11 Years Ago Today...

We got engaged!  Just look at those two young kids...

Potty Training?!?

Well, we haven't officially started potty training, but Matthew seemed very interested in the froggie potty we got him for Christmas, so we decided to give it a whirl... Low and behold yesterday, after three attempts, we got pee pee in the potty!!  We're taking it slow, since he is still rather young, but he is learning, and it is good that he knows what to do!

The microphone helps...ha!

CHRISTmas 2009

Matthew is all smiles opening his first gift...

Grammy and Papaw with Matthew before we head out to church on Christmas Eve...

Family pic at church...

Chris attempts to read the Christmas story to Matthew...

Matt says "cheese" for his new gift...

One exhausted kiddo after opening up some gifts Christmas morning...

Riding his new Radio Flyer three wheeler (my garage sale find this summer of $20, brand new in box!)...

Hugs from my little sweetie...

Family photo Christmas night...we celebrated when Chris got off work....

A Glimpse of our Christmas

Enjoy a glimpse of our Christmas, set to Jacob Ronan's "One Star". I will try to blog more pictures with details later...

One Star

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Here are the lyrics to an awesome Christmas song, and a link to download it. It is by our worship pastor at our church, Jacob Ronan.

ONE STAR Words & Music: Jacob Ronan

One star on the horizon One journey,one virgin girl One night, one empty manger One child come to save the world

Two realms coming together Two natures - flesh and divine Two souls stayed on a promise, Two hands hold the King of all time

Ring Christmas bells with the song of salvation Bring in the tidings of good cheer Rise sons of men and join with the angels For Heaven came down and Jesus Christ is here

Three gifts laid in surrender Three persons, displayed in the Son Three words, Three days in darkness, Three nails paid for our redemption

Ring Christmas bells with the song of salvation Bring in the tidings of good cheer Rise sons of men and join with the angels For Heaven came down and Jesus Christ is here

Glory to God in the Highest! Peace and goodwill on earth and in heaven Glory to God in the Highest!

For unto us a Son has been given Glory to God in the Highest! Ring Christmas bells with the song of salvation Bring in the tidings of good cheer (of great joy) Rise sons of men now join with the angels For Heaven came down and Jesus Christ is here

Here is the link to Soul Satisfied where you can down load the song...Merry Christmas!

Icicle

Matthew playing with a rather large icicle outside today...

Gingerbread "Family" Cookies

We had fun last night and this morning as a family baking and decorating some gingerbread cookies. It was Matthew's first time actually helping with the process. I think he had the most fun just eating the dough! Here he is in the cute apron I made at MOPS a few week ago, and this year we are going with pre-made dough...that's just how I "roll" this year...no pun intended. Next year I can't wait to try my friend Elaine's recipe for gingerbread cookies.



Yeah, there were a few "casualties" along the way... Look at the nice little "family" of gingerbread people. So cute!

My New Boots

Here is Matthew modeling my new boots I just got. Sort of a "to me, from me, for me" Christmas gift...:o)

First Candy Cane

Matthew enjoying his first candy cane... Yes he loved it!

Sock Monkey Hat

I recently saw this hat on one of my friend's son. I thought it was adorable, and knew Matthew would be super cute in it. It has also been the inspiration for his birthday party theme coming in February! I ordered it from Etsy, which is an awesome site by the way.

MOPS Christmas Brunch

My MOPS group had our Christmas brunch this morning. The food was fabulous! We also have a table decorating contest that each table comes up with a theme, and everyone pitches in stuff to create a fun setting. It was fun to see what everyone came up with!

Here is the "Joy to the World" table, and the winning "Pink Christmas" table...


Kynda made the food table so festive! A close up of our "Winter Wonderland" table...


Another pic of the "Joy to the World" table... This table was "A Girlie Christmas"...cute!


More of "A Girlie Christmas", and "Winter Wonderland"...


The "Chinese Christmas" table, and a close up of the cakes Kynda made at the "girlie" table...


In light of the times we are in, one table did "A Charlie Brown Christmas"...and another pic of my table...(I should mention we pulled it all together in 15 minutes this morning!)

Broiler Pan

Well I consider myself a good cook (not to toot my own horn), but I do spend some time in the kitchen. I am not an advanced cook by any means (I'll save that for those who are professionally trained, and have way more knowledge than I.) It may come a surprise to some of you, but there are some things I have never done cooking wise: 1.) Roast my own turkey. (This has always been my grandmothers job.) 2.) Used a bundt pan. (Thanks to my Aunt Jean just getting me one, I will soon!) 3.) Used a broiler pan. (Until last week that is!) This past week I made two different things using my broiler pan. First I made some bacon wrapped jalepeno poppers, and then a few days later I made a meatloaf wrapped in bacon (hmmm, a theme here??). A broiler pan is great because all the fat can run off, and that can be a good thing when you don't want something swimming in grease. Ick! Oh, and a good trick I learned is to line the bottom of the broiler pan with foil to make for easy clean up. Niffy! So, I say to you all, it is time to rediscover (or discover for that matter), your broiler pan! I'm glad I did.

The meatloaf...

Yummy, bacon wrapped jalepeno poppers!

Tree is "Up"!

Here is our Christmas tree. It is up in it's stand at least! Now to decorate it sometime this week. Holding off as long as possible due to the Matthew factor. ;o)


Naughty or nice?? We shall see...

Puppies

These little sweeties deserve a post all of their own! Ten golden retriever puppies that were just a few weeks old were at the tree farm as well. Matthew couldn't get enough of them. Uh oh...

Matthew loves the puppies...


Goodness, gracious...