Christmas Part 2

So it's New Years Eve and I'm finally getting around to putting up part 2 of our Christmas.
I've been feeling a little sickly and trying to soak up those last moments with Andrew (he went back home yesterday) so I have not really had the motivation to do a whole lot of anything, much less sit down at the computer and type out a post. 

So where were we...

Christmas Eve
We headed over to Grandma's house (Eddie's parents) to have "breakfast" and open presents with his parents and his brother. 

I had a hard time calling it breakfast.  It was a thrown together meal of Chick-fil-A nugget tray, fruit tray, donuts, muffins and cookies.  Not really my idea of breakfast, but I can't really complain cause it edible and yummy. 

Everyone got a stocking full of stuff we will never use.  I really think my MIL has stock in Bed, Bath & Beyond because every year we get every kind of little gadget they sell. 

The kids each received an electronic coin bank from my B & SIL.  The kids are all excited about collecting $$.

The Hubs got more movies to add to his already massive collection

The kids got new riding gear for their motorcycles.  The original plan was to hang out and ride motorcycles all day, but the rain kinda changed those plans for us. 

After playing at Grandma's for a while, we headed back to our house to wait on Gran and PePaw (my parents) to come over for dinner and more presents. 

My mom made homemade vegetable soup and chili.  Eddie said her chili rivaled mine (where do you think I learned to make chili).  The soups were perfect for the cold and rainy night. 



I love her excitement over her new clothes

Andrew makes some of the goofiest faces

After dinner we opened presents.  The kids were worn out at this point and got a little silly at times. 

We got the moms a Pandora bracelet with a few charms this year for Christmas.  We know we did good cause we made them cry. 

Then it was making cookies and then off to bed. 

The kids begged us to make them a fort out of blankets and let them sleep in the play room. 

Christmas Day

We told the grandparents to be at the house at 8:00 thinking that the kids would be up early and ready to tear into their presents.  When my parents arrived at 7:55, the kids were still asleep. 

After the kids gained their wits and woke up (they are not morning people) we torn into the presents that Santa left.  First, we did stockings though

Madilyn's picture board

I just love his expressions

I think Audrey liked her boots



The kids got Eddie a new wallet filled with gift cards to his favorite restaurants



Madilyn got a Kindle

I got some new charms for my Pandora bracelet



I got a Garmin.  I took it for a spin the day after Christmas



Audrey trying out her karaoke machine



Unfortunately, the girls had to leave at 2:00 to spend the rest of Christmas break with their dad.  I was depressed for the rest of the day and refused to do anything.  We were suposed to have a late lunch at my Granny's house but I didn't feel like going so we stayed at home and had chips and salsa instead. But my mom and brother got me out of the funk by taking me to see Les Miserable that night.  I love the musical and the movie was great! 

On the way home from the movies I picked up Christmas dinner for myself and the hubs

I am sad to say that this was my Christmas dinner. 

School, Family and ripped pants...Christmas Part 1

Christmas has come and gone and now its back to reality. 
But not before I recap our Holiday festivities. 

It all started Thursday with Audrey's Winter Celebration at school.  (There is a little girls in her class that is a Jehovah's Witness, so it couldn't be called a Christmas Party in order for her to participate.) 


Audrey with her teacher at their Winter Celebration

I wasn't able to get off work so I sent my mom as my replacement.  I try to be at as many school functions as I possibly can, but when I can't make it, I try to make sure someone is there to be with the kids.  My mom helps out a lot because she works part-time and a lot closer than Eddie and I.  Eddie normally can take off too, since he's the boss and all, but he was headed to get Andrew! 

Thursday night the girls and I stayed up way past our bedtimes to wait on Eddie and Andrew to get home.  The girls haven't seen Andrew in 4 months, other than the occasional FaceTime.  It was so nice to have all 3 kids under one roof again. 

Friday
Thankfully, Friday was Pajama day at school so they got to sleep in a little and no need to get all dressed up.  I did however get up early to make Sticky Buns for Madilyn's class party.  I took the day off in order to be able to attend class parties and spend the day with Andrew.  So we all headed to school with breakfast in hand.  Andrew was so excited to see the girls school.  He hung out with Madilyn and her friend during the party.  Madilyn recently has gotten too cool and sometimes won't acknowledge Eddie or myself when she's around her friends so I was a little worried that she would ignore Andrew, but she was so good with him. 

Saturday
We went to visit Eddie's grandfather, Pop.  The Martin side of the family gets together on Christmas day for lunch and to exchange presents.  We were not going to be able to make it on Christmas, so we wanted to drop off our gift and visit with Pop.  It always seems like whenever we have get togethers with that side of the family, the girls are never with us.  Therefore, Eddie's side of the family barely knows the girls.  They really only met them once, at our wedding.  It was nice for the girls and Pop to get to spend some time together and for everyone to get to know one another better.  Pop had a Christmas party to get to with his girlfriend Doris, so we left.  I think it's a little sad that they have a better social life than I do. 

Sunday


The great-grandchildren

All the Teal's gathered at Uncle Frank's house to play dirty Santa game and have lunch.  The kids also received gift from Uncle Frank and Aunt Donna.  Gotta love Aunt Donna for getting all 3 of my children things that make noise.  

All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren


After Frank's house we had to rush home so Madilyn could change her pants because somehow she managed to rip a big hole in the butt of her jeans.  And then we were off to go have dinner with my dad's side of the family, the Nestlehutt's at Logan's restaurant. 

Then home to crash and recover from all the over eating so we can do it all over again on Monday, Christmas Eve. 

I'll have to finished the rest later



My husband thinks its appropriate to throw a football in the house

 

The hubby and I (and Madilyn's fingers) at dinner at Logan's



My mini me



Lucky is enjoying her present from Aunt Donna



This is Madilyn trying out her present from Uncle Frank...Moon Shoes



Work Christmas Par-tay

Friday afternoon our entire company shut down early for our annual Christmas Party.  This year the party was held at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta.  Very nice.  I don't think I've ever been in a hotel that nice, but I don't get out much. 

Glass ceilings and some funky art hanging from the ceiling. 

One of the many bars all decorated for Christmas
 

When we first arrived it was cocktail hour and we all just hung out, ate and drank until it was time to be seated for lunch.

 We were in a huge conference type room for lunch.  This was the first time in many years that all offices were invited to the Company party, usually it's just the main office and the office were I work that gets invited to the Christmas Party.  Aren't we special?  So this year we needed a larger space. 

Once we everyone was seated they opened up the buffet lines.  By this time its after 2:00 and personally,  I'm starving.  So this former fat girl was not afraid to be the second in line, right after my pregnant co-worker.  I wanted to make sure the baby got fed. 

After lunch was the most anticipated part of the whole party and frankly the whole reason I go...Prizes.  They gave out 2 $500 Visa gift cards as the Grand Prize, (yeah, I didn't win those) and then a whole bunch of other random gift cards in various amounts. 



 

I won $15 Starbucks gift card.  Our office really racked up.  We must have had some good luck or something.  Out of the 11 people in my office, 6 of us won something. 

After all the prizes were given out they turned on the music and it was a free-for-all on the dance floor.  I'm all about getting my dancing on...but there's a time and a place for it, and in front of all my bosses is not it, so I skipped out on the dancing and instead took a bunch of random pictures in the bathroom. 

 

 

 

And after we all heard of the tragedy in Connecticut, I opted to skip out on the rest of the party and head home to my babies.  Thankful that I was able to wrap my arms around them and tell them that I love them one more time and hopefully a million more times.  My heart aches for those families.  I cannot even begin to fathom their pain right now.  We chose to sit the girls down and be preemptive and tell them about what was going on.  I much rather them hear it from me and Eddie than on the news or from a friend at school or church and become scared to go to school.  We stopped playing and right in the middle of our driveway we prayed for those families, teachers and students of Newtown, CT. 

Breakfast and Book Fair

This morning at the girls' school they had breakfast for parents and students who came in to shop at the Book Fair on the last day.  The breakfast was from 8:00- 9:30.  I RSVP'd for the early time so I could just go into work late. 

The girls' dad had already bought them 4 books each on Tuesday after PTSO. So I was a little disappointed that I wasn't gonna be able to buy them the books that they wanted on Friday.  Anyways...

We got to school right on time.  The tardy bell rings at 7:45 and we got to the school at 7:40 which gave them just enough time to walk to their classrooms.  This was quite a change for them as they are usually one of the first ones at school since I have to drop them off at 7:05 in order for me to get to work on time. 
We walked around the Book Fair and even though their dad bought everything off their "wish list" we were able to find some more books that they wanted. 

I had to basically force Audrey to actually buy a book.  All she wanted to get was activity books.  Audrey is very smart and a good reader, but like most kids she's kinda lazy and doesn't want to read unless you make her. 

Madilyn on the other hand found about 5 books that she wanted me to buy.  That child loves to read. 

After we bought out the Book Fair we had some breakfast in the Teacher's Lounge.  The girls thought it was so cool that we got to hang out in the Teacher's Lounge. 

We had donuts and muffin, orange juice and hot apple cider.  I feel sorry for their teacher who have to deal with my sugared up kids for the next few hours.  Once they have sugar, they turn into wild, hyper children. 
I was also a sneaky mom this morning too,  Like I said, Madilyn loves to read, which is one reason we bought her a Kindle for Chirstmas.  But by walking around the Book Fair with her she was able to point out all the books she wanted and now I can go add them to her Kindle.  She was upset at me because I wouldn't buy her all the books she wanted, but soon enough she'll get over it. 

Nutcracker & Kid with Character



The Chorus



Last night was Madilyn’s Chorus Performance at school.  They did a version of The Nutcracker.  Since The Nutcracker was written as a ballet and therefore had no words, they added narration and words to the songs.  It was super cute and all the kids did a great job.  I’m just slightly partial to my daughter and have to say that she looks so cute and was a wonderful ballerina.  





My Pretty girl



Also last night’s PTSO Audrey was awarded Kid with Character.  Each month has a different character word and each month the teacher honors a child from their classroom who demonstrates that character word to be Kid with Character.  This is one of the highest honors that they can receive at school.  They receive a plaque, a bumper sticker and a drawstring bag.  



Audrey with her teacher



December Squat-a-thon

So with all the Holiday festivities that are among us this time of year, I am really struggling to workout and eat right.  I have so many excuses as to why I’m not doing better.  

It’s a really busy time at work so I’m exhausted when I get home so the last thing I want to do is go for a run or workout in the basement/garage.  

Our weekends have been and will be filled with parties, get together’s and family stuff.  The weekends are my go to workout days.  I’m usually not pressured for time and get a good long workout in at least once during the weekend.  

And then add the crappy food I’ve been eating and it makes for one horrible equation. 



Homemade Rum Cake



I love my patients and reps and I really appreciate them sending in gifts but all the sweets are starting to show up on my scale. 



Chocolates from a sweet patient



The Saturday after Thanksgiving I weighed myself.  Realistically, I expected to see the number be high given all the food I ate during that time.  But instead I saw 142.5.  That’s the lowest number I’ve seen on the scale since before I got pregnant with Audrey…8 years ago!!!  I haven’t seen that number since.  Instead it’s been creeping back up.  This morning I weighed in at 144 which isn’t bad, but I want to see that 142 again…hell I’d like to see 130’s. 

I know that I’m healthier and more fit than I have been in the past.  I see it and feel it in my clothes and pictures.  Which to me is way more important than any number on the scale, but seeing a goal weight flash up on that little screen feels really good too.  

So to help keep me motivated I have decided to do a December Squat-a-thon.

I started a little late but I still have a good many days to keep at it.  I’ve printed out the picture and hung it on my dresser mirror so every morning I see the number of squats I have to do that day.  Yesterday was technically an off day, but I went ahead and did 50 before I got in the shower.  Today I busted out 65 in my office.  I know it’s not a huge workout, but at least I’m moving.  And by the end of December I should have a tight a$$ and some nice legs.  

I've also got some motivation planned for January too.  More on that later