Christmas Time is Here........almost

It is almost Christmas now. Just two more days of work and then off for four days. Shopping is finished. Wrapping is almost wrapped up. Now, to sit back and relax.

Hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas season as well.

~V~

New Computer…..

Working through the kinks of a new computer, new OS, and then resetting all of my stuff back the way I like it.  Hey, in the big picture, it isn’t that big a deal, but it sure is annoying.

The Christmas tree is in the house and has been almost completely fluffed.  Lights will go on tomorrow followed by the ornaments.  I know it seems early but we are ready to get into the holiday spirit around here.  Maybe I will post photos…..who knows??

Headed to Abundant Life to visit and then to a class at the Corner on Sunday – making an Advent calendar.  Should be cute.

Hope everyone is staying nice and dry tonight.  Glad we are not involved in High School football playoffs.

Later!

Vacation Update!

Here we are - Fort Walton is really nice this time of year. The weather has been in hte high 80s/low 90s. No rain since the little showers on Sunday.












We worried about B (and his not wanting to get into the big waters - there are animals in there!!). On Saturday night we bought a body boards (giant kick board). We didn't even take it down on Sunday.



On Monday, the water was so calm - it was like a lake. We took the body board out as a family. We were one of about eight families in the immediate area. BP was talking big about the third grader wearing floaties.....I told him that was big talk coming from a boy on a body board that wouldn't let his mom let go. With that: BP said, "Then Let Go!!!" He has not stopped since then.

This morning, I got up and had breakfast before 7:00. BP was already awake, playing Nintendo in his bed - such a vacation thing. Mike got up and started getting ready to go to the beach aroud 8:30. With that, I said something about going back to bed. I managed to get out of the bed aroud 10:30.

By the time I got to the water, this is what I found......

....followed by this.....

New Slideshow

Hi guys -

A couple of months ago I spent a weekend cropping with some friends. I love going to crops but I find I always, always, always take too much stuff with me. So, to combat that issue I decided to take a SINGLE project - albeit a biggie. I had promised a friend I would make an album of the cadid shots from her daughter's wedding (11-08). I did this for the other daughter about a year ago.

Well, I traveled with very little that weekend and this is what I have to show for it. I used about 4-5 packs of cardstock from CTMH (Cocoa, Taffy, and Sweet Leaf, 5 loose sheets of the prettiest copper/bronze paper I have ever seen, and 1/2 - 1 pack of white and colonial cardstock).

I spent the first night random stamping paper. Then, I used a couple of the xx pages from 1 pack type layouts that are shared on the CTMH bulletin board.

By keeping the colors consistent and limiting the embellishments, this was a pretty fast project. Hope you enjoy!

New Laptop

Well, in the last eight hours I have purchased a new laptop and gotten almost everything back like I want it. Still working on getting one more piece of software authorized to the new machine and getting some files back where I can get to them.

We made pizza tonight for dinner. We used a premade pizza crust. Lightly brushed it with EVOO - baked in a 450 oven for 3 minutes. Then, topped it with fresh spinach, tomato/pesto mixture, proscuitto, and mozzarella cheese. YUM!!

Bases loaded at the Trav's Game

Cool breezes, nachos, ice cream, and ahead in the game. Good times!

More Championship Baseball

As the trophies were being handed out last night, there was much discussion about a party. Many suggestions were made about Wild River Country, the City Pool, etc. Mike caught my eye and nodded "yes". I spoke up - we have a pool. Then a little louder - we have a pool. Then finally,WE HAVE A POOL! Coach turned to me - you have a pool? Yes. OK - Party at the Porta House - tomorrow at noon. TOMORROW??? Oh gosh - good thing I had been a little more responsible this week and the house was sort of picked up. Now, off to help decorate for VBS for a few minutes and then on to Sam's for paper good and a cake. WOW!! You just never know where things are going to take you! More details later...

Benjamin is so excited.....he thinks the party should start NOW - since he is awake.

Little League Champs.

Dinner out!

We had our picture made for the church directory tonight. Then dinner
out! Almost the weekend!!

Hot Night at Dickey Stephens

We came to the game tonight. Travs not doing so well. BP has had a vast array of junk food in an attempt to stay awake. Hope the game tomorrow is better. Later- The Travs won!!!

Finally Pool Time

It has been cleaned and is finally warm. Max has even been in a couple of times.

Tower Class trip to the Travs game

Jacque had it together with her fans. Hot weather but fun times!

Summer Time

It has been some time since I have been here. Sorry for the absence.....but since you know me you know where I have been and what I have been up to. I am experimenting with uploading a slide show from flickr or something else. We'll see what I end up with.
Later!

FINALLY FRIDAY

Five days ago I thought today would never get here. This has been one wild week. We are back to school and back to work. This is the last week before the Legislative Session begins. So, we were pretty busy at the office getting last minute stuff finalized.

Mike missed directing a game a couple of weeks ago so he agreed to direct tonight. Benjamin and I went to McD's and then by the Bridge House to have dinner with Mike before the game. Then, the little man and I went by the store for ice cream to celebate another 100 on his spelling test. Both the Wii and DS are in time out due to behavior at school today (and at home last night).

We are watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars before heading to bed in a minute - if he makes it that long.......getting ready for basketball tomorrow - go flash!!

Tonight I am back to scanning in slides while I watch the Oklahoma-Florida football game. Glad the gators won. I am working on getting all of the slides from Mom's basement into a digital format so we don't lose the images. Also, there will probably be some Christmas gifts coming out of this project. There are 31 carousels of about 80 slides to be scanned. I am about a 1/4 of the way through the project. There are some great shots in here I have never seen before. It is a blast to see the 50 years styles for clothes, hair, and makeup.

"Mario" world

This Christmas was a MARIO event. Santa brought a MarioKartDS slot car set to Benjamin. I am not sure who has had more fun - Benjamin or Mike. We also have a Nintendo DS with Mario on it, and Mario Galaxy for the Wii. J-Doc and Bevie sent MarioKart for the Wii, along with an extra steering wheel. Benjamin loves playing MarioKart and it pretty good at it. Mike likes it too.

Facebook

Well - Mike and I are trying to play catch up with everyone. After much peer pressure - we are both on facebook. I didn't do it for the longest time. We are going to have to be very careful. It can be such a drain on time. But, on the other hand I have gotten back in touch with Carol Garreau and Tracy Rode. What fun 'talking' with them again!

I have joined a bunch of different local groups (JLLR, working moms, etc.). I also have 'freinded' a ton of people. It is kind of fun - but you do have to be careful what you say and how you say it.

Taggie

We still have Taggie at our house. We have had offers for the 'taggie' to get lost. I am not really ready for my 'baby' to lose his security blanket. After all, I still have Snoopy (in the cedar chest).

First day back at school - and a long one at that. Basketball practice tonight. First game is Saturday. Go Green Flash!!

Bad Idea, Very Bad Idea

In an effort to keep the little people busy and happy yesterday, I decided to tell them about Cops and Robbers and Cowboys and Indians. Well, that is now one of our favorite games. It was rainy and muggy here today. So, my big boy and my little boy played C&R inside. The loot? My camera, and anything else near me. Loved hearing the discussion about splitting the goods. Hope that is not a conversation that EVER really happens.

This is not a great photo - but it is one......

I finally am in the 21st century with a Facebook page(?). It is a blast hearing from people from high school and college. Even heard about the Youth Symphony reunion tour in 2010. Mike suggested I start practicing now. Wonder exactly what that means............

I also made some killer Turkey Noodle Soup leftovers. Got to use the super cool ladle that Mom gave us for Christmas. Check it out - it is made to hook on the side of the pot and rest there.

Back to school, work, bball practice, and scouts this week.

First of Many

We had our first sleepover of the year last night. We picked Scott up at his house around 5:30. The boys barely got still enough to go to sleep.....then BP was up and down for another 45 minutes. This morning has been a medley of Wii, DS, and movies. Now, I am scanning in slides from 1959 listening to the sounds of two 6 year olds hammering a "Keep Out" sign on their 'castle' in the back yard.

Photos will be coming later -

Finally, a DS

All we wanted for Christmas was a DS. It was not the first thing seen on Christmas morning. We have had some BIG BIG fun with it (all members of the family). I am excited that my Brain Age is only 41. Woohoo! Take the little victories.....

Oh! And ya' gotta' love the oversized feet pajamas. Two pair under the tree. They are a size (or two) too big but to quote the big man..."They're cozy!"

Happy New Year!

I am starting a new project this year (imagine....). I am planning on taking (and eventually posting) at least one photo a day for the entire year. Hope I make it!!

Here goes.. BP and Scott were 'sharing' an all-day sucker from Santa Claus.