mums the word monday

Blessings!

Just One Picture

Mom didn't get Christmas cards out. So she decided to try and get a New Years card out. So she needed a picture. And according to my brothers thats a bad word. But we were all dressed up for Christmas Eve church and so the opportunity was too good to pass up...at least that's what mom and I thought.

While on our way into town I tried to think of poses. Poses that were simple enough for the boys to catch on. Poses that looked normal and natural. Poses that would encourage a quick and painless experience. But then...

We had to MAKE Aaron get out of the car. Then we had to MAKE him stand there. Then he decided he liked THAT spot so much that he wouldn't move or stand any other way. Then we were faced with a whole other problem-the bright, bright sun. It wasn't ideal photograph lighting but we had to work with what we had.

After we got over the shock of the ball of fire in the sky the boy's true colors started coming out and I just wanted to take a nice one so my corneas could be saved. 

We tried the trick of "closing your eyes while mom counts to three and then we open them at the last second." It didn't work as well as we had planned.

After that picture we knew were sooo close to having a realistic looking smile, but Aaron just wanted this whole ordeal to be over so he faked it, and that doesn't work for Momma.

So we tried a different pose. You know start with a fairly clean slate. But once again we were shocked by the sun. 

And Aaron just kept deteriorating. 

'

Then Evan said something funny, like always, and we got an excellent candid shot. 

Then we have this little number, which may be my favorite and the winner for the card. I feel this photo really shows how strange our family really is. 

So, from my weird family to yours Happy New Years! 

Blessings!   

Money Well Spent

Look at these two beauties. These straw glasses were worth.every.penny. 

Blessings! 

Merry Christmas!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBKvm7H67VC81kj6iYpdKn0LGWQ9KHnDuwaN0itxRkHF7akC1nd54zLv9xRrAYpW6x2cp4t_FdFHll-WfBXOjAXLoOeOk6zAnfBD6h6QdVhXoXY1Z81cI7_Zewb6OBPFbpSDBzljdv1wj/s1600/mele_kalikimaka-400.jpg

This song is one of my favorites. Not the traditional Christmas but fun nonetheless. Enjoy!

Christmas Blessings! 

!shake it!

At our house we get to open presents tonight. Evan has shared some interesting information with me. He has formed a series of tests to try and figure out what is in each wrapped box. We have yet to know if his guesses are correct.

Here are the tests he is finding to be most effective.

Drop Test: Approximately 4 feet above the ground about 1 foot in front of you and you gradually drop it.
Hazards: A breakable gift may not survive this test.

Side-to-Side Shake: This is a whole body shake. You move the present side to side along with your body. Feet stay stationary.
Hazards: Loosing control and tossing the present, pulling an abdominal muscle


But aside from all the nonsense that is my family, namely my brothers there is such a beautiful reason for the season, one that this year is truly the only thing that is giving me the holiday spirit.


For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
-Isaiah 9:6 


Merry Christmas Eve! 

Blessings! 

Gumdrops, Sprinkles, and Chocolate

I finally made some time to make some Christmas goodies. 

 

I decided to ask my little baking assistant to help. He was so excited he could hardly stand it. I quickly put him to work for two reasons, to get him to settle down, and to get all the stinking cookies done. 

He did a marvelous job and aside from one sprinkle spill, the afternoon was pretty flawless. 

While we were baking I got to thinking about all the different goodies that people make during this holiday season. A thought occurred to me, all the words associated with Christmas and the food that has become an intricate part to it, are fun. I mean really think about it. First and foremost there is SUGAR. Then comes, chocolate because 98% of all Christmas candy either has chocolate in it or is dipped in chocolate. Then we have candy canes, gumdrops, sprinkles, peanut butter, frosting, marshmallows, the list goes on and on, fun words, happy words, sweet words (excuse the pun). It's awesome.

This box of Candy Canes alone is full of fresh and minty holiday spirit. But you know what would make them better?.....

Like I said, 98% of all Christmas fare has chocolate in it or is dipped in chocolate, and you know what, I'm thrilled about it. 

Blessings! 

mum's the word monday

Blessings!