The day after Christmas

Best part of Thanksgiving is being able to start decorating for Christmas right afterward. Adam and I have gotten our tree the day after Thanksgiving for the last five years, so the same was done this year.

We ate leftover apple pie, listened to music and decorated our tree. We let Logan stay up to help but around 10pm ( which is way past his bed time) he started falling asleep at his table. He then stood up and walked to his room and got in his bed. He asked me to turn on his night light and then went straight to sleep.
Adam and I finished up the tree and the stood outside to see how it looked from the window. It was a success!

My first Thanksgiving!

I cooked almost the entire Thanksgiving dinner for the first time ever. Best part was that it was all vegan. My mother in law made a huge Organic Turkey and some mashed potatoes. I made 3 pies ( 2 pumpkin, one vegan one regular and one apple, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, shepherds pie and mushroom gravy.) Everyone loved the food, they raved, they ate and everyone was very happy!

This was a huge win for me! Especially because there was no salt used in any of my cooking and everything was organic. Most people would hear vegan, organic and salt free and think the worst! But it was delicious. The casseroles were creamy, the stuffing was the perfect texture and the pumpkin pie was so good it brought back childhood memories for my father in law!

Here is everything I made minus the shepherds pie. Yesterday went over so well, that this year Christmas dinner will be at my house and I will be the cook!

I almost forgot to say... what I'm thankful for. I am thankful for my huge family spread all over but still very in touch, I am thankful for my country, I am thankful for my son who is healthy and happy, I am thankful for my mom who is going to give the best gift anyone could ever give and donate her kidney and I am very very thankful for my husband who provides for us, laughs with me, is my shoulder to cry, is really an amazing dad to Logan and is my very best friend.

Honestly this year more then ever I've thought about all I have to be thankful for almost everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you know all you have to be thankful for!

Granny's trip part 2

While Granny was here we went to St. Pete and checked out the boats and walked through one of my favorite parks.  One of my favorite things was reading Granny's mother's story. It was really interesting and I will always hold it dear. I loved being able to show Granny where I work and where Logan goes to school. Also a favorite was having Logan read to Granny before bed and having Granny read to him. I have a picture of Granny reading to Logan on every visit we've had with her. I loved seeing them curled up together on his bed reading.

                                                       In the beautiful St. Pete Park

                                                                       

                                   These trees are awesome, Granny really wanted this picture.

  It was sunny as you can tell by our squinting but that bay with the boats is right in front of the park.

                                                        Reading the book she got him.

                                                                       I love this.

This was the last photo with Great Granny. Logan had such a good time with her. By the time she was leaving he was very comfortable with her. So much that he would sing all sorts of songs and ask her to get juice or water. He has about her several times since she left. I'm sure he will remember he the next time we see her!

Great Granny Part 1

We have had Great Granny here with us since Friday. I have to say, I felt special. Granny has a way of making you feel that way. She is basically a celebrity and all. I think I wore the skin off my hands scrubbing the bathroom before she came. I even came home for lunch the day she was coming in, just to make sure the house was clean and tidy.  Let's face it we all love having one on one Granny time and the woman can only be in so many places at once.  As it is she travels more then most people I know. But I'm on the other side of the country and she flew across to see me and her brother Wayne. It was lovely having her in my house and seeing all the stuff we do. Being so far, who knows when she'll want to take that wonderful 5 1/2 hour flight again. So we soaked up every minute of our Granny time and enjoyed it

While she was here we shopped like crazy, we went on walks, we ate healthy homemade food and walks. For the first time Logan actually on his own originated seeing Santa. So Granny and I waited in line (wasn't that bad since it's way early for this). The line was also very entertaining with fake polar bears, fake snow and a giant globe you go into with a TV showing footage of polar bears and fake snow falling all around. When Logan got up to Santa, Santa asked him if he'd like to sit on his lap to which he said no. I got nervous he was going to run screaming or start crying and the very pleasant experience would end in tragedy. Breath easy, he nonchalantly hopped up on the bench next to him. Being cheap, I didn't want to pay the $20 for photos, so  I "snuck" (not sure if it was against the rules but it felt that way) a cute photo it on my phone. Actually all these photos below are from my phone. Enjoy!

                                        Waiting to see Santa in this cool snow globe at the mall.

                                         Telling Santa exactly what action figure he wants.

                                                       The result of a full day of shopping.

                                   On a walk in my neigborhood, Granny loved the trees we have.

                                             Out to breakfast at my favorite place, First Watch.

                                    Logan really wanted to take our picture we let him, the result.

                            Quick snap I took when Logan would finally give up the camera.

                                   He got one good one of Granny and you can see her face.


I have a bit more from her trip but I didn't want to smash it all into one post. So I'll add the rest in the next day or two. We had a wonderful time with her! Granny, you are welcome back anytime!

Dad's need Birthdays too!

Adam's birthday is November 2 and about a week after Logan's bday. It's also the day he proposed in NYC and my real due date for Logan (Although he decided to come sooner). Because they are so close Adam has been pretty much forgotten about for the past 3 years. Realizing this I planned two surprises for him, one was getting him a nice Taylor Guitar and the other was a boat trip with friends, He is in love with idea of owning a boat and says it'll make Fl, worth living in. So, I thought I'd give him a taste of his dream.

Her are some picks from our awesome four our tour...lol.

                                                       Lauren's first catch!

                                                       Deb caught one too!

                                             Adam, Allen ( his brother) and Nikki fishing off the back.

                                                   

                                                    Our awesome friend Greg being Captain.

                                              Josh (adam's childhood friend),Adam and Allen.

                                            Alan, Ryan, Deb, Lauren and I enjoying the ride.

                                                     Happy Birthday Boy.

                                                     

                      The whole gang after our boat trip! It was a ton of fun and Adam loved every minute!
Just in case you were wondering Adam turned 25, yup that's right 5 more years to the big 3-0!

One last birthday wish

I forgot to post about my first sewing adventure that took place for Logan's birthday. I thought for Logan's birthday this year,  he has so many things and he just didn't need another toy. So I decided to make him a cape, funny thing is I've never touched a sewing machine in my life. My friend let me use her's and showed me the ropes (although she barely uses it herself). I spent many nights cursing it and pulling stitches out but I'm happy to say, in the end it turned out great. How I know? Logan's response,

"Mommy this is the best cape in the world and you're the best mommy in the world!" 

                                                               Finished product

                                                Right after getting it at 7am on his birthday.

                                                            Testing it out!

                                                       Very last birthday wish this year!

In here is a mix of pictures, some are from his school birthday party because it was on a monday. Him playing on his swing set from his uncle Chase and Epps grandparents. He's fishing off it if you can't tell. And his final birthday celebration at his Grandparents house (The Sene Grandparents).