Christmas 2014

Christmas is always so jammed packed for us, it has been a little more low key for the past two years, but it is still a lot of running and a ton of fun!

Christmas Eve
We celebrate with Justin's mom and family on Christmas Eve.  We have Italian inspired food and a lot of loud fun.  The kids play and then open a few gifts.  After some of the extended family leaves we open gifts with Chris and her husband, Alan.

We got home right before 10 and still hadn't made cookies for Santa, so we did the quickest cookie bake ever!  Emma left carrots for the reindeer as well.

Finally, Emma was off to sleep and we awaited Santa's arrival!  Emma slept until after 8 the next morning! 

After gifts I fixed a nice little pancake and bacon breakfast.   My mom and dad always stop by to check out the loot.  My whole family lives on the same road so they go by all three of their kids' homes and see what the grandkids received!

For lunch we head up to my parents house where we eat and exchange gifts.  Mamaw Kat was able to come up as well. Since we had no other destination this year, we helped set up mom's new television, dad's new sound bar and their iPads. 

I didn't get pictures of may gifts, but Emma got a life sized Elsa doll. She was so funny she danced with it and then when we came home put on her Elsa dress and pretended she was a doll and we had to figure out which one was Emma!

Saturday we wrapped up Christmas with Justin's dad and family.  Emma loves playing with her cousins Ava and Adam (mostly Ava!) After lunch the boys played bocce.  (I've included the winner's picture.) Side note: this is my favorite part of the tour of food because there is always a guaranteed PEACAN PIE from costco. (YUM!!!)

Daily Catch-up

Emma has gone to spend the night with her Mi-mi so after a back to back adventure at the movies to see Into The Woods and Night at the Museum, I decided to catch up on the pictures from the #emma365 project! I can't believe this is the last week of the year!

Merry Christmas

I'm so behind here. I will try to catch up in the next few days.  For now, our Christmas card!  Merry Christmas! (late)

Thanksgiving Eve eve...

I know terrible title, but hey, it's a middle of the week post.... SAY WHAT?!?!

Today was my last day of work and Emma's last day of school before break!  Her school did a Thanksgiving story/feast and Emma wanted to be a Pilgrim.  (Firmly told me that she "DID NOT" like indians.)  Thanks to my sister-in-law, we made a SUPER quick, SUPER easy outfit.

I used this blog for the collar and apron and this site for her bonnet.  I was pretty excited about how it turned out.

We have some busy days coming up so I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and remember to Gobble until you Wobble!!! 

It's beginning to look a lot like....

the Holidays! 

It's going to be a crazy month starting, NOW!  We went ahead and decorated trees.

I also celebrated the December birthdays of my Mom and both sister-in-laws. We enjoyed a nice girls dinner.

Saturday, Target had a Frozen event.  Justin took Emma dressed as Ana to meet "Elsa" and get a goody bag.  It wasn't a very big deal, but cute.  Emma was super shy as normal...

After the Target adventure, Emma and I went to see "your Santa" as Emma tells me.  He was at a local country shop and anyone could go by and say hello and  take pictures.  I was so proud of her, she walked right up to him, hugged him and told him what she wanted for Christmas.  I haven't uploaded the ones from my camera so here is the cell phone one for now...

I'm looking forward to a short work week and some time to see family and EAT!  

This week in review

This week we had very COLD temps and a tiny bit of snow.  I am praying for NO snow days until after Christmas break.

Emma and I both had our hair done this week and Ms. Dale always braids it for her after a trim.  Tuesday we went so see "Big Hero 6" it was fantastic!  We went to the after 7 showing, so Em got to stay up a little late. Tuesdays are a cheap price for all showings and there is usually a smaller crowd.  My friend, Ashley, came to visit this weekend.  We took her to our main attraction, Bass Pro!  She had a "date" Saturday night so J, E and I ate at Pizza Hut (using Emma's first Book It coupon) and goofed off in Target!

When I sat down to transfer the pictures for the day into the collage, it cracked me up to see the true sign of the weather, and time of year.  I struggle so much getting up and ready on winter days and it shows because I'm usually trying to get out the door before I take her picture.  No shoes one day, no socks or shoes another.  It's really just run a comb through her hair and get it out of her face that leads to all the crazy hair days! 

I mustache you some questions....

I was tagged by Johanna for this challenge! 

Four names that people call me, other than my real name:

     * TJ

     * todell

     * Mrs. O'Dell

     * Mom

Four jobs that I have had:

     * I worked as a sno-cone princess a few summers at a local sno-cone/putt-putt place.

     * ESP after school worker during college. 

     *Education/Program/Unit Director at the local Boys & Girls Club

     *Special Education Teacher at a middle school! 

Four movies I've watched more than once:

     * High Fidelity 
     * Empire Records
     * Scream
     * Frozen (haahaa)

Four places I have lived:

     * My parents house in Bristol, Virginia
     * Jefferson City, Tennessee for college
     * A house across the street from where I live now in Bristol, Virginia
     * My current house in Bristol, Virginia (on the same street as my parents!)

Four places I have been:
     * Ireland, all around the southern part of the country
     * Colorado Springs, Colorado
     * South Carolina (Greenville, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach)
     * Birmingham, Alabama

Four places I would rather be right now:

     * Somewhere warm! 
     * Disney World =)
     * Australia 
     * In bed! 

Four things I won't eat:

     * Sushi, it scares me
     * Tomatoes 
     * If I can't pronounce it I won't eat it. 
     * Beef that isn't well done

Four of my favorite foods:
     * Steak, well done that is
     * Chicken.  
     * CHOCOLATE
     * Japanese food

Four TV shows that I watch:
     * Dancing with the stars (Vote for Sadie!)
     * 19 Kids and Counting
     * House Hunters
     * Disney Jr. not always by choice!

Four things I am looking forward to this year:

     * Holidays 
     * My mom's 70th birthday! 
     * Disney in 2015
     * Summer break! 

Four things i'm always saying:
     * "Listen up"
     * "I love you"
     * "EMMA!"
     * "Your Face!"

Four people I tag:
Sarah @ Our Journey
Megan @ The Brick Bungalow
Becca@ Dinner, a Dog & a Blog
Sonya@A Day in the Life