Merry X-Mas to us...again! (Part 2)

I preface this entry and whole heartedly admit that we did NOT document this evening with the intended photo coverage that we had planned on. Shame on us!!! I blame it on us being completely pooped…and me drinking way entirely too much chardonnay! (Thanks, Graham!) As tired as we were, Cannon was definitely ready to open more gifts…and he did! Santa definitely repeated another felony on Sugarberry Court, littering their living room with toys galore! He got so much great stuff, especially his very own Red Rider wagon, puzzles, toys, clothes...even drumsticks, thanks! (hehehe!) I swear that boy is so so so spoiled, I know I keep repeating, but it’s oh-so very true. We need to move very very very soon to house all our “stuff!” It’s no secret that I LOVE to consistently give good loot to The Salvation Army, but it’s getting ridiculous. I keep the really nice stuff and sentimental, but seriously he has so much very very uber-cool stuff, he is only lucky boy. I think his Grandparents are MOST definitely to blame…(I can’t blame Chris and me!) I think both sets of Grandparents would gladly claim they are responsible for this!

Cannon is definitely NOT the only one who is spoiled rotten…Chris and I made out like bandits, too! All I can say is…thank you, thank you, thank you! All of our gifts were so sweet, thoughtful, and perfect! My favorite was my cupcake tin (so perfect!) and my big ol’ bag from my FAVORITE store, Anthropologie. I know Chris LOVES his safe and stuff, too. We both were so thankful for all of our gifts…

So, enough “present” talk…I want to say there is something about Christmas that will always make me feel so energetic, alive, elated, and loved. I am not sure I am clearly portraying what I want to say, but will do my very best. I am sad the holidays are over. I love the smell of Warm Cinnabuns (Tyler Candle) burning while wrapping presents, I love shopping and finding that perfect gift for a loved one, sing Christmas carols at the top of my lungs with Cannon in tow, putting up Christmas décor with Chris while sipping wine, wearing our ridiculous matching pj’s and taking photos in front of the tree, simply being all together with the family all day and all nite long, hearing Chris say on our road trip back to reality how blessed we are and how this Christmas was better than the last, helping my Mommy cook in the kitchen, watching my Dad, husband, and son have quality time together...The holidays make me glow, completely euphoric time for me. I love that feeling and always wish they were longer, but know that I will get to unpack that favorite ornament again in a mere 12 months, listen to Bing “Walking In a Winter Wonderland”, and make gingersnaps with my Mom very very soon.

"Fah-la-la...", Our Second Christmas!!! (Part 1)

Our second Christmas as a threesome was one to remember. All I can say is Cannon LOVES Christmas music. (Thank you Aunt Claire for a fabulous X-mas music montage, but Page’s purchase from Pier 1 def was #1!) Cannon LOVES Kellie Pickler’s Santa Baby. I swear the kid drops it likes it’s hot and shakes that little booty as soon as he hears it, it’s hysterical. His Gigi sings it to him 24/7, so I think between the repetition and mere mention of Santa in the lyrics he LOVES it so much!

So, I will start at the very beginning…

On Christmas eve we decided to go to the early service as a family, we were dressed to the “9’s”…my boys looked so handsome. Cannon wore his brand new New Balance tennis shoes and was loving the extra cushion and traction on the soles. There was definitely an extra bounce in his step…keep in mind. his walk often resembles a drunk midget so he is not the most “stable” walker on the block. As soon as the service started, goldfish no longer kept him occupied and he was ready to run. So, Chris excused himself and walked him to the hallway to let our little filly run. I couldn’t stay put without my boys, so I followed… We stood on opposite ends of the hallway and let Cannon run back and forth to both Mommy and Daddy. During Lap #5 there was a CRASH…followed by a CRY! Our boy bit the dust…and his lip. So, our first family trip ended with an injury. Literally, we were in church for about 15 minutes…total. So, now looking at all these pics you can see our little man’s first fat lip, time to celebrate! (I am blaming Balderach!) Lucky for us, he is tough and I don’t think it bothered him for more than 5 minutes. Just hurt his Mommy to see her baby boy hurt…

Later in the evening, we ate too many tamales (NOT from Bob’s Tacos), Mark’s signature chili (Thanks Marlboro!), and queso. Delish! Sandra arrived with Tyler in tow about dinnertime and the boys were so happy to see each other and fight for their Popper’s attention…and Sandra’s scarf. Too funny! Cannon is so into super soft stuff right now…he snuggles with Mr. Blankie when he is completely awake just to feel how super soft it is. I think it’s a comfort-thang, but who knows?!? So, we all put on our matching pj’s and went to bed…waiting and hoping Santa would come…and he most definitely did!!!

We all woke up Christmas morning to a smaller version of Toys R Us in my parent’s living room, it was completely littered with toys, perfectly wrapped presents, and stockings. Cannon and Tyler cleaned house! Their matching cozy coupes parked right next to each other were definitely a hit! Now, Cannon’s has a little Buccee’s sticker on the back so we can differentiate them. The Red Rider wagon awesome and we bundled up the boys after breakfast for a chilly ride. They resembled snow babies and were precious. Tyler preferred to push the wagon, while Cannon enjoyed the ride. Cannon got so much stuff…lotsa books, Handy (Chuck’s little brother), trucks, clothes, monogrammed Pottery Barn chair, fold-up chair for the beach, cute personalized handmade stool, and so much more…I am forgetting lots, I know! It’s no secret that when you become a Mom, the focus is off of you and all about baby. After all, it’s supposed to be! But, I have to brag…just a teeny bit about how thoughtful my husband was this Christmas… His thoughtfulness and gifts brought me to tears. He put a sweet homemade love letter, a gift certificate for a mani/pedi, haircut & color, along with some Nike jogging shorts that I LOVE. Of course, he did it in his completely unique style… He wrapped in a box with duck tape and threw in a brick to add weight and throw me completely off guard…and while I would have picked “normal” colored shorts…he chose to get me ones that matched Texas Tech’s home game and away games uniform colors. Too hysterical. I was truly expecting nothing. I swear I really don’t give him the credit he deserves. He does so much for us, he is a great husband and phenomenal father. (Hello New Year’s Resolutions…#1. Be more thankful for what I have!)
Christmas Day consisted of playing with toys, eating, eating, playing with toys, eating…etc. My Mommy made the BEST Christmas dinner (we are choosing to forget our big turkey fiasco, hint: the oven was not on a high enough heat)…so we ate a little later than expected. I swear it was not a big deal whatsoever. We were not starving. I think I consumed at least 50 gingersnaps that day and by the time dinner was served was suffering from a tummy ache, but ate right through it. Go me! The next morning we packed up and hit Hwy 59…off to the Thompsons and to celebrate our 2nd Christmas.

(I think next year we will most likely choose to wake up at our own home on Christmas morning and host a big Christmas breakfast…depending on where we call “home.” I just think it will be fun to really start celebrating with our teeny family and then joining in the festivities with the family for lunch/dinner…who knows?!? We have an entire year to plan!)

GEAUX(ing) to New Orleans!!!

This was our very first Turkey Day to celebrate all together because the year before we were a little preoccupied with our little newborn. Chris and I are doing our best to be as fair as can be balancing holidays and spending time with families. So, this year we celebrated Thanksgiving with the Thompsons and decided Christmas Day would be with the Jones’. (we did this because we really want the little ones to be together on Christmas morning with all their loot, too cute!) I was a little over excited because we were also taking a mini-vacation, too! Our first time to leave Texas with Cannon.
Hello New Orleans, Louisiana!
I absolutely LOVE Dada (Chris’ uncle)…apparently Cannon is a bit more skeptical. It turned out to be quite hilarious because as soon as he would make eye contact Cannon would produce ginormous crocodile-sized help and scream in terror! He was scared to death of his Cajun-uncle. First, I have to say THANK YOU so much for your generous hospitality. Dada’s house is nesteled right next to a reserve and blessed to be surrounded by beautiful swamp that won’t be touched for years to come. Chris and I had so much fun just “being there.” We enjoyed long walks around the property, building HUGE fires, cutting the firewood (cheapest marriage counseling, ever!), riding lawnmowers, etc. It was relaxing and the perfect R&R visit.
We decided to take a “day trip” to New Orleans where I did my best to sight Tom Brady, Reggie Bush, Kim Kardashian, Drew Brees…no such luck! I wanted to vote “Brad Pitt for Mayor,” but couldn’t find anywhere to cast my ballot. However, I was introduced to hand grenades, hurricanes, oysters…DELICIOUS! I also tried my best to tell Larry Flint’s girls that what they were doing was most definitely trashy and to “leave the biz.” (After a trip to Pat O’Brian’s patio) I really wanted to go to the cemetery and take pics, but it was pitch black on our way home and you couldn’t make me a billion dollars to enter that cemetery with all the voo-doo stores surrounding it. SCARY…and CREEPY, too!
Our Thanksgiving lunch was so yummy, as you can see Cannon LOVED it too. All, I can say is I LOVE eggplant!!! I had never had it and was a bit skeptical, but it was so good. It was stuffed with shrimp, crawfish, and “stuff.” Hello, calories! Goodbye, diet! Seconds…please!
Thanks Dru & Dada for the perfect Thanksgiving and MUCH needed mini-vacation! We had a lot of fun…let’s do it again next year! And hopefully we will win BIG at Harrah’s!!! (and Dada will get a hug from Cannon…haha!)
We are thankful for so much
-The Truly Thankful 3C’s
…before ending this I have to say that my FAVORITE story about Newey (Chris’ grandma who is in Heaven) is when she said the Thanksgiving Prayer and went on and on and on…thanking the Pilgrims, the Armed Forces, etc. A little too much liquid courage and she told absolutely everyone how thankful she was! LOVE IT! I think I may gladly carry on this tradition next year!

The Birthday Party "Wrap-Up"...

Well, everything was too precious…shocking. Of course, Cannon was TERRIFIED of Santa! So, he chose to sit on Chris’ lap who sat on Santa’s lap having a death-grip on his candy cane. We didn’t feel too embarrassed because many other party goers were a tad afraid of the bearded man, too. Our friend, Carolyn got to sit in Santa’s lap with her little cherub, Cason. I thought it was precious how Cason LOVED the children’s orchestra that was playing Christmas music outside Santa’s workshop and he was def a dancing queen. The award for BEST Santa pic poser def goes to Mr. Peyton Derrick who even smiled, geez! Such a cute pic!

The day before the festivities took place it rained cats & dogs!!! So absolutely everything was soaked. We moved the designated meeting area where we would eat cupcakes and open presents to outside this little restaurant called Puffabelly’s. This proved to be a total success because all the adults were constantly sneaking inside to grab a few adult beverages…

Cannon was a little crabby because of all of his massive molars that were trying to find a home in his teenie mouth, so he wanted to be held constantly...he was the guest of honor. So, he sat in his Grandpa’s lap for most of his party. The fog lifted when the Crave cupcakes came out, Cannon’s face lit up and he devoured them. I think he ate at least 2-3! Hello, Mr. Sugar High! He doesn’t really care of icing, as much as the cake-part, so he “shares” cupcakes with his Mommy who prefers the icing.

I SWEAR our Tahoe resembled Santa’s sleigh with the amount of loot that Cannon got. Wow! What sweet friends and family. He got so much stuff!!! A cute Texas Tech blanket, trucks, cool clothes, and the cutest backpack, ever! He is spoiled rotten…fine by me! Lordy, Christmas is right around the corner!

Cannon, Cupcakes, & Mr. Claus

This is his birthday theme. Since Cannon’s birthday is so close to the holidays, so we are spreading some holiday cheer with birthday cake, too! The invites are out…Here is a pic, aren’t they too cute?!? I am addicted to Tiny Prints, it’s my favorite on-line stationary. I dream of the day that I own a cute cupcake boutique. I HEART Sugarbabies in Houston and of course, CRAVE, too!

I will be posting pics after the birthday, but here are the details that I sent out with the invite:

Hopefully, you received a cute Tiny Prints invite in the mail...or check your mailbox!

Here are a few more details for Cannon's birthday party...

Ho, Ho, Ho!
&
Happy Birthday!

Oh my goodness, Cannon is turning 1!
We will be celebrating Cannon’s special day with yummy cupcakes from Crave & Mr. Claus in charming Old Town Spring. We will be taking pictures with Santa and train rides around the “White Christmas” themed North Pole. So, dress in your Holiday season’s best!

Old Town Spring is about 25 minutes north of Houston. Spring is at the end of Spring-Cypress Road (exit 70-A), one mile east of Interstate 45 where Hardy Road crosses the railroad tracks. We will be meeting around Santa’s workshop, look for red & green balloons! After pictures and trainrides, we will move to the courtyard to enjoys cupcakes and goodies!

Please call my cell (713) 249-6533 if you get lost or can't find us...

Lots of Love,
Christopher, Christian, & Cannon

Skull & Crossbones are 100% BOY!!!

I have a boy, so he has to have “boy stuff”…it seems like EVERYTHING he has is camo &/or has skull & crossbones on it, or BOTH! I started this “trend” while he was still in my belly, his uber-chic diaper bag is the COOLEST thing, ever! If I got $1 every time I got a compliment on that bag I would be RICH!!! I got the idea from my make-believe bestie, Donna Martin. Thanks to “Tori & Dean; Home Sweet Hollywood” me & Tara’s FAVORITE show…Tori has taught me so much!!! She has taught me all about boy style, Liam & Cannon will be definitely be buds if we ever move to Hollywood. (Side note: HUGE fan of Mommywood, too!) I doubt that I will ever leave Texas, but if I do, Hello Hollywood! Hehe! A girl can dream…

So, wanted to show off some of my “TOP 5 Favorite Skull & Crossbones Stuff”…and says THANKS, again.
1. DIAPER BAG from Belly & Baby in Corpus Christi, then got it monogrammed. Thanks Chris & Gigi!
2. Crib shoes that are super soft and actually stayed on his chubby little feet. Thanks Gigi!
3. A Rockstar stroller blanket …Thanks Lauren!
4. His Halloween outfit for Gymboree that went under his pumpkin costume. Thanks to ME!!!
5. His pj’s from his super sweet & thoughtful cousin, Tyler. It was his first package he got in the mail!!! (so many milestones!!!)

p.s. His Dad’s #1 would be his onesie that said “Arr…Change Me Booty!” (look at the Valentine’s Day entry, I refer to start posting duplicate pictures)

I am thinking of getting him the Ralph Lauren camo/skull & crossbones décor for his room…when he “graduates” to a big boy bed…Am I taking this to far???

SHOE WHORE...just like his Momma!!!

I know this title is a bit risqué, but it’s the truth! My son has more shoes than the average person has in a life time! Finding the perfect shoe for a toddler is so hard, I believe it to be an art form. To find one that is okay for your child to chew on, can’t pull off easily, doesn’t just fall off, but most of all still allows him/her to almost walk… That is definitely the ringer. Cannon walks around in most shoes, like we would in flippers. He looks like he is so uncomfy and when he musters up the courage to take a few steps on his own…looks so awkward. He definitely prefers bare feet, but sometimes I have to squish his fat little feet (also, just like his Momma’s) into some shoes.

A little “shoe history”…His first 3 months of life he lived is Trumpette argyle & striped socks, Vans’ skull & crossbones crib shoes, graduated to his first pair of Sperry topsiders (Hello, they are Fratty-tastic!), then his uber-cool black Chuck Taylors (converse), Havianas flip flops, and now…THE BEST PAIR OF SHOES, EVER….

These adorable Puma Velcro tennis shoes, they are AWESOME!!! They also have el Tigre on them, which makes them the coolest kicks on the planet! (The tiger is a Thompson family tradition, the 3c’s are definitely crazy!)
So, if you are looking for some shoes, DEFINITELY get these…they are a bit pricey ($45), but worth it because they stay on!

We are waiting on pins & needles for our little man to start walking, any day now…