Christmas re-cap

We had a wonderful Christmas, and we hope that you all did as well!

The Sunday before Christmas was our big kick-off. It was the first year that all my family gathered at my parents on a day other than Christmas day. With everyone getting married, having kids & our families growing - there began to be scheduling conflicts....so the Sunday before Christmas ended up being the most convenient time for everyone.

My parents always spoil their grand babies - this year, they got the big kids (Jaden, Gabrielle & Deandra) those talking parrots....now there's 2 in my house - lovely! And they got some power wheel 4-wheelers for the little ones (Corinn, Bryan & Matthew). Since they bought the 2 real mini 4-wheelers a year ago, the little ones have been feeling left out....these power wheels look just like the real thing to them, and they're just the right size!

Then on Christmas eve, we always visit my grandparents & my aunt Tracy & her fam. At grandma's, we get our grub on and all the cousins have a great time just getting together and playing. We do a small gift exchange, but this get together is more about the family time. Aunt Tracy totally spoiled us this year too though! She had dolls custom made for the girls....I gave her some of their baby/toddler pictures and she had someone make the dolls in their likeness. Corinn's looks so much like her, it's scary! She hooked Jaden up with some dragon & lizard stuff (you can't go wrong with that), and she made Curtis' day - he got some new Timbs. I got a D&B wallet to go along with the D&B bag she got me last year - can you say best aunt ever?!

Christmas day was pretty chill - which was nice. Since we had already hit all the family get together's, we just got up and opened presents, had breakfast and then just hung out the rest of the day and played. Nana & Grandpa came by to check out the kids new toys and to play for a little while too, and then we went back to aunt Tracy's for a mexican dinner (cause come on, aren't you tired of ham & turkey by the time Christmas day rolls around?!). It was really nice not having to rush around and visit everyone - quality time.

We're picking up Curtis Jr. & Corey tomorrow morning and they'll get to open their presents from us and my parents this weekend. I'll post those pics next week.

On a sadder note, Curtis' grandfather passed away on Christmas day. He had been ill for some time and I was actually surprised at how frail he looked on Thanksgiving. He had a heart attack on Christmas eve and Curtis' dad called with the sad news Christmas morning. We'll sure miss him and I'm sad that we didn't get to see him for one last Christmas. Especially since he had requested a traditional fruit cake from me this year. I had never made a fruitcake before, but I was determined to get it just right for Eddie. I was planning on delivering it along with all of Curtis' family's gifts this weekend. Instead, we're driving up to northern VA, picking up the boys and heading to Eddie's funeral. RIP Eddie - I still made your fruitcake....and one day, we'll sit down and try some together in heaven. ;0)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

This weekend, our family was really in the holiday spirit. On top of the beautiful ice storm that we got, a lot of our family activities were Christmas related.

Friday night, after we all had our PJ's on.....we realized we hadn't put up our outside lights yet. So we put on our coats and shoes and got to work. Mommy & daddy did most of the work - but everyone enjoyed just hanging out on the front porch together.

Saturday was the ice storm. It seemed like we waited all day for it to begin - but boy, once it did....what a pretty storm! Before it got to us, we enjoyed a little bit of outside time, wrote our letters to Santa, and just did some fun crafts and played games inside where it was warm.

Church was cancelled on Sunday, but we still had plans to join 2 families for their annual Christmas story reading and dinner. I work with Sue, who reads the story every year....she invited us to join her & the Lohr family who owns the farm. We had a yummy dinner together and then headed out to the barn to hear the Christmas story. It was cold & stinky, much like it probably was the night Jesus was born. After the story, Mr. Lohr let the kids bottle feed the calves and we got to check out their new batch of chicks in the chicken house. Then we went inside to warm up and make gingerbread houses....well, graham cracker gingerbread houses. The kids LOVED the entire evening and we can't wait for next year!

At a girl!

As a baby, we'd just throw Corinn on Santa's lap and snap the picture - with her screaming and all. Here's just 2 years ago (2005). *ps. That's my uncle that she knows and loves in the Santa suit too!

When we saw Santa last year, she agreed to stand in front of him for the picture - but she was keeping her eye on him over her shoulder at the same time. (2006)

But for months this year, Corinn has been telling us "I'm not scared of Santa any more. Or the Easter Bunny either.". She's always been afraid of anyone in costume - clowns, characters at theme parks, etc. Gabby was as a baby too - but by about 2 or 3, she got over her fear.

So, we kept reminding her about how brave she was going to be when she saw Santa and we'd talk about what she'd tell him she wants for Christmas, etc. Never the less, she clung to me as tightly as she could when Santa came in ringing his bells. She had totally forgotten how brave she was going to be and was shaking in fear again!

So at first she agreed to stand beside him for the picture - and even kept smiling when he put his arm around her (I totally expected her to freak when he did that for the pic)!

I was cool with that. I got my pic. :0) And she even whispered what she wanted for Christmas to him - of course while standing about a foot from him.

But after we had sat down and had snack, and the line of kids that was waiting for their turn with Santa had died down....Corinn decided she wanted to go back and try again. Check this out!

I even got a better pic! :0)

A night out with my sis...

For my sister's bday, she was given tickets to see The Machine (a Pink Floyd tribute band with a laser light show) last Thursday at JMU. She invited me to go along. :0) It was cool, but after about an hour of Pink Floyd, we headed to The Pub for a comedy show which was super funny! I had a lot of fun and it was nice getting out of the house and away from the kids.....Kelly & I hadn't hung out like that in quite a while. Thanks girl!

Decorating the tree...

Wednesday night, the kids decorated the tree. I had already put on the lights and they did the rest! They were so proud of how it looked! And they did really well at taking turns and helping each other out. They're getting so big! Every year, I always end up having to move the ornaments around (mostly up higher) after they're done decorating and in bed. But this year, I don't have too much of that to do.

1st snow of the season...

The 1st snow of the season fell last night, and it made for such a fun morning for the kids. I had actually set up our Christmas tree last night after putting the kids to bed (fake tree, lights, bead garland & star) so that this evening, we can put the ornaments on together. When the kids woke up this morning, they found out that school was closed, the tree was all lit up and there was snow on the ground - how magical! Since the roads weren't in the best shape (per my sister and husband's advise), the kids & I hung out at the house and had breakfast together and then went to daycare & work late. And of course the kids went out played after breakfast - there's nothing better than playing in the season's first snow!

Crafting fun...

Jaden has been asking Curtis for weeks, to help him build a ship. When Curtis came across this long, skinny box, he knew it would be perfect. Of course the girls couldn't be left out - they made an airplane.

I just sent a few of these pics to Jaden's teachers (since I knew he had been telling them all about it) and his classroom teacher said she put them up on the wide screen and let Jaden give his class all the details. I know he LOVED that! :0)

Here's a slide of all our crafting fun - the girls also got in some painting and stamping time over the weekend. And the last pic is just a cute one I took of them before church on Sunday.

Y & Z...

Y is for....Yeah, I'm almost done with the Encyclopedia of Me. :0) I kind of got lazy at the tail end of this. Things have been busy at home and I'm starting to get in the full swing of the holidays. I'm glad that this will be the last Encyclopedia of Me post.

Z is for....Zoo. We love the zoo! Jaden especially - it's pretty common for kids with AS to have a special fascination/obsession with animals. Jaden included! I know pretty much all kids enjoy the zoo, but Jaden almost goes into a trance when we're there. He takes his binoculars and will just stare at the animals forever. I would love to take just him one day - to be able to just sit and let him totally get his fill of his favs....the lions especially, but also the penguins, reptiles and any type of monkey.

She's 5 today!

Yep, my baby girl is 5 today! We woke her up singing Happy Birthday, like we do for all the kids on their birthdays. And daddy let her have chocolate cake for breakfast. ;0)
Here's the Barbie Fairytopia cupcake cake I made for her class today. It's 23 fudge chip cupcakes, iced & decorated in my butter cream. Gabby picked out the cake flavor, the fairy picture she liked, and the colors I was to use for the Fairy's wings & dress. :0)
Corinn was so cute this morning too - she kept giving Gabrielle hugs and singing Happy Birthday to her all morning. She's the first kid I've had that doesn't get all jealous on her sibling's birthdays. She did however, insist she get her picture taken too. :0)
Have a great week!
♥ Sharon

Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving day, we headed to Northern VA to Curtis' parents house for dinner. We finally got to meet his brother's new baby and see some of Curt's family that we hadn't seen in a while. His sisters couldn't make it, but we had a great time with everyone that could.

Then on Saturday, we immediately flew to my Grandparent's house for our 2nd Thanksgiving meal after Gabby's birthday party. The usual crowd was there. It was nice seeing everyone and the kids had a great time rough housing with my dad.

Gabrielle's 5th Birthday Party

Gabrielle's 5th birthday party was on Saturday and we had 14 girls attend! Thankfully, a good number of the mothers stuck around too - and my mom & sis were there to help out as well. Curtis & my brother Joe kept Jaden & Bryan (my nephew) busy while us girls had a tea party! We made purses and all the girls dressed up in princess clothes. I had gotten white & pink satin gloves for everyone and we had little tea cups to drink our punch. We didn't have time to make the jewelry I had planned, but I'll make up little kits to send to all the girls along with their thank you notes. Gabby got way too many presents and a great time was had by all!

X...

...is for size XL - which I'm happy to say I am no more! :0) In a previous post I talked about my fairly recent weight loss (30+ lbs - go me!). That also meant I went down a size - I'm a size L now. Buh bye XL! :0)

...is for xoxox. I love using x's & o's (in emails, notes, etc.).....almost as much as I love getting/giving the real thing! ~lol~

W...

...is for Willow. Willow is the daughter of my best friend, Misty. She's about 9 months old now and oh so adorable! Misty waited for Willow for a very long time and she's such a blessing! She's got to be the happiest baby I know - good and spoiled, and definitely a mama's girl - but she has such a happy, bubbly personality. She gets that from her mom. :0) Misty, her husband Shane, & Willow live in NC so we don't get to see them very often. But they are our family! We miss and love them so much!


...is for wrinkle. Not the skin kind...the clothes kind. I hate to iron and I've learned that a few wrinkles never hurt anyone. :0)

V...

...is for vegetarian/vegan. I've always been intrigued by the vegetarian/vegan life style. I love trying new foods, and have found that the vegetarians where I work bring in some very interesting creations. I love meat too much to ever make the switch, but admire the determination and dedication of those who do.

...is for vacation. I need another vacation! :0) Every summer, we visit the North Carolina beaches and last year we found 'our' new spot. The Crystal Coasts - Atlantic Beach, NC has to be the nicest, cleanest, most family oriented beach there is! We decided to try it out and instantly fell in love! Not only with the beach, but also with the villas where we stayed. The photo of my kids on the beach used for my blog banner, was taken on our last night there this past summer. Let the countdown until next June begin...

U...

...is for umbrella. Mostly because I couldn't come up with any other U words. But also because I have this adorable pic of the kids using their umbrellas last December. :0)

T...

...is for tall. I'm a very tall lady - 6 foot even, to be exact. As a young lady, this was a curse....but as I got older (around sophomore year in high school), this became an asset. It's then that the boys started liking my long legs and tall, slender frame. :0) Now, it's super handy to have me around - I'm great at getting things off the top shelf for you! ~lol~

...is for tulip - I heart tulips! Such a simple, pretty flower!

...is for TV. I would love to stick our TV (actually, I guess I should say TV's!) in the closet and only get it out for special family viewing times. My husband and children wouldn't know what to do with themselves! I'm making baby steps though - about a year and a half ago, I got rid of cable. Now, we just have rabbit ears and only pick up the local channels. I wouldn't call anyone in my home a couch potato - but any TV is too much TV in my book. There are so many more things that we could be spending our time on. Don't get me wrong - I like TV too! But as a TV fan, I recognize how it just sucks you in and you end up spending more time in front of it than you had originally planned. And it is too easy sometimes to just put the kids in front of it while you take care of this or that. Maybe one day...

S...

...is for Sharon. I'm named after my mom's foster sister, Sharon Marie Clark, who died at age 19 when her apartment building burnt down. I've got several pics of her as well as some things she made - pillows, an afghan she started (and I'd love to learn how to finish), some old school Dr. Pepper cans she saved pennies in (one even has some streamers wrapped around it, maybe from a school dance/party?) - mostly junk to someone else, but I somehow feel connected to the stuff.

...is for Socks, our pet turtle. Jaden named Socks before we even got him in May 2006. Jaden had been asking for a turtle for months and a friend of mine knew a little neighborhood boy that would catch tiny aquatic turtles at the local river. At that time he was slightly smaller than a 50 cent piece. Now, he's about the size of a baseball. He's definitely become part of our family.


...is for Sam Jr. - my brother. Or CJ, as I call him (and have since he was born). CJ is a year and half younger than me and we didn't always get along too well growing up. But as adults (and fellow parents), we've gotten a lot closer and have a pretty good relationship now. He became a father last year and it's so great to see him in action! My kids really have a great time with him and I knew he'd be a fantastic dad. CJ is a really smart guy, a great businessmen and super funny! I adore his wife & would love to steal little Matthew away from them. Luv ya, bro!

R...

...is for reggae. I've already mentioned my hidden desire to have dreadlocks. Part of that longing may stem from my love of reggae music. The hypnotic beats and uplifting lyrics suck you in and just make you feel good. :0) Most everyone has heard of Bob Marley (and his sons, Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Kymani and Damian - Damian is a fav of mine as well!), Beenie Man, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs...but there are so many great reggae artists (new & old) out there. Another of my favorites is a fairly new cat, Matisyahu (the Hebrew equivalent of "Matthew"). He's known for his fusion of Orthodox Judaism and classic reggae music. A very talented young man and his music sends such a positive message.

...is for rent. We rent. I wish we owned. Nuff said.

How to make a pumpkin pie...

I took the kids over to Nana's house (my mom) Saturday to learn how to make pumpkin pie. Gabby had a blue pumpkin that she got from the pumpkin patch - she couldn't wait to cut into that thing and see what it looked like inside. It had very little mush & seed (big honking seeds though) and tons of pumpkin meat! Perfect for pie baking!

Q...

...is for quiet - I love quiet. With 3 spirited little ones, our home certainly has its share of noise. But I have always appreciated quiet. I relish the opportunity to sit quietly for a moment to just take things in. Our lives are so busy and hectic, sometimes we forget to notice and appreciate life's simple things.