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.

Lots to Celebrate

I'm hoping this finds you all tuckered out from your Thanksgiving celebrations, eating and shopping adventures from the past few days.

We certainly are, but we don't usually do much shopping - we do enjoy the eating though.

Thanksgiving is always a busy time for us for we also have two birthdays to celebrate after the turkey dinner is finished.

November 27th is the day that our little drama queen made her appearance. Sometimes this actually falls on Thanksgiving - much to her dismay, and November 29th is the day our first born arrived - a little late to celebrate his first Thanksgiving way back in '97.

Here are some pictures that summarize our trip back to NC:

I can't believe my babies are now 9 and 12. The time is going by so quickly.
I have to preface these next pictures by saying - my son hates a camera.

After several attempts it was clear that this was as good as it was going to get - it became kind of funny. I do wish he could just look at the camera & smile - oh well.

Hate to rush off but I've got my own decorating to do.

Thanksgiving's over now bring on Christmas!

It's Almost Turkey Time

From our family to yours.

We're traveling to North Carolina today but wanted to wish you all the best this Thanksgiving holiday.

Experiencing the Circle of Life this Year

You may or may not remember this baby shower we had in September for a certain little pink bundle of joy that was coming our way.

Well, she made her arrival yesterday and I'm proud to announce:

Miss Mallori Jane was born on November 23rd at 5:47 pm.

7 lbs. 10 oz. and is 21" long.

Congratulations Tori & Jeremy!

May God bless you and your new little family.

I can't wait to go to NC tomorrow and see cute little Mallori for myself.

******************************************

In our family, Thanksgiving week always has excitement involved and this year we'll add another birthday to the calendar and celebrate two more at the end of the week all while giving thanks to Our Lord and Savior for the next generation.

While we're enjoying the Thanksgiving feast and blowing out birthday candles, this year something will be missing.....someone will be missing.

Thanksgiving 2008

This is the first major holiday without the head of our family and it's going to be difficult. I'm shedding tears already at the thought of Jack not being there to snitch a piece of cornbread as it comes out of the pan or him anxiously awaiting the dessert phase of the meal.

He loved family holidays. For him to see his children and grandchildren having fun and playing in his yard and around his house was complete happiness for him and I know that he's watching from above and has much better seats than we do, but it's still hard for those of us missing him.

I'm glad we have Mallori to show us how life goes on, but the circle of life is never easy and I thank God everyday for helping us find our way through.

Sending Happy Thanksgiving wishes to you and your family!

To stuff or not to stuff?

That is the question.

So, I'm watching Barefoot Contessa with Ina Garten one afternoon (ok, this afternoon) and she's preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for two.

She was using cornish hens instead of turkey (which I would never do for a Thanksgiving dinner) but it got me thinking.......

Do you stuff your turkey with dressing?

or

Do you put your stuffing in a separate dish?

Let me know how you do Thanksgiving dinner.

Forgot to mention - we have a separate dish

(I just don't like the thought of eating some of my food from the inside of a dead bird - that's just me.)