So I’m finding that I don’t have as much time to blog and comment on blogs lately. I think it’s because I can’t nurse and type at the same time. I can do a lot of things while nursing–make dinner, go the bathroom, clean, etc.–but I haven’t mastered typing while nursing yet. I’ll keep working on it.
Anyway, I love this time of year for three reasons:
Anyway, I love this time of year for three reasons:
#1) Thanksgiving– My whole family (excluding Sarah and her family) came up for Thanksgiving, which was so fabulous. I seriously love my family. To me, one of the best things about families is that we all share the same sense of humor. My siblings are all so dang funny. It is especially fun (and a little bit sad) for me to sit back and watch my younger siblings–especially Laura, Audrey and Seth interact. They love each other so much and get along so well. It was so funny to hear them recount how Charley used to give them candy for serving him and calling him “Master” when he had girls over. And all three of them are practically hanging all over my mom all of the time because they are so close to her. I hope I can be like my mom so that my teenage and adult children are still always wanting to sit by me and hug me, etc.
I love my sister-in-law Kat, too, because it is obvious how much she and Charley love and enjoy one another and because she is the type of person who makes herself comfortable with our family–and that is so cool. You don’t have to constantly worry about making her feel comfortable and included because she just naturally blends right in. She participates in conversation and goes shopping with my sisters and me and gets in the fridge when she is hungry–and I love it.
It was sad to have my family leave and know that they will all be together with Sarah and her family at Christmas time and that I will not be there to join them…
#2) I’m not sure I know anyone who loves Christmas and all that goes with it more than I do. I love the music, I love the food, I love the weather, I love the smells, I love the decorations, I love the giving, and I love the getting. I love it all. We’ve starting getting two Christmas trees–both real–one that I decorate by myself and one that is the family tree. We bought mine in town and we will be going to cut down the family one for family night tomorrow.
I love Christmas so much that while I was still at home, I used to hold “Christmas morning rehearsals” with my younger siblings where we would practice lining up and running down the stairs to the living room. We would even practice our reactions to all the presents. Man, it was great.
#3) My birthday! What better way to begin the best month of the year than with my birthday! My b-day is one of the best days of the year. Why? Because it is all about me, of course. Brian never has to stress about what to get me because it is the same thing every year. I want to get a baby sitter for the kids while Brian takes me on a shopping trip. This year we left Friday morning and went to Portland to shop and then went to the Manheim Steamroller concert that night. We spent the night there and then went home on Saturday afternoon. It was wonderful. I do as much shopping as I can squeeze in and Brian comes along and never even mutters a word of complaint. What could be better than that?
#3) My birthday! What better way to begin the best month of the year than with my birthday! My b-day is one of the best days of the year. Why? Because it is all about me, of course. Brian never has to stress about what to get me because it is the same thing every year. I want to get a baby sitter for the kids while Brian takes me on a shopping trip. This year we left Friday morning and went to Portland to shop and then went to the Manheim Steamroller concert that night. We spent the night there and then went home on Saturday afternoon. It was wonderful. I do as much shopping as I can squeeze in and Brian comes along and never even mutters a word of complaint. What could be better than that?
Ahhhhh…I am one happy girl–Wait. I guess I’m a lady these days. Anyway….
Those are cute pics Ann! Your tree looks gorgeous, as usual, and I can’t wait to come and see your Christmas decorations. I’m glad that your family had a good time, how fun to have everybody together! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Ann! You look wonderful! Your tree looks great. You are right there is nothing about this time of year I don’t like.
Happy Birthday Ann! Love the pictures as I have been dying to see some new pictures of the baby. I was hoping you guys would be down for Christmas, but it looks like you won’t be. Sad… hopefully someday we will find ourselves on Vegas soil at the same time.
Annie you look beautiful! And I love your outfit in the pic with the gray shirt! So cute! YOU need to take ME shopping! I hope you had a fabulous birthday and that you got my card that said your name all across it! 🙂 Oh, and by the way….haven’t I told you my story about going to the store and being called “…..some lady…..”. It was terrible! We will always be girls! Not the other way around! 🙂
Annie! I can’t believe how grown up all your family is. It’s actually kind of creepy I must say. I had to stare forever at that picture. The baby is beautiful and you look great. Spending time with you at Christmas has always been some of my fondest memories. I don’t know anyone that loves Christmas more then you. Happy Birthday and I’m sad we won’t be able to see you guys this year. I can’t wait for you to meet Dean! The date is March 8th by the way!
Beautiful tree, beautiful kids (so fun to see your little baby changing so much already!), beautiful you! Happy Birthday! Glad that it was great and your Thanksgiving sounds like a hit.
Ann I love your blog! I especially love the story about charlie paying the younger kids with candy to call him Master, that was so charlie. I laughed so hard when I read that. I also love the story about you saying all the things you can do while nursing, that is so cool.
Andrea Olave
http://www.arotm82.blogspot.com
Ann, nursing and typing CAN be easy! Just get yourself a boppy. Just set her on there, and BAM! two hands free to type.
I miss you! Seeing your family together made me think of how much I love your family.
Remember how you used to put your feet on the coffee table and we turned on Mannehiem Steamroller and we’d run around the room and jump over your legs? What a great Christmas activity…
Happy Birthday! You look so great! And I must say, you have a beautiful tree and house. It looks so comfy. I’ve always thought your mom was great too. I saw her bike riding with one of your sisters a few weeks ago and I just thought it was awesome!
Thanks for checking in…I’m not crazy- just, I don’t know what. Your Thanksgiving looked like a lot of fun. I know your mom was so excited for it. And I so remember hearing all about your Christmas morning rehearsals! But I had no idea about Charley and the candy. That’s funn. Oh, and SO true about the nursing and typing with a Boppy…it’s the only thing I CAN do while nursing (besides watching tv or maybe reading a book)- I’m not talented like you! Happy Birthday!