Christmas Recap

Part III

Alliance Park, lit up!

On the Thursday before Christmas, after work we decided to go to Alliance Park to see the lights and we got a special treat....Santa was there!!!! You get to drive through the park and look at all the cute lights as many times as you want. This is the second year we have gone, and Nico loves it!!!

Nico waiting patiently in line to see Santa & the lights!

The Reindeer took over and are making Santa pull the sleigh!!!

Grandma Beth & Nico

More lights!

Grandpa someone keeps taking my picture, hide me!

After the Park Lights, we went home and celebrated Christmas Eve traditions of opening Nico's new Christmas jammies and a new movie The Polar Express!!! Since Daddy had to work on Christmas Eve, we wanted to make sure he was in on all the festivities he could. Of course some traditions had to be missed....tracking Santa, Santa's Email to Nico and putting out cookies for Santa.....we were glad to have Daddy home for most of it.

Mommy, Mommy the Polar Express!!!

Pouring the Oatmeal in for our Reindeer Food!

Adding Sprinkles so they sparkle in the grass!

The finished product!!!

Mommy's two favorite boys!!!

It was a great night to kick off our family traditions, and even though Daddy missed out on some of it I know he was glad to do what he could with us!!!

As the Christmas "recap" adventures continue......

Christmas Recap 2010 Continues....

Nico's Christmas Program

What a great way to continue our Christmas Spirit with Nico's Christmas Program at his Pre-School. He was way too adorable standing next to a little girl who was holding Baby Jesus. They sang 3 song and the only one he kept singing at home was Jingle Bells, and I was taping the others so with the clapping it was hard to tell, but if you go to my Facebook Page you can watch his videos. After the program, we went downstairs to have Cookies and Punch, it was a great night and Nico had a blast with all his Pre-School Friends...and he even sang this year!!!!

Nico and a few classmates with Miss Angie his teacher before the big show!

Nico beside Baby Jesus and Mary

Mommy & Nico after the show...poor Daddy missed it again.

Grandpa Tom, Grandma Connie & Nico

Having one of many cookies!

Aunt Melissa & Nico

Grandpa Tim, Nico & Grandma Beth

Until our next "Christmas Program" adventure.....

Christmas 2010 Recap

Family Christmas Parties

Our first Christmas gathering of 2010 was at my Aunt Pam's house. It was full of fun, family, too much food and Christmas spirit. I definitely ate to much and poor Daddy had to work so he missed out on all the fun. Nico was pooped out by the time we go home, but definitely sugared up! Who could resist all the cookies we made on Cookie Day???

Gma Beth, Mommy & Nico

Opening Nico's ornament from our ornament exchange

Aunt Jenny, Aunt Pam & Gma Beth

Cousins...believe it or not there are 10 more of us!

On Sunday we went to our next stop at Daddy's family at Grandma & Grandpa Decker's. It was another fun filled family day! This time Daddy still had to work but he stopped by to eat, which is always a treat! Nico was pretty excited but Daddy had to get back to work before presents...duty calls.

Opening a gift from Great-Grandma & Grandpa Decker
It was a tool set that sounded like the tool it is, he loves it!

Another gift for our spoiled little boy everyone loves!

Although it was another crazy weekend, it definitely was worth seeing everyone and celebrating Christmas together as a family. Thanks to everyone who was so generous to Nico, I know he appreciates all his new toys!!!

Until our next "Christmas" adventure.......

Prayer Request

Please say a prayer for my best friend Terri's family.

Her Grandma passed away suddenly yesterday.

Big Hugs, Terri and the rest of the Charton Family.

Christmas Traditions Have Begun!!!!

Gingerbread House 2010:

Think I can get a lick before someone notices??

One Candy for the house, one candy for my mouth!

Starting to look like a Gingerbread House!

Look at my Gingerbread House!!!

On Saturday, we had our annual Cookie Day at Aunt Pam's, it was a great day and although Nico ate half a bag of chocolate chips before I realized it......we still had a blast!!!

Cookie Day 2010:

Making Reindeer candies!

Caleb and Nico decorating cookies!

The Cookie Gang!

We had such a great weekend with friends and family, and was a great kickoff to the season!!!

Until out next "Christmas" adventure.....

Prayer Request

Please say a prayer for my friend April's brother who has been fighting Cystic Fibrosis and is now going in for a very serious surgery today. It's been a hard year for him, and he is fighting for his life.

Please also pray for April and her family for God to give them the strength to get through this.

Sisterly Love!

Until our next "sisters" adventure....

The Christmas Season Has Begun!!!!

Only 26 days until Santa and counting.......

Until our next "Christmas" adventure.....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Sad....

My friend Michele's 12 year old Dalmatian was diagnosed with Bone Cancer yesterday. They have had Tigger since he was a puppy, and he is their only "child". Like all animal lovers and having an almost 11 year puppy myself, this breaks my heart.

Please say a Prayer for Michele and Pete as this is a very sad time for them. I just hope they have more time with their beloved dog, Tigger.

Veterans Day

By Taylor Weinman

Representing the red white and blue

The colors of our flag stand out proud and true.

The white stars on blue background with red and white stripes

Remind me of these veterans, who all risked their lives.

Just so the people of the U.S. could all live in peace and be free

These are the heroes that represent you and me.

They stood up strongly, untied as one,

And kept up the fighting until they were done.

And although some have fallen, and lost their lives in war,

We pray for each one of them.

And now that their souls live on forever more,

Above in God’s hands

They watch over our nation,

And give us strength to triumph over others with strong anticipation.

So every year, when this day comes by,

Think of all the veterans that while fighting, had to die.

And remember that they were people

With fire and passion embedded inside.

They die for this country,

So remember and honor them with pride

Thank you to all of those who served our country and still are that allow us to have our Freedom!

**Poem found here ***

HAPPY 235TH BIRTHDAY!!!

1775: Founding of the Marine Corps

A legacy is born

During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps. A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines. As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776. Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.

Info found here.

Since 1996 when Daddy joined the Marine Corp this has been a day when he wakes up and tells me to tell him "Happy Birthday" and he gets calls and texts throughout the day of those who he has served with, and those who remember what day it is. It's a day that is remembered in our home even though it's been over 10 years of not being on active duty....as they say, "Once a Marine always a Marine."

Happy Birthday all of those past, present and future Marines!!!

Thank you for serving our county.

Semper Fi,

PUMPKIN PATCH 2010

One of the traditions we have done since Nico was 1, has been to go to a Pumpkin Patch to have Nico pick out a pumpkin. This year was no exception, we went to their petting zoo, took a train ride, played in the corn, and went through the maze. It was a fun night for all....except that it was 35 degrees out....and of course Daddy's pumpkin was three times as big as Nico's but it was adorable watching my little guy pick out the perfect pumpkin, and what a perfect pumpkin it was!!!

My little Pumpkin

Petting Zoo fun!

My boys!

Fun with Grandparents!

Stinker wouldn't face the camera!!

Mommy look this pumpkin is bigger than me!!!

Until our next "pumpkin patch" adventure......