round two

 samuel looking festive!

 tim opening his gift on Christmas Eve because i couldn't stand to wait another minute.

 i have taken some of my MIL mad tactics at fooling people with gifts and used them on my family.

 not sure what he was laughing at.

 probably at eachother...

 tracy and her new friend!  he looks like harry potter!

 tara almost killed us all over this bone she got from santa.

 exactly what she wanted.

 Jurassic Park trilogy!

 tired after working 9 Christmas Eve services.

 is that a kindle...  how... did... they... know!

 one half of a couple that makes Christmas special every year.

 just what he wanted a new dock station.  Way better than the one he had...  Thank you so much.

 there is the other half that makes Christmas so special every year!

wow!

Ron and Sherry thank you so much for all the love and time you put into making Christmas a great memory for our family.  This year was extra grand...  even if Ron put "mazda" on the wrong side of the husks!

installment one

we usually get together with my dad after Christmas for lunch or breakfast somewhere.  this year was more flexible with Pat being retired.  we met at Cracker Barrel.  my Aunt Sherry had not seen my dad in ages and asked if she could join us.  absolutely the more the merrier!  the boys got in a game of checkers while the ladies looked around the gift shop for awhile.

 lots of laughing went on while we took in way too many calories...

 Justin had hot cakes.

 Kate and i split the chicken FRIED chicken.

good shot Justin.

 then it was off to my nieces sweet 16 party!

 beautiful inside and out!

 lay off the cupcakes Joel!

tickling the ivory

justin and kate both had recitals this week.  justin played fire dance.  it is so hard to believe that 9 weeks ago he didn't know what a quarter note was.  wow what progress he made.  doesn't he look handsome!

kate is playing clarinet for the first time this year.  honestly i think she started out doing it because all her adorable friends were playing.  it turned out she loved it and is really good at it!  she was first chair, had a solo, and did perfect!  way to go kate!

12:42

that is the time i am starting this post
i have had lunch
cleaned the kitchen while i rocked out to this
and sipped on one of these
most gifts are purchased
did most of our shopping this year here
free shipping!  that was a no brainer
i will shop in my pajamas ANY day of the week
kate has a solo tonight at the concert
this is her first year playing and we are very proud of her progress
justin has a recital in the morning for piano
the boy has a gift for playing piano
he needs to pursue that talent
we are proud of him for his progress as well
i looked in photography and i waited too long
it's full with a waiting list
that is my luck
next semester or perhaps somewhere else
we shall see
this is a very random post
i finished my second tree
i have done some baking
i am cleaning baseboards when i get done with this post
i dont like cleaning baseboards
that is why i keep typing
i painted the cabinets in the bathroom again
black was too dark for that little space
that's it

 car rides everyday

this was a stray we found
kate thought we needed another dog
we found the owner
thank goodness




thanks justin you are so handy around the house

December?

how can it be December already?  i have almost completed my sixth week off of work and i am starting to get a little antsy!  i need to get my fanny in gear and decide what i am gonna do!

i would really like to perfect my photography skills by taking a few classes at Estrella or workshops with some local photographers.  photography is where my heart is.  i love capturing those little moments in life.  that needs to be at the top of the to do list next week!

we managed to get through turkey day without exploding.  tim weighed himself a couple of days before to make sure of that.  the day was beautiful spent with family and being thankful for all our blessing in life.
tim had the week off and that was amazing having him here and being homebodies.  the kids loved the time with him playing at the park and bike rides every night.

frisbee and football before pie 

adorable

tim donated one of my trees to the goodwill this summer because it was too big for this house.  sooo the day after thanksgiving guess what we had to do...  yep go buy a tree.  we got a great deal on one we both love.  small and cozy!

justin picked out his ornament early this year.

enjoying a treat on a cool evening.  we cant find a coat to fit his broad, long, short legged body!

sophie usually wears build a bear clothes, but kate did splurge last winter and bought her a real coat.

cartwheels everyday!  i remember doing the same thing at her age!  {heart}

 we headed out last friday for our Christmas photo at CCV Surprise!  we got there and the wind was INSANE!  wide open spaces...  we justin managed to get some good shots despite the wind.  the one that was the most important to us didnt turn out at the cross.  we shall return!

not just any dog

is allowed in my bed.  this is what they do every  morning.  this is how she wakes up.  chatting with me in the AM while i check my blogs and check in on facebook with my gingerbread latte.  its how we roll and have for years.  most mornings i roll into the bed with her for a couple of minutes and kiss on her cause she will only be little a while longer...  {heart}

Definitely

My tree will definitely be in a bucket this year!

I love the simple wreaths too. 

Christmas this year we are really going to make it a point to make Christmas special (simple) without having to spend a lot of money..  Part of the reason is we have decided to rent our house out and buy another here in Surprise.  We are being aggressive in saving money for a down payment.  As Dave Ramsey says Bean and Rice... Rice and Beans!

Some ideas I have in mind are

1.  Go to a Christmas play.

2.Baking for the neighbors of course. (this is a fav every year.)

3.  Deliver cookies to our local fire department.

4. Adopt our Angel Tree children.

5.  Each kid will do a Samaritan Purse Box.

6. Our Advent calender.

7. Warm cozy nights on the sofa with our favorite Christmas movies!

What are some special things your family likes to do to create memories for Christmas?

Philippians 4:19

 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

well would you look at that...

kate had a book report due today

justin let her use the Mac

so i suggested he go outside to do his homework since the weather was beautiful

i loved doing my homework outside when i was a kid

i was making dinner and much to my surprise they were together (getting along) doing homework

my kid has a ton of homework...

and of course sammie had to be where his master (justin) is.

i am on the prowl for a Christmas photo spot if you know of a good one!