Christmas

Well, let's start with Christmas Eve...

There were soooo many presents I had to take a super wonky picture to get them all in. Seriously, and I mean it this time, next year we are not getting so many presents!  (That's probably a lie but I like to say it and acknowledge the fact that I do realize that we are very lucky to be able to have such a wonderful Christmas).

We have the tradition of having Chinese take out on Christmas Eve (cause it's easy) and we finally found a place that served the best take out I have EVER eaten, oh yeah they were closing FOREVER on Christmas Eve. Mr. Ping...WHY????  WHY, I SAY WHY???  Anyway, I have a whole year to find a new Chinese take out place...good luck to me!

Brooke also attended mass with Busia and Dzia (Charlie's parent's who were visiting from out of town) and she really enjoyed it!

Finally, there are pre bedtime things to be done on Christmas Eve, like....putting out cookies and milk for Santa... and carrots for reindeer... and gifts for Santa... and notes for Santa.  And of course, reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, which Brooke did this year. Be careful what traditions you start. When you have kids..THEY DO NOT FORGET!! If you start a new tradition, you are just adding it to all the other traditions...the night can become very long!!

Note the array of desserts, a virtual buffet if you will, the gift from Brooke to Santa...a hand woven loom red and green pot holder, and the note to Santa indicates Brooke would like Santa to wake all of us up and give us a ride in his sleigh.

In Santa's response, found Christmas morning, he explained that he could not wake us up and give us a joy ride because there were many kids left to deliver gifts to on Christmas Eve. Brooke was happy and very understanding of this.

So that brings us to a very happy group of children on Christmas morning....

Unwrapping a Playstation 3....

Rockband 2 for Playstation 3....

(Do please check out our fireplace in the background...don't you just love the TV yule log with Christmas music!)

OK back to presents...

the kids received Rosetta Stone French and they have been using it already.  Zach should be fully prepared for his trip to France in March.  He is really, really excited already!

We also got the Wii Fit board.  We have been Shawn White snowboarding on it so far, but we have big plans to use it for some fun exercise too.  We'll see....if it visibly displays my actual weight, it won't be around for long.

The kids received so much more and have been so busy with everything!!

Here's a snapshot of RockBand 2.  You can see the kids are having a great time but note two things...first, my inlaws huddled together at the table...I think that says something...and second, our angel looks like she's about to take flight off the top of the tree.  Truly it was fun, and the best laugh I've had was when Charlie was playing and singing along...he's a great sport!!

Now 'round about 4pm Brooke broke out one of her new nightgowns that came with a sleeping eye mask.  Let me tell you what, that thing must really work because she crawled in my bed and was out in like 5 seconds.  We had to wake her for Christmas dinner.

So as the kids have been playing with their new things we have had a few moments....like, if your brother, Zach, gets a totally awesome remote control helicopter and you hang out waiting patiently for a turn with it...

You may end up getting said helicopter flown right into your hair, by accident of course!!!

And it might take your mom 15 minutes to carefully remove it!!  That was a project!

And finally, I received lots of awesome presents...gift cards, clothes, Cricut cartridges, a watch, and all kinds of other wonderful things. I am happy to report that someone heard my pleas....you may not know, but for over a year I've been saying, out loud...really loud... 

"Get a girl a Garmin!!"

...and indeed, I finally got a Garmin. Now I have not only a GPS but some serious freedom. I CAN read a map, but I am always nervous when on my own in a big city that is new to me and I have the time restraint of needing to get back for my kids releasing from school. So today I used it to head into San Antonio and was able to get there and get back no problem. Wahoo!!

I'm hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas too.  We are currently removing our Christmas decor and preparing for the New Year...umm, yeah we have a tradition for that too.  I'll share that tomorrow or Wednesday!  It's yummy!

Traditions: Ornaments

Each year we add new ornaments to our collection.  This year my in laws bought us this ornament at a little shop in town.

  

While at the same little shop in town the kids all picked out new ornaments too.  All things that represent our new state.

 

Miles is the chili pepper wreath, Brooke the mouse in the cowboy hat and Zach chose the hat with the sign.  Fun! 

Traditions: Christmas Cards

The 2008 Nowak Family Christmas card:

Each year we send friends and family our Christmas card and letter.  Whenever we move to a new place, which is frequently,  we try to take a picture at a local destination.  This year, since we moved to South Texas this past summer, we decided to hit the Alamo.  Fun, but not at all what I expected.  We have seen so much this year that my head spins to think about it all.  If you didn't get a card, it's because I don't have your address.  Email it to me and I'll add you to the list.  (I'm not vain, I love getting Christmas cards during the holidays and assume everyone else does too).

Much has been happening this past week.  We have been very busy!! Of course, the holidays, but also, my in laws are visiting so we've been spending time with them and of course finding new destinations to explore. Plus, there was a little stomach bug running around this house that's been taking people out one by one too.  I have been spared so far.  Fingers crossed I don't get it!  

I'll be sharing our Christmas pics and our adventures later today or tomorrow. I'll leave out the stomach bug...it ain't pretty!!!

Merry Christmas

Wishing Everyone

 a Very 

Merry Christmas!!!

Traditions: Handmade

Each year we make lots of handmade things.  We always grace our neighbors and friends with plates of baked goods.  

The kids are always excited to make treats to give away to friends too.  This year there was only Brooke left to make gifts for classmates so we got right to it.  There was a gift exchange in her class and she needed 15 gifts to give to each of her classmates so, of course, it had to be inexpensive.  We chose to make these Snowman Soup Kits.  They were quick and easy and fun. They just include a packet of hot cocoa, some mini chocolate chips, some mini marshmallows, and a candy cane for a stirring stick.  All of this goes into a festive bag and we stapled this little poem on top to close up the bag.

They were a huge hit in her classroom and a real standout.

And because I love to work under pressure (I kid) I decided to last minute whip up some handmade cards for the teachers.  What I should have been doing was cleaning my house because my in-laws were on their way, but instead I decide to make cards.

I had lots of these snowman images so I decided to incorporate them into some cards.  Not bad for about 25 minutes of work. Of course, there was a mess that took 30 minutes to clean up but we won't talk about that.

And finally, for the art teacher, because she has rock star status in our household.  She's pretty cool.

Also, we need to work on some ornaments but we will leave that for another day.

Traditions: Decorating

Christmas is coming fast and I haven't shared nearly as many things as I had planned.  Here are some of our decorations around the house.  It is a group effort and we are constantly adding and changing.  Christmas is my favorite time of year and I am already on the hunt for another spot for another tree next year.

This is our downstairs Christmas tree.  It is always white lights and all of our collected/gifted/purchased ornaments from over the years adorn this tree.  We decorate this tree as a family and it's the first tree we decorate each year.

Here are some of the outside lights on the house.  Next year there will be more but we were having some safety issues with lights, ladders and the house so, we will prepare for next year during the after Christmas sales.  We definitely have some neighbors with the Christmas spirit. 

This is our upstairs tree.  It is all colored lights and all the kids' homemade ornaments from over the years.  The kids decorate this tree on their own and it's always a real treat to remember where we lived and to see all the precious handmade ornaments on it.  I always remind myself that when the kids are grown and living on their own this tree won't exist anymore.  It makes it that much more special to me.

This is our foyer tree.  It is a mini tree with white lights and this tree always has my collection of White House ornaments on it.  It is simple but lovely.

 
Also, I have a winter tin with lights and cinnamon pine cones in them.  When I turn on the lights the little bit of heat helps to release the scent of the cinnamon.  It's very welcoming.

We also have wreaths and lots of other decorations everywhere and the kids each have a tree in their rooms that have lots of fun mini ornaments on them including some fun Playmobil ornaments we have had forever.

As you can see Christmas is really my favorite time of year!

Today...

We learn to knit!  Brooke got a Learn to Knit Book and Kit from her Scholastic book order.

Just look at that concentration...determination...maybe a little frustration!

She was a quick study and was able to do a few knitted rows.  Very fun!

Traditions: Making Cookies

Here is the baking team....the elves....my crew, if you will.  Some take it more seriously than others...Brooke for instance likes to think of herself as a chef...not a cook, not a baker...a chef..hence the chef's hat.

See my little elves busy at work making 

"grandma cookies."

Grandma cookies are a recipe that our family makes each year and it's definitely the recipe that signals the holidays have arrived.  The original recipe came from my grandmother and it was enormous... it seriously said to "start with 5 lbs of flour"...at any rate, over the years we have figured out how to make them for a family of 5 and have managed to retain the original flavor. It's a thick cookie with lots of great nutmeg flavor and so great for dunking in hot cocoa or coffee which makes it a perfectly great breakfast cookie.....yes there is such a thing as a "breakfast cookie"!! So yummy! 

 

So this is our first batch of the season...oh yes, there will be several more batches made in the coming month....which is why a new elliptical machine is now on my list of things to buy during the post Christmas sales.

There will be lots of baking going on...we make grandma cookies, sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies (which Charlie is fully in charge of and he's already made some this year with the kids too), pb fudge, peanut brittle, magic bars, haystacks...oh the list goes on.  At any rate, baking is definitely one of our holiday traditions that we love.

Almost as much as taste tasting after the last of the cookies have been made and the kitchen cleaned up.   So tasty....

I'll leave you with this final thought....just so we are clear.....we are vigilant about washing our hands and having impeccably clean cooking and baking surfaces.  But, pants...well pants are always optional...

because sometimes it gets too hot in the kitchen and you have to take your pants off... Hey it happens!! 

                                                                                                               

P.S. Yes, she had on underclothes.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

I know what you are thinking....Crystal it is south Texas....it's not Christmasy there...I'm also sure that we had a record high temperature yesterday afternoon of 85 degrees.  Now I'm still pulling out holiday decorations and all the while generally sweating while I'm doing it but this...this .....this has made my day....my week....my holidays!!!

Yesterday evening...after the 85 degree high, a cold front moved in.  At around 9pm it was raining, then by 9:30 or so it was sleeting.  It was flurrying at around 11 pm and that was way exciting.  I sat down to watch some TV and I fell asleep.  I woke up around 1 am.  I walked to the front door to turn off the outside Christmas lights and literally did a double take...some eye rubbing..and then proceeded to pinch myself. 

 This is what I saw.....

It was snowing really hard and everything had a pretty good dusting of snow on it. Seriously so exciting.  If it doesn't snow again this winter I'm fine, but this..this was like a big Christmas present come early for me.  I almost cried.  

The kids were so stoked this morning.  I mean...hello...we've seen real snow before and this was pathetic by comparison but it was so fun to see them so excited. (Yes, I know there was a lot of grass still poking through...it's more the idea.)

And sometimes, if you move from Alaska to south Texas you think you don't need an ice scraper any more....so you give them away or sell them at yard sales....and then it snows in south Texas...so you send your son out with a spatula to scrape your windows...god bless Pampered Chef kitchen tools! (Just so you know I am not participating in forced child labor...he and Brooke argued over who would get the spatula to scrape....we had to take turns.)

And, I'm sorry, but I was wearing a tank top yesterday afternoon.... but exquease me..... what is that I am wearing...oh yes it is...a TURTLENECK sweater (one of my favorite things in life), a puffy down vest, and a cute scarf.

Hello WINTER, I am here...at least for today!!!!

I cannot explain what seeing that snow has done for my spirits.  I had been bummed that winter/Christmas wouldn't be the same this year and now I feel like I have my seasons back. Yay for snow....Yay for puffy vests.....yay for great scarves....yay for spatulas....yay for me!!!! 

I might just start loving Texas now....maybe....possibly....well we'll see.

Too cute!

Are you smiling right now?  I know I am!

Every time I look at this picture I get teary.  This is Miles holding the baby of our friends who came to visit for Thanksgiving.  I don't know who is cuter? 

I think the reason I get all teary is because Miles is so comfortable and so wonderful with babies and little ones.  I just love that he is such a big guy and a gentle soul at the same time. 

I know Charlie and I are lucky to have this awesome teenager!!!  

Thirty Eight

38 years ago yesterday, this sweet baby was born....

And now he is all grown up ....and he is still quite sweet...

He was gone again this week so we had to wait until tonight to celebrate his birthday.  There were presents, balloons, cards, and even a rockin' homemade sign...that's a must on birthdays in this house...everyone gets a homemade sign...it's a thing.

So here he is...the birthday boy in all his candle blowing glory....

We made him a cookies and cream ice cream cake.  It was our first time making an ice cream cake...pretty good huh?

I've got skills.

To Charlie...I hope you enjoyed your birthday and since we are all about stretching out a celebration, we are taking him to Saltgrass tomorrow for lunch.  Yum! After that, it's all Christmas.

Happy Birthday Charlie....WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving....how can you go wrong with food, food, food and more food?

We purchased a smoked turkey from a local BBQ place (not as smokey tasting as I had anticipated, but good) and I made all the yummy side dishes. Tons and tons of sides, and some fabulous pies.  I made two pumpkin pies and a pecan pie.  I fancy myself (oh I'm 37 now I can use phrases like"fancy myself") a pretty good baker.  My only baking mistake, that I can recall, is that I made my first pecan pie many years ago and it was more like pecan soup, but this year I have restored my good name and, seriously, it was a great batch of pies.  I should make pie more often...everyone is so friendly and happy with a slice of pie in their hand. 

We have some friends who were stationed with us in Valdez, who also moved to Texas this past summer. They drove up from El Paso to visit us for the holiday.  We got to meet their new little bundle of joy, and the only girl among their boys.  A more pleasant baby I have not met.  She is seriously a cutie!

As you can see we were a little testosterone heavy for a few days.

Finally, our holiday weekend wound up with us dragging out the Christmas decorations.

The weather cooled quite a bit (67 degrees spells winter in these parts) on Sunday, so everyone was out in the neighborhood putting their decorations up and getting into the holiday spirit. We managed to put our icicle lights out and enjoyed them for about 2 hours before something blew so we are back to square one on that, but inside we have 6 trees of varying sizes and themes up (3 of them are small trees for each of the kids' rooms) and as the weeks go on I'll share our decorations and holiday traditions.  Christmas is my favorite time of year and I'm trying my best to make this balmy Christmas just as fun as ever...it's more of a challenge, but it's important to not let the heat distract me from my regular plan.

I need to finish my shopping and a few more decorating touches around the house and I think we will be good to go here.  Of course, the kids are begging me to make fudge and grandma cookies already...so it must officially be Christmas.  I sense the first round of holiday baking coming on this weekend. 

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and are getting geared up for the holidays!

You Say it's Your Birthday.....

It's my birthday too....well, it was..like a week and a half ago...I have been busy since and honestly who needs to hear about my 29th birthday....yeah...um hello, I said it....29 years old! Ok fine, it was my 37th birthday but it was still lovely.

My family took care of all my favorites...

trip to Mamacitas....heavenly.....and at the one in San Antonio this is the view on the back wall...to all my Valdez friends look....it all comes 'round...I felt like I was at Ernesto's again...well kinda..not really! But good to know that Ernesto is everywhere! 

...gifts...

after my great jalapeno incident of July - read all about it here - my husband and kids thought I could use a little help.  I received these...

a jalapeno pepper cooker stand and a jalapeno pepper corer so I never have to touch the inside of the pepper.  I am happy to report that it worked well.

As you can see we filled the peppers with all manner of things...the one we wouldn't do again..raisins...I don't know what possessed us to try that.

I also received some awesome gifts from my parents, sisters and in-laws which included two incredibly beautiful purses.  You know when you see a Longchamp shopping bag or a Coach storage bag that something excellent will be inside.  Seriously..I love purses and have been happily using these purses with many compliments. Yeah me! 

This may be one of the yummiest cakes I have ever eaten.  Seriously yummy....so yummy that the morning after my birthday this is what I found....

...wow, Brooke, no manners at all...right off the plate...where do you learn these things?

Uhh..a little stomach ache huh? Yep, that's what happens when you eat cake so early in the morning!

And I will leave you with a little birthday humor at some random person's expense.  Our family went into San Antonio on my birthday.  We were walking around downtown and I kept seeing this guy.... bottom right corner...all orange jumpsuit...

all decked out in his Longhorn jumpsuit....and I kept thinking to my self....that's a whole lot of Longhorn lovin'!  These Texas folks really do love that orange!

It was a great birthday!