Humm...Humm... Hummer

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

My True Love gave to me...

12 hands to serve HIM

So many times at Christmas we focus on the incredible GIFT God gave to us by sending his son Jesus. While this is the correct focus to have, our pastor challenged us today to try to figure out what gift we can give back to God. Nothing earthly will suffice, He only wants each of us to trust in Him and to live in a relationship with Him daily.
To wrap up my 12 days of Christmas I can conclude that "every good and perfect gift comes from above." Including my children, my husband, my family and my friends. SO.... my "true Love" must be Jesus.
Merry Christmas!

On the 11th day of Christmas

My true love gave to me....

11 Peanutbutter Blossoms (wonder where the 12th one went? hmmm)

do you see a pattern here with the peanutbutter?

On the 10th Day of Christmas

My True Love Gave to me....

10 hands making Peanut Butter Ball Candy

9 Reindeer for Santa

8 hours of sleep

7 Synchronized Schedules

6 Candy Canes

5 Golden Tokens

4 on a firetruck

3 kids a crafting

2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a Santa hat

On the 9th day of Christmas...

My true Love gave me to me....

Nine Reindeer for Santa... (Think Rocket can pass for one of them?)

8 hours of sleep

7 synchronized schedules

6 candy canes

5 golden tokens

4 on a firetruck

3 kids a crafting

2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a Santa Hat

PAUSE

The 12 days of Christmas are officially paused until my "material" gets back from Nana & Paw Paw's.
I will still have time to complete the 12 days once they return. You know when you start thinking about the 12 days you begin to say everything in the song's tune....."I-m-No-t- Hung-ry" "Ti-me- To- Get- U-up" "Where-Are-You- Go-ing" It's a disease... "I-m Sure- of-it"

On the 8th Day of Christmas...

My True Love Gave to me....

Eight hours of sleep..... Since Nana took the kids back to her house for a long weekend.

So I posted a picture of Kaylee at her Christmas Recital last Saturday. She did a great job and tapped her way through Jingle Bell Rock.

I felt like last week was the beginning of a crazy week filled with parties, meetings, recitals and more. But we made it through and last night I slept like a baby. Sometime around noon today I even got out of my PJ's. We went to see "The Pursuit of Happiness" and did some last minute shopping at the mall.

On the 7th Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to Me.....

Seven Synchronized Schedules

(David, Nana and I had to get to Zane, Kaylee, Trent & Mia's parties)

On the 6th day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

Six Candy Canes

5 Golden Tokens, 4 on a Firetruck, 3 kids a crafting, 2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a Santa Hat

On the 5th Day of Christmas....

My True Love gave to me

Five Golden (ChuckECheese) Tokens

4 on a firetruck

3 kids a crafting

2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a santa hat

On the 4th Day of Christmas....

My True Love gave to me

Four on a Fire Truck

(I know it doesn't sound very Christmasy, but our friends the Fazzinos host an annual Fire Truck ride & toy drive for a local children's home. Everyone rides on an antique fire Truck through the neighborhood to look at lights and Santa comes along on the ride as well)

On the 3rd day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me

three kids-a-crafting

(with Aunt Darla)

2 reindeer antlers

& a cutie in a santa hat

On the 2nd Day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me

Two Reindeer Antlers
and a cutie in a Santa Hat

On the 1st Day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me a Cutie in a Santa Hat

First attempt at Video

Cookie Swap

Sunday night Kaylee and I hosted our 1st Annual Mother & Daughter Cookie Swap. We invited several of Kaylee's friends and their moms to our house for a cookie exchange and Christmas party. We ate yummy food and had fun exchanging presents with a little game. Each person brought 6 dozen cookies to exchange following strict guidelines on what was allowed, (I don't know anyone who would send out guidelines with an inviation do you?Especially not Eleven!) Then we all told about the cookies we brought to swap and took home a variety of delicious cookies.

14 different kinds of cookies were swapped. When the boys got home they were in heaven with all the cookies. There was almost a brawl over the peanut butter cookies with the hershey kisses on top.

Here are the girls exchanging their presents

Darla (David's sister), Toni (David's Mom), My Mom (aka Nana), Mia, Me and Kaylee
Enjoying yummy food!

Nana and Kaylee making a little frame that everyone got to take home. We used scrapbook papers and ribbon. Thanks to my cousin Amy for technical advice on the project.

A Star, A Star is burning in the night........

This may be the last year of our star tradition. Unless the kids quit growing or David can grow another arm. Neither of which sound appealing. Everyone always wants to be the "one" who gets to put the star on top. So, since Kaylee was born he's always held everyone while the star is put on. But it's just getting to Heavy. This year Kaylee did the ultimate honor. Although Zane had to give it a little push from the top. Next year will be Trent's turn. (I hope I can remember that)

Deck the Halls

Scenes from Monday's Decorating Night. Getting ready for Christmas.....

" Give me a red nose and call me Rudolph...."


Not sure if Zane is hanging ornaments or checking the transmission

Trent need a little "Booster"

Father & Son Cake Bake

We can do this!
Step Away from the Master!

We're Done, Let's EAT
Oh Yeah, Proper Gentlemen use Forks. Don't eat yet, it hasn't been judged
" Victory Is MINE!!!"
Zane's Boy Scout troop is raising money for a new Grand Prix track to race their pine wood derby cars. So this month they hosted a Father and Son Cake Bake. The cakes were judged and then raffled off. There were 35 cakes entered and Zane came away with the ribbon for Most Unique. He and David were very proud.

Caps to the Capital

My Bible Study leader made us aware of a movement that could possibly save newborns in developing countries. I did a little research and printed out the pattern a few days ago. Yesterday I wasn't feeling so well (allergies, sinus) so I decided to give it a shot. While I was crocheting David passed by me and said, "Hey, Granny!" My Granny is 94 and still crochets. (I pray I am crocheting at 94). Here are my results.

I am pretty pleased with them seeing as I haven't crocheted in quite sometime other than those beaded socks. (The purple one looks a little lopsided but it's really round, I promise)

It didn't take to long to construct so I think I'll make several more. I would like to also make some to send to the orphanage where Mia spent her first days. I have heard winter is a very hard time because the orphanages don't have heat.
If you knit or crochet here is the Info on the Caps if you would like to participate. www.savethechildren.org
"After Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers 2006 report highlighted simple, low-cost practices that could save newborn lives — like warming their heads with a knit or crochet cap —It is estimated that Four million newborns die each year within the first month of life. Half within the first 24 hours of life."