Home is Where the Heart is

Anthony has always told me that home is wherever we are. He is right and with all the houses that we have lived in, I have needed to be reminded of this often. But of all the houses there is one that stands out the most, our South Carolina house. I love that house, and I often say to Anthony how much I miss it. It was not a big house, and wasn’t even a fancy but it was ours. When Anthony moved in, it hadn’t been lived in for quite some time and after first ripping up the really awesome green shag carpet, Anthony moved in. I moved in a few months later and we together began making it our home. This picture was taking by my parents shortly before we moved.
(L to R: Kirby, Me, Toni, Hope, Maddie Grace, Anthony and Emma)

When we decided to sell and move, I cried and wanted to interview every person that came to look at the house. Finally, a nice gentleman named Harold, came and saw the house, luckily I was there due to the dogs and got to show him around and answer any questions he had. A day or so later he made an offer and after some negotiating we settled on a deal. A few weeks later Anthony and I were there cleaning and finishing the last of the moving, it was closing day, a very sad day in my book for sure. The house was so empty yet it still seemed like my home. Harold came to do his final inspection, I tried not to cry, but after he was done looking around, I said to him, “Harold, can I ask you a question?” He smiled and said sure. I replied, “You are not going to bulldoze my house down are you?” He smiled and said, “No, I am going to rent it out.” I was thrilled! I hoped that someone would love this house as much as I did, and still do.

I hope to someday find another house that I love just as much, if not more than that little house in South Carolina. I am sure I will drag Anthony to see lots of houses before; I find one that feels like home.

Holiday Baking Pt. 2 and 3

So for the 3rd year in a row I have made Pumpkin Pie from scratch. It is pretty de-lish, if I do say so myself! Anthony loves them, so no matter the trouble or the time it takes I do it for him. Here is a picture of the filling. I did learn however that the pies don't crack if you let the filling sit for 30-60 minutes.
Here are the par baked shells.
And best of all my brother and I made sugar cookies together. He won't admit it, but it was fun to do something together with him.
I didnt bake as much as I have in years past, probably due to the move, work and everything else going on. I think next year I am going to take a lot of time off leading up to the holidays, or maybe I wont be working at all! That would be great!!!

Merry Christmas

On Christmas morning we usually take pictures of the tree, the presents and most of the time the dogs, as my brother and I are ‘big’ kids now and I don’t like to pose for pictures in front of the tree. So this year I thought it would be cute to take pictures of the oldest one in the house, Kirby and the youngest of the house, Sizzle. After a major struggle to get the bow around his neck this is the series of events that took place.

The rubbing of the face.


The looking rather pathetic.

Finally, a good one.

After the pictures, we went up to the office and were looking through the pictures, while Kirby chewed on his favorite blue ball. Sizzle insisted that she helped. Thank goodness Kirby is a good boy and very patient.

All of us had a wonderful Christmas, everyone in the family must have been on Santa’s good list, because I think everyone got what they wanted and more. Anthony and I are and were so happy to be home with family for the holidays, and can’t wait for the upcoming events.

Holiday Baking Pt. 1

This year I decided that I would attempt to make Red Velvet Cupcakes. After two trips to the grocery store I was ready to start. Here is the batter, that was such a beautiful color and what fun to make.
The first batch looks pretty. I wish I would have remembered to buy cupcake wrappers that were Christmas-y. OOPS!!

The finished product!!! I opted out of the cream cheese icing, and just used vanilla icing. Either way they were DE-LISH. So far, I think my hubby has eaten the most!

O' Christmas Tree

So in the spirit of all the immediate family being home this Christmas, my parents decided to let us have a REAL Christmas tree. So after Thanksgiving my parents, Anthony and I set out for the perfect real tree. My mom and I really got into it, however the boys were not so thrilled. Here is Anthony and the tree cart in search of the perfect tree.
This is actually a picture of the second Christmas tree farm we visited. The first was a flop and most of the trees had already been picked over. This tree farm is actually owned by a nice family that we have known for years.

We finally all agreed on this tree. It is rather large, but we think it is beautiful. By now, it has started to rain, Jeff is done Christmas tree hunting, and I am insisting that they, the boys, SAW IT DOWN! However, Mr. Ude offered to use a chainsaw and cut it down, the boys, Anthony especially jumped at the offer. Thank you Mr. Ude.
We finally got the tree home, after a quick stop at the grocery store. It is still looking rather large atop my decent size SUV!

Here are the boys (you can't see Anthony) getting the tree down from my car!

So here is where the problem begins....The REAL tree project, thus far has been rather uneventful, until now. This picture is showing the discovery that the trunk is in fact to big for the stand. Now, Anthony and I were pretty sure that the Christmas tree stand that we purchased a few years ago was the biggest that they make, without buying a industrial tree stand for ALOT of money! So in short this is where the tree quickly becomes the Christmas tree from HELL!

So after 2 weeks, a few fights and alot of emotional pain and agony, the tree is up!! Here is the tree the night we finished. As you can see even in the this picture the tree has a bend in the trunk. We didn't notice this until we got it in the house. In all reality, I think all of us really hate this tree for some reason or another. However, me...I am happy about the whole ordeal. It just goes to show the less perfect something is the better. We, as a family, will all remember this dumb tree.
Authors side note: We have now gone through quite a few fuses due to all the lights on the tree. So currently the lights are not working. O' Christmas Tree, how big of a pain you really are!!!

The Seattle Pops

Last night we went with my parents, my "good looking" uncle and some friends to the Seattle Symphony with Cirque De Soleil...IT WAS AMAZING!!! Even Baby Aiden was amazed, as soon as they began to play, Aiden began a circus act in my tummy. The music was fabulous and the performers were truly amazing. Here is the program from the show that Anthony saved.
This is us before we left. Aren't we cute? My belly is definitely showing these days. Unfortunately, you can not get the full effect of my belly due to the lack of my mother's camera skills.

Long time NO POST!

So a lot has happened since I posted last...are you ready for the short version?? A move from St. Louis to Washington State, a snow storm, a new job, Thanksgiving, a check engine light and a growing belly! OK so the move went great, in my opinion. I flew with 2 dogs from St. Louis to Seattle the week before Thanksgiving, and Anthony and my step-dad starting driving the Friday before Thanksgiving and made it home safely on Sunday. Then came the snow storm. UGH! Here is a picture of my parents pond with just beginning of snow. It is pretty, I must say!

After being here 4 days, I started at my new Starbucks, I love the store and the people I work with! Two days after starting, I was heading home and my Trailblazer's check engine light came on, UGH! Luckily it was nothing big and was fixed with a tightening of a gas cap and an oil change. Thank you car, remember I love you and need you to last me a while longer!

Thanksgiving....what a wonderful day! Food, family and friends what more could we ask for. Anthony and I have so much to be thankful for this year and well every year, but especially this year! Lastly, my growing belly! As I head into my third trimester, I feel myself slowing down, which I must admit, I do NOT like. I have lots to do and want to do it all. I promise I will post another belly picture soon. In the meantime, I hope everyone had a great holiday and hope to get out in the sleepy garden soon!