Merry Christmas!

On Saturday, the 20th we went to my Grandma Hunsaker's annual Christmas party. We went to her house...saw Santa...played a couple of games...then headed to Maddox for dinner. It's always fun to get together and see everyone and how they have changed/grown/shrunk/hair updates/girlfriends/boyfriends...all in all a great update to everyone and their happenings. The weather was pretty crappy that day but I haven't heard any bad news - so I'm assuming everyone made it home safely. Good deal!

On Christmas Eve Casey & I do the every other year thing. It was his family's year - and we always go to his Grandma's house in Mantua. His grandma has a fun old house that is fun to see. I think light switches are non existent there. It would be a fun house to own. We visited and ate dinner & then went home. We skipped out a bit early because it was Caleb's bedtime and Casey is a slacker & needed to wrap presents still. Caleb & I cuddled on the couch & watched Santa Claus the movie...it's old, but I really like it still. I only have it on VHS - I should probably search for an updated version.

Shelby - Caleb - Shayden

How come my child won't open his eyes?!?

Santa found us!! We must have been really good!

Caleb - toy box, little people farm, undershirts, shoes, clothes, toy stacker, walking pelican, bath toys, camp chair, zoo pop up toy

I'm sorry kiddo - are you bored??

Casey - goose decoys, decoy bag, TV lighting, shirt, book, cd's (metallica, Nickelback), PS2 game, choke for his shotgun, jacket, camo

Brittni - clothes, clothes, clothes, lip gloss, pj's, juicer/steamer, cd's (Britney Spears, Linkin Park), DVDs (Christmas Story, Enchanted), paul mitchell hair spray, socks, Victoria Secret

Desire perfume

What a crappy weather day!

10 AM - just a scuff of snow in Brigham City & we're supposed to be in Tremonton at 11 for brunch with Casey's family. We got a call from my mom & Casey's mom saying that the weather was just HORRID in Tremonton...but really...mom's over exaggerate! (just kidding...kind of) and since the weather in Brigham was pretty mild...we loaded the car with food, presents & over night stuff - just in case.

11:25 AM - finally get to Tremonton. Our mom's didn't lie. The weather was awful. Cars everywhere off of the freeway...plows hadn't made the rounds for quite a while...wind blown drifts everywhere. We get to the turn off to Casey's brother's house for brunch and Casey gets this burst of testosterone & says "This is stupid. We shouldn't have came. We're going home." WHAT?!?! We are already here! We couldn't have gone down the road to his brother's with the 8 inches of snow on the road...we just have the low ridin' grand prix. So he starts to drive through town to get us to the freeway again......common sense FLEW out the window. We had packed over night bags...so WHY go all the way back home? Whatever...he had his moment & we went home.

12:30 - finally get back home. Weather in Brigham...NOTHING. BUT - now (10 PM) it is a windy blizzard out there. So I flipped through the TV all day & ate to much candy while Casey played his new Play Station game....fun stuff.

We will be celebrating with my side of the family on Sunday...a little late, but I think Christmas should be longer than one day anyway. I hope that everyone had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Fudge!

Well - I attmepted fudge & divinity this year. I ALWAYS FAIL! Freaking hard ball stage...soft ball stage...hard crack...soft crack...you can kiss my crack you freaking crap candy. (sense any frustration?)

I'm adding fudge & divnity perfection to my 30 by 30 list. I WILL PREVAIL! If anyone is holding out on a great recipe - you better give it up.

My new love

Move over Casey...you've got some serious competition.
I got such a good deal on this (thanks to Stephanie!!) It was on sale at Kohl's for $399.99 (this is the 6qt, 600 professional series with 525 watts of raw power - insert Tim the toolman argh argh argh) If you used your Kohl's card it was 30% off - making it $279.99. I ended up with $50 in Kohl's cash($50 in product from their store) making it $229.99 and a $50 mail in rebate making it $179.99. Tax and crap - it ended up being $198 something. $200 plus in savings! We've already made shortbread cookies, gingersnaps, white chocolate macadamia nut bars & brownies. How else do you think I keep this bangin figure?

Happy Birthday to me...

I turned 28. Not to old yet! Woo hoo! We had Casey's family over for lunch on Sunday to celebrate my birthday and I got the new Taylor Swift CD, a Trans Siberian Orchestra CD, some cash (Woot Woot), and new shoes & bra for the gym. Pick your jaw up off the ground. Yes - I go to the gym a few times a week. I heart my new shoes.

Then on Sunday night my family came over for dinner and Gingerbread House making. We are a noisy crowd!! I got a sweet purse & clutch and a cute rabbit on a swing for outside...but it was broken when I took it out of the box, hopefully I can get another one. Angela made me a super cute cupcake cake (thanks Angel Bear Claw). It was delish! It was all in all a fun day.

 

For my REAL birthday (Tuesday the 16th...mark your calendar) Caleb had an appointment to get his 12 month immunizations...but the poor guy had a bad fever so we skipped them. The runt is 18 pounds (5th percentile) and his height I'm not sure...but in the 25 percentile. He has ear infections in both ears. He is COMPLETELY miserable. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be a better day than the past 2.

 

He LOVES the Christmas tree!

Caleb's Birthday Party

We decided to celebrate Caleb's birthday on Friday the 12th. He sure got spoiled! What a lucky boy. He had a fever all day (hopefully just getting teeth) so he was a smidge cranky & sleepy. Here are a few pics of the cutie.

Not a fan of ice cream. Is it obvious??

Happy Birthday to Caleb!

My Caleb is one! When did that happen?? He's been so much fun and I can't really remember my life before him. Dumb, huh? Since he's 12 months old - here is my top 12 list (no specific order)

12. His sweet slobbery kisses

11. His turbo speed crawl

10. His health

9. His gappy front teeth

8. The fact that he chose ME for his mom

7. His laugh when I make a stupid face

6. When he's really tired & cuddles (a little-he's never been big on it)

5. His curiosity...he's always finding things he shouldn't.

4. When he's sleepy & lays down on a pillow & puts his thumb in his mouth

3. When he pulls his books off of his bookshelf

2. His cute bum

1. The slow & steady way he brings food to his lips

Finally...A TRICK!

I've been waiting patiently for Caleb to DO SOMETHING. Like wave bye bye...say mama...blow kisses...clap...freaking something! Well - it has happened finally! The past couple of days he's been learning to give kisses. The lovely wet, open mouthed, tongue moving kisses! My cheeks have been slobbered on so much - but it's so stinkin cute that I don't care! Woo hoo!

I have a snowflake hanging from my ceiling fan & when you ask Caleb where the snowflake is, he looks around frantically until he spots it. It's pretty cute.

Shopping & a NEW TREE!

On Friday night, my family did our annual Mom shopping Christmas trip. We go shop, shop, shop & then go out to dinner. We went to the Lonestar Steakhouse. It was okay food and our waiter was a happy happy annoying guy. Did you know that the staff stop and line dance at certain songs? I found that quite funny. I bet the boys hate that! Ashley wasn't feeling well at all so that wasn't much fun. Those of you that know her will find it shocking to know that SHE DIDN'T ORDER ANY DINNER! She's not one to pass up food - I've personally never seen it. Dylan also got a finger shaken at him by the Walmart greeter. It was around 10:30 at night & he wanted to ride in one of the motorized wheelchairs. The greeter said "No. Are you handicapped??" Dylan was like..."Umm, no" Thanks for stealing Dylan's thunder old greeter man. BUT - when we left Walmart (seriously, like an hour later) there was a motorized wheelchair in the parking lot & Dylan's dreams were fulfilled. I was surprised to get part of a Christmas bonus this year from my work. So I did a HUGE Costco trip & Casey suggested that we go buy ourselves this nice pre-lit tree that we both liked from Target. I love it! I'm probably going to keep our old tree as well though & then we can have a tree upstairs & downstairs (once we get furniture down there & actually spend time in that room). I imagine in 10 years I'll wonder what the heck I was thinking to have 2 freaking trees...but we'll see how it goes. The picture doesn't do it justice...it's really nice!! Caleb is FINALLY feeling like himself again. Almost 2 weeks later. Sheesh! Here is munching on some banana slices & vanilla wafers.

Shoping with coupons - again

Okay - seriously wondering if this is worth it. I can see that there are great deals - but so far it seems to be things that I don't even need. On this trip I bought 12....T W E L V E...bags of baking chips. I've got chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, swirl chips....when in the heck will I ever use them all!! I'll give couponing until the end of March. That should give me time to tell if it is worth it.

I didn't take a picture this time because I put it all away last night & forgot to.

WalMart
4 Sweetened Condensed Milk
2.00 Each - $1 off of 2 coupon – 1.50 each = $6.00

2 Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Bread
1.50 Each. Price matched from Kents = $3.00

2 Charmin Bath Tissue
4.50 Each - .25 off coupon – 4.25 each = $8.50

$17.50
Coupon savings = $2.50

Albertson’s
8 Darigold yogurt
.50 Each - $1 off of 4 coupon - .25 each = $2.00

6 Nestle Morsels
2.00 Each - $1 off 2 coupon - $1.50 each = $9.00
(I don’t know what I was thinking…Smith’s has a better deal going)

2 Gillette Razors
8.99 Each - $4 off coupon – 4.99 each = $9.98

4 Gillette Body Wash
3.50 Each - $2 off coupon – 1.50 each = $6.00

Received 5 free RedBox movie rentals with my purchase
Received $5 off my next Albertsons shopping trip
$26.98
Coupon savings = $21.00

Smith’s
2 Pampers 40 count Diapers
9.99 each - $1 off coupon = 8.99 each = 17.98

4 Hershey Baking Chips
1.29 each - $1 off 3 coupon - .96 each = 3.84
& I guess 2 weren’t on sale….so they were 2.49 each = 4.98

Baby food
Price varies – 1.50 off coupon = 7.92

Hamburger Buns = 1.00
...lost my receipt...
Coupon Savings $5.50

So - my coupon savings was $29.00 But I feel like I didn't really even 'grocery shop' and I spent my weekly grocery $ already! I'm trying to plan my meals this week around what I have here at home, so that may help. That is something that I'll have to get doing more often so that what I have doesn't go bad. Anyone have any fab recipes that include stewed tomatoes?? Mandarin oranges?? I seem to have a TON of both!

CALEB UPDATE
Last time he vomited was Monday morning...so no more vomit yet...but he is the grumpiest kid ever the past couple of days. Whining, whining, whining! He had a bottle of milk yesterday for his nap time & it didn't come back up...bonus! It would be much easier to help him out & take care of him if he could just freaking talk to me. I hope that he gets feeling better super quick because he has a BIG party coming next week for the big ONE.

I remember last year at this time it was freaking freezing and we already had snow...it's been so nice this year. What gives? It needs to snow at least a little so that I can get more into the Christmas mood. Or I could get the tree out. That might help. Stop judging me.

Frustrated

Well - Caleb is still sick. He keeps throwing up at night. I hate doctors...they seem like it's no big deal. "Keep him hydrated" No shit doctor. Here's $60.

Caleb has been throwing up since Tuedsay - that's a freaking week! This morning at 4:00 he started screaming at the top of his lungs, so I sprint to his room & he is COVERED in vomit. His whole face! It was heartbreaking. He couldn't even open his eyes because they were covered in the sickness. He was happy when I started running the bath water though. He turbo crawled into the bathroom & just sat there & waited for me to put him in. The kid likes the water.

I'm thinking acid reflux....allergies (I doubt that one kind of)...stomach flu (but would he STILL be vomiting??) I'm taking Caleb to the Dr AGAIN today...so the saga continues.

I want to get my Christmas stuff out!!! I worked 9 hours on Saturday and 12 hours on Sunday & I'm taking Caleb to the Dr today & then working tonight....it's going to be Christmas before I get anything out!