After Thanksgiving traditions

Close-up of the dishes Jen got us, minus a lapis salad plate. Gg wanted to put his bowl of pears from Mimi's house in the picture, too. Thanks again for the early Christmas gift, Jen! We love them!!





We had a white Thanksgiving. I don't think we are going to see the grass until April...





The day after Thanksgiving, Alpena had a lighted parade. Grey LOVED it! Especially since he got candy and hot chocolate :)




They had the coolest floats.





There were three different fire trucks in the parade. Grey was in heaven. We had to read our firetruck book when we got home.





We went to get our Christmas tree today!





The tree worker guy made the mistake of telling Grey that he could have a candy cane. It took him at least three minutes to pick out which one.





Our tree is up! We will decorate it tonight.





Buddy the Elf is back! It's his first time in our new house, and he seems excited about it. Grey read Buddy's story while going down for his nap, and he said, "GG good boy for elf." I'm excited for this Christmas because Grey is going to understand more about all of the traditions that happen at Christmas.

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Thanksgiving 2013

We were so happy to host Thanksgiving for our very first time! We would normally be preparing pies and heading to Conifer to have Thanksgiving with Jeje and George, Jenny's aunt and uncle. We missed them, and all our CO family, this Thanksgiving, but we carried on their traditions while making some of our own. Can't wait to hear about all of your Thanksgivings this year!





I only made two pies this year instead of my usual four: pecan with cream cheese crust and homemade chocolate pudding. We split up who was making what so that it would be easier. Here's my pie-making station, complete with pie tool from Grandma Hubicz (lower left of mat).





Sophie was sleeping on the hard floor while I made pies, so I got her a pillow.





Finished!





Grey helping me in the morning





Grey getting in the Thanksgiving spirit





Apps all done, waiting for people to get here.





Apps we made: crudités with homemade hummus, fruit turkey for Grey and Makenna, baked Brie en crute with apple compote, and goat cheese torte with pesto, pine nuts, and sun dried tomatoes.





Close-up of the torte. Thanks Auntie Jen for the Fiesta dishes and serving ware!!!! We love them!!!





Grey was scared to eat the turkey. He kept saying, "too pretty."




Our drink station. We had two signature drinks- mine was sparkling apple and pumpkin beer tail and Justin's was Moscow mules. I think everyone liked my drink more!





My drink





Justin's drink





Kiddie cocktail: cherry pomegranate sprite, just like at Jeje and George's!





Kiddie table, compete with turkey color-by-number sheets and Thanksgiving bingo.






The dogs found a friend.





Eating apps. So much space to entertain our 12 guests! Very comfortable.




The table. I love how the Fiestaware looks on our new dark table!





Just sitting down to eat dinner.





Cleaning up the dead animal carcass. The dogs are helping.





Pictionary after dinner. Gg drew his first person! So cute.





He drew mama, papa, gg, and Mimi (Denise is Grammy aka Mimi)


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Christmas lists

Both:
Snow (yak tracks, crampons, those things that go over your boots and up you legs a little so you pants don't get all snowy, good gloves, thermal underwear, thicker socks-not taller but thicker)
Bath (salts, tray guy to hold book and wine, matching candles in blue, cream, gray, or white. Just no bubbles because we already have bath bubbles)
Kitchen (fiesta in lemongrass, shamrock, navy, turquoise, lapis, ivory, spice drawer organizer, drawer dividers)

Mary:
Miniature Christmas village - brand: Lemax. Can get after Christmas for better sales
Work out (yoga pants, long sleeved yoga shirt, yoga mat carrier, workout headbands, workout tank tops, better workout water bottle with straw)
Long necklaces
Vintage looking apron

Justin:
iTunes gift card
Handyman magazine subscription
Clothes (work sweaters, button up shirt and/or tie in funky patterns)

Gg
Want (toys that do "work" like hammering and screwing, toy planes and cars, one on one time, art supplies, Melissa and Doug puzzles) 
Need (preschool games- see websites below, pillow cases- licensed is ok: cars, Thomas, curious George, Elmo, everything in "wear" section below)
Wear (long sleeved shirts, thermal pants and shirts, socks, hat for navy and red jacket, size 3t, pjs size. 4t, apron to help mom and dad cook )
Read (trains, planes, cars, fire trucks, dogs, ice cream, candy)


http://www.desertcrafter.blogspot.com/2012/11/more-file-folder-games-for-preschoolers.html?m=1

http://www.thebusybudgetingmama.com/2012/06/our-felt-board-tutorial-inspiration.html

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Monkey

I went to put Grey down for his nap and I found this scene downstairs. The monkey is one of Grey's stuffed animals.



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We tell him 25 times a day...

"Stop picking your nose!"


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Fiestaware!

I finally got my Fiestaware!

Here's the story: when Justin and I were registering for wedding gifts eight years ago, we began looking at pfalzgraff patterns. However, I remember Amy and Chris needing to get replacements for plates in their pattern, but it had been discontinued (and Becky's too, I think!). So, wanting these plates to last us forever, I got worried that we would choose the "wrong" pattern and be stuck in a few years. We decided to register for the cheapest white Bed, Bath, and Beyond brand plates, saying that "some day" we will get good plates.

Well, guess what happened... Some of the plates broke, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond discontinued the size of our smallest plates!! Our worst fear came true!! (Ok, this kind of sounds like first world problems, but it was a big deal for us!)

I was looking on and off at different patterns and brands, wanting something timeless but still unique. It was around that time that Erica decided to get Fiestaware. I watched as Erica opened Christmas gifts from Carter's mom that contained unique pieces of all different colors. I was so jealous! So I decided I wanted Fiesatware in my "dream home".

Well, guess what again... We have our dream home! So, I put dad on the hunt to keep an eye out for Fiesta sales (when he reads his 10 papers a day). Kohl's had a sale this weekend (surprise, surprise!), so we took a family trip to Gaylord, where our closest Kohl's store is.

I am so happy with what we chose! Since our quartz counters have specks of blue in them, we decided to keep with blues and greens for our Fiestaware. We got 10 place settings and one larger bowl for serving. So, secret Santa, we "need" lots more serving dishes!


Here are some pics my babies.



Gg was so happy (not)




Be careful!




Some of the colors




We also had to visit Meijer (Alpena is getting one soon, though!)





They are screaming to get out of the boxes. "Open me up, mama!"




Artsy colors (the filter makes the ivory ones look yellow)




My new phone background


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Potty pics

Yes, he has to potty naked. I think that's normal.






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Song

Gg is his father's son; he made up his first song tonight. Here are the lyrics: "please, I want iPad, please, I want candy" (repeat). This was at 8:30 at night. And Grey hadn't eaten dinner. And he was naked. That is all.

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Push for ice

Gg went poop on the potty!!! It was a big one, too!!



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Mom and dad visit/ Glamor and Gourmet

Justin's big fundraising event Glamor and Gourmet












Making applesauce










Skyping with Violet






Sammy loves grandma







Best buds






Potty training!





Success?





Gg loves his cousin MaKenna


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