So Busy!

I have lots to write about but Eddie has been off since Christmas so we've been enjoying our family time together, shopping, playing, cooking and watching movies.
He goes back to work on the 3rd but then we will be spending that day with my parents because they are leaving to go back to New Jersey on the 4th and who knows how long it will be before we see them again. Then on Friday we will be spending time with the adopted Grandparents.
Right now we are cooking Chicken gumbo and watching the Simpson's Movie.
So I'll write about our Christmas and New Years this coming weekend when things calm down around here!

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A Playful Christmas Evening =)

What a wonderful, exciting, busy day we had. The kids are happily playing with all of their toys and we parents are exhausted! They got lots of stuff and we even found some secret Santa gifts on our porch this morning! And no, we didn't do it and I'm not 100% sure who did but it was a nice surprise =)
I'm tired so I'm turning in but I'll write about our day tomorrow and post some pics that I took with my new camera!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!
Goodnight.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

December 24

Wow! Today was a busy day! Eddie had to work so the kids and I slept in til about 10. I got up and slowly got going but the minutes were just flying by. So I got ready, got the kids ready and started baking sugar cookies. After I finished we made a quick trip to Walmart for 2 things and to drop off some Christmas cards to our favorite workers there. Then some McD's for lunch and when we got home a little after 1 Eddie was already home. I took a break to eat but then had to ice the cookies, clean, and start cooking for our dinner with the "Adopted" Grandparents. It doesn't really seem like much, but my goodness I was busy up until the second they got there. The Grandparents came over for 6 and I had some yummy starters waiting...cheese, pretzels, tostitos, wheat thins and an awesome spinach and artichoke dip that I had a friend make for us. For dinner I made Spaghetti with meat sauce, meatballs on the side, salad and garlic bread. And for dessert we had cherry pie, honey cakes and sugar cookies. After we ate it was time to open presents with them. The kids were so excited! Brenden and Chase got remote control helicopters, Logan got a Leapster L-Max with a Thomas the Train game and then she had given them a HUGE stocking that she had decorated herself with the kids names. It had lots of cute little toys like cars and bath stuff and these really cute little drumming Santa's and bears that are really loud! She gave Eddie and I some Snoopy Christmas decorations that light up and hang on the window, which was really cool because I had almost bought one of them a few weeks ago! She also gave me a new ornament for my tree that was a ball with an angel that reads "I believe in Angels and you're the reason why". She calls me her angel, it was so sweet =) And she also gave me a glass angel to add to my collection, so now I have 11. I will have to take a picture so y'all can see. We gave them the present from the kids, we got them an ornament with 3 little bears in a stocking that read "Grandma and Grandpa's Sweetie's and on each bear was a kids name. Eddie and I gave them a $50 gift certificate to Corky's BBQ.
Speaking of taking pictures though, Eddie let me open my present tonight so that I would be able to use it Christmas morning! He got me an Olympus Stylus 730 digital camera! It's Awesome, I love it! And the kids got me a memory card and a carrying case so I got to open that too! I took some pictures and they are so much better quality, it's got a huge display screen and it's so easy to use, I'm so happy! I will post some new pics on Wednesday b/c I am so busy until then!
Right now I am trying to make sure the kids are really asleep so I can do what I need to do, if ya know what I mean ;) I am SO tired too but can't go to bed yet, UGH! Then I'm sure we'll be up early tomorrow, doing presents, eating breakfast, getting ready, getting kids ready, gotta bake 2 casseroles! And be at my parents house for 1:30, eat there, open presents, play then head home, unload car, bake 2 more casseroles, rest (yeah, right) then be at Eddie's parents for 5:30! Eat AGAIN! open presents and then we usually don't get home until midnight! Oh my, I'm getting dizzy!
So much to do but yet so worth it and the kids have a blast. So wish me strength and luck!
I hope you all have a great day tomorrow!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night =)

PS...Chase is still stirring, he needs to go to bed! And a funny about Logan...he took his Leapster to bed with him! And when we told him to put it away he tucked it under his legs, so sweet =)

December 23

Tonight was dinner with my parents. My Dad is in town from New Jersey. They came over at 5:30 and I had cooked baked ham, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, asparagus and rolls. And for dessert I made my honey cakes and fudge. We had a nice dinner then sat around talking for a bit after. It was nice to be able to spend some time with my parents.
After, Eddie, the kids and I hoped in the car and went looking at Christmas lights.

December 22

Ah Saturday! One of my favorite days =) Not too much planned for today. I made a big trip to the store for all the stuff I need to bake and cook for our Christmas eve dinner with the "adopted" grandparents and then for my parents and Eddie's parents houses on Christmas day. That was hectic! There were like a million people doing the same thing, it was crazy. I had more things I need to do but a big storm was coming so I decided to go home. Of course Eddie decides he wants popcorn that evening and I went out to get it with Logan right as the storm was coming through, real smart :/ Lots of rain, wind and temp dropped about 20 degrees!
Tonight Eddie cooked dinner for us and after we all sat and watched a movie and ate popcorn.

December 21~ Lunch With Old Friends!

Well, today started out a little flat, and I mean that literally! I was meeting 2 of my good friends from high school at 12:30 and I had 1 errand to run before so the kids and I left early. I had to go to the Ford dealership (the one my hubby worked at for 15 yrs.) to pick up a hand made book mark that his best friend's wife made for me. So we turn in to the dealership and I hear this bad noise. I knew the left back tire was bad so I moved my side mirror down to look and it's flat on the ground! So I pull in slowly into a parking spot and take a look and the tire is shot. No hope of just filling it with air this time! And I just knew Eddie was going to kill me...not like I did it, BUT I was the one driving when it happened! So I go in and find Thomas, he's the parts manager there and Eddie's best friend. I felt so bad b/c they were having their work Christmas lunch! He went and got one of the tech's who is also a good friend of ours and he and David changed my tire =) I kept apologizing, but they told me to shut up! They said they both have wives too and know that Eddie would do the same for them. Which actually, Eddie has, he went and changed Thomas' wifes flat tire a few years ago. So good thing for good friends!
I was a little late for lunch but not too bad. We went to Chick-fil-A and my friends had already gotten tables, 1 for us and 1 for the kids. We got our food, got the kids settled and then started yapping about old times. It was great! When the kids were done eating they all went to play in the indoor play thing and we got to talk for almost 2 more hours! It turned out that my kids and my one friend's kids got along so good, they had a blast playing together. By the time we left they were all asking when they could get together again. So we will try to do that. The one friend with kids only lives about 10 minutes away so that would be doable. The other friend was my best friend in high school but she lives in Ft. Worth, TX so I don't get to see her often. But she's moving back this Summer so that's exciting, we'll be able to spend more time together. It was just SO wonderful to get to spend time with my old friends =)

December 20~ Dinner with the Neighbors

Today was hot and rainy and just yucky! Thank goodness I didn't have much to do. We all watched a movie then after Kaiden left we made a quick trip to Fed-ex to mail off a Christmas present that will not make it in time (sorry A.!) At least your kids will have some gifts to open after Christmas, LOL! Then we came home and relaxed. A little bit later I got up to go to the restroom only to find out we were all of the sudden out of toilet paper! How does that happen? So had to make another trip out in rush hour traffic, ugh!
Tonight Eddie had his company Christmas party...employees only, no spouses invited =( That really sucked and I am a little ticked but what can I do? But that's okay, we had more fun anyway. Tonight we did the kids present exchange with their friends on the street. Our neighbor 2 doors down from us invited us over for dinner and the kids all opened their presents and then we ate some chicken spaghetti and dessert. After the kids all played outside then Bren had his friend sleep over. It was a fun night =)

December 19~ Christmas Caroling!

Tonight was our Caroling with the Neighbors party. We all met at our neighbor Kris' house and brought food and drink, there was about 25 of us. I brought the sweets, I made my special honey cakes and some red and green cupcakes for the kids. After we all ate we went caroling. We started on our street then worked our way down 2 other streets. And I'm happy to say that this year almost everyone opened their doors! Our first year we had so many people not open their door.
Somehow I got the title of "band leader", LOL! Not being conceited here, but I am the best singer(so they say)...I've sang all my life and was in Acapella Choir all through high school so I'm used to performing in front of people. It's like one of us had to lead and if I didn't do it it was a mess so that's why I stepped up and would tell them what song we were singing and what note we'd start on. Well, I couldn't tell them what note because no one knew what I meant so I'd sing the first few words so they knew what I meant, LOL! It was SO fun. And even funnier was Logan really took to the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer song and was singing it really loud while walking between houses. It was so cute.
After we all went back to Kris' house and just talked while the kids played in the street. And we're all so thankful that the rain held off...last year was a total bust thanks to the rain. We still had our party and ran out in the rain and caroled to one house but it just wasn't as fun. It was perfect tonight, clear and 65 degrees.

December 18

Today we delivered our cookies and cakes to some friends of ours. And boy am I glad we did it today and not Friday. There were a million people on the roads, bumper to bumper, driving like maniacs! It was crazy! All I wanted to do was get home alive!

That was it for today. When we did finally make it home we ate lunch, Logan napped and I actually got to sit down and watch Ellen. That was a treat =)

Constipation!

Yea, I know, lovely title! But maybe someone will read this and give me some advice. Since October Logan (almost 3) has been having some poop problems. I guess he had one poop that hurt and ever since he's scared to push it out. So instead he runs and hides in the bedroom, holds onto the bed slightly bent over and crosses his legs trying so hard to hold it in. He does this over and over. So first we tried suppositories, no go, then laxatives, made his tummy hurt so then we tried an enema...that did the trick, although he really hates it! So we got the poop out. But he keeps doing it, and here it is December now and he's still doing it. How do I get him to stop? I've pulled all the tricks...bribed with treats, told him he's hurting himself, told him he's gonna have to go to the doctor, yelled, I don't know what to do to make him stop holding it in!
Any advice?

December 17

Another Monday, ick! Today we colored Gingerbread men. That was about it. Kaiden was even sicker then she was last week and had diarrhea so I called her Mom to come get her. The last thing I need is a tummy bug to go through all of us right before Christmas, not cool!
In the afternoon the kids and I iced the sugar cookies and then I packed them up in their goody bags so I could deliver them Tuesday.
And tonight I went shopping again by myself! Just had a few more things to pick up.
Nothing more to report. The days are flying by and Christmas will be here in a blink!
Night

December 16~ Baking!

Today was pretty chilly, only 50*! Yeah, I know that's hot compared to the North! But I did just as I said and stayed in baking all day. And to make it better, Eddie took the kids with him to run some errands! So I got to bake and have quiet!! Whoo Hoo!

December 15~ Shopping!

Wow, what a busy day it turned out to be! We went to Cabela's and it is HUGE! And jam packed full of people. One complaint, the store was so cluttered with merchandise, and man do they need to stop putting shit in the walkway, it was so NOT shopping cart or stroller friendly. But besides that it was pretty cool. They had a walk through aquarium, a laser gun shooting range, and museum type settings with lots of dead, stuffed animals! The kids liked it. AND while we were there we picked up their Christmas presents! If I had any clue that we were going to do that I wouldn't have brought them! But we were still undecided on what their big present from us was going to be. Well, we somehow ended up by the BB guns. And after looking at them and the kids really interested and me thinking of "A Christmas Story" how Ralphie wanted one SO bad we decided to get Bren & Chase Red Rider BB guns! Just like the one Ralphie got! So while Eddie was looking for some help to get them I took the kids upstairs to the Fudge shop so they wouldn't see. My Mom said they have the best fudge so we had to try it... it was okay. Of course my favorite fudge would be at this really cool store at the top of the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. It's awesome! So anyway, Eddie got the guns...ended up getting Brenden a different one that was better for his age and Chase got the Red Rider. But then he took them out to the truck and had to figure out how to hide them, HA! One fit under the back seat and the other didn't so I sat in the back and Chase didn't even notice. After that, Eddie came up to find us and we were going to eat at the restaurant there but it was just to packed. So as we started to leave we saw a gun for Logan that looked just like the boys except it wasn't real of course, just made realistic sounds. He's going to be so happy that he has a gun like his brothers! And I know that anyone who reads this is probably thinking we're crazy for getting our kids guns...don't worry, that's normal here in Louisiana! And, it's just a BB gun! They will only be allowed to use them with adult supervision!
Okay, so we headed back to the city and found a place to eat. But then we still had to find the bike we're getting Logan! Eddie went to a few places last night and no luck. So we were going to try 2 more places and if we didn't find it we'd order online and pray it came in time! So, we go to the first place, me & the kids wait in the truck and what do ya know? They have 1 left! We know we need it right now b/c it might not be there later... BUT we have the kids with us! How in the heck were we going to hide a whole bike? AH! Eddie pulled it off, I just made sure that the kids were watching the movie, turned the volume up and Eddie snuck up from the back and gently laid it in the back of the truck! We went straight home and made the kids get out in front the house while I went and parked in the back of the driveway and transferred all the stuff from the truck to my car trunk! So as far as I know, we pulled it off.
Tonight I actually left the kids home with Eddie and went shopping by myself. Okay, I went to Walmart...but good enough! I knew they would have almost everything I needed plus I needed to get some groceries. I did end up finding everything I needed except for one Doodlebops DVD. I walked around and enjoyed myself, stopped to look at things without a million kids nagging me. It was okay! Then I went to Game Stop for 2 gift cards and to the Dollar Tree where nothing is over $1! I needed gift bags and why pay $3+ each when I can get them for $1 each?

Now I am pooped and am going to get some sleep b/c tomorrow I am going to bake all day. But one more thing...remember me complaining about the weather being so HOT! And it didn't feel like Christmas at all? Well, we finally got some cold weather! Our high today was 78, it rained a little and then got very windy and right now it's 42...and our low is supposed to be 35. That would be a 43 degree drop in less then 12 hours! It's only supposed to be 52 tomorrow, which is pretty cold to me so it's a good thing I'll be staying in baking all day =)

Night!

December 14

I got a little Christmas shopping done today! Not much, but a start. I got a gift for my brother and the softest stuffed horse for Logan (he loves horses). Then I made up my mind on what to get Eddie finally. He has wanted some Nike Shox for quite a while now but has never found a pair that he likes. I found a pair on Eastbay.com that I know he would like and were a decent price. But then when we were getting our Christmas Tree at our local hardware store he saw an iPod Dock thingy and said that he had been wanting one and that it was a really good price. So that's what I got him. It's wrapped and under the tree! Tonight we were going to try to go shopping together but of course there's no one to watch the kids so he went by himself. We are looking for a certain bike for Logan and can't seem to find it. So if we don't find it by tomorrow evening I will order it online and hope and pray that it comes in time for Christmas!
He also made a trip to Comp USA, they are closing for good so he was looking for some good prices on X-box games. Didn't find those but he did find one of the gifts we're getting for the kids for 10% off. Not much, but better than nothing I guess! So we are getting closer to being done. Tomorrow we are going to the new huge Cabella's in Gonzales. They say it takes a few hours to make through the store and that they have a restaurant with some good food and they make the most awesome fudge. So we're gonna eat, get some fudge, enjoy the views and shop. I'm hoping to find a Christmas present for my Dad in there.
We've been watching a Christmas movie each night and I'd like to recommend Elf with Will Ferrell. He's so funny and really makes the movie. The kids LOVE it so we've been watching it a lot. That and Rudolph, Logan's favorite.
Goodnight =)

Kaiden's Curly Hair...

Got straightened today! I was doing my hair and decided to do Kaiden's as well. She's got the natural ringlets that are adorable but bounce up so much that her hair looks much shorter then it really is! The boys and I always wondered how long it would look if I straightened it so today we found out. Of course, by the time her Mom came to pick her up the curls had all bounced back out!
Before-



















After-

December 13

Today we made our clothespin reindeer ornaments. They came out really cute! Then we played with some Christmas stamps and ink pads. Tonight Eddie hosted a wholesale appreciation party at work so we just chilled out, ordered in some pizza and watched Polar Express. All of the kids actually sat and watched the whole movie, Logan fell asleep next to me so I did my Christmas cards.
Only 11 more days til Christmas and I still have no presents bought for my kids! Am I the only one this far behind?? I do plan on getting all that taken care of this weekend.
Have a good night =)

Sick baby =(

Why do kids always get sicker at night? I've never understood that. As the night progressed Logan got worse. So I stayed awake (until 3 a.m.!) watching him breathe and Chase too since his asthma has gotten worse. Then I hear what I thought was a baby seal coming from the bed! Nope, just Logan coughing or should I say barking? So I got on the computer and started looking up "runny nose and barking cough". I came up with Croup or Bronchiolitis. But he doesn't have a fever and he's eating and drinking well so we won't rush off to the Doctor just yet. Actually, Logan hasn't been to the doctor since he was 8 months old! His Doctor and I had a very big disagreement on Vaccine's and she told me if I didn't vaccinate him that day to leave and that she nor any of the other Doctor's would ever see him again. So be it, I left and have not gone back! But I also have not yet found a Doctor that shares my views on Antibiotic use and Vaccines and such. Logan will be 3 in February and to this date has never taken any Antibiotics or any other meds besides Tylenol, Motrin or Benedryl which we only use when absolutely necessary.
So today he was better but now that night has fallen he's getting worse again. I just hope I don't get it because I hate being sick, but especially hate being sick at Christmas!!

December 12

Well, another day wasted! We slept in today because Kaiden didn't come, she isn't feeling well and I think she gave it to Logan. He has a runny nose now. Chase's asthma has been getting worse with an attack almost every night. Ugh, why now? So we just kinda rested today.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Goodnight.

Picture touched up...

My neighbor/friend Brandi had a better touch up program then I and did this for me...

Can you tell the difference in Chase's face? To me it looks smoother and not as patchy.

December 11

Another not so productive day. We spent most of the morning trying to take the perfect Christmas picture. Out of all I took I only kinda like one! I usually take the kids to my friend Bobby, he had his own studio on his property right down the road from us and we've been going to him since Bren was a baby. But this year I waited to long to call and make my appt.! I called and he said he'd call me to get me in but never did. So that's when I got the bright idea to try to take them myself! And I didn't do too bad, the only problem is that Bobby always does touch ups so that you can't see Chase's eczema. I've tried to do my own touch ups here with the programs I have but it's just not working out. I'm going to call him one more time tomorrow and let's just hope he answers and can fit us in real quick.But for now, here are some of the pics we took today:
My 3 Boys



















Logan



















Kaiden




















Logan & Kaiden


















I have no idea what made them laugh so hard!

December 10

Today was a pretty uneventful day so nothing exciting to report. It's Monday, what can I say...I don't do Monday's! LOL!

We did school and the little ones colored a Santa hat. We'll do our clothespin Reindeer tomorrow.

It's still hot, rained today and does not feel like Christmas. I have a headache so I'm going to bed.

Night, night.

December 9

Today was the Jones Creek Christmas Parade that we go to each year. It was very hot this year (86* with a heat index of 91) but we had a great time and the kids got lots of candy and trinkets. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera. I can't wait to get my new camera, so it'll be in my purse at all times like usual!

After that we went on a hunt for some new Christmas tree lights b/c I couldn't get the old ones to work. I didn't find the function lights so I just bought regular 100 ct. ones instead, oh well. When we got home our neighbor down the street was decorating the house across the street from me. The people that live there are my kids other "adopted" grandparents. They are in their late 70's and not able to decorate as much anymore so we helped them out =)

After the neighbor was finished my kids went with him to his house (he's the one who watches my kids and they love him) and I started decorating our tree. Of course when Logan came home he wanted to help to so I saved him some kid friendly ornaments to hang at the bottom. He was so excited! I will take some pictures in a little bit and post them.

December 8

We got our tree today. We usually get it after the Christmas parade on Sunday but since we didn't have much to do today I figured we would get that done. I haven't decorated it yet though. We'll do that tomorrow afternoon after the parade. I did get the lights out to check them and of course half of them aren't working. I'm going to try to go through them and figure out why because they are the good, expensive lights with the 8 function switch. I really don't feel like going out trying to find some more right now.
It was kind of weird shopping for a Christmas tree when it's 86 degree outside! Then we came home and did some landscaping and replanted 2 small trees...sweating our butts off! Another hot day tomorrow for the Christmas parade which sucks because all of my cute Christmas clothes are for cold weather. Guess we'll be in shorts and short sleeved shirts! It's supposed to be in the 80's for the next few days but will be cooler by the end of the next week, finally. But we'll see how long that lasts. I just wish it would snow so the kids could see it and play in it. Ha, like that's going to happen here. But as soon as I finish writing this Eddie has asked me to look for a place in the mountains, maybe upper Tennessee since that's not too far for us. Even though my dream mountain vacation is the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. We used to go there a lot when I was younger to this awesome place called Peaceful Valley. Just need more time to be able to go there. He always takes off the week between Christmas and New Year so we don't have too much time and want to be back for New Year's Eve so we'll see what I can find.
Have a good night =)

December 7

Today was our errand day and I totally forgot to bring our bags of stuff to donate for our good deeds day! Hopefully I can get that dropped off in the next few days.
Tonight was a small Friday night street party here. My kids and I and few of the neighbors were outside talking when another one of our neighbors drove in with her boyfriend and some friends. They had tried to go to her boyfriends homeowners assn. Christmas party with his other neighbors and the friends had their 2 kids with them. So when they walked into the party the old stiffs told them that kids were not allowed so they got mad/upset and left. So Kris brought them back over to our street in hopes that we were out there and of course we were. She had picked up some gingerbread cookies and made hot chocolate for the kids (even though it was 70 degrees outside, LOL!) So their friends kids and our kids all ate, drank, played and had fun listening to the music and watching all the Christmas lights and all of the adults just stood around talking. We have the best street!

December 6

Only 18 more shopping days! I actually have 2 gifts bought so far! Not good, huh? But I did order 2 more things online today. It's a start and I'll be done by Christmas weekend as always.

So today we finished our Christmas Trees. They came out so cute! The little ones did such a great job at decorating. I just put the glue dots down for them and they stuck the sequins on. I will take some pictures this weekend. We didn't get to our craft I had planned today b/c we were finishing those up so we'll do it next week.

That's about it for today, I am exhausted and going to hit the hay early tonight.
Have a good one,
~K

Doodlebops!

Logan and I went to see the Doodlebops tonight! I was so happy to see that it was the real Doodlebops that we watch everyday and not tour stand in's. Logan liked it but is to shy to dance and get all crazy. It's like he starts to and then turns to make sure no one's watching, silly boy!
Anyway, we had a great time.
But goodness gracious, someone should have warned me how expensive those shirts and toys would be! Wow, is all I have to say, they are making a killing. I knew I was going to get him a T-shirt because I like to do that for every concert we go to, but then of course they put those fun, flashy toys right there in the kids face to see! The T-shirt was $25. Dang, they were only $20 at the Blue Man Concert and that was adult size! And then he had to have one of those whirly, twirly, light up, thingamajigers...$20 bucks, WHAT? But I guess it was worth it, the shirt is so cute and he played with the twirly thing the entire time which is why right now it's sitting up cooling off! It got so hot where the batteries are and stopped working.
Here are some pics from tonight:

A goofy smile!

December 5

Only 19 more shopping days!

Today we finished our advent calendars and started on our Christmas trees. First they colored a Christmas tree color page while I cut Christmas trees out of a foam sheet. I still need to finish cutting them tonight and then tomorrow we will decorate them.

Christmas Movies

What are your favorite Christmas movies?
Here are a list of mine, in no special order.
1. A Christmas Story
2. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated)
5. Frosty the Snowman
6. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
7. The Santa Clause 1, 2 & 3
8. The Grinch (Jim Carrey)
9. Home Alone 1,2 & 3
10. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
11. Scrooged
12. Elf
13. Polar Express
14. Deck the Halls
15. Christmas with the Kranks
16. Jingle All the Way

December 4

Today we made our Advent calenders. They came out really cute! I was supposed to finish cleaning but after digging through my crafts box I realized I was low on a lot of stuff that we will need for our upcoming crafts so we took a trip to Walmart. We got jingle bells, google eyes, pom pom balls, ribbon, sequins and tacky glue. The only thing they didn't have (or maybe I just couldn't find) was the ink stamp pads for our Christmas stamps. There is a stamping store up the road so I'll just pick it up there Friday. So now we are ready for our fun Christmas projects!

After Walmart I took the kids to the lake and we fed the ducks. They love doing that. It was so funny because there were like 50 ducks, geese, and birds and then all the sudden in the middle of all these birds we spot a Nutria. Now I'm sure a lot of you are asking "what in the heck is a Nutria"? LOL! It's hard to explain because it's in a class all it's own, but the closest thing I would compare it to is a huge rat or a beaver. These are native to Louisiana and are actually considered a nuissance because they ruin the land. Sadly, when I was younger my Dad used to take me to the marshy area in Plaquenine's Parish, LA and make me shoot them for target practice! Here is a link that explains it better and has a picture: http://www.nutria.com/site.php
They are actually a lot bigger than it looks in the picture and if you saw it you would seriously think it was a beaver. The one we saw today was kinda cute except for his big yellow buck teeth! And now I understand why my Dad made me shoot them...they really do ruin the land. They have burrowed all under the grass and dirt at the lake to where it's dangerous to even walk out there in fear of falling in a hole or just through the ground itself where they have weakened it. So today we just stayed up on the concrete and threw the bread down.
Okay, off to go plan out tomorrow's activities!
Night =)

December 3- My Christmas Plan

Well today I did just as I said and cleaned and organized the house. I think I got a good bit accomplished but still have more to do! I still have 3 toy boxes to clean out! One of my ideas for our Christmas plan is to have a good deeds day...ya know where you donate stuff to a homeless shelter, women's shelter, Red Cross, etc. So my kids old toys will definitely find a good home =) And I have a few bags of clothes to donate as well.

So tomorrow I will try to finish cleaning. Then we can move onto the fun stuff.

Here is my plan so far:

Dec. 4- Make Advent calender's. Then color Christmas pictures while I clean. Oh, and go buy Blake Lewis's (2nd runner up on last season's American Idol) new CD!


Dec. 5- Make Christmas trees out of construction paper and decorate them.

Dec. 6- Make Christmas necklaces from painted red and green noodles. And me and Logan and his girlfriend/neighbor Kylee and her Dad are going to the Doodlebops concert that night!

Dec. 7- Good deed day, we'll go donate the toys and clothes somewhere, not sure yet.

Dec. 8- Might go to the downtown Christmas parade, not sure yet.

Dec. 9- Jones Creek Christmas parade! Then after that we will go pick out our Christmas tree, come home and decorate it while listening to Christmas music. My favorite day =)

Dec. 10- Make clothespin reindeer.

Dec. 11- Make toilet paper roll Santa's

Dec. 12- Make Christmas picture ornament out of old Cd's.

Dec. 13- Make Snowflakes

Dec. 14- 19 I need some more ideas! But I'm sure we'll come up with something.

Dec. 19 or 20- not sure yet depends on the weather, but we have our neighborhood Christmas party! We meet up at the neighbors house for some food and drink then all go Christmas caroling around the neighborhood! It's so funny and everyone has a blast!

Dec. 21- That morning I am meeting up with 2 old friend's from high school for Brunch. (Remind me to find sitter for the kids, HA, yeah like that's going to happen!)
Then that afternoon and evening the kids and I will make lots of home made Christmas cookies and icing then have fun icing the cookies and decorating them. And I will make my Grandma's Honey Cakes.

Dec. 22- Eddie and I will try to go out and have a nice dinner together, by ourselves, no kids!

Dec. 23- We will bring plates of our Christmas cookies and treats to our special neighbors and wish them a Merry Christmas =)

Dec. 24- I will have the kids "adopted" grandparents over for Christmas dinner. Then we will exchange gifts with them. After that we will drive around town and look at Christmas lights.

And Dec. 25! Such a busy day for us. We usually get up by 9 a.m. We all walk out to the den together where Eddie is waiting with the video camera. The kids go check out what Santa brought them and check their stockings. Sometimes we eat a quick breakfast in between, but then we open the rest of the presents and the kids play for a while. Then we all get ready to go to my parents house for 1 o'clock. There we eat Christmas lunch and then open presents. The kids play some more and then we do desert. We get home about 4:30 I bake another casserole for an hour and then we're off again at 5:30 to Eddie's parents house! We eat AGAIN! Then open presents and the kids play some more. And then more desert! He's got such a big family that it takes forever for everyone to eat and open presents and then everyone starts drinking and we usually don't get home until about midnight! It's very, very, long, exciting, tiring day.
But it's still my favorite day of the year =)

December 2

I'm going to follow Becky's lead and do a Christmas plan. I don't have a list yet but do have many ideas. Each day leading up to Christmas Day we will do a Christmas activity as a family. Tomorrow we will be cleaning and organizing the house to make room for all of our Christmas decorations and new Christmas presents that are soon to come =)

Celtic Woman- A Christmas Celebration

I was flipping through the channels last night and onPBS were the Celtic Women. They were airing their Christmas Celebration Concert. It was awesome! I have heard them before and loved them then, but I especially love Christmas music so that was even better. Their voices are so angelic, so pure, just so beautiful. So if you haven't heard them search online and take a listen.

December 1

I cannot believe it is December already! It's like once Halloween hits everything just fly's by. Only 23 more shopping days! Ha Ha! So who has started their Christmas shopping? Not me! I would say I am a little behind this year, but really, thinking back I don't think I ever shop til after Dec. 1. We did finally figure out what we are going to get the kids so that is good. Now we just need to find a day and a time and someone to watch the kids so we can go shopping. That's the hard part. It really sucks not having a family that is willing to watch your kids, not just because they have to but because they want to. I mean I could go by myself and leave Eddie with the kids but the kids Christmas shopping is something we like to do together. But I so will not get into that again. I'm so sick of how bad our family (parents in general) SUCK!
Onto another subject before I lose my Christmas cheer!
Okay, so the neighbors are outside right now as I write still decorating! I am done with mine, but I didn't say I was done with the neighbors, LOL! There's a house across the street one down that is a lease house. The people there aren't very friendly really. The son and his girlfriend finally started to wave as they pass by. So tonight I walked over there and saw the son sitting on his side porch with his laptop so I walked up and said "excuse me", I think I scared the crap outta him! I introduced myself and he gave me his name and I asked him if they would be decorating. He said if they got some lights they would, so I told him I had some extra lights left and asked if he minded if I put them up. There's this one little Japanese Magnolia tree that is bare right now and reminds me of the tree on It's a Charlie Brown Christmas, he said he didn't mind at all. So I wrapped the tree in white lights and me and the kids are gonna make a star out of foil to put on top! I thought that would be cute. I also told him that another neighbor might wrap his other tree and he said he didn't mind at all. The neighbor across the street has a fun tree to wrap and the other neighbor is gonna do theirs. I think by the end of the weekend the whole street will be decorated! We call it the street that Christmas threw up on, LOL! But have so much fun doing it =)

Elf Yourself!

A friend of mine sent me an e-mail yesterday that was too funny. It had a link and when I clicked on it I saw the funniest thing! Click my link to see my kids and our dog "get elfed"!

Hey, I just made a total elf of myself. Check it out by clicking the link below (or copy and paste into your browser).

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1124677418

This elfin' greeting brought to you by OfficeMax®.

When you're done watching you can "elf" whoever you choose!
Have fun!

I'm cute, I'm cute, she thinks I'm cuuuuuuuuute!

Yes, we love Rudolph! LOL! Actually, yesterday as we were checking out at the grocery store the checker asked Chase about his eczema. At the end of their conversation she said "Well, I think you're cute". So as we're walking out Chase is singing "I'm cute, I'm cute, she thinks I'm cuuuuuuuuute" just like Rudolph and making us laugh so hard! He is really such a cutie =)

(this pic was taken in August, he was on corticosteroids and his eczema was so clear)