More Christmas Pictures

A Very Kentucky Christmas

Shopping on Christmas Eve.

A visit to see the Big Man.  Anne looks skeptical huh?

A new blanket from Nanny and Paw Paw Neal.

[No caption necessary.]

New mugs from the Good Earth in Holland, Michigan.  They are the best!

Our little elf on Christmas morning.

Christmas morning chaos.  3 families.  6 kids.  Too many tired adults.

Annelise with her new Wonder Pets toys.

Surprised by my new purse - "How did he know?"

What every girl needs - a princess ballerina music player jewelry box!

"What?!  Diamond earrings?"  This was a good year for mommy!

From Nanny to Elli.

And yes, this was Annelise' favorite toy - the gift bag.

There's daddy, with his signature gift.  A sander from Paw Paw!

Annelise, clad in her Christmas pj's, droopy diaper and a candy cane sucker.  

Where'd she get that?

Christmas Eve and a Visit to See Santa

Even though we don't teach Santa at home we thought it would be cute for the girls to see him while we were at the mall today. There is a reason why this picture only includes Elli. Merry Christmas to all! Enjoy!

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Almost There and We're Still Smiling

So far so good! Kentucky, here we come!

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Merry Christmas!

Christmas Bells, Christmas Bells

I love the Sunday before Christmas.  I love all the Christmas decor, the carols and praising the baby who became a man and sacrificed His life for me.  

But, I also love the beginning of the service, when all of the little children stand on stage and sing Christmas carols.  We have been looking forward to this day for a few weeks, helping Annelise learn her "Christmas Bells" song and even bought a new dress for the occasion.  

And she got stage fright. 

She remembered nothing of her song.

She stared straight ahead.

The entire time, she did not move an inch.

Then, when it was time to get off the stage, she screamed "NO! I sing, I sing!" and threw a fit deserving of a spanking.  No, I didn't photograph that part.  I was too busy cooling my red face and laughing nervously.

After church I was met with "oh, her kid was the one throwing the fit" and "thanks for giving us a good laugh."

Here's to gearing up for next year.  I think we might be sick that day.

A Typical Sunday Night

Spent on the couch, enjoying our sweet girls.  

Yummy Potato Soup

We made the yummiest potato soup today - and I'm going to share the recipe so that I can refer to it again in the future.  All the credit goes to my mom.  She makes this in the winter and it is a great family, comfort food, kind of meal.  Enjoy!

2 Leeks
4 Celery Stalks
1/2 stick salted butter

Melt butter in stockpot over medium heat, add chopped leeks and celery.  Cook on low to medium heat until softened.

3 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 can of chicken broth

Once vegetables are soft, add potatoes and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes begin to soften and break apart.

*I gently mash the potatoes with a wooden spoon, creating a creamy soup mixture.

1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup warm water 
Wisk together in small bowl

When potatoes are to the desired consistency, add flour/water mixture.  Stir often.  Soup will begin to thicken and bubble.

Add one cup of milk, salt and pepper to taste.  Allow to simmer on low until ready to eat.

Servings: 4 one cup servings

We served this soup just like my mama, with a loaf of crunchy french bread - slathered with butter and heated in the oven at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.  Its the perfect addition to this comforting bowl of soup.

So Much to Blog

The girls are growing so fast and I feel like I just can't keep up with documenting all of their milestones.  I'm not a baby book kind of gal, so this blog is our only compilation of photos and memories.  Boy, I hope blogger doesn't expire (read: become nonexistent) before they're old enough to appreciate all of these posts.

Elli Grace - 10 weeks old

Annelise Louise - 10 weeks old

I think they look like sisters.  But Elli Grace definitely looks more like my side of the family.  She is a pretty content baby.  Eats like a champ and sleeps like a champion!  Last night she slept 12 hours.  Its a beautiful thing.

Annelise is at a very entertaining stage.  Everyday she learns something new and I'm always surprised at her progress.  She has so much energy and adds such a joy to our home.  I can't wait to celebrate Christmas with her this year.  She's going to LOVE opening presents.

Saying "CHEEEEEESE!" - 23 months

Speaking of Christmas...We're headed to Kentucky for Christmas again this year.  I'm so excited for the festivities to begin...after the dreaded six hour drive, that is.  Marrying someone whose family lived six hours away sounded like such an adventure, before we had kids.  I am now very jealous of my friends whose families live in the area and they have a mere five miles and fifteen minutes to go between homes.  Here's to hoping for an UNcranky drive, clear roads and sleepy girls.  We can't wait to see all of our loved ones for the holidays.

And I'm probably going to shock all of you (because you know I don't aspire to be a good cook) but I've made some pretty darn good meals lately and thought I'd share.  The pictures don't do them justice, but trust me, they were tasty.

Cream Cheese Crockpot Chicken - easy and oh so good!

 

Hanky-Pankies - Kentucky Style

Brown a pound of ground sausage.  I used regular this time, for Annelise, but spicy is great too!  Drain grease and mix in 8 ounces of cream cheese.  Serve open faced on toasted rye bread.  Not healthy, but very tasty.  You can also serve these as an appetizer on mini rye bread slices.  I took them to a Christmas party last year and they were a huge hit!

And last, but certainly not least, we had family portraits taken a few weeks ago by More Than Words Photography By Tammi.  She was more than patient with our almost two year old and miraculously got some great shots.  Enjoy!

 

Happy Friday everyone!

Another Monday

But not just any Monday...

This happens to be the first Monday (or any day) that Elli has slept through the night!

The first time always scares me.  Matt woke up at 5:30 wondering if he should get her up.  I protested very loudly, but a small voice in the back of my head said "Maybe she's not ok.'  Silly me, I know better than that.  And, she slept until 8!  What a glorious morning.

On another random note...I just saw Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds commercial...you know, the one that was filmed 20 years ago and has been playing ever since.  Do you think she knows that we know she doesn't look like that anymore? 

Coming Out From Under This Cloud

We've been sick around here.  Of course, I haven't had to endure a head cold in years.  I should have figured that the year we have a toddler and a newborn at home would be the year we all get sick.  And, as you probably assumed, it started with my toddler.  We blame her for bringing this snot-nosed enemy into our home.

Alas, we are slowly on the mend thanks to lazy days, HOT showers and Advil Cold & Sinus.  That stuff is seriously gold wrapped up in a little capsule.  Love.

In more pressing (read:depressing) news, I go back to work in four weeks.  I fully intended to have my wits about me during this maternity leave.  Instead, I feel less prepared to reenter the workforce than ever.  The clock is ticking in so many ways.  And I still have to find childcare!  Anyone want to watch my two kiddos for pennies on the dollar while I work to keep our family financially afloat.

"Well, when you put it that way..."

Will Elli Make It to Her First Birthday?

Sometimes Anne loves her sister too much.

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