WW - He's Wrapped Around Her Finger

As you may have noticed in my Christmas post, Cate got this princess dress up stuff! After dressing up herself in it...she handed the wand and boa to Matt to put on (ok, ok, I added the boa)! He happily obliged since she is his little princess! Boy, she really does have him wrapped around her finger. I have a feeling this is the beginning of a long line of dress-up sessions leading to tea parties and such! I am so proud of my hubby for swallowing his pride in order to make his little "pumpkin" happy!

This Wordful Wednesday is hosted by Angie at SevEn cLoWn CirCuS. Head on over there for more photos and the stories behind them!

Playing catch up!

Well, since arriving home yesterday, my time has been filled with laundry, unpacking, toy re-assembly (some toys had to be unassembled to travel), going through the mail (snail and otherwise), and did I mention laundry!

I also found some time to catch up on a few blogs and post the Christmas pictures while the kids were entertained with their new movie, WALL-e. They also enjoyed some playtime with new things and were reunited with the toys they missed while we were gone.

Once Matt got home from work, I headed out to the grocery store to RESTOCK! We were out of most everything. We returned to a fridge with a little juice, cream cheese, 2 hot dogs, and condiments! I spent almost an hour gathering everything we needed to get back into the swing of things meal-wise. Then, I came home to my most dreaded task...unloading the groceries. Is there anyone else out there that hates this as much as I do?! I am not sure what it is about it, but after spending the time gathering the stuff in the store, unloading it onto the conveyor belt, bagging it, loading it into the car, the last thing I want to do is bring it in and unload it! Luckily, tonight, I had help. Cate, Max and Matt were all very helpful in putting things away. Usually, as I return, the kids scurry off and Matt is at work, so tonight was a refreshing change!

Then, it was bathtime and bedtime stories...and I am exhausted! Hopefully, tomorrow will be more laid back!

Lemme Family Christmas 2008

Well, grab some hot cocoa or cider and some munchies, cuz this is a pretty long post! We just returned yesterday from a wonderful family Christmas in Virginia (just outside of DC). We came in on the 23rd and stayed with Matt's cousin's family. Their kids are our kids ages and have a blast together. We just helped out with the Christmas Eve dinner preparations all day on the 23rd while the kids played and watched TV.

Then, on Christmas Eve, we finished up with the last minute grocery shopping, cooking and table setting. The rest of the family arrived just before church and most of us headed out to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Unfortunately, that is the most popular service and with kids in tow, we were a little delayed getting off. So, we STOOD in the lobby and couldn't hear a thing. Cate rummaged through my purse and my mother-in-law's purse and Max drew on a bulletin with a pen. We received Holy Communion but that is about all we got out of the service. Note to self....next year, do not go to the earlier mass...go after dinner...less crowds!

After mass, we got back to the house to enjoy appetizers and wine and family photos before sitting down to our traditional Italian "Feast of the Seven Fishes"!

Max before everyone arrived!

Great family photo!

My nephew, Thomas, on his first Christmas Eve!

The whole Lemme gang!

How cute are they?!

The kids enjoying the train before dinner.

Cate and her Nonnie. They have a special bond as Cate is her namesake and only granddaughter!

Matt and his brothers

The kids table

Matt and I

Matt's cousin and his wife are expecting and they revealed to everyone at dinner the baby's gender. It's a GIRL!!! It was an exciting time!

And for our dinner entertainment...the family band!

So, after everyone left, we managed to get the kids to bed before Santa arrived. It's funny how they will go to bed so willingly on Christmas Eve (at least ours did, how about yours?).

Santa brought Max just what he asked for...a Tanker Truck and Thomas movie!

Santa's goodies for Cate...Fancy Nancy doll and her wardrobe ("that's a fancy word for clothes")!

The kids anxiously waiting to go downstairs to all the loot!

Santa was aware of our limited travel space, so he kept things small this year while still fulfilling their wishes! The kids also got luggage from us (yep, more travel space to pack it all in!). The only glitch came when all their gifts were open and his cousins were still tearing through their packages. We had to explain that Santa knew we didn't have a lot of space to pack it all in and that some children don't get anything for Christmas...blah, blah, blah...yeah, not really buying it, but he came around! It also helped to tell them that they would be opening more gifts with the grandparents later that day! I promise...my kids usually aren't that greedy (even though I don't really think it was greed so much as not understanding at that age!).

The damage...really not that bad compared to years past!

Painting after gifts were opened!

Our little princess!

After breakfast, playing, and naps, we headed over to Matt's aunt's house to start the gift explosion all over again. Their we joined the grandparents, aunts/uncles/cousins for Christmas Dinner.

Cate and her cousin, Thomas!


Max and his pirate tattoo!

All in all, it was a fantastic holiday with everyone! The day after Christmas we avoided the malls and sales and went into DC to go to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (click to read more about that). The kids had a blast. On the 27th, the moms went out for a relaxing pedicure sans kids, while the dads watched them. Then, after we had a nice lunch out, we went back to pick up the older kids and took them to see "Tale of Desperaux" while the little ones napped. Then, back to Matt's aunt's house for one final family dinner and to say goodbye to the grandparents. They headed back to NJ after dinner. The next day, we slept in a little and packed before heading home. We are so thankful for all of our family and the wonderful time we had with all of them.

I hope you enjoyed the recap....sorry for the length, but considering how many pictures I took (over 125), this is definitely the slimmed down version!

Our DC Outing - Air and Space Museum

So, the day after Christmas, we decided to venture out to Washington, DC and take the kids to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. We got up early and made our way into the city, parked and walked up the mall to our destination. It was blustery and cold but the kids were bundled and didn't complain at all! Max even walked most of it, getting on Daddy's shoulders only for the last 5 minutes or so! They loved all the exhibits, but Max's favorites were probably the Aircraft Carrier exhibit and the Solar System! Cate loved all the airplanes that she could walk around in, but she quickly fell asleep and got in a good nap! After we were done, we headed to the Old Post Office Pavilion for lunch. We headed back home and the older 3 kids fell asleep. Sleep they desperately needed after 2 days of Christmas excitement.

Max and his Nonnie entering the old-fashioned American Airlines plane.

Cate and I in front of it! (This was her favorite)

Daddy and Cate checking out the bomber planes.

Just like the one we saw in North Carolina this past summer!

Max loved the Solar System display! He stood there for a good 5 or 10 minutes just staring at it!

"Steering" the aircraft carrier...another fave!

Cate found all of this "way to exciting to miss"!

In front of the Spaceship.

The Moon Rover...he got one for Christmas, so he was very fascinated with the real thing.

My in-laws with the grandkids in front of the museum!

All of us on the Mall with the Washington Monument in the background.

Walking back to the car...Max on his uncle Bryan's shoulders.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....

and to all a good night! I hope you have a very blessed Christmas with family or friends and the safest of New Years!

From our family to yours!


Seasons Greetings

note: this is pre-posted...I'll be back in 2009!!!

Double Date Weekend!

Well, double in the sense that I got two fabulous dates this weekend with both of my guys! On Friday night, Matt and I got a wonderful, long awaited date night to our favorite restaurant. It is by far one of our top 3 in Dallas (well, Frisco anyway)! The kids had one of their favorite sitters, Jenny. They love her to pieces. In fact, whenever it isn't Jenny, Max tends to call the other sitters by the name of "Notjenny". No joke, he doesn't refer to them by name, but by Notjenny!

Anyway, we went out to dinner. We had some very nice adult conversation as opposed to the constant, "sit on your bottom, Cate" or negotiating with Max on how many more bites he needs to eat before he gets dessert! After a delicious meal, we had some time to kill before it was time to go back home. It was before their bedtime when we finished and we wanted the kids to be in bed BEFORE we returned. So, we went and got a few last minute gifts before returning. Once we got home, we cuddled up on the couch to watch "The Soup". This is our latest Friday night obsession. Love it!

Now, on to the the second date. This one was with my little man, Maxman! The two of us went to see "Bolt" in 3D. It was a lot of fun. We each got a popcorn and drink and then donned our special 3D glasses. I wasn't sure if he would want to wear them the whole movie, but he did and he LOVED it. It was an adorable movie and I so enjoyed watching him giggle at the funny parts. He looked so cute and happy sitting at the edge of his seat (he was afraid the seat would fold up on him if he leaned back despite me telling him otherwise). Here we are with our special glasses after the movie. Of course, I didn't take my camera to the movies, and he just looked so darn cute. So, we smuggled them out (we were supposed to return them after the movie).

Overall, it was a fun and memorable weekend with my two favorite guys! Only one more day before we leave for Christmas, so I'll be on blogging hiatus for the next week or so! I want to wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a safe New Years!

Souper Saturday - Curried Pumpkin Soup

Curried Pumpkin Soup
(from Southern Living Recipes 1996)

2 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 (8 oz) pkg sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp curry powder
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups canned pumpkin
1 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

Melt butter in a large saucepan; add mushrooms and onion, and cook until tender, stirring often.
Stir in flour and curry powder; gradually add chicken broth, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened. Stir in pumpkin and next 4 ingredients; reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk and cook and cook, stirring constantly, until thoroughly heated. Garnish, if desired, with sour cream and chives.

Yield: 6 1/2 cups

I hope you enjoy this seasonal warm delight! Happy Holidays!

This Souper Saturday was hosted by Janel @ Dandelion Dayz.

Moby Watch

As promised, here is an update on our Special Santa Spy, Moby Dick! Confused??? Catch up on the story here and here. He has moved daily around the house, but these are just a couple of our favorite spots that he has popped up in! The behavior has been suprisingly better since Moby has been a resident! Too bad he has to go back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve!

Moby Dick's Debut!

In the kitchen...

Riding our Christmas Boston Terrier (Max's favorite so far)...

Watching over our Savior....

...and hangin' out in the playroom on Max's class artpiece!

Only about 6 more days of his watchful eyes as we leave for Christmas in Virginia on the 23rd! The elf espionage has surely been this mother's saving grace! {smile}