Family Gathering '09

It seems like this year all of our family gatherings aren't happening until after the Christmas holiday.

This past weekend we traveled to NC for our annual get-together with my extended family.

Want to come along?

We all met at my cousin Kelly's house again this year - she's centrally located and it just worked out better for everyone. (I kind of like it there cause her house is beautiful.)

Here's Aunt ReeRee and our newest family member Mallori.

My mom & Rita - sisters.
Miss G had to get her hands on Mallori as well.

Here's a close-up of all that sweetness.

More beautiful Christmas decor.
Here's our hostess, Kelly with our cousin (& Mallori's mama) Tori.

Let's give Mallori's daddy, Jeremy, a little face time. Well, that's about it for this trip.

Lots of good food, fellowship and gifts were had by all, but you can probably tell who really stole the show that day......Miss Mallori.

And, don't worry - I didn't spend all day behind my camera.

I got in a little Mallori cuddle time too.
Hope you're recovering nicely this week - I'm off to re-arrange something.

Christmas Wrap Up 2009

Whew....finally a moment's peace to sit down and visit some long distance friends.

It has definitely been busy around here as I'm sure it has been at your house as well.

We're just getting back from a quick two day trip to NC for family gatherings and
to tell you the truth......I'm pooped.

I'll just post a few pictures of our wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and just let me say that we are blessed beyond all measure with good family and friends. Thank you all so much for what you do for our family, and if we haven't seen you yet during this hectic season, we're still making the rounds and hope to be in your neck of the woods soon.

The aftermath:
That's all I have time for now - my rubbermaid containers and I have a date.

Christmas Greetings....

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.....

Check. That part has been done, however there is still lots for this mom to get done before Thursday and Friday arrive.

Since I'm sure we're all in the same boat I'm taking this opportunity to wish you and yours.....

a Very Merry Christmas

from

our family to yours!

The way it used to be.

While studying Christmas traditions in our homeschool curriculum last week, we started discussing how back in the old days people couldn't just run down to Target or Walmart to pick up some new fancy ornaments. They actually had to use things that were readily available and plentiful right outside their own front doors. That gave me an idea and then I saw Darlene's daughter's teacher had the same idea for her classroom.....so outside we went to see what we could find.

B quickly found a couple of sticks that he had in mind for a project.G decided she liked these fluffy grassy things. We'll see what she had in mind for those.

What a beautiful day we had to go out plundering around. I just loved those grasses against that wonderful blue sky. I aimed up & started clicking.

I also found the holly bushes & trees to be a magnet for my lens.

Sorry I got distracted....back to the handmade Christmas items.

Here's G's ornament all complete and hanging on our tree.

Here's B's cross.

I decided to put it in our nativity scene to remind us of the whole purpose of the birth of Jesus Christ.

May your Christmas season be Merry & Bright.

Christmas in our home.

Here's a little bit more of Christmastime in the FourEds household.

Hope you're enjoying this festive time of year and are celebrating the true meaning of the season and talking with your children about the birth of our Savior - Jesus Christ.

I forgot to turn the lights on before I took this picture so just mentally visualize the trees and the garland all a glow.

I must have been holding the camera at a weird angle because certainly my tree wouldn't be leaning cause I would never allow that to happen.

I just love how the glow of Christmas lights just warm up a home. I need to find somehow to have those little white lights up all year long.

Tomorrow I'll try to show you the homemade items that the kids made in school the other day. They're adorable.

Just one look....that's all it took.

(Image from HGTV's Rate My Space)

(Posted by apicozzi)

Just this photo alone makes me want to move into a loft style apartment.

Simply beautiful.

I want to curl up in that chair with a cup of hot chocolate.

On My Agenda

These are definitely in the plans to make for the holidays.

All recipes can be found at Southern Living.

Yum.

Maybe some of them might even make it over to the neighbor's as Christmas gifts.

(maybe not)

Temporary Insanity

I think for one brief moment when I told my daughter she could have a sleepover party I experienced temporary insanity.

I can totally see how someone might use this as a defense in court.

It comes upon you without any warning.

Please let me remember this if ever this question poses itself in the future - and it will.

Awwww, don't they look cute?

It's all a ruse.

They're loud.....and opinionated (with each other), and a tad messy.

Don't get me wrong.

I love these little girls - they are really sweet, I'm just not crazy about sleepovers......period.

Here are just a couple of pics from party - there might have been more if Daddy had any clue of what the mom's go through - more on that in a minute.

They all loved having make-overs & man did they do some make-overs - I'm not sure if there are any professional make-up artists in the bunch but they had fun.

Now.....back to the Clueless Daddy part:

Daddy was supposed to come home around 5:30. This worked out perfectly for him to bring the pizzas. Well....of course he was running late (as usual). Oh, and I forgot to mention, he had my camera with him to use for some stuff at work.

Does anyone know how much I need love my camera?

So, since he & the food were delayed, I missed capturing:

ornament decorating

cupcake decorating

and

gift opening

To this mom, who documents everything, that was tragic but I recovered & forgave him - until he ditched me & went to watch football with the neighbors.

Like I said - Clueless.

Overall, the party was a success. The girls had a good time and I survived, but I have a long memory and she better not ask again anytime soon.

Now that this is over I can get serious about my Christmas List (it's mocking me as I type).

Enjoy your week.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

I've been up to my neck in Rubbermaid containers the last few days.

Here is a look at a few of our Christmas touches.

Hope you're enjoying this festive season as well.