Merry Christmas 2007

We went over to some long time friends, sort of family and enjoyed Christmas Eve. Great food and great people. We played white elephant and visited. Now we are home Jimmy and Porter insisted on watching Its A Wonderful Life. Hannah and I are hanging out and spending some girly time together. I am excited for tomorrow and a little sad. I just love that the world gathers together and celebrates the birth of our Savior (well some of the world) I've have tried to slow down and enjoy the lights and hot chocolate a little bit more. We are going to bring the spirit of Christmas closer by reading the Christmas story in Luke before we go to bed tonight. I just don't want to loose sight of things tomorrow and you know how easily that can be done. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
The picture is of our front yard. Hannah said I think this is the most lights we've ever had!! Sad to say it's true.

Claire's new outfits from Grandma Ila and Papa Bill

Christmas Sunday Pictures 2007

Oh My Gosh! It is almost impossible to get Claire to smile and sit still at the same time. So we lucked out on this one. FINALLY!!! We were at the mall last night and the line for Santa was about 20 minutes long. We got in and we it was out turn Claire literally climbed up my side and said, "Tanta cary." I think Santa was toast. He just looked at me like please don't put another screaming kid on my lap. So I tried to show Claire he was nice by touching his beard and calling him Papa, but she way in now way buying it. So I told Santa Merry Christmas and we left. I just couldn't do it to the poor old man. I did think it would have been funny. Anyway, maybe next year.

Continue Christmas tradition

For the last 10 plus years through pregnancy sickness, loss of a loved one, teenager attitudes and little fingers in everything we have manage to continue the tradtion of candy making. Sometimes we get lots of help too. Of course it all started with Nancy bringing me up some candy at The Parlour and I had to learn how to make it. We have our ones we make every year, which are peanut brittle, toffee,peppermint bark, chocolate dipped pretzels, peanutbutter balls and fudge. We have added chex mix and a few others. We laugh,get chocolate all over,watch movies and listen to Christmas music while makiing goodies all day long. Porter even said right in the middle of it, "Guys I am having a hay day!" I look forward to it every year. Thanks Hassan girls for a fun day.

Our Christmas Tradition

My teacher gifts this year

9 dollars in containers, 2 bags of pretzels, 2 kinds of chocolate for dipping and a bag of cookie cutters from the dollar store. I think I went inexpensive and they turned out pretty cute.

Our anniversary date

You know when we were setting a date to get married I don't think we were thinking down the road when we had children because........ We go out on what we call a date for our anniversary and go to Toys R Us and get Christmas for the kids and we did manage to squeeze in dinner at Pei Wei. I so badly wanted to do other things but time would not allow. So thats our date which happens a few times a year. Yea!!!!!! Thanks mom for babysitting.

3rd place Pink Panthers

Hannah's team finished 3rd place this season. They were so intimidated by this team they played called the "Volley Chicks", need I say more?
Anyway, the first game they whomped (is that a word?) on them. At that point they gained their confidence back. Then they lost the next two, which put them in another bracket. Which put us playing the "Diggers" and we lost. I did the most unthinkable thing ever. Hannah is very good at volleyball. About 90% of her hits go over and count. She is still lacking some confidence though. So as the ball comes towards her if it doesn't fall in her lap its not hers and she will watch it drop. Ok, to my unthinkable thing, I told Hannah I would pay her a $1.00 for every ball she hits. Yikes. I should have been more specific. According to Hannah all her serves counted too. She did soooooo good and I had to pay up $12.00. She wanted to go to the half price book store, so I thought it was well spent money and her best game EVER!!!!!
Her coach is getting her masters right now and used to play volleyball at Martin High School. She taught the girls so much and wants to coach these same girls again this spring. Oh, no it might interfere with softball. I wonder which one she will choose or maybe they will overlap just a little. I guess we will wait and see.

The picture of my beautiful 14 roses

14 years ago

14 years ago a prince named Jimmy and a princess named Nicole were married.
Yes, its been that long. It doesn't seem that long. In fact it has flown by. I had to work today and my sweet husband sent me 14 roses. I will post a picture later. They are beautiful. I work tomorrow also so I left them at work to be able to enjoy. He out did himself. I personally was shocked because we've talked about sending flowers and how expensive they are and all the other things you can buy with the $. I guess he felt I was worth the $ this year. Thanks babe. I got that I love you in my heart all over again. Its been great. I can't wait for another 14.

Christmas is in the air

I don't know about you but, I am so excited Christmas is this month. I love everything about it.

- NATIVITY
-MUSIC
-SMELLS (FOOD, CANDLES,CHRISTMAS TREES, SCENTED PINE CONES)
-LIGHTS
-ALMOST EVERYONES ATTITUDE (GIVING& KIND)
-EXCITEMENT IN MY KIDS
-PLACES DECORATED (IT JUST GIVES EVERTHING A NEW LOOK)
-CARDS (GREETINGS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY and CONNECTING WITH THOSE FAR AWAY)
-CHRISTMAS STORIES
-CHRISTMAS MOVIES
-FOOD (HOMEMADE CANDY ECT.)
-MAYBE CRISP AIR (IF YOU LIVE IN TEXAS)
-SURPRISES
-GETTING TOGETHER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
-SNOW (ONLY IN PICTURES OR ON TV)
-CHRISTMAS PLAYS

These are a few of my favorite things. I have really enjoyed each day and evening with my family. I made an advent calendar and placed things in on the dates where I knew of things that are planned and then added fun things on the other dates. So far we've only flubbed up twice. We've gone to see A Christmas Carol in Dallas with my mom, made smores last night, watched a Christmas movie,read in the scriptures in Luke, read Christmas stories and this Friday we are going to Six Flags. Could it get any better than this!!! I wish I was a kid. Share some of your favorites with me. I'd love to hear. To those of you who read and don't comment this is the time to start.

Proud Moment

Porter had a sub at school and this is what she wrote. I was so proud of him. Way to go Porter.

just a few of our family pics 2007