Santa Claus and Snow Came to Kansas!

Andrew with his kid laptop from Nana.

Andrew got a Star Station from Nana.

A Star Wars Frog Habitat from Aunt Sarah, Uncle Jamie, and Baby Jay. Our tadpoles will arrive by mail in 6 to 8 weeks.

Andrew's stocking from Santa.

Our first Christmas totally spent in Kansas was different but fruitful for Andrew! We had a blizzard warning turned winter storm warning. We only ended up getting about three inches of snow which isn't much compared to what we usually get with all of this hype. The snow from our previous storm had almost melted. It is way too cold, bitter, and windy outside to play. David worked Christmas Eve, Christmas night, and he is scheduled to work tonight. We were still able to celebrate and have breakfasts and dinners together. We are so thrilled that as of January 10th he will be on days!! That was the best Christmas news ever. Andrew got a great visit from Santa, and our house if a big mess. I have posted some pictures of Andrew with his presents! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Young Family!

Woody and Buzz

Andrew has been opening one present a day at the request of his Pop. Yesterday he opened Woody and Buzz. Buzz has a firework/rocket on his back that has a button that has funny sayings from the movie. I am still looking for our Toy Story movie. It has been missing for about two months now along with our Garfield movie. So frustrating...

Wow Wee Alive Husky Puppy

Daddy called me tonight and said for Andrew to open one present tonight. We let him open his Wow Wee Alive Husky Puppy. He loved him! It is the greatest pet in the whole world...he makes noises when you pet him, his eyes blink, he growls, and he howls. However, you don't have to feed him or clean up after him. Great pet! Andrew has named him Percy...I am sure after the train on Thomas.

Santa Claus...Visit # 4

There is the cutest Winter Wonderland that is really close to our house. They offer free train rides, cookies, popcorn, and visits with Santa all for a free will donation is you choose. We took Andrew for his fourth visit with Santa of the season. We saw Santa last night at my work's Christmas gathering. We saw him for Cookies with Santa at Brown's, and we also saw him at the Mini Main Street event they have for children here in December. Santa is really a cool guy this year in the eyes of Andrew. He has no fear and would sit in his lap and talk to him for a really long time if there was not a line of kids waiting their turn behind him. We can't wait to see what he brings on the 25th!

Portable North Pole

Click here: http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/0ff8ddc649eed0b3a6512c64509e8da6

This is the neatest site if you have young children!! We did this for Andrew last night, and he really believed in what he saw. He asked me what a tantrum was...I explained that meant "a fit." So cute!

Christmas Lights Trolley Tour

Last night we went on a Christmas Lights Trolley Tour around town. Our Convention and Visitors Bureau bought a trolley about a year ago, and Andrew has been wanting to ride on it ever since! Before the tour, we enjoyed cookies and Christmas stories at the library. I am glad that I suggested our group arrive early because the tour sold out within five minutes! We got the first four tickets. Yay for planning! We invited our sweet neighbor Liz, and we took the seat in the way back of the trolley that held all four of us. There are so many beautiful homes with creative light displays in town.

The Princess and the Frog

I took Andrew to see The Princess and the Frog tonight. It was one of my most favorite Disney movies of all time, and I do not make a statement like that often. It was that good. It was set in New Orleans, LA, and it centered around a young, beautiful, hard-working girl named Tiana.
A prince named Naveen is transformed into a frog by the evil scheming voodoo magician Dr. Facilier. The frog prince mistakes Tiana for a princess and has her kiss him to break the spell. However, since Tiana is not a princess, the kiss doesn't break the spell, but instead turns Tiana into a frog as well. The two humans turned frogs must find a way to break the evil spell and make Tiana's dream of opening her own New Orleans-style restaurant come true. It has all of things one would like about New Orleans - food, music, beauty, Mardi Gras, and even beignets...all in an animated film! The message is great, and I loved the romance. Andrew liked it too because it had a hilarious trumpet playing alligator and a funny lightning bug in it who kept us laughing! This musical movie was great, and we will be buying it on DVD as soon as it is available.

First Big Snow of Winter 2009

We got seven inches of snow on Tuesday. It is still here because it hasn't gotten above 20 since last weekend. Since we live in an area where people are used to snow, it has been business as usual for us all. It sure is pretty to see all of the snow with the Christmas decorations and such. I think it might get up to 36 on Saturday and start to melt :-(

First Official Santa Visit of 2009

I love where we live. For the past three years we have paid to have a photo taken with Santa Claus. I believe last year it cost us over $30 to get photos with Santa at the mall in Wichita. Well, this year it cost us $0, and there are at least six opportunities to visit the man in red for free in the town where we live. The Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Assoc. have come up with what I think is an awesome idea. Once a week, a main street business hosts "Cookies with Santa", and the new Wallgreens prints the pictures for free! Also, you can eat breakfast with him on Saturday's at the main street business that volunteers for that week. It is all free!!
Last year, Andrew ran away and wasn't real sure about Santa. He never cried, but he looked somewhat uncomfortable. This year, they were like old pals. Andrew talked to him with such enthusiasm and confidence. He hugged him when we left, and he asked me where he parked his reindeer. I cleverly told him that he should have asked Santa! It was sweet. We like, like, like Santa this year.

The Big One

Here is a photo of David's big deer he shot early into deer season 2009. He isn't in the picture because he went hunting alone. I am not really qualified to blog about this as I don't really know much about the deer except he was big. David shot him during bow season as you can see there is an arrow. He appears to be a 12 point. We were really glad he shot this deer early, otherwise, we probably wouldn't be seeing much of David. He has an obsession with hunting if you don't know him well.

Thanksgiving and Christmas too all in November

Andrew's first present of Christmas 2009 was a Matchbox Mega Rig Pirate Ship

Andrew and Dad helped make Pumpkin Bread

Andrew with his Memaw and Papaw

Andrew and his super exciting pirate ship

We spent Thanksgiving this year in our metal mansion (trailer) at Kanopolis Lake. We love it there because we have a gas fireplace, plenty of outdoors stuff to do and see, and David will occasionally play his guitar for people. For whatever reason, I enjoy cleaning and cooking THERE, but not at my own house. I don't get it. Anyway, I made the homemade dressing, David fried a turkey, and we watched about 25 DVDs-all child themed of course! Towards the end of the week, we had a nice visit from David's family. His dad and step-mom drove all the way from Memphis, Tenn. to see us since we can't make it down for Christmas this year. Andrew was super excited because he got to celebrate Christmas a little early by opening presents from his Memaw and Papaw. He got a pirate ship that he has been wanting for many, many months now. The weather was exceptional, the food was great, and the family time was something we all needed and enjoyed. David and Andrew got in a nice deer hunt also...but, no deer were killed on the hunt. David has already shot a really big buck this season...which reminds me I never posted any pics of it. I have posted a few pics from our week of fun.

Meet Thomas the Elf

Santa Claus recently sent Andrew this wonderful gift in the mail to my work address. Actually, that is what Andrew thinks. The real truth is that I went to www.elfontheshelf.com and found out that they sold these gift kits at The Cook's Nook here in McPherson. Basically, this beautiful book and elf doll come together as a set for about $35 plus tax. Each family names their elf who is sent from Santa to act as a behavior liaison for him. The elf then flies back to the North Pole each night after Andrew falls asleep to give Santa a report on his behavior for the day. The elf returns to the North Pole with Santa on Christmas Eve to live with Santa until the following Thanksgiving when he returns to start back up his behavior reporting duties. The fun thing about the elf is that when he returns from the North Pole early each morning, he moves to a different location in your house. Andrew adores getting up early and trying to find where Mr. Elf (Thomas) has chosen to sit and watch him for the day. Another fun thing about this process is the fact that you name your elf. Andrew chose to name ours Thomas. So far, I have seen great results from Thomas!! Andrew really believes, and it is so sweet. We are on day #4, and Thomas has given Santa good reports thus far!!

Weekend Adventure

Andrew and I will partake in a historical adventure tomorrow as we ride along to Olathe, KS for the first ever McPherson College national football playoff game. It will be McPherson College vs. MidAmerica Nazarene University on Saturday, November 21st at 1:00 p.m. Neither of us have ever been to Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City. Hopefully, we will win!!

Update: 11/22/09: We were ahead the entire game until the 4th quarter, but we did lose the game. This was the first ever playoff game for McPherson College (the college where I work) to ever attend, so I still feel proud about the way everything turned our for our team. The team and the coaches have a lot to be proud of this year. Congrats bulldogs!

All Better!

We are free of the h1n1 virus! Andrew returned to school yesterday. Woohoo!! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. He just ran a high fever off and on for several days. He also had a lot of upper respiratory issues. Other than that, nothing too terrible. It was so cute when I took Andrew to school this morning. His little friend Alison sat down beside him while I was tying his shoes. Then, along comes his friend Talon. Alison and Talon started fighting over who would get to sit next to Andrew. It was soo sweet. Ahh--to be popular!
Busy weekend-Mac College football game tomorrow! If they win, they will make football history with the best football record ever in the 100+ years this college has been in existence. I hope we get to watch history being made tomorrow! Go bulldogs! And, I also hope Miss. State beats Alabama.

H1N1

Andrew has it, and I feel like I am getting it too. David has friends in town, and I need to be at work!! When it rains, it pours!! ARRRRRRG.

Just for fun...

1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light?
I would run the red light.

2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything?
I would have eaten more sensibly. I was stressed.

3. When you reply to someone's comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email that person)
IDK-this is a confusing question.

4. Your favorite Disney movie is:
CARS

5. Do you recycle?
No. It is too much trouble. Sorry.

6. Games of strategy or games of chance?
Games of strategy. Poker, poker, poker.

7. Do you have any recurring dreams?
Yes. At least once a month I dream that I am enrolled in a class in college that I keep missing, and then I find out that I have missed a test.

8. What did you learn from your first real job?
Hmm. My first real job was working as a lifeguard. I would say I learned that cleaning bathrooms is gross, and there are a lot of spoiled children in this world.

9. Do you buy or borrow most books?
I would say half and half. I buy books that I can not find at the library. I also buy books so I won't feel pressured into reading them fast. I also buy books from favorite authors that are just released. It is really hard to wait on the library for those.

10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?

Ummmm, flats? I have some on right now.

11. When do you start Christmas shopping?
Early December.

12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion?
Hmmm, I jump a lot at MSU football games whether on tv or in person...

Baby Jay

He is here, and we have met him too! He was born October 25, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. weighing 7 pounds and 1 ounce. He was 18.75 inches in length. Andrew is so proud of his new baby cousin, and I am so happy to be a real Aunt Nancy.
Oh, this is my sister's first baby. She and her husband, Jamie, live in Tupelo, Miss. Andrew and I drove all the way from Kan. to meet Baby Jay, and we can't wait to visit him again soon!

Family Photos

This is just a preview because I am trying to save my super, duper favorites for Christmas presents/cards. Seriously, these are the first family photos we have ever had taken by a real photographer. Of course Andrew has had photos taken many times, but David and I have not had a picture of just us since we got married.

Overwhelmed

I started a new job a month ago, and I have not had the time to do my blog and my Facebook like I used to do. I am working now as the Director of Marketing Communications for McPherson College. It is great to be closer to home, and I have awesome time off, flexibility, and a sense of community that corporate America just can't rival. Until I get a grip on things with my new job, I might just not have as much time to post as I used to have...but we are still here, and we are still doing good. David is super excited that his "in-training" time with work has now ended, and he is now eligible to bid on overtime. Woohoo. We just bought a new boat, and we took it out on the lake for the first time last weekend...yes, it was cold and windy, but we wanted to do it anyway. I posted a photo of our new purchase above. Needless to say, we will be going on vacation to the lake and to the lake only for the summer of 2010! Andrew is doing great! He loves his new teacher, and he has his last soccer game of the season on Saturday...hallelujah. We are so thankful for good health, good jobs, and good friends/family!

Summer Island by Kristen Hannah - A Review

This is the sixth Kristin Hannah book that I have found to read. Written in 2001, this book is about a mother/daughter relationship between Nora Bridge, famous radio talk show host and newspaper columnist (mom) and Ruby Bridge, a struggling comedian waiting for her big break and waiting tables in the meantime (daughter). Nora walked out on Ruby at a young age to pursue her career. After some facts from Nora's past are exposed to the media, she has a drunk driving accident and decides to retreat to the family's summer home on an island. Ruby goes along in hopes of finding deep dark secrets that she plans to use in writing an expose about her mom. In the process, these two women learn who each other really are, and one of them finds love (of course!). I liked the book, however it was not as good as my two favorites by Hannah. It was a quick, easy read. Better than Mystic Lake, but my favorite! Worth reading!

On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah - A Review

Here is my most recent read by Kristin Hannah. This book was reviewed as one of her best, however I found it was actually not one of my favorites. The book introduces Annie Cowalter who was recently told by her husband that he loves a younger woman. She retreats to her hometown and finds an old friend from high school, Nick Delacroix, is going through the pain and loss associated with his wife's suicide. Annie bonds with Nick's daughter while Nick drowns his sorrows in alcohol. Eventually, they find themselves and fall in love...then the book is disturbed by an unexpected event, and Annie must make some tough decisions. For me, it was just a little on the dull and predictable side. I enjoyed reading it, but I did not feel the same passion for this book as I felt for previous ones. I am now reading "Summer Island" by Hannah.

McPherson College Homecoming 2009

The Auto Restoration Department had a car exhibit before the game. Here is Andrew checking out one of the cars.

Here he is getting a little help honking the old timey horn.

Andrew won a cake with the #2 playing the cake walk.

Our team won the football game 21-0! YAY! I forgot to take pictures at the football game.

Our First Soccer Game

Andrew's first soccer game was a double header which meant it lasted for two hours. We played two different teams. I thought it was too long for 3s, 4s, and 5s to play...almost all the kids lost interest. I know Andrew did! Thank goodness we only have one more DH this season. David wasn't able to attend today because he is working nights this weekend, so I felt like I needed to be Mom and Dad today...meaning, if Andrew started whining, I tried to lay down the law. That backfired! He ended up sitting out for about 15 minutes to have a meltdown, and he rejoined the green team for game #2. I think he enjoys running more than he does kicking. Next time, I am going to do better, relax, and let him have a good time. I can understand how parents get psycho about sports...
I did notice one thing that was interesting...the girls were better players than the boys! They were more focused and tended to really be the ones taking the lead with the game. It is funny to notice the differences in their personalities. Next game, October 2nd!

Need Email Please

Friends and family...send me your email addresses please to nancycatherineyoung@gmail.com. I will be adding you to our blog list so that you can still view our blog at anytime. I plan to change our settings to private within a few days. All I will have to do is send an invite to your email address. Much love! Nancy

Our Family Project

Andrew is learning about families this week. Andrew and I did his family project together tonight sans Dad...he is having a "guy" night tonight...preparing for hunting season with a friend from out of town. Basically, we traced our hands and cut out clippings that represented things we liked. Andrew chose cookies, deer, soccer, Clifford, pirates, and apple juice...all by himself. I picked jewelry, books, chapstick, and the beach. For David, we picked deer, ducks, a bow, another deer, and arrows...hey, Andrew got that one just right! We also included some family photos in the white area. We were given a questionnaire to complete as well. Andrew did great. My patience disappeared halfway through the project, but it was done as a team which were what the directions requested.

Book Review - True Colors by Kristin Hannah

Yes, I have become obsessed with this author!! I read another of her books last week, and I ended up staying up way to late Thursday night trying to finish...a bad habit that I always regret the next day due to the swollen eyes and fatigue!
This book is about three sisters who rally around one another due to the strained relationship they have with their father. Each sister has her own issue...one is a weight issue, another a cheating husband...but I will say that the book ends positively. Sprinkled with troubled romance, this book fulfills the Kristin Hannah recipe that I have grown to crave during my free time! I had a hard time deciding, but, in the end, this book really competes with Firefly Lane, and I actually think I liked it even better. I think it just depends on what you are in the mood for reading. I found this book more suspenseful, but I do not want to ruin the ending by telling too much.

Some marry for money, I married for fame...

David, Nancy, and our friend Todd

David was cutting up with the harmonica player.

Wish I had this on video...

The happy couple...

It is so much fun to be married to the guy everybody begs to play the guitar! Here are some photos from our night on the town where David ended up doing a little unplanned entertaining. He is so talented, and I am glad to be the wife of the guitar player...and, ladies, this one is taken!