For Cryin' Out Loud!

I wish I could have a good scream and cry right now. I am so frustrated! I have been searching for 4 days for a babysitter for my kiddos so I can work tomorrow, and it isn't happening! It would be so much better if I was on a more regular schedule. I love my regular sitters to death but they cant plan around me maybe working. I have thought about doing daycare in my home if I cant find enough work, I would need to have 2-3 full time kids to make it feasible though.
I found a sitter, a former student who is still in the area. It was going to be a long night otherwise, not going to be free or even cheap, but it will be well worth it I think. I never knew that having kids was going to be so complicated!

{my little loves}

In the Christmas Mood

We have slowly been putting up our Christmas decorations. My tree is up and mostly decorated. I let the kids put up all the ornaments so I need to adjust them when no one is looking, shhhhhh please don't tell! And I have to add another string of lights I have lights up elsewhere also and half of the kids count-down trees. My mother-in-law made each of the kids a tree with 25 pockets to put candy in to count down to Christmas. The big kids still get excited about the little treats the get. I will have to take a picture of them when I get them all back and hung. MIL still has to make one for the baby so she borrowed one for a pattern. All in all I have a lot more to decorate, but I wanted to share pictures of my tree!

Dang I just realized that I have lots left to do! and I didn't get a picture of my tree with the angel. Oh well, I'm just glad it is starting to feel like Christmas at my house.

{the girls}

{the boy and the baby, staying back}

{Ally this year}

{Ally 2008}

~Em

Meet Snowmany

Ally Builds a Snowman from Emily DeYoung on Vimeo.

Frosty the (Squat) Snowman

We had our first decent snow last night so the kiddo wanted to go outside and play. I got her all bundled up, and sent her out! She made paths through the front yard, snow angels and the funniest snow man I have ever seen. Pictures and hopefully video to follow! Then I sat her down for some hot chocolate, with pink marshmallows, and a straw... With out further ado: (who even says that anymore????)

{snow angel}

{shoveling}

{watching}

{snowman}

{hot chocolate}

*EDIT: Photo credit to the husband for the first three pics

Thanksgiving

The boy has been home for the long holiday weekend. It has been nice having him around, but he is resistant to taking care of himself while he is here, like the THREE loads of laundry he brought home. His dad started it and then he watched me fold it. Well I folded two loads and made him finish the last load...It is piled in his hamper unfolded. I was sick yesterday though. Most of us caught some 24 hour bug (or some bad food) and were unable to enjoy our turkey day feast with the husbands parents. We did enjoy the meal with my parents the night before, that was before we got sick (why I say bad food!) We had a great meal with my parents and I avoided conflict at all costs with an unnamed family member. Blah!

Overall we thought the food was great, we shared the cooking responsibilities, my mom, youngest sister and myself. My other sister brought a dish, my grandma brought pies and my other grandma brought a salad and rolls. My dad always gets the turkey cutting chore, no complaints there! I'm off to find some more left overs I'm starving!

These Boots are made for Walking...

So I have this pair of boots that I am passionate about. I fell head over heals for these boots when I saw them in the store. I typically fall head over heals for any boots as long as they are available in my size. (Size 11 for good since I had kids) However, I get depressed every time I pull my beloved boots out of my closet and try them on. I got my legs from my dad's side of the family. Before I discovered Boots (when I was in High School and still athletic) they were my pride and joy, I had great legs, and they were strong too; I spent a lot of time in the weight room and could out press (on the leg press obviously) all of the other girls. I had the highest vertical jump and everything, and that was great when my athleticism was the most important thing in my life. But no that I am a grown up, I use the term loosely because I use that to differentiate myself from my children, I crave the ability to wear tall boots with a pair of jeans tucked into them. I can't my beloved boots can only be worn underneath pants because I cannot zip them up all the way. I wish I knew a way to stretch them out, if that is even possible. Any one know anything about this, or have a suggestion on tall boots made with room for ladies with big calves?