Christmas in Cincy

 We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was different, not being home with family..but, it was a nice relaxing time for just the 3 of us. We had Matt 3 days to ourselves, and we LOVED every minute! We went to lunch on Christmas Eve day, then did a little shopping ( although I admit, I wasn't in the mood this year..Matt said go in to Old Navy..and I said No, thanks..what?? Just wasn't in the mood to fight the crowds..and wanted to spend time with him and P) We got to attend our Christmas Eve service at Church ( MCC) which was one of my favorite parts of Christmas..it was amazing! Matt and I really enjoyed it!! Here's a picture of Presley and I about to leave..waiting on Matt ( hate we didn't get one of the 3 of us, Matt looked SO cute! ) Afterwards, we dropped by Blockbuster to pick up the Christmas Carol to watch that night..and came home to a yummy roast with carrots & potatoes waiting for us in the crockpot..( i just LOVE my crockpot, esp. this time of year!!)

She looked so cute.. gosh, she is growing too fast!

Matt reading to Presley after we got home from Church

Poor Matt played Santa, and spend 3 hours putting together Presley's little kitchen..I was his wonderful helper :) I watched, does that count?

Me helping :)

Yay..2am and its finished!!!

Presley seeing her gifts for the first time ( the piano was a gift from Gigi and Papa)

We were invited over to the Deepe family's for Christmas lunch.. which was so nice! Presley played with Ryan's new toys which she loved!
Here are the only pics of the three of us I got..sadly..very sadly, I think my nice DSLR camera is broken..not sure how much it will cost to fix.. so I am using my little camera for now. And trying my best to not let it depress me! I had a wonderful Christmas with my 2 favorite people!

Here is the book we have been reading to Presley everynight ( she loves it) IT is a pop-up book about Jesus' birth. My main goal for Christmas is for her to know the true meaning..we didn't go overboard with gifts..we kept it simple... Spending time as a family was my favorite part.

My sweet husband got me a very cool gift this year.. along with some stocking stuffers..I am the new PROUD owner of this baby!! 

We had to order it, but I should have it by Thursday! I am so excited, and grateful!! Matt works so hard, and him allowing me to be home with Presley is the best gift he could ever give me. We for sure make many sacrifices. We don't have $ to spend the way we use to, but, truly.. material things don't last...To be home is priceless! I am one BLESSED wife and mommy! 

If you look for Me at Christmas

If you look for Me at Christmas you won’t need a special star 

I’m no longer just in Bethlehem, I’m right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me amid the celebrations -

You’ll have to look beyond the stores and all the decorations. 

But if you take a moment from your list of things to do

And listen to your heart, you’ll find I’m waiting there for you.

You’re the one I want to be with, you’re the reason that I came

and you’ll find Me in the stillness as I’m whispering your name.

Love, 

Jesus

What Presley loves to do these days...

I can't tell you how many times a day this little girl takes off her clothes..its only with the one piece Pjs..but, it can make you a little crazy. If it wasn't a few days from Christmas, and freezing, I probably wouldn't care as much. Although, it can be pretty amusing, too. See for yourself.
On another note, Gigi got Presley her 1st Christmas stocking, it came in the mail a few days ago( and it is SOO CUTE!) it is simple and classy..I wasn't a fan of the "kid ones" just because I wanted her to have it forever :) Just need to put names on Matt and I's.
I am in the middle of putting our ornaments on the tree..better late than never right! (so the below pic, was just the beginning of the decorating)
We still have to go shopping for Matt's stocking stuffers today..and I am excited because Matt got a spiral ham from work last night for free..so looks like I am out of cooking for today :)
~Ignore the blurry pics, she was RUNNING the entire time..lol

 Gotta love this one! ;)

Someone got an ornament off our Charlie Brown Tree!

I also made some of these this morning..just to have a little Christmas goodie to snack on.. Around here they call them Buckeyes..for Ohio Buckeyes.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

I am sad we aren't going home for Christmas, because it will be the 1st time for us to be away from Memphis and family..of course we will miss family, good food, and seeing everyone open presents, but, I am happy to get to relax more this holiday..Instead of rushing around from house to house..we get to go to the Christmas Eve Service at Church ( which I am super excited about) After all, Jesus is what Christmas is all about, right!
I am cooking a yummy roast with carrots and potatoes for Christmas Eve.

Yummy Roast :

Get a tender chuck pot roast and place it in a crock pot on low.
Add one packet of Hidden Valley Ranch mix. Sprinkle it over the roast.
Add one packet of McCormick Aux jus gravy mix or she said brown gravy mix will do. Sprinkle that packet over the roast as well.
Then, place a stick of butter on top of the roast.
Put 4 or 5 peperoncini peppers on top f the roast. These are the peppers that you see on salad bars. They come in a jar. Let the roast cook at least 8 hours. I usually cook it over night. Do not add water!!!
Stole this picture from Summer's blog..LOOKS so good, can't wait!

Then on Christmas morning, we will get to see Presley enjoy Santa at home in our PJs.. I will be making a breakfast casserole..

Sausage Crescent Rolls/ Bars Recipe

• 2  packages crescent rolls (make sure you buy these on sale with coupon)
• 1 lb pork sausage, browned & drained (hot or regular)
• 1 block cream cheese
• 1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350.  Add cooked sausage and cheese.  Mix well.
In greased 9×13, spread out one package of crescent rolls.  Pinch seams.
Spread sausage mix over crescent roll. Top with shredded cheddar cheese
Spread out another package of crescent rolls on top of sausage mix.  Pinch seams.
Bake 25 min, until top is golden.

Then we just get to enjoy relaxing. by the fire, in our pajamas watching Presley play with her new toys :)
I am also excited to read her this new book..she got last year, but, didn't understand about Christmas. It will be a great tradition to read the story of Christmas each year.
My sweet friend, Summer invited us over for lunch, so hopefully we will get to enjoy some fellowship with some friends, too. Its not the Christmas we are use to, but, we are going to enjoy it! Thank goodness for Skype!

Yesterday..

So yesterday was such a fun filled day! We did so much, I am just finding time to blog about it! Matt was off, and since we have decided to stay in Ohio for Christmas this year.. we wanted to get out and do some Christmas things as a family. We packed a bunch in one day..but, it was worth it!

First, we went to the Kenwood Mall and had Presley's picture with Santa ( hoping to get my printer/scanner working soon) to put up her picture.. She points to him, and can call him by name..So we weren't sure how she would respond. She sat in his lap, and wiggled..almost a nervous star struck kindof way, lol.. There were no tears..so that was good and she was pretty excited about her free coloring book he gave her :)
Then we had lunch at the food court, did a little Christmas shopping..
We also thought maybe we should get a Christmas Tree..so we went to Lowe's and got a tree for $7 ( since they were 70%off) lol
It is for sure a Charlie Brown tree..Matt is taller than the tree! But, it is just perfect for Presley :)
After we got home, Presley took a late nap..when she woke up, we went to Holiday of Lights at Sharon Woods Park ( a drive through Christmas light thing)
Presley loved it! We found a Christmas station, and let's just say we are now in the Christmas spirit!
Just need to decorate the tree and wrap some gifts :)

I am taking pics with my little camera, b/c my big one needs to be cleaned professional (UGHH) it is leaving a big black dot on all my pictures..just lovely!

Too bad her little dress was pulled up in all the pictures..and you can see the top of her tights..oh well, we got a smile.

Ready to see the "ights" as Presley calls them :)