.

For truly funny and in-depth recaps of your favorite shows… check out TELEVISION WITHOUT PITY.

Yes, I know… not the best television choices, but my family only tends to watch Duck Dynasty these days and I can only watch them one time.  They however, can watch them… 2, 3… 5x.

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

COLD, COLD day for a soccer tournament today.

Brrrr…. 43 degrees with wind gusts up to 30mph!

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Y'all.  Randy is growing his hair out.  Including facial hair. Ala Duck Dynasty.

Help me.

The more I complain, the more empowered he becomes.

I need help.  How do I conquer this?

Oh yeah… and reverse psychology doesn't work.

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Just a wee bit of reminiscing for today.

Here's Elisan sitting in Santa's lap for the very first time.

See how much she enjoyed it?  Santa too.

Ah, I love these moments.

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

I needed a little DIY therapy today.

For some reason, I've been on a cheetah print kick.  It just GOES with everything.  So, while at Hobby Lobby one day, I spied some cheetah print fleece and knew I needed to have it.

So, as it goes, I've made four cheetah fleece headbands and a neck gaiter.  I got the neck gaiter idea from Pinterest (here).  It will come in handy for our skiing trip this year.

Anyway, love the fleece headbands.  So fun, so easy and so cozy!

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

A little late night fun!  Elisan and I having fun before bedtime.

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Santa's Lil' Helper

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Between both girls, they played 6 games this weekend.

And, all of the games were WON.  That's unheard of.

It was a great weekend for games since the weather was so very cold.

I brought my camera along but didn't take as many pictures as I had hoped.  Here are two from yesterday's events.

Elisan on the defense.  She's like a bothersome gnat… in your face… relentlessly.  (That's not a put-down for her.  It's actually a great tactic for her.)

Here's Kyla getting a little goalie action for a change.  She did great, but decided she'd much rather be on the other side of scoring.

Great weekend, lots of fun!

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Busy day today!  Between both girls we have 5 games today.  2 basketball and 3 indoor soccer games. But really, with the temps hovering in the low 30's, I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing…  Well, yes, I could… but still… it will be fun!

This winter indoor soccer season, Kyla is on three teams and Elisan is playing on 2 teams.  They are on the same team for one of those teams.  It's always fun watching them play on the same team.  

Aren't they just the cutest?  I love them!  

(By the way, that's our new school sweatshirt!  Yours truly designed it!)

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

 Wintery mix.  That's what the forecast suggests this a.m.

I think we may actually have a winter this year?  I'm kind of shocked to be honest.  Of course, it was in the 80's on Monday… so there's still time for Texas to kick winter to the curb and opt for our usual mild temps.

So, yeah… because of the wintery mix, school is delayed for 2 hours.  Of course, I didn't learn this information until I had already sat down with my cuppa coffee at 5:45 a.m.  Too late to crawl back into my warm bed, I'm afraid.

What's funny is that the girls are still asleep. I'm surprised they haven't jumped out of bed to tell me that I failed to wake them up and OH.MY.GOODNESS. we are going to be late for school.

So, yes, I got my camera AND I got it they day it was supposed to be delivered.  As as usual, I've barely had enough time to sit down with it and learn about it.  I plan to do some of that today.  I'm excited though… it's complicated, but in a good way!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for #25daysofchristmaschallenge.

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge - December 5

If you've been around for a while, you know that I celebrate my birthday and anniversary on the same day.

There is no magical explanation for my birthday and anniversary being on the same date.  The truth of the matter is, the church wasn't available on any other day in December, except on December 5th.

As the years have passed (15 years to be exact) Randy has always joked that he's the (birthday) gift that keeps on giving.  And he couldn't be more right.

Leaving for our honeymoon!

I know this might sound mushy to some, but my marriage to Randy is the best birthday gift a girl could ask for.  Oh sure, there are times when I'm so mad at him I could wring his neck… or times when he is so crude that it's impossibly embarrassing… And of course, there are the times when, for goodness sakes… can't you just keep your hands to yourself and leave my behind alone?

But, at the end of the day… he's my best friend.  He makes me laugh like no other.  The thought of him makes me smile throughout the day.  He's the most generous man I know.  THE best father to our two daughters.  And he makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.

A lot of people don't "get" Randy.  He can be intimidating or aloof to some…but I GET HIM.  And get him everyday of my life.  Because I married him.  And I love him.

So, happy anniversary babe.  Here's to 15 years!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for my #25daysofchristmaschallenge as well.

25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge

Want to know how out of shape I am?

Well, we are going skiing over the Christmas break and a good friend told me the best way to prepare for skiing is to do squats… and a lot of them.

So, in effort to begin preparing my 40-something year old body for my very first skiing experience, I did 4 sets of 25 squats, using my body weight only. On Monday.

And today…Wednesday?  I can hardly move my legs because they are so sore.  I can't imagine what I'll feel like after skiing all day.

Which reminds me… There's no amount of biking and/or running that replaces the good old fashioned squat.  I need to remember this when I'm complaining that my jeans don't fit in the butt.

*sigh*

25 Days of Christmas - December 3

SO excited today!  Last week, during the black Friday sale mayhem, I was able to SCORE a new camera + lens online.

Y'all, I've been saving and saving and selling and selling (on eBay) for, like, a really long time to make enough money to buy a new camera.  So, when I saw this deal pop up on http://slickdeals.net, I knew it was my chance to grab a great deal at a great price.

So, why am I excited today?  Well, because it's being delivered today… provided I'm home when the UPS man delivers it.  Which brings me to my next point… Because of already schedule events, I'm most likely not going to be home when he attempts to deliver my camera AND it's a signature required package.  *sigh*

So if not today, then maybe tomorrow?  Maybe?

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for my #25daysofchristmaschallenge as well.

December means...

December means it's time for my annual "25 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge"!  And, yes… I know it's December 2nd…

See here's the deal…  My friend, Kristi sent me an email yesterday reminding me that it was December 1st and that I had not kicked off my annual blogging challenge.  Truth be told… I kind of forgot.  I've been so wrapped up in Instagram lately that I have not put forth the effort to blog.

But, in the spirit of Christmas (and guilt - thanks Kristi!) I'll begin the blogging challenge today, which will technically be 24 days, but who's keeping track… oh, yeah… Kristi is.

Join me here and on Instagram -  #25daysofchristmaschallenge for the 25 Days of Christmas Blogging (and Instagram) Challenge.

Goodbye Maw Maw

Last night, my grandmother passed away.

Juanita LeLeux Sullivan was my father's mother.   She was only a baby herself when she married my grandfather who was a single dad, with two small boys.   My Maw Maw was the only mother my dad ever knew. 

Her maiden name is LeLeux (pronouced: lulu) and yep…you guessed it.  She was from Louisiana, of the Cajun French variety.  Every so often, you could hear the Cajun accent in a phrase or word she would say.  Her cooking largely consisted of gravies and roux or smothered and fried.

She was a very shy woman and kept to herself most of the time.  Especially after her husband Tom (my grandfather) and her sister Ramona passed away.  

My Maw Maw had 5 children - 4 sons and 1 daughter; 10 Grandchildren and 28 (or so…I lose count) great grandchildren.

One of my favorite memories of my Maw Maw was that she would always make me coffee milk when I spent the night at their home.  I'm not sure how she did it, but it was always the best.  Not too hot, not to strong and just the right sweetness.  That was the only time I ever got to drink coffee as a kid.

One year for Christmas, she made me an entire traveling suitcase FULL of handmade Barbie clothes.  Gowns, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Skirts, etc.    I LOVED those clothes and played with them non-stop.  I can't imagine the time and energy that went into making all of those clothes.

Another fond memory of my Maw Maw was that she followed the OJ Simpson trial from beginning to end.  When you'd go over to her house, she tell you EVERYTHING there was to know about the trial. In all actuality, she always watched the big trials that aired on television.  She was fascinated with them.  

She loathed having her picture taken. But, last year during Christmas, probably sensing it was going to one of the last Christmases with the entire family, she allowed everyone to have their picture taken with her.  Here is a picture of my brother and me with my Maw Maw, nearly a year ago.

Maw Maw, thank you for raising my dad to be one of the most AWESOME men I know.  

I love you and you will be missed!

Where art thou?

Ooops, has it been a month already since I last posted on my blog?  That dang instagram is getting all of my love these days.

I wish I could tell you that life around here has been more than soccer practices and games, with a little bit of school volunteering thrown in for added stress… but I can't.  Because that's what the last month has amounted to.

I do admit, I have had a fun thing or two tossed in for good measure, but truthfully… not a whole lot going on.

However, in short, here's quick recap of the last month…

Fall soccer is over.  Kyla's team finished 4th place out of 11 teams and Elisan's team finished 4th place out of 12 teams.

Elisan's team had a amazing season with only 9 goals scored against them in 11 games.  (To give you a perspective… the first place team had 14 goals scored against them - they just won more games.)  And since Elisan is a goalie… well, that means she did a great job (along with our rocking defense.)

Kyla's team did well this year.  They came up against some fierce competition, but held their own. In fact, here's Kyla holding her own in last weekend's game.

I've had a few photo shoots this month and I've been very pleased with the results.  

There are times when I "think" I want to do this professionally (i.e. get paid), but I need to do a few more things (in the photography area) before I start.  One, upgrade my current camera.  Take a class on lighting.  More hands on training.

I recently had the opportunity to assist a friend who is an amazing photographer for a recent outdoor family photoshoot and a newborn photo shoot in her home studio.  It was such an awesome experience and was really eye opening into what needs to take place to get that perfect shot.

I believe that my photos have come a long way in the last two years, but I still have a ways to go.  Until then, I'm saving every dollar and selling anything/everything on eBay to save up enough money to upgrade my camera!

In other news, over the weekend, Randy brought us girls to the qualifying round for Formula One.  The Circuit of the Americans was JAM PACKED with people… and it wasn't even race day!

 I have my camera on a high shutter speed to capture this shot.  

These cars were going SUPER fast!

Sebastian Vettell… he has won 8 consecutive F1 races this year alone,

including the on in Austin over the weekend.

Finally, my birthday is coming in up in three weeks.  I'll be forty-one.  Yikes.  That is totally surreal to me, especially considering the fact I still feel 30.