2015 - Week 48

Monday was a pretty good, productive day. I’m really looking forward to the really short week this week. Two days of work, I can handle that!! But, with only two days to work, I definitely had to find some motivation to get stuff done! I made some appointments today that I’ve been putting off….dentist appointments for the girls, Chuy’s vet check-up, a check up for me. Check, Check, Check!!  Then, it was time to focus in on some work and plow through my inbox. After work, I met up with my mom at Sam’s club to get a few things for Thanksgiving, and then stopped at Target on my way home for some other final supplies. Other than some cleaning, we’re pretty much Thanksgiving ready – woot!!  I picked up the big girls from daycare, and we settled in at home. The girls played, I made some dinner, and them my back was just KILLING me. I don’t know what I did to it, but I barely left the couch the rest of the night. Christian was pretty much on duty, while I rested my back. Early bedtime for all tonight!

Tuesday was a pretty “boring” day. I did wake up from a FULL NIGHT SLEEP! Seriously, amazing. Just plain amazing. I can’t wait for the day that is case every single night. But, Eliza was craaaaaabby this morning. You’d think after a peaceful night she would have been happy as a clam. She’s not a morning person, that’s for sure! I was off to work for another busy day, getting as much done before 5 glorious days off. After work, I picked the girls up and we settled in for a standard night at home…some TV, some dinner, some baths and a quiet night.

Wednesday began my little vacation. This week is my “flex” week, but my flex day falls on Friday, a Holiday, so I moved it to today. And, bonus, I had the entire house, all to myself, ALL DAY LONG! Christian was off to work, the girls to daycare/school, and it was WONDERFUL! I dropped them off at daycare, had some breakfast and watched a little TV to start the day. Then, it was time to get to work. I finished cleaning and organizing the entire basement – hallelujah!! Next up, I got started on the living room, dining room and kitchen cleaned up. I was exhausted, and ready for a nap, but making amazing progress. I picked the girls up from daycare around closing time, and we had dinner as soon as Christian arrived home. We all worked together to clean up the girls’ room, and Christian worked on cleaning up the entryway. Olivia was fighting sleep tonight, so while the other two went down, she helped Christian start brining the turkey for tomorrow. While they did that, I finished up the kitchen and dining room, and finally settled in for the night. Exhausted, back REALLY killing me now, and I don’t think I’ve passed out that fast at bedtime in a LONG time. Tomorrow is going to be hectic and crazy, but we’re ready!

Amelia the Turkey, and Eliza the photobomber

Thursday came, and it was finally Thanksgiving!!! I have to admit, I don’t look forward to it as much as I used to. I used to LOOOOOVE Thanksgiving. The food, the family time, it was great. Even when we started hosting it, I really liked doing it. Now, I’m just too exhausted for it, and it feels like such an ordeal. Once we’re really into it and things start coming together I usually perk up a bit and start getting into the mood though. We had some breakfast and watched the parade to start the day, and one by one started getting ready. Christian was off to pick up a pie and find somewhere to fill the propane tank for the deep-fryer. Oops, probably should’ve checked that! Eliza took a nice long nap while we finished getting ready and did some final picking up around the house. I started the mashed potatoes (we have this GREAT crockpot recipe, which is really nice that it doesn’t take up any other space), Christian fired up the deep-frier and things were officially in motion. Christian’s parents showed up, and shortly after my mom. And finally, my sister in law and her family, complete with our new 2-week old nephew arrived. One by one each dish was cooked and ready to go, and as soon as the Turkey settled, we all plated up and started eating. OMG – so dang good! Clean-up actually went well this year too because I actually cleaned and washed dishes as we went – which is not my usual, so I felt totally on top of everything. Go me! After dinner, the kids resumed playing and yelling and destroying the house (8 kids plus a baby – whoa) and the adults watched some football and chatted for a while, exhausted from eating way too much food. I finally got some sleeping baby cuddles, so delicious. Finally, we had dessert, loaded everybody up with leftovers, and everybody started on their way home. We hung out with the girls for a little while before they were off to bed. After these last couple of days, you better believe we weren’t far behind! Exhausted!!

Eating some snow from the deck

So Thankful for these Beauties

Snuggling our new nephew.

Friday brought us a MUCH needed long, lazy, quiet day around the house. I did some very minor picking up throughout the day, and that’s just about it. The big girls were acting up so much today though – lazy days don’t really agree with them. Fighting, arguing, talking back, not listening. Just general “mom wants to rip her hair out” behavior. Ugh. Eliza was her usual crabby, clingy self as well. He’s been really burning up lately and not acting herself. She never has a fever, doesn’t throw up – nothing like that, so I really have no idea what’s going on. Like usual, I just jump to teething. I’m not sure why those last 4 teeth are giving her such a hard time – I wish they’d just pop through already! We had takeout for dinner, relaxed for a while, the girls were off to bed a little early. Christian went out for a while, for one of his friends’ birthday, and I was pretty excited to have the house all to myself for a while. MUCH needed peace and quiet. I’m just about done with our “2015 Photobook”, which was my main task – I just have to put in a couple photos from this weekend, and I’ll be ready to order. Whew! Otherwise, I spent the night catching up on Hulu. Perfect!

My fancy girl

On Saturday, we actually slept in a little. Love it when that happens! We hung out, watched some TV, and then Olivia and I were off to Target to get a few things. We had to get some cards and flowers for my dad and stepmom, checked out some of the sales, and got some groceries for “Turkey Taquito” night. We had breakfast with the family once home, and got some cleaning done. Christian was off to get a haircut, while Eliza went down for a nap. The big girls had lunch and watched “Home Alone”, and we all got ready for the day. My dad and stepmom stopped over for their annual birthday/anniversary dinner. We use the leftover turkey and make a TON of taquitos with it – I can’t even tell you how amazing they are. I drool just thinking about them! We chatted, ate, did some coloring and watched a movie. The girls are always excited to spend some time with their grandparents, and it’s always nice to catch up. After my parents left, the girls were off to bed, and Christian and I watched “Furious Seven” before I passed out. I seriously was in tears thinking about Paul Walker – it’s still so crazy to me. I loved the little tribute they had for him at the end of the movie. Very touching.

Birthday picture with Grandpa Scott

Turkey Taquito Night!

Sunday came WAY too fast. I couldn’t believe that Thanksgiving break was over already. Back to work tomorrow – gross. I slept in a little bit again today, while Christian woke up with the girls (well, laid on the couch opening his eyes once in a while, while they run around). I did some general cleaning and picking up around the house, made some breakfast, and the girls took some baths. Christian and I showered and got ready, and we were off. I wasn’t in the mood to set up our fake Christmas tree this year, so we decided to go for it and try a real tree. I’m not sure why I thought it sounded so much easier – but it’s not. It’s not easier AT ALL. We found a local tree farm, loaded up the van, and made our way there. Turns out, cutting down a tree isn’t THAT easy. And then, after you get it down, you have to somehow get it on top of your vehicle. We had to ask another family for some help there. And, holy crap it’s expensive!!! Next up, you get home, and you have to somehow get it into the house. We had to move the living room furniture around and take the gate off of the stairs, then pretty much drag it up to the living room. Finally, once in, you have to get it UP and INTO the tree stand. That was another ordeal. Good Lord, it was definitely quite the task. And, it’s HUGE. It pretty much takes up the entire doorway on that side of the living room. Oops! We did some vacuuming, Christian got the lights hung up while I watched a movie with the girls and got some dinner made, and finally, we let them load it up with ornaments. We finally finished around 8:00PM – it seriously took the entire day! Needless to say, the girls were right off to bed. I watched this weeks “The Walking Dead” episode, while Christian started “Jurassic World” – I caught bits and pieces, and the second half. Pretty good, but not sure what ALL Of the hype was about. TWD mid-season finale was not QUITE as crazy as usual, but it was still really great. I can’t wait for it to come back already! Finally, I was off to bed. The snow was on its way, so I already knew the drive tomorrow is going to be a nightmare. So it begins…

Picking out, cutting down, setting up and decorating the Christmas tree.

Until Next Week! XOXO