Christmas Ornament Idea

When it comes to decorating our Christmas tree we do a hodge-podge of ornaments collected from past Christmases. There is no theme for our tree except perhaps "Christmas Remembered." That's not to say that I don't think themed trees are truly awesome and wonderful. But when it comes to our tree, it is always a delight to pull out the ornaments that we have collected and to remember the years, places and people that surround each one. One of the things I began when the girls were each born, was to make pewter Snapfish ornaments of some of the photos of the girls with Santa or on our Christmas card, or original artwork done by the girls. The ornaments always turn out very nice and it is fun to look back on them each year. They are also very easy to make! Here are a few that we have made to add to our collection of ornaments in 2011. Emma-Caroline drew these pictures and then copied them so that Sophie could color a set too!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

          Yes, it is true the holiday season is upon us! Hard to believe, right? As I type this, I am sitting in my bathrobe (very rare for me) at 11:19am. No, I did not partake in the CRAZE of Black Friday. I never do. I actually have great anxiety when it comes to thinking of Black Friday. Shopping in big huge crowds of people looking for the BEST deals to be had really makes me almost hyperventilate. So I hold up here in my house of Black Friday and wait until Monday when the crowds have died down before even going to the grocery store. This year, I decided that I was going to get all of my Christmas shopping done in the first week in November. I accomplished my goal, and now I just need to wrap the presents that have been sitting in my closet for the past three weeks. We will pull the Christmas decor out of the attic today and begin our decorating for the holidays. This year, my real goal is to get to enjoy the season of Advent before Christmas. Since Advent begins this Sunday, I have plans for all the hustle and bustle to be mostly finished so that I can really take in the waiting and preparing that we do in Advent for the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas. It is here, this holiday season, and I am looking forward to really taking time to prepare my heart for it's true meaning in the celebration of Jesus' Nativity.

        Before the actual holiday season began, we made our annual trip to the Fantasy of Trees to benefit Children's Hospital. Here is a family photo of us in the wonderland of trees. Let the holiday decorating begin! Have a blessed weekend!

Thankful for Character

              Y'all where has November gone to? Next week at this time we will all be sitting down to a Thanksgiving dinner with families and friends and then one more week and November will make her last appearance for 2011. I feel the days are speeding by faster and faster as the holiday season approaches. This has been my hardest month thus far in keeping up with my 365 Project post, however, I do have lots of photos that will sneak their way in at some point in November. Today, though, I  don't want to sneak in a catch-up post because it's just too important.
              The week Howie and I left for Puerto Rico, we were invited by Emma-Caroline's school for a surprise presentation of an award for our girl at the Character Counts Assembly. Howie and I were both so proud of sweet Emma-Caroline when her name was announced by her principal, Mrs. Dunlap, and she shyly processed forward to receive her certificate for displaying all 6 pillars of Character in the Character Counts Program. Emma-Caroline is such a caring little girl who really strives to help others and be respectful to her peers and teachers while doing her personal best. She does so willingly and with humility, which does make a parent very proud. I am thankful for the character that Emma-Caroline displays to not only her classmates and teachers but also to all of us here in our home. We are blessed to have Emma-Caroline as our daughter!

 Receiving her award with her friends Julia and Parkey

 Parkey and Emma-Caroline

All of the first grade Character Counts award recipients and Mrs. Dunlap.

 Super excited!

Proud Daddy!

What a Ham!

Wishful Thinking

Miss Coral Maple

You all remember my favorite little tree, don't you? I think I have photographed her over this past year in all the seasons. She is quite a little beauty with her red trunk and limbs. Miss Coral is putting on quite the show at the present moment with one last leaf display before the November winds showcase her beautiful red trunk. I wish I could have y'all over to meet Miss Coral Maple. She is a sweet little Southern Lady and always dazzles her guests with amazing beauty!

Leaf Fun!

Since Halloween night, November has swirled in as rapidly as the leaves falling all around us here in East Tennessee. This has been a glorious fall and with the mild temperatures, sunny clear blue skies and beautiful foliage, it is no wonder that this is one of my most favorite times of the year. Posts have been scarce this past week, but as always I will catch up. The 365 finish line is here. I can see it and I am thrilled! Here is a little of the fun we have been having this wonderful Fall!

Tennessee Homecoming!

Sometimes a Cell phone camera is all you have. We went down to celebrate UT's Homecoming this year at the Law School with Howie. We took our little friend Mary Caroline. The girls had a great time eating barbecue and listening to Rocky Top before the game. Our Vols have not won many games this year but we still love them regardless!