Mickey and Minnie Mouse? That's awesome!

Cassidy's school had a Breakfast with Santa, as they have done in years past. But, this year, I think Cassidy's favorite at the event were the Mouse Family, as in Mickey and Minnie. She LOVED it! She took pics with Mickey and Minnie with no problem, but Santa was a little iffy! Oh well, he still came to visit!



They have crafts to do, and cookies to decorate as well. We invited our neighbors from across the street, and their two kids really enjoyed themselves.





Until next post!

Christmas Light Display 2010

***Note, the above and below images are not of our home...I don't have enough energy to put up this many lights =-) ***

Two days before Christmas, we decided to go check out some Christmas lights. There were quite a few amazing displays if I do say so myself. Cassidy really enjoyed them this year since she is tall enough in her car seat to see out the window. She has grown like a weed, so it makes it easier to enjoy the lights for everyone. Mike found a website that showed the best Christmas displays by zip code, so we decided to check out the one's he found. One of them was actually on an HGTV Crazy Christmas light special. It was amazing! I would love to say I would have the ability to do it, but don't think I would ever have the time. What do you think? Did you have a favorite display? Sorry if the camera work is a little jerky, I didn't have my tripod with me! Enjoy! This first one was featured on HGTV. The couple that did the display last year moved, and downsized a little bit, but it was still amazing!

Here is some video, and after that, there are some still pictures as well.

Enjoy!

Christmas Morning

So we had a quiet Christmas morning here at home. But it really began Christmas Eve, the stockings were hung by the chimney with care. In hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there. The children were tucked all snugly in bed, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. (OK...so our only child actually fell asleep on the couch watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but that didn't sound as good as my entrance to this post.) But anyway, we had a wonderful Christmas Eve. We went to the children's service at church, and Cassidy really enjoyed herself. We baked cookies, finished wrapping gifts, and made sure that everything was ready for Old St. Nick.






Once that was done and the evening was upon us, we started watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Or at least we tried, we had a bad storm blow threw and knocked out power at the house for a while. After calling the the power company a couple of different times, we finally had our power restored. For a minute Mike was afraid he was going to have to pull out the generator. (I really didn't want a repeat of Hurricane Ike. Two weeks without power was long enough!). Anyway, the power came back on, we finished almost all of the movie, and our little angel fell asleep. Luckily for us, it was about 8:30 when she fell asleep, so Santa was able to come before 10:00 that night.



Anyway, back to Christmas morning, I awoke before anyone in the house. I went into the living room, turned on the Christmas lights, and enjoyed the peace and quiet. The lights twinkled on the tree, and it was absolutely beautiful. Finally, a little before 8:00, Cassidy and Mike woke up, and that is when the fun began...I don't want to bore you with a lot of description in words, (since I just did that), so I thought I would share it in pictures!

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!





Merry Christmas!
Until next post!

A little bit of Christmas

This past weekend, my sister and her family were in town, and boy did we have some fun! They got in last Thursday night, and were with us until Monday. (Poor things got stranded in Houston since their flight got cancelled, but stayed in a hotel near the airport), Anyway, we had so much fun, letting the girls play, shopping, decorating Christmas ornaments, shopping some more, and just hanging out together.

My office every year has two Christmas parties, one for adults, and one for kids. Both of the parties are always amazing. The adult Christmas party had a special guest this year, Mr. Clint Black. (Boy do I wish I was related). Anyway, it was amazing and so much fun! There was also a comedian and boy was he funny. I can't remember his name, but when I do I will let you know. He has been on t.v. a few times, and I can see why.

This past weekend was the Kid's Christmas party. It was at our office. There was no holding back. They had a room entirely devoted to decorating Christmas cookies, there was face painting, there were dancing elves, you could make your own Christmas ornament, you could decorate a snowman, and they even had goodies for the kids to bring home!

We had a blast! Here is a pic that I had on my computer at work, the rest are on my home computer. (This was a gingerbread house that the kids could decorate) I will get more pictures uploaded soon.




Until next post!
Shelley

This Fall

This fall...



We have been...



Learning how to...



Jump rope! And it has been fun!

Writer's block

Lately, I have been away from my blog, for no other reason than writer's block. I know it is disappointing, but I just haven't had much to say. It's not that we have not had a lot going on, believe me we have, I have just been having trouble putting my thoughts into words. Today is our Thanksgiving luncheon at work. Last night I stayed up making mashed potatoes. I got them all ready and will warm them in the crock pot. It was a first for me. I have never made mashed potatoes from scratch, and certainly have never made them in the crock pot. I will let you know how they turn out, and if they are good, will share the recipe. I figured it was easier to be up last night than wake up at three a.m. to be whipping up some taters!

We are heading out of town to be with family for Thanksgiving. We are driving to Missouri. Should be fun since we are leaving about 2:00 am. and driving eleven and a half hours...did you hear that last part? I know, I know, I did say 2 AM. Not normal, but for family it is worth it. Anyhoo, I took Cas yesterday to start part of her "surprise" for her Daddy's Christmas present. I could tell you, but I would like to think that Mike checks on my blog every now and again. Probably not, but it is a nice thought. I am very excited for part of his gift, I think it will be great when it is done. =-)

It seems like before we know it we will be ringing in the New Year, I am just hoping to enjoy it a little bit. I LOVE the CHRISTMAS time of year. Well, I promise I will post more pictures soon. I do have one that Cassidy's teacher took recently. It's amazing to me how everyone else can get good shots of Cas, and when I try I get the cheese smile from her. I guess it's because she is my daughter, and when someone else is taking them, she is not thinking of that. So this picture was taken by Cassidy's teacher at school, the day that they had their Halloween party. I know that because Cassidy's hair is curly, and I had placed it in sponge rollers the night before.

Enjoy!


(Above taken by Cassidy's teacher Mrs. J)

***I promise if the recipe turns out good for the potatoes I will post it tomorrow...we will see!

This second picture is one that I took when we were just hanging out recently in the backyard. Cassidy was swinging on the hammock in the backyard. I can safely say she has my blue eyes! YAY!

From October Outside Fun

Until next post!

Papa Wineger

In October, Cassidy's Papa Wineger celebrated his birthday! We were luckily enough to be a part of it. Gammy and Papa live just about two minutes away, so Cassidy gets to see them on a regular basis. We invited Gammy and Papa over for a birthday dinner, and presents. Mike and I cooked the entire meal except the dessert, and we had a lot of fun playing too. Thanks to Gammy and Papa, they enjoyed the same meal that Mike and I learned at our Viking Cooking School class, which was a birthday gift to Mike and I. We had Asparagus Bisque, Steak, Salad, grilled mushrooms...it was YUMMY!

Thanks to Gammy and Papa for coming and being our Guinea pigs! Happy Birthday Papa we love you!