346/365

346/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

My night involved this. My day involved baking sugar cookies with some really cute kids. My afternoon involved re-runs.

I think tomorrow I'll spend some time outside.

345/365

345/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

We finished our tour in Muskogee last night, where most of my mother's family lives. This is my grandma with one of her eleven children. She is something else and I love, love, love to visit her. She inspires me.


We took these pictures right before we got on the road this afternoon to come home. My little cousin spent the day with us, too. He was listening to Elton John on his iPod this morning. He inspires me.

I didn't change out of my pajamas until around 2:30 today. I'm not sure how it happened, but I wish it'd happen more often.

Maybe it's because as soon as they were awake, I went next door to visit my cousins. Specifically, this one:


He never gets too old for a good hug. I could spend every day with this kid and never be bored or sad or lonely. It's a bond that started when he was really young and that I thought he'd have grown out of by now. Nope! 12 years old and he's still not too cool for me.

And it's probably because of things like this...today I got a peek into the secret life of boys who like to play with Nerf guns, wrestle it out like men, pass gas, and break the rules.



After that we played video games and ate hamburgers. We didn't have time to venture out into the man cave, but I'm pretty sure I would have been accepted as an equal.

344/365

344/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

I really don't mind sitting at the kid's table when it's with these guys. They are so fun and smart and silly, plus they let me steal french fries. Also, they are cuuuuute. And they like to be held, and to hug you, and to tell you that they love you, and they laugh at everything. Even when you hide in their beds at nighttime and scare them. I'm so smitten.

We spent the day hanging around Tulsa with these boys and my Aunt Christine. Mom and I spent a good amount of time in Anthropolgie admiring the clothes, smelling the candles, and keeping our eyes peeled for a Hanson. Or maybe that was just me.

After lunch my mom and I drove to a much smaller town in Oklahoma where my uncle just bought an arena. He and his family wanted a place to play, he said. They'll be having rodeos there and they're also building an event room for weddings and parties.

He was working on this bench when we got there:



I'm a fan.

(PS - Photo credit goes to Christine and her phone and to mom and her phone! Not bad.)

343/365

343/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

Today I discovered that it is never too late for gingerbread houses.

Mom and I woke up (late) this morning and drove to Tulsa for a quick visit with her side of the family. We had a nice little road trip together, including a stop at our favoritest hick Wal Mart ever, where I parked next to a truck with this license plate:



Mom and I decided not to talk about it, but let me just say...do not use the restrooms in this Wal Mart. The sights and smells (and SOUNDS!) are too much too handle.

Moving on.

Tulsa!


Have you ever had a deep fried turkey? You need to. My uncle made this and it was still crackling and sizzling when I took this picture.

We told them not to make a big deal out dinner, but I'm glad they ignored us.

Along with the turkey was this:


And this:

Affectionately called "Christmas in a cup". It's made with homemade cranberry-infused vodka. Nice call, Aunt Sherry!


Christmas never has to end!

But maybe it should because I really need to stop feeling so full.

No fear, there was plenty of exercise time today! This counts:

I'm trying to show you my new hat.


It's not always that comfortable.


But it is SUUUUPER good lookin'.

One cool thing that we like to do is buy gingerbread house sets after Christmas for $4.50 and hick Wal Marts in Oklahoma. The kids love it!


Carson's got a little candy heavy and he had to reassemble it.


Cooper kept sneaking gum drops in his mouth.


Kristen piped out her initials!


And Madison was a big sprinkles fan.


I slapped one together, too.


So here are all the kids with their houses!

And...


Here are all the kids with their houses!

I actually look like a child. I'm not even smiling an ironic smile like, "Oh look at me! I made a gingerbread house with the kids like I'm one of them *wink wink*!" Nope. None of that. I'm not ironic and I'm not funny.


So the best part of building a gingerbread house...


Is the eating part.


You could take your time, go slowly.


Or you could take a cue from your wise older brother...


And devour the roof in one bite. Bravo, boys.

342/365

342/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

This has been an interesting day. I had only a few hours of restless sleep then woke up this morning at 6:30, or maybe 7:00, and went up to church sing this song. It was dark outside. I had to wait for my car to defrost - that's a first for this year.

My voice was so shot at the first service, but it went fine. Second service was better. I was delirious. But it was fun!

I didn't take my camera this morning, and that's okay.

Instead I took a picture of this awesome tea cup that Rachel got me from Anthropologie. It probably doesn't belong on my night stand next to Emma, a story that I love but a book that is taking me months to finish - and it doesn't help that I'm watching Pride and Prejudice for the zillionth time. Anyway...the cup is a little reminiscent of Jane Austen, right? I like that. Obviously.

341/365 Part Two

341/365, originally uploaded by britrosewhite.

Let's just get right on to it...


Christmas morning! Mom walked out, wide-eyed, and said, "Santa came!"


Santa came with some sweet kicks for me.

Then we had breakfast: venison sausage, chocolate gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs and mimosas. The strangest meal you've ever heard of.

Next came one of our Christmas traditions: be ready to walk out the door for grandparent's house, be late, but decide to take pictures in front of the tree anyway, be cheesy.


We always laugh like "how stupid is this going to look!" when we hug, but then we end up liking those pictures best.


And here we are in the winter frost! Brrr.


And here we are with our laser dog!


Then mom and dad joined us.


And Gracey smelled remnants of sausage on my hands.

Moving on!


Loads of shrimp. Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas...


My cousins love Christmas!


My sisters love Chelsea!


My mom loves her, too.


There is no telling what Jonah is playing or what Joel is eating.


Sweet cousin love. Did you know that I was her maid of honor like, five years ago? I'd do it again if we were polygamists!


Kasey got a Cinderella dress, a Belle dress, and an Aurora (Sleeping Beauty - yes, I know her name) dress. I gave her bitter, jealous glances all night. Here, I told her to pose like a cute little girl with her chin resting in her hands. Then I told her to sweetly ask, "Where is my prince?" to which she responded, "WHERE is MY PRIIIIIIIIIIINCE?!?!?!"

Eeek. I know a lot of people who can relate to you, Kasey.


We posed some more.


We travelled to the 60s with my grandparents.


Can you believe I've made it this far without posting a picture of Keane? Here he is with his parents and both sets of grandparents.

By the way...


Keane weighed 5 pounds last year.

Way to grow, cuz. Way to grow.


Yes, this is the cutest moment you've ever seen.


This is pretty cute, too.


If I were really cheesy, I'd say that Keane is a gift...

(Keane is a gift.)


This year's cookies were not our best looking but ummm wow, they tasted good. Of all the sweets there, I was so into these. How often can you say that about a sugar cookie? ALWAYS mix vanilla and almond extract.


The deer lost his head on the ride over. It's okay, he was dead already.


New tradition? (Check my uncle Jay - nice touch.)


And check last year. Also, check the fake gold eye lashes....

We nixed that idea this year.


Brandon liked the cookies.


Lauren liked the cookies.


Chris took a perfect bite of his cookie!


And my cousin, Justin...


He liked the cookies but I don't know how he ate them considering he literally filled his plate with some sort of awesome cherry dessert that his mom made. I'm talking, a serving the size of his hand, at least. And that's why he needed Joel to hold the plate for him.

At some point we had communion and a sing-a-long with Andrea Bocelli.


And we also opened presents! Lauren has the same reaction...


As Emmalynn.

Christmas is always magical.


I wrapped seven presents for Jesse and put them in different places under the tree.


BAM! I win. Or, he wins.

There you have it...that's what I got. Some of these pictures are from Rachel's camera so thanks for those, sis. Even though I deleted them all. Love you!

I was thinking today that my faith is really pretty crazy. God became man...He walked among us...He never, ever messed up...He suffered so that I wouldn't have to. It sounds absolutely insane and yet, I believe it. And I believe the root of it all is love. So love and tidings and baubles and bows and cheers and hugs and kisses to each of you!

Well, kisses only to some of you. I have a reputation to uphold, here. And some of you might not brush your teeth that often.

Merry Christmas!