Good Luck

I think it's bad luck to leave your decorations up past New Years??? Or did I make that up??

Well. If it's true - we are gonna be full of good luck this year. I just packed up the last of the decorations! Here is my trusty sidekick wrapped up in lights. I am sad to see Christmas time go...can't wait 'til next year!

Happy New Years Eve!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!!

Patrick and I left St Louis at 3 am Christmas morning after I got off work. I drove for 1 hour and started to feel crazy and thought I was seeing things - so Pat took over from there. We made it just in time for brunch!

Mom and Dad B gave us a Wii....highlight of the next few days. Everyone was so sore after playing it. Here are Mom and Dad battling each other with swords, hilarious.

It was a perfect Christmas!

We came back to STL about 90 lbs heavier thanks to Bubba. He is a 3 year old yellow lab that got a new home with a lady I work with and her 2 1/2 year old son. Bubba and Elle slept almost the entire way. He was so happy when he made it to his new house. Bubba wandered around, tail wagging, licking everyone. I think he will adjust just fine!

Pat and I spent at least 2 hours last night unloading the car and putting up all of our gifts. I was so sad when he had to go back to work today - I always get used to having him around. BUT...this is what we woke up to this morningggggggg!! SNOW! It's Elle's 1st real snow. Of course she loved it.

Now it's time to take down decorations and be productive....

Going out with a bang

I was so sad today to have my family leave :(

But, they definitely left with a bang. Last night we celebrated Stephen's 'almost the end of his 20's' birthday (he turned 29), came home, the kiddo's went to sleep, and we had some wine and were chatting away. That quickly changed when poor little MC got to vomikin (that's vomiting for those of you who do not triage patients in the emergency room...). All I could think was that they had an 8+ hour drive to endure in the morning. Good thing we had some Reglan! She seemed a bit better this morning before they left, and last I heard the trip was a non-vomik success. Here are some pictures of our last few days of fun!

This is probably the most fun thing I have ever played on. If you jump on it and fling yourself to one side all at once, you spin like crazy. I mean...I felt a bit intoxicated when I got off of it. And as you can see, so did my Stephen and my sister...

MC and Patty had these super tiny ice cream cones. I was a tad bit jealous. I really love tiny things....

Happy Birthdayyy!

In 24 hours Patrick and I will be loaded up in the car with Eloise for a long night time drive to Birmingham. We should make it just in time for brunch...then a loooong nap.

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Ingram's in St Louie

Patty turned 2!! We missed his birthday party in Birmingham, but had a tiny one here.

We have had so much fun - mostly just hanging around the house and eating yummy food. They imported Milo's tea, Zoe's chicken salad, and Mom made my favorite Chex mix.

We had Ted Drewes the other night and went down Candy Cane Lane. It was so cold out that we ate dessert in the car. Patrick was covered in Ted Drewes. And I have poo on my shoe. No worries, we bagged that shoe right up and covered up the stink.

These people are fire hazards.

Little Stinker.

I always get the stink eye from Patrick for having Elle in my lap on the couch. I feel that I should no longer get the look because look what I now have documented in a picture...

Not only is Trader Joe's fun for grown ups - but kids get balloons! The guy at the check out asked if it was okay if MC had a helium sphere. At first we were a bit confused, then realized he meant a balloon but was being extra sneaky incase we didn't want it. Who wouldn't want a balloon?? silly man...

We went skating outside and there were even a few snow flurries which makes it extra fun.

They will still be here for a few more days (woohoo!) and I am sure there are more updates to come! Off to the arch now!

It doesn't matter if they fit, as long as they look good.

These shoes are lovely. And they don't fit...

But Pat shoved toilet paper in the back to try and make it work. No such luck :(

We shall try again...

Santa's workshop

I am sure Santa's Elves would be highly disappointed in Elle's treatment of this teddy bear. He is eyeless. And now his head has no stuffing inside.

Merry Christmas.

freedom

I left Elle in the kitchen and dining room when I left for work today - from about noon till 7:30 until the dog walker came.

This is what I found when I got home. SURPRISE!!!!

Too much freedom. Back to her "room" for now!

Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?

Sweet hats, right? I just love Christmas time. I have Christmas-y candles burning, my tree plugged in, Christmas music playing most every day and I've already watched Elf twice. And then we had these elf ears....ha.

So it's been real cold. I mean, my body hasn't experienced this before. This little 'winter storm' stuff has got to go. Well, it actually is gone now, but still - I don't really want it to come back. Before snow was blowing horizontally and smacking me in my face, I was all proud of myself for figuring out how to dress. It was probably in the 40's at that time. Here was the line up:

Tank top

Long sleeved shirt

Fleece Jacket (sometimes 2 jackets)

Vest

North Face shell over all of that

Scarf

Ear warmers

Gloves

Long Johns/Cuddle-duds

Jeans

Uggs

And I was feeling juuuust right.

I would compare the wind from this wintery storm to being inside a tornado, then make that nice warm temperature about 9 degrees. M.i.s.e.r.a.b.l.e.

Pat was making fun of me and my wardrobe a few days ago (pre 20-30 degree weather) and was like "what are you going to do when it gets even colder?"

Good question. I am not real sure I have that answer yet -- besides fly south for the winter (not an option, already tried that one).

This tree is across from the dog park. Yes, I am a very good doggy owner. I ventured out amidst the flurries and wind to give Elle some exercise. A nice lady walking by said "now that is puppy-love - if you get out in this weather to let her play..." Ha. Little did she know the only reason we were there was to keep me from killing the crazy animal. The wind from the storm tore a lot of branches off and I saw several trees down.

A few days ago Elle played with Jarvis, her Westie friend. The two of them get so muddy. This is the dirt left over after the water drained from her bath. She was checking it out.

Elle was posing for a festive picture.

Pat is on his way to Savannah for the weekend, and I am stuck here working Saturday and Sunday. I am sad to miss out on the fun!

tree farm tradition

Not sure if Patrick was aware of this prior to getting hitched...but I must cut down a tree from a tree farm for Christmas! There have been a few years that are the exception...but I just love searching for the perfect tree, cutting it down (well, it was always Dad, then Court and I tried, and this year Pat got the honor), dragging it to the tractor and decorating it at home. I do have to say, I am quite disappointed that all Moses Family members cheated this year...I am just sayin'. And what trip to get a tree would be complete without the baby girl all dressed up?!

The perfect tree

View at sunset of St. Louis from the farm

Patrick was such a good sport. Best Husband Ever. And we will see how long the tree stands with Elle and Sophie around. Here is the finished product!!