Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Pics






A few weeks ago we had pics made of McHaney for our Christmas cards. Unfortunately, she was suffering from an ear infection, which we didn't know until later that day, and we weren't able to get very many. These are a few of my favorites though.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Creative Christmas

For the first time in my life, I am "making" a lot of my Christmas gifts. I use the term "making" loosely, but it is as close to being crafty as I'll ever get. Here are pics of a few gifts I worked on over the weekend:

Golf Towels

Sippy Cups

Placemats

William Sonoma Set

Friday, November 23, 2007

Happy Holidays!


Okay, I've been waiting days to post this...

Just to kick start your Christmas Holiday season, please check this out. You might pee your pants.

Thanksgiving




Well, it was a good Turkey Day all in all. Wednesday night we had John, Caroline, Jaclyn & Adam for dinner. Yesterday we went to Daren's Aunt's & my parent's. Tonight we went over to Dennis & Anna's to eat with Daren's Dad & Gimmy.

The only pics I took all holiday were tonight at Dennis & Anna's. I know that is hard to believe, but with Daren being the photographer in the family, not many moments were captured as all of the food seemed to distract him from his duty! Anyway, here are a few moments I was able to capture tonight.

Piggly Wiggly


I made pancakes this morning and Mc ate 3!!!! What a little piggy!

In My Shoes


Yesterday, Mc learned she could walk in my shoes... well, my wedges at least. She was so funny. She couldn't get in them by herself, so Daren would pick her up and put her in them. Then, she'd walk around the house, make the loop, and come back. Then she'd step out of them, bring them back to him. He'd pick her up, put her in them and there she'd go again. Sooo funny!

Oh, and here's a short video too. Look how serious she is!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Chef Raquel



I'll be going by Chef Raquel this week instead of plain old Rachel. I feel this is okay since I'll be cooking for Thanksgiving every night this week!!!!

It started Monday. I had to make dressing and needed my Nan's help. You know how your Grandmother's dressing is just the best? Well, seeing as how cooking seemed to skip a generation in my family, I have now been put in charge of learning the secrets to carrying on the tradition. It is hard though... I like to work off a recipe, not strictly mind you, but I like to have SOMETHING to go off of. There is no recipe for this though. It is a feel and taste thing, and I find it much more difficult than it should be. All that to say, I made it ahead of time to get the worrying out of the way. This was my 3rd time to make it and I cooked a small batch for dinner Monday night to see how it tasted. Pretty good if I don't say so myself. The rest is frozen waiting to be thawed and cooked.

Today, I have to make two loaded potato casseroles to take to the homeless at Room in the Inn. I made up the stuffing for the casserole last night. I also boiled and marinated shrimp for an appetizer tonight... speaking of tonight, did I mention I have company coming for dinner. Chicken Marsala with gnocchi and wilted spinach salad is on the menu.

Tomorrow, (ah, Thanksgiving), I have to make a squash casserole, and turnip greens. I started the turnip greens last night because it takes them about 2 days in a crockpot. Now my house smells like a big fart. Lovely. I've moved them to the garage to continue cooking, so hopefully my house will air out before company arrives.

For Friday, we'll be having a second, actually third I'm just not cooking for one of them, Thanksgiving with Daren's family. This is where the dressing comes in. I've got to thaw that and cook it, who knows for how long... there is no recipe. And, I'll be doing some gravy and chicken and dumplings.

Wow, that is alot. I'm starting to panic a little as I write, so I think I should probably end this right now before I decide to fake a stomach virus and just stay home all week!!!! :)

Still Jenny From the Block


I had to post a pic of this outfit. J-Lo ain't got nothin' on Mc!

Monday, November 19, 2007

A Weekend in the Sweat Shop



I spent the majority of my weekend making matching PJ's for all of Mc's little cousins (actually, only Sadie is her "cousin", the rest are Daren's cousins kids, so all of her second cousins, but whose counting, right!?!)


Anyway, we all go to his grandparents every year for Xmas and I thought it would be cute for them all to match this year. There are 8 of them, 3 more than last year, and it took several hours to finish, but I was pretty happy with the outcome! I hope their mommies like them as much as I do!!!!

Hopefully, I'll get a pic of all of them, in their attire at Xmas, to share!

First Real BooBoo

Mc had to wear her first band aid this week. She had the ear infection and was dizzy as a bicycle for about 3 days. One day she fell over and hit her head on the corner of the stairs.

It was my first time to actually clean and bandage her. She was so big. She cried a little, but wasn't hysterical. And, she calmed down right after I got the band aid on. Here is a pic... hopefully it won't leave a scar!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Special Moments



Don't you love those moments in your life that remind you of how lucky you really are? I had one this weekend and was quick enough to capture it on camera.

It was Saturday morning, Mc had gotten up early due to the ear infection. I jumped in the shower and left her with her daddy in bed.

Mc is a big snuggler. We snuggle in bed for about an hour every morning before we get up. But she won't snuggle with Daren really. I mean, she loves him and loves to play with him, but to her, that is not his role. He is her playmate, I am her nurturer. She goes to him when he wants to laugh and play. She comes to me when she wants to sleep, snuggle, etc. You get the picture.

Anyway, she got right up beside him that morning and wanted both arms to hold her tight. by the time I got out of the shower, they were both back asleep in each others arms. Such a sweet, precious moment. I love to see them love on each other. it makes me feel all warm inside!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

A Few More

These are from the same weekend. The first 2 are from Daren's Grandad's 80th Birthday Party. The next 2 are from dinner at Dennis and Anna's with Grammy on her Birthday. The last one is at our friends Brande and Lee's house. They have a dog named Bailey that McHaney loved. You can see them both below!



A Few Catch-ups!

I've been very neglective in my blogging duties lately. I wanted to catch everyone up form Halloween weekend... I know, i know, that was weeks ago, but the pics are too cute not to post!!! Here is Gentry Farm and Ava's birthday party:






Earache


Little Mc has her first ear infection!!!! It is so pitiful... she's been running a fever since Wednesday. I called the doctor and they said if she still had it Saturday to bring her in (yes, our dr.'s office is open on Saturday, I can't believe it.) Anyway, we went in yesterday and sure enough her right ear was infected. She's on amox. now and seems to be feeling a little better, although I can tell it still hurts. She will just start screaming sometimes and say "mama mama" in the most pitiful little voice. Oh my poor baby... I hope she is better soon!!!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Bonfire






Daren's mom has a bonfire every year at her house for Grandma's birthday. This year's bonfire was last Sunday night. Cousin's Sadie, Cole, and Steele were there. It was a fun night and Mc ate 3 hotdogs... gross. Anyway, had to share some pics!!!

Monday, November 5, 2007

Group Picture






We spent alot of time with Daren's family this weekend. Friday afternoon, everyone in the family met out at his Grandmother and Grandfather's old house for a picture. All of Daren's cousins, their spouses and children were in attendance. Plus, all the aunts and uncles came to help wrangle the kids and make them laugh during photographs.

It was complete chaos, but so hilarious. McHaney and Easton ran around like crazy people the whole time, Hutson cried, and the rest of them were just really confused. Needless to say taking a picture of the group proved to be quite a feat! However, I was told there were a couple of good was to choose from... This is supposed to be a surprise Christmas gift for Grandma and Grandad!

Anyway, we obviously didn't get any group pics, since we were in them, but I had to share a few of the moments we did catch!