Happy Thanksgiving

Ahhh - the day is finally here!!! I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, hope you are spending it with your loved ones and taking a moment to think about your thankful things today and enjoying all of the yummy food that will be prepared today. 


Thankful Tidbits

#24 - my family putting up with my crazy pregnant moods lately and understanding everything.

#25 - That my family, our extended families & friends are all healthy and we get another year to celebrate.  It's been a rough year between my Dad's accident in March (falling 20 feet from a tree and being in the ICU for 2 months), Gramma's cancer back and her treatments, plus with the Hubs and me still having 4 sets of grandparents alive, I cherish these years even more, because I'm afraid of how many more we only have with them.

#26 - Even though I'm up much earlier than I'd like, I'm thankful for the Hubs being in bed with me this morning instead of already off to work by 5am.  And little one is still sleeping, normally she'd be hoping into bed with me about this time.



To whoever will be out with the crazies (like me and the Hubs) tomorrow between 4-5am, I hope you find the deals you want and get what you want too, even if you have to fight for it!  Lols.  :: shudders ::  We're actually going to attempt WalMart this year, I'm picturing a stampede. 

I have much blog catching up to do & promise to return the comment love and follower's etc later this week after the crazy-ness of the next 3 days. 

Friend Makin Monday

Amber is hosting this and decided to participate this week, since Thanksgiving is my 2nd favorite holiday.  If you want to join in, go click on the link and join up for the party.  Here's her questions for the week:

1. Turkey or Ham?
- Definitely Turkey!!!
2. Favorite side dish.
- My Nanny's candied sweet potatoes...can't wait for leftovers of those too!
3. Favorite dessert.
- Pumpkin Pie with some extra creamy whipped topping.
4. Black Friday: Are you going or not?
- Yes, Hubs and me will be one of those crazies out there shopping.
5. If so, what's on the top of your list?
- Tag Reader (in purple) for the little one. 
6. Going out of town or staying close to home?
- Close to home, all family is local, but will be splitting the day between my family & the hubs family.
7. Hosting or helping?
- Will help out when arrive with setting things out and clean up, but not making anything to bring along.
8. Name one family tradition at Thanksgiving.
- We go around the table and say something we are thankful for.
9. What do you do after dinner?
- We leave one place from lunch and head to the other place for dinner, this year though Little One is sleeping over at my parents, so we might see New Moon.
10. What are you most thankful for this year?
- To have a healthy family & pregnancy, for Hubs having a job, our bills are paid, food on the table, and our extended family for being there for anything and everything we might need. 






Thankful Tidbits


#23 - For Avalynn making her presence known, now instead of the just the jabs, she's starting to move around and stick her body out more, Hubs think it's the weirdest thing to see, as it looks like there's an alien moving around from the outside. And today it's felt like continuous somersaults.  

Christmas Bug - is biting a little early this year.

This is my absolute favorite holiday of all time.  I normally am patient enough to wait until after Thanksgiving/Black Friday before decorating/baking/listening to Christmas music.  That Saturday I always have the Hubs drag up all of the decor and spend the weekend decorating.  And we never start the shopping until Black Friday (where we get 90%) of it all bought for everyone on our list.  But this year, I just can't seem to help myself, perhaps it's because I've been out running around more than normal that I'm seeing all of the decorations and stores ready for the holidays. 

Yesterday little one and me packed away all of the fall decor/everyday decor and really cleaned.  This morning I started bringing up a few items from the basement and setting them out.  I feel a little bad, like I'm cheating on Thanksgiving because really, to be honest -  Thanksgiving is my favorite eating holiday of the year.  I just can't seem to help myself this year.  I'm thinking perhaps it's also having something to do with the little one, she's old enough to really start getting Christmas & Santa.  Speaking of Santa, in case you haven't heard all Macy's locations are have a Santa Letter drop-off box & the bonus, every letter they receive they will donate $1 to the Make-a-Wish foundation up to $1 Million.  How awesome is this?  Little one and me will be writing her letter next week and dropping it off the following week, hopefully to run into less traffic and shoppers. 

This past weekend the Hubs and me started our shopping too, only a little earlier than normal.  Waiting for the majority of it this Friday but since it was just the two of us, decided to get a jump start on a few things.  Plus decided to order our online items this week, to ensure they will arrive on time, items that I can't find in our local stores.  I want to share this amazing on-line company called CSN Stores that approached me to review one of their products.  I'm so excited to share it with you in the next couple weeks, the cost is great and an excellent idea for anyone on your list!  Do you need some Christmas Decorations for the inside or outside?  Really, go take the time and check this company out.  They have a big selection, great prices and many of their items have guaranteed delivery by Dec. 24th. 


Thankful Tidbits

#19 - the Hubs made it through the 1st round of layoffs on his job.

#20 - For the wonderful cuddly day I had with little one.

#21 - Date night with the hubs, long long overdue, dinner and some shopping.  Little one stayed the night with the in-laws.

#22 - Seeing the joy in little one's face when I met her for lunch today and to take her home with me. 

Great-Gramma's Never Fail Pie Crust

Yesterday, little one and me went over to Gramma's to make some pumpkin rolls & try out Great-Gramma's Pie Crust. I normally just buy the frozen or refrigerated pie crusts but this year I wanted to make my own and Gramma shared her mom's recipe with me.  So simple and fantastic that wanted to share.  Really - I expected this elaborate process, but in 5 mins the dough was made, couple mins of rolling and we were done!

"Never Fail Pie Crusts"
- Sift together 3 cups of flour, 1 tsp of salt and 1 cup of shortening.

Next:
- 1 well beaten egg, 5 tbsp of cold water, 1 tbsp of vinegar.

We then divided the dough into 3rd's.  Rolled out the 2 pie crusts for some pumpkin pie.

To take easily off the mat/table, we slid a spatula underneath it, folded it loosely in half and then picked it up into the pie plate.  Pinch up the excess dough, if any hanging over the edge just swipe that off.

We had some left over dough and decided to make some sweet rolls.  Roll out the dough, spread butter, we added some homemade apple butter, and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.  Roll it up and then slice it into pieces.  Place in a buttered/cooking spray dish @350 bake until tops are golden. 15-20 mins.

I love going over to Gramma's during November and December for pumpkin roll making and cookie baking.  And I'm glad that she shared this recipe so I can continue making it and pass down to our girls some day.

Do you have any traditions/memories with loved ones during the holiday season?



Thankful Tidbit 

#18 - To still have my Gramma around.  She just finished her 2nd bout of chemo & radiation (last month) in the past 3 years and as we get older, I'm more appreciative of the wonderful memories with her and each holiday we still get to spend with her.

Thankful Tidbits

I've gotten a little behind on these, now to catch up.

#11 - For having great & supportive friends in real life and on-line.

#12 - For mom's who look out for the other kids in play areas when some of the kids are unsupervised.

#13 - For a clean house.

#14 - For my mother-in-law tagging with me to the wedding to help me out with the little one, since Hubby had to work.

#15 - Making our professional picture appt and getting the date I wanted, last year I waited too long and we couldn't get them done.

#16 - Dove Peppermint Bark chocolates - they hit the spot yesterday after the day I had with little one.

#17 - Little one is taking a nap.  MUCH needed after the busy 4 days we've had, plus no naps, which has made a cranky little princess.


I aslo wanted to share about Free 100 Photo's from Snapfish that I've seen a few people blog about and post about in my mom group.  Is good TODAY ONLY until Midnight, with $5 purchase, enter code: FREE5 for 100 Free 4x6 prints! 

3rd Trimester

How far along: 28 weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: 10 lbs

Maternity clothes?: Everyday, there's no getting around it.

Strech marks?: No new ones.

Sleep: is so uncomfortable.  

Best moment this week: Being in the 3rd trimester now!

 

Movement: Several times throughout the day, they are just now starting to really move the belly.  And she loves to really get active when trying to go to sleep.

 

Food cravings: CORN DOGS!  That's all I want...

Gender: 110% GIRL

 

What I miss: being able to get right up from bed, instead of it taking me 3 minutes. Sleeping soundly through the night.  Walking normally.

 

Milestones: Having less than 12 weeks, you know I feel like the 1st trimester dragged, the 2nd has flown by, and I know the 3rd is going to go even faster with the holidays/birthdays we have going on.  

 

 

Thankful Tidbits

 

#10 - My gramma.  She always knows exactly what I need without me even saying it.  Emma and me had a great visit with her today.  And are looking forward to some holiday baking with her in the very near future.   

 

 

Tomorrow I'll be linking up to Melissa's @ Simply Mel "Share your TTC Story" Carnival. Make sure to check it out!!! 

Perfect shadows align behind us...

The two winners for the Yoplait Give-a-way, picked by Emma out of a hat are...

Pineapple Princess @ The Love Shack 

& 

SaraLou @ The Harriger Family WEB Blog.

Congrats Ladies! I just need you to email me your addresses so I can forward them on to the sponsor.  Thank you to everyone who participated.

Thankful Tidbits

#7 - For Hubs OT pay, which is now enabling us to get caught up and pay things off.  The layoff over the summer really hurt us.  And it feels good to not have that money burden so heavy on our shoulders. 

#8 - For Emma making me laugh throughout the day. As challenging as these 3's are turning out to be, she can definitely have me cracking up at the drop of a hat.  Just like her Daddy, there's not staying mad around those two.

#9 -   The beautiful weather we've had the past 4 days.  It's been in the high 60's and we've actually been able to go outside and play and burn off some energy without our fingers freezing within the first 15 minutes or play time.

Another weekend past and starting the new week. It was a pretty low-key weekend for Emma and me with Hubby working.

Although, last week when watching one of her channels for the life of me I can't remember which one & haven't seen it on again they did some turkey hand cookies. We rolled out the sugar dough. Cut around her hand imprint, but the worse part was getting them from the table to the cookie sheet. After they cooled off Hubby and her decorated them. For the 1st time they didn't turn out too bad.

The BUG has hit again....

When in my frenzy to unpack last month, one of the main things I couldn't wait to do was unpack the basement, but most importantly my craft area.  Once it was all done I just let a big sigh out, it felt like home again.  For months it all had been packed and I was itching badly to do something creative.

Mom plans on throwing me a "Sprinkle Shower" and I found great wording for an invite so decided to try out making a card.  I pulled out the Cricut and my Graphically Speaking cartridge, I have to say this is the most amazing cartridge I think they've ever come out with for the Bug.  It felt so good looking through my paper stash, hearing the Bug "chirp, chirp" away as it was cutting.  This is just the example one I did based off of the helpful book in the cartridge box, I'm thinking different background pattern and perhaps colors.  But so happy with how it turned out and love delicate details in the lace frame and stroller.

Now as we are entering into the holidays during my blog hopping, I'm seeing tons of great gift ideas to make for family and friends.  Edie over @ lifeingrace is having a 12 days of {handmade} Christmas Party, Nov 1st-12th.  Really if you love making gifts for loved ones or heck just making things you need to go check out some of the amazing tutorials these ladies are showing.  Drooling over here and can't wait to pick up some supplies to try some of these out!

Thankful Tidbits
#5 - I'm thankful for my mom.  She's one of my best friends.  A little on the quirky side.  Always has great advice, even though I might not take it all.  Love that we have weekly dinners.  She comes up with festive holiday crafts for her and Emma to do.  She's there to lend help, even when I'm too stubborn to ask for it, she gives it anyways just knowing that it is needed.

#6 - That my regular prenatal check-up went well today.  Nothing horrible or fantastic to report.   Baby Avalynn seems to be on the right track.  And we get a surprise ultrasound for December 7th to check-up on her.  One more month before I get to see her again and then the final 1+ months to see her out in the world.  Am so ready for that day!

Reminder - Click here to enter in Yoplait Giveaway.  Ends Sunday, Nov 8th @ 7pm Est.

Finally - Have a computer again.

So - I've been without a working computer for almost 2 weeks!  Had to take the desktop to Geek Squad because it decided to be wonky after a power outage and wouldn't load the start-up screen.  I was able to use our lovely tempermental laptop, mostly for emails though, so it could have been a stronger computer withdraw, then what I went through.

Hubby started his OT schedule last Monday.  Didn't realize how lonely it would be with him working everyday.  He comes home, we eat dinner, get about 30 mins time with Emma and then he crashes.  Counting down to Thanksgiving since that will be his first day off.

Speaking of Hubby's OT schedule - Miss Emma decided to really push her limits last week.  Whew - I do NOT know what happened to my sweet little girl.  Thankfully, MIL & FIL offered to take her overnight Friday and most of Saturday.  It was a much needed and grateful mental break for me!  I'm glad to say she seems to be back to her normal self the past 3 days.  She had a blast Trick-or-Treating.  Will post pics later this week.

Today I've reached a milestone.  I'm officially in the 3rd Trimester!!!  It feels like it's taken forever and flown by all at the same time.  I'm just beyond glad that I can actually say I'm in the 3rd trimester after previous losses, it's such a great feeling! 

Also - This THURSDAY will be having a Yoplait Review & Giveaway!  More details Thursday!

And since we are in November I wanted to do a little thing of what I'm thankful everyday until Thanksgiving.  I saw through my blogroll that Amanda @ Serenity Now is having a Thankful Party.  Go check it out if you want to participate.

Since I'm a little late am going to do my first 3 things here.

#1 - I'm thankful for Hubby having a job.  Construction work through the union has been non-existant it seems lately.  He was laid off for a little over 4 months this past spring/summer.  This has been the longest layoff we've seen.  And I'm beyond thankful that he is working at the job he has now and for the steady income.

#2 - That Emma has stayed in her room for "quiet/nap time" the past two days, working on the 3rd right now, and has actually taken a nap.  Which she didn't at all last week.  And that she is listening to me this week.

#3 - Gramma has finished her chemo & radiation treatments. She had her bloodwork checked and met with her Dr. this past Friday.  The Dr. said everything looks good and she has high hopes that the treatments worked.  We won't find out to what degree until January, Gramma doesn't wants to enjoy the holidays, and if it's bad news then that would put a damper on things.