Christmas 2012 - Part 2

After Christmas Eve Communion, the family headed to my parents house

(Lou was not with me because he had to work on Christmas Day).

I'm not sure when it started, but we have eaten finger foods for Christmas Eve dinner for as long as I can remember.  It is my favorite meal!!  We have turkey sausage balls (my bro-in-law is allergic to pork) and they are actually better and less greasy than regular sausage balls.  We also have a veggie tray (I stay away from the raw veggies), cheese dip with Rotel and tortilla chips, pigs in a blanket, and I can't remember what else, but it is always good.  We all eat and then usually hang out, but my aunt and uncle were there so we exchanged gifts with them :)  It was so good to have them because they were here for Thanksgiving and then moved down here a few weeks ago!

My sister and her family started a tradition a few years ago and they make Christmas shirts for their pajamas.  They boys could not wait to put theirs on and they looked so cute!!!  They pick a theme each year and this year was snowmen!!

The boys took Legos and on one added a Santa hat, and took Ninjago Lego snakes and taped them to two Lego men to make reindeer.  Creativity at its best!!

B put bows on T's rear end.

Santa stopped by!!

B with his HUGE Lego set from Santa!

My sister got a banjo.  We are in for some fun!

Part of the Monster Fighters Lego set. 

Lou and I at Opryland Hotel for Christmas Dinner with the family!

B and T with the finished Lego project!!  B was so proud!!!

Santa had to do a few flyovers to make sure the boys were asleep and they were so excited it took them a while, but they finally drifted off and Santa made his stop!!  The next morning the boys were so excited!!  We all opened presents and then hung out until it was time to get ready to go eat!  We have gone to the Opryland Hotel for years to eat on Christmas Day and each year we enjoy eating the food and sitting in the middle of all the decorations!  Since Lou had to work, I picked him up when he got off and we met the rest at the restaurant.  There were 12 of us who ate this time and every year the number is different, but we still have a great time!!

Once we got home we pulled out some games and had two groups of people playing.  It was a relaxing night and just a good time all around!!

It has been a great Christmas season and I am ready for what they new year has to bring!!  

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!!!

Love,

Elizabeth

Christmas 2012 - Part 1

The Sunday before Christmas, Lou, Jake, and I headed to church and then to my parents house for a Christmas lunch!  We also exchanged gifts for Lou and Jake with my family since they would not be there on Christmas Eve or Day, and it officially started the Christmas rounds :)

On Christmas Eve, I was up bright and early to head over to Lou's grandparents house to open gifts with Lou, Jake, and Lou's grandparents.  I made my normal stop at the Sonic to get my drink, and then headed to Lou's!  They made breakfast and as we were eating Jake was jumping to get to open his presents!

Bright and early!!  I called my mom and she had not even woken up yet!!

My addiction.

I sent this to Lou to mark that I can be on time and even early :)

Jake about to tear into some presents!

Lou's grandfather watching Jake! 

Lou smiling as Jake is handing out gifts.

Jake and Nannie

Beautiful surprise from Lou!!  Has earrings also!

Lou and Jake

Lou and I

My surprise!!  He does good!!

 That afternoon I headed home and took a short nap before heading to Christmas Eve Communion at my home church with my dad, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews.  Mom stayed home to finish up our traditional Christmas Eve "dinner".  I really enjoyed the service and was so glad that I went this year!  I just realized that we sat in the same seats we sat in every Sunday!  We were the preacher's family that sat in the back row - haha!!  Good to see faces I had not seen in a while :)

Part 2 coming up next...

Love,

Elizabeth

Christmas at My House 2012

I LOVE to decorate my house for Christmas!!  I kept collecting things over the years and unless I buy or build a new or bigger house, I am set with decorations for a while :)  I love bright colors and plates and platters, and ball ornaments!  Here are some pics of my humble abode...

Above my fridge

Little space of counter top

Larger view

Love my towels!!

Corner of counters

On top of cabinets

Lights off view

Nook at top of stairs

Corner display shelf

This went on my table

On TV armoire - says Merry Christmas!

My tree!!!

Right now everything is put away, except for my tree.  I keep it up until the 12 days of Christmas are over and I still have time to really enjoy just looking at it :)  I feel like it gets busy before Christmas and I don't really have time to enjoy my decorations and how it reminds me of Christmas and all it brings and means to me.  Great memories!!  Hope you enjoyed my tour!!

Love, 

Elizabeth

Pictures from Thanksgiving 2012

I'm a little behind, but I wanted to document it so now is as good a time as any!!

I try to take some pictures every year at Thanksgiving, but not always the best ones, but here are some from the day and days after!  I take horrible self pics, but I liked my hair that day :)

Happy New Year!!

 

I am so thankful I have been blessed enough to see another year!!  

 Last year had many ups and downs...

Downs:

I lost my job

I did not get another full-time teaching job

I gained weight

UPS:

I GOT ENGAGED!!!!!

I painted my kitchen, living room, my bathroom, and closet

I started teaching Pre-K and love it!

Joined the Y

Started another new job

Went to Disney World

Went to Charleston, SC

Yeah, the downs were pretty significant in terms of income, but God always provided!

I want to start 2013 being more positive.  It is so easy to be negative, and I don't want to live that way.  I didn't really make any New Year's Resolutions, but here are things I would like to do in the coming year...

Get married - I'll accomplish that one :)

Blog more

Of course lose weight

Exercise more

Cook more - bought a Crock Pot and I am excited!

Read the Bible more

Go to church on a regular basis

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

Easy enough I think :)  

I have had a wonderful Christmas and New Years - spending time with my family and my fiance and his family.  Ate really good food, and surprisingly didn't gain any weight.  This was my last Christmas as a "single lady" and it was bitter sweet, but I am excited to start new traditions with Lou and Jake!  I can't believe that 2013 is already here and I know it will be filled with fun times and learning opportunities.  I want to make a name for myself and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  A POSITIVE difference in one person or many people's lives.  I truly believe that one person can start a chain reaction and there is so much good amongst the bad and the good can win!!  

I hope each and every one of you (since I sometimes wonder if I am the 1 - haha :)) has a wonderful year and strives to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

Love,

Elizabeth