Christmas Decorating

Our Christmas tree

The Manger...if you look real close you can see our cat Criddle in this picture.

Some of my Santas.

Snowmen

Some more of my Santas. The sleigh and the reindeer in this picture my Dad made.

I remember, as a child, my Mom & Dad took every nic-nac down and the entire house turned into this beautiful home-that you could just feel the spirit of Christmas. I always loved it...I would just sit in the living room with the lights out and just enjoy it.

Once I am finished, with my decorating, I enjoy just sitting and enjoying it. I love Christmas music. I like everything to be complete, by the day after Thanksgiving, so I can enjoy every minute of the Christmas season.

I even put small, decorated trees in, in all of our bedrooms. The boys have had trees in their rooms since they were born. We also have a "Sports" tree. I have tried to give the boys a sports related ornament every year since they were born, my parents have given them an ornament every year also, so when they are grown and go off on their own they can take them with them.

"At Christmas, play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year."
Author: Thomas Tusse

Snowmen

Luke working hard on part of his snowman.

Connor & Olyvia working on their part of the snowman.

Connor's Snowman

Luke & Olyvia's Snowman

The boys were all excited to go outside and build a snowman BUT everything always turns into a competition. It must be a boy thing so they went their own ways. That is why there is a snowman in the front yard and one in the back.

Luke is the more traditional snowman builder and Connor likes to be a little more off the wall. Just take a look at them and you will see. Maybe it is their age also.

"You're my best buddy,My favorite friend,We'll always be pals,from now until the end!"
Author: Unknown

This quote will be my boys. I know in the future they will look back on these days and just laugh at how they acted. Tell stories of the fun and crazy things they used to say and do.

First Snowfall

As much as snow can create such a mess and cause great distress, I so enjoy the first snowfall of the winter. It is so beautiful to see everything covered in white. The woods in the backyard look so clean and crisp covered with snow.
"Snowflakes dot the landscapelike little wishesfor a happy and peaceful season"
Author: Unknown

Christmas Lights

Yesterday, Brian and Luke decided to put some lights up outside. We used to put up alot of lights but the last couple of years it gets less and less. I don't know if it is because they don't work, you get frustrated or if it is weather related. We have had many chances through the month of November, this year, because it has been wonderful.
"Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling."

Saying Good-bye

Pink Razor

Three years ago, on Mother's Day, I received my first cell phone. They had a huge promotion offering the "NEW" pink razor. I talked about this phone, and the boys thought I had to have it. The thing is they were hard to find because everyone wanted them BUT we found one, and it has been very dear to me ever since. It is the easiest phone to use, plus it has great sound quality. Well, it has been going down hill for the last year, and the last couple of weeks it hardly holds a charge. So, get a new battery or new phone. As you all know technology with cell phones has changed tremendously in the last 3 years, so option 2-get a new phone.

Verizon EnV2 in black

It has a qwerty key pad, so now I can be the txting queen :)

This might seem like a silly thing to some of you but I loved my Razor, it was pink and so cute. Don't get me wrong this phone is nice but just not as cute and dainty. I will keep you all posted on how much I like it.

I am not going to cry, I will part with a smile on my face :)

Luke is under the weather

Luke wasn't too happy that I wanted to take a picture of him not feeling well BUT hey when you blog every moment can be blogable. ( Is that a word?)
Isn't it nice though, he has his bowl, Gatorade, a few crackers and he is all snuggled up on the sofa. This little guy doesn't get sick too often and he is normally on the go 24\7. You always know when he is laying around that somethings is up. Poor little guy. When the boys are sick, it is like you go back in time, and I treat them like "little boys". It must be a Mom thing or just an Amy thing.....
Anyway, it was still a nice day, for me, I did some scrapbooking and some crocheting with plarn.

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world."

Wonderful Morning

Dante & Adelante

(My friends are incognito)

""Friendship is a knot tied by angels' hands""

Luke woke up not feeling to well, threw up,(sorry to be so graphic) then wanted some Gatorade. So, on my way I decided to stop in at my favorite Coffee Shop-Brewed Awakenings, and I see 2 friends, who I haven't seen FOREVER but truly love and appreciate when I do get to see them. They make room for me and we sit down and catch up on everything. Then another friend walks in that we all know and the group gets bigger. In the mean time Luke is at home waiting for his Gatorade, what kind of Mom am I :) Anyway he only called once to see where I was and when I told him who I was sitting with he was fine.

""...the most valuable antiques are old friends.""

Chandler's Birthday

Connor thought it would be fun to surprise Chandler for his Birthday and take him to Planet X. He called him in the morning and asked if he wanted to come over and hang out and Grandma & Grandpa's house. When Chandler arrived Connor told him we were going to take him to Planet X, and he was excited. Just the cousins :)

Connor & Chandler-both are 14 yrs. old

Having some fun on the bumper cars.

Getting ready for some Lazer Tag. Luke, Chandler, Canaan(Luke's friend), Connor and Erica.

While Mom and I were sitting there watching them play and run around.....I told her we better enjoy this because in 2 years Connor and Chandler will be too busy to want to hang with us. They will have their driver's license, be in High School, and be involved with their own social lives.

It was nice to see Connor and Chandler together even though they go to the same school, they hang with different crowds and enjoy different interests, so they rarely talk.

"Cousins are different beautiful flowers in the same garden."

Native American Museum

The 5th Graders at Luke's school set up a Indian Museum, in all of the 3 classrooms. They studied many tribes and had to give us information on them when we came to their area. Luke had the Seminoles. Grandma Sue even made one of the recipes for all to try.

Luke and the kids he worked with.

I love these little huts they made, to show where the Seminoles lived.

Alayna and Rylee

It was very neat and they all worked really hard.

...... everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence.

Connor's Christmas list

Flashback Christmas 2007

Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Ages 14-16
CSI DNA Lab
PSP ConsoleBlack
Sony mylo Personal Communicator COM-1 2.4" LCD
Xbox 360 Console Includes 20GB Hard Drive
Dual XDM6820 In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA Receiver
Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Camera with 3x Image Stabilized Zoom
Mongoose Pro Wing Comp Dual Suspension Mountain Bike(20-Inch Frame)
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
Toysmith Professional Car Designer Kit
Mayfair The Settlers of Catan Board Game
Thames & Kosmos Microcontroller
Scientific Explorer's Disgusting Science Kit: Studying the Science of Revolting Things

I talked with Connor the other day about Christmas. He said it just isn't as fun as it used to be Mom because Santa isn't real. I told him just believe in the spirit of Christmas and enjoy the real meaning. So, then we had to get into talking about the birth of Jesus. Lately he and I have had some interesting conversations due to the fact that he is growing up. It sort of makes me sad that he is not my little boy anymore :(

Connor's interest all have to do with his xbox 360, movies and a cell phone. He is the only 8th Grader in his group without a phone. I think we have done well in that category but I am realizing it would be easier if he had one, in some cases.

This is really not Connor's list because I think there are only a couple things he would actually want on that Top 10 List of 2008.

Son, you outgrew my lap, but never my heart. ~Author Unknown

Connor

I feel like I don't get enough pictures of Connor. One of the reason is because he doesn't let me take them :( Anyway, I told him that my cousin Clare, missed him and wanted to see him on my blog, so he picked the cat up and posed for me. If I knew that was all it took but he likes his "Aunt Clare".

Connor and I were talking about "my side" of our family and he said his favorite Aunt was Clare. The funny thing is she is not his Aunt she is actually his third cousin or second cousin once removed...who knows. He just grinned at me when I told him she wasn't and he said "well, she feels or seems like an Aunt to me". How neat is that :)

Families are tied together with heart strings

Always

Understanding

Naturally

Terrific

I found this little saying, about Aunts, and I believe this is the reason Connor feels the way he does about Clare.

Kennedy Special Ed.

These amazing children are not deficient; they are different. We would all do better to remember this and learn to embrace these differences for the benefit of us all."
− Cindy Little

"K"
I cannot tell you all how much I LOVE my job. This is "K", not his real name but I am not sure if I should post his name. Anyway, he makes my day every time I see him. He loves hugs and will come up to you and say "Hugs". The reason he is in front of the washer is because he loves to watch bubbles and our new front load washer allows him to see in it. It makes me appreciate the little things in life, looking through "K's" eyes.

Here we are, on a small field trip, across the hall, to Mr. M's room to hear a little guitar and singing.

Mr. M is a Language Arts Teacher but a very excellent musician and he enjoys playing for us on Fridays. The kids enjoy music more than anything. When they hear it their little faces just light up. Again it makes me appreciate the little things that happen throughout my day.

"Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you're needed by someone."

Connor & Luke Basketball

Luke and Connor have both started Basketball. Luke plays for the Jr. Cougar Gold Team. Connor plays for Harding Middle School & a Team he and a couple of friends put together. So, between the two of them and me working full-time now it keeps me running. I do enjoy it though.

Saturday Morning

My Dad has been telling me about this GREAT electronics sale that Walmart was having on Saturday morning. They had a Laptop computer for $298. I kept thinking too good to be true. So, I had Brian call our IT friend at the county, while I searched the Internet on reviews for the Compaq CQ50 139WM. Well, the results came back positive for what "I" want to do on a computer. So, my brain went into to overdrive that evening thinking -knowing all the people in this town there would be a line sooooooo, I woke up early and was in line at 6:50a.m., they weren't able to put the laptops out until 8a.m. Called Dad and his job was to get me a latte and come out and chat with me until they were available. I had a great time chatting with all sorts of people and yes they did run out before 8a.m. BUT I got mine. :)
It is an early Christmas gift from my Dad, so standing in line with him, drinking a hot latte, (because did I mention that it was FREEZING out,we actually waited inside), made it even more special.
So, being the blogger that I am we had to get a picture.
""Yes, I AM a Daddy's Girl!""
Author: MommazWildChild

"Daddy, a daugther's first love."
Author: Unknown

I am back

I can't believe how much I missed my Blog :( Well, the computer is back and feeling great. Let's hope the flu shot works!!! As you can see we had a few flurries today. On Monday it was in the 70's and today in the 30's. That is Iowa for you.
"I want all my senses engaged. Let me absorb the world's variety and uniqueness."
Author: Maya Angelou

Computer is Sick

For all of you who follow my BLOG and wonder what has happened to me\us. Well our computer came down with a virus, I forgot to get it the flu shot :) So it went in today for a chk up and I hoping to have it back soon.

Actually it would be nice to have my own laptop, so I wouldn't have to share with my children. They say I always blame them when the computer is sick BUT they go out to where the germs are!!

Anyway, I am giving you this update from work, on my break, so we hope to be back with you all soon.