Twas The Night Before Christmas

These are just a few of the pictures from Christmas Eve. I had to work until 2 but right after, we went to see our Granny, PaPa and Aunt Ellen to celebrate Christmas. It was a great time and Hunter always is happy to see them. He loves to play around with Ellen. He was showing her his Daddy's IPOD that had his movie playing on it. He also loves to wear PaPa's hat and ride Ellen's rocking horse. What a silly boy but gotta love that smile:)

Our family came over shortly after so that we could enjoy some yummy snacks and let the kids play a little together. They had a lot of fun. You could hear them all over the house but it was happy, wonderful squeals of excitement. Hunter's cousin, DNK read The Story of Christmas and Twas the Night Before Christmas beautifully. Hunter and Baby K sat by in Mike's lap and listened. It really got us in the mood to go home and go to sleep, in hopes that Santa would visit!

Maw Maw sits with her Grandbabies

After everyone left, we went outside and threw the Reindeer food that Aunt Lou Eye brought us. It was magical, look how it sparkles!!

Hunter is modeling his new pj's. We always give him new pajamas to wear Christmas EveDo you think he's EXCITED?

And one question...why do they make children's pajamas SO tight? I know they say they are supposed to fit snug since it is a fire precaution but good gosh! These are 5T and I had to break the elastic on the sleeves JUST so he could get his arms in. OK, my rant is over now...

Thank GOD it's Friday!

I'm hoping to get a little cleaning done this weekend and then do some scrapping. I worked on Laundry last night and was so tired, I didn't get to play with my new Cricut. I've been doing a little bit every night so at least it's less I have to do over the weekend. I think we may take our Christmas tree down Sunday. That way, we can get our house back in order and I can enjoy the New Year Celebrations at home. I'm dieing to play with my new toy. In fact, today, I'm ordering the Storage Tote and 2 New Cartridges. (and getting one free with the promotion going on with Cricut before 12/31) I hope to have them before my crop next weekend at church.

Well, I'm going to get ready for work. I'm going in early to help clean up after having carpet installed last night. Hope everyone has a great Friday!!

Christmas Sunday

These are just some of the pictures from Sunday. All the kids sang several songs in "Big Church". It was so pretty and they also rang hand bells. They all looked so nice, in their Christmas dress up clothes.

Brittany sang a beautiful solo....she's growing up so fast and Hunter still adores her!! After their performance, they went downstairs and ate birthday cake for Jesus. They got lots of great presents and had a great party. Hunter looked like he was ready for a nap for sure afterwards!

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday....We're over the hump and I'm ready for the weekend!!

Merry Christmas!!

I'm a day late but I hope EVERYONE had a very Merry Christmas!

It was a great day! We got up around 6, got ready and opened presents (Mike and I only) about 7. We got Hunter up about 7:15, before the grandparents, great grandparents and Unce Jeff came over and saw him get his presents. Then, we went to Grandma and Grandads, Nanny and Pop's, Uncle Marvin's and MaMa and PawPaw's. It was so much fun. What an awesome day. We came home and Mike worked on the computer for information on his new GPS unit. I cleaned up the Living Room and arranged everything nicely around the tree. It's tradition and I do it every year but because we had a huge train table on one side, it made it a little interesting to say the LEAST:) I got a Cricut machine and I'm in LOVE! We went back to Grandma and Grandad's after a couple hours so we could see our Nanny Puckette . She's in a Nursing Home but we got to visit with her and have dinner. She was in a great mood, as usual and we had a really nice time. By the time we got home, it was after 8 and Mike gave Hunter a bath. I didn't have the heart to put him to bed his normal time, since he really hadn't had a lot of time to play with his new toys. He got to stay up and play and laughed profusely!! We have to work the rest of the week so Grandma and Grandad are watching him this week. I hope to clean up the Christmas tree stuff this weekend and start working on organizing my scrap area. I've only had a short time to play with my new toy and I'm DIEING to start catching up on my scrapping. That machine is SO cool! My husband is awesome for getting it for me and so is my MIL since she told him all about it. You guys are the best:) (nothing personal because I'm grateful for EVERYONE else too:) LOL!

I'm headed out to get ready but I hope everyone has a great day. If you're shopping, be careful.. I imagine it'll be packed and today, it's cold and rainy here.

This is a picture of my tree, after cleaning under it. We got so much great stuff!! (The boxes on the right are our stocking stuffers, so our beagle, Bailey won't get into them)

I had to make a Thank You card and made this one in about 5 minutes, using my new Cricut. I wanted to stay up all night and play!! But went to bed, thinking about what's on my Wish List!!

Well, I hope everyone has a GREAT day, no matter what you do!!

Happy Christmas Eve!!

Just thought I'd post some SERIOUSLY late pictures of our Christmas tree and decorations. (I need to post one late of the outside) I can't believe it's Christmas Eve! WOW...how the time flies. I'm as ready as I'm going to get. We've already got some open presents already under the tree. They're from coworkers, friends and our Church friends. I love arranging everything nicely under the tree, even after Christmas. That's the first thing I do when I get home Christmas Day is arrange everything pretty according to who it belongs to. Well, I'm off to work. I'll post more later when I get home. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve!!

My Work Christmas Party

Just some pictures of all the fun we had at our Christmas party Saturday night. It was a blast...We look forward to it every year. I get to catch up with lots of good friends and their loved ones. I danced until my feet REALLY hurt....so in this last picture, Kim and I are saying, "NO MORE DANCING"

We got to do this CD skit, where it's our head on other bodies and it looks like we're dancing. It's pretty cool...and Lynn and I won $25 gift certificates for the company in Va. Beach. I looked all morning for dresses with my best friend and ended up liking the one I already had the most. Go figure. BUT, I did have some great time with my girl and got to enjoy a yummy lunch at Jason's Deli.

Sunday, we worked around the house and recovered. My legs and knees were killing me but I know it was some awesome exercise!!

Anyway, I'm exhausted. I was out at Steak and Ale last night for my 8Th Wedding Anniversary and tonite, I wrapped a ton of presents and got Hunter all ready for school. Tomorrow, he's in a Christmas Chapel at School and then I'm going shopping for a couple hours. I've got my list and I'm READY to get done. Then, Tran Siberian Orchestra tomorrow night. (after Jason's Deli again for Dinner....YA!) CAN'T WAIT!!

HOW is it that my days off tend to be SO hectic?? It's that time of the year. Well, have a great night!!

**UPDATE** I'm out the door at a little after 9. Can't wait to see my little man at 11:30. Have a great Thursday!!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my 8th Wedding Anniversary and I couldn't be happier. I have the best husband! He's, truely my best friend and I couldn't imagine life without him. He's funny, smart, sexy, a little crazy at times and supportive in so many ways!

Mike, I hope you have a wonderful day and thank you for making my life so wonderful. I love you SO much!

(this is us at our Christmas party this past weekend)

The Countdown is ON!

Only 3 more days until we go see Tran Siberian Orchestra!! This is probably the 9th or 10th year in a row that we've been...We LOVE them...So I leave you with some of their work. (We rested Sunday after our Christmas Party was the night before. We're pretty tired but got alot done around the house so I'll post pictures later here and on MySpace tonite!! ) Have a great week!

LONG Weekend

I found this on Cheryl's blog and thought it was pretty cute! If you're reading this, TAG, you're it. I want to see your responses!!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Mostly wrapping paper but depends on the gift/shape/size if I use a bag.
2. Real or artificial tree? REAL! I ADORE the smell of a fresh cut tree.
3. When do you put up the tree? Either Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend after.
4. When do you take the tree down? New Year's Eve or Day
5. Do you like eggnog? It's OK
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Doll made by my mom and a bed that my dad made for her..so special!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I have a couple. One that I loved and a Veggie Tale one for Hunter. I think it's important he understand the TRUE meaning of Christmas.
8. Hardest person to buy for? parents; they are the most UN materialistic people I know. They have everything and could care less about gifts for themselves.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Hunter, he is so appreciative and loves everything.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't remember. I've always loved everything anyone buys for me.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail a mass of them to friends and family at Christmas but email cards throughout the year to my closest friends.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Around Thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cheese Balls, Date Nut Balls and Rice Krispy Treats
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Once upon a Christmas, by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We travel around different family member homes but stay pretty close to our hometown
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yep:)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A beautiful angel my Manager gave me years ago
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas Morning!!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Rude People and how so many forget what Christmas is all about.
23. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? white lights, ribbon, beads, gold and burgundy balls and special ornaments that were mostly given to us or each other.
24. What do/did you leave for Santa? Milk and Cookies

What a great weekend it's been! Friday night, we went to Holly Dazzle at our local City Center and saw the most awesome Fireworks show. It kept looking like the Grand Finale and it kept going! We got stuck in traffic on the way home and then got up early Saturday to go have breakfast with Santa. It was so much fun. They had a huge buffet and Santa came to every table. Hunter got a TON of toys and we got a free travel cooler. I can't believe how much stuff they gave away. We also got free drinks and ice cream in the mall for later. We did some serious Christmas shopping and then headed home for a nap. Mike raked the leaves before we went out to get our Christmas tree and we all went to bed early so we'd be well rested for Church today. The tree is in the stand but not decorated yet. We like it to "settle" one night so it's nice and full. This one looks perfect because it's not huge but a nice slimmer tree. The smell it gives off is out of this world! I LOVE IT!

We've cleaned a little this afternoon but rested before we go out again. My Uncle is having us over for dinner and to help him with his tree. It's tradition and we have a great time. I guess we'll work on our tree tonite. It's been nice to rest. I know what we don't finish today, we will tomorrow. We're also working on printing invitations for our Family Dinner and our Open House that I need to mail tomorrow. Busy Busy Busy!

Tonite is supposed to be a really good episode of "Brothers and Sisters" so I'm saving the little bit of dusting in our bedroom until then..LOL:)

I'll post pictures later. I'm going to pack some stuff up and move on out. I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL week and enjoy the Season!! God Bless!

Smiles:)

Hunter was modeling his sun visor this weekend that he had found. What a smile!! He loved it, wore it the entire weekend. I joked with him that he looked like a McDonald's employee so he ran around and asked us did we want fries with that. It's such a fun time since he's just staring to catch on his talking and saying full sentences. We can all tell a big difference sine he started Speech. I just love his smiles...He hams up for the camera. NOW, hopefully he will do this good this weekend if we try to get Christmas pictures done for our cards. I know we're doing all our decorating Saturday and I can't wait!! I thought I'd be able to go to Grand Illumination but it looks like we'll be over my Uncle's house. He likes to have the family over to help him decorate and we're doing that Sunday afternoon. No problem, since I have alot more planned for the weekend.

I'm headed to bed. I didn't go to my meeting tonite. I've been having Dizzy spells, where I feel pretty light headed. It might be normal pregnancy stuff but it's different and my sugar isn't the culprit this time. I passed out at Church on Sunday but I thought it was due to it being warm in our Sanctuary. I just blacked out and it was pretty scary. I go to the doctor Thursday morning for my 1 hour Sugar test and then a regular baby appointment. I'm anxious to see what's going on. I'm about to fall asleep on this keyboard and I've got another busy day (and early morning) Hunter is going to my grandparents and they're taking him to school since I'll be in my appointment. I'm not sure which one is more excited. They're going to have McDonald's pancakes together in the morning for Breakfast. YUMMY! Well, Good Nite!

Beyond Blessed

WOW...what a wonderful week it's been. It started off with our Thanksgiving. We went to see our Granny and Papa before going to my SIL's house and my grandparents. They just didn't want to go out so we took Thanksgiving to them. Mike cooked a huge, 20 pound turkey for us and to share. We also took homemade mashed potatoes, Cornbread stuffing, homemade rolls, fruit salad, and a cheese ball and crackers. Our aunt takes such awesome care of them every day and for one day (and the days they have leftovers) we wanted her to be able to have it easy. (We even brought her the paper plates to eat off..LOL) They mean the world to us and it was so nice for them to be able to have a special Thanksgiving too.

We went to my SIL's next, where she had a beautiful table full of food and lots of leftovers to take with us. The kids got to play outside, since it was in the 70's and then we got a picture outside. If you're wondering, YES, we are around a leather couch. The guys carried it out for us all so that we'd have it for the picture. It was beautiful out and the leaves are just now changing to a beautiful array of colors. I thought the picture turned out great and us taking it was really fun!

Next, we went to my grandparents, where we ate another wonderful meal. Lots of food, yummy collards, homemade soup, and a picture around the tree before we left. They keep up their tree in the Living room every year so we thought it was a great backdrop for us to use. Our Aunt Wanda was here from South Carolina and we were thrilled to have her here with us.

Friday, Mike had to work and we slept in! Hunter usually gets up around 7 and the first thing he says is "It's a pretty Day!" He's so sweet ....he even says it on rainy days but we always say that EVERY day is a gift from God, no matter what the weather. Well, he got up and I told him we were sleeping in. So, in Mom's bed he went and we didn't get up until 10!! There was NO Black Friday shopping for me. I usually spend the night at Best Buy to get some Electronic Goodies with my husband. But this year, I just didn't have it in me. I'd like to get a new laptop since mine has been acting up but it'll have to wait until next year. I don't even know if I'd stalk Best Buy again, since you really have to be out there by about 3 PM on Thanksgiving Day in order to get a good seat. By 7 PM, they were wrapped around the building ....NO THANKS! We did walk around Kohl's for over an hour but just to see some Christmas decorations and the Toy department. The lines were crazy so we headed home and took a late afternoon nap.

Saturday, We went out and raked leaves. Actually, Mike raked leaves and I offered to help but he said it was OK. He thought it was too strenuous for me, being pregnant. I DID make it out to take some pictures of Hunter playing. The colors of the trees and leaves were awesome! Hunter had a blast, as Mike would make a huge pile of leaves and then, throw in the middle. I got more pictures I'll post later. That night, we went to the Yankee Candle Factory to see Santa and all the Christmas decorations. Hunter loved it..his giggles were priceless.

Sunday, we went to Church and then came home and rested. We cleaned up a little later and watched some movies with Hunter man. A day of rest...just what it should be.

This weekend, we're planning to go to Holly Dazzle Friday night to see all the Christmas decorations and do some fun kids stuff with Hunter. It ends with a large Fireworks show. Sunday is Grand Illumination in Williamsburg with a large fireworks show also and festivities. I LOVE seeing all the beautiful decorations through Colonial Williamsburg too. We'll be getting our tree and decorating all over the house on Saturday. I can't wait!!

I'm super excited about the Holiday season. Christmas is my favorite time of the year. For the most part, it's because of the TRUE meaning of Christmas. What would our world do without Jesus? He's so good to our family and we owe him our life. We're trying hard to really focus on the Reason for the Season this year. I could care less about the gifts. Mike and I are doing small gifts this year and it doesn't even matter to me. I have EVERYTHING a girl could want. My Guys are amazing!!

I just want to spend time with them and enjoy all the festivities. Our calendar is getting full with Christmas dinners and we're planning an Open House for all our friends now too. We got married at Christmas time and I think it's so romantic. We also went to Disney World for our Honeymoon and I don't think I'll EVER go another month but December. We went last year and we're planning next year's trip now. My parents are going again with us, as we'll have an infant with us next year. (Yes, we're crazy but happy) We don't have a lot of extra money but I'm so thankful for our Careers and that we always have enough for what we need. We struggle sometimes (who doesn't?) but it just makes us realize what's important.

We've had a great couple days of fun together. We've watched a handful of Christmas movies, made cookies, and just laughed uncontrollably.

I've got to get to bed now. I have an 8:oo A.M. meeting Downtown tomorrow and Thursday, an 8:00 A.M. Sugar Test...UGH! I HATE them, but have to have it since they believe this pregnancy may be higher risk with my Hypoglycemia. It's proven to be playing Havoc but hopefully, it will level out soon. Tomorrow night should be another busy one. I have my Photo Fun Club Meet Up meeting at a local coffee shop and then have some pictures to order for my parents. I also need to start working on my Christmas Dinner Invites.

Good Night and enjoy the season. I'm extremely sappy tonite...I guess that's what I get for listening to all the Christmas tunes on my IPOD for the last couple weeks. What a beautiful time of the year!

Time to Give Thanks

I can't believe it's Thanksgiving already. And I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I last blogged. I just have had NO desire to pick up my camera OR blog. I'm glad I'm starting to feel better. I'm just super tired. Not Pregnancy related THIS TIME, because it's 12:30 A.M. and I'm watching the Andy Griffith Show. I LOVE Nick at Nite. They just don't make shows like THAT anymore. I'm watching as I edit some of my very FEW recent pictures I've taken lately. (which I'll post later...Today is about Thankfulness) It's good to be back. It's good to be back in the swing of something.

I'm so thankful for so much in my life. I'm thankful for my family most of all; My husband, my son, our parents, sisters, brothers, nieces, grandparents and friends. God has truly blessed us all. I'm thankful for my job, or my career. I love what I do and the people I'm around while I'm there. They're like another family. I'm thankful for my position, because some people might be out of a job right now. I'm thankful for my Church and all the loved ones we share our time with while there. In other parts of the world, some aren't even allowed to worship in public. It's amazing what that time in God's presence can do for us. I'm thankful for time. Time to just enjoy the ones I love, to just stare uncontrollably at my son, who God helped me bring into the world. My dad always reminds me that since he was 10 Lbs and 6 Oz's. and I had an Emergency Cesarean, I could have died during Childbirth, years ago, before today's technology. What a scary thought. Thank you, God for saving me, in SO many ways. I'm thankful for just the money and means to survive. There's so many people in this world who are suffering and look at how lucky we are. We have a beautiful home, a Travel Trailer to go camping with, two cars and a truck for reliable transportation, Heat to warm our home, and love to go around forever. We don't have it easy sometimes and we may not have extra money for lots of things we'd like to do and have but we have enough. We have each other. We have good health and a backyard to run and frolic in. We have another precious little miracle on the way and it's hard to explain the love you feel for your kids. Without seeing this new baby, I already love it so much. Hunter loves it and can't wait to be the "Big Brother" . So, you get the picture. I'm just so thankful for so many things. Thank You, Lord for all you give us that we don't deserve.

I hope EVERYONE who reads this will have a wonderful Thanksgiving. May God bless you all richly during this Holiday Season!

I'm leaving you with some of the pictures from our weekly Grandparent Visit Day. (We go see my Granny and Papa and my grandmother in the Nursing home after church) He LOVES to visit them. I love the bond they share. Papa was asleep and he curled up, very quietly beside him and put his arm around him. You'd think Granny's kisses were made of sugar...He loves to show some love. He also loves to find his Papa's hat and put it on him or model it for him. This week, he looked like a Private I with his hat and magnifying glass of Granny's he was investigating. They couldn't laugh enough at his antics. They mean so much to us and these moments just bring tears whenever I see them...I'm thankful for our Grandparents and the legacy they have to share and leave us.

First Look

These are the first pictures of our new little baby. Doesn't look like much, huh? But everything seems to be fine and he/she is the perfect size. The last time I was pregnant, this first ultrasound showed Hunter big already, about a week and a half ahead. I'm just hoping that I can get more excited about this pregnancy now. I have been SO sick and today, was probably the straw that broke the camel's back. Hunter has had the flu most of the week with Diarrhea and Vomiting. He was better yesterday but today, was still going to the bathroom and a little fussy. I've been lucky to only vomit once this preganancy but today, this morning, I was violently ill. I think just taking care of him got to me today. I went to the doctor this afternoon because when I called to cancel, they suggested I still come in, with my history of being sick and sugar issues. I got a new prescription and a little piece of mind that everything looks OK. It's so hard to believe how something the size of a pea can make you so sick. I'm just hoping for a restful weekend. I'd like to take some Fall pictures of my little man, playing in the leaves (and hoping we can rake them all up after) and maybe clean up our yard, get some Colorful Mums for the porch and just have nowhere to go. I wouldn't mind doing some scrapbooking also while maybe watching a movie with the boys. I really need to catch up and work on my Scrapbook Corner.
Well, I'm turning in for the evening to watch Grey's Anatomy. My grandfather is doing much better also. He's getting a lot of rest and his nose is healing nicely. Thanks for all your prayers. I do have one more prayer request.

**

Someone we know suffered a tragedy this past week. She was pregnant with her 2nd little girl and due any day. She was scheduled to be induced Friday and went in Monday for a checkup. The baby's Umbilical Cord had wrapped around the neck three times and had passed away. I can't imagine what their family must be going through but please remember them in your prayers for God's Grace to get them through this very difficult time. Thank you..

Pumpkin Patch Sunday

Today was a great day! I was so tired of being in bed, afraid to get up and not knowing how my stomach would feel until I stand for a minute. Well, I slept all yesterday afternoon when not watching movies with my little guy. I went to bed early last night and we slept in this morning. (except all those times I woke up thinking about my Pop and how he was feeling through the night) We cleaned a little around the house while Hunter took a great nap and then went out to the Pumpkin Patch this afternoon. We didn't intend on staying as long as we did but they had a Magic Pumpkin Hayride and a Haunted Hayride after the normal activities so we decided to stay. They were both awesome and we had a lot of fun. It was a little muddy so we put Hunter's boots on him, which he loved. Mike wore flip flops, even though I warned him it might be muddy. We got a good laugh at HOW messy his feet were. He tried to dodge the mud piles but after dark, he couldn't see and that's ALL he seemed to walk into...his feet were filthy! But It felt good to be outside, to feel the finally, cool weather and to be with the two most important people in my life. It was a great Family Day! These are some of the shots I got, which weren't, technically wonderful but very special memories to us. I hope everyone has a great Monday. I'm headed to bed now.

*

Tomorrow, we're carving our pumpkin and roasting Pumpkin seeds. We have a busy week! We need to see our grandparents one day, we have "Trunk or Treat" on Halloween Night, we need to go out for Mike's birthday, still, with our family and I have some other errands to run. Hopefully, I can get it all accomplished. Hope everyone has a wonderful week. SO happy that we finally got some Fall temps!! Good Nite!