Post Christmas Blues

Siiiggghhhh....its over. Back to the real world ....a new year will begin...there will be no excuse for drinking eggnog or eating ungodly amounts of chocolate covered cherries, the store wont have out all the really cool, holidayed coffee creamers(peppermint mocha was my favorite this year), I cant threaten the boys with Santa watching them when they misbehave, no more 24 hour Christmas music on 101.9. Total Bummer.

We had a wonderful Christmas. We were so blessed, not only in gifts, but in valuable family time and hilarious memories and traditions that will be remembered for years.

I will post pics as soon as I get them.

P.S. I need to go on a diet. I ate my weight in tamales,chili, ham, queso, cookies, fudge, toffee, stuffed jalapenos, egg casserole, apple pie, truffles...you name it....I ate it. =))))

My Favorite Day of the Year...Christmas Eve.

It is Laura's official favorite day of the year...Christmas Eve. I love the magic in the air, the way the kids cant sit still and keep on asking, "When will Santa get here?" and "How will he fit down the chimney?". It's a day to enjoy with your family, to eat, to laugh, to give, to receive and most of all, to celebrate His birth. I will always get chills when I hear "Silent Night" or "O Holy Night".

We're off to early church, then my late Memo's house to see my mom's side of the family and then to Melanie's house to hunker down and have some more family time. Mel, will you have the coffee ready for me since I will be up all night playing "Santa"? Tomorrow is the big morning!!!!

I wish everyone a blessed holiday and may your Christmas be a happy blending of sharing times, caring times and moments of love. I'll leave you with some pictures from Christmas 2007.

My Baby is 5

Our Landon Chase turned 5 years old on December 10. Like we all say..where did the time go? We are so proud of the sweet, caring little man he has become. He is very proud of his five-yearoldness....he has been declaring it to random people in the grocery store, gym ,all, etc.
We will be walking along, minding our own in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and Landon spots a person he sees as an open target and he will almost shout, "Hi, I'm Landon and I'm five. " It would be a great pickup line for most men, if they were as cute and it seems to be a hit with the older ladies. ;-)

Landon had a hunting themed party at our house. He was very excited to get a John Deere Gator for his birthday. The kids had a blast riding the Gator around, jumping in the jumpy castle and hitting the world's worst pinata rendition of a hunter man(that thing was kind of scary, see pictures attached)...

Dont get me a penguin turtleneck for Christmas....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?Wrapping paper, but I enjoy wrapping the first 3 presents and then I get really sloppy with it!!!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, but someday when kids are older we will do a real tree

3. When do you put up the tree?Usually the Sunday after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? I procrastinate, but I usually force myself on January 2, such a depressing task

5. Do you like eggnog? I would take a eggnog bath if I could.....;-)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Man, so many, the Barbie Dream House, the Huffy Bike that rocked the pink and mint green color pattern

7. Hardest person to buy for? No doubts, all the men in my family.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Melanie

9. Do you have a nativity scene? a Snow Buddies one

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail them! It's always so exciting to go out to the mail box and get a card.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?Hmmm, , I do remember getting a penguin turtleneck from my mom when I was like 8 and hated it. I even remember taking it back to Mervyn's with my mom.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Lampoons Christmas, the best!!!!!!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I was early this year, I started in early November

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?Don't think so

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Where do I start? Um, everything!!!!

16. Lights on the tree? clear

17. Favorite Christmas song?O Holy Night by Martina McBride or Silent Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home, but one day, when the kids are older, I want to rent a cabin in Tahoe and have Christmas there!!! Wouldn't that be awesome!!!?

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donor, Blitzen, and Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? All on Christmas Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Nothing,except when it is like 75 degrees on Christmas day, I hate that!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Blue and Silver

BZZZZZ...Busy Bee

Well, I haven't posted in awhile. We have just been really busy lately with Christmas around the corner and it seems everybody I'm related to has a birthday this month. Can we say the "PO House" after buying all these gifts, caz that is where we will be!!! haha!
Luke came down with RSV about 2 to 3 weeks ago, so that was a bit of a struggle to get him well again. They need to add to the list of symptoms of RSV: extreme hissy fits and irritation. He was a grump, but I couldn't blame him, I know he felt awful!! My poor Lukey...
Landon turned 5 this past Wednesday and well, I just cant believe it. I mean he is almost out of the toddler section!!! There is no 6T!!! 5T is it and then I will be a mommy who has to shop for her boy in the big boy section forever!!! Where has the time gone?!!! Was it really 5 years ago we brought home that long, skinny baby with the wrinkles on his forehead ? Was it really 5 years ago that I entered the world of extreme chaos, sleepless nights, spit up, and poopy diapers? What a journey! I wouldn't trade my worst days of poopy diapers for the days when I was free and childless.
I took the boys to see Santa today. What a Disaster!!! Luke is not down with the Man in Red, AT ALL! We managed to get a picture where Luke looks somewhat sane. I couldn't tell if he was terrified of Santa or just plain mad at him. He was giving Santa quite a fight. Landon was all about Santa, he hopped on his lap and started rattling off his Christmas list like he has been practicing it for months. It always an adventure with my boys!

Thankful...Grateful....Blessed....Fortunate

I am thankful for:

My beautiful, healthy boys who have opened up my heart to a whole new meaning of love and joy

My husband who works his butt off to provide for our boys and me and somehow has mastered the art of driving me crazy and making me love him all the more for it!!!

Our families who support and comfort us in times of need. We(Larry, me and the boys) would be lost without them.

The women in my life who I can share my womanly secrets with. And with whom I still giggle with like a bunch of schoolgirls!

I am beyond thankful for guardian angels.

For my strong, healthy body even though I always complain about how fat I am. =)

For my husbands successful business that he has built from the ground up.

For my happy childhood that inspires me to give my children the same and more.

For my 24 hour, round the clock job as a domestic diva. =) It pays well. =)

For coffee because it is what puts the pep in my step in the morning.

For all the yummy food I ate today, my thighs are thanking you as well. =)

The list could go on and on....I lived a blessed life....I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and lots of turkey! I sure did!

Garden Ridge Pottery Madness

Why is that when I go the grocery store for milk, I end up coming out with a $200 bill and every food known to man but NO MILK?
Well, I did this in Garden Ridge Pottery today. I went in simply to find some ivy plants for the tops of my kitchen cabinets BUT I walked out with a blow up Santa airplane for the front yard, some bathroom wall art, a picture collage frame and a Christmas wreath..no ivy. Never even looked for ivy.
I got so swept up in the Christmas deco, the ivy was quickly forgotten. And if you ever are bored on a Saturday night alone with the kiddos, take them to Garden Ridge Pottery. We had so much fun. We stayed for 1.5 hours, going up and down the aisles admiring all the holiday decor. Landon tried to sneak half the stores deco into the cart and Luke was so enthralled with the 20 ft Santa they had on display, I think he may have gone into a trance...

He Aims, He Shoots, HE SCCOOORRREESS!

Well, this weekend was Landon's last soccer game, and I'm a bit sad. Landon really did enjoy it alot and I enjoyed watching him progress from tripping over his own two feet to scoring goals and kicking assists to his teammates. He did a wonderful job this past weekend and scored 4 goals!!!!

Landon finally got the trophy he yearned for all season. Man, has he been proud of that trophy!!!!

Here are some pics from the last game....Go Yellow Jackets!

Indian Names

Well, Landon came home from school today proudly bearing his "Indian" name, Flying Bird. It seemed fitting for him.
Soooo, we decided to give every member of our family an Indian name.
I chose Dancing Doe. Hey, I like to dance and I am so oh so delicate and feminine like a doe. HA! I kid!My decision was more based upon the fact that when I think of a doe, I think of a doe with her spotted babies...so that would be me, except my kids don't have spots. ;-)
Larry chose Fighting Buck. I guess he would have to be a buck, since I'm a doe. And don't bucks fight for their woman, just like my hubby would do? ha! Plus, I don't think he could have chosen another animal, because he totally has buck fever....his mind never veers much from hunting these days(I am rolling my eyes).
And last but certainly not least, was Luke's name. I think his was the best representation for a personality via Indian name. Luke is the one and only, Fierce Fire Ant. Luke is the sweetest, loving little baby, but if you light that fire, you best watch out, he's after you and he will land his stinger(aka teeth, nails, headbutt) on ya! We love our fiery natured Luke!!!!

I am way overdue on posting pics. I will have pics from the Pumpkin Patch, Halloween and Landon's last soccer game soon!

A Real Quick One

Today, out of the clear blue, Landon says to me, " Mommy, God is a good guesser."
And I say, "Well, how so?"
Landon answers, " Because when he guessed that you could be my mommy, he was right. You're the best mommy for me!"
I was so taken aback. Such innocence, but so wise....It was a priceless moment.

Who I am

I love my family.
I love trying different lotions.
I love clothes, shoes...I REALLY love them
I love the smell of vanilla and sugar cookies.
I also love the smell of a mans ball cap, the smell of a man....

I smell my hubby's shirts in the dirty laundry pile because I like the worn off scent of his cologne.

I believe I am married to the man I was destined to be with.

I love my hubby's dimple.

I love that my sons both inherited that dimple.

I love getting pedicures and massages.
I am as girly as can be but have no shame and will talk about anything and everything.
I love Bud Light Lime and Sister Creek Vineyards Muscat Canelli.
I Love sauerkraut and mustard.
I Love working out and feeling that tired sense of accomplishment in my muscles.
I Love going out to eat and trying different food.
I am not picky!
I love to read, one of my first passions.... I have put that on the back burner since having my children.
My children are my true passion.
I am a better person now that I am a mother.
I feel a kinship with other mothers that I know they feel too.
I love anything paranormal.
I love LOST!
As a child, I had a huge crush on Patrick Swayze.
I love book stores.
I am becoming obsessed with coffee.
I have a soft spot for children, old people and dogs.
My relationship with God is tangible when I look into the eyes of my children. If I can love them that much, think of how abundant His love is for us?
Chocolate ...also one of my passions.
I have a temper that sneaks up on me and explodes.
I cry when angry...which really sux!

I will never be a morning person. NEVER!

I would love to visit an old plantation home or anything historical and possibly haunted.

One time, on the way home from a trip to A&M, my friend and I stopped at every historical marker because I made her.

I secretly think I have psychic abilities.

I would love to go on a tornado chase.

Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are the 2 creepiest movies ever!

We survived a weekend in close quarters!!!

Well, we went to the beach a couple of weeks ago with my whole family. We stayed in a 3 bedroom beach house. By "we", I mean, my mom and dad, my older sister and her family of 4 , my brood and my lil sister and her boyfriend.

Needless to say, it was a bit cramped but it was so nice to spend the night in close quarters with my family. I haven't spent the night under the same roof as my sisters since I got married!! It was a blast from the past to be able to sit up late and talk with my sisters. We had some rather interesting conversations? Didn't we, Brooke? ;-)

Anyways, the beach was prettier than I had seen a TX beach in years! No seaweed! Woo-hoo! We visited the Corpus Christi State Aquarium and that was so much fun. We got to pet stingrays, get splashed by dolphins and see an underwater show. Landon and Luke were very entertained . I have patiently been waiting for my sister, Brooke, to send me the pics from the aquarium..its been 3 weeks, I have given up. But I do have pics from the beach and the beach house of the boys and their cousin, Ashtyn aka Miss Thang.

The Stars are Aligned

Well, it is Fall and with the change in the season, I cant help but notice the changes in my children. Not only in their individual personalities, but in how they interact with each other. I think they may actually be starting to like each other, lol! They have always had their brotherly love, but man do they fight!!!! But over the past few days, I have seen a difference.

Instead of screaming and crying coming from the playroom, I hear giggles! Instead of Landon chasing Luke and Luke screaming, Luke wants to be chased and they fall to the ground in a non -combatish heap. Instead of them fighting over the same toy, I caught them actually playing with a toy...GASP...together!!!

I'm not sure if this is a phase or the stars are aligned perfectly, but I can say the mommy in me beams to see my boys enjoying each others company. I'm so blessed to see their brotherly bond grow right before my eyes.

Tractor Bend

Well, it has been a busy week. At Landon's preschool, they ask that all the 4year old classes to make a float for the school "fair parade". After much debate we decided on a tractor/construction/Krippco float. Daddy and Landon had some fun bonding time as they sat out on the back porch and created this mini construction site on wheels.

Landon had to walk his float through gym for all the other kiddos and parents to see. It was so cute! Although, Landon did lose a wheel mid-walk, but hey, he is my child, something like that was bound to happen. I attached a picture of the wheel incident, along with some others from that day. We are so proud of him! He is getting SO big way too fast!!!

As for the title of this blog, Landon chose to name his float "Tractor Bend". No idea where the kid came up with that, but its original. =)

DislIKe IKE

Well, here I am, trying to blog and I have absolutely nothing to blog about. Everybody is anticipating the landfall of big, bad Hurricane Ike. We had a trip down to Port A planned for next weekend, so I'm assuming that Ike may wipe out the beachouse were renting. I'm a little agitated about that. BUT not nearly as agitated as all those poor evacuees are. Yuck! Let's all hope and pray that Ike powers down to a Category 1!!!

Otherwise, the boys and Larry are great. Were looking foward to the holiday season so rapidly approaching. I looovvveee this time of year. I do believe I love the anticipation and excitement BEFORE the holidays than the actual holiDAY itself.

Ok well, I'll leave you with a few pics from this summer .....go stock up on water and toilet paper in case Ike knocks us for a loop!!!! And dont forget cookies and maybe a bottle of wine, too! =)

It's been awhile...

Well, here I am again, posting my third blog! We had a great Labor Day weekend which just so happened to be my 28th birthday weekend. 2 years from the BIG 3-0!!!

Anyways, My hubby gave in and bought a 17ft bass boat he has been wanting. We woke up at the wee hour of 6 in the morning and were on the water(Lake Dunlap) by 7! We had a blast. The boys just love to sit back and enjoy the ride. We did nickname Luke"Captain" because he insists on sitting on Larry's lap so he can "drive" the boat. We attempted to bass fish but lets just say the small space and one fishing pole for 2 eager boys....we were about to have a brawl and someone was bound to go overboard. ;-) So, we stuck to cruising around Lake Dunlap and played the "If I lived on the lake I would want that house" game. Well, Larry and I played that game...

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Labor day weekend!

First Day of School Jitters and Laughs

Well, today was Landon and Luke's first day of school. And I must say it went wonderfully. I am so very blessed that my boys are surrounded by wonderful and dedicated people at First United Methodist Day School in NB. What can I say...I feel the love when I drop my kids off.

To sum it all up, there were a few tears on both boys parts in the morning, but I picked up two very happy boys later on in the day.

While the boys were in school, my very good friend,Melissa, and I went fabric shopping in Austin. We also snuck in a FABULOUS lunch at the Gruene TeaRoom. That spinach/artichoke dip is to die for!!!!

Anyways, I digress.....Melissa was with me when I went to pick up Landon from his class room. Might I mention, that Melissa in an adorable, petite lil thang and everytime I look at her I silently regret the Pilsbury dough batch of chocolate chip cookies I ate the night before. Ok, well a "woman", I will kindly keep her anonymous, asked Melissa if she was Landon's big sister. Say what????!!!! Ok, this woman KNOWS I'm Landon's mom, so that would mean she thinks I'm Melissa's mom!!!! Say what? Again!!!! I'm about to be 28, next week and Melissa is 27!!!! I have never laughed so hard in my life. I cried, I laughed so hard. Melissa and I were rolling. But If anybody thinks I'm looking a bit old, please tell me!!!! Girl needs to know these things. Sheesh!

All in all, we had a great day, even if it ended with Melissa telling me, " Bye, mommy".

Oprah Watch Out!

Well , I have a myspace account, a facebook account and now my very own blog. Before you know it, I may very well have my own TV show. haha ;-)
Anyways, this is my way of letting everybody know the daily/weekly/monthly(depending on how faithful I am to posting) happenings of my Krippendorf Tribe. Landon is 4.5 years now and is getting ready for his last year of preschool, but he will be going to preschool everyday of the week. Which is a huge change for him(and momma) since he is used to going only 3 days a week. With school on the horizon, we just took him to Sea World and he has now converted his bathroom sink into a "ski show". My creative little guy. =)
Luke is going on 19 months and is feisty as ever. He has taken up biting as a new hobby and is currently terrifying all the occupants of the household with those newly grown fangs of his. Biting aside, he has momma and daddy successfully wrapped around his chubby little finger. He will also being going to "school" or Mothers Day Out, but only one day a week. I will enjoy my break but I'm going to miss my little ankle biter. ;-)
Ok, so this is my first official blog. Go me! Hope you enjoyed it.