With just DAYS before Christmas...

This song pretty much sums up the holidays around my house.

I Ain't Getting Nothing For Christmas by Ray Stevens

I especially want to point out this line:

"Oh, my grandma had to go to the hospital, yea, but don't worry she's not really sick, she just had a little trouble walking for awhile after I showed her my power ranger kick."

When you go to the page, you can click on the little record at the top to hear it.

Social Gatherings

Ok so in my pre-children days in Waco I had a nice little group of friends (well actually multiple groups...my friends didn't mix well). Each group would get together at different times and go out to eat, to the movies, shopping, or just chilling at someone's house. It was really fun to have these "dates". I had my oldest son at 19. People that age don't normally have kids nor do they do kid friendly activities so when I had him my social circles died out very fast. I met my husband when he was 2 months old (my son not my husband) and I moved to Houston shortly after. Mostly because besides my mom I had no more ties to Waco. I lost touch with pretty much everyone there and the ones I had touch with I rarely saw. Since being in Houston I have struggled a lot with finding friends. Sure I have Chris' friends whom I love dearly but, I really need some of my own friends. I have since accepted that some of Chris' friends might actually be MY friends too if I give them a chance. Now here's what I don't get. Chris lives in a pretty smallish town/area. Bigger than Waco but, not by much. He has about 6 pretty close male friends. J1 and J2 are brothers and we see them about once or twice a month. M we hardly ever see anymore. D I haven't seen in about 2 years with the exception of my birthday this year. S I have only seen a handful of times the whole time I've been with my husband and J3 I have heard stories about but, I have only seen here and there in passing. I don't understand this. If these were my friends we'd have monthly dinner dates and such just to get together and catch up. I guess this is one of the differences between women and men. Women love to get together and chat and generally enjoy each others company. Men will still consider someone a "best friend" even if they haven't seen someone in years. This week I am determined to get my husband to schedule a "date" for sometime in January where we can all get together, significant others included, and just catch up. I know we will all see each other at J3's New Year's Party so hopefully that will help. Stay tuned in January for the follow up to see if this worked!

Our Christmas Card

I finally got around to getting our photo Christmas card printed this weekend. I had some handmade ones I mailed to my friends last week but, this is the one that I post here and hand out to the family. Every year after I put up the tree I get the kids in front of it with our array of Christmas stuffies and take some pictures. Normally they never comply and I get this:


This year however they were pretty compliant and went along with the appropriate smilies and "cheeses". I picked out the best one, popped into my favorite program Smilebox and got the best card I could have ever hoped for! I love it! I got 15 printed and can print more if needed. I will have the boys sign it before Christmas and we will hand these out to all Grandma's and Aunt's on Christmas!

Letters to Santa

Another fun thing to do at the Christmas in Rosenberg festival is the letters to Santa. The boys get to sit down and write their letters to Santa (which he takes back with him to the North Pole to read and pick out the requested items). Trent loves this because he can read and fill out the letter himself.

Christmas in Rosenberg

Tonight we took the boys to the annual Christmas in Rosenberg festival. The boys really enjoy this because they get to see Santa and tell them what they want for Christmas. Craig especially loves this. Trent gets more shy around people like him.

I have been putting up my Christmas tree the last two days. I now hate this tree. This is the first year my husband and I have put up our tree together by ourselves. I really thought we would divorce over this tree. I am all into decorating the house, he is into watching me do so. We usually just put up a little 4' tree but, this year I kidnapped my mothers 7.5' tree. I am 4'11". There was no way I was decorating this thing without some help. That's not to say I didn't try though. Oh, how I tried. I first tried putting the lights on starting at the bottom, only to realize I couldn't plug them in that way. Then, I started at the top and went around and around...right against the middle pole. You couldn't even see the lights. So, I finally sucked it up and asked my husband for his help. The situation that ensued shall not be discussed but, lets just say it involved a few things: 1. My husband throwing the tree. 2. Myself in hysterics crying 3. My in-laws almost wetting themselves laughing. It wasn't pretty. We finally got the tree up and properly lit last night and I was done for the day. Today I started putting the ornaments on and in comes the hero of the story. My 4 year old son, Craig, who is throughly obsessed with Christmas. He would've put the tree up in June if we would've let him. I started letting him put on ornaments this morning so I could take photos. He was so tickled pink at himself. He loved taking all the ones he liked and putting them along the bottom of the tree. I then had to go back when he wasn't looking and rearrange them. His most favorite were the snowmen. He took all of them and put them together in a bunch because "they were snowman cousins!" Even he knows family needs to stick together.

more

I'm Alive

and I have an update coming within the hour but, this photo first to tide you over.

Dewberry Photos

Joo Like??

I've been gone for a few days now...not really gone just not here. I decided a new look was in place and thus the new layout. I thought it matched the feel of the season. The picture was one of many from Dewberry Farms that I have been promising to post so instead of posting a thankful picture today I am just going to list what I have been thankful for this weekend and some pictures from our trip to the farm!

I have thankful for:

Casa Ole'
Chocolate Milk with Marshmellows (Hot Chocolate)
Diet Coke
Charlie Brown
Disney.com
Amazon.com
Chatty Scrappers
Chicken
Phones
Sparky The Invisible Fire Dog

Coming Soon with those pictures! They are resizing now!

Did someone say Blog Candy????

http://scrapbitz.blogspot.com/2008/11/biggest-blog-candy-evah.html

If you're a scrapper you NEED to check out this contest!

Wednesday Nov. 5th, 2008

I did not take any photos today. I was busy scrapping, cleaning and spending quality time with my Craigy. Trent had a hard day at school today. I think he's coming down with something. His cheeks were all flushed this evening and kept saying his throat was dry and scratchy. I guess we'll see in the morning.

Today I am thankful for good days spending time together.



Instead of a photo to sum up my day, I'm going to leave you with a quote.

By the time a woman realizes that maybe her mother was right, she usually has a child who thinks she's wrong. ~Charles Wadsworth

Christmas

With Christmas coming up I'd thought I'd post just a quick view of my favorites from etsy.com! Remember...if you're looking for quick, easy gifts for the one that's hardest to shop for, try etsy.com! All Handmade with love by crafters just like us!

Tuesday Nov. 4th, 2008

Today I am thankful for:

Memories



This sums up my day:


Scrapping all day long. Either digitally or paper. Getting caught up on all those challenges! Remember you have until today at noon!

Monday Nov. 3rd, 2008

Today was a productive day. Didn't do much except scrap scrap scrap! We still have that crop going on over at chattyscrappers.com. It's been extended until Wednesday at noon so you still have time to get some challenges done for the cool RAKs!

While I was scrapping, Craig kept telling me all his stories he had made up about his trains. He's a very interesting little bugger. Trent came home from school today with stories of not one girlfriend but, two. Apparently the first one ate lunch in the classroom instead of the cafeteria so he doesn't like her anymore. Such is the life of a 6 year old heartbreaker. I love them both what can I say. Today I am thankful for them. I am posting a picture of Trent since I posted one of Craig earlier.



This picture sums up my day.



Peaceful, Calm, and no storms brewing. Hope it was a good one for you too!

The Election

With election day being tomorrow I'm sure almost everyone will be posting something about it on their blog. I'm not going to say who I want to win or go on a rant about political views. Instead I'm going to leave you with a kids say the darndest things moment.

"Barack Obama will be the next president because everyone in my school voted for him...and because he has BOMB in his name. He must be cool!" - Trent my 6 year old

sigh. if only choosing president was actually that easy!

Sunday Nov. 2nd.

Today was another busy day but, not quite as busy. We went to get Chris some much needed new jeans, ate lunch/dinner at Subway (where BOTH children spilt their chocolate milk), went to Chili's for coasters, and then came home.

Today I am thankful for:
Root Beer
Dragonflies
Scrapbooking
Subway Seafood
Casual Male XL stores
GameStop
and these:



Don't be jealous...ok scratch that...be TOTALLY jealous! You can't tell in the picture but, they have glitter all in them!

This picture sums up my day:


We spent nearly two hours looking for this shoe. It was behind the TV cabinet. How it got there I'm not sure but, it is what it is. I don't understand how this child can lose his shoes everyday when we have a place for shoes to go but, he does. Loses mine too. Hope everyone had a swell day!

Thankful/Daily Photo

Today has been a busy busy day so I won't be long. I promised to post both of these starting today so here we go!

Today I am thankful for many things:
Cupcakes
My Camera
Apple Cider with Caramel
La Familia
Comfort
My favorite quilt and pillow




and this photo sums up my day. I'll be posting all my photos for a week in the life on a flickr account and will post the link here.



Hope everyone had a great day!

Croppity Bop!

My new home www.chattyscrappers.com is having a Kick Off Crop THIS weekend if anyone is interested! It will go from Friday Oct. 31st - Tuesday Nov. 4th! Expect great challenges (with RAKs!!), super tutorials, and LOTS OF FUN! Come join us and tell 'em Jenny C sent ya!

Halloween Past

Just thought before we went out for our festivities I would post some pics of Halloween Past.

2006: Craig 2 and Trent 4





2007: Craig 3 and Trent 5







2008: Craig 4 and Trent 6

Picture a Day/A week in the life

Ali Edwards is one of the most brilliant minds I have "met" in this vast world of scrapbookers. She has come up with two challenges that I will be taking part in. One of which is Picture A Day. She did Self-Portrait but, because of certain complaints saying I already take too many pictures of myself (thanks Mom), I will not be doing that. Instead I will be posting one picture a day that will sum up what that day was about. So yes, mom that probably means daily pictures of the kids but, it might also be a picture from their view since they pretty much rule my daily schedule. I will start this Nov. 1st and go through to October 31st, 2009.
The other challenge she has is to do a mini-album that documents a week in your life. You take a series of photos throughout your day everyday for one week. You can find out more about this here: http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/a-week-in-the-life.html
Now I won't post all those photos here as that would be way too much but, I will post my favorite photo each day. I will be starting on Sunday and going through next Saturday. Should be interesting to see where this takes me and what I learn.
I am also doing one challenge that I am challenging myself too. A gratitude journal of sorts. I promise myself that I will post at least 3 things I am thankful for everyday for the month of November. Should be interesting to see where this all takes me.

Farmer Dewberry

Hello! I just wanted to say that we had a FANTASTIC time on the farm and will be making this an annual tradition for sure! I have been busy busy this week but, this weekend I will post more pictures and more on our farm adventures! You have made the perfect place for me to set my monsters..sorry little children free for a while!

Halloween Adventures

Why is it that, when you have young kids, Halloween seems to last 3 weeks long?? Last weekend weekend we went to Dewberry Farm to see the Haunted Pumpkin Trail, this past weekend we went to the Rosenberg BOOberg festival and the YMCA Fall Festival, and this coming weekend is the Halloween Carnival at the Firehouse and Pajama Party at the Rosenberg Train Museum! The boys are having tons of fun though. Saturday, we went to BOOberg at the Rosenberg Train Museum. Craig loved the heck out of that because it was all about trains! They played games, got way too much candy, and saw the biggest model train I have ever seen! On Sunday, we went to the YMCA Fall Festival. We go every year and this year didn't disappoint. They got to play your typical carnival games like knock down the milk bottles, throw the ring on the soda bottle, and a cake walk. But, also games like musical chairs and a bounce house!

OH MY LORD IT IS COLD HERE!!!!!
It was seriously 35 degrees when Trent went to school this morning! 35 DEGREES...THATS JANUARY HERE IN TEXAS!! I believe if it's going to be this freakin cold it should at least snow so we can enjoy it! K rant over...thanks....

I need to clean the back of the living room today and the kitchen. Wash some clothes and organize my scrap table. I have been sneezing and dozing on the couch all morning. Don't wanna get up when it's cold!

I need to call the Railroad museum this morning. When we went to the festival on Saturday there was a guy taking pictures and he took TONS of my boys and I want to know where I can either A get a copy of them or B see them. I also need to call my sons school and find out about Cub Scouts...he really wants to join. I can make those phone calls from the couch right??

If you've made it this far here are a few pics to tide you over!

A New Day and a New Post

Several people (hi mom) have told me that I should probably start actually USING this blog I have. Here goes.

Today should be very interesting. Craig has developed his 3rd imaginary friend (for those keeping count they are: Norman, Jamesas (James and Thomas put together), and this new friend has no name). Craig has decided they are going to the park today and will call me when they need to come home. So I'm waiting on that phone call.
The electricity seems to be working better now. Darn. I was enjoying the break from PBS. I can not believe we only have 9 days until Halloween. Didn't my birthday just pass?? It is never ending planning here. Birthdays, then Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, then the Birthdays seem to show up again. I remember when I was a kid it took 5 years for Christmas to come after my birthday...now it takes about 8 hours. I had really hoped on getting some crafting done this weekend...I am making calendars for my grandma and my mom (thats not the main present so I can say it here). However, it seems this weekend an announcement was made that if you want to have a fall carnival you must do it this weekend. On Saturday we're going to one at the Railroad Museum. Then on Sunday the YMCA is having their fall festival. The kids always love going to that and we end up spending way too much time there. Monday should be interesting come school time! Well I guess that's it for today. Hope everyone is having a fantabulous day!

Pumpkin Cookies

One of the things my friends love is to share my cookie recipes. Since the holiday season is starting I thought I'd start sharing some of those recipes here. Here is the first one perfect for Halloween. I have to credit my good friend Robbie for giving me this one! So easy the kids could make this with just a little help!

Dewberry

The boys and I went to Dewberry Farm this past weekend! They had a fabulous time...they were in their true element. They could run and climb and throw hay and roll in sand. Just be boys! I got a bunch of pictures and here are a few. I will be making a slideshow tonight to show the rest of them off!

Mom and Dad


Pumpkin Boys


Mom getting in on the fun


Halloween Pumpkins

Making Pumpkin Cookies

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Halloween Treat Box

I made this tonight using my new All Seasons Paper Pack and this tutorial:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/treat_box/


Incredibly easy and quick! The hardest part was threading the ribbon through the eyelets. Seriously anyone can do this!