lights

As many times as we've been to the river walk, we've never been in December to see the Christmas lights ON. So naturally, that was my goal this year. The lights were pretty and you can't beat walking around looking at Christmas lights in a jacket . . . . a jacket I tell you!!! (Have I mentioned I love San Antonio?)

We tried to hit up el marcado . . . . you know 'little Mexico' but we didn't have much time to peruse before they closed . . . . I wasn't really looking for a sombrerro or a poncho anyway. (they DID however have what might have been the cutest animal hats I've ever seen . . . . hard to explain and we were too cheap to buy one, so sorry). We walked down and around the riverwalk, grabbed a quick bite to eat and came home. My favorite part was probably the girl scouts riding in a river taxi singing Christmas carols. I loved it.

teething

I'm not sure which is more painful: having a tooth cut through her gums, or me trying to take a picture of said tooth. You may just have to take my word for it- One of her bottom teeth popped through (actually two weeks ago - its a pretty slow process) and she's workin on the other bottom one now too (at least I think so). Don't worry, I kissed those big crocodile tears right up . . . . . . as for the slobber, I wiped that on Michael. And yes, I've become a "flicker" if not for the biting, for the pinching.

Ho Ho Ho!!

It was 12 noon on Saturday. The ward Christmas party was in 6 hours and Santa hadn't RSVP'd.

tragedy struck. (dun dun dun)

That was until the activites commitee chair thought to call her son's seminary teacher to ask a huge favor. That favor being to put on a plush velvet suit (remember its about 80-ish degrees . . . some of us decided Santa puts on black flip flops when he comes to Texas) let about 140 "primary" age children sit on his lap, tell him what they would like for Christmas, and hand out candy-canes. Of course he obliged, and by the look of the line, was a hit. He said it was a little awkward at first (really is a strange thing we do) but quickly found his niche. Several elves commented he was a very sweet Santa asking each child their name, if they'd been good and what they would like for Christmas- even if he couldn't hear their answers. (stinkin' north pole hair and soft voices). There were a few kids that were scared but plenty that were awfully excited. Dreams do come true, even in the cultural hall.

I've never loved Santa more. I sure hope I've been good.

Thanksgiving

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving with friends.

Food + friends + games + impromptu sleepover - teething baby + shopping x much to be grateful for = perfection

Happy First Thanksgiving Rylee. She ate almost as much as I did. . . . . almost.

Christmas Pudding

Ok, so its more like Christmas and Pudding. . . .
I told Michael last weekend if we didn't put the decorations (tree) up 'today'I wasn't doing it at all. I USED to be one of "those" that thought Thanksgiving got the shaft. I waited until the day after to listen to music or even think about putting up decorations. not any more. I've been trying to not make a big fuss about it (outside my own home) as I know others feel the way as I used to . . . . . but I've found I enjoy the season and the decorations and th books and Thanksgiving so much more if I put it all together (and out) before. Instead of torturing myself by not listening to what I want to listen to then to face the giant to do list that comes with the three weeks prior to Christmas, I like to get a little bit of a head start. I am waiting until Friday to put Rylee in her "My first Christmas" outfits, if that makes you feel better.

And last night Michael gave Rylee chocolate pudding.

She must not be my kid cuz she was begging for more.

Lost Maples

Lost Maples is a state natural area not too far from our house. I've heard great things about this place. Apparently it is THE place to see leaves change. Rumor has it, it rivals a New England fall. (I've never been to new england, but I'm pretty sure this was nothing like that). I kept checking the website and we decided to take a little road trip the weekend of 'peak color'.

I'll be honest - the color wasn't anything incredibly fantastic. Yes, there was some, and the drive was beautiful (how have we lived here for nearly three years and never driven through hill country?. . . . . made me feel closer to "home" ie Texas isn't entirely flat afterall) but the park itself was kindof a let down.

We hiked, took pictures, went into a little nearby town to do some shopping and out to dinner.

Seems like a simple, basic enough weekend adventure right? not so.

On our way out we hadn't gotten but 15 miles down the road and Michael noticed smoke coming from the car engine. great. We pulled over so he could take a look and try to figure out the problem. The car was overheating like it was nobody's business and to top it off we had an extremely tired screaming baby in the backseat. (We were planning on her napping on the drive hmmm)

We hadn't been parked but 2 minutes when we were approched by a cowboy. You know the type: pickup truck, 10 gallon hat, boots, chewing tabbacco, the whole shebang. He even breaks horses for a living and grew up on a farm where he learned all sorts of car/tractor related fixes by demand.

anyway, he just happened to be the nicest cowboy ever. He took us back to his place, ran Michael to and from the auto-parts store a half a dozen times and helped/showed him how to replace the thermostat and radiator as well as a few other little things- all while begging me to go inside his house every 10 minutes. He saved us. quite literally. He called his wife to come home from running errands so I'd go inside. Where she told me her life story and that he can't pass someone on the side of the road and not stop. A few hours later, they sent us on our way- telling us that if we have any other problems to come back, "you know where to find us". Nicest man ever. We'll just say certain steryo-types were confirmed and others shattered. :)

We made it to the state park, as I proceeded to get our backpack with stuff for the hike together I realize the sippy cup of water I had for Rylee was empty, and the bag and camera that was inside the bag was DRENCHED. I was livid. Since the camera was soaked we took it apart to try to let it dry out and couldn't use it. I'm happy that camera phones exist, but I was so upset! After we got home we put the camera in rice and it totally worked! 80% of the moisture was out the first night and there was a stubborn water drop but after a week you can't even tell it took a bath. genious!

We just kept laughing (trying to) at how strange our day was as we were deciding where to go to dinner. Then the hostess asked us if we wouldn't mind sharing a table with the random couple waiting for a table behind us. Why not make a strange day stranger? So we ate dinner with a random retired couple who adopted Rylee as their granddaughter for the evening. fine by me. You do what you gotta do when you live 1400 miles away from a blood relative :)

Thankfully, for the time being, life is back to 'normal'

Feels like Christmas!

not because of the weather, not because of the decor, and not even because I'm planning who will receive what, but because of what I received in the mail today.
(is it strange that I am posting again about what I receive in the mail? has my life really come to this?? If so, I don't care cuz this is amazing!)

So, remember how way back in August I joined a fabric swap? Where you buy two yards of fabric (from Spoonflower) cut it up into 5" squares and mail them along with a prepaid envelope to the gal in charge who would then serperate all the fabric and mail them back to where you end up with 112 different pieces. Remember I Spy books? Its like that, but with FABRIC!!

Well, after 3 months I received my fabric today!!! I'm giddy! (I told you it's like Christmas!) Here's the haul:

For the most part I am pleased. 1. It is a great way to get alot of different pieces for less money ie, if I was to do this on my own, most fabric stores have a 1/8 yard minimum, which is only 4.5 inches wide, and I would be left with the rest of the 38" strip not knowing what to do with it so, even though the fabrics were a little pricy, I still came out paying way less overall. 2. I get fabrics that I would never choose for myself, and love. (at least for this project) 3. I look at fabric with a completely different perspective

The downsides:

Others chose most of the fabrics (I only chose two) While there were rules, some weren't followed that great. I have a couple of the same print w different colors and several with the same "thing" ie owls, birds, sewing machines, clouds. while cute in their own way, not sure I really want them all in the same project together. And I have ALOT with white background. which is sorta blah.

Anyway, if you can't tell, I'm really excited about this project. And my brain is a whirlwind of ideas right now. . . . . what specifically should these fabrics become? I'm currently deciding between separating by color as seen here (which I probably don't have enough variety to pull off):

Or, this dissapearing 9 patch pattern like here:There's lots of other fabulous ideas here. I just don't quite know what to do. Any suggestions? Anybody done this before? I'm not sure how quickly I'll get to constructing (other actual Christmas related projects will take priority) but I can hardly wait!

Maybe this little cutie will learn to sew sooner than we thought

She couldn't wait to get her hands on the fabric either! Momma's sewing rule #1 don't eat the fabric.