Monday, December 31, 2007

New Year's Eve

I have a few more photos to share of the girls that my mom just emailed me. So, here are the pictures:

The girls and I did a little shopping today. Went to The Children's Place and Lily bought a pair of leggings and a top with her own money. Then on to Claire's where she used a gift card and her own money to buy three pairs of earrings and some lip gloss. It was fun to watch her so excited about her purchases and the feeling of spending her own cash. We also went to Costco and I picked up some shrimp to use in my new deep fryer. I found a cute winter jacket for Shelly (that's not too puffy) and got a few other little items here and there.


Got home and took down the outdoor decorations and boxed them up. I have been spending some time neatly storing the Christmas items and labelling things so that next year it will all be a breeze! :)


Tonight we are heading to our neighbor's for a kids' get together from 6-9. Should be fun for them. I am hoping to come home and attempt to stay awake until midnight. We'll see how that goes.


I am thinking about my New Year's Resloution. Last year I went with one word...simplify. I loved thinking about this throughout the year and attempting to keep myself on schedule with the idea. I think that I will try to go with another one word resolution. I find that things like...eating healthy, exercising more, organizing...just make me feel bad about myself if I don't accomplish them. And trust me I put enough guilt on myself without setting myself up for it.
So...drum roll, please...the word for this year is: Serenity (and I think I might include Simplify with it, as well). I am hoping to find peace in all areas of my life...friends, family, chores, obligations, fun, etc. So, Serenity it is.
Here's hoping that you have a Serene and Simple New Year. Happy 2008!!!!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Holiday Photo Fun

We are back at home and I finally loaded the photos on to the computer. So, here is the holiday in a picture review:

Krissy helping the girls create a gingerbread house


Christmas Eve at Mary Katherine's (everyone wore their pajamas)



Christmas Morning












Fun with Baby G

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Holly Jolly

It has been a wonderful holiday. We arrived in Virginia Beach on Saturday afternoon and spent some time with John's family. Then headed to my parent's home. My niece and nephew came over and we played several rounds of Boggle...fun game and Lily did well with it, too.

Sunday I finished up shopping for stocking items and the girls helped me wrap for John and Aunt Sue. Then we were off to John's sister's house where the girls were spending the night with their cousins. John and I had a great evening hitting the hot spots we love most in VB and meeting up with our good friends, the Kings.

Monday we celebrated Christmas Eve with John's family with lots of good food, drink, and laughs. John's nephew received a car for Christmas from his mom (John's sister). It was so fun to witness his surprise when he saw it. The girls had so much fun checking out their new gifts and thanking everyone. After the celebrating, we headed back to my parent's for the Christmas Eve rituals...cookies and milk for Santa, reindeer food on the front lawn, stuffing stockings for the adults, and good night kisses.

Christmas day was perfect. The girls loved their surprises and had a great time opening presents one by one and watching the reactions as we all received our presents. We had a yummy brunch and then we headed to my sister's home for some game playing...Catch Phrase...and more food!!! John left for Summerfield on Tuesday night. He played in a golf tournament on Wednesday morning.

We went to Krissy's basketball game last night and had a good time watching her play. The girls and I will leave on Friday morning with my sister and niece. It has been a nice time with family, but I am eager to be in my own home and clear away all of the traces of the holidays as we move forward into 2008. I am expecting great and happy things in the new year. Of course, I'll be back with many photos from the holiday events once I am home. Holly Jolly to one and all.

Friday, December 21, 2007

More videos

Here's Santa telling a little of Twas the Night Before Christmas.


Opening gifts at the party...


Singing Jingle bells



Caroling, Santa, and a Party

Every December our neighborhood gets the children together to go Christmas caroling. There are about 18 children who load up into a trailer pulled by a tractor and they hit about 10 homes. This year the weather was beyond chilly...really windy and in the 30s. But, they did great and had fun. After caroling, we got home and enjoyed some hot chocolate.




Yesterday was Shelly's Christmas party and singing program. She did really well. She stood up there and sang a little and never looked scared or worried. I was so proud of her! And in the middle of the party, Santa showed up! It was really cool. By the end of the party, Shelly had hugged him twice. Huge accomplishment.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Holiday Happenings

So far this season, we have been to several Christmas parties, seen Santa, toured the lights in town, went Christmas caroling, counted down on the Advent calendar, hidden Shelf Elf every night, made and decorated sugar cookies, donated toys, wrapped gifts, and spent time together as a family.




There are still several more fun activities planned...a cookie decorating party and gift exchange with the girls' friends. School finishes up tomorrow afternoon for both girls.




Today, I have completed 5 loads of laundry (washed, dried, folded, and put away), made 24 mini muffins and 6 large muffins, made snow drop cookies, made magic reindeer food and created a fun bag topper for it, colored my roots (hair), put together a holiday food gift for Lily's principal and the office staff, set out clothes to be packed for the girls and me, cleaned the downstairs bathroom and a bit of the upstairs bathrooms, and worked on two of three embroidery gifts.




So, now I need to finish up just a few little items and we will be all set. I am beginning to feel a little peace about all of this and for me that's very good. I am definitely a type A person and keeping us all organized and on schedule can be exhausting. Nice to know it is slowing down and I am ready for the season.




For a fun little neighborhood gift, combine oatmeal, sugar, and green/red sugar crystals to make reindeer food. Place it in a bag and include this little topper for a fun gift. Here's the bag topper for the reindeer food. Feel free to right click, save, and print if you want it. It is 5.5" x 4". Check out Rocks in my Dryer for more terrific holiday ideas.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Snowball Fight

Some holiday fun...

A little movie of our family...plus our nephew Kaden.

Disclaimer: if the people don't look like us, be sure to click on the link again and give it another try. :)

Friday, December 14, 2007

The card/Photo



I am now posting the photo card I created for this year's Christmas card. There were about 14 different Christmas card designs that I sent out. They came from these kits (and another one that I can't find a photo of anywhere). I still have a little bruise under my thumb nail from opening all of the brads!!! Making handmade cards was interesting, but not so sure I would attempt it again. And, in the end, I began to worry that the 41 cent stamps would not ensure that they made it to their recipients. But, I am getting word that most people have received them and none of them have been returned to my mailbox, yet.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Works for Me Wednesday


Here is a nifty little idea I came up with yesterday while shopping at Target. I was on the look out for a few little things for the girls' stockings. I ran across a couple of gift sets for $5.99 each. They contained about 6-9 items and I decided I would take the kits apart and wrap the items individually. This is way more cost effective than purchasing each of the items separately. The Hannah Montana one is the one I got for Lily and the princess kit is similar to the one I got Shelly. For more good ideas check out Rocks in My Dryer.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Ho-Ho-Ho

On Saturday, we went to John's work party. It was held at a bowling alley and I was so impressed with the organization that went into this event. Each child (probably some where in the neighborhood of 100)received a gift from Santa with their name on the package. The line moved quickly and when the girls got their gifts, they were thrilled. Santa and Mrs. Claus roamed around the bowling alley so we could visit with him at any time. This was terrific...no long mall lines or congested groups of people waiting to talk with Ho-Ho. We just walked right up and chatted with them and then the girls got on their laps for a photo. And...this is big...Shelly was shy, but not crying during this whole event. Fun for everyone.

The girls also had fun bowling. Lily took on the role of instructor and Shelly followed her every move. So fun to watch and especially fun to see them in their bowling shoes!