My husband IS handy!

Have you ever thought "pulease" when your husband said "Oh, I can make THAT!"????? Yep, that's me. I even told my class one year and they ratted me out! Anyway, on to the end...he DID make it!!! I couldn't post it at the beginning of the month because of the surprise factor for our visiting family! LOVE IT!!!! Thanks bunches and bunches honey!!!

Partied Out!

It seems like I've partied for days, but really it's only been a couple of parties that we've attended. I just really "enjoy" the annual company Christmas parties!!! It's so much fun to sit next to people you don't know and have a three hour dinner! It was fun this year because I just started talking to anyone who would listen!! I sat in on conversations of others and made all kinds of comments. I figured, hey, I'll only see them once a year...maybe ;-)

Blessings

I know that this year has been one of turmoil in most of American's lives, but I am feeling very blessed. I'm not bragging, I'm just overwhelmed sometimes by how I once thought I didn't have enough. Now, I look at life and am so grateful for every little thing! It's not perfect, but neither am I! I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Lights...Cameras...Action!

Have you ever thought your life has been portrayed on the big screen? Me-yes, it has! Why on earth was it "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" instead of something like "Little House on the Prairie" or "The Andy Griffith Show" or even "Growing Pains"...I reached this train of thought last night during a charity photo shoot with the same wonderful girl who took our family photos this fall. Little guy is screaming and running around like George of the Jungle. The two big ones are teenagers---need I say more (I could write a BOOK)! Aside from inflated teen egos and a FULL blown-100%-17 month old boy, we got some good pictures.

Busy bee!

I am constantly on the go during this time of the year! Well it's no surprise that the big E wanted something special whipped up for his upcoming swearing in at the city council meeting/council Christmas party. So, I decided to be a little sarcastic and really make a creation of something that irritates me = a water tower cake.

It's the water tower that irritates me...not the cake. What a waste!!! One citizen said, "Look it blends in with the sky." Ugh!

Well, here it is :)


I made dirt cake that is topped with dyed coconut. I hot glued cake/dowel rods and popsicle sticks together as the base. Then, baked two very small cakes and smushed them together with icing after slicing the rounded tops off to use as the bottom and top of the water tower tank. I used food coloring to paint the sticks and color the icing. I had the big E print the city logo and I laminated it. Then, stuck the logo on with icing as well. It was so much fun! Next year, I'll modify it by attaching the remainder of what the city owes on it ;-)

4 wheelers and Santa Bobbers

4 wheelers and Santa bobbers have ONE thing in common...The Bass Pro Shop!

We had a blast! Here Aiden is waiting to see Santa. He's playing with a decoration and loves touching it.

Moments after playing with the nutcracker, he enjoys his visit with Santa! This has to be my favorite Santa picture ever! Santa kept smiling and Aiden just kept getting louder!!!!! See his hands...that's his praying hands!!!! Too funny!

Even she tried to sooth him with a candy cane...that was a no go!


I was disappointed with the crafts. They were great crafts, but executed ALL wrong. I DON'T want a craft that Santa's elves make!!! I WANT a craft that my little elves make. I need to be in charge of Bass Pro crafts for the holiday season!


This guy waited patiently for someone to play checkers.

It was a good trip and we'll return next year, but I think I'm going to have to let go of the craft control!

Cowboys and Hair Cuts

My little cowboy usually cheeses for the camera, but declined today! He was insistent on watching our Christmas train.



Little guy's hair grows very quickly. Here is the 4th haircut he's had. Ms. L had to give him his first lollipop to get him to sit semi-still.

Hanging of the Greens

We decided (at the last minute) to go to the Hanging of the Greens. It was was and COLD. Santa even flew into the event in a helicopter.


Little guy didn't really like the Grinch, but he loved Frosty.



We went to Elf Training School and earned our ears and certificate!

We had a good time!

Musician????

He seems to really enjoy this keyboard. He stands up and plays with his feet. If you look closely, you can see the tip of his tongue...utter concentration!

School Christmas Tree

I have been diligently working on ornaments for our school Christmas tree. The school's in our county decorate one every year and are on display at the Welcome Center. This year we came up with the theme "A Differentiated Christmas." Differentiating is our buzzword and really something good. Under the tree, student work is the "gift" of differentiation.

Each of the 25 ornaments holds two pictures of differentiated instruction. Then the fabric is attached with a brief explanation of the pictures. It was WORK!

Crayon garland = hard work!

I had to wrap it around something...a diet coke bottle worked wonders. Here is 36 feet of twine, crayons, and hot glue!

All by myself...

This weekend little guy and I are solo! It's probably the first time it's ever happened. We're going to shop and hit the sushi bar to visit our favorite chef! We'll probably go running, if the weather is nice and just play outside. I hope he's ready!

I could almost hear the crowd...

I sent Erik on a wild goose chase to find a book that I wanted to use in my school evaluation. He not only brought the book I wanted but a few more for me to read. One was "Do the Right Thing." He also casually talked about the author having a book signing. I have been watching Huckabee on Saturday evenings and really register with his views. So, I was extremely excited to go to the book signing!


It was much like a herd of cattle being prodded to be branded, but I enjoyed shaking his hand and still want to help with his "upcoming" 2012 race to the White House.

Family visit

We have been hounded by Ali and Aaron to visit Gme and Gpa for 2 months. So, we planned a short, weekend excursion to PCB during the ironman. The weather was perfect and we scooted home before Ida arrived!

We went to St. Andrew's Park and let little guy play at the beach while the big kids saw a movie with Gma.
A little boy after Gpa's heart!

No bathing suit, but the water was splendid! We let him splash and have a great time!



Thanks for the future hint grammie Karen----I already enjoy the ocean!


Little guy found his first shell and mommy is keeping it forever.


We had to watch out for these evil creatures!


A bath after a long day!


Enjoying time with my Gme, oops, mi abuela.

Apple orchard

We decided to take a trip to Elijay to see the leaves and enjoy the day. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of the beautiful leaves! They were pretty!

Aiden and daddy were ahead of us walking through the crowd to get to the orchard.


Ali and I were COLD! I have on a shirt, sweater, and jacket. I even checked the weather which said it was going to be 55 degrees----no it was like 48! At least Aiden had on warm clothes!


Aiden enjoyed running around more than the apples.

He had so much fun!


She decided to pose for us:)


We stayed for the pig race which was rather enlightening. I have made the decision not to take the family to live there based on the behavior of these people involved with the pig race;)


Ali popped into this shot!


And into this one!


Aiden was absolutely fascinated with the stuffed bear! I had to move him away from it so that other little boys and girls could see him.



We've decided to try a different orchard next year and go a week or two earlier. We have some great apples and tried different goodies made with apples. The trip was great until I ate some leftovers and got food poisoning. I was so glad that we were at home in time for this!