First gathering

Last Sunday, we got started!!! We went over to Momba and Papa's house. This is Connor's grandparents....on his momma's side. This is a BIG family! Connor has 2 aunts and an uncle. He also has 2 brothers and 1 sister. He has 7 cousins. Between all of us there are 13 grandkids and 2 on the way! People....that's 15! It was difficult getting them all in one photo, as you can imagine!
We were missing Katie, who was home with a virus and little Sophie, the 5 week old that couldn't sit at the table! But here she is......oh, doesn't that make your heart skip a beat? She is so precious! We are heading to my Mom's this very second! Lots of family time for us! We'll be home on Sunday.....can't wait to play with our new toys!

Party Animals

My two little elves getting ready for the day of parties!

We truly are party animals! Pictures from school parties! Oh, I love 3rd grade! All the 3rd graders dressed up as Whoville characters! They were all so cute! I love the fact that they have parts and get to go around to the other classrooms and act out a part of the story! Emma was so excited to go to John Connor's class. I had Ms. Bishop video it for me. It's adorable! If I ever figure out how to upload my flip videos to my computer, maybe you'll get to see it!
John Connor invited us to his class for cocoa and carols. Too cute! They sang Christmas carols to the parents and then we had cocoa! John Connor was really into this one song. I think it was the 12 days of Christmas!
I went to Emma's party in the afternoon. It was a Who fest. There was Who food and games and Who prizes! It was a super fun party! Emma was the first one finished making her cookie. She knows exactly what she wants....icing and sprinkles. She makes sure she gets every last bite!I miss being more involved in their classrooms. It seems weird not knowing all the kids names and helping with every part of the parties. I'm so thankful that I do get to go when I can. I know it means a lot to my kids and the teachers. They do so much and really appreciate parents coming in.

Guess we'll be back to school next year!

Annual Ornament Swap

I love this party! I have had an ornament swap for several years. You are supposed to bring an ornament (or holiday decor item) and we play dirty santa! Let me tell you.......my friends are ruthless! They will fight for an ornament! It is so much fun and we laugh so hard! I love it and always look forward to it every year. Most of the time, I ask everyone to bring cookies and we have a cookie swap, too. This year, well, needless to say, has been a little crazy! I have been behind on everything! Hopefully, next year, I will have it a little more "together". We'll see! Thanks to all the girls that came this year and helped bring food! Can't wait to do it again!

Emma and John Connor working on homework together! Such sweetie kids!

Christmas parties!

There have been less this year than in year's past. The economy? A short season? I'm not sure, but we had fun at the ones we went to! It's so great getting together with friends. I truly enjoy getting to see all my friends! We had our annual tennis party. Our fabulous hostess, Betty, knows how to entertain! Her house was decorated perfectly. She has lots of Penny McAllister decorations. I love them! They have a very whimsical, vintage feel to them. Betty and Karen get together and give away door prizes. I love that! I really need to incorporate that into my party. Last year I won a gift card to Ruth's Chris! This year I won a Penny McAllister ornament! I have some pretty good luck at her party! We always take a group photo. Coach Rusty usually takes the pic since he's the only male. He always brings a Christmas CD that he's made. We have a great time!

Connor and I went to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta the first weekend in December. It really was fun. Too bad the Tide couldn't pull it through. I think it was a great game. We got to hang out with the brothers, Tony and Michael. I guess we will hang out with Tony at the Sugar Bowl. Michael gets to dress out! He'll be on the side lines! YAY!

Vallie Pate came to the store one night and taught us the cutest Christmas tree painting! It turned out sooo cute! Leah, super duper talented, Leah, brought door prizes for everyone. Man, I really need to step up to the plate on the door prizes! She handpaints ornaments. She calls them the original Ta Ta's. They are oh so adorable! She also made some cross t-shirts. We gave everyone that came a door prize! Thanks Leah!!

December Scripts Kit

This was one of my favorite kits to work with. I guess because I love everything Christmas! I made this cute countdown calendar from a frame I had. It's just a raw wood frame I found at Michaels. I covered it with one of the patterned papers in the kit. I add the little frames around each window to make them stand out a little more. The bird and tree were to make it look Christmasy! I love the Making Memories alphabet. It is so pretty and sparkly! The picture of John Connor is obviously an old one. It is one of my FAVORITES!!! He is just so innocent playing with Santa's glasses and grinning that adorable grin! I could kiss the photographer for getting this shot! The other Santa in this picture is one that my Mom gave me. We have had it for as many years as I can remember. It was always my most favorite thing to put out! I couldn't wait to find it packed carefully in it's box. It was always placed on the mantle. I truly think it is one of the most precious Christmas gifts she's ever given me. It just brings back those childhood memories!! Thanks Mom! I don't know if I've ever told you before.
This little layout is about one of the fiestiest 98 year olds I know! We were getting ready for Thanksgiving lunch and these pictures were being passed around. There were so many that I wanted to steal! They all have her personality captured! She has handwritten notes on several of them to her sweetheart while he was away at war. Such a sweet love story. She claimed to be embarrased, but you could see her heart smiling right through her eyes as she was remembering! Connor's Grandmother, Edith Farmer, is so precious to her whole family! We are so lucky to have been able to spend so many years with her! We pray that we will continue to have many, many more!
I made this card with a piece of cardstock, tulle, a die cut paper from Little Yellow Bicycle and those pretty Falala alphas from Making Memories! I hope you have a wonderful Holiday week!

May your Season be Merry!

Here's the Christmas card!
Merry Christmas to YOU!

Sips N Strokes

From Birmingham? You know exactly what I'm talking about! I LOVE Sips N Strokes during the holidays. There are soooo many paintings that I want to do. This particular one was a lot of fun. I got to hang out with some old friends! Only one is from Birmingham, Molly. The others are friends from college. My lil sis from sorority, Jenny. She is from Nashville. Stacey also went to UNA with us. Her Mom, Russell and Jeff were all there, too. We had soooo much fun! This tree turned out pretty cute. It isn't your traditional Christmas colors, but I love it! I ran over to Publix to get a snack and came back with a loaf of bread and some brie with a "hint" of blue cheese. They all made fun of me! They also helped me eat it! It was yummy!

The color is horrible on these pictures. Still trying to figure out my camera! It's been 9 months since my other one was stolen. I miss it! So much for getting an upgrade!

So much to do this holiday season. It's here and I'm not ready. I'm just going to take it one day at a time and I know it will all work out. Finished my Christmas cards tonight. Hopefully, everyone will get them before Christmas. I know some of my friends are already heading "home" and won't get it until they get back. I hope it's a great surprise to keep the spirit alive for just a few more days!! Have a great Sunday!

I promised pictures....

This is my upside down Christmas tree. I love it! It's is done in very traditional colors, but a very non-traditional look!

We launched registration for our Scrap ETC Spring event 2009. You can find more info by clicking on the blinkie to the right......I hope you'll join us!