Katie and Her Friends

Because Texas decided to become part of the Northern Midwest, Katie and I built snowmen.

You will note that Katie has on her bike helmet.  That is because she just got done riding her bike on top of the Missile Silo, which Katie calls her racetrack.  Of course she wanted me to chase her as she rode around in circles, which I did.  I kid you not when I say we went around the missile silo at least 50 times.

Christmas Recap

We have been B-U-S-Y, which explains the lack of posts and pictures for the holiday season.  Rick's parents arrived on the 22nd and it has been go, go, go since then.  Prior to their arrival our friends, Joe and Theresa, stopped overnight as they drove from New Jersey to their home in Phoenix.  We enjoyed a wonderful evening of food, drink and laughs.

We received 8" of snow by the Christmas Eve.  Very unusual for this part of Texas.  While all of my friends were so excited about a white Christmas, I was bah-humbugging the white stuff.  It was beautiful, but try driving in an area where most of the other drivers are not used to driving in snow or storm conditions.  Growing up in the U.P., I am an excellent winter driver.  It was the snow virgins that caused me to stay home Christmas Eve.  Our church canceled Christmas Eve service because "there is a snow drift in front of the church and the roads are bad."  I understand the cancellation due to the roads, but the mention of the snow drift made me chuckle especially since my idea of a snow drift is at least 5' high.  I am sure the one in front of the church was a few inches.

Katie, as well as Rick and I, received numerous Christmas gifts.  Check out this picture from Christmas Eve after Santa had stopped by.

Katie received a Tinkerbell Bike with a baby doll carrier on the back from Santa, as well as a princess tent.  The rest of the gifts were from friends and family.

Katie on her Tinkerbell Bike with Baby Too in the doll seat.

Katie opening her Barbie Three Musketeer Castle.  She also received a Three Musketeer Barbie to go with the castle.

I made Prime Rib for Christmas dinner, my first attempt, and it turned out great!  Thank you to Don and Geri for lending to me their dutch oven.  I know it made all the difference.  Here's Rick carving the roast.  You will also notice the Christmas dinnerware.  Rick and I received a set for eight as a Christmas present from Rick's Mom and Dad.  It's Spode dinnerware and the pattern has been around since 1938 so there is no danger of the pattern being discontinued.

The day after Christmas we drove over to San Antonio.  Rick and I gifted to his parents tickets to the TSO (Trans Siberian Orchestra) concert.  Great, great show!  If you ever have the chance to see TSO do go.  Rick and I saw TSO in Michigan the first year we were married.  We had received the tickets as a wedding gift from Brad, our best man, and Gina.  We were hooked!  Back to San Antonio, we got two rooms at the Hilton Palacio Del Rio for the night.  As the name states, the Hilton is right on the Riverwalk.  Because of Rick's status with Hilton, we got upgraded rooms so we overlooked the River and each room had a balcony.  Here's the view from our balcony at night.

Below is a picture from our balcony looking down to the river.  The first is at night and the second is by day.

 

After the concert, which was a matinee, we went out to eat at the Fig Tree, which was a few steps away from the Hilton.  The Fig Tree is a five-star establishment with impeccable food, an elegant and well-versed wait staff, as well as an intimate atmosphere.  We have nothing even close to it in Abilene, so it was indeed a treat.

Mom, Rick, Katie and London the Dog hanging out in Rick's parents' room before dinner.

The Fig Tree Restaurant located in the La Villita, an area of San Antonio.

Sunday morning we had breakfast in the hotel--free, another perk of Rick's Hilton status--and headed to walk the river and take a boat ride.

Here are my traveling companions walking in La Villita.

 

Rick and Katie on Rosita's Bridge

Of course we did the Alamo and took a ton of pictures; however, the Alamo was swamped with people and you cannot take photos inside of the Shrine.  Also, I took oodles of pictures when we were on the boat ride and when we were walking around but I need to get to sleep.  However, I will end with one more picture.  It's Katie with her Ga Ga and Pop Pop.

I hope that you had a blessed Christmas and were as fortunate as we were to spend the time with family.

The Stocking Was Hung . . . .

.....finally!  I finished Katie's stocking this evening.  I had purchased the kit last year and put a few sequins on it.  I quickly realized I would never finish it for that Christmas, so I packed it away in our closet.  This past October I unearthed the kit and have been working on it a few nights a week.  Below is Katie's Sugar Plum Fairy stocking in its completed glory.  All of the doo-dads on the stocking were hand stitched.  The candy canes were hard because I had to stripe them, sew on the beads and sequins, and then sew the candy cane to the stocking.

A Green Snowman

Tonight was sugar cookie night.  We rolled the dough out, used the Christmas cookie cutters, (Katie really wanted to us the Halloween cookie cutters, but I managed to convince her not to do so.  However, I did let her use the Valentine cookie cutter, which is a heart) baked the cookies and painted the cookies.  They taste pretty good, but I won't call them "the best."  Below are the pictures from this evening.

Katie cutting out the Christmas shapes.

Katie and I still cooking out shapes.

Katie painting the cookies with frosting.  I made the type of frosting that hardens and is shiny.  Similar to what you see on cookie bouquets.

A few examples of Katie's cookie art and one snowman that I painted.

Katie's green snowman.  He looks like he was stabbed.

Katie loves to cook and bake, so tonight was a successful Mommy and Daughter activity.  We only had one problem.  She kept on dumping the colored sugar on the cookies rather than sprinkling it.

Quick Update

Yesterday Katie and I made our sugar cookie dough and turtle candy.  We will cut out, bake and decorate the sugar cookies today.  My recipe required that the dough sit overnight in the refrigerator.  I usually buy the Pillsbury Sugar Cookie dough in a can, but the grocery store in Stamford was out of them.  I searched online for the best sugar cookie recipe and there were several called "the best."  I chose one with sour cream and I will let you know if it is truly the best.

Last week Katie made a dump cake.  I did all the cutting, but she added everything to the baking dish.  She did a great job sprinkling  Here is Katie baking.

After the cake was done, we had to sample it with whipped cream.  Katie decided she doesn't like Dump Cake.  Then yesterday I told her we were going to make a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Day.  She was all for it; however, she did inform me that she didn't want a Dump Cake, but a regular cake.

Katie loves helping Rick down at the shop.  Here is a picture from this past weekend.  Rick has been working on the lawn mowers.  You will notice Katie is right in there.  Rick had given her an old paint brush to "dust" the lawn mower.

Saturday we went to the Christmas Parade in Anson.  That parade is bigger than the Texas Cowboy Reunion Parade.  It's neat to be at a parade at night with all of the Christmas lights.  Here are just two pictures.

 

 

 

The parades around here always include several horses and riding groups.  Speaking of horses--in my family that automatically means my sister Linda--yesterday her boyfriend of 20+ years, Nick, had a stroke.  He can speak, but cannot feel his left arm.   I pray that his younger age and determination help him in his recovery.  It's times like these that I wonder how much one person can take.  My sister made a comment about how surreal the whole situation seemed and what she needed to do.  I joke with her that she will buy a dog.  When life deals her a major blow, she tends to buy a dog or a horse.

Well, off to the store to pick up one of the last Christmas presents.  Take care and enjoy the day. 

Christmas Home Tour

There are several blogs that participated in the Home Tour 2009.  I was not one.  However, that does not keep me from posting pictures of our home decked out in Christmas cheer.

The hallway to Katie's bedroom and the office.  The presents on the wall are actually the pictures that hang there year round.

The train on the bar, which is in the living room.

Coffee table's center arrangement.

My carousel which is on top of the fireplace.  It was the first Christmas decoration that Rick bought me.

The dining room.

 One of my several nutcrackers.  Again a gift from Rick.

 

The living room.

Here's someone I don't post pictures of very often, Lupe the cat.  He usually is napping in the office, but since Katie was taking a nap he ventured into the living room to enjoy the afternoon sun.

Couple of things to point out.  We are not putting our tree up until my in-laws get here on the 22nd, so that explains why there is no picture of The Tree.  Also, I am still working on Katie's stocking, which I WILL get finished before Christmas, so in the meantime I put up a stand-in stocking.

The pictures are just a small sampling of our Christmas decor.  I actually have decorated every room, nook and cranny in our home.  I typically don't like a lot of clutter and knick-knacks, but when it comes to Christmas decorating I like to go overboard.  Perhaps some day I will do the "less is more theme".  And perhaps I will post more pictures at a later date.  (Yeah, yeah.  You know how that goes.  I say I'll post, but I don't.  Stop nagging me!)

Baby, It's STILL Cold Outside!

Am I done decorating yet?  No.  It was another cold day today and I didn't get motivated until 11:30 am.  The migraine headache didn't help.  However, Katie was a big help.  When I first woke up she wasn't in bed with me--at 3:00 am she woke up crying so I scooped her up and put her in bed with me--and I heard noise coming from the kitchen.  When I found her she was feeding Lupe, our cat, his half of can of wet food for breakfast.  I was so proud of her and Lupe was loving her too.

Also when I woke up, we had no electricity.  I immediately checked the breaker panel and everything was in order.  I thought, "Oh great.  No heat in 20 degree weather."  No sooner did that thought enter my mind when the electricity came back.  Thank you Lord!  It had already dropped to 67 degrees in the house and could have been a down right awful day.  (I tell you, it's the little things that just make my day and for which I am thankful.)

Rick is at a client site this week and one of the client's employees was looking at this blog and a picture of Katie.  He didn't make the usual comments, such as she's cute or she's tall.  Rather he said something to the effect of that she's going to be a handful.  Yeah, we know.  She already is.  (I wish I could remember exactly what he said.  It made enough of an impression on Rick that he told me tonight when he called.)

Katie was a super-duper good girl again today.  She's going through one of those periods where she rapidly changes.  Rick will notice it when he comes home.  Anyway, tonight was the very first time she every said, "Mommy, I want to put my nightgown on.  It's dark."  Okay, that shocked me.

Today I received my order from Vista Print.  I ordered 2010 calendars for family members.  Each month has a different picture of Katie.  The calendars are called, "A Year With Kate Alexandra."  This is the third year that I have had the calendars made up and our families really appreciate them.  Also in the Vista Print box was oodles of free stuff that I had ordered.  I literally got $225 worth of product because of the amazing specials that they had.  Here's what I got for free:  1 free pink ribbon baseball hat, 250 custom business cards, 100 custom post cards, 25 custom gift tags, 25 custom magnets, 1 small address stamper, 1 pad of custom Post-It notes, 1 custom mouse pad (for Katie) and 1 custom tote bag.  Most of the custom stuff I got for my Scentsy business.  Like Rick says, "Sometimes the bear gets you and sometimes you get the bear."  I felt like I got the bear with that order.

The last couple of nights I have experienced a weird phenomenon.  Around 9:00 pm I will look at the clock and will be shocked that it is only 9 pm when I was sure it was 11:30 pm.  Then the next thing I know and the next time I look at the clock it's 11:30 pm and I am like, "Where did the night go?"  It's as if the night slows down and then speeds up.

Random Observation:  Lately I have been calling Katie by her given name "Kate" on a regular basis.  Don't know why.

Rick's Thursday Picture:  Today was another picture-taking-less day, so by default it's Flashback Thursday.  The picture is from August 2009 and Kate is eating lunch on our bed.  Look how pretty her hair was.  Now her face framing layers are up to her ears courtesy of Katie's Red-Neck Salon.  Oh well, it could be worse, it's only hair, and it will grow.  (I have to tell myself that on occasion.)

Well, nighty-night folks.  Chat at you tomorrow.

Dancing With A Bear

Today was a busy one for Katie and I.  We had our last Kindermusik class for the semester.  Next semester, which starts in January, she will move up one class to "Imagine That".  That class is for ages 3 1/2 to 5 years.  After she ages out of Kindermusik, I hope she is interested in taking other classes at APAC (Abilene Performing Arts Company).  They offer music, theater and dance, but I vow not be one of those pushy moms who live vicariously through their child and subject their child to tortures in form of unwanted instruction in a talent the mother lacks.

Anyway...back to today.  After class, Katie and I dropped off some Scentsy product to a MOPS friend and then we hit Target.  Target was a refreshing change from Walmart.  I actually prefer Target to Walmart, but the closest Target is in Abilene so I tend not to go there very often.  While in Target I managed to do some Christmas shopping for Katie.  I hid it underneath the cart and when we were at the register she was distracted by a young baby in line behind us.  Once I saw her attention focused elsewhere, I asked the cashier to first quickly ring up her Christmas gifts.  One of the things that I purchased was a pink Etch-A-Sketch.  She had picked it out while in one of the toy aisles and proceeded to play with it for about 1/2 hour.  I managed to get it away from her at the register and purchased it without her knowing when she was mesmerized by the baby.  I really should have thanked the baby's mother because that little bean sprout helped me out.  I also purchased two Christmas CD's.  This evening, while Katie and I were decorating, we played the CD's and sung our hearts out--she made up words since she doesn't know the songs yet.  For a few songs we danced around the living room.  After a few dance tunes, Katie insisted that we dance with some Christmas stuffed animals.  I obliged and ended up with a bear as a partner and Katie danced with an angel.

After Target, we stopped at Burger King for a late lunch.  There was no one in the play area and she asked me, "Where is everyone?" because last time we were there we were with MOPS friends.  Today, Katie kept on looking out the window and closely watching each car that passed by the building.  Every once and a while she would ask me, "Are those people coming in here?"  She so desperately wanted someone with whom to play.

On the way home, I went through the car wash while Katie snored in the back seat.  She was a really good girl today and tonight.  I wish there were more days like today.  I did discover something lately.  Yelling at her makes her act out even more.  If I keep my voice lowered when she does a no-no, she is a lot more responsive to my direction.

As for the weather, it was frigging cold today.  When we got in the car to go to Abilene this morning, my car said the outside temperature was 19 degrees.  I don't think it got above 35 degrees today; however, it will start warming up and should be in the 60's in a day or two.  This weather is like January/February weather and I think it has been warmer in Michigan than here in Texas.

I've been looking for "The Night Before Christmas" book for Katie.  When I was younger, my sister Maryel would read the story to me every Christmas Eve.  Target had one version of the book, but I didn't care for the illustrations--the Santa looked like an evil gnome.  A few months ago I found the exact same one that my sister had on Ebay, but didn't buy it.  I need to check again.  I would like to start the tradition with Katie of reading that to her on Christmas Eve.

I am STILL decorating the house for Christmas.  It usually takes me about two days, but I have been going a lot slower than usual--dancing around the living room with the bear didn't help.  My goal is to get it done by Friday so Rick will walk into a warm, cozy, holiday home after a week of living in a hotel.  Normally, I do try to have the house cleaned, the lights lowered and the Scentsy warmers going when Rick comes home from a trip.  He really is a home body and prefers to be here than any other place in the world and because of that I want the house to be welcoming when he walks in the door.

I don't have a picture for Rick--sorry Hon--but wish I would have got one of Katie dancing with the angel..  Well, time to sign off and snuggle down in bed if there's room.  Katie decided that her baby dolls, a toy rabbit and two toy dogs were too scared to sleep in her room so she tucked them into my bed.  Good night, bonne huit, gute nacht, buona notte.

Multi-Use Christmas Stockings

Just a quick note as I take a break from decorating the house for Christmas.  Katie has been pulling things out of the numerous toters and asking me what everything is.  She got into the toter with the stockings and asked me what they were.  I guess I should have said, "stockings that hang on the fireplace" and not just "stockings".....

Katie saying "Ho, ho, ho" and wearing a Christmas stocking.

Katie's Christmas Tree

A few weeks ago I bought Katie a little Christmas tree from Walmart.  She picked out a blue tinsel one, as well as the decorations.  Today we decorated her tree and she was so excited.  We placed little fake presents around the bottom.  At first she wanted to hang the presents in the tree, but then after careful consideration she decided they needed to go around the bottom "like Santa does."

 

 Katie's tree

I played around with the settings on my camera and in this picture it looks like the tree is radio active.

 

Under all of the stuff, there actually is a desk.  Can we say spoiled?

Rick's Thursday Picture and Night Moves

With Rick being out-of-town I slept very little last night.  At about 2 a.m. Katie woke up and I laid in her bed for awhile.  Then she had to go potty and she asked to sleep in the "big bed", which I said, "Okay."  Big, big mistake.  First off she wanted Lupe, our cat, who was sleeping on the foot of the bed, next to her.  She was calling his name and not very softly.  She wasn't going to sleep until Lupe was next to her, so I scratched the sheets where Katie wanted the cat to sit.  (Lupe will come to right where you want him if you do one of two things:  Scratch the surface or rub your fingers together.)  Well, once Lupe was beside her Katie decided that he was too close, so I had to move him again.  I was finally falling asleep when I heard a familiar sound.  In my sleepy daze I remained in bed for a few minutes before it dawned on me that it was 4 a.m. and Katie wasn't in bed with me.  I hopped out of bed and found her in the office and at my computer.  She figured out how to bring up her Fisher Price computer game and even had the Fisher Price keyboard placed over mine.  Once I got her out of there, I put her back in her bed where she finally went to sleep.  This morning when I woke up, I didn't hear her calling for me.  That meant one thing.  She broke out of her room by taking the baby gate down.  I once again found her in the office "working" at my computer.  (I can hear Rick from here, "Katie, out of the office!")  Thankfully she didn't leave the house while I slept, but it's clear that the baby gate no longer contains her.

On other Katie news, yesterday while I was talking to Rick on the phone, Katie cut her hair.  She did the same thing that she did last time--cut the left side on an angle.  I didn't know if I could fix it, but I attempted to make the other side match and also cut about an inch off of the back.  It doesn't look terrible, but her hair do resembles a long mullet.  I guess that is her preferred haircut and unfortunately she was born in the wrong decade.

After learning from experience, I have not filled the entire Advent House.  Instead, each morning I put a candy in the appropriately numbered cubby hole and then I tell Katie what number door to open.  She has done really good so far and I like that it requires her to know her numbers to get to the candy.

Below is Rick's Thursday Picture.  It is from Thanksgiving when Rick was pulling her around my parents' yard on the old snow saucer.

Each year I order personalized "Katie" calendars for our parents.  I have the whole calendar made up but haven't ordered it yet.  When I checked today, the 50% off sale is no longer.  They were $7 a calendar and now they are $11 per.  I hope that they run the 50% off again, if not I'll repeatedly kick myself for not being on top of things.

Well, it's off to the grocery store.  We are out of bread and Spaghetti-O's which basically means Katie has nothing to eat.  Don't get me wrong, we have all kinds of food in the house, but Katie is down right challenging when it comes to food.  Spaghetti-O's, buttered bread and tomatoes are her favorite foods and the only food she will consistently eat.  Til later....Ciao!

Rick's Wednesday Picture

This morning Katie and I had our Kindermusik class while Rick flew out to Newark.  He'll be back Friday, so it's not that long of a time, but I sure do miss him.  He'll be home for one day before he heads out for Pittsburgh and he'll be there for a week.  He always manages to travel a lot in December.

Below is Rick's Wednesday Picture.  The rest of you can also look if you so choose.  (Aren't I nice?!)

At my Mom and Dad's.  Rick and Katie getting ready to go and play in the snow.  (Rick's least favorite thing to do.  When we lived in Lansing, he'd cuss up a storm every time it snowed.  So obviously he'll do anything for Katie.  What a good daddy!)

Rainy Day Ramblings

Rain, rain and more rain.  All though we may get snow tonight.  Katie and I were going to be in the Christmas Parade in downtown Abilene, but APAC (Abilene Performing Arts Company) with whom we were participating canceled their parade spot.  That was done because of the weather forecast.  I had bought the long-sleeved t-shirts that Katie and I were supposed to wear in the parade, but they are cute enough that we will get everyday use out of them.

The Scentsy business is going good.  I have had two parties so far, but would like to have one more before December 10.  The last day we can place orders for Christmas arrival is December 15, so I may have an online party to help out the Christmas Shoppers.  I have tried several of the scents and right now my favorite is Boysenberry Moss.  It is more of a winter scent, but not too Christmas-like.  Of course, my favorite tomorrow may be different.  I just that kind of girl whose favorites change with my mood and the weather.  I am the same way with food.  I will eat nothing but scrambled eggs for a week and then won't eat them for months.  Of course it is harder to do that now that I also feed a husband and daughter.

I am in pretty good shape as far as Christmas shopping.  If I haven't already bought it, I know what I am going to buy.  Rick's Mom and Dad are coming here for Christmas and I am so looking forward to it.  Having a young child definitely makes Christmas more precious, but add in family and it is priceless.  I hope to put up the Christmas decorations this weekend.  It typically takes me about two days and then we decorate the tree as a family.  But of course Rick leaves tomorrow; comes home for two days and then will be gone from December 6 until December 11, so the tree may not get put up until the week of the 14th.  Today Rick and I are going to the Quonset hut to find Katie's Advent House--or Candy House as she calls it--and the Christmas cards.  I WILL get those cards out on time!!  And here's hoping Katie won't raid the Candy House like she did last year.  Click here to read about her thieving.  I am still looking for a Christmas dress.  It's hard to find one that will work for the Philharmonic Concert, as well as for church.  They are either too revealing or too frumpy.  This will be the first Christmas without at least one dog.  Last year I remember saying to Rick that I knew it was Eric's last Christmas.  My in-laws will bring their dog London with them, so it won't be totally dogless, but I miss watching Eric or Max rip open their presents.  Max was so neat about it as if he was going to save the wrapping paper and Eric was like a kid as he tore the paper, ribbon and bow.

Other news.....hmmmm....Our cotton is still in the field but will be stripped this week.  The field looks okay, not great, but okay.  My mom and dad are doing okay, not great, but okay.  There are some things you cannot stop like getting older or the progression of Alzheimer's.  It's heart wrenching to see a person mentally die before your eyes.  I do need to send a big hug and "thank you" to the relatives that regularly check in on my Mom and Dad and are always ready to lend a hand.  Aunt Fern and Uncle Al, Cheryl and various other members of the the Backstrom clan.  Without these people, my parents would not be able to still live in the home that was built by my great grandfather.

Well, off to the Quonset hut.  Ciao and have a great day.

Thanksgiving In Pictures

We flew to Michigan to visit my folks for Thanksgiving.  We were in first class on the flights that had a first class, so the long trip was bearable.  Our flights went well except for the one between Chicago and Marquette.  We circled Marquette's airport hoping for the fog to clear.  When it didn't, we deviated to Green Bay where we spent the evening at the airline's expense.  The flight left the next morning and we finally got to my parents' at 11:30 am on Friday--25 hours after we left Corinth West.  My sister Linda flew in from Florida on Friday evening and it was really good to see her. 

My sister and I cooked the Thanksgiving dinner and my mom made the pies.  Everything was absolutely delicious.  We left the day after Thanksgiving so no Black Friday shopping or leftover turkey for us.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I will let them recap our Thanksgiving Vacation.

Grandpa and Katie drawing

 After his stroke, my dad had to use a cane for a few months.  Katie always manages to find it and use it like a microphone.  Here she is singing her heart out with her eyes closed.

Grandma reading to Katie

Katie and I making stuffing Thanksgiving morning.

The cooks--Me, Mom, Linda and Katie

 When we first got to the U.P. there was no snow.  However, Thanksgiving morning the sky let lose.  Rick tied a rope to our old metal saucer and hauled Katie around my parents' yard.  Katie giggled so hard when they went down a little hill and screamed with delight when she fell out of the saucer.

 Rick needed a break, so here I am lugging Katie around the yard

 Rosy cheeked, bright eyed and with numerous layers of clothing.

Stuffing our faces with the traditional Thanksgiving fare.

Here's Katie in American's Admirals Club in Chicago O'Hare--another perk that makes traveling with a child easier.  We were in the kids' room and Katie got to watch airplanes take off and land.

We are safely home and we breathed a sigh of relief to find everything in order at Corinth West.  I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving.  Now stop playing on your computer and get working on Christmas!