it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Every where you go... lalalalalala... Especially my house.. although this year I said "Less is more"... I think 4 Christmas trees sort of kicks that thought to the curb.. well, almost.. I used to have every nook and cranny filled with Christmas "stuff"... for the past 2 years I've thinned my supplies way down and only do every other nook.. and no crannies... Each year I host a Candy Marathon .. usually just family.. always lots of fun... Yesterday was such a day.. Candy Marathon Day... I started melting Chocolate at 6:30 AM... I also put on a huge pot of soup because I know after these marathon days I don't feel like cooking.. Smart move on my part.. haha... In the past I've helped mix, roll and dip everyone's candy.. not this year.. I mixed the candy.. and melted the chocolate.. Susie, Michelle,Shelly, Sandy and Cindy were in charge of rolling and dipping their own batches.. to outsiders I'm sure it looked like mad chaos.. to me.. it was heaven.. I love having my family around.. and love these traditions we've begun... I miss Courtney being here to participate but we do our own Mini Candy Marathon at her house now so at least we have that.. and the boys seem to get into the swing of it.. for a bit.. I just know Ellie will love it once she can help... On the list of candy this year we had: Buckeye Balls, Maple Cream, Fantasy Fudge, Peppermint Bark, Saltine Toffee, Chocolate dipped marshmallows, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles, Dipped Oreo Cookies, Dipped Pretzels, Dipped Pretzel Rods, Dipped Nutter Butter Cookies and Cinnamon Pecans. I have to still make Hot Chocolate Mix, pancake mix and some fudge for myself. I'm pretty sure I'll get it taken care of this week.. at least I hope I do.. I've been making some of these candy recipes for over 30 years.. some are new.. I look forward to spending the day with my family every year.. If you don't have traditions with your family maybe this is the year to start a few... I think you'll enjoy them if you do... I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

PawPaw Reads...

I was at my friend Becky's house yesterday ... when I came home it was already dark so I was a bit tense driving... all of that was forgottten when I found this:

the girls snuggled up with PawPaw who was reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... which happens to be one of my favorite books... LOVE.. love...L.O.V.E. moments like this!

Thanksgiving

I'm so thankful for my family and the ability for us to gather together on Thanksgiving. We were missing Sandy and Joe this year due to their trip to NY... hopefully they'll be with us Christmas!! Even Lucille stopped by before rushing off to Brightwood to work..

You know Halloween is close...

when the hay bales come out front and center to be decorated.. I can not take credit for starting this tradition.. but it's a tradition we continue every year.. The grandkids LOVE riding up in the back of the truck.. YaYa.. a bit antsy about this.. but with parents in tow we did just that.. Every year folks stop to take pictures... with or without their kids..Last year we even had a Kindergarten teacher ask to bring her class.. unfortunately we had already dismantled the bales but maybe this year...

This year the girls had their first experience of running along the hay bales.. doesn't sound like much.. but it is probably one thing all kids seem to enjoy.. When I taught preschool those kids and parents loved to run them as well!

In fact, I don't think you're ever too old to play on hay bales... if you can get up there~!

Super Hero Party

Ben's birthday was October 7.. he is 3 now.. I can't believe it!! Courtney had his party on the 13th because they had so much going on on his birthday.. they went to Disney.. attended a wedding... just so much going on.. all week long.. The theme she chose was Super Hero.. what a fun idea.. and what a fun day! It was a beautiful crisp day for a party and I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed it! Happy Birthday again Ben!! YaYa loves you to the moon and back!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month...

I don't run.. I don't walk for.. and I'm actually not much good at anything so.. for my contribution to Breast Cancer Awareness month I have had a pink streak put in my hair.. and I do mean.. P.I.N.K. I had it done a few years ago in memory of my niece Rene who passed away from cancer stemming from Breast Cancer Treatment.. I will always miss Rene... anyway, this year, when my niece, Ann mentioned having it done I decided I'd go again.. I mean, afterall, the money goes to research.. and it's an extension.. easily removed when I get tired of it.. right? WRONG.. this is a bleached and colored HOT PINK streak.. I was surprised but had committed to the deed.. so, it's done.. I'm a 57 year old punker.. LOL.. oh well.. it will fade and look almost like grey in a few short weeks.. meanwhile if anyone asks I can explain about Breast Cancer Month and hopefully encourage them to do self exams and help wipe this dreaded disease out.. This is for you Rene, Judy, Faye, Penny, Mary and Terry.. beautiful ladies who have either survived or passed from this disease.. you are all loved.. Penny, Terry and Rene.. you are missed... much!!

By the way.. Men can get breast cancer too.. encourage your men folk to do self exams.. be conscious of their "breasts" too.. I know a man who survived breast cancer!!

My internet went out Saturday.. YIKES!!! What do you do when your internet goes out? You get crafty.. I completed several projects I had to do.. and then some.. Here are a few I completed... Tutu Dance bags, Burlap Wreath, Shark scarf... no photo yet... 2 crochet hats Ben's "weights" for his upcoming birthday party, Christmas wreath and then.. I Decorated for Halloween Yes! Lots completed.. lots more to complete... now.. the tv is on the blink so maybe I'll finish the list! hahah

Courtney and family are going to Disney World

for a few days.. she asked me to help her with a couple of crafts for the trip. I made *Ha* 2 autograph books and 2 tee shirts..
The autograph books .. easy peasy.. cut card stock in half. Print a disney character on white card stock, cut in half, punch holes in the side, connect with book binder rings.
Tee shirts... cut character head from freezer paper, iron on shirt, fill bottle with 20% bleach and the rest water. Place foil paper inside shirt to prevent bleed through then spritz bleach/water on front of shirt. Remove freezer paper, rinse and dry. Iron shirt, the wash in cold water to set.

photo of family at Disney...

Here a wreath... there a wreath..

everywhere a wreath, wreath...
these are for sale... too bad no one reads my blog to know this...

Soccer Anyone?

It's called Soccer for most folks .. Sophia I think calls it her own personal time.. LOL.. she will go on the field but she is in her own little world.. and we're just invited to visit. I ... Love... this... girl!!
My niece Tracy's son, Dylan and my nephew Daniel's daughter, Carly are both on the team .. it's nice to get a visit in at the same time! I love my family!! Warts and all!

It's done. It's finished... she's done!!

From what I understand. or could hear when Ben called me he was pretty excited to learn his rocking chair was completed... I wish I had my camera ready when I carried the chair in... He was so excited.. just made my day!!
YaYa loves you to the moon and back Ben!!

Day of firsts..

Frist day of 1st grade... First day of 5 day preschool and First day of preschool... period...
Rik's girls have been in preschool.. they know the drill.. Courtney's boys however are experiencing this for the first time this year.. both of them... how could they have grown so fast? All of them?
YaYa loves you boys... to the moon and back!!