Diverting My Nervous Energy

It is 8:13 p.m. on Thursday, January 3.  There is approximately 30 seconds left in the first quarter of the Fiesta Bowl game and I can't seem to watch the game.  I want the Cats to win so badly -- mainly for Collin Klein, but also for all of the KSU fans -- and my nervous energy is getting the best of me, so I'm blogging instead :) 

{I found a reliable watermarking website, so I plan to use a few photos from time-to-time -- it's hard to have a blog without photos}

We had a wonderful Christmas!  We could not have asked for anything more -- lots of quality time with both families, lots of time to relax and recharge our batteries, lots of people to love on Mason, and taking time to focus on the gift of Jesus' birth and what that means for our eternal life in heaven.  
Mason and I were able to spend a couple of extra days in Pratt before our official visit started and it was so fun to spend a few quiet days at "home" with him and my parents.  He also did great making the adjustment from our house to my parent's house and even slept better there than he does here.  Maybe it was because he was so tired?  That is what I'm going to tell myself anyway (side note: he is a REALLY good sleeper, I think we were just surprised at how well he adjusted).  
I tried a new cookie/candy recipe this year that seemed to be a hit.  Of course, I found it on Pinterest!  

Source: plainchicken.com via Tessa on Pinterest

The only changes I made were adding M&M's and I didn't buy enough white chocolate chips so I had to substitute some semi-sweet chips.  These are definitely going on my Christmas cookie/candy rotation from now on.  They were THAT good!
Speaking of Christmas recipes found on Pinterest, I also made this salad for our Christmas dinner.  If you do one thing this week it would be to make this salad.  It was so good!!!  The dressing was the best part, in my opinion.

Source: thecafesucrefarine.blogspot.com via Tessa on Pinterest

**EDIT** Things are getting a little testy in our household....I will just keep quiet and continue writing.
Our new year has started off kind of quiet, which I like.  It was nice not having to dread going back to work after the holidays and I think that has helped with the "quietness".  I have not developed any resolutions for the year...I think history would indicate I'm not so good at sticking with things as the year progresses.  Hey, at least I can admit it, right?!?!  We do have some house update projects we are trying to accomplish, so we have set some goals for those.  We also decided we would like to get a little more organized and maximize our storage space (Little Man is outgrowing some of his "gear" so we need to find places to store all of it) so we took one day over the weekend to clean out, purge, and reorganize our basement.  It felt REALLY good to get that stuff done.  I had been trying to get to it since I quit work but I just never knew where to start, but thankfully Brandon attacks things with plans!  
Mason has also be the recipient of LOTS of hand-me-down toys and then couple that with the toys he got for Christmas and he is one lucky boy!!  Thankfully, Brandon's dad was willing to build us a toy shelf earlier this fall and we filled it up at that time, but it was due for another reorganization.  Here is the final product!  

Pretty awesome, huh?!?  Everything has a home, for the most part.  Not pictured are a few of the Christmas gifts he received that reside across the room.  Now, I just need to get some cute posters on the wall to add some personality and this room will be done.  I'd also like a bean bag to sit in while Mason plays, but I doubt that will happen.  
Well, the game is now in the third quarter -- yes, it has taken me a LONG time to write this blog...I'm a little rusty -- so I'm going to sign off.  Let's just hope the Cats can pull out a W!!  It is 22-10 now (Oregon is leading)....