Merry Christmas Eve

Christmas is in the Air

We have been a little preoccupied this season (I'll blog why soon . . .), so until this last weekend all we had managed to do was put up the tree and stockings. I have been feeling really guilty about not doing more with my kids to get in the holiday spirit. Adam and I have some plans to help them learn about service during Christmas, which is important . . . but I enjoy all those little things that children love about the holidays and remember their whole lives!

I made these festive pancakes, aren't they cute? So fun!

And even though Christmas is less than a week away, Adam finally had some free time and decided we had to have lights. So on Saturday . . .

And here is our tree. Not the prettiest to look at, I know. When we first set the tree up I did try to decorate is pretty and even out all the ornaments. I even put the soft ornaments towards the bottom for Ian. But, well . . . as you can see Ian can reach about half-way up the tree. You have heard the phrase "pick your battles", and I conceded defeat on the second day. The kids think the tree is great and I love it because of that. I have years of "pretty trees" in my future, but only so many Christmases with babies in the house. I am going to enjoy them while I have them.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

True Meaning of Christmas

It is so easy to get caught up in all the "to-do's" of Christmas. I like this little reminder of what it is we should focus on and teach our children about this time of year! Here is a great link to a site that can help with ideas.

A Tallahassee Graduation

We took a quick trip up to our state's capital Tallahassee this last weekend. And I do mean quick, we left Friday and came back Saturday. It is a 4 hour drive each way, so let's just say that the kids are catching up on their sleep this week!

My brother Buddy graduated from the Business school at Florida State University. We are so proud of him, he is the first in our family to graduate with a 4 year degree!

The weather those two days was miserable. Can you believe it was a 30 degree difference from where we live in Apopka. Both days were rainy and in the 40s.

We spent as much time in our hotel room as we could. And with two active little ones we used everything we had at our disposal.

The kids really did travel well and for the short amount of time we were gone, everything really did go well. And we got to spend time with family and celebrate something wonderful!

Congratulations Bud!

I forgot my camera, so these pics are brought to you compliments of my phone:)

Annual Gingerbread House

For Family Home Evening last week I invited my family over. We had a tasty pot roast for dinner and decorated a Gingerbread House for our activity. It was a fun evening, and Clara loves all the attention from everyone.

I decided to buy a kit because I figured it would be easier than making everything and buying all that candy myself. It did save a lot of time and money! But nobody said anything about the frosting melting on us. Believe me, that wreath looked fantastic when first put upon the house. Oh well, turned out okay and the memories are great!

Thanksgiving in 2009

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. Adam's family came to visit, how often do you get the chance to have all of your loved ones in one place? We enjoyed the visit very much. Besides a yummy Thanksgiving day (I have no pictures, sorry I forgot my camera) we had a fun day at Disney's Animal Kingdom!

Ian and Grandpa

Clara and Lexie

You can't go to Disney and not get a mickey ice cream, so we grabbed one on the way out of the park.

Paint Project Reveal

Just so you know, we DID get the painting done before Thanksgiving. . . I just didn't get it posted in time. The room that we were working on is the front area of our house. It's kind of one large area that encompasses the foyer, dinning room, and living room. I would like to state that I think that the new color looks really great, in my opinion the pictures don't do it justice. It almost looks dirty white in the pics-I promise, it's not. It is such a light color that it is hard to capture it on camera. So use your imagination. It is a light silvery blue color.

Front Door: Before

Front Door: After

I am showing this particular picture knowing you almost cant see the wall paint, but I wanted to show our door. I saw this idea on a blog and wanted to try it, I think the black looks nice, kind of makes a statement.

Dinning Room: Before

Dinning Room: After

Living Room: Before

Living Room: After

We have taken down the old curtains, they came with the house. I haven't pick out new ones yet. Honestly we haven't really decorated this room yet. The painting is the first step. I'll show pictures when it is done. But don't forget what I have said before, it takes me a while to finish projects.