Christmas Morning 2011: An Affair to Remember
December 26, 2011 at 11:29 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 CommentTags: amusing, christmas, photos, video
Picture it: James and I excitedly trot up the stairs to awaken our almost-three-year old, video camera at the ready, certain he’ll dash out the door exclaiming, “Santa came!” and basking in the glory that is Christmas morning. Instead, we got this:
Eventually we coaxed Liam out of his room to play with his new train table. He even opened a present or two, although James and I did most of the unwrapping on his behalf. And here I went to all this trouble to wrap his presents! The train table and Cars racetrack were a big hit, as was his Mack truck. I think this kid has just about every single car from both the Cars movies. He also got some stuffed toys, some clothes, bath toys, an indestructible toddler digital camera (it shoots video, too!), and a hand held computer learning game. Those last two were a bit beyond his comprehension, but I look forward to him learning to use them as he gets older.
We spent the rest of the day chatting with family on the phone and on the Kinect (Liam says, “I want to talk to Ma ma and Pa Pa on the TeeVee!”), and I prepared dinner while James attempted to keep Liam occupied. Both tasks were a challenge, mine made worse by my exasperation in cooking all my favorite Christmas sides knowing neither James nor Liam would eat them. But believe me, I don’t mind having an entire green bean casserole to myself! We cooked a simple, pre-sliced half a ham, stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet and sour carrots, dinner rolls, and cranberry jelly right out of the can. Predictably, Liam ate a roll and two bites of cranberry sauce. James claimed the cranberry was his favorite part of the meal. Figures, since that was the only part of the meal he helped with. (Crank, crank the can opener, slide out with a butter knife, and slice. Hold the applause, please).
However, he decided to amend that claim once we dug into dessert. I baked a pecan pie (my favorite!) and a Peanut Butter Pie (a recipe I had to get from my sis-in-law. Thanks, Ann!). Apparently the latter turned out quite good, and James has managed to finish off more than half of it all by himself.
All-in-all it wasn’t a bad Christmas, though I do wish we could have seen our family this year. I’m hoping we can coax somebody to come down to sunny Florida next year. I mean, c’mon, it was 80 degrees on Christmas Day this year! Can’t beat that! Though, to be honest, I’m looking forward to the temperature dipping a bit in the coming months. It’s still a little weird to be wearing shorts and flip flops in December.
Next up, Liam’s birthday is tomorrow! More presents! More sweets! Yay!
O Christmas Tree
November 27, 2011 at 10:27 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 CommentsTags: christmas
I don’t know how I found the energy this morning, what with my marathon hot yoga class and my overindulgence of wine at the Melting Pot yesterday, but somehow I managed to put up our Christmas tree. Liam helped a lot more this year, handing me ornaments from the box and prattling on about the tree and the lights. Typically I don’t have room on the tree to put our whole assortment up, but this year I got us a mini tree for the foyer, and Liam happily helped adorn that one with our remaining decorations. I also figured it was high time I clear out Liam’s baby toys to make room for all the new big boy toys he’ll be getting, both for Christmas and his ill-timed birthday. And I figured since 90% of the gifts under the tree will be toys for Liam, we set up the tree in a corner of his play room. Should be a seamless unwrap, unpackage, and put into the toy bin. In theory. This house doesn’t have a mantle, so I had to hang our stockings along a low wall on one side of the play room. Looks quite nice, actually. I plan on waiting to put presents under the tree until after Liam’s in bed Christmas Eve. I don’t trust my two-year-old to play unsupervised in the play room among all those presents beckoning him to take a peek. I can just see it now: I finish the dishes downstairs, run upstairs to see how the boy is doing, and find him sitting amidst a sea of crumpled Christmas paper and shiny new toys. Sheesh.
The last few nights Liam has blessed us with some super-late naps (blessing and curse, really), so we’ve been taking post-dinner, after dark strolls around the neighborhood to admire our neighbor’s lights. Apparently there’s some sort of neighborhood contest in a couple weeks, and some people go all out. It’s strange to be walking around in shorts at night in late November, admiring palms trees adorned with icicle lights without any trace of icicles in the weather forecast. But you won’t hear any complaints from me! It’s amazing how quickly I’ve adapted to the weather. Tonight when I left the house I thought it a bit nippy. After consulting the weather channel app on my iPhone, I discovered it was a chilly 69 degrees. Brrrr! My dad said the high in KC was 43 today. I can’t even fathom that temperature anymore. Let’s hope I don’t have to for awhile. James has to go to DC for a week in December for training. Better bring a coat, dear! Going to feel mighty chilly!
Christmas Cards
November 19, 2011 at 6:19 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: christmas, photos
Photos taken, cards designed and ordered, and they’ll be here by December 1. Huzzah! We had ourselves a couple of photo shoots – one with just Liam at the pool on a wonderfully sunny day, and a group shot I composed on our stairs with the help of a tripod and remote. Liam, of course, wouldn’t sit still for either. I had to placate him with a lollipop on the stairs, and at the pool, this was really the best shot.
I would have loved to use it for our Christmas cards, but it didn’t fit well with the other photos I wanted to use. That’s about the best smile I got out of him. Otherwise he was running and blurry (and smiling) or concentrating on something, standing very still, but not smiling. I think the cards will turn out nice this year. I managed to get a palm tree or two in there. Yep. I’m rubbing it in this year. Heh.
Christmas in Lexington Part 2
January 6, 2011 at 6:23 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: christmas, family, photos, video
Liam’s sleeping off his shots, so I finally had some time to go through the 300+ photos everyone shot at Christmas. I’m uploading all of them to Kodak for the family, but I think it’s best to just include the highlights in the album below.
We woke up bright and early on the 23rd, reluctantly, I might add. But Liam’s early wake-up call meant we only had to stop for one meal, and we made good time to Lexington. We only had to make one emergency fit-throwing stop, and the rest of the time he played quietly or slept. James’ sister Kim and her boyfriend Mike were there to greet us, and shortly after, James’s brother Chris, wife Ann, and their two boys Brady and Devin arrived. Then his mom came home with brother Mike, and his wife Mandy in tow. Thirteen made for a boisterous holiday. Boisterous, but fun. Liam loved playing with his cousins, aunts and uncles, and Mama and Papa. He even started calling some of them by name – Grandpa (Papa), Grandma (Mama), Brady (Bee bee) and both of the Mikes (My Mike).
On Christmas Eve we all gathered downstairs to open special xmas eve presents. It’s a tradition in James’ family to get a new ornament and set of PJs to wear that night. Patty went all out, getting all of her daughters and in-laws super cute jammies, and all her sons track pants. Liam and Devin had matching Christmas jammes, and Devin exclaimed when he opened his, “I’m an elf!” Afterward the kids went upstairs to decorate Christmas cookies, when suddenly there was a knock at the door, and Santa surprised us all by stopping by for a visit! Actually, it was Kim’s boyfriend Mike in a Santa costume procured by James’ step-dad Robert, but the kids were none the wiser. Liam, of course, wanted nothing to do with the jolly good elf, but Brady and Devin sat on his lap.
Christmas morning Liam beat all his cousins, waking up at 5:20. I had to entertain him for a couple of hours before the rest of the house stirred. He didn’t quite know what to make of all the stockings and presents under the tree. But he certainly enjoyed receiving presents! His favorite was the Thomas the Train set that Mama and Papa got him. He played with that every day (and every day since we got back!). After presents, we all geared up to play in the fresh-fallen snow. A wonderful white Christmas! Patty made hot cocoa, and I poured some chocolate milk into a sippy cup for Liam. Mountains of cookies and pies covered the countertops, so we had our choice of goodies.
Liam went down for an early nap, so we ate our Christmas dinner while he slept. The first peaceful meal I’ve had in months and months! He slept until late afternoon, and once he’d woken up fully, we bombarded him again with gifts! This time for his second birthday, which wasn’t technically for another two days, but since most of the family was leaving Sunday, we decided to celebrate early. We found the cutest little Elmo cupcake, the perfect size for Liam. We even got him to say, “Two” and attempt to hold up two fingers. He helped a little more with opening the gifts this time, but mostly said and signed, “more” so I’d feed him more cupcake. Later, at dinner, he refused to eat any turkey, ham, yams, green beans, or cranberry sauce, and opted instead for a couple of dinner rolls. Not the most nutritious day, but I think he’s allowed one of those on special occasions.
Monday James, Liam and I drove up to Cincinnati to see my grandma. Liam was in a much better mood this time around, and while he didn’t want to get too near her, he did have fun running around her house and touching stuff. Monday night James and I went out on our own for dinner and a movie while grandma and grandpa babysat. Yay!! We went out for cajun at a place called Furlong’s. The gumbo was nothing to write home about, though because we make our own every year, we’re kind of snobs. James didn’t love his crawfish etouffee, either, but my steak was awesome, and the rolls were scrumptious. We ordered a box of bignets to go and snuck them into the movie. Those were by far the best part of the meal! We finally got a chance to see the new Harry Potter movie, which we both really loved. We can hardly wait until this summer when Part 2 comes out. Might have to see about getting a regular babysitter by then. We hardly ever get to go out, and I think it’d be good for Liam to get used to being taken care of by someone else for a change.
Tuesday we met up with my cousins and aunt Cary for lunch, and typical Liam let my cousin Scott hold him, but didn’t want anything to do with Erin or Cary. It was great seeing them, and we conspired to get my family out there next year for Thanksgiving so we could all meet up for the holidays.
All-in-all a great trip, though I’m glad we don’t have any more travel plans in the foreseeable future. James’ parents want to come see us in a few months, my sister is planning a trip out in late March (if her sizeable bump doesn’t get in the way – she’s due in June), and Chris, Ann, and the boys are coming in April. We’re looking forward to it!
Christmas in Kentucky Part 1
January 5, 2011 at 4:31 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: christmas, family, photos, video
We had a wonderful time with James’ family in Lexington this Christmas. All of his siblings attended with their spouses, significant others, and children. Thirteen in all, and you should have seen the mountain of presents under the tree! Liam ran around with his cousins, taking a particular shine to 9-year-old Brady. Here are a couple of videos – a compilation of Liam running around, and a short video of Christmas morning. You can also view this here. Photos still to come!!
Liam’s First Christmas
December 27, 2009 at 5:53 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: baby, christmas
We had a white Christmas this year. And that was probably as exciting as it got for us, lol. Liam got up at the usual hour, drank his bottle, and humored us while we sat him in front of the tree and unwrapped his presents for him. He was still scared of the noise from the paper, but he did like playing with his toys. Here are some photos and a short video. And now he’s awake. Those naps are getting way too short.
Christmas spirit? Or lack thereof.
December 24, 2008 at 4:57 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: christmas
It’s a mix between the poor economy and bigger things on our minds…its seems like everyone I talk to this season isn’t really into Christmas this year. I know my family cut back a bit on our Christmas spending. My poor parents had to buy a new furnace and hot water heater unexpectedly in the past month, and our moving costs and subsequent furniture splurge set us back quite a bit. I’m actually glad for the low-key holiday festivities. Except for one feverish day of hasty online shopping, and about an hour designing a holiday card I simply emailed to friends and family, my stress level is considerably lower this year. Tomorrow, James and I have a small pile of gifts from my mom and sister to open (mostly baby stuff, I’m hoping, since that’s what I asked for), then we’re off to the movies. Not because there’s anything we really want to see (we’ve settled on The Tale of Despereaux), but because I really need to get out of the house. Working from home definitely has it’s perks (no more public restrooms, huzzah!), but the major drawback is my shut-in status. It’s always worse in the winter, and complicated further by the holiday. I don’t want to go out in the cold, and I really, really don’t want to have to drive in the holiday traffic. So I’ve mostly been rattling around the house for a week. I did manage a trip to the store this morning, and I can’t describe the phenomenal difference having a car here is making. DC is a whole new city to me. I can already tell I’m much happier here this time around.
Adding to my uplifted spirits, James found the last of our Random Missing Things: our toothbrush stand and cup. The packers put it in a random box of audio books from the computer room. A small triumph, but uplifting nonetheless.
Much Christmasy goings-on
December 27, 2007 at 9:22 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: amusing, christmas, family, james
Very busy week I’ve had! Here’s a recap:
Saturday’s 11th Annual Christmas Party went on as planned despite the freezing rain and snow. I got a great gift from Matt, 501 Must-See Movies and 501 Must-Read Books, which I promptly went through and have already started a list of “to rent/tape” and “to check out from the library.” My gift to Todd was a big hit, too–I ironed on “Meow” in leopard print letters on a winter hat, and sewed on a “fancy feast” kitty on a scarf. I even made little labels that read “Purr: The Todd Collection” and something silly on the back about the “essence of kitty.” Let’s see if he actually wears it (knowing him, he probably will, heh).
Christmas Day at mom and dad’s, punctuated by coos and cries from Evie, was entertaining. James made off with most of his requested DVDs (including two coveted Young Indiana Jones collections), and I got a shiny new dust-buster, and even shinier special edition of Bladerunner. Mom made a fabulous brisket for lunch/dinner, and we spent the afternoon and early evening scarfing cookies, playing a new game (Fact or Crap, very fun!), and putting together our favorite old jigsaw puzzle. Jill went to lie down for awhile while mom talked with her sister for about an hour, leaving dad, James and I to contend with Evie. I managed to successfully change her and feed her (yay!), but then she disintegrated into a mass of hurtling screams that only her mom could fix. Days like this I’m glad I’m only the “Auntie”. I promised to come over Saturday afternoon to help Doug watch her while Jill’s at work–my first time sort of babysitting. I’m sure Cam will be keeping Doug occupied, and will probably be trying to keep me occupied, too, the little attention hog 
Let’s hope I still want kids after this.
Actually, we had quite a kid test this week in St. Louis–our nephews were in rambunctious form, despite their good behavior at their great-grandmother’s funeral. They’re so cute, though, we forgive them The trip was exhausting for everyone — we all (James’s dad, brother and sis-in law w/ their two boys, and he and I) stayed at his grandfather’s house, and none of us could sleep with all the excess heat. Grandpa’s in the hospital, so we were on our own figuring things out. I was foiled at every turn — tried turning down the thermostat, but the floors were being heated by some other source; tried turning on the ceiling fan, but it rattled uncontrollably; tried opening the windows, but the storm windows were shut tight. Then James started snoring, and I huffed off into the livingroom to sleep on a delightfully cool leather couch. Until I heard the ticking…from a clock…affixed tightly in a nook i couldn’t reach. Found out in the morning everyone had a similarly frustrating, sleepless night. With all the driving, standing and greeting at the visitation, and early morning at the church for the service, I’m surprised everyone held up as well as they did. I’ve never been to a full-fledged funeral, so this was all a new experience for me. The open casket was a bit disconcerting, but the eulogy and church-service was touching, and it was nice to meet some of James’s relatives. (Apparently he thought so too — some he either hadn’t ever met, or hadn’t seen since he was four).
Now I’m off for some much-needed sleep, and much-dreaded work tomorrow. It’s friday tomorrow, right?
A shut-in weekend
December 9, 2007 at 9:04 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: christmas, james, movies
Reminiscent of my days in DC, heh. Ice and cold kept James and I indoors pretty much all weekend, which meant lots and lots of TV watching. And reading. And napping. And for once my weekend didn’t just fly by. I managed to get my Christmas tree up, and I loooove my fancy new pre-lit one. So much better than my Brooklyn version, a sparsely wrapped tree that I daresay looked more like a Festivus pole. Unfortunately I didn’t win the battle with Ebenazer Fletcher, who sourly insisted we didn’t have space in the living room for my lovely tree. So I was relegated to the office/library (heh, all of our rooms are something/library), where I dutifully decorated by myself while Nat King Cole crooned the classics on my laptop. No worries–James says he’ll be happy to participate in tree-trimming once we have kids. And now I have that on the record…
Lots of interesting (and sometimes tedious) movies I saw this weekend:
Tinman, the Sci-Fi Channel’s funky remake of the Wizard of Oz in a three part miniseries. The first part left me entertained but a little disappointed–some of the CGI was pretty bad, and I found myself laughing incredulously at a few parts that I’m pretty sure weren’t intended for laughs. This is what happens when sci-fi nerds get a hold of classic literature: insert cyborgs, metal bustiers, and psychic creatures. However, as the first part ended and I watched the remaining two parts, the story picked up, and I found myself able to forgive some of the goofy sci-fi additions. The acting and casting was actually pretty good (I love everything I’ve seen Zooey Deschanel do), and the plot twists were pretty imaginative.
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, a documentary about the quest to upset the Donkey Kong world record. It started out like a Christopher Guest mockumentary, and I kept having to remind myself that these people were really this obsessed about old video games. But by the end I found myself whole-heartedly rooting for the underdog. Down with the king nerd! The guy with the Steve Perry hair and the smug attitude!
Into the Wild, the new Sean Penn movie chronicling the true story of Chris McCandles, who trekked off to Alaska to live off the land, and eventually perished. I remember when I heard about this story, I thought, “Damn idealistic kid, what a dumbass.” But Sean Penn’s adaptation from Jon Krakauer’s book told it in a heart-felt and genuine way that left me seeing the virtues and simplicity of being a “leather tramp”. This movie really spoke to me, not just about going off into the wilderness, but also about the things we take for granted around us.
Pirates of the Caribbean parts I, II and III. James and I had a Johnny-Deppathon Saturday, and despite the cuteness of the two leading actors, I found the second and third installments entirely too complicated, convoluted, and tedious. I just wanted it..to be…over. This franchise started taking itself way too seriously–I much preferred the light-hearted antics of Jack Sparrow in the first installment. And of course they left the door wide open for additional sequels, which I’m sure will get exponentially worse. What is with the American thirst for sequels? Why can’t one be enough?
In a Christmas Mood…
December 4, 2007 at 8:16 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: books, christmas, photos, restaurants
Friday’s birthday dinner at Pierponts lifted my dour spirits immensely. A five-course prix fixe menu, including a succulent filet mignon and creme brulee, for only $45…who can beat that? Plus, I got to see a zinger of a diamond engagement ring my friend Jenny recently acquired. I don’t know how she wears it without being worried she’ll lose it!
Saturday I started my Christmas shopping…er…for me. Jill, Evie and I headed to the West Bottoms for the KC Wearhaus sale, and I just couldn’t resist picking up a pair of Twittering Machine’s famous Y-fronts. Mine have a lion on the front, rrrwwar I also left with a cute hand-made skirt and winter hat, both from local designers and half the price I’d get them retail. I hear they do these once every couple of months…i might become a regular. I particularly liked Janay’s booth (where I bought my skirt)–even signed up for her mailing list.
As for my Christmas Mood, that all started Sunday on my tour of the Vaile Mansion and Bingham-Waggoner Estate, all dolled up for Victorian Christmas. Check out the photos here. (and a few of Evie, of course, heh)
Books for this month
Notice I said month instead of week. Not much time for reading these days. I finally finished the behemoth fantasy novel Jill bought for me last Christmas, Terry Goodkind’s Wizard’s First Rule. It was a slow start for me, and I put it down a few times before I finished. But things really picked up at the end, and I’ll be interested in checking out the rest of the series. I’m not quite as enamored of it as Jill was–the writing style isn’t the best–but the story is kind of interesting.
To change things up a little, I picked up The Thornbirds, which I’ve heard about and have always wanted to read. I’m about halfway through, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Course, I was always a huge Little House on the Prairie fan as a kid, so I’m not surprised.
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