On the third day of Christmas..............

So after a few wrapped and unwrapping of certain gifts..........retagging gifts........
taking another special count of presents under the tree for all the boys...........am I just too tired???????????Am I just getting to picky and trying too hard??????????Am I getting too old ?????? Or am I just the mommy of a very busy 4 year old plus 2 teenagers????????????
I'm going to chalk it up to the last clue...........what do you think?????????????

So it's finally coming together..............list of no list.......I will get there..............

On the fourth day of Christmas.....................still trying to not panic about lost "lists"

Still loving the lit wreath that mom gave me last year.........
from Sam's, no less...................
Beautiful poinsettia from in laws..........big and bold!

On the fifth day of Christmas...........

I picked up the red "Christmas" owl in Little Rock at Two Thousand Villages. If you
have a spare moment, right, go to their website and enlighten yourself.............we in the "real" world have so many blessings to be thankful for.........this shop sells wares from women around
the world that have unfortunate situations and a proceed of the sale goes to their particular village or charity group they represent...........it is an awesome shop...........and I feel lucky to have
stumbled onto it in Little Rock Arkansas a few weeks ago.......bought some really cool and unique gifts that we will pass along this holiday season....................makes me feel good...............

Random, so random.............lights in an urn in the kitchen! Oh well
they are still burning right????? Right~!

On the Sixth day of Christmas.........................

Each evening when I pick up........I am feeling a little more anxious about the whole Christmas extravaganza..............I was so careful to keep a detailed list of gifts........so I could keep it "even" between boys/ nieces/ grandparents.........and wha laaaaaaaaa.................my 3, yes I said 3, lists
have disappeared!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am trying not to panic.......but I really am...................keep calm
and enjoy the deco.........I keep telling myself!

The special little "Santa" corner..............
The "Wise Men" and lit winter cottage.......peaceful
(really in the toy "train" room.......but peaceful and quiet at night.....

On the seventh day of Christmas.......................

Each evening of late night wrapping........I relish in the
quiet and enjoy the Christmas deco...my
Jim Shore Santa lamp my Mom gave to me
a few years ago is a favorite!
Well, a hodge podge of Santas....and a neat "find"
lamp at Sample House in Dallas when
we went to the Fall show at the Arboredum (sp)..........
the lady kept going on and on about the lamp doesn't work......I said what would
you take for it........she said "cheap"............I said "I'll take it"..........and honestly
it works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't but oh well! I love it
anyway!!!

On the Eighth day of Christmas.....

My sweet Mom calls and says to me....."How about making Christmas candy, hot cocoa mix and
that yummy hot Spiced tea?????

Peanut patties...........will they set up????

Let's try again...get all ingredients back out!

Her face says it all....this is our "remake" of
our first batch....and by golly....it
is going to make it!

On the ninth day of Christmas..........................

We drove to Lubbock to take a ride.....................
On the Polar Express train, no less,
The five of us sitting side by side.....

ALL ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS!

Daddy, Mommy and Griffin....the older brothers thought they would pass

And Mammee and Gran............thank you
for coming along....
what a great memory!

OOooo...blow it's "hot" , "hot chocolate!" that is...
Cute mugs and tasty hot cocoa too!

Oh yes sir! Punch my ticket sir.........
Ummm....a perfect "G".

Happy on the Polar Express.....

What a sweet holiday "in wonder" smile..

Wonder what he is thinking????

Yes Santa I have been a good boy...I would like a Polar Express electric train, Geo Trax construction set, a crayon maker, and Mr. Potato play dough set.............
I'm not so sure about this pretty elf...........

On the tenth day of Christmas...............................

I realized the magic and wonder of a little one just mesmerized by the Christmas tree!

Griffin so little and full of life......Daisy so old ........and set in her ways!

Can you get any closer to "Christmas"! He keeps saying it's in three days!!!!!
HOPE NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the eleventh day of Christmas..........................

Daddy says to me....................there's a train exhibit in Abilene........let's go there
and see!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Griffin loved it.............it wasn't much to see.........but he got to push a "button" to make the
trains whistle and blow steam..............

And his little shy smile made our day and changed the gloom weather to a bright moment
what a guy..................and I think we are pretty outstanding
parents too!!!!!

This is it! Not quite what we expected..............
But we are thrilled to be here........let's go in!!!!!!!!!!

So lovely and cute.......he is still a "little" boy.....
passionate about trains!!!!!!!!!

The Santa Fe..............chugging along!

On the 12th day of Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!

My toddler says to me, "Mommy let's make a gingerbread house
for all of our family to see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Take a deep breath.....you can do it....you can do it.....
Easy assembly required???????????????
My sleepy little boy just up from his comfy night's sleep insists!!!!!

Nothing like a strawberry "fruit" pop to go with our cool............
Gingerbread House.!! Yippee!!!!
Mission accomplished!!!!!!!!!!

My first real clue.......................

Beautiful............heavy and snowy!

Pine trees out front are crying..............Christmas is here!
Get a move on it..................so you can relax and enjoy.................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you..................

And the flash of Thanksgiving goes by in a whoosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fast and furious..........yummy turkey and ham............and the famous sweet potatoes..............pumpkin pie and of course, lemon pie for Papa.................delicious rolls from Shana's Bakery............and last but not least............creamed corn............yes, and not to mention Hot Damn Corn..........yummy........we are full and happy!!!

Thanksgiving feasts................................
Spending time with family........................

Uncles and nephews........

Grandmas and grandsons........................

What are these two up too????????????

PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!