Decorations and Such---

We worked on trees, trains, and decorations this weekend. It was a rewarding process this weekend and it felt so cozy inside once the tree was up and lit in the den. The lighting for my photos seems a bit off, but here are the decorations:

One of the advent activities was to make snowflakes. This is such a fun and addictive project. We went a little snowflake crazy:

The tree and the train scene below:

Up close pic of the train and the buildings:

The dining room table with my Christmas china:

The skinny tree in the dining room:

Our mantel with a football game going on overhead!

This is a real tree from a North Carolina tree farm. John has a couple of customers who are tree farmers and one of them gave him this tree for the girls. So sweet. And the paper chain was created by me and the girls with scrapbook paper.

Overhead view of the den...tree, tv, mantel, snuggling daddy and daughter in a chair:

Alone at the Movies

On Friday afternoon I went by myself to see a movie. This movie...
I brought in my own chocolate covered raisins and an iced tea in my big red bag. I settled in to see the show and it was just okay. The story line wasn't much like my own family, but here and there I could feel a few similarities. It made me fairly emotional.

I enjoy going to see movies by myself. To date, I have seen Flashdance, Stepmom, Sex and the City, and now this one alone. It's kind of a fun little escape. If you haven't done it, give it a try.

Kira-Kira

Last night Lily was reading her book, Kira Kira, and decided to stop for a bit. I offered to read a few pages to finish the chapter. In the story, an 11 year-old girl has a 15 year-old sister who is dying. I began reading and was just awestruck with the following passage in her book:

"Then I didn't feel like crying anymore. I just felt barren, my eyes felt dry. The sky was still gray. Everything was gray, the sky and the store and even my hand when I held it out in front of myself. I wondered if anyone else in history had ever been as sad as I was at that moment. As soon as I wondered that, I knew the answer was yes. The answer was that millions of people had been that sad."

I couldn't believe the words I was reading. They felt like they were being pulled right from my heart and my head. So many times I think to myself that no one else has ever been as sad as I have felt over these last nine months. But, I suppose I have always known that my feelings of grief are not exclusive to me. It was just so interesting to read the words aloud. Amazing how words on a page can touch someone so deeply and so completely. Yet another example of how books can change your life and perhaps even put a new perspective on it.

Lily as Bon Qui Qui & A Holiday Laugh

A few months back I posted this video. Lily was so taken with it that she decided to learn parts of it and put her own little twist on it. She spent the Thanksgiving break performing for her friends and family. It never fails to crack us up and the family thought it was pretty good, too. I feel uber proud that my little girl is learning to wow the crowds with such impressive material! Nice to have a little something that really makes you laugh, though. This definitely does.


And if that doesn't tickle your funny bone, this one just might.

Family Fun & Thankfulness

We had a terrific time with our fabulous family. It was just the best. We got to see so many of our family members and eat some amazing food.

Some serious food prep

Sweet Cousins

Food

Grandpa with some of his granddaughters

The table and placecards

Kids' Table

Cute Kodi

My Pop and April the kitty cat checking out some football

Kathy & Gay

The charades fun begins...

And THEN...the dancing starts...

Ok, Linda and Shelly need a break...checking out the sale ads

Smiling John...after the desserts!

The scene late into the evening...watching football and sleeping???

Oh my goodness that was fun! The rest of the weekend was similar to this photo essay...lots of laughs, silliness, family, and love.

Coming "Home"

These were some of the sights I saw on Tuesday and Wednesday as we made the drive to Virginia. I snapped a photo of myself passing the time on the journey. Thank goodness for the iPhone and its many wonderful features. It provided me with hours of fun. I used that beloved phone to catch pictures of the following pictures.There is nothing I enjoy more than catching a glance at the bay or the ocean when I am driving around my hometown. And, a snapshot of my high school that is scheduled to be torn down in a few months. Just needed to be sure I caught a photo of it before that happens. I soooooo enjoy the scenery when I'm here.

An Award!

The super sweet Carmen gave me this terrific award and I feel so honored. Be sure to check out her crafty and inspiring blog. You'll love it.
The rules are:
~thank this person who nominated you for the award
~copy the logo and place it on your blog
~link to the person who nominated you
~name 7 things about yourself that people may not know
~nominate 7 creative bloggers
~post their links
~leave a comment on each


1. I do not care for most vegetables...not a fan of corn, peas, beans, carrots...the list keeps on going.

2. I love Yankee Candle tarts...the smells are so yummy.

3. I am adicted to my iPod and specifically my Bob and Sheri podcasts.

4. I miss miss miss my hometown of Virginia Beach.

5. I am a longtime Steelers fan!!!

6. I am about halfway done with my Christmas shopping...yippy. Oh, and John and I do not exchange gifts...best gift we've ever given one another.

7. My parents are my heroes.

My nominees:

1. Heather: this was one of the very first blogs I ever read...always entertaining.

2. Just a Girl: she's clever and funny. So fun!

3. Raven: she writes about real life and is creative. Great combination.

4. Sandy: a real mom who shows you how to entertain with grace and a loving heart.

5. Saucy: funny and so motivating! This blog will make you want to do more, more, more.

6. Whatever: her words are powerful and her pictures are amazing. She offers so much visual stimulation.

7. Five Things: just recently found this blog. It's short, simple, and informative. Love it.

Now, go check out these blogs and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Red Door

If you live anywhere near us, you'll probably recognize the building in these photos. If not, it's called the Farm Office and I am not quite sure what goes on there. I do know that it's a small building painted white with a large red stripe and the words "Farm Office" in red. Oh, and it has an awesome red door to boot. Each time I go by the Farm Office I think I should stop and take some pictures. And so, yesterday we did. The girls thought I was a bit crazy to make them pose at the Farm Office, but I was glad we did it. Because who can resist a red door????