Monday

Monday was spent washing laundry. I think I washed about 12 loads and am still washing this morning. Brian worked on the cars outside. It was such a beautiful day, warm and sunny. After working outside he came in and made a video. Over Christmas he videoed different things, so he put them together and made one big video. He did such a good job.



I got a tiny crock pot for Christmas and can't wait to use it. It's perfect for dips and such. I might whip up a dip for Rock Group on Friday.



Here's a snippet of the video. Don't judge me by what my crazy aunt is doing. Yes, she is 50 and acts like one of the kids.

Weekend Update

This weekend was very laid back. After going to Forest City for Christmas we were in need of a break. I think after shopping and everything else, we were in need of a break.

Saturday was Alex's third birthday. I still can't believe my baby is 3! It doesn't seem like he should be that old. Saturday morning we hung out at home, letting the kids play with their new toys. Brianna is addicted to the WebKinz. We can't keep her off the computer now. Alex came through the house on his motorcycle with his helmet and Batman pj's on.

We took the kids to Monkey Joe's for Alex's birthday. They had a great time. And slept really good that night.

This weird picture just happened as Brian was snapping. Bri stuck her head out looking for Alex while he was going in.

This chair was in the party rooms. Brian snuck Alex in to get some pictures.

Alex wanted Chinese for supper, so we faked him out and took him to Ishi. Much faster and easier than Chinese. The kids were so tired, they didn't care, they just wanted something to eat, a shower and bed.

Alex's four wheeler cake. We got it at Wal Mart and they did such a great job.

Sunday after church we had to go buy groceries. I don't know what was wrong with me, but I was itching so bad in church, I couldn't concentrate. So, in the middle of Wal Mart I took a Benadryl. By the time we got home, I was so tired. Benadryl knocks me out and it helped with the itching! So we stayed at home Sunday afternoon and did nothing. Brian was bored, he likes to do stuff when he is home, but he will live.

I have a TON of laundry to do this week. Washing all the new clothes the kids got for Christmas.

Christmas

We had a very busy Christmas. Wednesday night we went to the Christmas Eve service at church. Alex was blown away that Santa was there. He kept telling Brianna that Santa was in church. It was so funny. Here's Alex with three of his favorite girls. Christmas Eve was spent cooking and getting ready for our trip to my parents house.

On Christmas after we saw what Santa left us, we headed to my parents house. We had breakfast there. It's a tradition that we always eat sausage balls for breakfast on Christmas Day. There is always one present that I am excited about giving, this year it was Amos' present. We got him the first two seasons of the show Dinosaurs. Bri got two bookmarks and Alex got an ornament that my Granny made before she died. I honestly started crying. My dad got Amos and Brian remote control cars. They loved playing with them. Daddy likes to get them toys, last year it was remote control helicopters. Christmas Day was busy with family. We were so ready to go to bed that night. Alex sleeps on an air matress when we stay up there and he didn't move the whole night. I think he slept until about 8 the next morning.

The kids opening their presents. Alex was more impressed with the hangers than the clothes that went on them. Brianna was all about the new clothes. I have a TON of laundry to do this coming week.

Alex with his "motorcycle."

Sonya with her strawberry socks.

Alex pulling Bri in the wagon with Aunt Darlene watching.

Happy Birthday

Today is Alex's birthday. My baby is 3. I can't believe it. Here is a picture of me and him after he was born:


Here is a video of him blowing out his candle on his birthday cake and singing happy birthday to himself at his party yesterday.

Happy Birthday little man!

Christmas Eve

I am so excited for our Christmas Eve service, I can't stand it. Last year was so awesome! I am taking the camera tonight and will post pictures later. But, there is a lot to do between now and then, so we have to get started.

Brian is cooking breakfast on the grill. Don't laugh, those of you who know us know that Brian would grill just about anything, or try to. I am enjoying some really good coffee. Leigh was on Facebook talking about White Chocolate Raspberry creamer. I got some yesterday and yum! Brian makes good coffee and says I ruin it with all that creamer.

Liz came over for supper last night. We missed Joey, but he was at his aunt's house. I love hanging out with those kids. After supper we cleaned out Bri's toy bucket. I had cleaned out Alex's during nap time. My kids have a lot of JUNK, Happy Meal toys and broken bits of things. We always clean out before Christmas to make room for all the stuff they get from Santa and everyone else. I threw out 2/3 of Bri's bucket, that was full of paper and broken things.

The Taylors are moving up in technology today. We are getting a new Dish receiver with DVR in it! I am so excited, no more missing my shows.

I am ready to spend time with everyone tomorrow and Friday.

I have to go to Wal Mart today. I am NOT looking forward to it, I hate crowds. Maybe I can just run in and run out. I have a few things to pick up for brunch and supper tomorrow.

My kids crack me up. Brianna has a cold and was up last night coughing, but is still playing this morning. Alex is pretending to be a dog and Bri is his owner and training him for the dog show. They are too funny.

Weekend Update

Our weekend was very relaxed. After we got Brian home, it was a nice do not a lot weekend. He graduated on Saturday (look for pictures tomorrow). I was so proud of him. I couldn't even yell at him so he would know where we were, I was crying so hard. Thank goodness Amos got his attention. A lady asked Brianna if she got to see who she was there to see and she said, "Yes mam. My daddy graduated today." I started crying again. This is something she will always remember. After graduation Brian desperatly needed a nap, so we came home and let him rest.


Sunday after church we went out to Bost Grist Mill. It's a really cool place to take the kids and let them ask questions. The guys working there were more than willing to answer all our questions and tell us about what they do at the mill. The inside of the mill was decorated for Christmas with all kinds of goodies for sale. I picked up a cinnamon bread mix, and can't wait to make it. After we left the mill we brought Bri and Brian home and Alex and I went to get haircuts. Alex was in desperate need of a haircut and I got about 2 inches cut! My head feels so much lighter.


Brian's off work this week, so he has a lot of things to do outside. I have a lot of things to do inside. We are making our cookies for Santa, reindeer food, and sausage balls for the Christmas Eve service. Most of the cooking will be done on Wednesday, but we need to make the reindeer food on Tuesday so we can send some home with Olivia. I only have to work two days this week, so I am super excited about that.


Thursday I made Cream Cheese Squares to take to Sherry's for the GIGGLES party. I have been asked for the recipe, so I will post it again.

2 can crescent rolls
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Ground cinnamon
8 oz cream cheese, at room temp.
3/4 stick margarine

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Roll out 1 can crescent rolls flat into bottom of the pan. Mix cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and vanilla with a hand mixer until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over crescent rolls. Roll out other can of cresent rolls flat on top of the cream cheese mixture. Melt margarine and add 1/2 cup of sugar; stir. Pour evenly over top of crescent rolls. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 30 minutes.

This does not work with low fat cream cheese, you have 1 1/2 cups of sugar, why use low fat anything! Honestly it doesn't set up, they are runny with the low fat stuff. These are YUMMY with a cup of coffee or by themselves.

The Weary Traveler

So, Brian was supposed to come home Friday morning. The plan was for me to meet him at the airport overlook and get his luggage so I could get started on his laundry. His plane was to land about 8:30. About 9 he called and said he was still in Detroit. I totally did not believe him, not even after talking to the guy he was traveling with! I kept looking for the Jeep to pull into the park. For 10 minutes after he hung up, I stood there looking for him. He never showed up and I finally got the idea, he was indeed stuck in Detroit. After crying most of the way from the airport to Wal Mart I went to buy groceries. He called in the middle of grocery buying asking me to get on the internet to find him a flight home. I told him it would be a good 30 minutes before I would get home. I called Sonya and told her to start praying. She did more than that, she started looking up flights home. She found him one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He got on the 7 pm flight and made it home about 11 last night. After sitting in the Detroit airport and graduation this morning, he is taking a well deserved nap. I am so thankful that Sonya started looking up flight information to get them home last night. US Air told him they didn't have anything until Sunday!

So, he's home. Thank you all for the prayers.

On another note, I had a great time at the GIGGLES Christmas party Thursday. It was so nice to get together with a bunch of women and just talk and enjoy each others company. Thanks Sherry for inviting me.

New Show

As you regular readers know, I love cooking shows. I found a new one today. It's on Discovery Health and it called, Just Cook This! Sam Zien is the cook/host and honestly cracked me up. I don't think it's on regularly, I took a peek at the Discovery Health website and found the schedule. It looked like his stuff was fairly healthy too! I am going to check it out a bit more today.

Speaking of cooking shows, Top Chef is in full swing. Carla on there just makes me laugh. Last week she was looking for the rest of her team in the grocery store and she was yelling "Hoodie." She and her husband do this when they can't find the other. One yells, "Hoodie" and the other answers "Who!" Everytime they show her, I just laugh. I want her to make it to the end, just for entertainment value.

Alex has learned how to turn the lights on and off in the house. Bri was trying to take a shower last night and he was turning the light off on her. I am going to have to let her start locking the door, just so she can take a shower without interruption.

Alex just yelled, "Ze Nutcracker!" Where did that German accent come from?

Brian is supposed to come home tomorrow! I say supposed because they are forecasting more snow for them tonight. People start praying he makes it home tomorrow. I NEED him to come home! The kids and I are missing him. I know you are tired of hearing it, but it's my blog and I will whine if I want to. The Littles and I are headed to the airport in the morning to get his suitcase from him so I can start on his laundry.

I am heading out to the GIGGLES Christmas party with Mrs. Ellie tonight. I am so excited. I got the stuff to make some Cream Cheese Squares this afternoon. Just knowing that I am making those make my day. I am making enough to leave some at home to have for breakfast in the morning. They are soooooo good with a cup of coffee! They are good by themselves.

Got all the Christmas cards mailed out yesterday. We also got a funny one in the mail. Amos' favorite movie is A Christmas Story and that's what their Christmas cards are this year. I got the one with the leg lamp on it. Sonya said there is a house in Shelby that has a leg lamp in their front window. She drove Amos by there on Tuesday night to cheer him up. Amos' turtle Roxy died Tuesday. He has had the turtle since he was in the third grade. I think a leg lamp would look good in Sonya and Amos' house! Just kidding Sonya :)

I am working on my lesson for 252 on Sunday. I am excited to finish up The Purpose of Christmas with them. I missed the girls last week. I think that is the first week I have missed since I started teaching with Robin. I may have to whip up some goodies for them for Christmas.

Brianna has a friend and her mom calls me Bethany. It drives me nuts. She calls and asks for Bethany and I tell her it's Stephanie, but it just doesn't sink in.

Hurting

I check out a blog daily written by a lady from church whose husband passed away in a wreck recently.  I don't know her, we have never met, but I pray hard for her everyday.  I pray for God to help her.  I have a lot of thoughts about why I pray so hard for a complete stranger and one of the answers is this: as a mom, I want to wrap her in my arms and make it all go away. There are a few other reasons, but I haven't sorted those out enough to actually blog about them.  She is having such a hard time with the holidays and just redefining who she is.   Check her out at: http://www.chillinwithjuna.blogspot.com/

I also subscribe to a CaringBridge blog.  Adam is a little guy from Harrisburg who has a rare form of cancer.  My friend Jenny got me to reading this after she told me about an entry where mom was ranting and wondering why her baby had to endure all of this.  Adam is in and out of the hospital and thankfully is home right now.  Adam is a true warrior and is fighting with all he has.  

Check him out at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adamtanksley 

Tuesday

Yesterday we didn't do much of anything. Today I am hoping to get to the school to have lunch with Bri, it all depends on The Littles and how they are feeling. I am also going to get my Christmas cards addressed and get them in the mail. I need to take a day and make some birthday, thank you, and just everday cards. I hate not having any on hand. Maybe I will get a day while Brian is off, or after Bri goes back to school.

We went to eat supper with the Bagley's last night. It was so good. Ellie made meatball subs. Bri wanted to know when we can have them at home, so probably in a couple of weeks. We had such a great time. It's nice to know that people are looking after me and the kids while Brian is away.

Brian emailed some snow pictures last night. Brianna is jealous that it isn't snowing here. She did NOT want to get up this morning, she was all warm and snuggled in her blankets. I didn't want to get up either for that matter.

Tired

I am so tired today. Not physically tired, but mentally tired. Brian is on a business trip this week and it honestly surprises me how much I miss him. I miss having that other person here to back me up. I thought this week would be like the many others when he has worked late and I don't get to see him that much anyway. Then I realized that I see him and talk to him everyday, whether it's at 3 in the morning or 6 at night. He is calling a lot, so that tells me he might miss us a little too. So, the Taylor's have started the Friday countdown.

Okay, enough whining. We are looking forward to Chirstmas and getting some time off. Brianna is looking forward to her class party. I really need to get out to the school to have lunch with her one day this week. Alex found some "pesants" I had wrapped last night and won't leave them alone.

Elf Kids

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Two More Things

Nikki, I can't find your song on playlist, I'm sorry. Speaking of the playlist, these are songs that I enjoy and could listen to all day. It is constantly changing.

Weekend Update

This was one of the weirdest weekends ever.

Friday night was Rock Group. We finished up The Purpose of Chirstmas. I'm glad that's over. Brian got to come to RG, he got home a little late, but got here in time to eat. Friday night the kids were up late, playing with their friends, we had a new couple join us with their beautiful girls. After everyone left, Brian got his hat ready for graduation. Here is Alex trying it on:

Saturday, Brian had to work again and I had Christmas shopping to get done. The kids were both up early, which mixed with RG the night before made for ill kids. We did get some things bought, so it wasn't wasted. Bri and Alex went to a birthday party with my parents while I made Alex's birthday party invitations. Saturday night we just chilled out and packed Brian up for his trip to Detroit this week.

Sunday, Brian had to work and then catch his 4:30 flight. Alex is very confused, not seeing Brian since Saturday. He went to our bedroom looking for him this morning. After church we finished up our Christmas shopping. Then after a supper of Taco Soup we went to The Walk Through Bethlehem at Providence Baptist. I love going through the walk. It was so much fun and got me centered on the meaning of Christmas after two days at malls.

Alex is wearing his Superman toboggan and gloves this morning. If you are from the South you know a toboggan is a hat, if you are from the North you think it's a sled. He looks goofy with his pajamas with toboggan and gloves. I am preparing for a week of being a single parent. Brian comes home Friday and graduates on Saturday. We are praying that he doesn't get snowed in. I am enjoying not fighting over the remote and eating as much Taco Soup as I can (Brian doesn't like it).

Cake Love

I took the kids to Wal-Mart last night to buy groceries. While we were there we stopped by the bakery department to pick out Alex's birthday cake. I told him what we were going to do and started looking through the cake book. He found one with a four wheeler on it and yelled, "I want that one!" He was so excited that he told everyone in Wal-Mart that he was getting a four wheeler cake for his birthday.

Christmas

I just heard the dumbest Christmas song. A lady was having her most worthwhile Christmas because she had a boyfriend or husband, it never said. What a message to send to ladies, you can't have anything meaningful until there is a man there with you?!?!?!

While I was thinking about this song, I was looking at our tree. That made me think about other Christmas things. Our tree has a lot of crocheted ornaments on it that Granny made. There used to be a lady that had a tree that all it had on it was Granny's ornaments. I wonder if she still has it and puts it up. I hope Sonya and Amos have some of these for their tree. Bri and I talk about them everytime we decorate the tree. We start talking about Granny and PawPaw and things we used to do with them at Christmas. I miss going to their house on Christmas Eve around "5 or 5:30" to eat and listen for Santa on the fire scanner. We don't do that anymore, we are trying to find our own Christmas traditions: letting the kids put out reindeer food, going to the Christmas Eve service at church, having our family Christmas time before heading to Momma's on Christmas Day. What are some of your Christmas traditions?

Tired

I'm so tired today. I think my body is protesting over how much I am asking it to do this week. I am trying to get a lot of things done before Brian leaves for his trip. He will probably have to work the weekend also. I am stamping tonight. If I don't get some cards made, I am going to be mad with myself. Anyway, I am taking a nap today and tonight I will get started. How lucky are The Littles? Everyday at 12:30, I tell them to go take a nap. As an adult, I would LOVE someone to give me the option to take a nap everyday.

Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECCA! We hope you have a great day!

Christmas Song

The Littles (Alex and Olivia) are loving this Christmas song:

Tuesday Stuff

Took Alex to the doctor this morning. He's fine, but told me yesterday he was tired and felt yucky. Alex is not one to say he is tired. The doctor did tell me to keep an eye on him, they had four cases of pneumonia at the office yesterday and it turned into pneumonia QUICK. How sad is that? That scares me with little ones. So, Dr. O'Brien told me what to watch for. I love Dr. O'Brien, he is just so nice. He listened to Alex breathe for 3 minutes, I timed him. He was the doctor Bri saw a couple of years ago when she busted her chin at school. That was an interesting visit. She was bleeding all over the place and between home and school and the doctor's office, I came down with a stomach virus. I couldn't even get her checked in without having to leave line and go to the bathroom. He was so nice to her that day. Thankfully she didn't get stitches, just skin glue.



It really aggrevates me when people pretend to know me, but they don't.


I'm excited about some people who are kicking around the blogging idea. They would be well worth reading.


I have not even put a dent in my Christmas shopping. I know why people are stressed out this time of year, there is too much to do, add sick kids to that and it doesn't help. I am getting online this afternoon.


I have not started making our Christmas cards. Starting that tonight.


Brian is going to Detroit on Sunday. He will be back on Friday night. Add to the above two and talk about stress! This is the first time he will be away from me or the kids for a large amount of time in 7 1/2 years. When he worked at Corning, he had to travel quite a bit. Just pray that he doesn't get snowed in, his graduation is the next day!

Alex cracks me up. He was playing with Brian's clean socks while I was on the phone yesterday afternoon. At least it was the clean socks!

A lot of people at church are in the hospital or having surgery. The meal ministry team and GIGGLES are going to get a work out!

I think that's it. Something else will probably come to me, but I have to go clean the humidifiers and get those ready for nap time.

Weekend Update

This weekend flew by. On Friday I was mopping the kitchen and Alex was watching me. When I got finished he took my hand and looked up at me and said, "Good job mopping mommy." I have never been told I did a good job mopping before, it doesn't matter if it came from a two year old.

Friday night was Rock Group and we had two new couples join us. We started watching The Purpose of Christmas.

Saturday morning we took the kids to the Siemens Christmas party. They always have a great time there. Alex was excited to see Santa and tell him what he wanted for Christmas. Brianna was happy to get her face painted.

Saturday night we headed out to Lake Norman Baptist Church for their Family Christmas. That is a huge church. We had so much fun. A guy Brian works with told him about it. We really enjoyed ourselves and wished we had gotten there earlier so we could do everything.

The kids had never seen someone playing a harp before.

Riding the horse drawn carriage.

Our horse and driver.

They had a camel at the petting zoo. Yep, we all got to pet a camel! It was really cool.

Alex chased this little goat around for a good five minutes.

Brianna just wanted to pet the donkey. It was almost like the donkey knew Bri wanted to pet it so it stayed away from the fence. Finally it let her pet it.

Sunday after church was our Christmas play. I remember being in Christmas plays when I was little. Bri had a speaking part this year and did a great job, she didn't even need a microphone.



Sonya and Amos being goofy after the play.

Alex playing with Ms. Crickett, or as Alex would say, "Ms. Kickett."

Brian nor I were ready to hear the alarm clock go off this morning. We both agreed that the weekend went too fast.

New Recipe

I made a new recipe for Rock Group tonight. Our food theme is appetizers and these could not be easier to make. Brianna and I have already sampled them.

Pepperoni Roll-ups

1 tube refrigerated crescent rolls
16 slices pepperoni, cut into quarters
2 pieces string cheese, cut into quarters
3/4 tsp. Italian seasoning, divided
1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Unroll crescent dough, separate into eight triangles. Place eight pepperoni pieces on each. Place a piece of cheese on the long side of each triangle, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Roll up each, starting with a long side, pinch seams to seal. Sprinkle with garlic salt and remaining Italian seasoning.

Place 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

These are so easy that Brianna did most of them by herself. All I did was sprinkle pepperoni on. We also forgot to add the Italian seasoning and garlic salt, and they are still good!

Another Christmas Tradition

Brianna is learning some basic French in school this week. So, I thought I would look up some French Christmas traditions. She was excited to read this and ready to share with her class. I found this at santas.net:

"The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Nol, which means "Christmas Log." The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le reveillon. Le reveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition. In Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de foie gras. Le Revellion may consist of poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit and wine."

We have Rock Group tonight and I am very excited about getting together with them. I am trying a new recipe out on them and can't wait, it's from one of the new magazines I picked up Saturday.

The Littles have a cold and have been fighting all week. I know they don't feel good, but man all this whining and arguing is about to get to me.

Christmas Tradition

I am going to take a break from telling you all the happenings in the Taylor house. I am in the mood to gripe and often get in trouble when I gripe on here. Brianna and I found this interesting tidbit in the World Market sales paper yesterday.

"A German tree timming tradition:

After they decorate their tree parents hide the pickle ornamanet among the boughs. When the children see the decorated tree for the first time they hunt for the hidden ornament knowing that the lucky child who finds it will receive an extra little gift from St. Nicholas."

We thought this was cool. So, I am going to start looking up Christmas traditions from other countries to share with Bri and you guys.

Love This!

I love this commercial. It only comes on this time of year.

Forgot

I forgot to tell you all about the good news we got yesterday. I took Bri to the orthodontist yesterday and they took her impressions for her retainer. Here is the good part: She gets her braces off January 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were thinking it would be early February. She said all she wants to eat that day is Tootsie Rolls, gummy bears, corn on the cob and apples that are not cut up!

Tuesday/Wednesday

Last night we had supper with Liz. Joey couldn't make it, he didn't feel well. We had turkey burgers and homemade sweet potato fries and regular fries. They were so good.

Some things I ordered for Christmas came in last night. I really like shopping online, you don't have to deal with the crowds, and you can sit in front of the computer in your pajamas with a cup of cider. If I could keep the kids from seeing the stuff, I would buy more things online, I may have to try it.

This morning it was cold and I had to get gas. I just about froze my self to death. While I was getting gas I hurt my finger. The clip to keep the gas door on the truck shut went under my fingernail. It HURTS.

Project 252 is going to Jeff Gordon's Children's Hospital to read to the patients tonight. Brianna had a great time picking books out last night. She had more winter books in her room than I thought she did. I didn't even have to dig out the books I ordered when I was teaching.

I am starting to design my Christmas cards for this year. I think I am going to try to do several designs instead of the same one for everyone. Now, I just have to find a day to do them, it may be a couple of nap times instead of a whole day. I have a card class Saturday and we will make 12 cards. If you want to get on the mailing list, email me at sctaylor5@gmail.com.

I am almost finished with my mountain of laundry. I am so excited to have it done. I didn't wash but one day last week, because we were at mom's and out shopping a couple of days.

Girl's Night Out

I went over to Candice's with the girls last night. We had such a great time. It was so fun to sit around to talk, gripe, and just enjoy being together. We were over there much later than we needed to be, but it was well worth it.

I learned how to properly brush my teeth on The View last week. You are supposed to hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and the bristles are supposed to go under the gums. I have been doing that for a week and today my gums didn't hurt. I am trying everything I can so I don't have to have another deep cleaning at my next dentist visit. I threatened to walk out if they even thought about doing that again. Talk about HURT!

I am in the process of planning Alex's birthday party. With his birthday being so close to Christmas, I am trying to figure out a way to make his b-day special and seperate from Christmas.

Brianna has to go to the orthodontist today. She is excited, she is getting her impressions for her retainer. That means the braces will come off soon. It's been a very long year. She is missing her Tootsie Rolls and gummy bears. I would love to run by Trader Joe's while I am over that way, but don't know if I want to take my chances with the kids. I will have all 4 today and the orthodontist office does something to The Littles to make them crazy. That may be a weekend trip.

Weekend Update

On Friday we did a little shopping, not a lot. We just were not in the mood I guess. We did stop a few places in Gastonia on the way home. We went to Old Navy and I found the most comfortable sweat pants in the world. They are long and don't gather at the bottom. I almost wore a pair to church yesterday.

Saturday we started the great hunt for our Christmas tree. I wanted one that was smaller and prelit. The one we had was one my mom had given us. So Saturday we went out hunting. We went to Pineville to Peppermint Forest and decided we just could not afford their trees. They had some pretty ones, but they were expensive. We bought one at Lowes in Pineville. We got home and started putting it together and placing the limbs. I was not in love with the tree, I thought it was too big. Brian decided we should take it back to see if we can find one that was smaller in diameter. We found one at Lowes in Concord.

Sunday we had play practice after church and then came home and decorated the tree.

Alex's new mad face.

Brianna being goofy!

Playing with the skirt for the tree.

The Littles are tired today. There will probably be a lot of this:

Thanksgiving

Our family has started taking a family picture every Thanksgiving. It's quite a process, but it's fun and it makes Nana happy, so we all do it.

Bri, Bobbie and Reid.

Amos, Sonya, and Bri

The kids made a tent under the table that was set up in Momma's room. They probably played under there for an hour. They had so much fun!

Resting after all that food!

Alex playing, actually Bri dressed him up like this to make Daddy and Brian mad.

PawPaw and Alex eating craisins.

Muscle boy!

Alex and Brian went to the pet store while I was in Old Navy on Friday. I'm just glad they didn't leave with a cat. Alex was in love!

They also went to the bookstore.

We saw this car going through the parking lot. I made Brian take a picture. Too funny!