Christmas Caroling! aka "I WANT a COOKIE!"

Tess went caroling at the assisted living home the other day with some of our mommy and me friends. The residents loved seeing the children! Bringing youth and energy to the elderly people really puts a smile on their face. The video is Tess's grand attempt at Christmas Caroling......maybe next year she will do better! I hope and pray everyone has a blessed Christmas that is filled with wonder and joy. I once read a quote that said, "One of the saddest things is to wake up Christmas morning and not be a kid." Remember to charge your cameras and video cameras for Christmas morning.

Addendum: We have posted our house for sale, if you know anyone that is interested please spread the word. If so, email me at jfinton@sbcglobal.net and I will send pics and info about our house.

Painter!

Tess loves to paint.....on the paper................on her face. I walked out of the room for a couple of minutes and I came back to her lil' clown face! 2 year olds are really creative!

Yummy Party Recipes!

Last night I had my Mommy and Me Bunko Group at my house for dinner, games, and presents. We had soooo much fun! I talked with my mom and gathered a few of her favorite recipes and planned my menu. Anyway, I have listed what I cooked (with the help of my mother-in-law) for dinner. I made homemade rolls for the first time and they turned out pretty good. I was kinda proud of myself... (I am not much of a cook) Anyway, I still need to list the hot fudge cake that we ate for desert (it was awesome)....Grand don't forget to email me that recipe! Make sure to cook this for your husband, boyfriend, friends, or family...they will love you forever!! lol! :-)

Fancy Green Beans

4 cans of whole green beans- drained

1 stick butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

4-6 slices of peppered bacon (or regular)

salt and garlic powder to taste

Place green beans in large casserole dish. Make a glaze with est of ingredients in microwave. Pour over Green beans (it's really thick). Fry and crumble bacon, spread on green beans. Cover with foil and cook at 350 for 30 min. and then uncover and cook another 10 min. YUMMY!!!

California Chicken

6-7 chicken breast (can cut in half)

1 1/2 cup Hellman's Mayo

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 small package of sliced/slivered almonds

1 regular size (not large) bag of potato chips

Tenderize chicken with a meat mallet or edge of a plate. Mix part of almonds, soup, and mayo together. Roll chicken in mixture- coat well. Place chicken breasts in Pyrex dish that is sprayed with PAM. Spread remaining mixture on top of chicken and sprinkle with crushed potato chips and remaining almonds. Bake uncovered at 350 for 45-60 min. THIS is TOO GOOD!!

Hot Pineapple Salad

2 20 oz cans chunk pineapple (drain and save juice)

6 T. pineapple juice

6 T. flour

1 cup sugar

2 cups finely grated medium cheddar

1 roll Ritz crackers

1/2 cup softened/melted butter

Drain cans of pineapple and save juice. Butter/grease small cake pan. Mix together pineapple juice, flour, sugar, and cheese and pour on top of pineapple in cake pan. Crush 1 roll Ritz crackers and sprinkle on top. Pour 1/2c. butter on top or spray butter (enough to brown crackers.) Bake 25-30 min. until golden on top.

Fa lalalala!

Last night we had our annual Christmas party with all my buddies from OT school! We always have the best time when we are together. Some of the best memories I have from college are with these girls....they are each such exceptional christian women with unique qualities. We all are very different in many ways but all crazy just the same. Have you ever been around people that bring out the best in you? Well, they bring out the best in me. Even when they know how lame I am they still are friends with me (at least that's what they tell me :-). I sure do lov 'em! Merry Christmas everybody! Here are some pics from our ornament exchange. Enjoy!

Rub a Dub!

Tess decided the other day that she wanted to take a shower. Okay I thought, why not give it a try? Here is a video of Tess's first shower. She is growing up...way too fast!! This is soooo cute!

**Disclaimer** For some reason the audio on my camera makes me sound like a hick, by no means is this what I really sound like. :-)

Christmas Past

Since I just started this blog I thought I would post some pics of Tess's 1st Christmas. She has grown so fast!! Merry Christmas!

Go GRAND GO!!

Our very own Grand clogged her way into the hearts of everyone that was at the Mayflower Christmas parade/festival this past Saturday. Man was she good!! (the best one up there!!)We had so much fun! Tess was not as excited to see Santa this time- last week she marched right up to him and sat in his lap-this time they gave us our picture money back....no kidding.. They had free hot dogs, hamburgers, Sonic drinks, hot chocolate, and cookies. It was a great time!!

It's ON!

Well, just to let everybody know (if you don't already) I am 14 weeks prego! We are VERY excited. I am due June 3 but I will have a planned C-section problay the last week in May. Then I have 1 week to get in shape before swimsuit season... lol! Puuuleaaase! Anywho, Jay told me yesterday (not in a mean way, but a loving husband kinda way) that I looked as if I was retaining water. What!!! I thought to myself....it is too soon for that! Oh, it is on now! I am not gonna gain those 54 pounds like last time (maybe 50.....but i am going down fighting). Gotta go for a walk and drink some water with lemon!!!! C-ya!

Thanks!

I just wanted to say a BIG Thank You to everyone that posted comments and sent me emails regarding Tess's sleeping issues. All of you had great ideas, routines, and advice!! Thanks so much! Just to let everyone know.....Tess has slept the past 4 nights ALL night in her bed!!! I guess all I needed to do was blog about it and beg for help!!!!! lol. However, the nap thing is still an issue. She will fall asleep if we go somewhere in the car or go for a walk in the stroller, but she will not lay in her bed and take a nap. I have all but given up. :-( Although, I AM extremely happy that she is sleeping at night!! Praise God!! Here is what I did different: I added a down blanket to her crib (we have one on our bed), I started praising her every morning for sleeping in her bed, talking to her at night before bedtime about sleeping in her bed all night, praying for her after we read 3 books every night (I did this before some, but I was not consistent), and Jay and I have been praying together every night. I DO believe pray works and I do think it has been the KEY to Tess sleeping better.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

The 3 ELFS!

Hey, I just made a total elf of myself.!!!
Check it out by clicking the word elf. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!