Merry Christmas!

Santa Baby

Since my last post, we went to see Kyle's mom and he helped her with her "honey-to-do" list. We figured we should take advantage of the free gas while we still had it (they shut his card off yesterday...sad, sad day). We'll head back on Tuesday for a week. This month feels like a whirlwind for more then one reason.

Then my aunt watched Michael and we took my parents to Leavenworth for the day. It was fun to be up there during Christmas time because of everything that is going on, but not sure I'd go back for a while. You can only see so many trinket stores before you've seen them all. I've been to Germany before, and I'm pretty sure they don't have stores like that, but they did get it right with the building store fronts and decor. We came away with some German chocolate, which was our only expectation.

I would post some pictures but they are on my dad's cell phone. Our camera crashed and burned, so we're camera-less right now. I did borrow my sisters today so we could take a picture of Michael on Santa's lap at the mall. Our normal "I-love-strangers-more-then-my-parents child" decided that Santa was not his thing. He instantaneously burst in to tears, so our picture didn't really turn out. Plus we didn't want to pay the $24 dollars for one sheet of pictures, so they weren't giving us much time to take a picture. Hopefully at the ward party they'll have Santa and we can do retakes.

Michael is so much fun, we can hardly stand it. Seriously, he is non-stop fun. Of course I'm biased, but people tell me that all the time. We are so lucky to have such a good baby. We love him soooooo much. He's not perfect though. He tears apart my house all day long. He is in to everything, and does not stop unless he's taking a nap. Thank heavens for naps and early bed times. Lately he's been really into hugging people, and wants to hug and kiss everyone. Of course, he's still biting me any chance he gets. He loves biting us, I don't get it! Luckily he hasn't bit anyone else (so far).

Putting It Out There

Kyle's been working for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) since August, and had just recently finished his training (three weeks in North Carolina, and lots of tests). We have been really happy with the company, and he has loved his job. Things couldn't be better. Or could they? GSK decided to give us an early Christmas present this year. Wasn't that nice of them? We thought so too, until we found out the present was coming by way of severance. Yep, you read it right, we were laid off (along with 1,800 other sales employees). I know, we were shocked too. Let's just say Wednesday and Thursday weren't my best days.

So if anyone out there hears of anything that you think might be a fit, please let us know, but also don't get offended if the jobs not the right fit. I say this because since the layoffs, Kyle's been referred to a job at Wal-Mart. Probably not the route we're going right now. Not that there's anything wrong with working there, but it's just a little different then what we want. :) We are willing to relocate, but if possible we would really like to stay here.

We know that everything will work out, and realize that we have to be patient because not much hiring goes on during the holidays. So for now, we'll try to enjoy the time off.

Family Picture

I'm thinking this will be our family Christmas Card picture if I ever send one out. One of the missionaries who lives with my mom and dad took it for us at Thanksgiving (everyone else was busy). Turned out pretty good I think. My little brother took our engagement picture, so as you can see we like to stick to the amateurs. There's nothing a little PhotoShop can't fix.

Thanksgiving Update....Better Late Then Never

We had a nice Thanksgiving at my sister's house. It was a smaller group then we're used to, but still plenty of action. I was in charge of a number of things, but the most nerve racking was the apple pie. It was my first try at making a pie. Lucky for me, it turned out great. The best part? Dairy free for Michael.

Our good family friend Seth was in town for the holiday, and we were able to see him for a while, which is always entertaining. The missionaries and Seth put up my mom's Christmas decorations. My mom and dad were watching Michael and were going to a reception. They invited Seth along. My mom said that when they were saying goodbye to Seth, he went to the back of the van to give Michael a hug and kiss and said, "I'm your daddy, and your my son." Hilarious. I have four "engagement rings" from Seth, so as you can see, he does wish he was Michael's daddy, but let me assure you. He is NOT.

Next we went to visit my bestie Candice and her family at Cameo Heights Mansion. If you need a getaway, this place is close, convenient and like nothing you've ever seen before. Thanks again Fieldings! The food, accomodations and location are all amazing.

Grateful

{I love this picture}

• Grateful to be near family to spend Thanksgiving with
• Grateful that my mom taught me how to cook when I was young, so that I can contribute to Thanksgiving dinner
• Grateful to be the Momma of a VERY happy, active baby boy
• Grateful for a husband who daily lets me know he thinks I'm hot even when I'm oh so NOT!(I know most of you are gagging right now, but I really am grateful for this)
• Grateful for good health and modern medicine
• Grateful that Michael is only allergic to dairy
• Grateful I have a mom close by who'll babysit so Kyle and I can escape to Cameo Heights Mansion for a night.....jealous? Yeah, I'd be too!
• Grateful that on Friday and Saturday I get to spend time with my BFF Candice (at CHM), did I mention, she's also pregnant?
• Grateful that my car and house have a heater
• Grateful that Kyle likes his job
• Grateful that I don't work outside the home now that I'm a mom
• Grateful to belong to a church that is positive, and stands for truth and righteousness
• Grateful for WINCO...I love cheap groceries
• Grateful I grew up on a farm and know how to work
• Grateful my husband is a fix-it man
• Grateful we've never been in debt
• Grateful to be able to help other people out. What goes around comes around!
• Grateful for my curly hair (please just promise to go back to normal one day)
• Grateful for Bumble and Bumble Curl Creme (lifesaver)
• Grateful that the scar on my face is somewhat hidden
• Grateful that I lost all my baby weight plus three pounds (thought it would never happen)
• Grateful for vacuum cleaners and Mr. Clean Erasers
• Grateful for my baby brother on a mission and his awesome letters
• Grateful for the big messes Michael creates because I hear it's supposed to mean he's smart...or at least that's what I'm hoping for
• Grateful for disposable diapers...enough said!

Cuppy Cake

My Aunt Michele's brother lives in Wasilla Alaska and their son (her nephew) has a severe kidney disorder and is on steroids to survive, which cause him to gain weight. I don't know the whole story, but they put a video of him on YouTube lipsyncing to the "cuppy cake" song, and it was a hit (3,000,000 views). Some people left nasty comments about him thinking that he was chubby because he was overeating. The show "The Doctors" and "Tyra Banks Show" saw the video and are having him on their shows in December. The girl he's singing with in the second video, is the girl who originally sang the song a long time ago. I'm guessing they teamed up when he went to tape the shows.

This is just too sweet not to share.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HannahEAllred

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlztzT4l6Ig&feature=related