Christmas and some other stuff......

Oh, December!  I do believe that this is probably the most busiest month of the year.  Now, don't get me wrong.  It is also one of the best feeling times of the year as well, but it does get busy.  Most know that I have been subbing.  Sometimes I sub a ton.  Other times, not so much.  December I think I subbed everyday that school was in.  Now, I'm not complaining.  I really do love being in the classroom, but when it comes to getting things ready for Christmas, it really can be more hectic then usual.   Even with that, we made it, and it was a great Christmas time as well.  Before we celebrate Christmas, I must first talk about the day that came a few days before.  Our anniversary.

On the 20th of December, Jeremy and I have been married for 14 years now.  I know, right??  It seems like just yesterday.  It's crazy how time has gone by so fast.  Well, we have had some ups and some downs.  I will say that I believe we have had more ups then downs.  I hear people say all the time that marriage is hard.  I myself don't think so.  I have been blessed with a fantastic husband (and Jeremy, when you read this, remember that you have been blessed with an even more fantastic wife.)  We get along so well.  He is my best friend and even though I tease him a ton, I really wouldn't trade him in for Robert Pattinson.  We had a wonderful anniversary.  I wish I could say I got him something.  Nope, remember that busy month I told you about earlier......but he not only got me a little something, but he brought me home a beautiful bouquet of Roses (which are pictured above).  I think I will keep him....for now.

Before all the madness began, my dad had come to visit for Thanksgiving.  He stayed for about 3 weeks.  He helped us with some things around the house, we took him up to Nashville, he did some fishing with Jeremy and we were able to take him to the Christmas Festival at the church and listen to the choir.  It was great and can I just tell you how much I loved listening to the choir.  It literally brings tears to me.  What a great way to start out the season before all the madness begins.  We had a good time with dad and we can't wait to see him in May.

.....and of course, we had to visit Santa and tell him what was on the list.

Christmas Eve.  I was still shopping!  So was everybody else!  I finally got everything done and even had time to make our annual sugar cookies for Santa.  He must have like them, 'cause they were all gone the next morning and the egg nog was gone as well.

I'm not sure how it works at your house, but every year, we get a visit from some sneaky Pajama Elves.  I'm not sure where these elves came from.  Every year the kids think they are going to catch them.  Well, maybe next year.  We went out to dinner Christmas Eve and then off to see the Galaxy of Lights at the Botanical Gardens and when we got home, those sneaky elves had made their delivery.  I sometimes think the kids are more excited each year for the Pajama Elves then they are for Santa himself.

....not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

That Santa made it and filled up the house.

Since Christmas was on Sunday this year, the kids had to wait until they got home from church.  Not long though.  Our church was at 9 am and we were home before 10:30.  I do believe that might have been one of the longest hours of their lives.  In the meantime, they did look good in their new Sunday clothes.

The kids had to make sure that Odie had a stocking.  If you ask me, I think Odie should have been on the bad list, but no.  Santa must have a very big heart.  Odie's stocking was filled with some treats, a toy, and this very cool looking sweater.  Odie does not like the sweater.  As soon as the kids put it on him he went a sulked in his crate.  For awhile we thought that maybe he didn't feel good, but after the sweater came off he was bouncing off the walls again.  I think I might have found my tool to calm his behavior.  (hehehe)

As soon as we got home from church, off came the Sunday clothes and the pajamas back on.  Don't they look cute in their hats.  Megan already had one, but Santa gave Emilee and Hunter one in their stocking.

Above is just a quick overview of Christmas.  The kids all liked what Santa gave them.  I think they were even surprised that they got many things on their list.  How 'bout that??  We had a wonderful day.  We played some games, had a great dinner, and played with some fun new things.  Most of all, we remembered our Savior.  We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that the new year brings you much happiness.

Taekwondo and testing up.

The kids have been taking Taekwondo for the last couple of months.  Some of it is hard for them, some of it is quite fun.  They especially like the parts when they get to kick and punch each other.  Go figure.  Today they tested for their yellow belt.  All three got it.  Whew!  Even though I explained that if they didn't get it, it would be OK, they would for sure get it next time, you never want to see them crushed.  Well, they all did get it.  One step at a time.  Here are some pics from today's events.

Hunter and Megan working it during their test, before they were yellow belts.  They tested a couple of weeks ago for a yellow stripe, but this one was for the yellow belt itself. 

 Megan receives her yellow belt.

 Hunter receives his yellow belt.

Emilee receives her yellow belt.

Here they are, strutting their stuff, yellow belt and all.  Woo-Hoo kiddos, you all look great!

The next belt is a green one.  Most likely they will get a green stripe first, maybe even two.  The belts do get harder to get the more you learn.  I am proud of them though.  They look good out there and as I watch them do their stuff, I think, " Man, I don't think I could do half of that stuff."  Keep up the good work!

Before and After

Isn't furniture just so much fun.  I love looking at various furniture pieces and thinking, Ah, if only......I think furniture shopping can be tons of fun, though Jeremy would strongly disagree.  The problem with furniture shopping though is lack of funds.  Oh, the nerve, right!?  Well that leads me to our computer desk.  We have had our desk only for four years.  It has been through so much in that four years and considering it was a little on the cheap side and not entirely what I was looking for, it has provided itself useful.  I have been hating it though for sometime thinking that it really had to go.  So, I started looking again at desks and you remember that lack of funds I was talking about before,...Well let me tell you.  A nice desk is not cheap.  So, I have been thinking just re-do it and let's just try and get another four years out of this sucker.  So my dad is visiting for a while and I decided to put him to work.  A great project for the two of us.  (OK, so he did do most of it, but that is besides the point.  I did help strip the desk down though, which is quite the job.)  Well, we finished and I say not bad for a cheap desk to have.  Here are my before and after pictures.

I think it looks pretty good.  Not bad dad!

Gone Fishing....

My dad came to stay with us for the Thanksgiving holiday.  While I was shopping on Black Friday and trying to find the deal of the century (which I didn't), Jeremy took my dad and Hunter fishing.  They had a beautiful day for it and probably had a more relaxing day then me.

Here is Hunter with his fish.  Now I believe he didn't hook it, but he did reel it in and did a good job at it.

Now, when Jeremy goes fishing he usually just catches and releases.  This time he brought them home.  He decided that he was going to clean, fillet, and eat them up.  YUCK!  I like them when I get them from the store already packaged up for the oven myself., but if he is willing.......

Here are those two big fish all filleted.  

And here they are all grilled up.  Seems like a lot of work.  I did try them.  They weren't bad, but I think I will just get mine from the store all packaged up nicely for me to cook.  They had fun doing it though.

Veteran's Day Parade

 My kids have been taking Taekwondo for the last month or so on Redstone Arsenal (the army base, for those that don't know).  They have really enjoyed it, but they also say it is a lot of hard work.  Every year, the Taekwondo group particiaptes in the Veteran's Day parade in Downtown Huntsville.  Megan wasn't quite sure if she wanted to participate but Emilee and Hunter were very excited.  In the end, Megan participated and she had a blast.  I thought I would share some of the pics I took.

 These are pre parade pictures.  They are getting ready and getting in position and order to start in the parade.

 And here they come.  If you look close, you can see Emilee

 And there is Megan

 They passed out candy to the kids along the way.  This is Megan coming to give Jeremy a piece.  I know it is a little blurry, but I think it is a totally cute picture.  She is smiling and seems to be having so much fun.

And then there is Hunter next to Mrs. Hernandez.  She was Megan's fourth grade teacher and now she is Emilee's.  If I have my way, she will probably be Hunter's as well.  They all are in the same Taekwondo group on the base.  I think they all had a good time.  It was a great experience for them and very fun to watch them in it.

Halloween Night 2011

Ahhh!  Halloween!  This is probably my kids favorite time of year.  I think they like it even more then Christmas.  They begin talking about it the day after Halloween.  For a whole year I hear what they will be next year.  Well, this year Megan was a black cat, Emilee was a witch, and Hunter was a ninja.  

I am not sure if Megan is trying to be scary or vampire like.  Whatever it is, at least she is having fun.

Emilee for the longest time wanted to be a police officer, but we were at the store and they had this costume and she had to have it.  Notice we sprayed her hair green.  For the last few years we are either putting her hair in a wig or spraying it a different color.  She loves it.

Hunter was suppose to be Green Lantern, but about 2 weeks before he changed his mind.  That's my little Ninja.

I guess Megan is getting to big for us.  She is turning into a tween for sure.  She wanted to go with her friends instead of with us.  They had a good time though.

The rest of us went trick-or-treating with some friends in their neighborhood.  

 The kids carved their pumpkins on Friday.  

Home at last.  Let me tell ya.....with the trunk or treat and Halloween night, I would say they have enough candy to last them years.  Ya right!  You know what though?...they are already planning for next year.

Happy Halloween!