What a great 2010!

This year has brought us our beautiful daughter! I think this is by far the best! Even though we've had a lots of ups & downs but we definitly had an up! I am so thankful for her, she has brought something new to our little family each and everyday. We had our first Thanksgiving and Christmas in our own HOME! Started many new traditions for all these fun holidays we are blessed with. Not only have we gained a new family member (a very special one) but we've made lots of new friends. Friends, that aren't around very long due to deployment, or getting stationed else where but its always fun to meet new people. Addyson loves that she has a friend, named CONNOR who isn't that much younger than her, and his brother, BRADY, they means alot to us & so does their parents & grandparents :D Along with this year other than the great family, great friends, we got the news that we get to move to EVERETT, WA. (so far...) and Josh made rank! He is now a PETTY OFFICER 3rd CLASS. I'm a very lucky lady to have a man so determined to take care of his family, and he knows how hard it gets for me to be away from my family, especially with all the things happening. We must not forget our adorable crazy little nephew, Justin Michael! He has gotten so big, and has grown into a good little boy. He's now 2 years old and he is full of life, Addyson loves her cousin lots, she even helped him open a birthday gift when he came to visit us this November. I am very thankful for 2010. You've been very good to us. Happy New Years EVE!

Out with the Old & in with the New

I want to set up more decortive picture frames as well..... for all the cute family photos or just of Addy.

I want to be more decortive (this could be in my future kitchen)

a simular couch but the one I am in love with is different color

So we've been thinking about selling our furniture and getting something that isn't going to give us a headache while we are living in Everett. My dream couch was discovered at the NEX furniture store, which is the NAVY furniture store. I am in love with it, I wanted it in the beginning but now Josh is finally agreeing with me the ottomen comes seperate but I think we should invest in that as well. This is just one of many things we are going to replace. We're going to get a new dinning room table, new side tables, and hopefully a new computer desk in the near future. There are odds and ends that I would love to replace as in kitchen plates, ware, and dish towels and rags. Here are some things that I kind of like but aren't exact but they are close to what I want.

Monkey Hat

Christmas Dinner at the Anderson's

This year we decided to go to the Anderson's for Christmas dinner. There was a lot of people there - Mackenzie & his wife, Trevor, Ashley, and Cassidy, Shelly, Sam, & their boys, Brooke, Ryan, & baby Landon (1wk old!). We were surround by such joy. The dinner Sherri (Anderson) made was amazing, she and her husband, Dave, are very nice people. Addyson had fun with the McCollums (Sam, Shelly, & their three boys) they boys were very entertaining for Addyson, she loved watching them. She took a short catnap but was wide awake with still rubbing her eyes. Sherri & Dave got Addyson a dolly, its so cute. She loved the wings they made that crinkling sound. After everyone arrived we ate dinner. Sam McCollum loved playing with Addyson, She just would laugh and laugh at him, Josh let him hold her and she ended up spitting up, I didn't realize it until I looked at her dress, YIKKESS, sorry! I felt really bad. After I got Addy girl ready for night night (aka her catnap) we played "catch phrase" we sat around the table boy, girl, boy, girl, so that its was Boys vs. Girls. We had so much fun. Especially when one of the McCollum boys, David, shouted out HOT (to me when I was saying "I am... I am... (trying to describe the word "Stress") everyone was laughing hard, especially JOSH! My own husband! I think you could say I was as red as a cherry! I seriously was speechless! After a few more rounds and the girls winning! Babies were waking, first Cassidy, then Landon, and last Addyson. Ashley & I just sat on the couch with the babies. I look at Cassidy and remember all the stuff I went through with Addyson when she was that little. I find myself missing the cuddling and what not but I love where we are today too. After we all ate dessert, and some left and we stayed around the table and talked. It was nice. I think that the ENTIRE day yesterday was AMAZING! I love my little family, my husband, my beautiful full of life daughter, and I'm very thankful for my family & friends! Now we'll be wrapping up the rest of 2010 this week! (PICTURES LATER)

Merry Christmas (Addyson's 1st)

I wanted to try these so bad....Thanks JOSH!

Silly Silly! But I love them

Josh in his Hickory Farms - He was dreaming of this....:)

Holding her bottle :)

Some of Josh's things....Seat covers yet to come?

Some things for me :)

Addy girls stuff......

Lets just say she'll NEVER be naked!

Christmas Eve - Tradtion Gifts!

Addyson eatting her "baby mum mums"

Eve dinner (Main course, Blak Forest Ham)

Merry Christmas! This year we just decided to stay home. Christmas Eve we hung out around home watching movies that afternoon we decided to go out and use our Christmas gift cards. I still have most of the money left on the one I was holding on too, but Josh, he spent his by getting a coffee maker like he has been wanting, and all the goodies to go with it. And surprisingly he didn’t spend all of it, I think we did good! We came home and started our dinner since we decided to take the invitation to The Anderson’s house for Christmas Dinner. Josh bought a black forest ham, he has been wanting to eat one for a long time, while it was cooking I made all the sides. Addyson sat in her high chair like a good girl and ate her “Baby Mum Mums” (which are great but mess for babies). We had a nice meal and afterwards we opened one present which was pajamas that we picked out for each other and we picked a pair out together for Addyson. I was so surprised by mine because they were pretty spendy and it was a nightgown ( I guess you could say) by Tommy Hilfiger. I ordered Josh’s offline from deer gear.com (his favorite website besides Cabalas) and we just picked up Addyson’s at the mall. She looked so cute in hers and I am so happy that Josh loved his, I was so nervous! After we got that done Addyson was ready for bed, it was almost 8 o’clock and she didn’t even make it for frosting cookies for Santa. After I got her down for bed, I got the cookies all ready for Santa, and did some last minute things, all while enjoying Christmas movies with Josh. We stayed up way late, almost midnight. Addyson woke up at 4:30 a.m. so we barely got five hours of sleep. Needless to say, we both need a nap. (which Josh is doing as I type this) Addyson is enjoying all the toys she has got, I have just washed and dried (yet to fold) her brand new clothes she got. I ended up getting some summer things since they were on sale at Macys for some of her presents and Santa brought her some long sleeved & short sleeved onesies along with a couple pair of pants. In her stocking she was surprised with snacks, a new sippy cup, hair bows (that I put in there, which I made) and some other little things. I am very thankful that our parents & Josh’s grandparents (my grandmother doesn’t celebrate Christmas because of her religion) got her some wonderful toys and movie. Josh’s parents got her some learning toys & a toy that helps you crawl & my parents got her Beauty and the Beast & some money that I have yet to buy her something with. Josh and I got each other a little something. We don’t need a lot, but the thought is always nice. I finally got an electric can opener. I can not live anymore with the manual ones and our good friends got us gifts, a doll for Addy, a new mixer & lotion for me, and money & body wash for Josh. Josh made us a good breakfast while I fed Addyson some applesauce. After all the commotion of presents Addy was ready for bed by 7 o’clock. I should have took my nap then but my stomach is really upset today. I don’t know if its because we aren’t home or what. Hopefully after I get Addyson all ready for the day I can go take a nap before we head over to the Anderson’s house for dinner. Sheri Anderson & her husband are very nice people, they would do anything for their friends, for all the ones in Josh’s division that want to come to her house for dinner are more than welcome. Our friends Ashley & Trevor are going to be there with their new daughter, Cassidy. I am excited to visit with some adults, I can only handle so much baby talk in a month. We are very excited to get out of the house, but I hope I feel better and I’m not miserable. Hopefully Josh cooked the Ham correctly last night. Not to forget about my Red Velvet Cake. I tried to make one, lets just say that its HORRIBLE. I neeed to work on that. I can’t even take a picture to put on here because its that bad, I want to throw it away but it does taste alright, the frosting turned out worst than anything I’ve ever seen, but that’s how you learn I guess, got to mess up sometime. One thing I am really thankful for is that my sister decided to come home for the holidays I told her now if I could just make it home it would be a great family reunion. We miss our families a lot, I hope next year we can spend time with them. We’re wishing everyone a safe rest of the weekend & the upcoming new year. I wonder how we’ll be bringing in the new year?

Just a thought.........

Many people get caught up in what they get for Christmas and how expensive or big it is. I, personally, don't really care about any present, how expensive it was, how big it is, or anything like that. You can always go buy what you want at the store if you want it. Growing up my parents always tried to do the best they can for us, I was happy any way as long as we were all spending time together (it felt to me we didnt spend ENOUGH time together) and thats all I needed. Oh and a trip to Grandmas to see our COUSINS :) That was always my favorite. But not going to lie it was always nice to get something but I hated going to school and EVERYONE bragging about what they got, was anyone BRAGGING about SPENDING TIME WITH there families? A BIG FAT NO! Josh feels bad for not getting me SOMETHING HUGE but I am really happy with what he got me, but I am more glad that he was here and not in a different state, or clear in the middle of the ocean. I hope I can teach Addyson how its not what you get that matters its who you spend it with, that does. Next year, I will just really love to be home for Christmas, it's been two years, thats all my greed!

A BIG THANKS TOO; G&G STUART, G&G MATTHES, The SNYDERS, GRANDMA PAT

Addyson, seven months old.

Addyson is seven months old. I don't know how much she weights or anything but she's probably pushing either close to 17lbs or a little over. She is now getting to where she will be in the crawling position by herself! I am so happy. If you are near her she'll grab you and try to crawl up your legs. Now she is getting into things and putting objects into her mouth. We're in for it! We love you Addyson Sage!

No Bremerton now Everett!

Recently we got the news that we are going to be living an hour closer to home, in Everett, WA. Josh's ship is docked in Bremerton but they are stationing us in Everett. I'm excited to be close to my long lost cousins, which we hung out once this summer. Janice, my cousin's wife, is so fun to be around, and I'm excited to get to know them better. The sad part is, we have to get rid of Calvin, I am sad, but Josh decided that we aren't going to be able to get a good military house if we have a "chow" they are known to be a one man dog. I sure will miss Calvin, lots of good memories with him, But now we wont have to worry about him taking off every chance he sees an opened door. We will always love you, Calvin! I really hope he finds a really good home with people who are settled into one place and will love him unconditionally!

Soggy Bottom Cocoa Cake

Yummy! Very simple recipe for a very yummy chocolate cake & frosting! My grandma makes this all the time, usually every time I go there she has this sitting on her kitchen counter. I miss her too much! This is in her new recipe book she sent me, which I am going to send her a check for it, she put in a lot of hard work.

Cake:

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

3/4 c. cocoa

1 c. canola oil

1 c. milk

1 c. hot coffee

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

Sift dry ingredients together in a mixing low. Add oil, coffee, and milk; beat with a hand mixer on low. Add eggs and vanilla; beat 2 minutes. Batter will be thin. Put into a greased 13x9x2" pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes or until tested done.

Note: This cake is very moist and rich looking. frosting below goes with.

Fluffy Cocoa Frosting:
1/2 c. Crisco

3 c. powdered sugar

1/3 c. cocoa

pinch of salt

1/4 c. of water or more if needed

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening and powdered sugar; add salt and cocoa. Beat on low; add water and vanilla. Continue beating until nice and fluffy. May need to add more powdered sugar or water. Frost cooled cake.

We aren't "BIG" coffee drinkers so I used no coffee, which it wasn't as "moist" as it usually is when I eat it at my grandma's but it was still delicious! We also added a blue snow man for the hoilday.

A little behind...

Not only am I behind in house work but blogging as well. It's the week before Christmas and we've been last minute shopping, wrapping presents and just enjoying each other. Josh and I've been going through a lot, mainly because we're not with our families for the holidays, but we are doing a hundred percent better. I am so thankful for my mom & Mandy for being there for me. Also, Ashley has been helpful with opening her house to me when I have no where to go just to breath. I love being a mom, but I get overwhelmed with all the responsibility. I am wondering what my life will be if I was a working mom which I have been considering a lot lately, just to help bring in another pay check. Saturday I finally got Addyson her ornament, its a flashing "A," I didn't want to get her a "baby's first Christmas" one because I honestly didn't like any of them as much as I loved this one, I plan on writing 2010 on it somewhere but I haven't decided where yet. Josh's ornament is an antler and mines a willow tree angel, with a bright star. We did good picking out our ornaments for this year. That is one of our traditions that I probably mentioned earlier.

Sunday, Addyson was so cranky we finally decided that she needs a new toy to keep her occupied so we let her open ONE gift, which I really hated for her to do that but Josh insisted. We got her a walker that changes into a sweet ride, I am pretty sure she is scared of it. I stick it under the tree when she isn't playing with it because its for Christmas. I think she was really teething horribly that day.

Monday, it was just like any other Monday, I was dreading house work and getting ready for the big holiday celebrated with just us three. That day actually went by in a blink of an eye! Addyson & I went for a walk, we've been looking out for Christmas cards & packages. We are waiting for our pictures from her Aunt Nicole (which I don't think she has even sent) but we needed the fresh air.

Tuesday, We got a lot done, cleaning wise and we even went for a mini walk to the mailbox. I made my grandma's famous "Soggy Bottom Cake" (recipe to come) and the homemade frosting. It is delicious. I love it so much and it reminds me of home, puts a little comfort in our tummies! I tried giving Addyson noodles and corn, Josh freaked on me because he said it might hurt her stomach but it came out ok, I think.

Today we have been just hanging out, I haven't done dishes since last night and our kitchen is a horrible mess. I am so lazy today. I told myself tomorrow we are cleaning this house, spic and span, before Christmas Eve. Josh and I rented redbox movies, which we aren't even watching, and walked around the NEX, they are having 50% on all Christmas stuff, which we don't need, but I would stock up if Josh would let me. While at the NEX we ran into a guy that went to the same high school as Josh and I, his name is Brandon and he graduated a year before Josh. He is a very nice guy, he is going home for Christmas. Everyone gets a four day weekend since its Christmas and everything but Josh has duty tomorrow so hopefully he gets home to help me (o: that would be nice. Addyson is still climbing on everything. I don't think she likes crawling. Shes silly! Safe Travels!