Christmas Pics, Part I

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring,

To you and your kin,

Good tidings for Christmas

and a Happy New Year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

and a...

HAPPY

NEW

YEAR!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011 from THE FREY'S!

Surprise Double Date

Gabe and Kevin surprised my friend, Melissa and I this past Tuesday night. Gabe told me a while back that I needed to reserve a date for a "surprise" with our friends Kevin and Melissa, but honestly, I never marked the date down! He told me Monday night that we would be going on a surprise date Tuesday night. He said he had a babysitter lined up and we were leaving at 4:00. I guess I didn't act too surprised, but it was mainly because he told me a while back that we were going to do something with Kevin and Melissa and I just assumed this would be it. He said it may or may not be it. The last time we had a surprise date it was to see STOMP in Memphis, so I kind of expected the same kind of deal.

Well, we walked out of the house a little after 4:00 and there was Kevin and Melissa! We headed to LR, ate at PF Chang's (our favorite double date resturaunt), and then headed to Verizon to see Cirque du Soleil! I put my foot in my mouth in the car on the way there because we were talking about shows we had seen and I mentioned that I liked Cirque du Soleil the last time I saw the show, but it wasn't really a show I'd want to see again. Whoopsie! That's when they told us we were going there that night. The show was actually VERY good! Much better than the last show I went to.

It was a fun and well-planned night. Way to go, Gabe & Kevin!

Christmas Parade & Sneak Peak

We took the kids to the Christmas Parade the other night. I personally think the Christmas Parade is WAY overrated, but Madison really enjoyed it last year so we went again this year. She loved it again this year!

This little booger...not so much! I think he was just ready for bed!

Watching the parade curbside with Daddy!

Love Logan's winter toboggan!

We finally took our Christmas pictures. A girl that went to high school with me asked me a few days ago if she could take pics on the kids, so I jumped on it. We took them at Lakepoint Conference Center and so far I have only seen this one picture! But-I LOVE, LOVE it! Can't wait to see the rest and get my Christmas Cards ordered and mailed!

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE dressing the kids in matching outfits?

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Well, we were supposed to take family pictures this morning for our Christmas card, but it rained all. day. long. I had no idea it was going to rain. Our plan was to take the kids by the city mall to see Santa while they were all dressed up for pictures. Since we had already told Madison about Santa last night, we knew we still had to take them. This is Madison's first look at Santa.

Look at her cutting those eyes at him. She's trying to figure that old man out!

Madison was quite intrigued by Santa, but Logan went hysterical. He wasn't a fan, to say the least. Poor kid. He was scared to death!

Santa took Madison by the little finger and was quite taken by her. He said she looked like Cindy Lou.

Best Buddies already! I think he forgot to ask her the most important question of all...

Have you been a good girl this year???

Daddy jumped in the pic to try to get one more shot of Logan & Santa.

He still has a pouty lip.

I ordered the kids' matching outfits from Bizzy Bee Quilts in town. I thought they turned out pretty cute! Having two little ones 18 months apart sure is tough, but it's super fun dressing them alike. Worth it? Mmm, probably not, but might as well enjoy it!
Leaning in for some sugar!

Two cuties!

Now, on an honest note. I got really bent out of shape this morning when I realized we weren't going to be able to take our family pictures. I mean, if we didn't take them today when would we do it? Our Christmas Card wouldn't be mailed out the first of December and life would be doomed? Sounds silly now, but at the time that's exactly how I felt. And on Thanksgiving Day, we were supposed to eat at noon, but we didn't end up eating until 1:00pm! My brother misunderstood and thought we were eating at 1. Again, I got bent out of shape. Over food. Good food, I might add, but still. Just food.

I really hope that in all the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, that I just step back and take a look at everything around me. The holidays are supposed to be fun and enjoyable and a time to visit with family. But, I personally get frantic with all that there is to do and all the events that are to be attended, that I sometimes forget to enjoy the holiday season. I hope to allow myself to enjoy this Christmas season.

Santa is fun, but Christmas is not really about him. I want Madison to know what Christmas is really about. We'll be taking Madison to see the Living Nativity again that our church hosts each year. I also hope to start a few new family traditions!

Let's enjoy this holiday season...

Gobble 'Til You Wobble

Our prissy little turkey!
Handsome Fella!

It was our year to spend Thanksgiving Day with my family this year, so we headed out to my parents' house at noon. We took our Christmas pics out in the yard beforehand.

My MIL and I made the kids these adorable little turkey shirts. I followed a tutorial online. They were pretty simple to make. The hardest part was towing the kids around with me Wednesday morning from store to store to find those solid colored tees! Ahh! Do you realize how hard those are to find? Margaret stitched the edges of the turkey for me and they turned out great! I really would love to be more crafty and make the kids all kinds of cute things, but I just don't think I can make the time. I did see a sewing maching in the Black Friday Wal-Mart ad for $49 and thought just maybe I needed to asked for it for Christmas, but I thought, who am I kidding here? I will never have the time!

I know I am very partial, but this little boy is so handsome to me.

I could just eat his chubby little cheeks right up!

Christmas card family pic for the Newtons!

Turkey #1 + Turkey #2 = A Big Hot Mess!!!

Madison had a big time running around the yard in the leaves. She definately burned off her Thanksgiving meal. Too bad she couldn't have burned off mine as well!

Yesterday evening, we headed over to Gabe's parents to visit with them for a while. The cousins had a big time together.

Grammy, Papa, & the grandkids

Shelby & Madison

Sadly, the gym is closed until Monday! (Sigh!) I have some serious working out to do! Ha! ;)

Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for!

4 Years Ago...

4 years ago tomorrow, I married the love of my life. I really never dreamed that I would marry someone as great as you, Gabe. I guess I always hoped for it, but maybe didn't always believe it would actually happen.

You have given me a wonderful life. You work hard to provide for our family and spend time with us as much as you can. You have given me the privilege of staying home with the kids and though at times it seems like a curse, I know that it is a blessing. Thank you for allowing me to do this.
In February of 2009, you gave me a beautiful baby girl.

And very shortly after in 2010, you gave me a baby boy.

I thank you that you are not giving me a baby boy in 2011! Ha! Thank you for being a wonderful husband and father to our kids. I love you.

Happy Anniversary!

Childhood Friends & Chili

Oh, the Woolsey Girls, as my parents always referred to them! We always said, Dad, they have names! I was good friends with Lindsay, in the back next to me, and my sister was good friends with Leslie, on the front right. I have lots of fond memories of these girls. Our families used to camp together and spend lots of time on the lake on the Woolsey's ski boat. We used to tube and ski for as long as their Dad would let us. We also used to go out to eat after church on Sunday nights at Pizza Inn. I believe it is now either Goodwill or the Salvation Army. I would always get Lindsay to order a chocolate chip pizza. We also spent a good deal of time fighting, but I'll skip over that part! Mr. Woolsey (their grandpa) turned 90 this past weekend and they threw him a great birthday party at Comfort Inn. I decided to go, mainly to see these girls, but also because I really do think a lot of their grandparents. They've been married forever and are such a sweet couple. Leslie recently got engaged so we talked about wedding stuff and that was fun.

I came across a good chili recipe on a blog the other day. Thought you might enjoy me sharing it with you!

Mom's Chili

2 lbs ground beef
1 yellow onion, chopped
1/2 tsp dried oregano (may delete this ingredient next time simply b/c I don't like to bite into dried herbs)
2 cans Bush's Chili Beans, Mild (don't drain)
1 regular-sized can diced tomatoes (don't drain)
1 regular-sized can tomato sauce
1 can of Rotel (don't drain)
2 packages of Chili Mix (mild)
2 Tbsp brown sugar

*I also added almost a whole can of water to make the chili more "soupy."

optional toppings: cheese, corn chips, green onions, sour cream, etc.

Brown beef with the chopped onion. While cooking, add the dried oregano. Drain the beef.
In a large pot, combine the beef mixture, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, Rotel, and chili mix. Stir well and allow to cook on low for 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally throughout. Halfway through, stir in the brown sugar.

Serve with all the fixings. Enjoy!!