Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve!

I am getting so confused.  I keep thinking today is Christmas Eve! 

Friday Night we had a very wonderful night, feeding 40 people at the West Columbia Extended Stay!  We had gifts for the kids and toothpaste and toothbrushes for the adults.  Talk about God's plan coming together.  As I took pictures all I could think was,  Proverbs 17:22, A merry heart doeth good like medicine!

Lastnight we went to MeMaw's and PawPaw's to see Caleb and open gifts.  We were going to celebrate Papa Ryan's Birthday however he was not feeling well.  We all love our gifts!  Yesterday we wanted to go Ice Skating, and well Pat and I were just being lazy.  We mentioned it to Caleb and I think he really wants to go, so before he goes home today we are going to go Ice Skating!

Traditions

Last night, we looked at our Christmas 2010 photos and my blogging, and I seemed to have been much more creative and fun lastyear.  I am really dragging this year.

We are working on some school work trying to figure out Luke's favorite Christmas Tradition, and it is the Elf.  That makes me sad.  Everyone has gone a little over board with the Elf in the past few years.  I gotta admit, I fell pray to it a couple years ago, and have incorporated it into our Christmas.  However, I have no plans to let it over shadow the fact that Christmas is about the birth of Christ, and being with family, and just showing them you appreciate one another.  It is not about a fictional Elf that hops around the house. I am thinking this might be the last year that the Elf on the Shelf comes to our house or next year he might only may weekly visits.  Not really sure how we are going to handle it, but I can say for sure it is getting out of hand.

Christmas in Full Swing!

We have the Tree up!

We got to have our Christmas Party at Pine Island, complete with Santa, a stuffed Puppy Gift (with magic stuffing from Santa's workshop), Magic Show, Face Painting, Cookies & Juice.

 

Tomorrow is Church and the Parade of Lights!

Nutcracker

I am heading to see the Nutcracker tomorrow with my little Luke's class!  I am pretty excited.  He is pretty excited also.  Tomorrow night Ashlyn and Pat are going on a date and he is taking her to see the Nutcracker also. 

Then Holland Ave. is having a Holiday Market, which I am hoping to get some cute things to finish up my Christmas shopping!  It is a goal to enjoy the season and get things done as soon as I can.

Shopping Diva - Ashlyn

Ashlyn is a savvy little shopper. They did a Holiday Market at her school where she could buy gifts for her family. We sent $11.00. She had $5.00 to spend on Luke, $3.00 to spend on me and $3.00 to spend on Pat. She came home with 2 things for Luke, something for me, something for Pat. She picked up something extra special for Papa Ryan. Get this she even came home with change!


I think she might just be the one to finish up our Christmas Shopping. I must say she gets it from her momma.

Ninja

Luke and Ashlyn want to put everyone they know on our Christmas List. 

Luke's Karate teacher gave him a book to pick out some Ninja stuff.  He was like we can get me this, mommy this, daddy this, Mrs. Baxley this, and Ashlyn this, Jedd Alan this.  He thinks he is going to do all his Christmas shopping in this book.

Hope everyone wants Num Chucks or Throwing Stars!

Thanksgiving!

We headed to Marion and had a great Thanksgiving.  I did a little shopping Black Friday.  I did not get any door busters, but am happy with my few finds.  I finished up most of what we are getting the kids online.  As well as a Christmas dress for Ashlyn, hope it comes in...in time.

We had lots of food and lots of fun.  We came home lastnight to get ready for our week and put the tree up.

Thanksgiving Party!

Ashlyn is excited about her Thanksgiving Party.  We made Pilgram Hat Cookies for her to take!

1st Carolina Game!

We took the kids to see Carolina play.  Luke was so excited to be in the stadium.  We loved the new farmers market.  They have some jam up bathrooms, and lots of stuff to do.  It was a little cold, we were hoping it would warm up a little, however the kids had a blast even in the cold!  The jets flying over was breath taking!

Ashlyn took a little cat nap during the game, and woke up ready to go!

Election Day 2012!

Pat and I did not realize that today Luke's school was closed.  I know, I promise we are not living under a rock.  LOL!

So today I took off to keep Luke.  I had a few things to get done at work this morning so I hopped up at 4:30 got dressed and headed to work at 5:15.  I got a few things done, then I met Pat at the Voting Polls at 6:15.

Luke and Ashlyn got to the polls with Pat at 6:00 a.m.  They were dressed warm however it was still cold for them. 

I had a blanket in the car and some gloves.

Here are the kids under a tent trying to stay warm.  Luke said "we got there at dark".  LOL

Luke was being silly

We ate breakfast and then, took Ashlyn to school.  She was able to tell the entire class her voting experience. 

Luke and I came home and worked on some school work, then we picked Ashlyn up before NAP.  Then we got Luke's hair cut.  Now they are watching a Christmas Movie.  Our 5th one already.  We are loving the Hallmark Channel and really getting into the Christmas Season.
 
Yesterday Luke had a Vote @ school and Romney WON!  He is really into this Election. 

Isn't this Voter Registration the most adorable thing!!

Howdy Partners.....

Wow what a great week!  Pat and I felt like we were slackers, but just a ton of stuff was going on!

Ashlyn got her report card last week, and she did wonderful.  She got so many G's, seriously it was like 20 or so.  Krispy Kreme gave out doughnuts for every G up to 6!  They did have a cap!  Pat took her up to get her 6 doughnuts.  She was so super happy!  The teacher said that Ashlyn in a delight to teach and is so eager to learn.  Yep that is our little Ashlyn for you!

Monday and Tuesday, Pat and I just felt behind, I guess because we did so much over the week-end.

Wednesday was Halloween.  Luke and Ashlyn both had parties at school and came home with so many treats.  It is really kind of crazy all the things the parents send.  I of course sent nothing and felt slack.  But I can promise every other mom and dad out there made up for what I did not send.  W.O.W.  When we got off we got he kids dressed and headed up to our church for their annual festival.  It is so fun, snow cones, cotton candy, bounce houses, candy, games and a hay ride.  It is just so much fun.  We love taking the kids each year.  We stopped by MeMaw's afterwards and got more treats.  Our house is full of candy and treats! The kids love getting on the floor and dumping out their buckets and count who has the most of what type of candy.  So far Luke is winning in the SNEAKERS department and Ashlyn is winning in the TOOTSIE ROLL department. 

Can you guess what their favorite candy is each?

Luke got his report card a couple of days ago, and is on the E & G honor roll.   His Dolphin Splash awards were today and Pat went and stayed for Lunch.  To say that Luke is excited and happy is just an understatement!

Crock Pot

Put this in the Crock Pot, and come home to a wonderful meal:

3 Boneless Chicken Breasts
1 Can Cream of Chicken
8 oz Sour Cream
Hidden Valley Ranch Dry Packet

Yummy, serve over rice! 

Chili for the Extended Stay!

It was our turn to head up the extended stay.  We headed to Pine Island last night, and did not get home until 10:30 then, wet got up at 6:30 AM to start cooking.  It was a good bit of work, since Pat went to Marion Thursday Night, and I went shopping for supplies to feed 40 people!  The kids did pretty good. 

We went into WalMart, and I walked down two isles, and then we walked out.  I can't put myself thru the WalMart experience right now (I am so busy I am practically working thru lunch).  As if my life is not hectic enough, we have to put up with that!!!  Don't get me wrong We love to save money, but 2 kids, a stressed out Mommy and WalMart....well lets just say they don't mix!

Pat said I am not built from stressful situations and I would have to agree. I woke up on getting things done, and getting stressed out.  We made it to our We Care event an hour early.  Had everything set up by the time the Sunday School Class arrived, and had managed to scorch the chili in the process.  It took 15 minutes or less to scorch the chili!

We picked out the black stuff, and it tasted great.  Everyone wanted to know about the smokey flavor LOL!  They really enjoyed it, because it was all gone.



6:30 AM Let's get this Chili Started!

They asked for something to do! Promise!

 

 

Hunting with Daddy!

Luke, Pat and Ashlyn have been feeding up a Deer Stand at Papa Ryan.  We have even caught footage of Papa Ryan feeding the deer on the game camera.

Luke went with dad 10/14/12, and Ashlyn went 10/21/12.

It is just a chance to sit in the deer stand with dad and whisper about the squirrles. And get some cookies from Papa Ryan.  He loves it!  He will have his cookie and candy stash filled up.  It is so funny he sends home either an apple or orange also, I guess to make mom happy! LOL!

Cooking

I have been wanting some home cooked and good food!  Well yesterday I went to town cooking!

We had my famous Turkey-Meatloaf.  It is the one that I got off of Oprah, the lady that sneaks veggies in her kids food.  I am drawing a blank right now as to the name of the cook book.  It is Jessica Sinfield.  Then homemade mashed potatoes, and Onion and Broccoli Corn Bread.  It was all so yummy!

I whipped up a Quiche this morning for breakfast with the extra Broccoli and Onions.  Listen to me, someone who rarely cooks, whipping up something.  LOL!

I did make up the corn bread recipe, and it turned out pretty good.

1 - Box of Jiffy
2 Cups Cooked Broccoli
1 Onion Sauteed
1 Cup Lite Sour Cream
Splash of Milk
2 Eggs
Table Spoon Smart Balance Butter

Mix with the blinder and bake according to the Jiffy Box!  Good Stuff, Luke ate 4 pieces, and Ashlyn ate 2!

Halloween Costume Sneak Peak!

Sneak Peak of The kids Halloween Costumes!

To see Luke in his costume, can only be described as Hilarious! The boy really thinks he is Jaden, the Red Power Ranger. He has the moves, and the muscles are his fav. part.

Ashlyn is just pure sweet in her Cheerleading outfit. I am looking for a Carolina one, but this will do for now. She is happy, however I had to talk her out of being a dragon??? Don't know why Miss Thing wants to wear boy stuff all the time. 

Kickin Chicken!

Pat took off of work today to help cook at Church.  It is called the Kickin Chicken!  It is a HUGE fundraiser, and these guys got up at 1:00 AM to cook chicken ALL day.  It is 6:50 PM and Pat is still not home. 

Poor fella is going to be tired!

They cooked over 1,800 Chicken Halfs today!