Christmas is a comin'...

Is it true?

Can it really be?

Christmas is round the corner...

...and on my to do list,

I've only finished number three!

Hi friends! I've been out of town for the last week, and boy I have a lot of catching up to do! Is anyone else totally overwhelmed that Christmas is in 3 and 1/2 weeks! AGGH! My camera is having some major problems, our computer is having major issues. So until some new pics - here are some old ones (from 06 I think!).

Does she remind of you someone? Say Clara?

Aye Matey! A pirate nutcracker is just the thing for this mate!

Our little guy is the cow! The three year olds are the animals in the manager scene during the school program.

Our little angel is the one in the middle! She is so precious and she is a darling angel!

Celebrating Grandma

Our dear Grandma 'Net' passed away on Friday. She was 86 and we rejoice in knowing that she is with the Lord! Below is a poem I wrote a few years back about inheriting her Christmas tree.

One of my fondest memories from holidays far and near,

is the Christmas tree that stood in my grandparents home year after year.

I don't know how she did it but it always looked perfect as it stood,

maybe it is the way that decorating happened when only Grandmother could.

I remember how it towered so tall, my favorite ornament was an elf girl in a glass ball.

I proudly now display that tree in my very own home,

it never looks perfect from season to season,

but my memories as a child is why I have reason.

The glitter and shine from grandmother's home has given way to homemade decorations from children of my own.

It is now known as our sugar plumb tree, oh dear grandmother how special it is to me.

My favorite thing.

I love the vibrant colors that God paints for us in the fall - bright yellow sunshine, brilliant blue skies, gorgeous green corn stalks and awesome orange pumpkins. By far, they are my favortie pictures of the year and that is why it is my favorite thing!

The absolute cutest baby cake ever!

We showered our friend B this weekend! It was a great time and the highlight of the shower was the most awesome baby cake ever! Our friend L out 'deweyed' herself on this amazing creation! We could not bear to cut into the little figure, so we took it off of the top of the cake and set aside for Bs family to take home. This cute little guy made out of rice krispy treats and fondant even left foot prints in the delicious chocolate frosting.

The Junior Apprentices

Our sweet daddy decided that during this year's block party it would be a fun project for the peeps to have a booth. I was somewhat reluctant, because I didn't want to mind the booth while they were off playing in the jumpers. The three of them sat down and decided that they would sell candy - jumbo pixie sticks and air heads. I talked to the organizers and found out that we could be 'mobile' rather than be in one area. So we took the lemonade stand and rolled out for some profit. First, I have to tell you that dad purchased the candy at Sam's and 'loaned' it to the kids. They had to pay it back with interest and they could earn money through a profit and commission of how many sales they had. The tragedy of this think tank was that I did not have my camera the evening of the event. However, the kids had a lot of fun once they were going and our daughter earned $10 and our son earned $12. They paid back dad a dollar for interest, plus bought all of the candy outright (next year is pure profit!). There was a tense moment when B accused S of 'stealing his sale'. I do have pics of how they spent their earnings (after tithe and savings of course!). The Almond Staff had a webkinz sale! Yeah we love half price. It was a great learning experience for the kids, our daughter asked my husband, "are you doing this just to teach us about running a business?" You're hired!

Silly Saturday Circus.

The kids put on a circus for their daddy's birthday. There were a variety of stuffed animals who did tricks, as well as, a fierce sword fighter and a gymnast who can balance on a soccer ball!

Ahhhh.....Saturdays

Our favorite day of the week is Saturdays! It has less to do with no school or work than it does that our whole family is together. Even for a weekend, we do the same thing each Saturday when we can. Daddy goes over the kids' school work for the week.
Our daughter wants to learn how to cook, so we try a new recipe once in a while. Today is french toast with a banana puree!
MMMM. looks good!
She is the chef and the server! We love the weekends!