the Christmas blog

Christmas was wonderful. It turned out to be just right. I won't go on and on with boring detail. Plus I can't Matt ordered me to clean the house while he went to the gym and I have to be up doing something when he walks in the door!

just the 3 of us! and a few of Ry

me with the sausage log we each get every year in our stockings from Matts parents

Matt with the worlds largest remote, since our other ones are still MIA

Ryan eating some SPICY salsa. Both Matt and his mom knew this was spicy. I did not, obviously I would not have let him eat it. Which they soon found out, since after a couple chips his eyes and nose was running

It is so true when they say kids are going to play with the boxes more than the actually gifts.

His Mickey Mouse clubhouse...with all the extras

we got him a huge Clifford and Mickey. He love Clifford and was okay with Mickey, which totally surprised us. He pulls Clifford around by his few strands of hair.

One of his many books, he busted it out right away to read it. I have no idea why we spend the money on toys. I think its for me, I am obsessed with toys!

When we were making breakfast, Ryan ofcourse wouldn't leave anything alone, and had to be up there with us. So my mom let him play with the cinnamon bottle while we worked. Then all of a sudden my dad starts to scream "very bad situation, very bad situation". And when we turned around this is what we found.

Then of course my dad being the Danny Tanner that he is, would not let him move till he shop vac'd him up. Don't worry Ry, you'll get used to it.

Baby and grandma, fighting over everything he thinks he can have, and what she is not allowing him to have!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas is here!!!

Every year I am just so giddy about now. I am very excited but just not giddy. It just came so fast and after tomorrow its all over, and after next week things just go back to the way they were. The Christmas season just isn't the way it used to be.

I went to Target last night, mainly just to get out of the house and do something. People were crazy. There were tons of confused guys walking around. I even had to help 2 of them find something that I over heard a worker tell them they don't have, just because she was to busy to help. The shelves were practically bare. People were buying just to be buying. One couple just bought a bunch of washrags in a bundle assuming who was getting them "always could use new washrags".

When I was leaving I was talking to a friend on the phone, we were just wishing each other a Merry Christmas, and the one thing that I could say that was truly heart felt was, Remember the reason for the season. Which I know sounds so corny, but the other reason is just getting out of hand. Now don't get me wrong, I love the commercialized Christmas, and I love Santa. I grew up with a Santa and I think kids need that, but only to some degree. When does it become okay to just flat out lie to your kids, but punish them for lying. I am completely aware my child is still to young to go through this. I know its going to be a battle when it comes, I am just hoping he doesn't ask tons of question...but since so far he is like his mommy, he will.

It was great this weekend at church when we dropped off Ry in adventure land. They were having a birthday party for Jesus. And I just think that is a really cool approach to it all. So we might be having a birthday party next year at this time too!!!

Well, with all that said, we hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. Just be merry, its a time to spend with family and friends. And now that I went on and on about "the reason for the season", look for our Christmas photos and Ry opening tons of presents from the grandparents on future blogs.

And, 'HAPPY BIRTHTDAY JESUS'

Christmas light tour

Last night our Bible study all got to together to go view Christmas lights. We all piled in Bob's work van, which was lined in the inside with Christmas lights. So since its so big, we were all able to fit in one vehicle. Tami made TONS of cookies for the ride and even brought some grapes for Ry. All the kids got their hands on them and they were gone in seconds, I think we under estimated their hunger!

Kal researched and had a detailed map of all the hot spots in St. Louis. And all we can say is K-A-L. He did an amazing job. I feel like he needs to go into a business and people pay a fee for a tour. And all this was free...just imagine we were going to pay money to see Our Lady of the Snows. Which are very nice, but not like we saw last night.

The first stop was 3 houses all working together. They had a sign in the front yard to tune to a certain radio station...their lights blinked in conjunction to the music. (you know like the ones on youtube, the ones playing to the Trans Siberia Orchestra) Here are 2 different videos, listen closely to the music...


The next stop was Candy Cane Lane. It was a few blocks that all worked together, every tree was wrapped with lights to look light a candy cane. All the houses were lit up, and at the end of the street there were even people wrapped in lights, and on a projection they were playing a Charlie Brown Christmas...the picture isn't very good.

We had to make a quick stop by Mickey D's for a leg stretch and a snack. He is a cute pic of Annabel and Ryan.

Then Kal saved the best for last. It was the teddy bear shop. These peoples house was just amazing. Their entire windows even had teddy bears in it. They had Santa there for pics, and eve the Grinch was there. Santa gave all the kids a gift bag that had TY teddy bear in it. It was quit the show and experience.

A little holiday cheer

The morning started off with going to Greater Glory Church. They were having breakfast with Santa and then they did a Christmas play (I guess that is what is was).

They had a little cute little cut out thing for the kids to stick their faces through. Ryan did it with no problems. I wish he could have seen himself though.

Then it was time for the play thing!?! It was cute but weird. It was just to long for Ry to sit there the entire time to watch it. He did pretty good the first half. He sat there in awe watching the strange creatures on the stage. They gave out tons of free toys, a DVD, and a candy bag. The "breakfast" consisted of donuts and juice (the kind that is is sugar and water, with a little food coloring). It is amazing on what all they give for free (its the same church that does the great easter egg hunt) but it was just all weird. When I took Ry out to go change his diaper, Matt said they made everyone stand up and say a little quote and then they said, you have just received Jesus. Which is so wrong, people were just tricked into it and then they honestly have no idea what that means. Well I guess if it reached one person then it was worth it... I don't know?
Since he was getting restless, we decided to go ahead and leave. Right before we left, we saw Santa again, so before the huge line was going to form, we decided to do a quick pic. Well we got a classic Santa picture...a child screaming on Santa's lap...

I was satisfied, I really didn't expect much better ( he is just at that age). When we left we decided to do a little shopping in Glen Carbon, then we walked down to Petsmart to show Ry all the fish/birds/dogs/and cats. Well what do you know, Santa was there too. We used to take the dogs up there to have their pics taken, well that was a long long time ago, and no children ago. But when Ry saw Santa he ran up to him and gave him a high five and was really excited about seeing him AGAIN ( can you imagine what is going on in their little heads."boy, Santa must be every where", we even saw him the night before at K-mart). So we decided to give it one more try...and we got it...an adorable picture with Santa. I was so happy. Now I know this is not what Christmas is all about, but it does count for a lot, it makes it a fun holiday thats for sure!!!

The "bad" clementine

We have this wire rack that holds our fruit in the kitchen. And when Ry gets a little munchie hungry, like we all do, he goes and gets him self a snack and brings it to us.

Well, that is what he did today. I walk into the kitchen, and he is holding this clementine, saying "eeet eeet". I take it out of his hand, and WHHHAAAT?!? What in the world happened to this clementine, they are only a couple days old, how did it go rotten already???

After closer examination, it is bite mark! What we think happened was, he was hungry, and with in the last couple of days(we know it has been awhile because it was all dried out) he wondered into the kitchen grabbed himself a snack. Either no one was paying attention, or he was already told no, so he decided to help him self. He took a big ole bite out of it. And very soon he realized it was not very good this way, so he put it back.

And I still have not found the bite that was taken...I can only wonder if he swallowed it?!?! YUCK!

Christmas play group

Today was the the last day of play group for the year. It was fun as usual, but today we had a little holiday spirit with it.

Our little finger play was a different version of jingle bells. We all sang it while the kids jingled bells! It was really cute, I wish I had it on film!

Ryan made another ornament this week... he colored the 'baked' gingerbread cookie ornament. I obviously did the rest. Its sweet but its nothing like the ornament he did last week. It was just on a white paper cut out of an ornament. But he colored it himself, I was so so so so sooooooo excited. He just won't color for me, sure he can do it, but he won't, he has no interest of coloring with me. So I was just so stoked about this

Beautiful baby Chloe...she is growing so fast, she is going to be crawling any day now...she's a rockin' already!!!

Mark and Julia gave all the kids a Christmas goodie bag. Ry got a magnet with his picture on it from a previous play group, an Elmo "It was the night before Christmas" book and a few other knick-knacks. It was very nice of them

OH and one more thing... I got another kiss tonight, it was almost like old times....yay yay yay!!!

my long awaited kiss

Tonight was the first night in 2 weeks that I got a sweet kiss from my Ry-Ry before he went to bed.

He was still upset he had to go to bed, but he gave me a kiss. So I think "the routine" is really helping ALOT. Thank you so much for all the advice and help from everyone.

One great big mommy thank you to another!

a very funny and true email

I got this email the other day from my dad and I just think it is hilarious. Its so true, I, along with millions of others have received tons of these emails warning us on things that my potentially harm or kill us, make us rich, and spiritual guidance. Mostly I just trash it and don't pass on, but I am definitely guilty of living by all germ warnings and bad guys getting me. So I hope everyone enjoys reading this as much as I did!!!

I just want to thank everyone for the educational emails over the past year...





Thanks to you, I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel.



I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the last person was doing while flipping through the channels.



I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has happened on it since it was last washed.



I can't enjoy lemon slices in my tea or on my seafood anymore because lemon peels have been found to contain all kinds of nasty germs including feces…



I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pastime while driving alone is picking your nose.



Eating a Little Debbie sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of trans fats I have consumed over the years.



I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom.

I must send my special thanks to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing. Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.



I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.



I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program .

I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.



I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.



I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.



Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.



Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.



I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.



I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put 'Under God' on their cans.



I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.
And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face... disfiguring me for life.



I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AI DS.



I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me…

I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.



I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica , Uganda , Singapore and Uzbekistan .



I no=2 0longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman-Marcus since I now have their recipe.



Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.

And thanks to your g reat advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a rapist waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician...

Have a wonderful day...

Morrow Family Daily Routine

As some of you have read, I am really struggling with Ry and his nap/bed time. It has been going on for almost two weeks now. He kicks and screams when it is time to go to sleep. I have tried some suggestions people have given me and things just aren't working out for us. So last week I made this poster and hung it up on his door. Partly for him (notice the stickers), but mainly for me. I need a reminder to follow some sort of routine, and for who ever is here with him when I am not. Hopefully I will remain to put in as much effort on this as I did to make this sign.

I think it has helped, now we don't do every night time, one, because there are some nights when we get home and he has fallen asleep in the car and he has already had his bath. I know it falls out of daily routine, but we have always had mixed up weeks when it comes to bed time. Due to bowling, bible study, or my work/Matt's school schedule throughout the week. Some times we don't get home till late ( I would say between 8-9) and most of this has been done at the grandparents house. Now he is woken up when we get home for a diaper change and he is awake good enough for him to know he is home, so he doesn't wake in the middle of the night scared.

So every morning this is done and I would say 4-5 nights a week it is done. We just can't do it every night. I just won't give up my entire life, we have never lived fully structured lives with our work/school schedules so I can't do it now. I think if things would ever have to change dramatically it would be so much more difficult to change his routine. But having this chart has really helped me be more structured when we are home, because we all know that is what I need.

Now, when I lay him down, I am still doing the tossing motion with no eye contact, but once I shut the door he immediately quits crying and sleeps like he always has. We still can't wake him in the middle of the night because we will go through it all again. He does take his Mickey doll to bed with him now, and we tell Mickey good night (this was a great idea...thanks), and we show him that it is night time through the whole house so he is not missing anything (he is just like his mommy, can't miss anything). Other than all that, I just don't know what to do. He is tired when we lay him down, he is rubbing his eyes and gets whinny like he always has, I just don't know what has changed!?!

making of the 2008 stocking

So last year I wanted to start this tradition of Ry adding something to his stocking every year. Last year we did his hand print with the year. This year I wanted to do the same thing. Matt thinks its silly because eventually his hand is going to stop growing, which is true, but were not going to be doing it until he is 18. He thought we should put on their what ever he is into for that year. Which is kinda cool as well. This year it was Mickey Mouse, so I compromised with him and did his hand print with a little Mickey logo.

Here is his last year hand print. It is so cute and small!

Here we are putting the paint on his hand. He did surprisingly well, he was curious on what we were doing so he didn't move at all!

So now we put his hand on the stocking and once again it went good, no squirming!

Yeah all done we pulled his hand off the stocking and immediately I realized I did not get any towels or wash cloths or anything to clean him up. We just stood there with yellow paint all over us. Matt had to rush him upstairs to the bathroom to wash his little hands. This finished product ended up pretty good, I even did the little Mickey logo like Matt requested. And for what ever reason I decided to work backwards, it looks like 2007 came before 2008.

18 month pics

taken by, The Big Picture.