Christmas Snow 2010

Of course, mother nature usually makes the best decorations. This is our yard and trees on Sunday(12/26) morning. It is still snowing and we have about 6 inches so far. It did start snowing before midnight on Dec. 25 so it is an official white Christmas, something very rare in this part of the country. I can't remember a white Christmas when we lived in Maryland either. This is going to upset some travel plans.

Christmas Decor 5

Today's decoration is our outside Christmas lights. It is dificult to take a good photo of the lights. We have icicle lights along the porch roof line and colored lights along the porch railing. We have candy canes lights along the front of the house with a spiral tree and little santas. Then the lights trail out into the yard and wrap around 2 trees. I love alot of lights!

Gingerbread Men

Well, if you followed this blog last Christmas then you may remember all the trouble Ben and I had with a Gingerbread house kit. Let's just say it wasn't pretty. So, this year I bought the kit with the gingerbread men. They are all made, you just have to decorate. Much better results.

Joey pondering the blank gingerbread man.

Christmas Decor 4

Since today is Christmas Eve, the featured decoration is the Christmas Tree. Our artificial tree has lasted about 14 years and this may be the last year for it. We have lots of ornaments and I love each one. We don't really have a theme other than "ourlife."

I try to buy an ornament when we go on vacation so we have those memories, plus little handprints and baby's 1st Christmas plus all the ornaments given to us by our friends and family through the years. How great is that - a tree full of memories? Then I have my beautiful dog, TJ under the tree, looking very spiffy as he got groomed today. You can see the Christmoose flying through the air and a train under the tree.
Merry Christmas!

Christmas Decor 3

This is my trio of angels. They sit on the mantle. I love these also, they make me smile.
Today, Dave and I made Kristies ( fried bow tie cookies with powdered sugar). A tradition in my family.
I am ready for Christmas, I think, presents are bought and wrapped. Cookies are made and many are eaten!
I have to prepare food for Christmas, yet.

Christmas decor 2

Thanks for the nice comments on my moose. Michele has a good name for him, Christmoose.
Well, today, I have my giant clothespin reindeer. He is just like the little clothespin reindeer ornaments just bigger. I bought him from someone at the Lazy Daze Craft show a few years ago. I bought the elf shoes this year from a small craft show held in an old farmhouse which my friend, Lori, invited me to.
We had a fun evening in our neighborhood today. Santa paid us a visit with his horse drawn carriage. Dave and Joey took and printed photos of the kids with Santa. It was cold out but bearable. We had hot chocolate and cookies, too.

Christmas Decor 1

Since we rarely get visitors during the holidays, not many people have seen our Christmas decorations, so I am going to highlight a few of my favorites. This is a Christmas Moose Angel or Christmas Angel Moose if you prefer. He is so cute. I bought him a few years ago at a garden store. He is flocked with a bit of glitter. He hangs from our light fixture in the dining room so we don't bump our heads on the light (well, I think only one person has that problem) and it makes him look like he is flying. He makes me smile because who thought up such a thing - why make a moose into an angel and what does a moose have to do with Christmas other than being a friend of reindeer? Are they really friends? Do wild animals even have friends; but I digress. Happy 4th Sunday of Advent!

Christmas Cookies

The month of December is so busy. The boys are winding down at school but there are still Christmas concerts and parties and other activities. Plus we have had snow 3 times, I think. Last Thursday, a wintry mix kept schools closed which made parents scramble to get their secret Christmas stuff done before school gets out. I have been making Christmas coookies with a little help from Ben and Dave. Ben is actually a big help. We made chocolate chips, snickerdoodles, Christmas trees, cream cheese spritz and fudge. I tried a new recipe for the fudge and it is delish!

Joey the Runner

At the Cross Country Awards dinner tonight, Joey received The Most Improved Runner award.
Dave and I have been very impressed with his progress so we so happy he received this award.
Great job, Joey!

Santa's Village 2010

So, today was a busy day. It was the Santa's Village Christmas Bazaar. I was in charge of the Bake Sale and it was another successful year for the Bake Sale. Dave and Ben helped with the photos with Santa printing out the photos. And guess what it started to SNOW! How appropriate for Santa's Village. These are photos of the fabulous gingerbread house that was raffled off. The detail is amazing!

Happy Thanksgiving to All

We had 2 Thanksgivings this year. My mom and her sister, Dawn came down the weekend before Thanksgiving and we had turkey and all the trimmings. Then on Thursday, we had it all again. What a great week! Hope you all had a good day.

More Halloween

Joey's pumpkin.

Ben's pumpkin.

Ben in camouflage.

Joey as a tornado.

More Halloween

Joey's pumpkin lit up.

Ben's pumpkin lit up (a ghoul face).

Ben dressed up in camouflage. Can you see him?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Dave and his carved pumpkin ( a skeleton).

Ben working on his pumpkin.

Our front door, very festive.

Joey's carved pumpkin ( a bat in a moon).

Joey Runs Fast

Joey is on the Cross Country team for his High School. For those unfamiliar with this sport; this means he runs across fields and through the woods.

This first photo is the beginning of the race - and they're off..








The second photo is of Joey - he is the third person running in this photo. He is wearing a white jersey.
The third photo is Joey's back. Sorry I am not so good at taking photos of moving people. I thought I was doing better at this meet because I actually remembered to bring the camera.

Ben in Braces

Here are before and after photos of Benjamin; before he got braces on his teeth and with braces. Join us in 18 months for the after braces come off. Ben had a rough week last week trying to eat and talk and play the trumpet. This week is much better for him.