A little Christmas Cheer

I've been glued to my Mac this Christmas break getting all my digital scrapbook supplies organized - believe me, it's been hours (just ask my abandoned family).

 So now I'm ready to create - and this is just the beginning of all the Christmas pages I've yet to make!

Two for one...

This post is serving me two purposes. First is to show my kids favorite Christmas gift - an electric scooter (as my friend said, "death on wheels"). They are having so much fun riding around the neighborhood - they're really cute on it. Second is to show our home to some friends who've asked to see the front (the back yard is always in our pictures). Yes, we're still missing a shutter above the garage from Hurricane Ike a few months ago.

You can click on the photo to see the kids closer :o)

Maybe the kids don't miss winter...

My kids are insane...crazy, I say!! Even though the weather outdoors is warm enough, the pool water is freezing! I don't know anyone who swims in December without their pool heated - except my kids! 

I had nothing to do with the decision - that was a dad thing ;o)

We miss you winter!

Here are a couple of the scrapbook pages I did this weekend. This was an attempt to remember that winter can be cold and fun! We've been in almost 80 degree humid weather for Christmas! 

We miss the cold - please come back quickly!

Our version...

We had our friends, the Lelands, over for Christmas Eve dinner and fun. The kids "acted" out the Nativity story for us. A few of them were more into the costumes than others...can you tell which ones? They were really cute and tried to be respectful even with a cat as the main focus!

Oh me, Oh my!!

This is what we call "Black Gold" or "Texas Tea".  We're making this up for some friends around here for a little Christmas cheer (or sugar overload!). For those who aren't in driving distance, whip some up - it's too good not to! 

And make sure you have a cute delivery girl like below ;o)

Christmas tree bloodshed?

I'm a little worried (or should I say, "freaked") about what my cats know that I don't. They sat here next to the Christmas tree this evening for about an hour looking at something and I don't know what. I'm not sure I want to know - but if they pull the tree down during the night, I won't be happy!

 I just hope and pray it's not a lizard - that's about the worst in my opinion...can you say yuck!! Whatever it is, it won't stand a chance with Cocoa & Sugar on the hunt!

Let them eat cake!

Here's a fun cake I made for a Christmas dinner this week. I didn't get a picture of it cut but it was really pretty inside. It's a four layer peppermint cake and speckled with candy cane bits in the batter. I wasn't sure how the frosting would taste since I'm not a white chocolate fan - oh my, it was yummy! I've also posted the recipes cards I made for them both -

give it a try...it won't disappoint!

Holy Cannoli - SNOW!!

Yes...it really is snowing in Houston! I know those of you in Utah and Chicago may be laughing at our small little flakes, but it is genuine snow! It started this afternoon and is still going hours later and the flakes are dime sized! It snowed here about four years ago and we missed it. We were in Atlanta for Christmas and missed the miracle - but we're here this time :o)

Ryan making a snow angel on the trampoline

See...told you it was snow! Can you believe we actually had our air-conditioning on yesterday - crazy!

It's looking like Christmas & home repairs...

We got our tree up and decorated today. We did it a little differently than usual but like the new look. The kids love to reminisce with every ornament we put on. 

During all the hustle and bustle of pulling boxes out of the attic, Jose took a nice step through the ceiling of our family room! At least he didn't fall off a ladder and end up worse off. The repair will make for an expensive tree decorating!

Winter Wonderland...

The kids with their cousin, Katie, after a day of skiing at Alta. They had so much fun in the snow - what a novelty for us Texans!

During Ski school - Marisa & Ryan had skiied before but this was Tess' first time - they did great and went down normal slopes afterwards...not just bunny hills!

We went to see the lights at Temple Square - one of our favorites! And you HAVE to have hot chocolate for light viewing :o)

Twilight

We just got back from the movie. Tons of screaming teens and maybe some adults ;-) It was fun to see but of course the books are always better. Edward was reallly good but I didn't like Bella - I don't like her in the books either though (too whiny). Definitely worth going to see if you've read them. Had a super fun time with the group (22 of us)!!

The wait is almost over...

Can you tell which movie we're going to see tomorrow? We've got our tickets and we're ready to stand in line!

Last game day...

Yesterday was the end of Ryan's football season. This was his first season playing tackle football (vs. flag). He had a great season with a lot of highlights. 

Yesterday Ryan made a touchdown while playing defense!  

He intercepted a ball in the end zone! Way to go Ry!!  Unfortunately, their team ran out of time and lost the playoff game so their season is finished. 

Do you see him surrounded by all those Texans?!

He still ended up getting the tackle - what a stud :o)

My buds...

Aren't these the cutest computer buddies? This is where Cocoa & Sugar  sit in the morning - right next to me in the office while I'm on the computer.  We have beautiful weather right now and they love the window to be open. 

They were eyeing a bird outside - I drew you a visual :o)

Latest recipe

This is my latest digital scrapped recipe card. I made these potatoes for friends last night. The recipe originally comes from a dinner group I was in up in Kingwood with good friends there. They're really easy to make and a nice change from regular mashed potatoes - 

give them a try!

Look what I planted this weekend...

I really love this time of year when Pansies are in bloom. I've loved these flowers since I was little because my mom loves them because her mom loved them. I love their little faces looking up at you - aren't they cute? I've planted about 150 of these babies in my back yard.

About Last Night...

Darn it! I am proud of our country for having this historic opportunity but still... darn it - my taxes are going up up up!

Happy Hallow's Eve!

This is how my kids spent Halloween afternoon - diving right into the pool...gotta love warm 80 degree weather the last day of October!

Tess couldn't bring herself to dive right in like Ryan - water is a bit chilly :o)

Ryan is getting warmed up on the flagstone - our little lizard on a sunny rock!

This looks a bit more like Halloween should...our punk skater and little witch!

Ryan's Big Night...

Ryan received his Arrow of Light this week. For those who aren't familiar with Cub Scouts, this is the highest award to receive (similar to a Boy Scout earning his Eagle). We are super proud of him!!

Ryan "bridging over" to the Boy Scouts

Ryan and one of his best buds, Blake, who also received his A of L that night. They had their faces painted with 7 different colors representing different virtues of a Scout.

Yummy!

We got "Booed" tonight by the Lelands - but the kids ruined the surprise by hiding out to watch them drive by! They gave us the yummiest Pumpkin Bread and so we begged for the recipe - which they so graciously gave us.  I'm a little addicted to my new digital hobby (see the recipe card!). I'm going to make this tomorrow and my kids will love me for it - try it!  It would also be delicious with chocolate chips in it - one of our faves!

Christmas is coming....

I'm getting in the Christmas mood by doing some past scrapbook pages. Just wanted to show family some of the fun pictures - these were in our previous house. We always make the kids wait upstairs and come down together on Christmas morning (hence the ribbon barrier).

Who me?

I'm not sure if I was tagged by Melanie or if she meant her sis-in-law when she wrote Jenny. But here goes just in case - You have to go into your 4th photo file and post your 4th picture. Luckily it was a cute one of Ryan hunting Easter eggs about five years ago. I tag Michelle V., Angie W. , Jenni K. and Marisa.

Digital pages...

These are just a few of the pages I've worked on recently. The first two are for a 4x6 brag book I'm making for Grandma. The last one is a 12x12 size for our family album - just something for fun.  Are any of you into the digiscrapping?

Recipe card...

Here's a recipe (originally from my Aunt Beth in Calif.) I made recently for a dinner with friends. I made this recipe card using my newest digital scrapbooking hobby!  Try it - it's really yummy :o) If you'd like, I can email you the card picture and you just print it onto a 4x6 card - easy!

To watch or not to watch...

Are any of you keeping up with the best reality shows with me? Project Runway just ended with Leanne as the winner - although I really wanted Korto to win. 

 
I hope you're all watching The Amazing Race - weren't those bikes really fun and I loved the rooster bike helmets they had to wear! The computer Geeks lost this week - not sure who I'm rooting for yet...no one really stands out yet. Stay tuned with me!

Our newest addition...

*BFFWM =  Michelle ;o)

Spooky dining...

This was our table tonight when friends came for dinner. It was fun and Halloweenish with the candles all lit  - it was dark out with a full moon.

Birthday weekend...

My sister came into town for my birthday. She even helped me paint my dining room!

Isn't she the BEST ever?!

See below for more bday stuff...

Birthday activities...

Throughout the weekend we watched...

And all six hours of this one...

We saw these next two in the theater...

That was a lot of popcorn consumption!

(Keep reading...there's one more)