Feliz Navidad

We Hyche's are crazy for Christmas. Here is "Sparky" decorating our casa Griswold style. I have to say (and not because I am biased) our house is the most lit up on the block. Drive by and honk if you like it....oh...except not after 8:00 because we don't want to wake up the baby!
Trimming the tree with Maya! We had so much fun, look at all of those ornaments. Che even got in on the action. It is so much fun having my partner in crime when it comes to tree decorating - it isn't Sparky's favorite Christmas activity - he prefers the outdoor decs.

What would Christmas be without Its a Wonderful Life? Maya is trying it out, wonder how it tastes? Funny, I am just realizing as I type this that there is ALWAYS a dog (or two) in the background of my pictures!!

Feeling...Strange

Something felt weird about today...lets see...what could it be? I KNOW! It is Saturday and I actually got Chris out of the house with me!! Why does this feel so strange? Maybe because for the last 3 months or so my loving husband has been a slave to college football on Saturday. Since this weekend was the lull between regular season ball and the bowl games, he was all mine. What did we do? What any good American would do on a Saturday in December...WENT SHOPPING! We got a lot of X-mas shopping out of the way and got our tree. What a lovely way to spend a Saturday. Although I have to admit, even I missed wathching Game Day and seeing my fave Kurt Herbstreet.

13 Shopping Days Left!

How did that happen so fast? Only 13 days left for holiday shopping...and that includes today (but not the 25th because in my opinion if you haven't completed your shopping by the 24th you are either out of luck or picking something up for your loved one at the Tom Thumb on the corner!). I am about half way there. Of course there are the few hold outs...you know...those people that are always so hard to pick something out for. Hopefully I'll get lucky, or they might just get some Red Hots and a 6 pack of Bud Light on X-Mas Day!!

Dear Santa

We think she made the "Nice List" this year. Maya had her first chance to sit on Santa's lap on Saturday at Breakfast with Santa. Here she seems to be looking for an escape route, or maybe she just thought the tree was more fun to look at.

Here she is spending some quality time with her Big Cousin Sammy...aren't they the cutest??

Go Navy!

This girl is gonna have problems if she doesn't love football! Here she is watching the Army/Navy game on Saturday with her Grampy. What a sweet little sailor.

A Sprinkle

MR dusted off her party dress today for Tia Amanda's S-P-R-I-N-K-L-E! About 25 ladies braved the rain to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby Gabriel. Desserts were on the menu, and I'd post some pics but they were eaten before I could grab the camera.

She had to take a little cat nap during the party...it is hard work being so cute.



Isn't that the cutest bun in the oven you have ever seen? We can't wait to meet the newest addition to our clan. Hurry up Gabriel!

Grandpa's Girl

Grampy and Poppy also got a little action this weekend...Maya Rose is such a lucky baby.

How GREAT

Maya Rose had the opportunity to meet all three of her great grandmothers this weekend! It was a really special treat for Thanksgiving to have all three of these wonderful ladies together. I don't think that baby has been put down once since they have been here. What a lucky girl.

Turkey Day OR Pie Day

The Thanksgiving trifecta...one apple, one pumpkin (organic pumpkin that is) and pecan. Pumpkin was the big winner in my blog poll, but I think apple was the overall favorite at our T-giving table. What a site!

Bake-Off Part 3

CALLING ALL BAKERS!

So GJ Cinnamon Rolls kicked off holiday baking, but Pumpkin Roll officially kicks off THANKSGIVING BAKING! A great start to the pumpkin season. I made it at the request of my sweetie. Some may think it crazy to make Pumpkin Roll at a whim when the list of baking for the week already includes 4 pies, but anything for my guy and any excuse to bake with pumpkin. I cannot, however, take credit for the beautiful table...all that credit goes to Mom!

Since I haven't had an answer back, I'm starting to wonder...ANY BAKERS OUT THERE??

A Rose & Her Rosebud

This is the kind of picture you look at and realize it is all worth it. You know - all of the morning sickness, labor pains, sleepless nights. I see Grandma Rose holding her little namesake Maya Rose and realize how priceless it all is. What a wonderful thing to be thankful for at this time of year...family...grandmothers...great grandmothers...ROSES!!

Happy Birthday!

A very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout out to Sarah! The cutest cowgirl and best big sister a girl could ask for. You are now officially my favorite 31 year old! Hope your day is wonderful and we are looking forward to tomorrow night! We love you, Mec.

Working Girls

I used to think the best part of working from home was getting to work in PJ's if I wanted, or better yet, in bed in PJ's. Now I'm pretty sure the best part of working from home is working with Maya in bed in our PJ's. Does life get any sweeter? The only question now is, will she be a numbers girl? Hmmmm, I'm pretty sure that she is already learning how to make spreadsheets!

Project Patio 2

It's official...the patio project has become a family affair. I think we might be breaking child labor laws by getting Maya involved. Think PETA will be calling once they get their hands on this picture? I assure you that Che and Luna are laying tile at their own free will. Maybe all of these extra hands (and paws) will help us get the job done by our Turkey Day deadline.

Bake-Off Part 2

CALLING ALL BAKERS! Can you guess what I voted for in the pie poll? Check out these beautiful ORGANIC pumpkins I picked up for our Turkey Day pies. Thats right, this year our pumpkin pies will be 100% organic. I baked and pureed the pumpkin today and am even going to try toasting the seeds. They just look ORGANIC, don't they? Better step up your game, ladies.

She's Got Good Jeans

This one was too cute to pass up. That is a real pair of jeans she is wearing - fleece lined at that. Perfect for the cool weather we had this weekend.

Not Just for Decoration

Living proof that the beautiful crib is not just for decoration...or toy storage. Yep, its official, Maya Rose napped in her crib twice this week. Baby steps!

Project Patio

The stacks are shrinking! The infamous Hyche patio project is coming to a close...thank god! Items remaining on the list: finishing the stairs, grouting, sealing, new doors...all before Thanksgiving??? That is what Chris says. Wish us luck.

Roll Tide Roll

Lets hear it for the Tide today as they take on LSWho?! Go Bama.

As for our USF Bulls, they play Rutgers next weekend. Party at Poinciana! Oh yeah, bring your knee pads, party entrance fee is laying a tile or two.

Bake-Off

CALLING ALL BAKERS...YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. It is that time of year and holiday baking has officially begun. This year I have a little helper. We have already been hard at it making a batch of Grandma Jessie's cinnamon rolls. We even made cream cheese frosting at the request of Chris. For those of you up to the challenge, bring it on.

Maya IS Good Luck

President Elect Barack Obama...for the first time since I could vote, my candidate finally made it! It must have been Maya's good luck, she was in the booth with me. I gave her my sticker. Too bad I didn't have her in 2000!

Officially Blogging

I am just getting started at this and still learning all of the tricks. This is a picture from Maya's first halloween.