These are a few of my favorite things...

As the holidays are fast approaching. I thought I would try to remember what I really love about them. You can't walk through the stores without being reminded that Christmas is really right around the corner. Last night at our cell group we played a game and it was so much fun and it's really what I enjoy the most about this time of year. Just being with friends that are like family. To just really laugh til your sides hurt. We have had so much happen during our the holidays since Rick and I have been together that we have not had alot of tradition. I'm hoping to bring that back this year. But, more importantly just get some really great quality time with the ones I love. The holiday season is also the start of basketball season which is one of my favorite sports to watch, but it also takes up alot of our time. So here is my list of favorite things:

Emerson children's Christmas Party (movie and meet Santa)


Tech's Christmas Concert


Drawing names
I don't have a pic of this but my kids get so excited...after speaking with our Pastor's wife, Denise I may add to our tradition of drawing names by borrowing her tradition. She wont mind. When we draw names this year we are also going to put the tree up and I'm gonna make everyone's favorite appetizer. We usually make appetizers and junk out during New Year's Eve and the kids love it.

Egg Nog Milkshakes at Sonic
My son loves Egg Nog and he wishes he could buy it all year long. I remember when I was his age I loved it too and my Mammy would only give me a very small amount. I think that's why I liked it soo much.

Creme Drops
You know those chocolate things that look like gum drops but they are made of chocolate and creme..MMMmmmmmm... Those were my favorite.

My layered pumpkin pie
Prep Time: 15 minutesTotal Time: 4 hours 15 minutesServings: 8
Ingredients
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 cups frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1 Keebler® Ready Crust® Graham Pie Crust
3/4 cup cold milk
2 packages (4-serving size) vanilla flavor instant pudding & pie filling
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
Directions
1. In medium bowl whisk together cream cheese, 1 tablespoon milk and sugar. Gently stir in whipped topping. Carefully spread in crust.
2. In large bowl beat 3/4 cup milk, pudding mix and spice with wire whisk for 1 minute. Whisk in pumpkin. (Mixture will be thick.) Carefully spread over cream cheese layer.
3. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until set.
4. Garnish as desired. Store in refrigerator.
*NOTE: May substitute 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in place of pumpkin pie spice.
My stepmother used to make this and I just loved it. I was very young and wasn't a big fan of pumpkin pie but this made me like it ALOT!

The homemade ornaments my kids bring home from school

Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Actually all the parades even our small hometown parade.

Football

The mall- I just love how the mall is decorated during the holidays.

Caramel Pie
It's not my favorite pie but it is my husbands and I enjoy making it for him. There is also this boy that goes to our church who loves it so much I am making him one this year too.

Hot Chocolate with whipped cream or marshmallows

Mistletoe

There are so many things about this time of year but the most important thing is Remembering Our King, this is a time to give thanks to God for sending His son to die for our undeserving selves. I have always tried to remember this but this year I'm going to put forth an extra effort to remind my kids what "Christ"mas is really about! I am so Thankful for everything God has given me. What are you thankful for? What are a few of your favorite things?

Ok to get the full effect I'm gonna have to show a before and after. Lori always cuts Jere's hair and straightens it and really just treats them very special.

Gotta show Bren's haircut too! LOL He's such a cutie. He actually got his haircut Saturday with his dad but the people are so used to be just getting a trim and I actually wanted a real haircut. I took him back and they fixed it free of charge! I love Lori and those girls at 1st class cuts . They take good care of my boys. Oh and about the before and after these pics were taken on different days and yes he is wearing the same hoodie b/c he insists on wearing this hoodie everyday of the week. I'm not joking. He hates jackets and only wants to wear hoodies. 6 year olds shouldn't be this opionated about clothes.

So we got Justin's hair straightened..and he thinks for like a sec that I'm gonna help him do this every morning...if you know my son you know this is not gonna happen! I have to admit it's kinda cool looking. Reason for getting hair straightened? Lori was bored...yep that's right she was just like lets straighten that and see what it looks like.

Nov 4...2008

So my baby is 13 and like several bdays in her life the Election is everywhere you turn. I voted today I think this is the 3rd presidential election I voted in. Maybe 2nd? Anywho I have to say I have a slightly unsettling feeling about this. Mr Obama...is our new president and I will respect that. Its something I have always taught my kids no matter how I feel about the person in charge. I do however get this peace that God is in control and I know he is sooo much bigger than this country's president. I think back to cross when they were yelling "Crucify" I'm guessing people didn't think He was in control then either. I know this is a little different but I think there are many times in our life when we feel like maybe God is busy doing something else but He never is...He is always there. I know ALOT of prayer has been poured into this election. I am going to continue to pray and trust that God is in control. If all else fails maybe God will call us to Canada! LOL J/K I was reminded this morning of Romans 13 I think we should all read it and know that we have a responsibility to pray for our leaders.

Adrienne's 13!!! well almost :D!

As of tomorrow the 4th my baby girl will be 13 years old! It also happens to be a very big Election Day...so VOTE!! Its funny there is always so much in the news around her birthday. She ask do you know what Nov 4th is?...and of course we say oh yeah it's Election Day. We had her party this weekend and it was a blast and the cake was beautiful! I really could write a whole post on just her cake. It was a big hit! I was highly impressed with Mrs Mothershed. The kids seemed to have a blast although over half of our guest list didn't attend. It was a veryyy big weekend and most of her friends were on the Youth Hunt. She didn't seem to let it bother her even though some of her closest friends were unable to attend. She's my trooper and makes the most of all situations. I think all in all everyone had a blast and it was a hit. I'm kinda glad we got it all out of the way. I'm pretty much booked until January now that basketball is kicking off. I was so thankful that Ginger and Q came out and helped with the party and Lisa T for helping with the cake...she was a lifesaver I'm pretty sure I would have dropped it! Also our pastor for bringing the wood for the fire. This party def...wouldn't have been possible without help from our church family.

Adrienne, Blake and Katelyn...these girls keep Blake in line! They also have a tendancy to get him in trouble...with pics like these. I love these kids and its so fun watching them grow up. It amazes me how comfortable they are around each other and how much Blake and Adrienne are alike. People try to match make all the time...I say they look more like brother and sister and I'd like to keep it that way for a while longer!


Well this started out as a pic of some of the girls...at the party and well Andrew a.k.a Fred...aka Peter Panda (thats what Adrienne calls him and I don't even ask why) decided to join in... You gotta love this kid!
The birthday girls with our youth pastor...Josh I think that's his barbie LOL

Merideth, Josh's daughter, and Brendan had a blast and they were filthy! I was so glad she came so Bren had someone to hang out with.