Christmas Decorating Outdoors 2008

Yesterday, James and I worked really hard in between little sprinkle showers on our front yard Christmas decorating. It was a lot of fun and we are pleased with the results. While we worked, the kids played with all their friends.

Here's our newest addition: Cowboy Snowman sign! I love it!!


Our Christmas wreath!


Our light-up angel and light-up star in the front windows.


Our little light-up Christmas tree that James is working on. You can also see the light-up candy canes in the flower bed.

Here's James working on the lights...and you can tell it's gotten even colder because he put a different shirt on and a skull cap.

Finally finished...NOEL is blown up and everything is in place...

I took this picture after dark last night...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS Y'ALL...

Shelby's Version of "Rudolph"

Enjoy!

Tree Trimmin'

Yesterday, we spent most of the day at home trimmin' the tree!! We were a little rusty because it had been two years since we had a tree in Pearland (last year we were in the apartment and everything was in storage), plus this was a brand new tree that we bought just a few weeks ago. Needless to say, this was pretty much an ALL DAY project but it was fun and we think it looks great. We wanted to share some shots from our day.

Here's Bell helping James get the tree pieces out of the box.


Someone furry (no names mentioned) thought we had put the sheet down on the floor for her to lay on. Who does she think she is???

Thomas concentrating hard on separating branches.

Shelby really got into it and was a great helper this year!!

Here's our cute little Snowman Chalkboard where the kids take turns everyday erasing and writing how many days until Christmas.

The kids helped me put everything else out too...candles, nativity set, wall decorations, etc...oh, and Thomas looking like a cute Santa!!

Someone else (no names mentioned) wanted the Santa hat too....but not to wear it.

My honey getting the tree in place and working on stringing up the lights...

Thomas and Shelby worked very hard on hanging dozens of ornaments that we've collected over the last ten years together. I would hand them ornaments and take pictures while they hung them. It was an excellent process. :-)

This is our most prized possession, our Christmas Angel. Her name is Lauren...for real...we still have the box. She's a fiber optic angel and James and I bought her at the Super K-Mart (remember those?) in Pearland back in 2001 after we moved down here. She's been part of our family ever since. We don't like anything else on top of the tree.

Here's a peek at our completed Christmas Tree 2008!!

Today, as long as it's not raining, we will be completing our decorating outside!! More pics to come of that. Have a great Saturday!!

Thankful

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had...even though we were all alone. But so many things and people to be thankful for. And I have to say, the whole family was VERY pleased with the way my first turkey turned out, even Trinity! Yep, in the 9 1/2 years we've been married, I've never had to cook a whole turkey by myself. My moma always cooked it or I have done a couple of turkey breasts and also ordered a smoked turkey one year, which was zero work for me. :-)

Here's my jewel after just coming out of the oven. We were calling it Mr. Turkey all day. Mr. Turkey was juicy. tasty. good.

Here's my honey carving away with our electric knife that he's hardly ever used. HA!

Belle is ready to eat!! We ate around 1:30pm.

Thomas enjoying some turkey and rolls.

My wonderful husband and two beautiful children that fill my life with love and blessings.

Finger licking GOOD!!

After our Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, we took the kids out to see the new movie, Bolt in 3-D!!! It is a GREAT movie!!!! One we will definitely buy. The Hamster named Rhino is so hilarious!!! We loved it just as much as the kids did.

We hope you all had a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day! Now I'm off to start putting up and decorating the Christmas Tree today. :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

ENJOY THE DAY WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!!

THERE IS MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

PEACE AND LOVE,

JAMES, KAREN, SHELBY AND THOMAS

Thanksgiving Preparations

This is some of what I've been doing since 8AM this morning. I've been cooking like a mad woman!! And it was fun but I'm tired. The good thing is I really feel like everything is under control...it was quite the opposite feeling around 10AM this morning when I'm spilling stuff, can't find stuff, the phone is ringing, and the kids were fighting. Anyway, thought I'd give a little preview before I'm off of here for the day...

First up...something new and different...instead of a traditional pumpkin pie, I made a Pumpkin Caramel Gingersnap Cheesecake. I'll let ya know how it turns out. Or maybe James will.

I had to make one of these...Pecan Pie is one of James' favorites!!!

My rolls are already cooked and browned...just need to reheat tomorrow.

My sweet tater casserole, also a new recipe, comes with a brown sugar and pecan topping (pictured on the right) which will go on in the morning before going in the oven.

Another new recipe...my stuffing/dressing. All I have to do is throw it in the oven tomorrow for about 30 minutes to brown.

Not pictured: cranberry sauce and a small green bean casserole (always one of my favorites)!

As you can see from my fridge, it is packed to the hilt with casserole dishes, desserts, and poor Mr. Turkey. He's ready to go in the oven at 6AM!!! Yes, people, I am getting up at 6AM. The things I do for my family. :-)

Oh, and Thomas lost another tooth today. It's his 4th one! He wanted me to share that with all of you lovely people. He is a toothless wonder!!

And now it's time to get cleaned up and off to horse riding class. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Coming in 2009 on Shelby's 9th Birthday!!

Watch the hilarious trailer!!

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/iceagedawnofthedinosaurs/

Station # 33...

As part of our outreach to the community, each small group at church has been assigned a local volunteer fire department or sherriff department to adopt. Our first mission...take goodies to them the week of Thanksgiving!! Just to show our appreciation to them.

We were assigned to Klein Volunteer Fire Department Station # 33...


Here's the lovely crew...

Here's the goodies we put together and took to them Monday night. Everything from sunflower seeds, to chex mix, to beef jerky, to peanuts, to pretzels, to cookies, to brownies, and some Dunkin Donut coffee, just to name a few!!

The chief and crew loved ALL the goodies and Chief Fontana was very sweet to the kids. He ended up showing them all over the station, letting them look at the fire trucks, the jaws of life, and gave them some fire station goodie bags with coloring books, crayons, magnet, ruler and more. All of the guys and one lady were very, very nice and we plan to see them again soon. It was a lot of fun and I know the kids enjoyed it.

A President Project

Shelby has a special project that's due on December 1st. It's a report on a trifold about a President assigned by the teacher. Shelby was assigned Jimmy Carter. This is one of the books she checked out of the library to get some info from.

The rough draft was due Monday and then she'll turn in the Final Draft on Monday, Dec. 1st. This is what the rough draft is looking like: these are the two outside flaps.

I particularly LOVE this portrait Shelby drew all by herself of Jimmy!!!!

When you open up the flaps, you see the report and it's definitely a rough draft. The report has to be at least 100 words. Shelby was thrilled when she counted about 130 words in her report!!

Great job Shelby!!

Sunday Sunset

I love sky shots, especially sunset ones. I took this Sunday night. So cool, at least I think so.

Enjoy!

Giants Banner & Game Three

Yesterday at Thomas' football game against the Cardinals, I was able to take these cool shots of the boys running through the banner.

Here they come...

Can you find Thomas? Click to enlarge pic if needed.

Talking to coach after the game. We lost 18-7, but it was a monumental game for the boys. They scored their first REAL touchdown. It was awesome!! Thomas played offense the first half and he got to carry the ball about three times. He played defense the second half and pulled his first flag!!! That was awesome too. I think the boys are getting more and more comfortable with each game. Coach Bobby really praised them for a GREAT game.

We are on a break now until after Thanksgiving. No practice this week or games next weekend. We will pick back up with practice on Dec. 4th and our next game will be on Dec. 6th. So, no more football game pictures until then. :-)

Pics of the Day!

Taken before church this morning...