Here Comes Santa!

Lindsey was so excited when she opened her feather mattress pad! She has been wanting for awhile now. Santa caught a really good sale at Macy's! You should have seen them trying to get it out of the box.

This was Ashley's real reaction when she opened the Tammy dvd set! It has "Tammy and the Bachelor", "Tammy and the Doctor", and one other movie on it. (Yes, we like the old romantic comedies.) She had just asked about it the day before. Little did she know it was wrapped under the tree!

Lindsey opens her electronic dictionary and asks, "What do I need this for?" Hello!

Isn't this hilarious? Ashley is sniffing her Bath and Body, Pomegranite Midnight body wash. It smells really good.

Ashley got Todd a book called Leading with the Heart by Coach K of Duke University. Reading is Todd's new hobby, so we all bought him a book. He has an extensive library now! Anyone want to read John Grisham? He has most of them now!

Forever 21, watch out! Here comes Ashley!

Each year the girls get me a new cross for my cross wall. Here is the latest. It has red colored beads inside.

Lindsey's biggie-a pink digital camera!

Watch out! I may have to read this one! Lindsey gave her dad Ted Nugent's Ted, White, and Blue! He was laughing just reading the inside and back covers! I'm sure he will get lots of stories out of this book to tell! Did you notice we were all in our pajamas? This has become a tradition for the last few years on Christmas Eve. We go to church, come home and eat, then get into our pj's to open presents. We open our stockings on Christmas morning. Lindsey did say that she wished she was a kid again waking up on Christmas morning and seeing what Santa put under the tree. All of you that have young kids, cherish every year of staying up putting things together and being as quiet as you can. I remember one of us would have to stand guard to make sure they wouldn't wake up! We would get up before they would with the video camera ready to capture their reaction when they walked into the living room to see what Santa brought. Thank goodness we still have those memories to watch. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Elvis is Alive!

Friday night we took Ashley to see Elvis! If you don't know, Ashley is a huge fan of Elvis. When she was at home, her room was done in Elvis. (Of course she took most of it to college with her.) Anyway, Terry Price, The Clone of Rock'n Roll, performed in downtown Bryan this weekend. We were so impressed with him , even Todd thought he sounded just like Elvis! Lindsey secretly told him it was Ashley's birthday, so he got her onstage to sing "Happy Birthday" to her. You should have seen her face when he called her name!

This guy even has his own fan club! (theklone.com) We were the youngest people there! You would have thought the he was the real thing by the way those 60+year olds reacted to some of his songs! He sang gospel, holiday, and took requests. We spoke with him before the last set and he took our requests and gave Ashley a t-shirt!

Todd and Lindsey left early to do some shopping and while they were gone Elvis serenaded Ashley and me! Ashley said, "While the cat's away, the mice will play!!!" I think this is a birthday Ashley will not forget!

Happy Birthday, Ashley!

Today Ashley hits a milestone! She is 21 years old! It seems like yesterday when I was panicking that I would be in the hospital on Christmas, so Mama encouraged my to take castor oil!!! Yes, I took it, and it was AWFUL! But, a day later Ashley was born. I never had an ultrasound, but I knew I would have a girl even though her dad had 5 brothers! I remember when she was born Todd wanted to carry her out and tell everybody "It's a girl!" I was so excited I couldn't rest when I needed to, because I just wanted to be there with her. She would sing "Jesus Loves Me" in her stroller when we went to the mall, and everybody thought she was a doll. We would sing to the Backstreet Boys, and we knew Cinderella, Little Mermaid, and all those Disney movies by heart! I still have fun with Ashley and I hope we can continue the fun times for a long time. Ashley, we love you! Happy Birthday!

"Wrapping Up!"

One more day before we are out of school! Woo! Hoo! The presents are wrapped and I just completed my last order. Thanks to everyone who bought painted items from me and placing orders. I just love to paint! I can't believe there is only one week before Christmas. One of my students gave me these 2 whisks with candy and the card said,"We whisk you a Merry Kissmas and a Hapeppermint New Year!". I just love that idea. I may have to use it next year!

This is the last of my orders. I didn't get pictures of everything I did, but I did take these 2 pics before they were delivered. The rocking chair below came from Canton. It was fun to do and I hope Kynlynn will like it.

Cookie Exchange Party

Kinsey and Lacy did a fabulous job planning and preparing for the cookie exchange. From our placemats, nametags, ornaments, recipe book, and bag to bring home our goodies in, those two went above and beyond expectations. I have always wanted to go to one of these parties, and I am so thankful I was invited. Thanks, Lacy and Kinsey!

This was my plate full of goodies! We had to taste each cookie to vote on the favorite. Alice won with her chocolate cookies with mint. So good! We had a great time eating and visiting with each other.

Each of us had our own personalized bag to bring our cookies home in! I so want a cricut machine now!

It's almost time to eat! Sausage bread, fruit, dips, juice, and lots of COOKIES!

Cheesecake Factory!

Thursday night the second grade teachers went to the Cheesecake Factory and The Woodlands Mall for our annual Christmas outing. Lindsey and I split the Cajun Jambalaya Pasta. So good!

Sherry is about to dig into her Santa Fe Salad! It looks as big as she is! I am so blessed to have such wonderful people to work with, and we always have a good time when we go out!

AHHH dessert! Which one do I choose? Well, it was hard but I chose the Caramel de Leche, and it was delicious. I only at a few bites and saved it for Todd and me when I got home.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

I can't believe it! It snowed today! This is the front yard and the house at 9:30pm! It really started once we got home from school and didn't let up for about 4 hours.

This cool dude is Lindsey's snowman. She said it was harder work than she thought making him plus she was freezing! Ashley sent me a snowman her and her friends made that was almost as tall as she was! That's alot of snow for Texas, folks!

Lindsey poses with her chillin' Mr. Snowman!

9th Annual Shopping Trip

Shawn and I had a great time again this year Christmas shopping. We were finished by 9:00 Friday night, so we had time for a movie and wrapping presents! Saturday morning we were at it again by 9:00 and Lauren went with us. Thanks, Shawn, for everything! I am already looking forward to next year!

Lauren poses in this pic to show Jim that this is what kind of clothes are in stores for teen girls! If you haven't been in the junior department of clothing stores lately, take a look the next time and the selections are frightening!

Lauren, Shawn, and Ryan pose for me before I leave. Ryan is a junior and Lauren is in 7th grade. It is hard to believe how time flies.

FINALLY!

Boy, has it been a busy week! The decorations are up inside and out, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief! I have also suffered from the case of III (Infuriating Internet Issues). After being on technical support for half an hour, I think the problem is solved. Anyway, when you finish reading, notice the time of this post. I have been up for an hour getting ready to go on my annual Christmas shopping trip with Shawn. This is our 9th year to spend the weekend together, shopping, visiting, and wrapping gifts. I can't wait to see her!

NOSTALGIA! This is an original 1965 aluminum tree (it's not the main tree, though) and my grandmother's color wheel. I just love it.

Here are my stars from Salado, and the word JOY from Canton.

Ashley and I celebrate by doing the "Stanky Leg"! Don't ask me what it is. All I know it is some song (probably not appropriate) and you move your leg like Elvis and cover your face! Anyway, Ashley's friends got a kick out of this pic! I am just glad I am back in my old jeans! I have lost 14 lbs! WooHoo!

Well, it's that time of year to put up the Christmas lights! And, it was Ashley's turn (aka Grace!) to get on the roof! The light sprinkles didn't make it any easier to walk up there!
Todd and the girls are really good about putting the lights up, since I do the decorating inside and on the front porch. I think every year, "How will I ever be in the mood to climb in the attic back and forth 100 times for decorations next year?" But each year I always get in the mood to tackle the job.

When we arrived at Mama and Daddy's, Tracy, Rae Lyn and the kids were already there. Karlee was really cranky and ready for a nap. These are grouchy faces.

When Karlee woke up, it was time to eat. Lee, Garrett, Ashley, and Stacy finish up our Thanksgiving meal.

Grace poses on top of the ladder. She was trying not to smile! The men worked on Mama and Daddy's porch before and after dinner.

Ashley wanted to try the nail gun. It took awhile, but she finally shot a nail in the board! I wish I had a picture of her hair blowing back when it went off!

Daddy and Lee working hard. They were able to get the tin up before it began to rain.

Christmas Shopping in Lufkin

I met my mom and sister this past Saturday in Lufkin to get started on Christmas shopping. We had a great time, and the time just flew by! Mama wanted to get our picture done in this little booth. Just imagine the 3 of us in that tiny booth! Stacy waits for the picture to come out of the slot. If I hadn't been looking up, it would be a great picture!