Another Christmas Gone By :(

Another Christmas.

Another GREAT Christmas!

The rest of us got some great stuff too...not just Logan.

 No presents for Sara...just coal.  Guess she wasn't a very good girl this year ;)

 Ginormous Star Wars book for Shawn...think he likes it?

 Sock Monkey Slippers for Mimi :)

Coolest coffee canister EVER!  Thanks Mom!

Eric and Mom got stuff too, but there weren't any good pictures of them.  They didn't want to look at the camera, I guess!

The dogs had a good time too...Annie was so excited all day she couldn't stop with the gross drool!

Merry Christmas from the McGaugheys!

Logan's First Christmas

So I think we can safely say Logan's First Christmas was a success! 

First off...he looked crazy cute!



Secondly...he got a TON of presents!

Thirdly...he LOVED his presents!

 The envelope from Grandpa Dave was delicious!

 What a cool IU shirt from Uncle Ken & Aunt Toddy!

 Uncle Shawn and Auntie Lisa sure knew I would LOVE this Bullseye Rocking Horse!  If only I had some cowboy boots to wear while I ride him...oh wait!

 Coolest boots EVER!

 A cell phone?   Only Cousins Haley & Holly would think of this!

Too much Christmas...I'm tired now!  What great presents though!

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 25

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

by: N'Sync

Home For Christmas

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 24

It's Christmas Eve!!

Last night I made soem butter cream frosting. Yummy. It took quite a bit of food coloring to make it really green and not all weird and pastel green.  Then, this morning I had to make cookies for decorating...and also for construction of our annual cookie tree.  Mimi & Logan came over to help, but it was mostly a project for Eric and me!

We finished the tree a bit ago so it is all ready for Santa now!

We also decided to have a Christmas Tree cookie decorating contest.  Entries to come tomorrow so you can see who has the prettiest cookie!

Now for today's song.  It is a great song for Christmas Eve!

The Night Before Christmas

by: Amy Grant

Home For Christmas



My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 23

Can you believe it is December 23rd already??  Where has this month gone?

I don't have to work tonight so since we're off to run some last minute errands.  Here is a classic Christmas song for the road.

Santa Baby

by: Eartha Kitt



My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 22

When I was a kid, my mom had a record player in the living room entertainment center.  I always thought it was so cool.  We would go to the record store every week when I got my allowance and I would buy a 45...a single song.  I loved it!  I had some really cool stuff too...like Madonna's True Blue, which was actually a blue record, the Ghostbusters Theme, Stacy Q's Two of Hearts, Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam's Lost in Emotion, oh the list of coolness goes on! 

My mom had a ton of records too and Mimi and I loved to listen to them, especially Eddie Murphy's comedy album with the song Boogie in Your Butt. Sounds pretty awesome, right?  Well, mom also had an album with a great Christmas song, which is the next song on my Christmas Journey.

Jingle Bells

by: Barbra Streisand

A Christmas Album



People typically have a plenty of criticism for Barbra Streisand, but I am not ashamed to say that I think she is quite talented.  She is an amazing singer and really her movies are good too!  The Mirror has Two Faces is one of my favorites, starring her, Jeff Bridges, Lauren Bacall, Peirce Brosnan...Great movie.  Anyway, I love this version of Jingle Bells.  It is very unique and fun.

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 21

If you are unfamiliar with Kristen Chenoweth then you are missing out.  She is CRAZY talented!  She starred in the original Broadway production of Wicked at Galinda and she was on the show Pushing Daisies (which perhaps only I watched because it got cancelled WAY too soon!).  Anyway, she's a fantastic singer and last year she released a Christmas album. It is wonderful!  Full of great songs...like this one!

Home On Christmas Day

by: Kristen Chenoweth

A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas



My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 20

We're in the home stretch now :)  Only a few more Christmas songs left from my Favorites List!

Todays song makes me think of back home...not that I miss that horrible winter weather, but it does make Christmas seem a bit more Christmas-y...but Michael Buble has such a nice voice!

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

by: Michael Buble

Let It Snow



Christmas is starting!

Shawn and I have received our first Christmas presents...from our work Christmas exchanges.  My Secret Santa has gotten me Starbucks Giftcards and Godiva chocolates.  Yum!  Last night, all the people that work at Shawn's store got together for dinner at Chili's and did a White Elephant exchange.  It was really fun!  None of the presents really appealed to Shawn so he picked the one I wanted :)  I have a great husband!



Also, I got my birthday present from Mom a bit late but it was totally worth the wait!  It's even personalized for me!

Sara is arriving tonight for a 10 day stay!  We're so excited to get to all spend Christmas together, especially for Logan's first Christmas.  And...Sara hasn't even met Logan yet!  It's gonna be a great Christmas!

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 19

We're coming close to the end of my music countdown...which means Christmas is almost here!  I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited!  Sara's going to be here and it will be Logan's first Christmas!  It's gonna be great :)  We have been discussing how many presents we have all bought for Logan...he's gonna have WAY too many.  Oh well...he'll live :)

For my song, today is one that helps remind people how Christmas began.

A Baby Changes Everything

by: Faith Hill

Joy To The World



My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 18

Eric did a project for school recently and had to write about family traditions.  He couldn't think of any but then as we started to talk about it he realized we have quite a few at Christmas.  Ever since he was little, on Christmas Eve he and I make the sugar cookie Christmas tree to leave for Santa and Mom always makes biscuits and gravy in the morning.  Mimi always wakes up too early.  Mom always gets at least one present wrapped for the wrong kid ;)  At my dad's, one of our traditions is to have periogi on Christmas Eve. My Grandpa Lach's family was from Poland and the periogi is about the only bit of Polish heritage that has survived my family.  Grandma Lach used to make them, then she started getting a bit too old for the challenge so my cousin Kathy would help.  Now it is a whole family task.  I hate the years that I am not there for Christmas to enjoy them!  This tradition is one of the reasons I enjoy this next Christmas song so much...

The 8 Polish Foods of Christmas

by: The Veggie Tale's Gang
A Very Veggie Christmas

If you aren't familiar with The Veggie Tales then you are missing out.  They are a great Christian video series for children.  The cucumber (Larry) does a series of silly songs throughout the shows and they are hilarious.  My favorite part of the videos are Larry's Silly Songs.  We've already started playing them for Logan!  If you know any children you should get them some Veggie Tales videos.

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 17

There are a lot of Christmas songs that are fun and jolly but really don't have much deep meaning. There are many of those that I love...but I have a few that mean something too.  I have already talked about a few and today's song is another.  I'm sure you've all heard it.  I've been hearing it for years, but it really means something different to me now as a "grown up."

Grown-Up Christmas List

by: Amy Grant

Home For Christmas

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 16

When I was a kid, this was my very favorite song to sing at Christmas time!  I didn't particularly like this version, or any version of it...but you can't beat Bing Crosby!  I just sang this song myself.  Loudly.  A lot.  Ask my mom :)

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

by: Bing Crosby

 



Eric's Mini-Recording Studio

Eric got an early Christmas present in the mail today...a super awesome keyboard.  It has a mic and stand built in plus he can hook it to his computer to record stuff.  He's crazy excited!  We had to do some rearranging in his room to fit it, but now he has a little recording studio set up in the corner. I think we'll never see him now!



My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 15

I know I already posted a song from The Polar Express but I can't help but post another because that story is wonderful, the movie is wonderful, and the music is wonderful.  This song makes me cry every time I hear it...really.  Every time.  I just can't help it.  To think of all the years I got such great presents (and usually double because my parents were divorced) and there are so many kids that get nothing.  That sit every year waiting to hear Santa's sleigh and the reindeer because they are hoping that it will be the year that he stops to give them just one present.  Just one.  That is all they want.  Sad.  So many people have so little...it makes me sick to think about that and then see the Republicans in our federal government fighting to keep ridiculous tax breaks for the super-uber-wealthy by withholding unemployment benefits from the working class that has suffered so much during this economic crisis.  How do those people sleep at night? Well...I will get off my soapbox now.

When Christmas Comes To Town

The Polar Express



My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 14

Only 10 more days of Christmas music...isn't that sad?

Today's song comes from another one of my favorite Christmas albums...although the artist is not a favorite of mine, at all.  I have never been much of a Celine Dion fan, but her Christmas album is really beautiful.  Definitely one I am glad I own so that I can enjoy it every year.

Don't Save It All For Christmas Day

by: Celine Dion

These Are The Special Times



One of the things I like best about this song are the lyrics.

Don't get so busy that you miss

Giving just a little kiss

To the ones you love.

Don't even wait a little while

To give them just a little smile

A little is enough.

How many people are crying?

People are dying?

How many people are asking for love?

So, don't save it all for Christmas Day

Find a way to give a little love everyday.

Don't save it all for Christmas Day

Find your way, 'cause holidays have come and gone.

But love lives on, if you give on love.

How could you wait another minute?

A hug is warmer when you're in it.

And baby that's a fact.

And saying "I love you" is always better.

Seasons, reasons, they don't matter.

So don't hold back.

How many people in this world

Needful in this world?

How many people are praying for love?

So, don't save it all for Christmas Day.

Find a way to give a little love everyday.

Don't save it all for Christmas Day

Find your way, 'cause holidays have come and gone.

But love lives on, if you give on love.

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 13

You would think that since I've been home all day I could've posted this earlier...but I'm not feeling well and I decided to do my Christmas cards instead.  So...that is now done and I can move on to presenting my next Christmas song.

The First Noel

by: Josh Groban & Faith Hill

Noel



Getting old

So...yesterday was my birthday.  I have decided I am no longer counting the years...it is depressing.  I feel SO old.  I can't even imagine how bad it will be after I have kids and they start growing up!  Just watching Eric grow up has made me feel old.  All the stupid grey hairs I am getting aren't helping...AT ALL!  Anyway, I did have a birthday and there are indeed many things to be happy about.

Like my wonderful husband!  He had Saturday and Sunday off of work and we got to spend both days together.  So nice.  He bought me a Kindle (which I REALLY wanted!).  We went to breakfast and dinner on my birthday, just the two of us :)  I love days like that because I LOVE my husband.  I have married a really great guy!

Also, my awesome family!  I got texts and calls and messages left from all my family.  They are so great!  I don't know what I would do without them!  Today, all of us here in Texas went to the Cheesecake Factory (my favorite) and it was amazing, as usual.  I had a coupons for some free cheesecake.  It was delicious.  The Chocolate Tuxedo Cream Cheesecake and like a little bit of heaven.  Seriously.  Anyway, I love my family.  That is all.

I also am thankful for all my wondeful friends that called, texted and left me messages.  They are great.  I miss them all so much :(  I am still working on getting Theresa down in Texas...working on it!

I should also say that although I am complaining about getting old, I still look and feel young and that is good.  The lady at dinner last night said she never would have guessed I was...well my age is irrelevant!  I also have had quite a bit of blood work done recently and even though I am overweight, I am quite healthy.  All my lab tests are normal.  Yay!

Today, Mimi and Ian brought over their new camera so Shawn and I could take some Christmas pictures.  Here are some of them.

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 12

Today's song is a very creative R&B version of the classic Carol of the Bells.  I absolutely love the vocal harmonies that are accomplished with this song.  So beautifully done in such a unique way.

Opera of the Bells

by. Destiny's Child

8 Days of Christmas

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 11

I'm almost late on today's song, but I have a really good excuse.  It's my birthday!  I've been busy all day doing nothing important but all things wonderful with my husband!  How I love that man :)

 

So...today's song is:

The First Noel/Mary Mary

by. Sarah McLachlan

Wintersong

This album is probably one of the most relaxing of all Christmas albums.  She said she wanted this album to be for all those people that aren't necessarily happy and surrounded by family.  It is really a beautiful album.  One of my favorites.

Early birthday present...

Really...honestly...I swear!

I did not pester Shawn about getting my birthday present early.

Promise.

Well....I might have a little.  Just once or twice. Maybe.

Regardless...he gave me my birthday present today.

A KINDLE!

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 10

The film Serendipity (starring Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack - great movie...see it if you haven't) introduced me to my next favorite Christmas song.  It is the song that plays over the opening scene of the film and it is on the soundtrack (which is also great...worth buying for sure if you end up liking the movie).

Cool Yule

by: Louis Armstrong

I love Louis Armstrong...and his version of this song is my favorite by far!

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 9

I just discovered this next song a few years ago and it has become my favorite Christmas song to sing!  I really jam to this in the car!

The Man With The Bag

by: Lee Ann Womack

The Season For Romance

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 8

Another day...another dose of Christmas music!  Today's song comes from Rosie O'Donnell's first Christmas Album.  It is probably my favorite song on the album, mostly because it is so much fun to sing along with!

Santa on the Rooftop

by: Trisha Yearwood

A Rosie Christmas

If you like this song you should check out this entire album (and Another Rosie Christmas, which is just as good if not better!).  Some of the artists that contributors on both albums are: Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Lauryn Hill, Rosemary Clooney, Smash Mouth, Jewel, Sugar Ray and others.  There are a bunch of really fun Christmas songs...and those are my favorite!

Marcie's Mess

I have worked the last three nights, as well as been to a couple of doctors appointments...so when I got home this morning I was TIRED!  I got a bit of sleep before I had to kick Marcie out for trying to wake me up.  Luckily Shawn was home to keep her occupied.  Well...around 1pm I was woken suddently by Marcie pawing my head.  Shawn had probably been gone for 30 minutes or so...I turned to look at her laying on Shawn's side of the bed and noticed feathers, which obviously was odd.  So then I sit up to see what time it is and I discover the floor of my room completely coated in feathers!  She had chewed the corner off of a very nice (and expensive) decorative pillow from Crate & Barrel that I got as a wedding present...the feathers were everywhere!  I left it until Mom got home so she could see and then decided I had to get some pictures to show Shawn.  Figured if I was taking pictures I might as well get Logan in them!  Marcie was in SO much trouble!



My Musical Days of Christmas: Days 6 & 7

I can't believe I forgot to post my song yesterday!  I worked the last 3 nights and I also had a doctors appointment, so it just slipped my mind with trying to sleep and all :)  So anyway, here are two songs to catch up!

Day 6

This song is from one of my favorite Christmas albums of all time.  The album is probably 15 years old and the song needs no introduction!

All I Want For Christmas Is You!

by: Mariah Carey

Merry Christmas

Day 7

Last year Mimi got me a couple of new Christmas CD's for my birthday.  They were both short CD's, with only 5 songs, but the songs are great.  Taylor Swift puts a unique twist on come Christmas favorites with a bit of country twang thrown into a few.  This is my favorite take on the traditional Christmas classic, Slient Night.  I have never really found a version of this song that was anything I considered to be very special...just another voice singing the same song.  Taylor Swift found a way to make it her own.

Slient Night

by: Taylor Swift

The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 5

For anyone around my age, 'NSync was popular at a time that we were just outgrowing boy bands.  New Kids on the Block was more up our alley back in the day :)  I am not ashamed to say that I did like 'NSync...not so much 98 Degress or The Backstreet Boys though.  I saw 'NSync in concert when I was in college (although I did claim that I only went to take Sara as a gift!) and it was a great show!  My next favorite Christmas song comes from the boy band, 'NSync.

O Holy Night

by: 'NSync

Home For Christmas

This is an acapella version of this song and I think it is just beautiful! I really love this Christmas song and there are many other versions that I like quite a lot as well...it was hard to choose this one as my favorite.  Mariah Carey has a nice version on her Merry Christmas album as well as Celine Dion on These Are The Special Times.  'NSync does this song very well though.

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 4

This next song is from one of my FAVORITE Christmas movies.  ELF!  I am not a huge Will Ferrell fan, but he was so perfect as Buddy the Elf that you can't help but love him.  Elf has to be one of the best quoting movies of all time.

"Buddy the Elf. What's you favorite color."

"I like to whisper too."

"You sit on a throne of lies."

"Francisco."

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear."

I could go on, but I think I'll just watch the movie instead (although to be honest, I have already watched Elf this holiday season...on Thanksgiving.)

In the film, Jovie is played by the actress Zooey Deschanel.  There is a scene in the film where Buddy hears her singing in the shower and he enters the bathroom and begins to sing along.  The song, Baby It's Cold Outside, is on the Elf soundtrack sung by Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone.  Although many artists have performed this song over the years (I think I have 6 in my iTunes) this version is my favorite.  I love Zooey's voice...she should do some more singing.



San Antonio

Thursday, after Shawn got off of work, we packed and headed to San Antonio for the Men's Wearhouse annual Holiday Party.  It is a pretty nice party that the company throws each year.  We went to the Holiday Party for the Chicago-land area last year too and had a great time. Shawn got pretty fancy with his tux this year, and I reused my dress in order to save money.  No pictures of me from the night, but here is my handsome hubby in his tux :)

This  year, since it was in San Antonio, we decided to stay the night and then explore San Antonio on Friday.  We walked all over downtown and the riverwalk, which was so nice because it turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL day!  Weather in the 70's!  Awesome for December 3rd!

We started our day with a breakfast at a little Mexican diner called Cafe Alameda.  My juevos rancheros was pretty good...although the potatoes were crazy spicy!  Then we headed to the Alamo.  I learned a lot...although I am a bit confused about a lot of the "facts" and "details presented as facts."  A bit of history that seems a bit fuzzy to me.

After a bit more rambling around the city, we headed to the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum.  It was a pretty interested museum...althought not quite worth the price of admission!  Basically it was a museum of stuff animals from all over the world, an Old West Town, and the museum of the Texas Rangers with the history of how the Rangers began policing Texas many years ago.

I think I found Jacob Black :)

"Fish are friends. Not food."

I thought these cows were chest bumping...oops ;)

Shawn with "Billy the Kid."  He was not a handsome man.  Although being next to my husband probably doesn't help him much ;)

We spent a lot of the day just walking around the Riverwalk.  We stopped at a few places for drinks and food. Yummy!  Happy Hour started at some places at 2pm...woohoo!

Happy Hour at Landry's Seafood waiting for the sun to set.

We took a boat ride on the river after dark so we could see all the Christmas lights.  It was so nice!  The Christmas Tree in the center of the mall was beautiful!  We really had a great day!



My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 3

I know my post is almost late...but Shawn and I were in San Antonio from yesterday evening until about an hour ago when we got home.  I will post some pictures tomorow from that trip!

As for my next installment of Christmas Music favorites...Surely you have all seen The Polar Express.  It was a wonderful book and luckily turned into a great film.  The music from that film is one of the best parts...from the score, to the vocal music throughout the film, to the next song on my list.

Believe

by. Josh Groban

The Polar Express

I think that Josh Groban has one of the most beautiful voices ever and I still remember the first time I heard this song.  It passed my most stringent of music quality tests: the goosebump test.  This is the method I have used since I was a child.  If a piece of music gives me goosebumps then it passes, which means it is a great song.  Believe is a song that passes with flying colors.  Although it is a Christmas song, the main message is universal. 

You have everything you need, if you just believe. 

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 2

As promised, your daily dose of my favorite Christmas music continues!

Little Town

by: Amy Grant

A Christmas Album

On a side note, Shawn and I are headed to San Antonio tonight for the yearly Men's Wearhouse Holiday Party.  It will be at the Marriott Riverwalk near the Alamo.  We've never been to San Antonio so we're staying the night tonight then we'll spend Friday doing touristy things.  Should be fun!

My Musical Days of Christmas: Day 1

It is December!! I love December for two reasons: Christmas of course...and my birthday.  I don't really like my birthdays too much anymore though.  Turning 30 has kind of put a kink in my joyful birthday celebrations.  Oh well...at least I still have Christmas, where you always feel young at heart :)  Christmas is such a great time to bring out your inner child...hehe.

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music. I LOVE Christmas music! Shawn and I listen to our Christmas playlist in the summer sometimes! I decided that for the 24 days leading up to Christmas this year I will share one of my favorite Christmas songs with you.  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas from the Family

by: The Dixie Chicks & Rosie O'Donnell

Another Rosie Christmas

If you've never listened to the two Rosie Christmas CD's then you are missing out!  They are wonderful!  Great songs done by a variety of great singers.  This is the funniest one and I love it!

 

McGaughey Visit

While the McGaughey's were visiting, they wanted to check out the Texas State House, which is located here in Austin.  Apparently it is the largest State House in the country.  Fun fact.  It was a beautiful building and our tour guide was interesting.  It was definitely reinforced about a 100 times that Texas is the biggest and the best. 

At everything. 

All the time. 

Why anyone would want to live anywhere else is crazy.

This place is nutty.

For some reason my pictures won't upload in the proper direction...so here are the pictures from the State House all sideways!

 
 
 
 

Scenes from a Lach-McGaughey-Richardson-Manning Thanksgiving

As you know, Shawn's family was here visiting for Thanksgiving.  They just left this morning (after Stephanie joined Mom, Mimi and I for some EARLY morning Black Friday shopping!) and we hope that they can come back to visit soon!  Here are some scenes from our Thanksgiving Day...

"It's my first Thanksgiving!"  After we ate he got some Turkey Dinner baby food and then some pumpkin.  He did NOT like the pumpkin.  Ian took some hilarious pictures.  I will get some from him to post because they are great!

Shane found the big tree in Mimi and Ian's backyard to climb.  He was trying to reach the cactus...no luck.

 Dinner is served!  We brined the turkey a la Alton Brown (he is a food genius!) and it was delicious!  Lots of left overs :)  Stephanie was nice enough to bring me a few bottle of my favorite Oliver Wine from Indiana. Love that stuff!

Family picture :)

As the night was winding down Shawn decided to read Logan a book.  So sweet!

We had a great Thanksgiving and then did some serious shopping this morning.  Now time for my nap before I head to work tonight.  I made sugar cream pie from scratch (since we're not in Indiana and so no one has heard of it) for Thanksgiving and I am taking one to work tonight so everyone can see how awesome it is!