Goodbye 2009!

Happy New Year, everyone! We've had a rather uneventful New Year's Eve so far. We ran a few errands in town today and had lunch at El Porton. Then we came home and shot some fireworks that Mimi and Papi sent home with Savy when we were there for Christmas. Jim, Suzie, Abbey and Zoe came out with us to watch.



I actually got Scarlett to go to bed at 8:30 tonight...8:30! I was ecstatic. Then the people who live behind us woke her up with loud fireworks at 9:30. Now she is wide awake, and probably will be for several hours because she had an hour long nap. Grrrrr.

I tried a new dish for dinner tonight. I guess our New Year's resolution is to start eating healthy again... I've used that "eating for two" excuse long enough. Time again to start thinking about fat and calories when I cook! This was very good and very healthy...very easy too.

Mushroom swiss chicken served on brown rice with steamed veggies


Spray a skillet with non-stick cooking spray and brown the chicken breasts, then put them in a baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake until done. Once the chicken is done, saute some sliced baby bella mushrooms (also with non-stick cooking spray). Cover chicken with fat-free swiss cheese (I used Kraft fat-free singles) and put back in oven until cheese is melted. Top with the mushrooms and serve over rice. Season with whatever you like. The rice is just the Success brand "boil-in-bag" whole grain rice. The veggies are the "steam-in-bag" variety. Super easy...as most of our meals have to be these days.

Random photos...Savy "stickered" Scarlett today.



And I found Alvin and Einstein on my desk like this...looks like they're about to fight.



It's been a great year, and 2010 will be even better. I can't think of any place I'd rather be tonight than here with Jon and our girls.

We are being so lazy this week. Jon and I found a babysitter and actually had a date night Sunday night. We had dinner at a new (to me) Japanese restaurant and saw Sherlock Holmes (the movie, not the real person). I don't mind going to movies alone, but it's always a treat when we actually get to see one together.

I was very happy I made it to the gym last night, and it wasn't too crowded. I'd better enjoy it...in a few more days, the "New Year's resolutioners" will have the place packed for a few weeks. I'll be so glad when it's warm enough to start running again!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We were glad there was no Christmas Eve emergency room visit this year.

Savannah nearly caught Santa on Christmas Eve. The little stinker got up after we put her to bed and walked into the den. She saw us "helping" Santa by arranging the gifts under the tree. Luckily, Santa had gone back out to his sleigh to get a few more gifts, so we hurried her back to her room before Santa noticed she was out of bed. He enjoyed the cookies and milk we left for him, and he left a note thanking Savy and Scarlett for the snack.



Savy was up bright and early Christmas morning.




She got almost everything she asked for...Santa just couldn't have a real bunny rabbit riding around in his sleigh. The "Savy-sized" recliner was a surprise, and she seems to really like it.


After we opened our gifts, we headed to Mimi's house for Christmas lunch and more presents.









I was so tired after opening all those gifts (not to mention the huge meal we had) I had to lie down beside Scarlett and rest a while.



I spent most of the day cleaning and organizing Savy's playroom so we could fit in all her new toys. I moved her dollhouse to her bedroom to make some space. She likes the new location...it's much easier to access now that it's sitting on the cedar chest instead of the floor.



Savy's new art station is now where the dollhouse was. It has a chalkboard on one side and a dry erase board/paper holder on the other. This kept her busy for quite a while once we finally got it set up.

Look What I Can Do...

...if anyone remembers the old "Stuart" skits from SNL. Anyway, I finally finished the project I've been working on. It really shouldn't have taken so long, but it's hard to work on something with Scarlett demanding my attention every minute.


Ta-Da!




Ok, I can't take all the credit. Jon did do all the cutting for me...not because I can't use a skill saw, but I'm rather clumsy and would hate to loose any fingers. I put it in place of one of the dining chairs in the breakfast nook...I think it gives the space a little character.

All I Want For Christmas

Savy finally got to visit Santa today and tell him what she wants for Christmas. Here are some pics I took before we left. We got a good photo of both girls with Santa...no one is crying and everyone is looking at the camera. After visiting Santa, Savy spotted the Christmas train and just had to ride it. I had the good fortune of riding with her, since Jon had no hope of fitting in that tiny car. Savy made a new friend while we were waiting for our turn...they had the cutest conversation while we were waiting for the ride to start.
....unfortunately, I can't get it to upload. I'll try again later...it was soooo cute!

When No One Is Looking

I caught Savy playing with Scarlett last night, and again this afternoon. Lately she hasn't really wanted us to see her playing with her little sis, but I was sneaky and snapped some pics.

Last night while Scarlett was in the exersaucer. Just look at Scarlett's face...she adores Savannah!




This was so funny...I caught Savy next to Scarlett on her playmat. She was talking to Scarlett as if Scarlett was able to answer her. When Savy realized I was there, she pretended to be asleep.

Old Friends

Last night we got to visit with our old friends John and Jennifer. They live in Washington state but were in town for a couple of days, so they planned a get-together at El Porton for a few of their friends. It was so great to see Jennifer again, and Melissa too! I miss Jen terribly, and I told John last night that if I had known he would take her all the way across the country, Jon and I might not have introduced them. Luckily, she will be back this coming spring, and she's going to be taking some family photos for us...can't wait for that!




Addi and Savy got along famously. This was the first time they've seen each other since they were just starting to sit up on their own.



Jennifer's husband John


We also got to meet Ethan, their youngest, for the first time last night...he's a cutie too. I'm so glad we got to see you guys!

Happy Birthday, Jon!

Today is Jon's birthday, and Savy has been super anxious to make him a birthday cake. She picked out the flavor, frosting, and decorations herself. School was over at lunch today because of the Christmas play tonight, and she donned her little apron in preparation as soon as we got home.

Here she is...just about to do the frosting. I had to help a lot with this part.



Sprinkles are Savy's all time favorite decoration for anything.


She really wanted to write "Happy Birthday Daddy" by herself. I had to guide her hand...it's messy, but she still feels like she did it without help. She did make the flower without any assistance.



She was so proud of the finished product! She even helped count the correct number of candles.





Happy birthday, Jon! There are no words strong enough to express how much we love you. Since the day we met, I haven't been able to imagine my life without you. Savy and Scarlett both think you hung the moon. Thank you for being the best husband and father in the world. I only wish that there was a birthday gift I could give you that would even compare to all you've given to me.

I intended to get familiar with my new camera today, but I only got the chance to take a few pics of Savy outside before we had to go into town. She was definitely not in the mood to have her picture taken, so we'll just have to reschedule for another day. It has some really awesome features...I just have to learn how to use it.





And here's one of Vita...our 110 pound German Shepherd.


The first 3 days of my week off have been pretty hectic...there was so much to catch up on. I've also been working pretty hard on my latest project...it's so close to being finished. I'm looking forward to putting the girls in bed tonight, taking a long hot shower, and settling down to watch a movie with Jon.

Looking Back

I sometimes look back in the blog archives to remind myself what was going on this time last year. Just take a look at what was happening almost exactly one year ago.

Big News

Oh, yeah, and this is the last day of my 21 day working marathon! I can't wait to be off this week...there's so much to do. I'm going to be taking lots of pics, because my new camera came in last week and it is awesome!

2 More Days To Go

Until I FINALLY get a day off! The house is sort of a wreck since I haven't had a day off in 19 days, and I'm anxious to get some cleaning done. I really miss having a housekeeper lately. I've also been working on a project that I hope will be finished next week. I can't wait to show it to you guys!

My new camera arrived today. I hope we get a chance to play with it this weekend.

18 Days Down....

...3 more to go before I have a day off! I do not want to ever have to do this again!

Last night while Savy was at AWANAS, I made the Le Cellier risotto, and it was awesome! As I suspected, there is one crucial ingredient not listed in the recipe...there's definitely something missing. But it still tasted wonderful, and I was pretty proud of myself.

I had to go into the office today for a class, and on the way home I stopped and picked up the girls' stockings. We had their names embroidered on the tops...aren't they cute?

Need An Alternative to the Generic Gift?

This time of year, many people wrack their brains trying to think of the perfect gift. Jon happens to be a great gift-giver...he can always surprise me with something I absolutely love. I don't know how he does it...maybe he keeps a list of things I notice in stores, snoops on my browser history, or maybe I talk in my sleep. Whatever his methods, I always love what he gives me. Some of us aren't lucky enough to always know "just the right thing" (me included). So I thought I'd compile a list of some gifts I've received in the past that I love.


Compact Mirror


I got this for Christmas last year, and it is one of my favorite things. I keep it in my purse all the time. It's really pretty, and I feel kind of glamourous when I take it out to check my makeup or hair.


Turbie Twist
Another gift from last year. These are so much more convenient than a full sized towel, and they stay in place. I use these every single day.


Cashmere Wrap

I adore this one! I got this exact one (just a different color) last year for Christmas, and I wore it all the time last winter. You can use it as a scarf or as a wrap. It is so soft and cozy.


Gift certificate for massage from a good spa/salon
...who wouldn't love this one?



Hardcover edition of a favorite children's book

I got a hardcover edition of "No Flying in the House" last year. It was my absolute favorite book when I was a kid, and I love having a hardcover copy for myself.



Monogrammed Tervis Tumblers

Tervis Tumblers are awesome! You can have your initial put on them, or any number of other emblems. They do not sweat, keep beverages ice cold (or hot, depending), and they have a lifetime warranty. You can also get lids to fit any of them. Jon especially loves the coffee mugs!





Lampe Berger


We have this one, but they come in numerous styles and sizes. This thing will make your entire house smell wonderful. It gets rid of any bad odor. Even if you burn something while cooking...just light this baby up and the smell is gone. I believe these were originally used in old hospitals to purify the air. We get "sampler" sets of the oils from the Happi Store...our favorite scent is the creme brulee .

Quality monogrammed cashmere or leather gloves
I haven't received this as a gift, but I did once give a pair of soft leather, cashmere lined gloves that were monogrammed with the recipient's initials at the wrist, and they loved the gift.