MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

From our family to yours, we wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

WE HOPE ALL OF YOUR CHRISTMAS WISHES HAVE COME TRUE!!!

And no, there will never be a family picture where we are all looking, and I am okay with that! (-;

We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!!

I love my crazy, beautiful life!

We hope you have the best Christmas EVER! Thanks for all your love and support through the year! I LOVE my blog family and all my friends/family that keep track of us on here! We couldn't do it without your thoughts and well wishes! Your friendships mean everything to me!

BRING IT!!!!

Okay, my last babysitting kid has left, and it is the official start of my holiday break....YAY!!!!! I am so excited to get the party started...we have so much planned these next two weeks that I can not wait.....This is going to be an awesome Christmas and New Years!

So LETS PARTY!!!!! (-:

The Christmas Rush

Anybody that knows me, knows I seriously love to wait till the last minute to get things done. I thrive under pressure, and being organized and planning ahead is hard for me to do. :-)

So the past week, I have been diligently working on my list of Christmas projects. The days have went so quickly trying to get everything done, but I am happy to report that all things are done and now I have only "fun" things left to enjoy with my kids.

One of the projects I made as a gift was for my stepson's girlfriend. I took a frame I got at a yardsale, painted it black, then took my cricut and made Padme and Anakin stickers out of vinyl I got at Lowe's on clearance for $3...Don't try to get any at our local Lowe's, I bought it all cause it is usually $10 a roll so it was a great deal!

Padme and Anakin are Star Wars characters, and both of them love Star Wars, and they were Padme and Anakin for Halloween so it is their "special" nickname for each other. The date is when they started going together.

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Since Thanksgiving, I have seen several blogs that made their own tablecloths for the holidays. Most of them were painted, and I loved the way they looked. But after thinking about it, I decided that easier is better for me so I took more white vinyl and used my cricut to create a whimsical tablecloth on my little table. The kids like to move the snowflakes around so they change on any given day...

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My daughter is getting some baking things from my mom for Christmas so I thought an apron would be cute for her to open on Christmas day. This project I think I made harder in my head, then it definately ended up being!


I took a cut open brown paper bag and while holding it up to her, I quickly drew out the apron pattern. I then cut the pattern out of the bag, then used the pattern to cut out the fabric. The fabric I picked up on clearance at Walmart for $2 a yard. I bought two yards figuring I would make one for myself and one for her.

To cut down on time, I cheated and used zigzag scissors so I wouldn't have to hem the edges. I did use two pieces of fabric to make it stiffer, I just sewed the two pieces together so you can see the stitch. To cut costs for the neck and waist, I used ribbon left over from my ribbon belts...I could have used fabric too, but I didn't want to hem it and the ribbon worked out well.


I also cut out a simple hankerchief that she can use as a doo-rag. I just thought it would be cute addition!

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I also have been making some signs for Christmas presents...and I made myself a present for my porch. It looks way better in person, and of course I took out identifying information to protect my family.

It made a nice addition to my porch. I made several of these for gifts as well, but I don't want the people I did it for to know. Just a piece of wood, black spray paint, my clearance white vinyl, and ribbon I had leftover from my daughter's birthday party.

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I also have been baking. This tray was filled, but between a Christmas party this weekend, and my family, they are dwindling...but when I made these I flash freezed a bunch of cookie dough so I can have fresh cookies baking various times throughout the next couple weeks.

And last, but not least, I have made bunches of korker bows for my daughter. These were time consuming, but I wanted to finish up all the ribbon so I just figured I would do it until the ribbon was gone! Some are missing, my daughter likes to hide them in her daddy's work shoes! Yuck!

So I am sorry that I have been neglecting my blog lately, but I have been so busy! I hope to keep up better now that things are finished....

Our drummer boy....

Our son, Michael, plays the drums in the school band, he is in the back row left in the above picture....Last Thursday night was the school's Christmas concert, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it this year.

In the past, it has been way too loooongggg, and it is overkill, but this year was just right at an hour long. It was so packed that we had to stand so any longer might have been torture on my poor hubby who has knee issues, but we made it through! And we did so enjoy it! Ally loved singing along, although she didn't understand why she couldn't go up on stage with Michael. Her day will come soon enough!

November Student of the month...

Michael was chosen for the November Student of the Month because of the "respect" he shows his classmates.

His class has had a lot of turmoil this year so I am glad to see that he has been staying out of the controversy.

Michael - Your dad and I are so proud of you for this accomplishment, and for your midterm grades!!! Keep up the great work! Love you!!!! XOXOXO

And by the way Michael, if you are reading this, it has come to my attention that you have been avoiding me when I have the camera...so I am very aware of this, and hope to rectify this soon - expect lots of picture-taking in your future starting tonight.
Love, Mom

~To Sam~

Some people get letters, some get texts, some get emails.....and I get arm-grams.

My stepson's girlfriend, Sam, started sending me messages via Collin's arm awhile ago. I think it all started when I said to Collin, can't you get ink poisoning from that? Next thing I know the messages started being directed to me....

So Sam here is the big reply....cause I just can't make myself write on your boyfriend's arm... (-;

We'll miss you too!!! And I need to catch up with you cause I made you a gift. We'll be up your way on Sunday night, maybe I'll catch up with you then.

And Ally is going to miss you too. )-:

Snow Princess in her Tutu!

One of the "homemade" gifts I made for my daughter this year is a tutu. My cousin tried to sell some snowflake tulle at a yardsale this summer, and I snatched it up (for free). I had no idea what I would use it for, but I saw a few children tutu's during my online travels. I figured it would give her another little something under the tree and use up this fabric taking up space! A win for both of us!

This is a super easy project that you can sew or not sew....it's really up to you. I did sew the elastic because I want Ally to be able to do it on her own. If you didn't want to sew it, you can always just tie it.

Basically you just take the elastic that you are using before sewing it to make the waist, tie it to two chairs - in my case the refrigerator door handle and the cabinet handle. Cut your tulle in 4 inch strips the width of the tulle. Tie the tulle around the elastic in the middle of the strip of tulle. Repeat this over and over again! I am not sure how much tulle I had, maybe 4 yards?

Once I had it all tied on the elastic, I put the elastic around my daughter's waist to measure her size and sewed it slightly smaller so it expand when she put is on. I don't want it falling off.

I tried it on her, I think it needs to be shortened so I am going to go cut jagged ends on it, but not too short cause I want her to be able to wear it over the next couple years.

So if you have young girls, this might be a project for you! Tulle is pretty inexpensive here, and my daughter loves the tutu. She only wore it for a minute to get the picture and I told her it was for Christmas so I'll put it away and it will be a special gift from mommy. Since she is getting princess dresses (from yardsales) for christmas, and princess shoes (from BJ's), I know this will be a nice addition to her dress up wardrobe!

So you think her ruby slippers will go well with this??? (-:

It's a Wonderful Life!!!!

In Southern New Jersey, we have a little known gem - a wonderful Vaudeville Theater....and I finally got to pay a visit last night! I was so excited to finally see what all the fuss was about, and I was not disappointed!

Michael (my 12 year old) and I decided to join my Aunt, Uncle and cousins to see a showing of "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Pitman Broadway Theater.

This 1920's theater has been magnificently restored in the past couple years after years of neglect and disrepair! What an asset to the community!





A few years ago it appeared that the 1000 seat theater was going to be permanently closed as the owner was close to foreclosure. It was sold at auction and purchased by a man whose mission was to restore it back to its former splendor.




The new owner, as well as a huge outpouring of community volunteers, came together to delicately restore this historic theater. The theater is beautiful! They did an awesome job!

This is a video of the history of the theater and the effort to restore it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykMiG4GDkqs

The theater is now used for various plays, comedians, and movies. Movies are only $5 a person with children being $3.

You can catch a matinee for $3....you can't even rent a movie for $3! They do occasionally have first run movies, but also play some that have been out for awhile. My only gripe is the lack of cupholders...not a big deal. And I have to add that the theater was very clean!

The town of Pitman is a charming small town with little shops so the theater is nestled right in the heart of it.

So if you have a chance to visit this cinema treasure, take advantage. It is well worth it!!! Just be warned that the plays often sell out, we know this is true as we were trying to see the children's show this weekend! But I know we will be going back soon!

The Perfect Tree

Every year we spend a long time scouring trees...trying to find the perfect one for our house....but this year that all changed.

It was so freaking cold, that we walked up to one of the farmers markets, I picked out the first inexpensive tree I saw, and we were done! Quick and easy, and my hubby was very happy about that. (-:

After we picked out our tree, we went to lunch with my mom, my brother and his family, and my family plus Collin's girlfriend, Sam. We had a great time at lunch! Sam's never spent any time with my brother, and she was in for a treat! Plus being the only coke drinker amongst a family of Pepsi drinkers probably was a little intimidating....but we forgive you Sam. You know not what you do!

Colt is going to be my challenge this year, he has decided since his little brother was born that we are no longer allowed to take his picture so he now hides his face as soon as the camera comes out. Ally tries to run away from the camera so I can usually get her, but Colt literally covers his face making it more challenging.

So Randy came over and put the tree up for us, but he didn't decorate it. So I did put lights on it, and we will get it decorated soon....but yesterday the 'babysitting' kids were upset that it was undecorated so they decided to take matters into their own hands....

Yes, they are Ally's Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls on the tree. I think that pink scarf was next, and what you can't see from the picture is that they have put a lot of Ally's dress shoes on the tree...so now it is a shoe tree. (-:

As tempting as it is to leave it this way, I think we'll get it decorated this week....

Walk of Lights

Saturday night we went on our traditional journey to the walk of lights. There is a small "village" of stores that are about a half hour away from our house, and each December, they put on the "Walk of Lights", where lights adorn the walkways and trees.

Besides the lights, they have a "live" Nativity as well as an outdoor movie. Those poor kids had to be freezing!

But best of all, Santa and Mrs. Claus spend their evenings there to see all the little boys and girls.

Ally was very excited to visit Santa. Before we left, she told me that she was going to take her reindeer (from her "santa" package), and give it back to Santa. Ummm, okay? Not sure how that got in her head, but she was determined.

So off we went to the walk of lights, reindeer in hand. It was a frigid night so we started right off to see Santa.

Ally went right up to him and sat in his lap....now as excited as she was, she suddenly became shy, and wouldn't speak, but she wasn't afraid of him so at least I got pictures.

Note the fingers in the mouth, and the "I don't see you" gaze. She wouldn't tell him what she wanted for Christmas, and she also didn't give the reindeer back while she was on his lap.


However, once she got off his lap, she became a chatter box telling me how we have to give the reindeer back. Santa told her that she could keep the reindeer, that it was a gift from him so she doesn't have to give it back. Thanks Santa!

Of course I had to torture Collin and Michael with a picture with Santa.

It's tradition!

After the walk of lights, we took the kids out to a nice dinner at an Italian Restaurant. We also had Collin's girlfriend, Sam with us so it was a nice treat! She has been gracious as we have drug her around from tradition to tradition, and she fits right in with our family so we love having her around. Ally really is getting attached to her, she talks about her at least once a day!

She won't be around for Christmas cause she will be visiting her dad and we are going to miss her, but probably not as much as Collin will! (-:

A nice moonlit night!

My brother and his son, along with me and the kids, went to my grandparents farm to put up their Christmas tree last night. We turned it into a little pizza party and some fun times with my grandmom! My grandfather had a stroke last year so things have been hard on my grandmom caring for him so we like to brighten her day! (These are my mom's parents)











I don't think that I have mentioned on here that I take care of my grandparents. Every Tuesday, I spend the day with my grandparents cleaning their house, running their errands or taking them for their bloodwork. One of my cousins, Penny, graciously helps me handle everything most Tuesdays, and I so appreciate it especially since I generally take my 2 year old!!!

I also need to throw a thank you to my cousin Shannon cause on days when we have a lot of things to get done for my grandparents and Penny isn't available, Shannon watches Ally for me. But those days are few and far cause my grandmom gets upset if she doesn't get to see Ally.

I also spend most of my Saturdays over their farm as well with my mom and my brother getting other things done around the house and farm. Sometimes I run them to appointments other days that they need me or I go do odds and ends as they come up during the week. It keeps me busy, but my grandmom has done so much for me that I feel this is the least that I can do so they can keep their farm...after all I enjoy the farm as much as they do!

The kids love to clean my grandparents house. Ally has spent so many hours watching me do it that she feels like she needs to help! Colt and Ally love to sweep, we even bought special brooms for each of them!




So last night we had the kids put up the tree and decorate it while I wrapped all the gifts, and filled out cards for her.


So this is the funny part...how many people does it take to assemble a tree? I put this tree up by myself a lot of years, and it doesn't usually take nearly as long as it took yesterday..plus the tree was already assembled upstairs so I am not sure what went wrong?


While I was wrapping gifts, my brother asked me to take a walk with him and the kids since the moon was so bright. I finished up and we convinced my grandmom to go with us!
This isn't the greatest picture, but I wanted to show how dedicated we are to my grandmom. My brother is putting on her shoes for her. She has arthristis and it is hard for her to move let alone do normal things like putting shoes on.

My brother likes to make my grandmom giggle so he is always doing little things to her to make her feel special. Like putting on her hat over her face....grandmom starts giggling and just can't stop! The kids thought it was funny too!

It was so cold, but so worth it! The moon had lit everything up, it was like a different world. We walked down to my grandparents pond, and it was so beautiful with the shimmering moonlight glistening on it. What a perfect night and a wonderful memory!

I know time with my grandmom is going to come to an end soon, she is having some health issues that I am not ready to divulge so since she is one of my best friends, I have to etch these memories into my mind forever....

More korker bow pictures...they'll make you laugh...

So I have mentioned before that I watch my girlfriend's baby..so I couldn't resist throwing some of the korker bows in her hair...okay she really doesn't have hair persay, but you know what I mean.

I had to share them cause they make me laugh!

The first one is my favorite!

Doesn't her red and white bow go so well with her Halloween shirt? We were going through spare clothes like crazy yesterday!

Hope these pics made you smile!

First Christmas Party of the Season!

Thursday night we celebrated Christmas with our friends from Collin's robotics club. I have to say we had much more fun than we thought we were going to have! After a year of Collin being on the team, we have made some friendships that we weren't expecting!



Ally was so excited to go to Collin's Party and see Sam (Collin's girlfriend). She kept asking me if we were going to see her there, plus she was excited to finally be allowed to wear one of her Christmas dresses.


And see that bow in her hair? Yup, it was one of the Korker bows I made earlier in the week!


So this was a picture of Ally and her daddy before the festivities got into full swing. Note the gray in his beard, that is from his 2 year old...it isn't from me like he'd like everybody to believe. (-:



So the night began with the "Empress", as we call the leader of the group, having each student stand up and introduce their families, explain why they joined the team and where they go to school. We had an excellent turnout of the team members and their families! We also had a couple new students join the team, which is always a good thing especially because we are lacking parental volunteers so it gives us fresh people to help out. The more the merrier!

After that the mentors introduced themselves. I have to say the mentors are a special group of people...many of them volunteer long hours, and don't even have children on the team. I think that is amazing that so many of them give so much of their time! Kudos to them!

Fred and I donated a photo book to the team. The below picture is the only picture I have of it. The team has been trying to go to community sponsored events to promote awareness of robotics, recruit new members and fundraise so we thought it would be a great vechicle for them to use at these events to give a better understanding to what they do. We are also giving each student a video montage of the 2008 season, but with my grandfather's passing, I didn't get to do it yet. They'll get them in January (hopefully).
After all the introductions, we ate. Everybody chipped in and brought stuff. We had an awesome feast. My hubby made Baked Ziti, it was super good, but I only got one helping cause it was gone before I got up for another helping! Thanks Sam, you took the last of it! There was also lasagna, a ham, wings, salad..and so much more. For dessert, there were a lot of cookies. I made a huge tray of cookies, and so did everybody else. (-:
After dinner, everybody mingled. The kids went off to start playing music and dance. They had a great time...I think it was a good bonding experience for them...they were all getting along and just having fun. It was nice to see.



See the korker bows didn't last all night, but we probably got half way through.

When we joined the team, there wasn't anybody with a little one to play with Ally during competitions and practices. But in the last couple months a new girl joined the team, and she has a little brother almost the same age as Ally. So Ally has a new friend. He came over and grabbed her hand...off they went. They ran around holding hands. Fred and I were talking, and we heard everybody start cracking up. Ally and her new friend were hugging and kissing. 2 year olds move quick these days!

So it was a great night, we didn't get home till late. Collin did come home with a really nasty bite mark. I think his girlfriend is way too much into Twlight. (-: