May I present...

May I present AZUL!! We went with a different theme this year, in names. Really no one else agreed but no one else really cares at this point either.

What i need is some blue or white flocking they don't do that here. Or at least any place I have seen. As a teenage my mom and I experimented in tree fashions. We have had a pink tree, a purple tree, and a white one I think. Also a blow up tree. You know from the Deilia's catalog. Anyway we always did theme color ornaments to match the flocking.

So we have a blue, white, silver with a bit of gold tree this year. I like it better now the tree it's self still is not great but at least the decor is better. Still left up the colored lights because we are classy like that. That is another story to share when I show you our out side Christmas lights. But really it has to warm up enough for me to go out side for something like taking a picture but it will be well work the wait with the whole can you find the three wise men theme going on. Again off topic.

So I am impressed I got some of that crazy tulle from an awesome store cut it up and went to town. I did let the kids help, only the third tree to decorate!!

I am happy-er about the tree now. It is much prettier now too. Except for the un-usually longer branches.







Moral to the story my mom gets the kids a year ornament every year we are sticking to silver or brass for now on!! I love them, I love that I still have all of mine but we are done with the cute color ones.

The Ugliest thing I have seen in a while...

This ornament is hideous, hand made yes. But so ugly. This could be part of the problem.
There is a nice gold bird that stayed on the tree but that sheep from above got taken off. Yes I do believe that is circa 1970's. My mom likes to share and that is cool. Thanks, Mom.
See the long branch and the tinsel hanging from it and the shadow does not help either.



Our Christmas tree this year was already looking BAD!! We have lots of Hodge podge ornaments that we have been given, home made ones, bronze and silver with dates. Some really old ones from my child hood that floods of memories come to me. But let's be honest they don't match and it looks pretty ugly. The tree has been driving me crazy. Could also be because it did not have a name yet. Yes I name the tree every year don't you. When we only had one kid and she did not talk yet we had "Long Arm Fitz McGee." By far the best name I have ever came up with. Can you tell he had one very long branch that kind of wrapped the whole tree?

Anyway back on topic... I hate picking out a tree. It is awful here no Christmas spirit just pick a tree from Home Deopt or Lowes. We did Lowes this year!!

Did I mention that Michael put Dollar General tinsel on the tree? I should add that I bought it just never had used it. So above are some pictures of the tree. Can I mention this tree has some weird branches that I really think were never "pruned" properly or something.

Any who. So there are many wrong this. Needless to say the tree got a make over today. You may ask where all the "out cast" ornaments went?? We have a kid fake tree up stairs they will make there way up there with that tree.

Sorry, people.

I have a lot rolling around in my mind. So that makes it hard for me to blog. Can't stick to one topic. I got a new lens the famous photographer Jenny Lindsey. You might know her gave it to me!! So I am trying to figure it out. Hold with me people if my picture quality is poorer (is that word?) then usual.

Ashley

Here is my little girl. So cute.

My very first Christmas wreath.

Can I start off by saying Michael hates to hang anything on the door. You know with the those wreath hooks. He says they mess up the door frame. Ugh, what ever... So I have made a ornament wreath this year. For the record I had to make it twice. I use lots of balls, two different sizes. I need to see if I can find very small to fill in some gaps for but for my first wreath and the second attempt I am pretty impressed with my self. I got the idea and steps off Pinterest, but they were not "complete." So here is my attempt.

Okay so lots of hot glue is key. You need to glue the gold tops all around and add some glue in the circle hole as well. This was my mistake the first go around you need to get the balls to cram together and if not properly glued some will start to pop off. Also you need lots and lots of balls. Shatter proof, I got mine at the Essex's store. Really they are Kmart Jacquelynn Smith. (so ghetto.)

Here is my wire hanger. Um hardest part is trying to turn this bad boy circle-esq. (is that a word?) Un wrap the wire at top.
Start stringing. I started off with 6 big balls they added 6 smaller on each side. And really just alternate. Lots of glitter, but there is always lots of glitter in my house for the record.
Here it is done. I still see some gaps but not bad. I need to find some little, little balls and tie them in with some fine tin wire.
I added some tulle to help hide the bare spots. I will let you know where I end up hanging the wreath. Good luck I hope some of you try it out!! As in Nicole and Lea who read my blog maybe my mom might try too. Krissy the girls could make you one. I think I named the four people who read my blog!! Enjoy.

Emily.

Emily's field trip, today was awesome. Plus pictures of her painting last week.

I am almost

So I am listening to the radio in the car and they are talking about an accidental drowning of a famous actress in November of 1981, in their words "it was 30 years ago." Ugh, no it wasn't not quite( I think to myself). Ohh yeah I guess it was, I was born a month later December 29th, 1981. Wow I am almost 30. For the most part I am okay about turning 30.

When Michael turned 30 I was dying sick pregnant and in the hospital all day on Michael's 30th birthday. I guess he did not really get time to "dwell" on being 30. We were about to have our 3rd kid. I had the flu, and a tooth ace. So I could not stop throwing up or stay hydrated so I was checked in for the day to monitor and to get fluids. As I was feeling better and the day went on I realized I also had a tooth ace. I could not eat, so they were hesitant about letting me leave. Anyway back to the topic at hand.

I am turning 30 in 40 days. I have time to dwell on this. For the record I am also dwelling on what to get these spoiled kids for Christmas too. Also on my friend moving away. But really um I wish we were doing something fun for this birthday. Going on a trip, something. Sadly I am sure nothing really will happen. Is that sad? I am proud of my 20's I really am. I got married, had three great kids, moved across the country. Bought a home, several cars (that part I wish was not true.) I got a lot of life done in my 20's.

So what is next? In my 30's we will pay off our car. That will be huge. Even before I turn 31!! I will possibly go back to school and graduate and get a real job. All my kids will start school in my 30's. I know my 30's will be a serious of different adventures and I look forward to it. I am feeling a bit old right now. But in all truth I still feel pretty young.

Anyway this post might sound kind of sad, but don't take it that way. Take it as reflective. I really do love the life Michael and I built.

Good bye

I feel like it all happen so fast. I feel like it went so quick. I told Maddie to say good bye to them, but I forgot to tell my own kids. It felt like any other play date. Will see them again. But really it's not. Ashley will see Blake again tomorrow but the rest of us won't. I am sad about this... but I know it is best for me. The boys and the girls don't get it yet. At least we had that one last group play date like we use to back in the day. When we all first met.

They are good boys and we have had lots of fun with them in the past 3 years. Camping, playing, canoing, and other adventures. I know this will not be the first friend they have that will move away. This one is hard for me too. Lea is my friend too. I know we will have the phone, email, facebook and texting but now I have one less friend to meet at the park, library, Mc Donalds and Chic-fil-a.

Will have to go to Savannah to see them and visit. I have always wanted to go.

Today I am thankful I made a life long friend even if she is leaving. I know this will be a new adventure for her and her family. This is good for their family. I am happy for her.

Craft-tastic

Thankful for crafts. Having fun trying to make different things. The girls too. Trying to make some Christmas gifts for teachers.

Thankful for

I am looking for the silver lining ya'll. I am thankful that it seems that this house is going to rent quickly! It has been for sale and it has NOT sold. However I did list it this afternoon and already two people are interested!! Renting it, that is. So pray for me... that it rents quickly to wonderful people! That like the house and want to live in it for a long time!

I hope I did not jinx it. Is anyone looking for a house to rent?? $ 1100 a month the owner is nice and management is GREAT!!

thankful

I made this for Cindy. I have been trying to find the right one for her with the right word on it. I think I found it, at least I hope I did.




This little girl I am thankful for. She is funny, sweet, loving a big ole' dork and silly. She can talk to much and be kind of annoying. She is a good girl as momma drags her along to stores and another place momma wants to go. Her one request to be carried. It is a tall order at 33 lbs. She loves the horse in the picture with her that she calls High Hat named after her grandpa's horse that is named after his fathers horse in the Calvary of WWII pretty cool, I think.

Thankful again.

I am thankful for Ashley who helps me sweep. In her own words " look ate mom sweeping like a normal person.". Well kind of.

I am thankful for...

I am thankful that the girls love their Nana so much and Nana loves them. I am thankful that my mom comes out to spend 8 days with Michael, me and our crazy kids. She did get a break one day with my in-laws and went to the Amish. Hey there is something else to be thankful for my parents and my in-laws get along.

thanks MOM!!

Baby Hailey

Chloe and her cousin Hailey. Hailey is almost a month older then Chloe but with the size difference you would not guess that. This past time when Chloe saw Hailey she was very excited to see her it was very sweet. We had a good visit with baby Hailey.
And Nana and Aunt Tricia.

Halloween

Nana got the hard job for the first part of trick-or-treating. She followed or really chased behind Emily and Ashley. Chloe had a hard time picking out a outfit for that night.