Christmas Eve

Santa Picture

This is a picture of a picture. I don't have a scanner, so the quality is not perfect. However, this is 2007 Santa visit! They were so sweet!

Our Extended family Christmas gathering!

Christmas Parties and Santa Clothes

The last day of school before break the kids had their school Christmas parties! Joseph is in Kindergarten so they still do alot of crafts and singing. Isabelle had a secret book exchange. They drew names and then bought bought a book less than $6 for each other. We went to see Santa after school and it only took 4 hours!!! They dressed up and we took pictures on the front porch and they were goofy in every single one of them!

Neighborhood lights!

The kids and I drove around the neighborhood one night looking at all the houses that were lit up with decorations. The best house wasn't lit up that night, but I hope to get it tonight and I'll add the picture in. It is very hard to take pictures at night. I didn't want to use flash because if you do it's too brights, but you really have to prop your camera so you don't get handshake. The shutter speed slows way down when you don't have flash at night. Anyway, it was fun to see. We have lots of families and they all like to decorate. The one house that is really lit up though is the home of a very older woman!

Mentos and Diet Coke Experiment

The kids have been begging to do this experiment, and when Isabelle saw the mentos at the grocery store check out today she really wanted to do it! So we did! It starts a geyser immediately.

An evening with good Friends!

The Koenig's came over Saturday evening. It's always a treat when we can get together with them. We live on different sides of Atlanta, so it is an accomplishment when we can arrange to get together. We've been friends since we had our first babies and met in baby massage class in Decatur! Wish we knew more wonderful families like them. Brendon had been wanting to cook paella, so he found Emirl's recipe on the food network and went for it. (We figured if it didn't go well we could always order pizza.) But!, it went so so so deliciously! I took several pictures of Tyler, but they didn't come out, but he is in the kids table shot. He is about 18 months and cutie, running around with super energy! Isabelle and Madison are peas in a pod. It is so funny to see the two of them together. And, Abi and Joseph are fun kids to hang out with.

(Push the music button on the snowman to turn off the music if you want.)

Rain!

Well...it is raining!

For those who don't live in GA..we are having a serious drought..it's really a crisis! That is why we all talk about rain all the time.

Sunrises

Yesterday it was very foggy
This morning it was very red..I hope that means rain!

New Paint

We finished painting. It was very foggy this morning

so it was hard to get a good picture.

Can you do this?

http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g2/puzzler.htm

I can't even do the easy one!!! I get it all except the two top right hair blocks!

I am almost up to 5000 on a dog for all seasons! If my space bar didn't stick all the time I could do that game!

I don't sit around doing this all the time! At breakfast and after I put the kids to bed! It's fun!

The Dog ate my homework kind of afternoon!

Yesterday I had a nice lunch with another Mom. Then I headed off to carpool. While waiting on the kids I found out about bully in the classroom. I had heard about a few things from Isabelle, but now I've found out more! URghh!
Then Isabelle came to the car and all the sudden she's freaking out! Her homework fell out of her backpack..folder, composition book...everything! So, we stay till all the cars leave and go hunting everywhere for it...never could find it, but got some extra off the teacher.
We drive home and I pull in the driveway and see two girls from the neighborhood dragging my Border Collie across the neighbors yard and they are telling me Sarah is running around the neighborhood! Yep! We finally get the dogs in and the gate shut.
After that we are calm for awhile and have snack and do homework. But, later Brendon calls and someone has broken into our cabin and torn down the door, stolen the tv and two of the comforters off the king size beds! Luckily we don't have renters this weekend so we can get it fixed before next weekend.

After all of that, I actually felt ok, but did not cook dinner! You know...any excuse will do to not cook dinner! LOL Bread, and chese and chicken from the deli!!!

Yesterday the kids had a half day of school, so we went bike riding on the greenway with another family after we picked them up! It was fun, and I can't wait to go again!

Did this yesterday morning for the first time. Not too bad!

This is what it looked like our first Christmas as parents! It hasn't snowed at Christmas in GA since then (Dec 2000). Brendon's parents came to visit. It was their first winter Christmas, so it was really neat that the weather gave them White Christmas too!

Whining

I feel like whining today. I'm not up for the holidays yet and just want to relax! I would like to nap until after New Years! So, in honor of napping here are pictures of my favorite nappers!

Joseph 1st day home

Isabelle's 1st day home

Decorate..paint first

Well...we could not live with the yellow in the kitchen and keeping area anymore. The yellow is fine as a color, but definitely not in this room. I forgot to take a picture of the cabinets, but I will and you can see why it's just blah blah blah with yellow. So, we tried a neutral terracotta color and several greens. We chose shagreen by sherwin williams for the walls. For the keeping room I plan to paint the ceiling cottage cream also by SW. We are going to put bead board up on the bar and paint it the cottage cream too. Oh, I have got to post a picture of the cabinets, because there's on section of them I think I'd like to paint cream too...but that's kinda scary!!!! One day (that'll be when we sell the other house) I want to get custom slip covers for the couch and chairs in the keeping room and some sort of window treatments...roman or something shades for the windows. That mantle, seems like it would be great, but it is a real real pain to decorate and because the mantle is rock everything sits wobbly. Urghh! So, this is a beginning to decorating and as the weeks (months) go by I hope there will be yummy, delicious and pretty progress!

Some pics from last week

I'm sorry to say I did not step up and do my usual job of photography over Thanksgiving! I just have had a lull with blogging and I will get back into it now!

Substitute teaching!

I was a sub today. Oh my goodness I do need a massage! Blork!

Thanksgiving

We have been eating so I haven't had time to post!
Soon, I will get some pictures off of my camera and there will be something to see.
Kelley and Lora were married last weekend. You can see pictures on Mimisusans blog.
Then we had school functions on Tuesday. It was Grandparents day.
Extended family is in town for the holiday and we have all been visiting and the kids have had much fun playing together.

Rehersal Dinner

Look at MimiSusans blog. You'll find her blog on my sidebar!

What happened the year you were born?

In 1970 (the year you were born)

Richard Nixon is president of the US A federal jury finds the "Chicago 7" innocent of conspiring to incite riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention The lunar spacecraft Apollo 13 splashes down in the Pacific after near catastrophe The first Earth Day is marked by millions of Americans participating in anti-pollution demonstrations At Kent State University, National Guardsmen fire into a crowd killing four student antiwar demonstrators A powerful earthquake claims 50,000 lives in Peru 18 year olds are given the right to vote in federal elections Tidal wave driven by cyclone from Bay of Bengal hits East Pakistan, killing hundreds of thousands An anti-war rally is held at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, attended by John Kerry, Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland Queen Latifah, Mariah Carey, Andre Agassi, Uma Thurman, Jennifer Lopez, and Matt Damon are born Baltimore Orioles win the World Series Kansas City Chiefs win Superbowl IV Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup Tearjerker Love Story is the top grossing film I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is published "The Long and Winding Road" becomes the Beatles' last Number 1 song

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

Well...at least Matt Damon was born! One good thing happened...other than me!

A Dog for all Seasons

If you click on the games link I have in the sidebar there is a game called A dog for all seasons. It's the the fourth game across in the top row. I've gotten up to 2300, but it's a tricky little game. It seems really easy at first, but then..ahhh..it gets tricky. Give it a try! These are fun little games that even your kids can play.

Kids and Psalm 23

The kids learned Psalm 23 this past month. Each night we learned an additional line. They learned the traditional King James version, but picked this for our blog. I said I would post it once they learned it. I also like the traditional hymn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HndQZlmJPpc&mode=related&search=

Which way is she turning?

This is wierd. Brendon can see both ways. I can only see clockwise. Which way do you see her? Leave a comment. This is wierd, but fun!

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html

ASO and Chorus

Last night Brendon and I went to the Symphony. We have half year season tickets, but we had trouble finding a sitter this week. In the end one of them came through and we headed out.
They preformed Ein Deutches Requiem after intermission. It was really awesome and the orchestra and chorus did an amazing job. This piece took them 70 minutes to perform. I can't wait to go to the next performance.

Isabelle as St. Lucia
Joseph as St. Luke

I made him a Dr. kit with black poster board, but you can't see it.

Since the kids attend a Catholic school they had All Saints day the day after Halloween.

They had to dress up as a "Saint" and tell about them.

I am Joseph's room mom so I had to organize a party for his class.

I was about zonked after that.

Well, anyway the kids thought it was fun.

You can do a lot with a pillowcase and poster board for costumes!

HALLOWEEN

The kid had a great time trick or treating last night. Deally's came over to trick or treat too. The Mommies sat on the front porch and passed out candy, while the Dad's took the kids around the neighborhood! I have a candy hangover today!

Pictures...last week and the weekend!

Recap of last week

We have been going full blast this past week. We have had fun, but it's time to sit for a spell. Last week Isabelle had a science project with pumpkins and I took photos for the class. Last Friday the 2nd graders went on a field trip and I was one of the drivers. After school that day we went over and visited Laurie, Olivia and Edison. Then watched Edison while Olivia had a piano recital. On Saturday the kids had their final soccer games and trophy party. Their soccer parties were at the same time so divided up and Brendon didn't have the camera for Joseph's party. Saturday night Brendon and I got all dressed up and went to a fund raiser gala for the school. A friend took some pictures and I'll post them when I get them. It was fairly fun, but the music was so loud that my head felt like it was ringing all night. The next morning while singing hymns I thought my head was going to swirl off because my ears just about couldn't take any more sound whatsoever. On Sunday afternoon we did a food drive for the local food co-op. (It's called "spooky to be hungry" and has been featured in Southern Living.) I was so tired by then that I didn't get any pictures. We have 150 homes in our neighborhood and we collected 557 items (cans, boxes etc)! At first the kids were a little shy about knocking on the doors, but after a few houses they got the hang of it and it was exciting. We did recruit some teens from church to help and I sent each kid with a different group and followed along in the van with the trunk open. I'll post pictures soon.

What kind of cake are you?

You Are Strawberry Cake

Fresh, sassy, and romantic. You're a total flirt, who never would turn down a sugary treat. Occasionally you're a bit moody - but you usually stay sweet!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

Not sure about this, but strawberry cake is good! I came up chocolate with with my 2nd time. LOL!

The Weekend

There's one picture of the kids cutting up on the back porch after school on Friday. The others are of a fishing trip on Satruday with Joseph's class. The red head is Mrs. Leonard Joseph's teacher.

Variety of recent picutres

Today I had my bi-monthly lunch room duty. Then I went and helped deocorate with some fall theme things at the school. That's Joseph hanging out waiting on his sister to get finished with school. Mavis is so funny, she rests her head on the porch rail while she sleeps, which is what she does when she's not barking!

I don't know why the slide show ends with the "add your email to the fan list" Please don't add it...I don't know why it's doing it.

Breakfast?

You Are Toast

Old fashioned and a bit of a homebody, you totally go for comfort food. You're the type who loves to cook for friends, and they love you for it. You truly know what tastes good, and you can often pick out the best dish at a restaurant. You don't fall for food trends. You stick with what's been food for a long time!

What Kind of Breakfast Are You?

Nice Weekend

We had a long weekend. It started out with a half day of school on Friday and ended with a day off yesterday. On Friday we (all four of us) headed over to Marietta and ate lunch at the Aussie Bakery.
Saturday morning we had two soccer games back to back and Mimi and Papa showed up to watch the fun! Next we had a fast drive across the county for Edison's first birthday party. The kids had a hay ride and we got to catch up with some friends.
After that, we came home and got ready for Kelley and Lora's engagement party/shower up in Pendergrass. It was really nice and very pretty!
Sunday we had a church picnic and then came home and took the kids up to Mimi and Papa's for a sleepover. Brendon and I headed out to dinner and then went to the lastest BOURNE movie. I really like this series of movies!
Monday Joseph had a little birthday party at Chuckee Cheese's. He loved it, as do most kids, but I really can't stand that place.
We normally don't have such crazy full on weekends, but this one was ok even if it was busy. Writing this all out felt like one those grade school exercise where you have to use the words, first, then , next and finally.....oh no I forgot to use finally!

Help plan the fall party for Kindergarten!

I'm the room mom for Joseph's class and we are coming up on our first party of the year and need to plan a menu. Here are the parameters we are working with: non sweet snacks, no nuts or nut oils of any kind. I'm just organizing and then will send out an email for volunteers.
I've come up with cheese and crackers, fruit like pineapple and grapes. Some sort of seasonal type food..but what I don't know? Pumpkin muffins? We can also have 100% juice...apple cider seems the obvious choice. I'll save the cranberry juice until Thanksgiving. Send me some more ideas!

Kids had a suprise half day!

I knew I had to pick Joseph up from school early today because he had a doctors appointment. Just before I was walking out the door to fetch him, I had a call from the school. A water main in the area broke and the county shut off all water to the entire area, which included the school. They had to call all the parents to come pick up the kids because no toilets at school would just not cut it! Not to mention hand washing! Apparently the whole school was cheering! LOL...I can just imagine. The kids were so excited!

not much going on

This is what I mostly do.

We are having a normal week. It is raining!!! That meant that soccer was canceled tonight. I feel bad when the kids can't go to practice, but on the other hand it's nice to relax at home! I'm not complaining.

Yesterday I went for a routine visit to the Dr for a thyroid check. It's time to get the routine blood test again. I hate that...because it's really hard for me to do a darn thing without my jolt of coffee each morning. (headache etc...then takes over my day..yes I'm addicted!) Think I will go Thursday morning first thing.

What else? I'm looking forward to this really neat gym to open right near my house. I've been missing going to a good gym for over a year. Last year I was in a regular running routine, but now I run sporadically and that's not good enough.

School is chugging along. We have a half day on Friday and Monday off. They are calling this fall break! Isn't that a hoot? I'd rather just go to school and get it over with!

Next up...fold AND put away

Friday Meme

I've seen these on other blogs. Sort of like those questions you email to people. I'm feeling sleepy today so I thought this would be a fun pick me up.
I tag people who love babies to copy and post this on their blogs too!

. Are there any babies in your family or circle of friends? Yes...3 new ones!

2. Are you one of those people who use a high-pitched, sing-song voice when talking to babies and small children? Yes I do!

3. If you were standing in line next to a *very* pregnant stranger at the bank or grocery store, what would you say to her? Nothing..I usually don't talk to strangers, but I would be helpful if need be (such hold door, give a seat or let go to the potty before me)

4. Similarly, what do you say or do near babies in public? I smile at babies! Sometimes wave or talk.

5. When walking through a department store, are you the sort of person who can go by the baby clothes without even a glance or do you have to stop to ooh and ahh? I usually wonder who I could buy something for!

Fun Quiz ..especially for the Texas Kin!

You Are 36% Texas

You're as welcome in Texas as a skunk at a lawn party.

How Texas Are You?

I tried my best Y'all! How'd you do?

Welcome Liana!

The newest little family member! Brendon's sister adds a 4th angel to her family!

Engagement Party!

Photo's from Kelley and Lora's engagement party last night!

Happy Birthday Nanny! Celebrating 90 years!!!!

Silly Quiz of the Week

Your Summer Ride is a Moped

While it's not the quickest (or sexiest) ride in town It's perfect for getting you around the back roads of Rome or Paris

What's Your Summer Ride?

What did your ride turn out to be? I"m not sure how I'm supposed to get the kids and all on the moped, but it sure sounds like fun!

Happy Birthday Dad!