The Pioneer Woman

Over the past weekend Bryan was working insane hours (which included a 30 hour shift!) so I braved the "winter weather" and went to Houston for the weekend. I believe the Houston meteorologists called it "WINTER STORM 2009" and while it was drizzly and there was some snow and ice - I wouldn't call it a blizzard or a winter wonderland!

The main reason I went to Houston was to get most of my Christmas shopping done and to go with my Momma to meet PIONEER WOMAN! We both enjoy the blog and recipes of an author named Ree Drummond who recently published a cookbook that is on the NY Times Best Seller's List. On Saturday, Gran Jan and Grandpa graciously offered to keep Caleb all day long so my Mom and I could go wait in line to get our cookbooks signed, meet Pioneer Woman and hear her speak. The signing started at 1pm so we arrived at 10:30am to get our tickets for the signing and waited for her to show up. Unfortunately there were at least 400 other people there that day to meet her too!! After the Pioneer Woman spoke for about 30 minutes at 1pm, we were told it would probably be at least an hour for our group to be called. We ate lunch in the store where the signing was, we people watched, I left to go to a couple stores while Mom waited.... and finally at 4:45pm our books were signed by Ree herself! It was quite an ordeal and took up most of the day, but it was a fun time spent as mother and daughter and a unique first-time experience too!

After the book signing I was able to get more Christmas shopping done, including finding a dress to wear to the Emergency Department Christmas party this Friday. Caleb really enjoyed the day spent with his Gran Jan and Grandpa - he ate lunch and dinner there, played the piano, went on a walk and played outside, chased Princess the Caaaaaaatttt! and played with all his toys there, including attempting to decorate Gran Jan and Grandpa's Christmas tree. I'm glad Caleb had such a fun time visiting and thankful that I got to have a day out with my Momma too!

The crowd waiting for The Pioneer Woman to show up

Me with Ree Drummond. I shared with her that my favorite recipe is "Penne alla Betsy"!

My favorite picture from the day of Mom, Ree and me!

Decking the Halls

Shortly after Thanksgiving Bryan got all of our Christmas decorations down from the attic. It has been fun to decorate this year but also more challenging since I have to make everything childproof! Caleb put the first ornament on the tree this year and I followed with the rest of the ornaments- making sure every ornament on the bottom third of the tree wasn't breakable! So far he has enjoyed looking at the tree and touching the ornaments but nothing has been broken... yet!

Daddy gives Caleb the first ornament to put on the tree- A Sesame Street ornament!

Caleb putting his ornament on the tree with a little help from Daddy

Decorating the tree with a cat ornament that looks like Ginger, or as Caleb would say "Caaaaaaat!!!"

And finally, this picture is just too funny not to share. We let Caleb out of his bath towel one night and he went to visit the Christmas tree in his birthday suit!

Play Date with Nellie

Caleb and I have been so fortunate to make some really great friends since Bryan started his residency program. We have been attending playgroups and music class for several months and have been blessed to become close friends with two other mom's and their little girls who are a few months younger than Caleb. We enjoy getting them together to play during the week. They all play so nicely together and the moms enjoy talking too!

On this particular day Caleb had his friend Nellie over to play while her mom Mallory and I visited and drank Diet Dr Pepper! Sadly our other friends Lisa and daughter Katelyn could not make it this day. Caleb and Nellie enjoyed playing many things, one of which was goofing around with Caleb's blankets and pillows!!




While most of the time these two play nicely, there are times when I think Nellie knows Caleb is older and bigger and that he can help her get into trouble. Mallory and I turned our heads for a second at her house once and soon found Caleb and Nellie in the bathroom, where Caleb had raised up the toilet lid (something Nellie had not yet learned to do!) and they were putting their hands in the potty water. YUCK!

Thanksgiving in Temple

For Thanksgiving Day we were at home in Temple this year. Bryan is currently working very long hours in the ICU with one day off per week so he didn't have time off for us to travel to Houston during the week of Thanksgiving.

My parents came to their house in Temple and my brother Chris drove down from Denton since my niece & nephew were with their mom that week. My Mom and I split the cooking duties although she did most of the hard work! We had turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, fresh corn off the cob, salad, mashed potatoes, dressing, rolls, miniature cherry cheesecakes and oatmeal cookies.

Here we are ready to eat our yummy Thanksgiving feast. Caleb loved the food and got to enjoy ever bit of the meal this year, as compared to last year when he was still eating pureed foods!

And now a photo with Mom the Chef in the picture...

Chris brought his keyboard and guitar with him to Temple since he knows that Caleb loves music. They had a great time together playing the keyboard. It was such a special and fun thing for Caleb to enjoy with his Uncle Chris!



After our bellies were full, Caleb went to sleep and we stayed up watching the Aggies take on t.u. Sadly they didn't win even though Sophie was all decked out to support our favorite team!