This year, the Bradleys are going green. We hope you enjoy our earth friendly holiday greeting. And that you have a wonderful season of celebration. Much love!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Out of the Mouth of Our Babe
The light dusting of snow we had earlier this week prompted Lola to ask, "Does that mean Santa Claus is coming now?"
Our babe's choice of breakfast is peanut butter and crackers. In fact, many mornings she wakes up with this plea, "Mommy, I want peanut butter and crackers. PLEASE!!!" A couple of days ago, I guess she noticed as I threw the empty peanut butter jar away. The next day when I asked her if that is what she wanted and proceeded to fix her favorite breakfast plate, she crawled up in a chair next to the bar and said, "We have peanut butter! Why did you get that peanut butter?"
"I got it for you, Lola. Because I know you like it."
"Wow! You're AWEsome, Mom!"
Let it be known by all, I AM AWESOME!!!
Our babe's choice of breakfast is peanut butter and crackers. In fact, many mornings she wakes up with this plea, "Mommy, I want peanut butter and crackers. PLEASE!!!" A couple of days ago, I guess she noticed as I threw the empty peanut butter jar away. The next day when I asked her if that is what she wanted and proceeded to fix her favorite breakfast plate, she crawled up in a chair next to the bar and said, "We have peanut butter! Why did you get that peanut butter?"
"I got it for you, Lola. Because I know you like it."
"Wow! You're AWEsome, Mom!"
Let it be known by all, I AM AWESOME!!!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Twelve Dates of Christmas
I'm always looking for ways to create meaning in our holiday celebrations. I love to eat as much as anyone but for people who have great meals all the time, I don't think big family meals are necessarily the way to make our holidays special. My favorite Christmas traditions of my childhood include the obvious gathering of family but three things stand out most for me.
First, my Dad involved us all in decking our house out Griswald-style. He was a welder and had created all kinds of cool yule decor. He lit everything with spotlights, covered the house in lights, we had the plastic snowmen, and a nativity scene with a custom stable that was awesome. I loved playing with the plastic baby Jesus. We had a huge star that shared the rooftop with Santa and his reindeer. Somehow Dad mounted the sleigh where it looked like they were taking off to share toys with the rest of the world. We also had a HUGE cross beside our house. Since this was how I knew Christmas even before seeing Christmas Vacation, some of the humor was lost on me. I remember being upset that his family wouldn't help him and wondering why they wouldn't want to decorate. We loved watching the cars drive slowly around our block as they checked out our house. Our roofline is crazy steep and the lot behind the house is empty so Dad always made sure the back of the house lit up, too.
Second, I remember all five of us crammed in the car or truck and driving around looking at lights. Dad always made sure Christmas music was blaring and my brother was usually telling me to quit singing. Although, there were several songs that became sing-alongs.
Third, there was the children's Christmas program at church. Carolyn, our children's pastor, and all of her family were so amazing. It was always so much fun to participate. Of course, this always came with a new dress sewn by Mom who can make anything. So there were several days of fittings, rehearsals, and abuse for my family as they had to listen to me sing and rehearse lines prior to this.
Randy and I have a few traditions of our own. Over the next few weeks you might hear about a few of them. But this year we are starting a new one inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas and by Lola. She and Randy have had a couple of Daddy-Lola dates to the movies over the past month or two. Soon after one of their dates, all three of us went to dinner and to the same cinema. She said, "This is where Daddy-Lola dates are. But this is a Daddy-Lola-Mommy date!" We got a kick out of it and whenever we drive by she always exclaims that we are passing our date place. Anyhow, when thinking of special ways to celebrate as a family I decided to create the Twelve Dates of Christmas in which we will find twelve special outings or activities to celebrate together as a family.
Tonight is our First Date of Christmas. We are having a light supper of summer sausage, crackers, cheeses, fruits and spreads. Then we are heading downtown to the Civic Center Music Hall to Merry POPs with the OKC Philharmonic. Afterwards, we'll try to catch the Sonic Santa in Bricktown and head back for hot chocolate with marshmallows and white chocolate dipped pretzels. I better go get dressed or I'm going to be late!
First, my Dad involved us all in decking our house out Griswald-style. He was a welder and had created all kinds of cool yule decor. He lit everything with spotlights, covered the house in lights, we had the plastic snowmen, and a nativity scene with a custom stable that was awesome. I loved playing with the plastic baby Jesus. We had a huge star that shared the rooftop with Santa and his reindeer. Somehow Dad mounted the sleigh where it looked like they were taking off to share toys with the rest of the world. We also had a HUGE cross beside our house. Since this was how I knew Christmas even before seeing Christmas Vacation, some of the humor was lost on me. I remember being upset that his family wouldn't help him and wondering why they wouldn't want to decorate. We loved watching the cars drive slowly around our block as they checked out our house. Our roofline is crazy steep and the lot behind the house is empty so Dad always made sure the back of the house lit up, too.
Second, I remember all five of us crammed in the car or truck and driving around looking at lights. Dad always made sure Christmas music was blaring and my brother was usually telling me to quit singing. Although, there were several songs that became sing-alongs.
Third, there was the children's Christmas program at church. Carolyn, our children's pastor, and all of her family were so amazing. It was always so much fun to participate. Of course, this always came with a new dress sewn by Mom who can make anything. So there were several days of fittings, rehearsals, and abuse for my family as they had to listen to me sing and rehearse lines prior to this.
Randy and I have a few traditions of our own. Over the next few weeks you might hear about a few of them. But this year we are starting a new one inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas and by Lola. She and Randy have had a couple of Daddy-Lola dates to the movies over the past month or two. Soon after one of their dates, all three of us went to dinner and to the same cinema. She said, "This is where Daddy-Lola dates are. But this is a Daddy-Lola-Mommy date!" We got a kick out of it and whenever we drive by she always exclaims that we are passing our date place. Anyhow, when thinking of special ways to celebrate as a family I decided to create the Twelve Dates of Christmas in which we will find twelve special outings or activities to celebrate together as a family.
Tonight is our First Date of Christmas. We are having a light supper of summer sausage, crackers, cheeses, fruits and spreads. Then we are heading downtown to the Civic Center Music Hall to Merry POPs with the OKC Philharmonic. Afterwards, we'll try to catch the Sonic Santa in Bricktown and head back for hot chocolate with marshmallows and white chocolate dipped pretzels. I better go get dressed or I'm going to be late!
They Know Anatomy...
... the proof is in the oven. I just had to highlight this photo of my cutie patooties: cousin Christina & little sister Dana. Lola has two more cousins on the way! Christina will give birth to little boy Racen Dell Stacy around the first of March. We're still waiting to find out what Dana will be having around the first of May. Lola keeps asking for her own baby to carry in her stomach. Patience, my dear.
Anatomy 101
Disclaimer: If you are sensitive to anatomy discussions, discontinue reading now. Mother, don't be horrified that I'm actually writing this on the world wide web. It's funny, and Randy keeps telling me I should write with more sarcasm and humor so that I can become some famous blogger who rolls in the advertising bucks. Keep dreaming, Randal, but just in case...
OK, to the point. Today I was putting on my bra when Lola walked in my room and started a nonstop rant that sounded like this and came with wide eyes. "What's that? I don't have one of those. It's for big, BIG boobies. I don't have big boobies. I have itty-bitty boobies. I have to get older to get big, BIG boobies. Mine are just little."
I assured her that if she ate her green beans, her boobies would grow to be as voluptuous as mine.
OK, to the point. Today I was putting on my bra when Lola walked in my room and started a nonstop rant that sounded like this and came with wide eyes. "What's that? I don't have one of those. It's for big, BIG boobies. I don't have big boobies. I have itty-bitty boobies. I have to get older to get big, BIG boobies. Mine are just little."
I assured her that if she ate her green beans, her boobies would grow to be as voluptuous as mine.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Cheese Fries & Friends
A couple of weeks ago, some of our very good friends came back to Oklahoma for a visit. Currently they call Colorado home. We took the opportunity to meet them and our other dear friends for cheese fries and more good food at Eskimo Joe's. These girls are Lola's first friends - Bailee held her the night she was born and some of her coolest clothes have come from Ella. Jaxson can thank Bailee for the special hug technique that Lola learned. And the boys... she's pretty smitten with them. Here's a look at how the Bradleys, Walters, Kofahls, and one Riley kid terrorized Joe.
Gobble, Gobble
We had a great Thanksgiving! We spent time with family and friends truly giving thanks and honoring the Lord and each other. We ate incredible food. And, we battled a nasty stomach virus. Thankfully, Lola & I are back to normal. Here are slide shows from our gatherings. Enjoy!
Giving Thanks Together on Sunday
Thanksgiving Day at our House
Thanksgiving Feast at Mom & Dad's
Giving Thanks Together on Sunday
Thanksgiving Day at our House
Thanksgiving Feast at Mom & Dad's
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