Christmas thoughts....

You can check out Max's blog for updates on the little man and see some excellent quality Christmas pictures!!!

And here is the E family solutions to toddlers and Christmas trees!!! I have a feeling our tree will look like this for the next 4-5 years!!! Haha!!!

We already had 1 Christmas and Grandma and Papa's and we figured out how to keep Max busy and entertained....throw our paper at him**!!! He loved it!!!

**disclaimer: We did keep an eye on him and made sure he didn't actually eat any paper. Don't want you to think I'm a horrible mother!!!

*****

This is such an exciting Christmas for us!!! Max really has no idea what is going on but is much more into it than last year :). It's crazy to have a mobile little guy-he just sat in the bouncer last year while we opened gifts!!!!

We are continuing our tradition of opening new PJs on Christmas Eve. Jas and I even got new ones!!! I tried my hand at holiday baking. I made some fudge....the recipe that is posted below. I'm not sure if it's right....we'll see!!! It's exciting to think of new traditions to incorporate as our family grows. Its also fun to see Max light up as he rips apart wrapping paper (whether its his gift or not:)).

Even neater yet is watching my nephew Jimmy (he'll be 3 in March). This is the first Christmas we're really seeing a reaction from him.....he absolutely lights up when he opens packages. Makes me eager to watch Max grow up even more!!!

And we spent time Monday with Jason's sister Jenny, Mike and Hodge. Hodge is almost a year exactly younger than Max. Max isn't too sure about the baby-but luckily was gentle and not too horribly grabby with him. Oh how Max has no idea how his life will change come spring!!! Haha!!!

I am starting to perk up. These last few days I've actually gotten some sleep (6 consecutive hours on sunday...wow!!!). My lack of sleep, combined with sciatic pain and general body pain has made mommy a real Christmas Grinch!!! This pregnancy has been rough-but everyone I've spoken to says it completely normal. That helps...some. Haha.

The most exciting part is that I'm consistently feeling kicks. Wow. We're having another baby. It's so amazing to be sitting in the chair cuddling with Max and feeling B in my belly kicking away!!!

I must say-each Christmas Jason and I have get better and better. It's amazing!! We are so blessed and thankful for the lives we live.

Celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior,
Merry Christmas!!!
Kristi:)

Nesting much???

I can't get enough of my kitchen right now!!! Yesterday I made soup (to freeze for my weekends at work)...I'll post recipe later. I've made something which I can't share here because it's for gifts (but it's a recipe from Hillbilly Housewife- one of my new favorite sites!!! I also am trying a recipe for dinner from Stephanie the Crockpot Lady for Buffalo Chicken Dip. I have adapted it a bit to change it up (I don't like blue cheese!!!)

Here's what I did:
1 14oz can of chicken
1 8oz bottle Ranch dressing
3/4 c hot sauce (use Frank's Red)
1 block cream cheese
probably 2 cups cheddar cheese

I have more cheese and ranch if I need to doctor it. I'm afraid it's gonna be H-O-T!!!

That's for dinner with chips and celery to dip in it!!

I also made fudge from Katie's Cooking Blog.

8oz semi sweet chocolate and
12 oz sweetened condensed milk

Nuked in microwave for 2 minutes and spread out on a cookie sheet. Verdict is still out on that- but the warm stuff tastes good!!!!

Man-I'm tired now!!!!

The Holidays...

I can't even believe thanksgiving is this week!!! Jason worked yesterday, today and works tomorrow and I'm hosting brunch on thursday. Remember-he works 12 hour days so I'm loving getting stuff done during nap time. Max is such a "helper"-he loves to get into things!!! My mom is helping me a bunch after work. Our extended family celebrates Christmas this weekend so I have to finish Christmas shopping and wrapping too!!! Oy ve.

But I wanted to stop and take a few minutes to just center. Life is so good and we are so blessed. We have so much to be thankful for-Max is growing and thriving and looks so different than he did a year ago!!! And with another on the way-I feel like we have been on the receiving end of tons of blessings!!!!

I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!!!