Happy New Years Eve...

Well...here we are at the end of the year. Tomorrow we'll be writing 2008. That's just crazy. I always wonder where the year has gone, but I guess it's good that I take a lot of pictures, so I have proof as to what we did all year long. Overall I think 2007 was a good year. I hope yours was, too.

I have been meaning to post some pics from Christmas and the days after. We've done some fun things. Sea World was one...with Jamie's family. It was cold, but we managed to have some fun and even stayed there most of the day! A few days later, we drove up to the Enchanted Rock. Jamie said it was only an hour from our house. Well, I should know better by now...it was more like an hour and 40 minutes. Anyhow...it was cool. We originally tried doing this thing back when we first moved to TX and Bella was only 1 year. We thought we could take a stroller up the hill, but as soon as we got to the bottom of the trail, we turned around and left the park. What were we thinking? This time around was so much better. The girls had the best time running around and climbing "the rock". It was such a good workout. And just when we thought we'd have to give up on trying to reach the top, the girls had just enough oomph in them to go all the way. It took us close to 3 hours from beginning to end, but that was stopping a lot to EXPLORE. We told the girls we were going to be like Dora and go exploring. They loved it! If you are from around this area and haven't done the rock yet, you need to!! There were so many people...and many foreigners, too. I would love to go back again, especially to stop in Fredricksburg to do some shopping!!

Alright...here's a few photos to share.

** SEA WORLD **

** ENCHANTED ROCK **

You'll be seeing more of this...

Yes...this would be one of our new Christmas toys courtesy of LaLa and Papa. They have had so much fun with it so far. This will definitely not be the last time you see clips of the girls playing puppets!! Too cute!

How was your Christmas? I want to hear!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Yes, it's been a long time since you've heard from me. But I've been busy!! And it's Christmas!! Merry Christmas y'all.

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Right now I'm chillaxing on the couch. Lauren is lying down next to me while daddy's rubbing her back. Bella is running circles around Uncle Jeremy while he "tries" to catch her (quite entertaining!!). We just finished a yummy meal of manicotti, Parmesan chicken, fresh green beans and garlic bread. Delish. Now Jamie has fired up his pit and is getting ready to put his brisket on for the night. The smoky/woodsy smell is bringing back all sorts of Christmas memories. I love it. But it's a little bitter sweet, too, as my family is all in ND and we're here in TX and this is only the 2nd or 3rd time in my whole life I haven't been with them on Christmas.

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This last week has been a busy one for us. Two dinner parties (one big and one small), lots of Christmas shopping, quick trip to Dallas for a birthday party and last minute shopping at Southlake, back to SA with LaLa, Papa and Uncle Jeremy, final preparations/wrapping of presents for Christmas day, taking the girls to Build a Bear for an early Christmas present tradition...I left a few things out, but don't need to bore you.

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I am really looking forward to tomorrow morning and hoping everyone enjoys their gifts. Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed holiday. Can't wait to share more after the holidays. I haven't done any scrapbooking, so no shares as of right now. I do have some pictures I will share. Merry Christmas everyone!

This group of pics were taken in Dallas...

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Next up...we stopped off in Johnson City on our way home to see this place (super cute - can't wait to go again)...

*Lauren found a rooster to chase!*

A little bit of this...a little bit of that!

Saturday was a busy day for us. One event was Lauren's Christmas dance recital. You know...the smaller version of their end-of-year recital. The one that lasts all of 2 minutes! But they sure do make a bid deal of it. She was a baby doll! It was cute. But after this, we've decided to take a dance break. Bella quit back in October and the studio as a whole has gone down hill (long story). So these will be the last dance pictures for a while!!
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Look at Bella...she crashed just before the show started. That meant that Jamie had to take pictures...unfortunately the teacher was standing right in front of him giving the girls their cues!!

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Today was a stay-at-home day. Well, I am a SAH mom, so I don't know why it's a big deal to actually stay home all day. The girls felt hot and they were sluggish. We started off under blankies for the first part of the day (it is COLD today). I finally broke down and cranked the heat up to 71 degrees.

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After we warmed up, it was time for some baking. We made Spritz cookies (an all time favorite). The girls were great little helpers...they enjoyed the sprinkles! I enjoyed the mess on the floor from the sprinkles (NOT!). We also made pretzel bark. Don't ask me for a recipe. I just made it up. I'm kidding...it has 2 ingredients. Almond bark and crushed pretzels! I told you like the easy recipes!!

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Meant to post this pic of the girls a few nights ago. They were both in their new jammies and sitting by their tree playing with toys/books. I had been wanting to take pics of them by the tree and finally did it. CHECK THAT OFF MY LIST!

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My uber talented girl Jennie made this for me.

She had a little "pay it forward" thing on her blog recently and I was one of the lucky recipients. And because I participated, I now get to do the same and pay it forward to someone else. Actually 3 lucky people! Here...this is what was on her blog:

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*** I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF (Pay it forward) exchange. I'm not sure what that gift will be. It will be a surprise! The only thing you have to do in return is to pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you’re one of the first 3 comments, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make! Once you sign up, I'll email you to let you know that you are one of the three. Then copy and paste this paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work. Pay it Forward!***
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Pretty neat, huh? If you don't want to join in on the fun, then please don't comment OR just make note of that in your comment! I love doing this stuff. I hope you all will, too! Like it said...if you are one of the first 3 to comment...I'll be in touch and will do something crafty for you :-)

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Finally, I accomplished one LO today. Here it is. Enjoy it. Lift it. Criticize it. Whatever! Have a fabulous Monday night!

This just cracks me up...

** The little angel on the left, that is. **

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She is Lauren's classmate and I never knew she had a sense of humor!! I mean, she's 5 for cryin out loud!

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Lauren was an angel in the Christmas show at school. It really was so cute. I didn't get there early enough to get up close, so my photos are less than impressive.

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Today Bella helped me make more of these belly button/holiday pretzel treats. This is our second round making these cute and oh so easy goodies.

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I put the recipe on 911's blog, but in case you don't read that, here it is...

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Ingredients:

Bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels, Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug and M&M's candy

Step 1: Heat the oven to 170º. Set a number of bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels (one for each treat) in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug.

Step 2: Bake for 4 to 6 minutes (the white chocolate will melt more quickly), until the chocolates feel soft when touched with a wooden spoon. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and quickly press an M&M's candy into the center of each Kiss.

Step 3: Allow the treats to cool for a few minutes, then place them in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes. Place handfuls of the candies in clear plastic bags and tie on colorful ribbons.
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Do you see this reindeer? Ok...I've been drawing a million of these things for Lauren. She is obsessed with reindeer right now. I guess cause it's Christmas time. But I made the mistake of hand drawing one instead of printing off a coloring page from the net. That's all she wants me to do nowadays. I enjoyed doing it for the first 5 or 6 times, but after 20+...I'm not diggin it anymore! Ya, so I have to draw it, then cut it out and then she colors it in and decorates it with stickers. I guess if it makes her happy, then I'll suck it up.

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So I see a lot of people doing this thing called the 365 pictures challenge or something like that. It's where you take a picture everyday of yourself for a whole year. I don't even know who started it or if you need to join, etc. ** If you know and you are reading this...please comment and tell me more or where to go to find out how to join. ** But I'm sure you all know by now I like to take pics and I am not afraid to take them of myself (slightly narcissistic - yes!). Stop laughing, Allycia :-)

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I certainly don't take them everyday, cause that would be really scary, but when I do, I will post them. Not sure why I felt I had to give you the heads up on that, but oh well! Here's today's shot.

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If you are local and haven't been to KIRBY'S yet...you should! We got to go for dinner last night and it was delish! I had the blue cheese fillet and only left one or two morsels on my plate. So good! I recommend saving it for a special night out with your

significant!!

Random Stuff...

Still trying to figure out my Christmas picture situation!! I keep taking pictures, but can't decide which ones to go with. I have none of Jamie, since he's never around when we have these impromptu photo shoots. I have a few family shots that are from a few months ago (and last August), but would rather have a current shot. We'll see, I guess. These are a few from the last few days.

Could these shoes be any cuter? Bella picked these out herself! She has quite the thing for shoes these days.

Finally finished a couple of canvas gifts. Sorry the lighting doesn't do much for them. I think I'm finally figuring out how to work with canvas. It's growing on me now! Yay.

Better hit the sack now...take it easy!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

My DAD!

Wishing you a wonderful day on this Monday, the 10th of December. We all love you and miss you very much!!

Working on some Christmas gifts...canvas! This is my first attempt at using canvas. I'm still not sure I like it, but I'm going with it and forcing myself to do something different. Maybe it'll grow on me! Will share more when complete!