Oh Christmas Tree

After weeks of procrastination, our tree is finally trimmed. Last year was an off year for us as far as Christmas went. All of our ornaments were in boxes in storage and we were living in an apartment, and getting ready to close on our new home the day after Christmas. We were in a bit of chaos to say the least. So this year has been extra special in the fact that we have been able to pull out all of our special Christmas decorations and make our house into a celebration of Christ's upcoming birth.

We began by patronizing our local Knights of Columbus tree sale. We found a nice balsam fir (we normally get a frazier fir), and the nice gentleman "tied"it to the top of the car. Let's just say that as we were driving over the Indian River bridge, we watched in horror as the tree flew off the roof of our car! How this tree landed on the shoulder of the road and not smack dab in the river I'll never know. We had to keep going over the bridge, turn around, go back over the bridge, and then turn around and start back up the bridge. Chris wasn't about to try and tie the tree back to the top of the car, so we opened the back and shoved it inside. Let's just say that if Colin ends up in therapy one day with an unexplained fear of Christmas trees, you'll know where it came from!

We finally got the tree home, and there it sat for a couple of weeks. We just never seemed to have enough time to trim the tree. Until last weekend. We decided we really didn't want to start a new tradition of decorating the tree on Christmas Eve, so we bit the bullet and trimmed away. The result is a sparkling, decorated tree.You can see where the boys did their decorating :-)

Santa

We went to the zoo on Sunday where Santa and Mrs. Clause were spending some time. Finally, 4 years later I have a picture of my children with Santa. Brian went into a Santa fear at around 17 months, and it hasn't abated since. As you can see I'm holding onto him for dear life! But, I now have a current picture to put into our Santa frame. :-)

The Stockings Were Hung

Who says you need to live where it can snow to have a fireplace? Not I! Chris and I decided that it would be nice to have a fireplace in our home, so we purchased a beautiful free-standing fireplace. And what's even nicer is that I can tie some history lessons into our purchase! Think we can write it off as a school supply? ;-)

A Spider Born...

A Spider Bred and When I Die I'll Be a Spider Dead!
So Rah-rah for Richmond, Richmond!
Rah-rah for Richmond, Richmond!
Rah-rah for Richmond - U of R!!!!

We are the Champions!

We R..UR!

This is me, many moons ago. I was a cheerleader for my University of Richmond Spiders. Let me preface this by informing you that during my 4 years at the University of Richmond, our football team won a total of 4, yes, count them, 4 games. So needless to say, my job as a cheerleader was cut out for me. I learned how to keep wearing a smile even when your team is being bested again, and again, and again.

However, tonight, all of those losses are being put to rest. My Spiders are playing for their first National Championship in the history of our program! I'm finding it very easy to cheer tonight!

Nature Study at the Zoo

Check out the fun we had today at the zoo. And it was educational to boot!

Go on and Elf Yourself!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy 2nd Birthday Colin

My sweet little man turned 2 today. How did that happen? It seems like just yesterday he was that little preemie hooked up to all of those wires and machines with his mommy strapped to her own bed.

Now he is such a big boy! His smile lights up a room. He loves to laugh and to dance. He loves 'Mouse' (Mickey Mouse) and Blue. His vocabulary is expanding by leaps and bounds. He has been running around today saying 'cocoa' - talking about our Christmas Elf. Colin is a climber and a little love. He loves to follow his big brothers around and do everything they are doing.

I just adore this child and am so proud to be his mommy. Happy Birthday Little Man! I love you.