New Year's Eve

Here we are again poised on the edge of a new year. It has been quite the year. I hope that you and yours have a wonderful night and start to the new year. Our night has been unexpected so far. I'm not even sure I'll make it to midnight this year!

Matthew on Mexican food

Matthew wasn't sure what Mexican was so we explained it's the kind of food where they bring us chips and salsa at the restaurants. He was pretty excited about chips.

Matthew: We're going to eat Mexican?
Me: Yes.
Matthew: And get GIRLS!
Us: laughter
Matthew: I mean chips!

Girls? And so it begins...

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Christmas Part 2

On Christmas Eve we went to Christmas brunch where Great Mamaw lives. She had a wonderful time opening all her presents. She was certainly spoiled.

That night we opened our presents. Matthew was very excited!

Christmas morning we got up to discover Santa ate the 2 cookies we left and in return filled our stockings. Hershey wanted to help eat Matthew's chocolate.

Santa also left Matthew a special present. Matthew was delighted!

Auntie couldn't come on Christmas, so she came Monday instead. Matthew received a very special barn from her. She made it herself and bought really neat animals to put in it.

After lunch we went to see Great Mamaw again.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

The gingerbread house

I have never decorated a gingerbread house, so I decided this was the year to try. And the kit I bought had broken all apart.

So instead of decorating it, we had to ice it back together and let it dry for awhile.

It then looked like it had been through an earthquake which caused the pipes to burst and water to freeze all over.

At least it was in one piece.

Angela helped us to decorate it.


I iced it, Mom smoothed.


From how it started, I think it turned out rather well.

Home

We didn't think that we'd be home for Christmas, but at the last minute we were able to go. We left at 6 am and had yogurt in the car for breakfast.

In the afternoon, we cuddled our animals to sleep.

That evening we waded in Poppa's boots.

The next day we hunted for candy canes with our best friend.

And the whole trip we loved on our our favorite Scampie boy.

Matthew on kisses

Me: Where's my kiss?
Matthew: On your lips.

(I never did get a kiss from him.)

Making Christmas cookies

Matthew decided to wear the apron I had a child.

Thanks to Auntie, now I have a 50's style apron to bake in.

Matthew's first year helping cut the cookies out.

Sometimes he needed a little help.

Our first pan of cookies all cut by Matthew.

Christmas lights

Last night we went to see a big Christmas lights display.


All 12 verses were lighted, but I just showing 2 of my favorites.




There were some awesome American displays.


Fire!


Happy Holidays!

Matthew quotes of the week

Mom, my toys are up to something.

Hi, my name is Shelly. I'm a house mother.

The museum

We had an errand to run at the museum the other day, so we took a couple minutes to wander around outside.

And marvel at how massive this helicopter is.

Matthew thought this jeep would be fun to drive. I told him we couldn't because they didn't want us on the vehicles.

Matthew was ready to buy this one for the privilege to drive it. He talked long and hard about it all the way home.

2010 Christmas card

We haven't sent out Christmas cards in probably 5 years or more, but I got with it this year. Have a very happy holiday season!

*Forgot to say that I didn't design the card, I used hp's template. www.hp.com/go/holidaycards

Christmas craft

Today Matthew and I made a holly wreath from Crayola's website. Matthew and I both colored. Matthew chose all the colors and helped me cut it all out. Matthew decided how we'd glue the holly leaves on and in what order. I think it turned out pretty cute.

The boy being the boy

Whoever doesn't think it gets cold here is nuts.

Why is the boy on the fence?

To see the Chinook better of course.

For 2 days my son has clumped around in Daddy's boots.

Sometimes the boots won.

Weekend happenings

Isabelle and Matthew playing. (She didn't hurt him, he was actually laughing.)


Who is this boy??? I sent him with Phil to get a boy cut, and I ended up with it all buzzed off! I guess I won't have to worry about it being shaggy for a loooooong time.