Merry Christmas to All.........Happy Holidays..............Happy shopping.........Happy Baking...
After all the "won't fit", and "lights don't work", and "drive back to Abilene".......
Here is the new tree! Love it!!!

Thank you honey, for being so patient with me............

My old faithful washed out yellow cabinet decked out for Christmas...........
He looks serious...........hope we have been nice.......................
Getting a peak of "the tree" in the background..................

The Choir sold beautiful poinsettias this year................
Thanks Mom for the new frosted lighted wreath , love it...................

Sometimes I've got laugh around here to keep from crying.......all the little messes.......
My Dollar Tree red tree.........it's been inside and out..........................

This "ole" Santa bucket is a golden oldie............
This little rag doll Santa has been with us for years and years
I love birdhouses...........even at Christmas.................

Second Tree Glory...................

Always a story with me............why is that????

A few weeks ago, Mom and I went to Abilene to shop and stopped at Sam's....wow!!!! There was this beautiful 12 foot (keep this in mine) beautiful and affordable Christmas tree!

She said, let's get that for part of your Christmas so you can enjoy it!

Wow!!!!!!!!!!! Exciting!!!!!!!!!! Until the guy loads it into the car and bam....goes one of the boxes! This tree came in two boxes mind you, 12 feet remember...............

Get it home, start to put it up the next weekend..............and my dear hubby says, "honey this ceiling is NOT 12 feet............just keep going I say..........it will fit.........after all it didn't look that tall in SAM'S.....................HA, HA,...............

Needless to say our ceiling is 10 feet, the guy dropping the box caused many broken bulbs, and it is 6:00 Saturday night.....................and Sam's closes at 8:00!

Throw the tree back into the box, drop Griffin at Grandma and Papa's, drive frantically to Sam's, no receipt, return tree for ANOTHER 12 foot tree...........and have a nice date/dinner with my hubby at the pub/grill downtown.........................................

Guess what! WE left a section out of the tree and it's beautiful! 10 foot.......but beautiful!

You'll see.................................

Thank you Griffin for "all of you help!!!!!!!!""""""""
Get down.............please.............don't climb on that chest!!!!!!!!
Thanks Grandma! WE are so proud of our new Christmas tree!!!! Love it!

Evening delight!.................

Few and far between are those evenings when we can just "hang" out with the little guy and do "whatever he says" ..............this last semi-warm evening he wanted to ride the riding lawnmower............so away they go! You can see the glow on both of their faces...................love, love...............

Hey Mommy!..............................
Who's having fun now???????????????Onward.....Griffin says......

Happy Daddy at home with his "Little Shadow.".......
Yeah! Let's ride again............
Okay Daddy I love you too.......

Love to baby Griffin!
Kisses on the lips.......................

PRICELESS!

I KNow IT's Almost Thanksgiving........................

But...........I had to post these adorable Halloween pics before it was too late@ Where does the time go?????????????????????

Oh I know............
1. Cleaning messes
2. Cleaning and stopping mud from coming into the house.........Griffin sneaks outside and turns on the water hose..........loves mud............
3. Helping Preston sort out the "mishaps" of trying to create the perfect college schedule
4. Finding a time when the drivers license office is open for Bryce to take the test.......
5. Tutoring at school, which I enjoy.........
6. Cooking, caring, and doing laundry for my family...............it's never ending...........
7. Sneaking in a quick dinner date with my hubby
8. Putting up a new Christmas tree with half of the LIGHTS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!
9. Driving back to Sam's to get a second New Christmas tree with the lights working!
10. Cleaning my house spotless for Bunco....thank goodness I only have it once a year......
11. Trying to organize closets, as if this will really happen...................
12. Enough already............
13. I'm the happiest wife, mother and "whatever" there could ever be!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!

Okay, Mom, Thomas Train "ductor" is ready.............

Let's practice..........trick or treat......................

My little green eyed boy...................

Happy as usual..........................

It's Official......................................

Preston received his letter of acceptance into Texas Tech Univ. today, November 16, 2010. He has worked very hard to earn college credits since his Junior year in High school and continues to carry a full load this semester (17) hours and play on the soccer team.............amazing kid!

We are very proud of him and excited for him to unfold this next chapter in life.....stay focused...continue your journey and be successful and happy!

He plans to get a general English degree and then apply to Med. School.........I know he can do it! And on the pace he is on he will be a distinguished professional in no time!

Love ya Pres! Mark, Mom, Bryce and Griffin are all so proud of you! And we promise to cook you lots of good food and come and take you out often to eat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Red Raiders!

Way to go Preston.........all of your
hard work has paid off................ you did it!
Preston's acceptance letter into Texas Tech University!
It's true............read and weep Mom, I'm off to the big University!

Birthday Memories!

So maybe I've been watching too many of these "Housewives" shows..........but an elaborate birthday party was in the planning long before October! What can we do?????????? We planted a pumpkin patch in hopes that the kids could pick their own pumpkins............didn't work......so we went to the pumpkin farm near Lubbock.......perfect! We tried and tried to reach the lady that made out wedding cake, not only delicious, but different.........just what I needed............didn't reach her in time! But found someone new who makes yummies and boy are they outstanding and cute!

Grandma ordered the Thomas Train table from Building Blocks in Lubbock.......out of stock.............but happened to get one in just in time for the big day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whew.............why I worry so much and fret.......everything always balances out.......why can't I get that through my thick head.................

The birthday party was a blast, thanks to all friends and family that came over to celebrate! Fun to be had by all!

Mission accomplished..............once again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Griffin's 3rd Birthday Bash..............................

Cake........isn't it great? I can't wait for him to see it.........
I love the pumpkins in the #3 car..........how clever!!!!!!!!!

Cake and dinner table............set..............go...................
Gift table..................loading up................fast....................

Party favors....................lining the railing of the deck............thanks to our friend Tim and Vickie for some awesome goodies to celebrate Griffin's b-day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, showtime! Mark and I are scratching out heads, do we have everything in place???????

Here comes the birthday boy after a 3 hour nap...........thank God for this little hidden blessing...................he is in for a very busy and fun afternoon...........happy birthday baby!

We had a craft table............................
Little sticky cutouts to make a Halloween card............

We had a pumpkin pinata..............look out! This was a hoot!

Chinese Dragon, yeah baby! Griffin scores...................
Thomas Happy Birthday Train....................fun!
What next! My little friends Stash and Keegan..............

Thanks Mammie and Gran for the cool basketball goal!

I can do it! 2 points for Griffin!!!!!!

It's cake time..............sweet birthday boy!

Funny, he was kind of shy and embarrassed as we all sang happy b-day to you Griffin!

Finally...........I can put my lips on this cake.............yummy!
My own little slice of heaven......................

Griffin's 3rd Birthday Bash...........More to come........

We had this pumpkin painted for the birthday party! What a day it was...................