Christmas in Tampa 2010

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Wishing You a Merry Christmas...

Froehliche Weinachten, Buon Natale, Feliz Navidad, Kala Christouyenna and Mele Kalikimaka from our family to yours! 

Horny Cookies

I was eight years old when my mother died.  That first Christmas without her was especially tough and I remember all the adults in my life trying so hard to make me happy.  On Christmas night, we stopped by my Aunt Joan's open house and she presented a plate of cookies "just for me" to take home because she knew I loved the kind with the Hershey Kiss on top.   I blurted out, "Thank you so much.  These are my favorite.  They make me so horny!" and whole family turned and scowled at my always inappropriate father.  Having no idea what horny meant at the time, I really did come pretty close to describing how these cookies make me feel!   From then on, I call the cookies with the Kiss on top "Horny Cookies" and I smile every time I eat one!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Friday Favorites- Warm Winter Weather

Just a few days ago it was 23 degrees here in Charleston and I was completely miserable!  Today it's 68 degrees with the sun shining strong.  This little guy came out to bask in the sun today.  As did I! 

Snowflakes

I planned on making plain old-fashoined paper snowflakes with paper and scissors but ended up finding these foam snowflakes at Walmart.  The kids and I glued all sorts of cool stuff to them and hung them on our porch windows.  Cheap, simple, fun and festive!  

BFF Birthday

Rya's best friend Riley turned 3 today and we helped her celebrate at Charleston's Jump Indoor.  They jumped, hugged, ate candy, ran around and made their own stuffed animals.  It's adorable to see how much they love each other.  Happy birthday Riley! 

Dear Santa

We took the kids to see Santa tonight at Towne Center. Currier brought his wish list for Santa to read. He's asking for Criss Cross Crash and several different Star Wars Legos. Rya had nothing to say and would barely look at the Big Man.  Ho Ho Ho!

Friday Favorites- Napping with Dogs

It's starting to get chilly here in Charleston.  It's in the mid 50's which means it's frigging freezing to me!  There's nothing more comforting than taking a nap with these two little bed warmers on a day like today.  "Napping With Dogs" is my Sioux name.  Happy Friday!

Jammies, Movies and Crafts

We skipped the gym today (Mama is sore and tired), stayed in our jammies all morning, watched Santa Claus is Coming to Town and decorated paper Christmas trees to adorn our windows.  Perfect!  

23 Days and Counting

This morning the kids and I made this paper chain to help them understand how many days until Santa arrives.  It's hanging over our dining room table and each morning we'll take a link off the chain.  As the chain gets shorter the closer it gets to Christmas! 

Rya D Designs

This ensemble was brought to you by Rya D. 

She'll be coming out with her own label soon. 

Thanksgiving 2010

We actaully celebrated Thanksgiving the evening before Thanksgiving this year.  This way I wouldn't have to worry about cooking after running the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning and also so that my dad could enjoy leftovers for a day before flying out the morning after Thanksgiving.  We had a quiet, simple dinner.  I have so much to be thankful for but this year I was especially thankful to have my father here with us.  

Thanksgiving morning I ran the Turkey Run 5K downtown Charleston in 80 degree weather with my good friend Ella.  My dad, Trent and the kids greeted me at the finish line and so did a giant beer truck.  Life is so good!   

After the race, we watched the Macy's Parade, ate leftovers, watched football, ate more leftovers, unbuttoned our pants and decorated the house for Christmas.  Bring on the next holiday! 

Highlights from Dad's Visit

My dad is back in Massachusetts resuming chemo treatments after taking two weeks off to be with us.  It was a great visit.  We spent a day at the aquarium seeing the albino alligator and all the other sea creatures we love. 

One evening we went to the James Island County Park Festival of Lights and enjoyed three wondrous miles of sparkly Christmasness!    

  

We did a lot of relaxing, newspaper reading, ice cream eating, tonic drinking, scratch ticket scratching and oldie music listening.  

We also had an Ultimate Scrabble Championship one evening and invited Stacey, another Newburyporter.  There were a lot of laughs, a lot of beer and wine drinking, a lot of wise cracks and of course a few arguments.  My dad enjoyed this competition and thought Stacey was a real "hot shit".