Thursday, December 30

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.

Wednesday, December 29

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.

DSCF3413
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:

IMG_1847
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:

IMG_1833

I'm a fan.

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

Monday, December 27

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:
IMG_1757

IMG_1759
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!

IMG_1763
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:
IMG_1764

And this:
DSCF3378
Affectionately called "Christmas in a cup". It's made with homemade cranberry-infused vodka. Nice call, Aunt Sherry!

IMG_1767
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:
IMG_1776
I'm trying to show you my new hat.

IMG_1777
It's not always that comfortable.

IMG_1768
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!

DSCF3380
Carson's got a little candy heavy and he had to reassemble it.

DSCF3381
Cooper kept sneaking gum drops in his mouth.

DSCF3382
Kristen piped out her initials!

DSCF3383
And Madison was a big sprinkles fan.

343/365
I slapped one together, too.

DSCF3392
So here are all the kids with their houses!

And...

DSCF3394
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.

DSCF3400
So the best part of building a gingerbread house...

DSCF3401
Is the eating part.

DSCF3402
You could take your time, go slowly.

DSCF3404
Or you could take a cue from your wise older brother...

DSCF3406
And devour the roof in one bite. Bravo, boys.

Sunday, December 26

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...

DSCF3261
Christmas morning! Mom walked out, wide-eyed, and said, "Santa came!"

DSCF3270
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.

DSCF3274
We always laugh like "how stupid is this going to look!" when we hug, but then we end up liking those pictures best.

DSCF3274
And here we are in the winter frost! Brrr.

DSCF3277
And here we are with our laser dog!

DSCF3278
Then mom and dad joined us.

DSCF3281
And Gracey smelled remnants of sausage on my hands.

Moving on!

IMG_3907
Loads of shrimp. Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas...

IMG_3916
My cousins love Christmas!

DSCF3293
My sisters love Chelsea!

DSCF3312
My mom loves her, too.

DSCF3316
There is no telling what Jonah is playing or what Joel is eating.

DSCF3315
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!

DSCF3304
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.

IMG_3992
We posed some more.

IMG_3990
We travelled to the 60s with my grandparents.

IMG_3950
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...

16850_562984412902_34100019_32875537_930310_n
Keane weighed 5 pounds last year.

Way to grow, cuz. Way to grow.

IMG_3982
Yes, this is the cutest moment you've ever seen.

IMG_3996
This is pretty cute, too.

DSCF3296
If I were really cheesy, I'd say that Keane is a gift...

(Keane is a gift.)

DSCF3300
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.

DSCF3301
The deer lost his head on the ride over. It's okay, he was dead already.

IMG_3932
New tradition? (Check my uncle Jay - nice touch.)

16850_562984387952_34100019_32875532_1135576_n
And check last year. Also, check the fake gold eye lashes....

We nixed that idea this year.

DSCF3306
Brandon liked the cookies.

DSCF3302
Lauren liked the cookies.

DSCF3308
Chris took a perfect bite of his cookie!

DSCF3309
And my cousin, Justin...

DSCF3310
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.

341/365
And we also opened presents! Lauren has the same reaction...

DSCF3347
As Emmalynn.

Christmas is always magical.

DSCF3357
I wrapped seven presents for Jesse and put them in different places under the tree.

DSCF3358
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!