Christmas 2010 (Part 2)

Here is the 2nd part of my Christmas post. I am a little late with it.

This "two peas in a pod" handstamped necklace was my gift from the boys! I love it!

Our family at a Christmas get together the day after Christmas day. Doesn't hubby look happy?

Here's John with our Christmas day snow, on the back porch.

And Mason!

Christmas morning!

This is my most favoirite gift from my parents EVER! I think it is beautiful! I love them so very much!

What Santa left!

the boys in their Mickey pj's with their names on them, Christmas eve night.

Mason with his Bruder garbage truck that Nana and Pawpaw gave him.

And brother John.

Decorating cupcakes!

More cupcakes!

Aunt Brenda and her fishing buddies!

Mason decorating the gingerbread house.

John decorating his side!

Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas!

Christmas 2010 (Part 1)

Here are the boys having a a cookie and cocoa party after their school Christmas program. Funny that they have a little girl sitting between them! ;)

The boys with their teacher after the program.

Mason on the back row, singing!

John singing in the program.

Just a larger pic of the program.

Boys Christmas program at church. mason is on the far left and John on the far right. The middle child is not ours! LOL

The boys in front of our tree! Their shirts say "Happy Birthday Jesus"!

Mason's letter!John's letter!

John showing his off!

Mason showing his off!

Here are the boys opening their letters FROM SANTA!!!!

This is my Daddy (the one of the top, far right, in the navy jacket) and seven of his brothers and sisters. One brother is deceased and one was sick on this night). This was the annual get together!

The boys got me this hand stamped pendant for Christmas. It says "two peas in a pod" and has the boys names stamped on it with the two "peas" attached! Love it!

This is my new washer and dryer. It is an LG and I am loving them! They were gotten a little early but still a nice present! :)

This is our new bedroom suit. We are loving it also. Our other one I had since I was 16 years old. I'm 34 now....you do the math. ;)

I love having two night stands!!!! :)

Having a king bed is awesome! We had a queen before and this is like an ocean compared to a pond! LOL

Part 2 coming soon!

Blessings!

Christmas Traditions

Traditions are such an important part of life to me. I grew up making traditions with my own family and I want the same for my own little family. I am not sure if traditions played a large part of growing up for John or not. My parents always made a big deal out of birthdays and Christmas as well as Halloween and Thanksgiving.

I am going to list some of our Christmas traditions that we have started for our own family.

• Decorating a Christmas tree for the living room and the boys each have a John Deere tree in their own rooms.
• Going to our town's Christmas parade.
• Driving around looking at Christmas lights while rocking it out to Christmas tunes in our pajamas!
• Making gingerbread house
• Making Christmas cupcakes for their school ,party
• Making Christmas snack mix
• Watching Christmas movies, lots of them!
• Drinking hot cocoa after setting up our outside decorations!\
• Reading the Christmas story, every night!
• Making Christmas cookies
• Writing Santa a letter and this year we got one back from him
• Family reunion with my Daddy's side of the family
• Doing Christmas lace up cards
• Drawing and coloring Christmas pictures
• Painting and doing Christmas crafts
• Going caroling to grandparents homes
• Participating in our Christmas programs at church and school
• Reading God Gave Us Christmas
• Baking Cake for Baby Jesus and having HIM a birthday party
• Taking treats to special friends and neighbors
• Making special pancakes Christmas morning and opening gifts, spending lunch with my parents and supper with my brother's family.

So, do you have traditions, how do you celebrate?

Christmas Blessings!

Catching Up Post Christmas

Hi! I trust you all had a blessed Christmas as did we. This past week has been a whirlwind. Little John started out last week being sick, we ended up at the doctor to learn of bronchitis. He is better but now Mason has it.I baked cooked and delivered goodies the first half of the week. John was off work from Thursday until this morning, which really messed with the boys heads. They love having their Daddy home, but when they get up this morning it will be chaos.

Wednesday night we rode around in our Christmas pj's, drank hot cocoa, sang Christmas tunes and looked at lights.

Thursday we had lunch at my parents with my brother and his family and then opened gifts. We came home and napped only to leave again to take my father-in-law some fruit and have supper at McDonald's and then to look at Christmas lights. Then it was home to prepare for Santa.

Friday morning was gifts everywhere! We stayed in that morning and I made buttermilk pancakes. My father-in-law arrived at 9:30am for breakfast with us. We had lunch with my parents around noon and then came back home to take naps. John went over to his Dad's with his supper and spent some time with him. Then at 5pm we went to my brother's house and met us with my sister-in-law's family there for supper. It was total chaos but in a good way. We had a blast and so did the boys. At one point we all were hanging out in the game room downstairs where a game of pool, a game of ping pong and a game of air hockey was all taking place, along a ballgame on tv and some basketball was being shot. We made it home about 8pm and tucked our tired little fellows in tight. John and I settled in with coffee and a sweet snack while taking in a Christmas movie.

Saturday morning brought brunch at my parents with my brother and his family and our cousin Brenda. We came home and rested while the boys napped. Then I started supper preparations for we had friends coming over with their little boy. They left about 10pm and we all were completely waxed. Laying down never felt so good!

Sunday was church and a nap then John's Dad came over. He, hubby and Little John went to visit with some of their relatives in from Texas. My parents came over for a little visit with Mason and I. We ordered pizza in and watched Cars the movie. hubby was up and off to work this am at 4 and I did not sleep well and ended up staying up and typing all of this. LOL!

Today the boys are staying with my Mom for a little while so I can make preparations for a baby shower that I am helping host this weekend. I also need to pick up some last minute things for Christmas with hubby's family Friday night. Yes, you read that right we STILL have one more Christmas get together to attend and I am making chicken and dressing, home canned green beans and fresh cream corn from the freezer as well as an apple cake.

I also need to get my new laptop set up (thank you Santa!), have pictures printed off, buy regular groceries and do some work for the small group. It s going to be another busy week. I also hope to get some pictures posted this week.

Christmas Blessings.........

from our home to yours!

Plenty to Write But No Time

Things have been excessively crazy around here! So I am going to post some bulletins for you.

• My Mom had a CT done to check the spot on her lung......we are expecting the worst, hoping for the best and praying for a miracle.
• The boys are finished with school (until June) and are home with me full time. YAY!!!
• We have had a blessed season and are so thankful for everything and everyone.
• My Daddy is better and the doc is still adjusting the medication.
• Little John is sick with bronchitis, Mason had an awful bout with reflux triggered by second hand cigarette smoke. Thanks Aunt M! Yes, I am being sarcastic! He vomited 5 times....projectile style. She never smoked while there just reaked of the smell. That is all it takes for him to get this sick.
• We have had 4 get togethers so far and have 7 more in the next 48 hours. Don't ask....Thankfully only 1 is at our house.
• I broke my little toe on the left toe and tore the toenail off last night. Ouch!
• I was released from the ENT from the surgery and feel much better now.
• We have gotten the most beautiful Christmas cards this year.

I guess that is about all for now. Christmas blessings on you all!

Christmas Countdown

The boys are old enough now to understand so much more about Christmas. We decided to do a little Christmas countdown with them.
1. Wear Christmas pajamas and watch a Charlie Brown Christmas
2. Get out the little peoples nativity set and talk in depth about each character
3. Christmas parade and look at lights
4. Put trees up (including theirs in their rooms- John Deere themed)-have picnic supper beside big tree
5. Make gingerbread house
6. Get the boys ready for bed in pjs, bundle them up and go to the park and see the lights.
7. Make Christmas snack mix
8. Watch Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too
9. Make dough ornaments and decorate them
10. Read Christmas story and drink hot cocoa in front of fireplace
11. Make Christmas cookies
12. Family reunion w/ my Daddy's side
13. Do Christmas lace up cards
14. Paint stain glass ornaments
15. Watch Rudolph and the Misfit Toys
16. Color Christmas pictures
17. Write Santa a letter
18. Watch Christmas special on tv
19. Daddy takes boys to Aunt Sandra's house to see lights (Mommy at small group)
20. Go caroling to grandparents and Uncle Mike's
21. Wear Christmas pajamas and read God Gave Us Christmas
22. Deliver treats to friends and family
23. Finish #22
24. Bake cake for Jesus' b'day/ Go to Nana and Papa's to open presents
25. Special b'fast of Christmas pancakes, open presents, Pawpaw M comes over/ Lunch at Nana and Papa's/ Supper at Uncle Mike's

Are you and your little ones counting down Christmas?

Blessings!!!

The Weekend Is Over, Yay!

i am not that excited, since it is before 5am and I am up and awake. I an tired and have a little cough and sore throat. See, normally I would take some mucinex and feel better as in yesterday. My eyes will not let me do that. I will have to call the eye doc and start special eye drops before I can take any cold/drainage meds. LOVELY!

I also have to call the dermatologist since I have an itchy, red, blistery like rash on both chins. One I really bad, all the way up and down the chin. The other chin it is only about 4 or 5 inches. Keep in mind I have really, really long legs.

I am glad the weekend is over, more so Saturday is what i am referring to. We had another Christmas get together with hubbys' family. One sister lives out of state and we had to wait for her to come home, so it was postponed until Saturday. There was way too many folks there. It was ina small cramped house with 30 or so souls all trying not to run all over each other, but hopw could we? We wer stacked on each other. It was miserable and the kids were very uncomfortable.

One of hubby's sisters has her 2 step kids there froma previosu marriage (number 3 I think) and their kids, husband and boyfriend was there. I had never met them excpet twice in twelve years, but they were invited. They were not asked to bring any food/drinks nada. The same sisters stepson (from her previosu marriage, number 5 I think) was there with his wife and her child. Never even met him, still didn't meet him. I think he was doped up. Who knows! They didn't bring anything to eat/drink. None of the ones above have been to a family get together in 12 years (since I've been around)!!!!

Then there was the oldest two nephews/their wives and one of them has two kids. They didn't bring anything either. That kind of ticks me off a little. I cut off and made 1 gallon of creamed corn and 2 (13x9)pans of dressing and took with two 2 year olds in tow. Yay, they could have brought something. They are in their 20's and should want to help. There was plenty, BUT it would have taken some of the pressure off of the rest of us.

I am just glad it is over! Then we were told it would be there again next year..........I won't tell you my thoughts.

Today looks busy once again. I was going to try plastic pants and real underwear with the boys only this week, but think I will postpone it until next week.

For those of you that have wanted other recipes from the menu planner I promise I will get them up. I had them up and blogger ate them! I will have to redo them.

I hope you all have a happy Monday! Many blessings!

One Weak Momma

First and foremost thank you Lord for your Son and our blessings! You are so, so good!

Today, it all has caught up with me. since I wrote last on the 18th, I have..........

• made and delivered 24 fruit baskets
• finished up my mixes and shipped all orders out
• fixed food and been to 5 get togethers (have 5 more to go)
• had boys portraits made
• framed portraits for gifts
• taken care of tax and title and tag stuff for new truck (talk about in another post)
• baked 192 chocolate chip cookies
• baked 14 loaves of bread
• made 19 containers full of sweet chex mix
• bought the rest of Christmas from my fil to the boys and from my parents to us 4
• I also have wrapped way too many gifts (176 to be exact)
• we have visited santa and his village (at Bass pro Shops)
• cooked more meals than I care to count
• taken care of daily household things
• bought groceries
• bathed, read and tucked in tired little boys
• drove around and looked at too many Christmas lights
• each night we read the real Christmas story and another book of their choosing
• we have built a gingerbread house and decorated the cookies from that kit
• we have been out to eat with friends and had company way too late some nights
• I have stamped and finally gotten all of the Christmas cards mailed out (way more than 100 of them)
• we have listened to beautiful Christmas music and been to plays at our church
• we have watched the classic Christmas movies and cartoons
• we have had a truly blessed season

It has been way to full though. The only thing I have left to do is bake Jesus a birthday cake......we shall see. Also the get togethers. I will be doing little or no cooking for those. The anemia is back and has knocked me on my hiney, royally!

I am so weak today I can barley stand. I called the doctor and they started me back on my meds. I could see the doctor, but not mine and it would be an ER visit, so I will deal with it until next week and hope and pray it is better!

I am ready to simplify things a bit.......at least at Christmas time. For another time.......

Hope you all are well and happy!

I will be away for a bit, not sure how long but I need a break.I will visit each of your blogs from time to time, but may not be up to commenting, so please forgive me ahead of time.

So here's to you..........Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Please remember that little baby, born so long ago that God gave to each of us, to save us. What a sacrifice, what a true gift! Have you received him as yours? How blessed we are!

Blessings!

Wow.......Again!

Thank you all for the great comments! You know when you think it just can't get any better, God shows you again.

Last night I found out that my mother's helper (KK) and my other helper (for my business) were sick. Oh, heavens I thought! I had another order to come in yesterday and I've got 15-$100 baskets to get mixes made for, packaged and packed in the baskets and then packaged in boxes and shipped out by tomorrow. CRUD!!

So, this morning at 4am I got every basket put together and filled, not packaged. I needed to see how many more mixes I liked having enough. Guess what! I had exactly enough for each one!
Not one mix was duplicated! Yay! All I have to do is get the filling in each one, the products arranged and them wrapped and to the shipper! Yay! it may be tomorrow, but that's okay.

My Mom is going to watch the boys today and maybe in the morning. Thank you Lord!

I have all but a handful for the order I got yesterday! Thank you Julie!

I also have a ton of errands to do today. I need to call our accountant about the taxes on the truck hubby won. I have NO idea how all of that works. If any of you would know, I would appreciate some insight. I need to gas up my Durango, go to the post office, run to CVS and Wal-Mart, as well as the bank.

I have gifts to wrap, gifts to buy, food to cook and oh so many things!

I hope to relax soon......We have family pictures Wednesday morning and then the newspapers will be doing a write up and taking pix that afternoon about the new truck.

Maybe Thursday would be a good day to ...........do NOTHING! ;) LOL!

What's on your agenda for today? Are all of your gifts wrapped and under the tree?

I hope you all have a wonderful day! Many blessings!

Decorating For The Season

I positively love this season! Christmas is wonderful! I love to decorate and usually we put up the tree and decorate the day after Black Friday. This year the Iron Bowl (ROLL TIDE!) came of that particular day and I needed to buy supplies to make mixes this week, so it was postponed.

I hope to maybe get it done today. We shall see. My open house is on Saturday (for my mixes) so it has to be done by then.

I think I am keeping it simple this year. I collect angels as well as nativity scenes, but I think most of it will stay up this year. The boys are into exploring these days (as most 2 1/2 year olds are) and I see it being safer that way! LoL! I also hope to get lights up on the house this year. I think the boys would really enjoy them.

So, is your decorating done? Do you decorate outdoors? When do you usually do your decorating?

Merry Christmas!

Black Friday Scores

What a day! My bff C.T. and I left about 4am and headed off to the big city (about 45 minutes away). We scored some great deals and had a blast!

We first stopped at Wal-Mart. It was crazy, absolutely crazy. They were out of a lot of things on my list, even 20 minutes after the doors opened but that was okay.

At Wal-Mart I got:
WINDSUIT (ME) $8.00
2 SET OF PJ'S (BOYS) $9.42 EACH
90 PC. ORNAMENT SET $10
RUBBERMAID PLASTIC SET $7
SHOP VAC $15

Next stop was KOHL"S
I got:
2 APRON AND OVEN MIT SETS $6.99 EACH, REG. $24.99 EACH
WINTER SWEATSHIRT $13.99, REG. $40
LEVI JEANS $27.99 (REG. $45)
CHUTES & LADDERS $3.99
HI HO CHEERY-O$3.99
DON'T BREAK THE ICE $3.99
CANDYLAND $3.99
2 PLUSH ELMOS $8.98
2 BATH TOWELS $2.49 EACH
2 HOODED BATH TOWELS $7.99 EACH (REG. $24.99)

I ALSO GOT $20 IN KOHL'S CASH TO SPEND LATER.

Next stop K-MART
I got:

2 TODDLER BEDS (BACKYARDIGANS) BOGO 50%OFF $90 FOR BOTH
2 BEDDING SETS TO MATCH $60 FOR BOTH
2 PAIRS OF SUPERMAN PJ'S BOGO $14.99 FOR BOTH
2 JOHN DEERE POP-CORN TINS $5.99 EACH
MAGNAVOX DVD/VCR PLAYER $59.99-$10 MAIL IN REBATE

We then pulled through Arby's drive through for a quick biscuit.

Then on to Target:
SHARK TWO IN ONE VAC $10
ANNIE DVD $3.99
MADAGASCAR DVD $5.99
2- 4 PACKS BALLS $9.99 EACH
2 SPIN AND LIGHT UP TOYS $1.99 EACH
2 THOMAS V-TECH PHONES $17.99 EACH

Then we hit BED BATH and BEYOND. They were out of two of the three items I went after.
I did get:
PIE CRUST SAVER $4.35

Then we ran in Bath and Body Works. I was armed with coupons, lots of coupons. This is what I left with:
WALL FLOWERS DIFFUSER $5
WALL FLOWERS REFILL $5
WINTER CANDY APPLE HAND SOAP $4.50
HONEYSUCKLE BUBBLE BATH$9.50
MOONLIGHT BATH BODY BUTTER$14
MOONLIGHT PATH BODY CREAM$11
MOONLIGHT PATH BUBBLE BATH$9.50
VIP BAG$15
WINTER CANDY APPLE FRAGRANCE STICK $5
CUCUMBER MELON BODY SPLASH $10.50
KID'S BLUEBERRY HAND SOAP $5
WINTER CANDY APPLE BODY CREAM $11

I PAID $56.70 AFTER ALL OF THE COUPONS.

Then we started on our way home. We stopped for lunch at Applebee's and were home by 12:30pm. We had a blast and I got a lot of things out of the way.

All I like now is:
2 pr. Wrangler jeans for hubby
2 boxes chocolate covered cherries
2 pr. shoes (tennis) for the boys
2 pr. jenas for the boys
2 shirts for the boys
plush barneys and dvds for the boys
Thomas dvd for the boys
Chanel *5 for my Mom (from my dad)
Jon and Kate book for me
cd for hubby
pantry organizer for me
belts for the boys
work station for my laptop
a John Deere tractor/truck set for the boys
a photo calendar for my parents

Almost done! How about you? Did you hit Black Friday? How's your shopping coming?

Blessings!!!!

Black Friday

I am one of the crazy folks that heads out at 4am to catch some great sales. I love crowds and knowing that I am saving a bundle. This morning I and my bff are heading out with the boys in tow. No, I am not crazy! Smile! They are staying in the suv with her and I will do our shopping. They will sleep most of the time. I have packed lots of books and dvds as well as breakfast and plenty of snacks. So we are off.

Here's what we're hunting for and the plan.
Wal-Mart 5am - clothes, toys, ornaments, towels, bedding, shop vac
Target 6am- dvd's, games (board), pull-ups
Bed Bath and Beyond- pie crust saver, organizers for my pantry
Bath and Body Works -body stuff
Family Christian Bookstore -cd and book
Kohl's - apron sets, hooded towels
New Balance Store boys shoes
Academy- wrangler jeans

I also am looking for a fog less shower mirror (for hubby's shaving needs) and a dvd/vcr combo.

I think that is all. I do my parents shopping for my family, so there is a lot to do. I hope to get it all done today!

Are you shopping today or just staying in? What's on your list today?
Blessings!!!!

Christmas List 2008

Our Christmas list rarely changes, but I still need to get it on paper since there is so many on it. This year my mother-in-law is not here to celebrate with us, nor is my husband's dear Aunt Linda. You both are missed!

I wanted to list everyone for you and then in a later post I will describe our budget and outline it for you. It seems as though we would go into debt buying for all of those on this list, but not so.

The good thing is that most of our shopping is done. I will do my parents shopping for them (to us) on Black Friday. My Mom dislikes shopping, so she lets me do it.

Here goes......
1. Daddy
2. Mother
3. my bro and sil (age 40's)
4. nephew 1 (age 16)
5. nephew 2 (age 10)
6. Cousin B. (woman, 50's)
7. Aunt P.
8. Uncle J.
9. A.G. (cousin age 6)
10. Aunt M.
11.cousin D. (age 40's)
12. D's hubby S. (same as above)
13. GMS & GDS (90's)
14. CT (50's)
15. Miss JJ (early 20's)
16. hubby's Dad (80)
17. Ronda (40's)
18. Matt (40ish)
19. J.J. (early 20's)
20. Amanda (same as above)
21. Dakota (same as above)
22.Kayla (17)
23. Sharon (40's)
24. Richard (same as above)
25. Abby (11)
26. Andrew (early 20's)
27. Melissa (same as above)
28. Sandra (40's)
29. Kerry (same as above)
30. Anthony (early 20's)
31. Nicole (same as above)
32. Gavin (5)
33. Ava (2)
34. Deb & Rocky (50's)
35. Sky (15)
36. Uncle J. (70's)
37. N. (late 20's)
38. Miss. KK (16)
39. B.J. (50's)
40. C.J. (14)
41. D.J.(50's)
42.Carter (2)
43. Claire (2)
44. Leah mid 30's)
45. Kevin (same as above)
46. post lady
47. hairstylist and hubby
48. Pastor and his wife
49. friend k. (30's)
50. Ms. K (boys teacher)
51. the pharmacy
52. Tiger (son......age 2)
53. Monkey (son.....age 2)

That is quite a list! Leave me a comment how you would shop for my list. Your budget is $700. You may include homemade gifts for only 10. Now, I will leave the comments open for 36 hours, through Wednesday. Thank about it and leave your comment. I will randomly select a winner on Wednesday night at 8pm. The winner will receive Dawn Hall's, Fun, Fast, Festive Christmas Cookbook, along with a Christmas present (that part is a surprise). So, what are waiting for .......get a thinkin'!

Blessings!!!!!

Christmas Blessings!

Merry Christmas To All And To All A Good Night!

No Compliants Here Other Than Tiredness!

Over the weekend it was a busy, chaotic and quite hectic. The twins turned 21 moths old and we traveled a lot.
We had a get together Friday pm, 2 on Saturday and 3 yesterday after church. .
I have cooked, baked, shopped, wrapped, chopped and frozen until my heart is MORE than content.
All of my mix orders are out. MY business is finished at least for Christmas.
I am BLESSED. Yes, Christmas is tomorrow and I REFUSE to be stressed (although I told hubby last night next year I will start in August!).

Over the weekend things were set in perspective for me. My husband is a wonderful driver (praise God). He's driven an 18 wheeler since he was 21 (so, 10 years on that side). He is a hazardous waste driver and has NEVER had an accident. Anyhow, on Saturday night we had been to some friend's house (an hour and a half away) and we were cut off by a car that actually stopped in the middle of the 4 lane interstate after the cut-off. Thankfully there was another open lane for us to get into. Thank you Jesus!

However, we made a quick stop in Trussville at Aldi (they close at 8) and then went to the other part of T'ville to Target. in order to go home we have to come back by Aldi. When we came up on the intersection that we had just been in 30 minutes earlier it was awful. There was a 4 car accident. Blood, glass, people trapped in vehicles. One mini-van upside down. There was a lady in a SUV. There was no one in the pick-up. Another mini-van on a rollback. It was smashed to nothing. There was a car seat hanging out of the back glass and I saw 2 covered by blankets on the ground. The coroner was there and it was so sad. I cry as I type this. This is not to make any one's Christmas sad but merely a reminder. We are all so blessed. We all have our problems. Unless the Lord intervens this will be my mil's last Christmas. Her cancer is inoperable and incurable inside of what the medical professionals can do. This time last year we were told one of our twins would not see his next. He is here and NORMAL! God is so good! Please remember the reason for the season. I had lost sight of it earlier but things were put in perspective as I saw that accident seen and then I looked in the back of our SUV and saw my little blessings safely strapped in their seats sleeping away. Thank you Jesus! I do have much to accomplish today but i am thankful. My loved ones are here and safe. I can enjoy this season and be thankful. Now, off the soapbox.

Have a Blessed and Safe Christmas Season!

Christmas Traditions

We all have them. Some of us are trying to make new ones. Some of us , well are just trying!





This is what we are doing and going to incorporate in the next couple of years (as the boys will begin to understand more).





WARNING: We are Christians. Not to offend anyone. These are our personal beliefs and are not being pushed on anyone. Please skip this post if you are offended by Christian values.





Now, on to the good stuff!

1. Adopt a family from the angel tree.



2. Send cards



3. Have family and kiddos pictures made.



4. Make a gingerbread house



5. Select a new ornament for each child and one for us as a married couple each year.



6. Advent calendar- Talk about how many more days until Jesus' birthday and not how many more days until Santa comes.



7. Decorations are focused on nativities, angels, ect. We do have a couple of Santa things though. Most are focued from a Biblical aspect.



8. The boys have their own Little People Nativity, that they pretend with.



9. Jesus is "born" to all of our nativites on Christmas morning.



10. We bake a birthday cake for Jesus and sing "Happy Birthday" to him.



11. We see Santa only once and do a picture.



12. Santa brings each child 3 gifts. This is a way for the 3 gifts that the Wisemen brought to Jesus to be honored and remembered.

13. We drive around and look at Christmas lights.


14. We go to our Annual Christmas parade.


15. And last but not least, we set an amount (of money) for presents from Mommy and Daddy.



Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Look out Christmas.......

here I come! This is one busy week. In no particular order this is what this week involves.

Make:
Chex Vanilla Chunks
Eggnog bread
Rice Krsipy treats
whole wheat molasses bread
Honey Apple Cake loaves
Pumpkin bread
Cranberry Orange bread
Peanut Brittle
AND
Homemade Jerky

Errands:
Deliveries for mix business
CVS
Wal-Mart
local pharmacy
Post office
Bank
Aldi
Belk
Victoria's Secret
Deliver goody plates, trays and baskets

Company here:

Wed. - Speech therapist for twins
AND our dear friend Belinda and my Mother's helper Kimberly

Thurs.- my nephews to make gingerbread house

Sat.- Our friends K & L w/ their b/g twins who were born the night before the boys at the same hospital. Finger foods will be served (no menu yet)

Sun. - Family get together w/ a cousin at my parents house (Supper is on the agenda but no menu yet).

Yet to do:
Mail 2 packages
Finish baking and cooking (need menus first!)
Finish trays, plates, baskets and boxes of misc.
Finish wrapping (just a couple)
Pics printed for photo calendars

I think that is all.........at least for now!

So do you have it all done? Tell me about it!

Christmas Cards

Almost all of the cards are out. All 200!!!!! My dear hubby (whom I will affectionately call Bulldog) and I have large families. My father has 9 brothers and sisters. He was older when I was born, 43 to be exact. I am the youngest grandchild on that side (of 36). I am 31, the oldest is 60. That's just one side of 4. So, that's where most all the cards come in. I have a couple more to get addresses for.

How many cards do you send out?

We send out more religious type cards. Jesus is the reason for the season!

I normally have all the cards out the day after Thanksgiving, but to be frank we had to delegate the expense of postage over time this year.

I buy all of our cards the day after Chrsitmas for the next year. I love a good buy! Speaking of which, I also buy paper, bags, wrap, bows, gift sets, ect. then.

I am going to grab me a hot cup of coffee and I'll see you soon!