This Is How We Do It...

Another Christmas has come and gone. It was so nice to celebrate this year in the States and know that we weren't rushing out of the country in a few weeks. This year, we celebrated with both Seth and my family. We spent Christmas Eve over at his brother, Aaron's house. Then Christmas morning my family and Seth's mom celebrated at our house. Then after all

Light Up My Life...

For years Seth has been talkin', talkin', talkin' about this neighborhood in Plano that does a fantastic light display. After hearing about it all this time, we finally drove over to see what he

Gingerbread House Fun...

When I was in college and living in my own apartment, I started the tradition of making a gingerbread house every Christmas. I'd get the hot chocolate all warmed up, turn on Beauty and the Beast, and start my masterpiece. I'm not so sure how much of a masterpiece it was, but it made me feel good non the less. Over the years, I grew up and life passed by, and I quit my gingerbread house tradition. Then, a few weeks ago I was walking in the grocery store and there it was….a gingerbread house kit. I knew I had to get it immediately so that Taelyn and I could start the tradition all over again. I'm so glad I did because we had such a good time. Even Seth got into it and helped do some decorating. It was great fun!

I thought since Taelyn was only two that I would be doing most of the work, and she would kind of slop things around. Boy, was I wrong. She was a pro from the get go. The only challenging part was keeping her from eating the candy! Then once we got her to not eat the candy, she realized the icing was

A Time of Cheer...

I just love the Christmas season! Seriously, how can anyone not love it? A lot of people would think its weird since I work in retail that I look forward to that time of year, but its never bothered me. Honestly, I look at any retail person that poo poo's Christmas or complains the whole season as someone who just needs to get out. Seriously. People are happy. Its festive. Lights on houses. Trees to decorate. Yummy cookies to make. Family gatherings. People are just nicer during December. I think they try to be just a wee bit more pleasant to their fellow man. So there you

Home Away from Home...

I didn't take very many pictures while I was in Dallas. When you are an expat, you just get so busy with your family, that picture taking takes the back seat. I think also when you go back for a month or more, things become so common place that you forget that others may not see what

Christmas Village...

The city of Richardson, Texas has this really awesome Christmas village set up outside the library by my sister's house. Seth and I went over there one night during our date nights to check it out. All I can say is I wanted to be a kid again. I can't wait to take Taelyn next year

Christmas in Oklahoma...

I  was thinking about these last few posts and how weird it is to just now post about Christmas. But, alas, what am I to do? Busy with family. Busy with baby. Fight for the computer from the husband. So, you must forgive me for my extreme tardiness and...well...just plain awkwardness

Oklahoma Birthday...

Would you believe that I only have 2 pictures from Taelyn's birthday party in Oklahoma? I'm a bad mother, huh? Remember that whole separation anxiety thing she was going through? Well, the first time we tried to celebrate, she cried constantly. I decided that it just wasn't worth

And We're Off to Oklahoma!...

After our short stay in Atlanta, we jumped on yet another plane to Dallas. My sister picked us up at the DFW airport and then we drove the 2 1/2 hours to Oklahoma. Its much easier and cheaper for us to fly into Dallas and than drive to Oklahoma then to just fly to Oklahoma since

Atlanta Christmas...

Christmas was such a good time in Atlanta, and we couldn't have been thankful enough for the Atlanta Family for their hospitality. Even though Taelyn was quite a challenge sometimes, they were real troopers and didn't let anything bug them. It was nice to spend time with the whole

Its Her Party and She'll Cry if She Wants To...

Taelyn celebrated the big numeral uno on December 23rd in Atlanta. So of course, we had a little birthday party for her. Since she was going through some serious separation anxiety and

All in da Hood...

As I told you in my previous post, my brother and sister-in-law, Aaron and Heather, live in a neighborhood that is essentially one street about 1/2 mile long. It ends in a cul-de-sac which means that everyone knows everyone. All the houses are plantation style nestled in between

Christmas in Atlanta...

Yes, I am fully aware that it is almost a month after Christmas and my trip to the US, and I am just now making a post. I, also, admit that I am the worst blogger ever. I only hope you may forgive my long sabbatical as I was busy just enjoying my family and then recouping once I got back to Playa.

So, onto the show. Our first destination was Atlanta, Georgia to visit Seth's side of the family. Let me tell you. Coming from sunny 84 degree weather and suddenly landing in 35 degree, cold is quite a shock to your

Merry Christmas!...

From my family to your's, Have a Very Merry Christmas! I will be playing with new baby toys and eating lots and lots of food today. What about you?

For the record. I'm pretty sure I broke that tea pot that very day. If not, pretty soon after. Everything was fair game as far as I was concerned. My poor, poor parents!

Christmas Past...

Enjoy some pics of my favorite Christmas memories while I chow down with family and catch up on times. Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you have a wonderful, fun filled day.

Christmas in the Square...

I think what has amazed me the most about Mexico is how much they get into the whole decorating thing. I really thought that the US had this one hands down, but now I'm thinking Mexico may be a close contender. The one thing that Mexico loves to do is have ridiculously,

Being Neighborly...

This last Friday Seth and I had planned to go out on a little date since we had a new babysitter and wanted to try her out. (That was my excuse at least...shhhhh.) What do you know, one of our neighbors comes by, and invites us to a little get together with all the people who came to our Thanksgiving Dinner. At first we were like, hmmmm, what to do? what to do? But then, we said, "Well, we will just go out for our date, and then come back for the party, of course!" Who can pass up a little impromptu gathering?

We had such a good time, and I'm so glad we didn't wimp out and go to bed after our date. I love how our little corner area is so small that it allows for neighbors to know one another and just feel well...neighborly. What I love is that I know that if I'm in a bind or need help with something, there are 5 different sets of

It Really is Christmas Time Now...

Whew! What a week! I just looked at the calendar and realized we will be going home to the US in just a little over a month for Christmas and a little extended stay. Seth has been crazy busy finishing up a new app The Free Wallpaper App for the Christmas sales (shameless self advertisement), and I haven't hardly seen him for the last four weeks. I swear it was just Halloween. Then I go into the store the day after, and boom!...its Christmas. Remember that little picture I took of all those Halloween decorations? Hasta la vista because it is full fledge Christmas now!

I know I told you about the bulk stacks of Christmas in September. Well, that did not prepare for me the massive bulk stacks in the main aisles for Christmas. Now, I know all you from the US are thinking, "Big deal. That's standard for us." But, seriously, I think Mexico goes all out. The stacks are longer, taller, and wider than anything I've seen in the US which is saying a lot! And when they run out of room

Christmas? Already?!?...

When I got back from my visit to the States, I was completely shocked with I saw the grocery stores in Mexico already getting stocked up for Christmas. In September? Really? Then I start to think, well they do the same thing in the US, I should know from years of retail. I guess, I was