It's December 23rd, Oh My!

I cannot believe it is December 23rd!  The day before Christmas Eve!  Where has the time gone???

Well... way back on December 1st, I blogged about Christmas Traditions and listed 20 traditions that I love to do (or try to do each year).  So, since Christmas is almost here, I thought I would do a little update on all of the Christmas fun we have been having this season!


We accomplished #1, Visit Santa Claus and have picture taken.  It did not go well.

We accomplished #2, drive around and look at Christmas light, with the neighbors when we went to Bull Run Park.  You can see more pictures here.

We accomplished #3, by hosting our (almost) annual Christmas party.
You can read more about it here.

#4 is give Elizabeth a new Christmas ornament each year.  She will be getting one on Christmas Eve (along with Ben and I).  It's a new tradition I want to start.  Each year on Christmas Eve, we will each open one present, that present being our new ornament for the year.

#5, complete and advent calendar.  Well... all three of us have advent calendars, and all three of us have failed miserably at eating a piece of chocolate each day.  How is that possible?  I am hoping to play catch-up today.

#6, Watch my favorite Christmas movies at least once.  We (I) kinda did this.  Ben and I watched Christmas Vacation, and yesterday I watched Love Actually.  I also really like Home Alone, so maybe we can watch that tonight.  What are your favorite Christmas movies?

#7, Read different Christmas books with Elizabeth.  Well, this was a major fail.  She has several Christmas books and I put them in her book basket, but she would not go near them.  After I book those books in, she became scared of her basket.  So, we took the books out and put them back in her playroom.  Maybe next year...

#8, make/decorate a gingerbread house.  This. did. not. happen.  Not even close.  Maybe next year...

#9, Decorate a Christmas Tree.  Check!  Check!  Check!  We have three trees up this year!

 Our Family Tree

 Elizabeth's Tree

Our Red and Green "pretty" tree

#10, Attend a candlelight Church service.  I am hoping that Ben gets to do this tomorrow night.  I will not be going to Church this year because of my foot surgery.  Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is my favorite service all year and I am super disappointed that I don't get to go.

#11, Display a nativity scene.  We have several.  

One in the china cabinet (above).  

One on our end table in the family room.

A tiny one on the bar...

And Elizabeth has a little people nativity scene.

#12, Find a special plate for Santa Cookies.  I have searched high and low for a special plate and cannot find one.  I went to Target, Home Goods, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, World Market.  If anyone has a plate specifically for Santa Cookies, will you please let me know where you got it.  Thank you!!!

#13, Decorate the outside of the house.  I don't have a picture, but we have candles in all the windows and lights in the trees and bushes.  We also have lights around the garage and door this year!
~ Thank you Ben!

#14, Make a homemade Christmas Eve dinner.  Ben is doing that tomorrow.

#15, Make Christmas cookies.  Check!!!  I made Granny B's sugar cookies, check them out here!

#16, Send Christmas cards.  We did that.  I also have a post about it here.

#17, Open presents on Christmas morning.  Well, yes I hope we do this one!

#18, Make a homemade Christmas day breakfast.  Ben is doing this as well.

#19, Exchange presents with family and friends.  Done!

#20, Have Santa visit and leave presents for Elizabeth (I have a sneaking suspicion that he is coming tomorrow night).

I hope you were able to do some of your favorite traditions this year and that you have taken time to enjoy the holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Card

I love getting Christmas Cards! 

L.O.V.E.

I love seeing all the family pictures, the cards people picked, and how kids grow and change from one year to the next.

Since we got married, we have sent out photo Christmas cards (upon my insistence) to family and friends. 

This is our 2013 card:

 (front)

(back)

Merry Christmas!

Dear Santa

 Dear Santa,

I've tried to be a good girl this year.
When you stop by in a few nights, I would love to see any of these under the tree.

 Liquid Facial Soap in Mild (Clinique)

Clarifying Lotion 3 (Clinique)

 Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (Clinique)

Pave Disc Drop Earring (Loft)

 Petite Crochet Lace Shoulder Striped Tee

Petite Small (Loft)

Petite Animal Spot Print Colorblock Shell

Petite Small (Loft)

Bulova Watch,

Women's Dress Diamond Accent Stainless Steel Bracelet (Macy's)

 

 

Remington Hair dryer, but really any full-size hair dryer (with the black front attachment)

(Target)

This is the sunbeam turbo steam master professional Iron, but really any iron

(Target)

Jewelry Tree to hang my necklaces on

(Target)

Thank you Santa.  I know that anything you get, I will love!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Abby :)

Foot horn surgery

I had my "foot horn" removed today.

My surgery started about two hours late, but went quickly and smoothly.

The surgeon told Ben that bone spur was "sizeable" and bigger than they originally thought.

I am now resting at home, and Ben is taking great care of me.

 Before surgery.

After surgery.

 My foot, resting at home.
I have to keep it wrapped like this until January 6th.

My foot horn

I am having surgery tomorrow on my right foot.

I am having my "foot horn" (as Ben named it) removed.

My "foot horn" is really a bone spur that has developed over the last 12-13 years from arthritis that I have in my foot.  That's right, arthritis.  Boo that.

Anywho, it is getting removed tomorrow.  I can't drive for a week or two.  No running for 4-6 weeks.  And for the first week I am supposed to "stay off my foot".

Please pray for me.  I am nervous.
But, I am happy to know what is wrong with my foot and that it is getting fixed.

Twenty-Two Months

Dear Elizabeth,

You are 22-months-old today!

22-months-old!

You have become such a big girl and we are so excited to watch you grow up!  You have been very busy in the last month: you are talking a lot, you traveled to Georgia for Thanksgiving, you went to a birthday party, you have seen a ton of Christmas lights, been to the Georgia Aquarium, getting your picture taken with Santa, and you got your first black eye.

You are about 22 pounds and I think about the same height as last month (32 inches).  

You wear 18-24 months shirts, pants, coats, pajamas, and socks.  You wear a size 5 shoes.  Just like last month, you still love to put on your coat and ask for it if you see Dad or I wearing our coats.

Some of your favorite things at the moment are: Mickey and Minnie Mouse, your Little People Nativity Scene (you love the animals and Baby Jesus).  You have started getting into puzzles, and you still like to read.  You love to watch Elmo's World, but you are not so into the rest of Sesame Street.  You love to hear helicopters and you look for them anytime you are outside.  

Everyday when we pick you up from Mrs. Vicki's house; you have to hug and kiss everyone before you can leave.  You are such a loving little girl and love to blow kisses, give hugs or high fives or fist bumps.  You say hi to random people all the time at the store, church, or running errands. 

You have continued to explore our home and we have expanded your boundaries.  You love to climb onto the couch or run around the dining room table.  You always want to play in the kitchen, but you are usually not allowed because the stove is probably on.

You still love milk and I feel like to you want to drink it all the time.  You LOVE yogurt and cheese.  Some of your favorite dinners are pasta with marinara sauce, pizza, Chick-Fil-A grilled nuggets, and taco meat.  You love corn, peaches, and bananas.  All you want for breakfast is dried cheerios, but sometimes you will eat oatmeal.

Dad and I love you so much and we have had a ton of fun with you this month.  We love you!

Below are some pictures of your adventures this past month:

 At Kellan's Birthday Party

 Thanksgiving at Sharon and John's house

Elizabeth and Ansley on Thanksgiving

 At the Georgia Aquarium

 Chowing down on some spaghetti

 Trying to escape

 Our Christmas Card photo

 Checking out your Christmas Tree

 Playing with the animals from your nativity scene

 Bull Run Lights

 Waiting to see Santa

 After Santa

 Today

 You trying to take a picture

Mommy trying to get you to laugh for a picture

We are so proud of you sweet girl and love you so much!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Ps. I forgot about your snow day, you can see the pictures here