Monday, December 28, 2009

Merry Christmas

It's so hard to believe Christmas has come and gone and that it's almost 2010! 2010?! Really? Where's my jet pack and hover car?!! :)

2009 has been an amazing year. I'm very thankful for our health and happiness, Bobby's job, our friends and family. We went camping in several states, went to Florida twice, saw wild dolphins for the first time, went to the drive in with friends, Brit and I entered a photo contest, we canoed, we swam in the Ocoee, we added Tango to our family...we've done so much this year! We've seen so many places and learned a lot about so many different things. I thankful for the ability and opportunity to homeschool Britney and Cody. I LOVE my family!!


The weekend before Christmas, Bridgett, Brandon, Rhylee, Kaitlin and Will came over for a much needed visit. We sure have missed them! I was a little surprise that they kids wanted to get Tango out to play, but WOW were they excited to see a snake!

Here's Bobby with Kaitlin and Tango.

and here's Will

and Brandon. Bridgett held him too, but I didn't get a good picture. Tango actually went around the back of her neck and into her hair. We know how BAD that tickles so we were all laughing at her. We're such a supportive family:)

Cody and Kaitlin watching a movie

Here's Miss Rhylee.

We played Boggle and Yahtzee...several games each...I didn't win...
Bridgett and me while we were playing Yahtzee. We had SO much fun!

The next day, Cody decorated the wrapping paper for Bobby's present.

Sorry...Blogger keeps flipping this picture. I can't fix it.

A couple days before Christmas, the kids and I did some baking. We emptied the bag of flour making the chocolate chip cookies. Brit immediately grabbed the bag and began flinging flour all over her and Cody.


I think it's safe to assume they enjoy making a mess:) They had SO much fun!



The best part of any baking recipe...

We made a batch of chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal drop no bake cookies and I made sugar cookies for the first time ever. They were yummy!!

Here's our Cassie girl.

After Bobby got off work one night, we drove around with Karen, Keilee and Catherine to look at Christmas lights. The sky was beautiful that night.

Cody borrowed Keilee's Santa hat:)

Christmas Eve! We went looking at Christmas lights again, with full thermoses of hot chocolate in hand. We listened to Christmas music and sang loudly, and we drove by friend's houses and yelled MERRY CHRISTMAS at them from the car:) When we got home, we changed into our jammies and the kids each open a present. We watched Night at the Museum 2 and then got ready for Santa's arrival!

Cody and Brit threw carrots out in the front yard for the reindeer to eat.

Bobby read "The Night Before Christmas"

We prepared Santa's cookies and milkand we all went to bed. Then morning came with a light tap on my left shoulder. I barely opened my eyes...still dark...if I ignore tapping it will go away...WRONG! :) Tapping continued and I heard Britney say "Mommy, it's morning." I rolled over and looked at her and she said
"I've been awake since 4:12. It's 5:02 right now."

So that's how the day started. Very early:) I made Brit stay in the bed with Bobby so I could make coffee (first things first ya know:) I woke Cody up and gave him his pill and then we were ready!

Cody got the Nintendo DS and Ghostbusters game he wanted! He LOVES the DS!!

And the Magic Writer he saw at Sutherland Station.


Cody giving Bobby his present.

Battleship!

Footie pajamas! She's wearing them right now!


Britney got a microphone and stand, and this kick ass amplifier. She can play her electric guitar and sing in the microphone at the same time...and it is LOUD! She's one happy kid!
Here she is belting out "The Star Spangled Banner"
Please notice it's still dark outside. Coffee.

My mom and cousins, Cathy and Rick each sent a box of gifts! Thank you all SO much! We really appreciate everything! Cathy and Rick did THE COOLEST THING for the kids! They each were sent a certificate that reads...
"Certificate of Participation You are part of history! Your name will be carried to Mars on a microchip carried by NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover." How awesome is that?!

Dad and Karen sent each of them gift cards to Books-A-Million. I know those will be put to good use:) They LOVE that store!

Mom got Bobby and I each a pair Teva sandals! I can't wait for it to get warmer so I can use them! I've been looking at sandals like that all year. How perfect are they for the kind of outdoor activities we do?! Thank you mom!

The kids have been pretty much playing their new Wii games non stop. Okay, I've been playing too:) There are LOTS of things we're anxious to get out and start playing with. Of course Bobby and I provided the obligatory new socks and undies for the family:)

Thank you all so much! We have been truly blessed this Christmas by our friends and family. We love you!


We spent the 26th and 27th at my Dad and Karen's. Britney made fudge to take with us. Man, was it good!!!

Britney helped prepare our prime rib feast.

Brit and Karen made a yummy cheesecake with cherry topping.

Cody wanted to eat by candlelight. It was a wonderful meal!

These little guys keep coming in the house to get warm.


My handsome boys!



Cody found another lizard the next day. I was surprised at how calm they are. Even when given the opportunity to get away, they just kind of hung out with the kids.

Look at Brit just being her beautiful, happy self:)
We had such a wonderful time! We always do. We got to meet one of their friends, Geri who was truly a joy to get to know. We played Sequence A LOT. That is such an awesome game! We ate too much. We always do that there too. Thank you guys! We love you!

Suzette and Dave had invited us out for their first annual After Christmas Party, but I didn't think we would be able to make it since we were at dad's. I called Suzette on our way home, and after some dilberation, we decided to go straight home, change clothes and head to their house. We were about two hours late, but we're SO glad we went. We had a wonderful time with our bestest buddies. We played Trivial Persuit...the original one...it's 20 years old. I was 8 when it came out and their friend Jasper is a year younger than me. I need to buy them the new game. I might know some of the answers:) Can you belive I didn't take a single picture the whole time?! Me either! I'm going to see if I can get some emailed to me from friends and I'll post them on here if I get some.


I got some money for Christmas (Thank you!!) I knew what I wanted to do with some of it. I've been wanting to get Tango a new home for some time. Poor guy has been in our old 5 gallon fish aqaurium. He's getting bigger and needs more space so yesterday we headed to the pet stores. I had a 10% off coupon too!

Okay, I don't like red eyes, but say it with me...AWWWWW!


Here's Tango's new house! We had some difficulty deciding which aquarium to get. They're expensive. Do you buy a smaller, cheaper one now and have to upgrade later, or go ahead and spend the money on what you'll need in the long run? Ah! Well we decided on a 20 gallon tank. He has SO much space! And he's now in the computer room instead of back in the bedroom which we love.

He explored and explored! He loves his new space! He stretched and dug around in his bedding. I think he's quite happy :)~

Another Blogger rotated picture...sorry.

We also went to Academy and Target, where Cody bought himself another Nintedo DS game. Britney plans on saving her money to buy another electric guitar.

Here's Cody at Academy. I think he's ready for the big game!

Thank you again to everyone who helped make this past year special. We hope you and everyone you love had a blessed Christmas too! Happy New Year!!! I need a hover car!

Friday, December 18, 2009

December Part 2

Our December has been quite. We've stayed home A LOT in hopes of keeping everyone healthy. We have ventured out once or twice to have some fun though. Last week, wait...maybe it was two weeks ago...doesn't matter. At SOME point we went to Huntsville. We ate at Moe's, which I have to say was a bit disappointing this time. It wasn't near as good as it was the first time we went for my birthday. After we ate, we walked around Fresh Market. Oh, how I love that store! This kids each filled a bag with mixed candies.


After Fresh Market, we very spontaneously decided to go to the Botanical Garden's Galaxy of Lights. We've gone to this for several years and we always enjoy it.

Suzette and Emily came by one day to drop off a present for the kids. Thank you again Suzette! You rock! Of course, we got Tango out so he could play too:)

A couple days ago, our friend Theron called and asked me to bring the kids over. He had gotten a new fish tank and knew the kids would love to check it out. Man, he was right! Cody LOVES it!

Yesterday, Mr. UPS guy dropped of two boxes of presents! One from Grandma, and one from our cousins, Cathy & Rick, in New Jersey. Thank you all SO much! We REALLY appreciate it!




Last night, Bobby's department at work had a Christmas dinner. The kids hung out with Karen and Keilee while we ate, drank, and were merry! Thanks again Karen!
We had a wonderful time. It was great to put faces with so many names I've heard over the years.

Where we've been as a family