Christmas Wrap Up

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already! I usually feel a little sad the day after Christmas Day thinking that Christmas is a whole year away!
We tried to slow down a bit this time (no long days of baking for me!)and enjoy good food and good company. (I think I am past the point where I can justify cookies for breakfast, bummer!)
We took the kids and met my mom, dad, and brother Mitchell, to the Melting Pot this year for Christmas Eve. Our tradition is to take the kids somewhere new and a little fancy on Christmas Eve, READ:mommy doesn't want to cook! It was really fun, my favorite it the cheese course. Once the kids got the hang of cooking their own meats, we all had a good time. And who can resist a hot bowl of melted chocolate, not me.
We spent Christmas day in pajamas (that was my only goal that day!)
We went and saw "Bedtime Stories" at the movie theater. There is a very cute guinea pig in the movie that I am sure was Drew's favorite part.
So here are some pics from our Christmas...
Always with the goofy faces, always!



storm trooper grandpa


Right...tell that to my four year old (warning label on his batman wings)

snow in arizona?

Do Yourself A Favor, and Check This Out!

Ah, all for me? I must be the luckiest mom in the whole world!

So, this is what I found when I was cleaning the family room upstairs. Obviously, I haven't cleaned behind the couch since Halloween. The crazy part if I accompanied them to get all this stinkin candy.
And actually, it was even worse when I pulled the other corner of the couch away from the wall. Its almost impressive!

Science Fair , ARGGGGGG!

(just some of the pictures that we took for the data part of the experiment)

The fifth graders at Jordan's school are required to do a science fair project. So, we have known about this for a couple months, but, really haven't worked on it in earnest until this week. Not a good plan.
Feeling overwhelmed by all that is going on this week, I was in tears Sunday night stressing about the "crunchy cereal" project that was due this week. It is really my fault for procrasinating until this week, but it's not like life wasn't this busy two months ago, or even two weeks ago.
So, here's fingers crossed that Jordan gets a good grade!

Jingle Bell Run

Drew and Kennedy participated in a 1K run for charity, the Jingle Bell Run, today.
Drew was so excited last night, and really wanted the race to start by gunshot (leave it to my kid to incorporate guns into everything!)
They were outfitted with little jingle bells on their toes, and every kid was assigned #1.
The racers all donated toys, and the day was the kind of beautiful December desert day (except the wind) that we all love.

Ceramic Christmas Tree

Growing up, my grandma had one of these ceramic Christmas Trees. Actually, a lot of people made them in the 70s and 80s. I would so like one! If anyone knows anyone who still makes them, let me know!

Cookie Exchange Recipe

CHOCOLATE OAT SQUARES

1 c. plus 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, softened, divided
2 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
4 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
3 c. quick-cooking aots
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt, divided
1 tsp. baking soda
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
2 c. (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. chopped walnuts

In a mixing bowl, cream 1 c. butter and brown sugar. Beat in eggs and 2 tsp. vanilla. Combine the oats, flour, 1 teaspoon salt and baking soda in a separate bowl; stir into creamed mixture. Press 2/3 of oat mixture into a greased 9" x 13" baking stone (or pan). It's also fine in an 8" x 8" pan. You'll just have taller squares.

In a saucepan combine milk, chocolate chips and remaining butter and salt. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from the heat; stir in walnuts and remaining vanilla. Spread over the crust. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool. Cut into squares.

Yield: 4 dozen.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Right now, my face is "under construction", so to speak. Unfortunately, I have battled acne for years and years. It is hard because people may think that when you suffer with acne, you just aren't doing something right. Like not using the right skin care, eating the right things, etc. The ugly truth is, if you are genetically predisposed to it, it's just gonna happen.
I have been on every "cyclin" medication, RETIN-A, Proactive, Mary Kay, blah, blah, blah. So, after much thought, I am taking Accutane. It is a very intense medication that I am going to take for 5 months. I even have to get blood work every month, and log into a national directory of users, that serious(Accutane is deadly to a fetus if you became pregnant)
The risks are the reason that I had put off taking it for so long. I felt vain and selfish to take such a serious medicine. But, now that I am 32, done with having kids, I thought this is my turn.
The side effects: well, you can see very clearly my face is very red right now. My skin is totally dry (think flakey skin beard), my lips are very chapped, and I am totally broken out right now. They say it gets worse before it gets better (yikes!)
Sooooo, yes I know I look horrible right now. But, I must say that I am hopeful that this will work and I can move on.

The cobblers children have no shoes!

For years, and years I have lovingly, but painstakingly homemade my Christmas cards, and put a Christmas photo that I had shot of the kids. Every year.
Not this one, cuz I am just plain tired! Thanksgiving fell so late this year, and it took a week to bounce back, not to mention, that I have had two allergic reactions to who knows what, so I have had been taking Benadryl. ZZZZZZZzzz......
I dress these poor kids up and torture them for at least an hour to get what I think is just the right shot to put in my perfectly handmade card.
So, Jordan, Kennedy, Drew....
Merry Christmas!
you got out of it this year, but I can't promise you it will happen again...

besides, this is why I have a blog, right?????

what Drew? you don't want to pose nice for mommy?
november 2005 Christmas photoshoot

Okay, I'm gonna nerd it up...

This video clip proves I have no taste, and I am easily entertained...
I think I am ready to chaperone the next youth dance, as long as I get to wear my...
"Fancy Pants"!!!

Holiday Low down...

the Baxter clan
seriously, my heart is in this picture, I love my family soo much! I wish so badly that I could be there in Vegas to make curtains for Jill, and be in Portland to give Gina a hand. Not to mention my parents, there are no words to describe how blessed I am to have them!

the "before"turkey dinner pigout

I can not leave my camera unattended when I am with my brothers, here's Matt in one of many funny face suprise pictures

let there be donuts!

We Farrell's have been missing out on what I think now is the greatest thing ever...
Guitar Hero! Woo hoo, mama's gonna bring the house down!

the Farrell's and Balentine's

Shayne playing football, or basketball, I am not sure. It was the clash of the titans, Hermes vs. Gucci (shayne's bro, ryan, works for Hermes at the Bellagio, and challenged his Gucci buds to a playoff)

cute little turkey decorations that Ruthann, Shayne's mom, made. She makes something cute every year for every person.

my sis in law, gina and mason. I taught Mason "Red light, Green light" and he had a ball

the cutest little one year old, my nephew Riley. I wanted to put him in my pocket and bring him home with me!