Christmas Getting to Know Your Friends

My friend, Margie, posted this on her blog, so I thought it would be fun to pass along here so if you are reading this, consider yourself tagged!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? warpping paper (unless it's something really huge)
2. Real tree or Artificial? real
3. When do you put up the tree? day after thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? NO!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? dancing ballerina doll
7. Hardest person to buy for? my father, Rich
8. Easiest person to buy for? Kyra
9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes
10. Mail or email Christmas Cards? mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? used potholders with crusted gravy
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? depneds when I see something
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas cookies
16. Lights on the tree? multi-colored
17. Favorite Christmas song? Little St. Nick by the Muppets
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? always in our house on Crhistmas but we travel afterward
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? this year our tree is too tall
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Seeing "X"-mas. CHRIST is the reason for the season, people!!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? our ornaments are an eclectic mix
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? wireless iPod headphones

OH! Christmas Tree!

As is our tradition, we set out on Friday to cut down our Christmas tree. Since moving here, we had yet to find the perfect "tree farm" so we set out this for Drumm's Christmas Trees in Maribel. It was perfect and we will be making this our Christmas tree home from here on out.

Finding the perfect tree is very much an obsession of mine. Though we have found some awesome trees in years past, other years the trees have turned out to be, well, quite ugly once they arrived home. We were very impressed with the different varietyies and sizes of trees and I knew we could go a little larger than what you typically will find on a tree lot. NOw, that being said, I am a horrible judge of "actual size". I just cannot see spacial relation when a tree is outside compared to when you bring it in the house. And thus, I fell in love with this tree.

As you can see from the picture, it is indeed a little -um- large. Ricih asked me if I wanted to move the ladder out of the way before taking the picture, but I think it gives a better idea as to the enormity of the tree. In fact, I had to take a break from decorating it yesterday because we ran out of lights! I ended up at Wal-Mart this morning to get a few more strands. I'm thinking (rough estimate) that there are close to 4,000 lights on this tree. I will have to say though, it is by far the prettiest tree we have ever brought home. I'll be sure to post pictures once it is all decorated which is tonight's "little" project.

We Are Thankful

Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - Thess 5:16-18

This morning over our Thanks giving breakfast of pumpkin pancakes (a shout out to Ms. M for the recipe!), Rich, Ian, Kyra and I went around the table and listed 51 (we had a sheet with 50 lines but everyone needed equal turns) things we can be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Some were serious, some were silly - see if you can identify who said what!

1. Bear
2. Food
3. Wonderful family
4. My Children
5. Windown
6. Shelter
7. Community
8. Carrot cake
9. Bacon
10. Apple juice
11. Good job
12. God's abundant love
13. Butter
14. Insects (except for mosquitos)
15. Geocaching
16. Shirts
17. Exercise
18. Napkins keep us clean
19. Good books
20. Family time
21. Noses
22. Family games
23. Football
24. Cars
25. Ground
26. Light
27. Grandmas and Grandpas
28. My husband
29. Beanbag
30. Thanksgiving
31. Cub Scouts
32. Good friends
33. Pens and pencils
34. Easter
35. Schools
36. Scrapbooking
37. Curly hair
38. Animals
39. Fishing
40. Running
41. Paper
42. Cooking supplies
43. Disney movies
44. Coffee & Diet Coke
45. Hands
46. Rootbeer
47. Nappy time and sleeping
48. Music
49. Bread
50. Four seasons
51. Fruit

From our family to yours, may you have a blessed Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and faith!

First Snow of the Season

When I woke up this morning to head out to the gym, I was surprised to see the cround covered with white stuff. It's really pretty to be one of the first ones out in the snow, but then you have to switch your brain into winter driving gear and then it isn't quite so fun anymore!

I walked in the door to Kyra squealing with delight about the snow on the ground. I promised her that after all of our errands were done, we could go out and play. I must say, having the extra incentive of playtime in the snow made her an excellent listener today! Sadly, I know this stuff isn't going to last (it was already melting away while we were out there), but I know full well that winter will be "blessing" us with even more snow than this and I know one little girl who can hardly wait . . .

There's a lesson to be learned here!

As much as I hate to admit it, Kyra is developing a newfound sense of independence. She's very much into being a "big girl" and trying to do things by herself. Rich and I both agree that it is helpful to some degree, but sad in others as she's outgrowing her "baby-ness".

Of course, just because she can do things by herself doesn't always mean it's a good thing. For example, we went to lunch today where they had these small, fat bottles of ketchup. These really irk me because although they are cute, the ketchup comes out way to quickly and you always end up with way more than you originally wanted. Kyra really wanted to do it hereself, but I told her no and she acquiesced. Seems simple and we should be done, right? I forgot to mention that I forgot to replace the lid. Yeah, those bottles may be short, but I have never seen that much ketchup in my entire life! Oh, that child is going to make me die of embarassment yet!

A-HA!

I've been in prayer about something for a while now and I was sitting down for my quiet time and I just had one of those "a-ha!" moments! I guess I never will be one of those people the Lord whispers to; He needs to just use a big, fat stick upside the head!

What were we thinking?

So, last night I went to a jewelry party and Rich took the kids to the Y to swim. He called me on his way home because Ian wanted to see if his friend C could spend the night. Seeing that the only obligation we had this morning was bowling, I didn't think anything of it and gave the go ahead.

C was beyond thrilled to be here and the two immediately set off for the "cave" to play their videogames. I didn't realize it but Rich took a bowl of Halloween candy for them to munch on. We went to bed sometime around 11 and figured they would do the same as well. Imagine my surprise when I head them still going strong at 4:30 a.m.!!! I really do wish I had my camera when I went down there. Amidst the candy wrappers strewn about on the floor and the huge smiles on their faces, you could just tell they were in 7th heaven but on the verge of a serious sugar crash. I laughed out loud when they said "We've been playing ALL night!"

So, my eldest is now upstairs in dreamland and I am sure C is as well. You are only young once, so we'll see if they ever do that again!

Where's the yellow line?

Ok, perhaps this is about as exciting as my life gets on a Friday night, but Rich and I are sitting her watching the NFL Network re-broadcast the 1985 Bears beating the Packers. Wow! Football has come a long way in 23 years! We're having fun watching it, but we miss those little things like HD and the first down "yellow" line. This is classic TV!

What I Did Last Weekend

2008 Crop of a Lifetime from Stephanie Burdett on Vimeo.

He's a reject!

Rich attempted to give blood this afternoon but since we were in Mexico in September, he's been deferred for a year as a malaria risk. Oh well, at least he got lunch and a free pint of ice cream for trying!

So thankful

I was able to get away the last five days to the Lifetime Moments annual Crop of a Lifetime. I've developed so many friendships with these wonderful ladies and it's just a fun weekend of laughter and creativity.

I am also very thankful to Rich who is the world's best husband and daddy. Not only does he take vacation to allow me to go to this event on a yearly basis, but he relishes every moment of being a temporary "stay-at-home dad". Kyra and Ian packed so much in over the weekend, I am surprised they were even awake when I got home last night. Oh, and did I mention he did the dishes, mopped the kitchen floor and cleaned the bathrooms? WHAT A MAN!

I am also thankful to have been able to visit Nordstroms during their semi-annual sale. I am SO thankful that I don't have one of these near me as I would be in some serious trouble. I had the most wonderful time shopping for new bras and other items that you really don't want to do or have time to do when you have kids in tow. (and a big "HA!" to Stephanie - I did manage to use the "bra" label again.)

So I am back, refreshed and ready to function better as a mom. As much as I love my kids, I need these short breaks from "reality."

LOST

LOST: my voice. If found, please return to me ASAP. I really don't feel bad, but it's really annoying when you are around friends you haven't seen in a year and you really can't talk to them because all you do is squeak. UGH!

November Play List

Ok, the start of November got away from me so I am delinquent in creating this month's play list. I actually downloaded quite a bit before the Fall 50 and since it was good enough for 11.1 miles, I figured it would be good to combine some of them for this month (because there are some really good ones on here!)

It's Not My Time - 3 Doors Down
Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster
Rock What You Got - Superchick
So Beautiful - Superchick (can you tell, I downloaded an album by Superchick?)
Copacabana - Barry Manilow (yes, Ms. E. - he still continues to haunt me!)
I Like To Move It - The Party Cats
Womanizer - Britney Spears
Bring 'Em Out - Hawk Nelson
Check Yes Juliet - We The Kings (yes, that does make 3 months in a row, but have you heard this song?)
Party In My Tummy - Yo Gabba Gabba!
Something to Say - Matthew West
Happy Birthday - The Ting Tings
Viva La Vida - Coldplay (possibly right up there with "Check Yes Juliet")
Oh! Gravity. - Switchfoot
Working Man - NewWorldSon
Live Out Loud - Steven Curtis Chapman
Gone - Switchfoot

Now, get out there and move it, move it!

Did anyone get the number of that truck?

We had dinner last night at a local restuarant and I ordered something that was on "special." UGH! Big mistake! This has not been a pleasant day around here. At least Kyra was a sweetheart and Rich came home and took the kids out for dinner. I'm feeling a little better as of now, but I doubt I'll be visiting that establishment any time soon.i

Trick Or Treat

Here's my trick-or-treaters on Friday. Thankfully, the weather wasn't all too bad for late October in Wisconsin. I was so proud of Ian. He came up with the idea for his robot costume all by himself and just needed a little help in putting it together. He got a lot of compliments for having a homemade costume. As for Ms. Kyra, she really understood the concept of trick-or-treating this year and really got into it! She stayed energized throughout the neighborhood and had a great time sorting through all of the candy!



And, since I was oh-so-greatful my hubby didn't have to travel, I made Halloween themed cakeballs (from a picture posted at Lifetime Moments) for his office party. They were pretty fun to make and the inside was red velvet cake. Wrong on many levels, but fun nonetheless!

I Went Shopping By Myself!

Granted, I had to go at 10:00 at night to Kohl's, but it was a wonderfully relaxing trip without having to worry about chasing children out of clothing racks (which probably means I spent more money too!)