Hello hello! Happy Monday to you all! Did everyone have a great weekend? Ours was a total blast.
We had a family Christmas party to attend on Saturday which was a great time. Oh, and if it looks like we all have bags under our eyes in the above picture, it’s because we do. Lucas decided to get up and party from about 2:30-5am Friday night into Saturday, so needless to say, we were all feeling just a bit tired. Oh, children.
But despite the lack of sleep, Lucas was a fantastic party-goer…just as long as Santa didn’t get too close.
At first, he was super curious and just kept staring, but as he got closer, Lucas kept getting farther and farther away.
We tried our best to get a picture with him on Santa’s lap…
But I guess…maybe next year.
Hey, at least he’ll still take pictures with us.
We hung out at the party for a few hours, and no joke, Lucas spent a good majority of that time on the dance floor…right up until we left, rockin’ out in is PJ’s with his teddy.
Gosh, he made us laugh that night.
On Saturday morning, I also met up with Lucas’s sitter and her kiddos at Tumbling Tykes to give them a chance to run around and play. With the weather now getting cold and crappy, I’ve been looking for things to do with him to keep him busy and not cooped up in the house all day.
I am absolutely sure we will be back. Lucas had a blast!
Other happenings from the weekend? Well, let’s see…
I gave myself a much needed manicure.
Jay and I had fun with our Elf on the Shelf (aka, Franklin).
I baked some cookies.
And then I baked some MORE cookies…
I made a batch of Turkey Apple Meatballs for Lucas (and us) to have during the week.
I had a killer T25 workout on Saturday (Speed 3.0…gets me every time) and took a rest day on Sunday.
Cody chilled out by the Christmas tree on Sunday morning, basking in the sunlight.
While we all watched my dad and brother on TV!
Last weekend, my dad and brother both qualified for the taping for our local capital region bowling show, which was a family mixed doubles event, and it aired yesterday morning. Lucas loved watching “papaaaa,” and we were all proud, even if they didn’t win the whole thing!
Every once in a while, I get the itch to get back to bowling . For those of you who may be newer to the blog, I used to bowl quite a bit…I also qualified and bowled on that same TV show with my dad (we won, ahem…) and I was actually a NYS champion in high school when we won my junior year. There is also some good money to be made in bowling tournaments, too! I don’t know if/when I’ll ever get back into a weekly league, but I’m thinking I may need to break out my stuff this winter and give it a shot…it’s probably been 3+ years now since I’ve bowled!
Tangent there, sorry.
So finally, I also actually did a little meal planning on Sunday, and my wonderful husband went out and took care of the grocery shopping for me. He’s such a trooper! Here’s what we’ve got on tap this week…
- Sunday: Shrimp tacos with brown rice (they were goooood)
- Monday: Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
- Tuesday: Baked chicken with roasted fingerling potatoes and green beans
- Wednesday: Apple ‘n’ Bacon Mac & Cheese with side salads
- Thursday: Brinner or leftovers – whatever we’re feelin’ that night!
- Friday: Pizza and salad
- Saturday: Ha…I don’t meal plan this far out
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So how about you guys? What’s on tap for your meals this week? Anything good? I need some new ideas…things that are quick and easy for weeknights.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed says
Lucas is adorable beyonddd.
Have you seen this SNL skit?
http://youtu.be/2nt5Ga-Lk-c
You should dub it over the video of your fam to make your brother wet himself.
Incontinence can be hilarious!
Brynn says
Lucas is so cute! It’s hilarious that children are so terrified of meeting Santa but love him at the same time. For dinners we make baked chicken fingers and last night I had kale and white bean soup. I eat so much soup and chili in the winter!
Courtney says
I’m with you on the soup!
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner a says
Lucas is so cute in those pictures! Also, you hair looks great in the Christmas photo.
I can’t wait to start baking for the holidays. I think I am going to make my first round this Sunday of treats!
Courtney says
Oh, thank you Sara! What are you gonna be making?? :)
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner a says
I’m going to try and recreate the TJ’s peppermint pretzel slims :)
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Aw, poor Lucas! He’ll learn eventually that Santa is his best friend!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
that family picture is gorgeous! i haven’t been bowling in FOREVER! you are quite the accomplished bowler – very impressive!
Brittany says
I think your little family photo of 3 is ADORABLE. And hey, you’re all looking at the camera and look really happy :-) Plus, I LOVE your scarf… I totally need to find a sparkly one! Your turkey meatballs look really yummy — I need to add those into my meal prep some weekend
Courtney says
Thanks Brittany!
Marielle says
Your little guy’s sweater vest is just the cutest! I love it. You have been a cookie making machine…..and you are inspiring me to go on a baking binge, maybe this week! :)
Courtney says
Dooooo itttttt ;)
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
Ahhh, haha. I saw that photo of lucas on your FB and died laughing. The poor guy will love these photos when he’s older. :)
I’ve missed your pretty face! Let’s catch up sometime soon, roomie. ;)
xoxo
Courtney says
I agreeeeee!!!!!
Jennifer says
Your family is just beautiful! I can’t get over how tall Lucas looks in all of the pictures!!
I can commiserate with the late-night parties. We are in the midst of the 8 month growth spurt (and major separation anxiety), so I’m sporting matching under-eye bags!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Aww poor kid! I secretly love seeing the Santa photos with kids just bawling their eyes out… Glad he wasn’t totally in tears though!
Nice mani – that’s the only thing I wanted to do this weekend but didn’t!
Courtney says
Haha I’m so with you! Search the hashtag #Santafail on Instagram. It’s great ;)
Shawna says
that pic of you holding him away from Santa is priceless…way better than any “happy on Santa’s lap” shot would have been. :)
Courtney says
Haha I’d have to agree ;)
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
Love that Lucas spend the night on the dance floor! What a cutie.
Raw cookie dough = so beautiful! :)
Courtney says
OMG he is SUCH a dancer! Always on the go
kristin @ W [H] A T C H says
such a great family photo!
Courtney says
Thanks, Kristin!
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
I didn’t know that about bowling! How fun. I always have a blast bowling, but I’m certainly not good at it.
Lucas is a doll. :) Maybe I’ll get E’s picture with Santa this weekend, but we’ll see how it goes.
Courtney says
Haha, good luck!
Monica says
Your family photo is absolutely perfect. Beautiful!
Courtney says
Aww thank you, Monica!
Britt@MyOwnBalance says
You should definitely get back into your bowling league! That sounds so cool! The party looks so fun!
Courtney says
I’m thinking about it! Maybe not another league, but definitely try to get out there more :)
Sabine says
Oh, you have an Elf on the Shelf !!!
I heard of this american tradition only a week ago. One of my little first graders just returned from America. He was staying “over there” for 3 years with his family (which is why he is now speaking german with a cute american accent). They also have an elf this year and we were all a little puzzled when he told us about him.
How does Lucas like Franklin?
Did he try to touch him?
(I was told that children are not allowed to touch the elf. If they do, he will loose his magic ability to fly to the northpole during the night?!)
Courtney says
Haha yes! He’s not super into him yet this year – we’ve just been trying to see if we can get Lucas to find him. But we keep him out of reach ;)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Okay, Courtney, I already liked you, and knowing that you used to be a pro-ish bowler makes me love you even more!
Courtney says
Hahaha awww, thanks! ;)
Stacey M. says
LOL … I love watching little kids as they approach Santa Claus for the first time. You never know how they’ll react to the ol’ guy.
P.S. I gave your turkey meatballs a try a couple weeks ago, and they were fabulous! They were pretty easy to make, and have really great flavor. I love the addition of the apple – a little sweet and salty action is ALWAYS a good thing in my mind. I will be making these again for sure (actually, I just bought a pound of ground turkey yesterday in preparation!). Thanks for sharing!
Courtney says
Oh I’m so glad!!! Enjoy! :)
Jenny says
What a perfect weekend!!! Love it!! And I love that picture of you holding Lucas with Santa. Such a pretty smile and in the moment!
Courtney says
Haha thanks Jenny! It makes it look like I was enjoying it a bit much, right? ;)
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Lucas is seriously the cutest. Love your pics! Chicken and grass fed burgers on our foreman grill in the kitchen have been an easy dinner as of late. I did some baking yesterday too! So fun this time of year.
Courtney says
Mmmmm, what did you bake?!
Danica @ It's Progression says
I love that Lucas wasn’t a fan of Santa – I can’t totally blame kids for being hesitant haha
A few things on our menu for this week are Mexi-Bowls, Chicken Potato Vegetable Soup, and Oven-Baked Salmon with roasted sweet potato fries.
Courtney says
Haha, I know right?! Sit them on some big strangers’ lap and expect them to be okay with it…go figure? :)
Ann Fisher says
I love your Santa pics! I feel like I get in the same dinner rotation rut, but here is what I’m planning for the week.
Monday: Tofu and Veggie Stir-fry with Soba Noodles
Tuesday: Layered eggplant and zucchini casserole
Wednesday: Chicken Tamale Casserole
Thursday: Falafel with Avocado Spread on Pitas
Friday: Homemade pizza night
The weekend is always up in the air!
Courtney says
Wow, sounds delicious!
Kim says
Where did you find the pretty scarf?
Courtney says
I recently got it from PopSugar and their Must Have box!
Torry @ A World Without Wheat says
I meal planned for the week and already plans have changed and now I have no idea what I am doing what night….figures.
Courtney says
Haha, story of my life…