What color Christmas Tree

You Should Have a Blue Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of calm, understanding, and peace. You avoid family fights, and you don't get too stressed out - even when things are crazy! You like to make Christmas about making everyone's life a little bit better. You don't get caught up in greed or commercialism. You're too sincere for that. Your blue tree would look great with: Lots of silver tinsel You should spend Christmas Eve watching: It's a Wonderful Life What you should bake for Santa: Chocolate chip cookies

What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

Curosity Kills?

Couldn't resist snapping this picture of our cat. One of the girls left a chair just too close to the tree. Sox had to take advantage of the situation.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Traditionally we always begin decorating for Christmas on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Today was no exception. The girls look forward to this every year. We were able to get up almost all of the ornaments on the tree. We still have several of Kurt's to do, but will wait for him to get home tonight and hang them up. Since the weather was so nice, we also put up the outside lights while Kurt was home for lunch. Thanks to some clearance sales last season, I was able to purchase some extra lighted garland that we used around the garage and the railing on the porch. It looks really nice.

Thanksgiving 3

Around 3:45 we left my mom's house and headed to my sister-in-laws for round 3. The 3 middle kids had a blast playing together. They love whatever time they get to spend together. Sarah (as the oldest Kid) enjoyed spending time with Allison (the youngest kid). Austin and Kristen were upset when it was time to leave, but they played hard and enjoyed their time together. As always it was nice to see the family and spend time together.

Thanksgiving 2

Just a few pictures of my when my Aunt and Uncle's and cousin's came to my mom's house. Everyone was having a good time, so bad that we had to leave early, but that is what happens when there is more than one family to see.

Happy Thanksgiving 1

We usually start the day by heading to my Mom's for lunch. My brother is now with us (he retired from the air force a couple of years ago) and my sister with her two girls joined us. Her husband had to work. My mom's younger brother was also going to join us, but he couldn't make it until later. Around 3:00 my mom's younger sister, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bill, plus my cousin Kim with her 2 girls joined us. They live in Colorado and usually don't come home for Thanksgiving, but Uncle Bill's mom is celebrating a Birthday this weekend and they came home for that. Any way, back to the meal, my mom made sweet dressing just for me. I was so excited. This was something we always had when my grandparents were alive and the entire family would get together. I didn't think I would ever have this again. It was so good. Thanks mom. The girls enjoyed playing together also.

High school choir

Sarah had her first high school choir concert tonight. It was very good. 3 large groups and 3 small groups sang. It was so nice to be able to hear the kids sing, understand what they were singing. They also had dynamics and tempo instead of singing in a monotone without feeling way that was common to middle school. Just one question, when did my child get old enough to be in a choir that wears robes?

Happy Birthday Kristen

9 years ago at 2:17 pm our family officially became a two child family. Kristen joined the family and we haven't been the same since. The picture above was taken this morning at 8:00 when Winnie the Pooh called to wish Kristen a very happy birthday.

Happy Birthday my not so little girl.

my little cheerleader/trick or treater

Kristen had a great night for trick or treating. After last weekend's cold spell, she was a little worried, but the weather was perfect tonight and she didn't have to wear a coat at all. We always start trick or treating at Hy-Vee in town. They have different stops throughout the store and the kids get really healthy items. Kristen was thrilled to see bananas at one stop and a bottle of water at another. This year they were giving all of the kids a trick or treat bucket. She had a choice of a mummie, vampire, or a monster, and picked the vampire one. You will love her reasoning. The basket was mostly black and would match her costume. After HyVee, I took her downtown. The downtown area sponsored trick or treating this year. There were over 40 stores in a two block area. It was fun to see so many kids with their parents out trick or treating. Downtown started at 3, but since I didn't get home from work until almost 4 we were some of the last people downtown. Many stores had already run out of candy. I don't think they realized just how big this would be. For the little ones it was great as the sun was still up and they didn't have to walk very far. I did see one tiny little one, get scared because and older one had on a scary mask, but that older child took off his mask so that the little one would not be scared. This trick or treat was for kids 10 and under. Finally 6:00 came and it was time to go out around our neighborhood. This year Kristen had a special treat. Dad was home, he almost always has a game on this night. Since he was home she wanted Dad to take her instead of Mom. Even though Dad had been down with the flu for 3 days he agreed to take her. They were gone the entire 2 hours which really surprised Sarah and I. She came home with her bucket filled to the brim. The only problem, is because Dad went and not Mom, I don't have any pictures from running around the neighborhood. We had a huge bowl full of candy and was afraid that it wouldn't be enough. Instead hardly anyone came and we still have 1/2 of that bowl to give out. Normally we have around 100 little creatures, but this year I don't think we even had 20. Wondering why that was?
Over all the girls both had a fun night. Sarah is the self designated passer outer. She loves to see the little kids in their costumes.