Happy Birthday Ryan!

Last night, the Rusins + Carl, Dylan & I headed to the fire station before we went to the Rusin's "kid friendly" New Years party. Ryan knew Dylan & I were coming with food for them, but he didn't know everyone else would be joining. Katie bought him a cookie cake to join his "other" cake Darrell had made for him (see the picture below....)

Ryan & baker, Darrell. I think you may have missed your calling, Darrell!

The truth about blogging....

Let's face it, as bloggers, we are able to share lots of sweet & funny stories with our family & friends. We upload our cutest pictures & allow everyone to see into our lives. We hand pick what we want to share & paint the perfect pictures for everyone to see. It all seems so perfect.... but the truth is, nobody's perfect all of the time!! And trust me, tonight, nothing's perfect around here!! I will say that I have been blessed with a precious daughter who means the world to me. She has always been a very good girl & usually very well behaved.....BUT NOT TONIGHT!! The holidays have her so far off of her normal schedule it's not even funny. I decided that tonight I was going to begin bedtime boot camp. She has been SCREAMING & CRYING now for 45 minutes. I am seriously about to pull my hair out! She will not give up--all because I turned her tv off & told her to go to sleep. I would kill for someone to give me that offer at 8:30 pm!! I heard a flying object hit the floor earlier which warranted her a spanking, but otherwise, I'm trying my hardest to tune her out (my head=throbbing, my nerves=frazzled). Calgon, take me away!!!! How's that for blogger's honesty?

*Update* -- After answering several bedside, nose blowing requests, I caved a little. She is so smart, it's scary. She knows exactly how to work me... She looked up at me with her eyes half swollen shut & said, "mommy, will you rock me?" Now I know what you're thinking....I'm weak, pathetic, everything Super Nanny frowns at, etc, etc, but I couldn't resist. Dylan has never really loved "rocking" & to me, there's nothing better than rocking a child to sleep. I took her in the living room & rocked for probably 2 minutes max & she was out like a light. I took her back to bed & layed her down. Her eyes opened wide & she said, "mommy, i don't need to blow my nose." Then she leaned up, gave me a big kiss & fell fast asleep. Ahhhh......the joys of motherhood!! I love my perfect lil angel! ;) Thanks for listening!

A Dark Christmas...

Dylan & I spent a couple hours of our Christmas day in the dark. For some reason, our power went out!! I knew something was happening late that morning. Rachel & Graham had stayed with us on Christmas Eve, & while they were getting ready, EVERY light in the house was flickering. It was a bit freaky.... I called Ryan & had him come home & check it out. He called some automated OG&E number & headed back to work. Then about an hour or so later....NO POWER!! We were left in the dark. It was a bit depressing, but we made due. Thankfully, Braxton had given Dylan this Easy Bake Oven (that cooks with ICE...go figure). It takes no battery or electricity, so baking we did. Dylan loved it & it gave us something fun to do in the dark--thanks, Braxton! Ryan came through for us though. He somehow has an OG&E Supervisor's phone number & he called him (on Christmas) & shortly thereafter, we had power again. It's not much fun spending Christmas alone, but having no electricity took it to a whole new level!!

Cookies & Wine

On Christmas Eve Eve, Josh, Mary & Braxton came over so Dylan & Brax could make cookies for Santa. Well, actually I had already baked the cookies & left the decorating to them. It was fun to watch them go at it. They worked diligently on their cookies while being supervised by Meatball, aka "Bubba". Afterwards, Pete, Katie, Jordan, & baby Karlee stopped by. The night started as a children's cookie decorating night & ended with lots of wine & Wii playing by the adults. It was so much fun!! Dylan & Braxton didn't mind. They were elbow deep in Play-doh having the time of their little lives! Pete also got his VW bus he's been waiting on FOREVER so he took Katie, Mary, & I on a spin around town. It was my first experience in a Sweet Pickles Bus...fun, fun! (In case anyone is concerned, Pete didn't drink the wine).

~Total concentration~

Dylan's cookies for Santa

PRESENTS!!

& Play-doh!!!!!!!!!!

What a Crew!

Swing batta, batta....

Mary, Jordan, Katie, & Dylan all piled in the tent. The things we do for these kids...

Sweet Karlee~how she slept, I'll never know!

The joyride in Pete's new toy....his very own VW Bus!

Christmas at Mimi & Poppy's...

If you haven't noticed, because everyone's lives are so hectic & we all live in different places, my family often celebrates Christmas a little prematurely. We choose to do this so we can have at least a whole day together, uninterrupted. We got to Muskogee to dad & Christy's late Saturday night. We woke up this morning to a delicious breakfast & followed it with our stockings. Every year, they have a stocking packed full for each of us & one enormous one for each family. It's always SO much fun to see what's in them...you never know, but you can bet it's always good! We all got great stuff & Dylan really got into it this year. She was really excited, but the biggest surprise to us all was in the bottom of the big stocking. They got us & my sister's family a Wii!!!!! I was so excited. I have wanted a Wii forever, but didn't have an excuse to have one. No excuse needed anymore!! I am a proud owner. As soon as we were finished, we had one hooked up & the games began. Did I mention I hold the record for the highest bowling score? 186 to be exact.... We all had so much fun. Dad had no idea what a Wii was so we must give an extra THANK YOU to Christy for being in the know. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't go & buy another for themselves. They loved it too! Memaw, Uncle David, & Aunt Karen joined us for lunch (& Wii) & presents (& Wii). We had such a wonderful day, a wonderful weekend. I am so thankful for all of my family. From Tulsa to Muskogee, I loved every minute I get to spend with each of you. Thank you for everything & the wonderful traditions we share. We are very blessed! She's so excited...

The Wii's!!!

Mimi & Dylan hanging out

Focus on the great stocking, not on the appearance!!

Christmas at Grammy & G daddy's

On Friday night we headed to Tulsa for Christmas at my mom & Jay's, aka Grammy & G-daddy. Mom made all 3 of the kids aprons for their annual Christmas cookie decorating. They are so cute!! Unfortunately I broke my camera right before this began so I missed that magical moment... yes, I was devastated!! (Ryan says he thinks he bought the replacement plan. Keep your fingers crossed for me!) We ran out & bought this replacement camera to fill the void until I can get mine fixed. How could I be without a camera during Christmas & Dylan's birthday?? Anyway, I was able to capture the kids & my mom decorating the gingerbread house (which fell apart shortly after these pictures were taken. Oh well!! It was fun while it lasted! We had a great day spending time with family, delicious food, & lots of great presents. Dylan got a new tent(& lots more).........SHE LOVES IT!! Now we are departing Tulsa, heading to Muskogee. The Christmas tour continues............

One week til Christmas....& we're tired!

Can you believe Christmas is only a week away? It's so crazy how busy this time of year is. My itinerary is packed full! I can tell you what I will be doing every minute of every day until Christmas day. I'm "a planner" & love an agenda, but seriously, that's a little much!! Tis the Season, right!?! ;) I've had a harder time getting myself into the Christmas spirit this year. I'm not sure why, but I'm hoping that spending this weekend with my family will help. We always have such a great time! In saying that, it reminds me that I still have so much to do before Friday so I must quit blogging & get busy. I'm soooo tired..... (& yes, I'm feeling a little sorry for myself). Have a fun & safe weekend everyone! Ang

Dylan's Christmas story

"Chicken Fried"

Brandon (earlier post) sang this at his show. She loves it (if you can't tell)....

& poor Meatball~he endures SO much!

As close to Santa as it gets...

Last Sunday, Memaw & her friend, Betty came up to do some Christmas shopping. I got Dylan all dressed up just in case she wanted to sit on Santa's lap. The closer we got to the center of the mall, the more against it she became. She did smile & wave at him (which was huge), but then insisted we get the heck out of dodge. We went to the merry-go-round instead. So far, we are 0 for 3. She's been alive for 3 Christmases & we have no pictures of her with Santa....Oh well, maybe when she's 12!!