Christmas Eve Fun

Christmas eve we all go to my mom's house and just hang out. I took a billion pictures so here I will shre a few random ones then I will be uploading a slideshow of all the present unwrapping from Christmas eve so as not to bore everyone with a lot of pictures.
Here is the tree she so lovingly brought home the day after Thanksgiving. I think she did a great job making it pretty.

Jared, Kaitlyn and Pixie relax and have fun

Waiting for the fun to begin

More people, more waiting

Ruby wasn't feeling so well, she and Gage took a moment to snuggle

There is always plenty of food and plenty of hungry people to eat it.

Mmmm... Kollette enjoys Christmas dinner

Brianna enjoys being silly

Ruby loves to play with the bear magnets on Great Grandma's fridge

More of the tree

Christmas Eve Puzzle

Every Christmas Eve for as far back as I can remember there has always been a puzzle in my mom's house. These puzzles have ranged from something a child could do and have expanded over the years as we have grown up. This year was no exception.

Everyone gets involved in trying to put these puzzle together and we talk. Reminisce about childhood events, Christmas presents that we just had to have, people who have come into our lives as well as those that have gone.

Even the youngest member got involved this year, if it was only to to eat the pieces

I am sure years from now we won't remember what the picture of the puzzles were from Christmas to Christmas but we will remember the feelings of sitting there for hour after hour. Talking and having fun.

A heavenly Christmas

On Christmas Eve I took my punches to my mom's house so we could make luminaries to take to the cemetery. This is a nice way for us it include my dad in out holiday celebration even though he is no longer with us.

The cemetery is all lit up with candles and looks really pretty. We sing a few carols and share stories of Christmas' passed. We miss you dad and not a day goes by that I don't think of you and wish I could share stories with you like we use to. It has been a hard 19 months and we are still trying to adjust. It's not easy and I know it will take time. It's just hard to have you gone.

Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees, around the world below, With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow.

This sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear, For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs, that people hold so dear, But the sound of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring, For it’s beyond description to hear an angel sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, But I am not so far away, we are really not apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear, And be glad I’m spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above, I send you each a memory, of my undying love.

For after all “Love” is the gift, more precious than pure gold, It was always most important, in the stories Jesus told.

So please love and help each other, as my Father said to do, For I cannot count the blessings, or the love He has for you.

So have a Merry Christmas, and wipe away that tear, For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.

I can’t tell you of the splendor, or the peace here in this place, Can you imagine Christmas, with our Savior, face to face?

I’ll ask Him to lift your spirit, as I tell Him of your love, So then pray for one another, as you lift your eyes above.

So please let your hearts be joyful, and let your spirits sing, For I am spending Christmas in heaven, and I’m walking with the King!

Author Unknown

2009 Christmas Cards

I am sad to admit that I did not go all out on Christmas cards this year as I have in the past. Usually I come up with several different designs and make a few of each design. This year I made 3 different designs as well as 2 extra that were different (meaning I only made one of each of them. I am not sure why I just couldn't get into making cards this year. There has been so much going on the last few months and it seems there was not enough time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to make a whole bunch of cards. I slacked on everything Christmas related this year. My house wasn't decorated until almost 2 weeks before and I was still shopping the day before Christmas Eve and wrapping presents until 1 am on Christmas morning. My sweet husband got neglected too as every year I make him a nice card and this year I just went to my cad program and printed one. Even that wasn't done until earlier Christmas morning.

Here are the few that I did manage to make, I also sent out a few that I had in a card swap over the years that I didn't even make

I made this Eeyore one for my mom. I was trying to figure out a way to incorporate Eeyore into the card when I got inspired by the Christmas Story in the Bible.

I duplicated the card without Eeyore to send to my brother and his family. With all that has been going on in the world I wanted to keep the true meaning in Christmas this year.

A cute little snowman card.

A funky tree card

I hope everyone had a good holiday. I will post out pictures soon. We had a great time, spent with family

Happy New Year!

Before you flip your calendar
To start a New Year bright.
Reflect for just a moment on
The year that ends tonight.
Each joy and every heartache has
Been etched into your heart,
But in a few short hours you
May make a brand new start.
As you review the days and weeks
That simply seemed to fly,
Would you say fortune smiled on you
Or did she pass you by?
Since it's not wise to dwell upon
Those days that made you cry.
The thing to do is set your sights
And aim right at the sky.
Forget those tears and sorrow as
You bid the old, "Adieu,"
And welcome in your golden year.
It's dawning--Just For You.
Happy New Year Thanks For
All the memories Of the past
Year love you All

Our Christmas Pup

For those of you that regularly read my blog you will remember that on December 17th Jared and I said good bye to our faithful fur baby Sandee. While we knew another dog could never replace her (not that would we ever want to replace her) we knew that another fury friend would help ease the pain and fill the void she left in our hearts.
So on December 19th 2009 this little 1/2 Miniature Schnauzer 1/2 Chihuahua or Chizer for short joined our family

We chose the name Pixie for her and so Pixie-Doodle it is

A girl had to accessories now doesn't she. This is only the beginning of the wardrobe purchases.

Santa's other reindeer

Posing with the Santa Bears

Aw she is such an obedient puppy.

We have really had a lot of fun with her for the week and half that we have had her. She is so full of energy and Chloe just loves her. They are always play fighting. Chloe won't quite let her cuddle up next to her but I imagine that will happen sooner or later. I wanted to get the two of them matching Christmas dresses but Jared wouldn't let me. I did manage to get her a dress though and she was the hit of the Christmas festivities.

Welcome to our home Pixie-Doodle.

Happy Birthday Brian!

Brian turned 40 on the 17th of December. We got together on the 19th to celebrate with brownies and Ice cream

~Happy Birthday old man~

Jared and I got him a gift card to one of his favorite woodcrafting store

I hope that he had a great birthday.