Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve! We have had a very insane week, thus the lack of updates. But now we're home and being lazy, so here I go. We had a good weekend visit with Mitch's parents. We really enjoy when they come visit because we usually make it to a movie and dinner. This time we saw National Treasure, and I think it's fantastic. It's a great sequel. Today we spent our time relaxing and playing Super Mario Bros. III. Mitch downloaded it off the internet, and I'm having a blast. The only Nintendo I had access to was my granny's, and I had to fight all my cousins for a turn. Mitch is very patient with me when we play.

Jacey has definitely blossomed recently. Today she kept down a spoonful or two of cereal, much to the delight of her momma. Maybe we can start experimenting with eating food soon. We also finally found her a Bumbo chair. They had been recalled for a while, but now they're back! She had fun sitting a chewing on Dad's new loofah.

The small things in life

As I sit here and enjoy my brownie and milk, I realized I have never honored the small things I love about living in Canyon. And so here they are, in no particular order:

1. Braum's. I have to admit that at first I wasn't all that impressed with their food and ice cream. Growing up in Nashville you learn to love Purity. However, Mitch and I decided one day that we needed to try Braum's whole milk. One word. Yum. And I'm not a big milk drinker at all! But now we go through about 2 gallons a week. I also love their ice cream. It's way better than Blue Bell, and cheaper too.
2. The mindset that a trip to Walmart is a "long" way. Walmart is on the edge of town, about 5 minutes from our house.
3. No traffic. People here talk about traffic problems. I even heard once on the news that Canyon had a traffic problem! To give them credit, there is a stoplight that has no turn signal, which is annoying. But not really a problem. When I go to a city I have to remember to have patience, since it takes forever to get through a stoplight.
4. Tascosa Hot Sauce. It has to be some of the best salsa I've ever had. The Panhandle of Texas doesn't have the best Mexican food around, but they definitely know what they're doing when it comes to salsa (and the chips that go with it.) It's cool too because it's made in Amarillo. My mom buys 3 or 4 big jars when she comes to take home with her.
5. Everyone puts up Christmas lights. The majority of the people on our street have put up lights of some sort. Mitch and I were feeling like the outcasts, so we went to Walmart and bought enough icicle lights to go around the house.

Get to know me- Christmas version

Welcome to the Holiday edition of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping presents. To me, bags are just an easy way out of wrapping the presents.
2. Real tree or artificial? This year I got Mitch to go with me to look at real trees, and about 5 minutes later we had the perfect one picked out. It's thick, and full, and smells unbelievably good. In the past we had a very small, skinny fake tree.
3. When do you put up the tree? Whenever we have time. This year, we put it up yesterday.
4. When do you take the tree down? Same answer...whenever time permits.
5. Do you like eggnog? I've honestly never tried it.
6. What about Fruitcake? Again, I've never had it, but probably don't.
7. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably Barbie's Dream House. I got it when I was around 5 years old, and I can't wait to pull it out again with Jacey. Supposedly my parents stayed up half the night to put it together; mom having a blast, dad being miserable with all the little stickers and girly stuff.
8. Do you have a nativity scene? Yep, my mom got us the Willow Tree nativity scene a few years ago.
9. Hardest person to buy for? Probably Leland.
10. Easiest person to buy for? My mom
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I actually can't think of one
12. Mail or email Christmas cards? I used to send cards. This year, you'll just have to know you're loved without one.
13. Favorite Christmas Movie? Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. What a classic! Mom even has all the figurines. I also like White Christmas.
14. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Right before we leave for Thanksgiving, since we celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving together with part of the family.
15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope but sometimes I want to.
16. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? fudge, cherry cheesecake
17. Clear lights or colored on the tree? We have both. Supposedly if you wrap the trunk of the tree with clear lights, it glows. Then we put colored lights on, and our tree definitely twinkles.
18. Favorite Christmas song? Jingle Bells and Sleigh Ride (I love the crack of the whip and the horse...I'm am band dork, I know.)
19. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? We are actually going to be home for Christmas day for the first time. Then we are traveling to Nashville to visit my parents. Yep, 15 hours in the car with an infant. I'll keep you informed on that one.
20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? actually yes
21. Angel on the tree top or a star? We went with a Santa hat. Whoever distributes the presents on Christmas morning wears the hat.
22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, unless it's cool pjs from the Wiggains.
23. What is the one present you want most this year? I honestly have everything I wanted already. The rest is just icing on the cake.
24. Most annoying thing about this time of year? "White Santa" gift exchanges. I hate opening and stealing things that someone got just because it was the worst thing they could find in their house. Dirty Santa is much better. It's the same idea, but with really cool gifts.
25. What I love most about Christmas? Being with family, giving presents, possibility of snow, carols, getting cool stuff, and the magic of it all.

I tag Mitch, Mom, Charlotte, and Laura.