The Third Day

My Christmas recap continues.. On Christmas Eve we have a large family gathering with my PawPaw's side of the family. He has 4 siblings.. so we gather with them and all their children and grandchildren and now even great-grandchildren that live in the area. Just trying to do a quick count in my head and I think there were 25 of us. This year we had two new additions, Natalie and my cousin Crista's 7 month old, Julia. The whole family was very excited to have babies around this year.

We always play Dirty Santa, which is usually quite an interesting time, specifically because we have this statue of a little old man squatting like he's on the pot with his pants down, that comes back every year. This statue has been around for 30 plus years. So there's always some anticipation and fun as the gifts are opened and everyone tries to avoid the little man.

For the gift that I took, I made a mini scrapbook out of paper bags. I got this idea from Telah after seeing the Christmas one she made for her daughter's teacher. Here's how it turned out. The pictures are blurry, but you get the general idea. This is 3 regular brown lunch sacks, folded in half and covered and then embelished.

Here are some various other pictures from the night.
My Aunt and Uncle on the Left.. My Grandparents on the right.

Table of cousins:

Julia and her Grandma Jan:

Andy Katie and Crista:

Look at all those desserts!

On the Second Day

On Saturday, we had Christmas with my parents and brother. This is a very close up of my parents. I had a blonde moment with this picture. We needed to take a picture of them for an ornament my mother had purchased. It is a blue snowflake with a really really small circle for the picture. I told them that only their faces would fit in the picture slot because it's so small... so this is the picture I took.

Yeah, I know.. I should have taken it from much farther away so that just their faces would fit the circle. It wasn't until we printed it out on my new Epson PictureMate that I realized what I'd done. Try fitting a 4x6 of their faces in a 1 inch circle.

I thought this was a really good picture of Natalie and her Grandmother. The tree looks really pretty in the background too. I think Natalie had more presents than anyone. Her grandparents are spoiling her rotten.

We tried to get a good family photo. This one turned out ok but for some reason we couldn't seem to get the lighting right, or the mode right or whatever. Natalie had also just learned a new trick. Grandma had taught her to smack her lips, so all her attention was focused on grandma instead of looking straight ahead at the numerous flashes.

Natalie is looking at my mom in every one of the pictures we took. Afterwards we all went out to a local Mexican place for dinner. John felt it was reminiscent of the movie A Christmas Story. Who goes out to eat on Christmas unless a pack of dogs eat the turkey? It was Mexican instead of Chinese though. What's Deck the Halls in Spanish? Fa la la la la.. la la.. la la

On the First day of Christmas

Where to begin? Christmas came and went in a flash for us. We had 4 days of family fun. Blogger won't let me load more than 4 or 5 pictures so I'm going to do my Christmas posts in installments. We started our festivities on Friday night the 22nd, where we gathered at my grandparents house which is built onto the back of my parents house. This is my cousin Katie and her husband Andy. They are expecting their first child in June.


We always have a really good fun time, with lots of laughs. The gift choices with this bunch is a hoot. This year my aunt and uncle managed to find a Dollar Tree gift card for my mom. My mom is the Dollar Tree queen, so it was a perfect chioce. My grandparents received these signs. My grandmother's reads, "Laundry Room- Drop Your Pants Here" and my grandfather's says, "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day.. teach a man to fish and you'll have bait in your refrigerator." All of us "kids" got plenty of dead Presidents (money) wrapped in the traditional deoderant boxes. One thing you have to know about this family is that boxes lie. :) Always open the box to see what's really inside.

Natalie was rather oblivious to the whole ordeal. She just sat taking everything in.
And I had to include this goofy picture of my brother. I think he was demonstrating how to aim and shoot at a deer.

Quick post: Bumbo!

I have so much to post and lots of pictures to share, but no time at the moment. I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Here's Natalie sitting in her chair that she got from Uncle Alan and Kelli. Isn't it cool?

Say Cheese

I'm gonna try to do an Update post later on tonight. But for now I just wanted to post a couple of pictures from today. I took Natalie to portrait innovations to have her picture taken. She was so serious and content, we had a hard time getting her to smile. Great thing about this place is they take lots of shots, so even though she was so serious looking: we did get some good ones. At least she wasn't crying right? More later..

Over the River and through the woods

I love this picture of Natalie. I used it for one of her baby's 1st Christmas ornaments.

Tomorrow we travel to Tennessee to visit with John's Grandma Wolfe and Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Sadly, John has to work tomorrow so he has to miss the trip. I really wish he could go, but that's just the way the schedule fell. We only see this side of the family once a year at Christmas, so I'm looking forward to it.

I made a mini-album for Grandma Wolfe. Even though she hasn't recieved it yet, since we are going up there tomorrow, I think it's safe to post pictures of it. I'm not sure how often she may visit this site, but I'm thinking she won't before tomorrow afternoon. All I did for this album was cut 12x12 bazill cardstock in half and then fold to make a 6x6 book.











I had a little trouble finding the best adhesive to use for holding the cardstock together. I've got to find something better than the small tape runners at WalMart. I hope it doesn't fall apart.

Edited to add:The lower case stamps on the front cover are a set by MSE. The BABY on front is Technique Tuesday. The phrases inside the book are printed out on vellum. I'll have to look at what font I used.. don't remember off the top of by head. And then all other stamping (swirls, flowers, etc) is Autumn Leaves stamps.

Great Deals and Christmas projects

Christmas is only 1 and a half weeks away! I've had several projects/Christmas gifts on my to-do list. Tuesday Natalie and I went out and spent the day at Telah's. I got one of the main projects done and it turned out so good. I will share pictures of the different things I've done, but since a lot of my family reads the blog, the pictures will have to wait til after they've opened the gifts. :)

I don't know how many of you scrappers shop at Hobby Lobby, but they often have really good sales. I'm actually afraid to add up the total amount I've spent there in the last month. Well yesterday I dropped by there to pick up two specific things. Of course I ended up buying more than those two things but I had to share this ribbon I got. Both boxes are Christmas ribbon marked 50% off. However look at that box of the bright colors! The only one in the set that's limited to Christmas is the one that says 'Cool Yule'. The rest will be perfect girly colors for scappin Natalie's pictures.

Speaking of that little booger.. she's been giving us a fit the last 24 hours. She cat napped yesterday so she was very over tired last night. She had herself so worked up crying screaming she wouldn't eat or go to sleep. I finally got her to sleep a little after 11pm last night. Any tips to getting her to sleep more than 15-20 minutes at a time during the day?? She's so pitiful when she's over tired. I don't know why she doesn't realize she'd feel better if she'd just take her naps. :)

Taylor and Martha!

I started blogging in August, so because it's the off season my blog readers have yet to see my addiction to American Idol.

But I have to let you guys know Taylor Hicks is going to be on Martha today! Woo Hoo! Soul Patrol! His album came out yesterday too! Have a rockin' day everyone!

A Fun Time Was Had By All

There is so much to blog about tonight. Seems we've had a busy few days. First let me start by saying a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my long time friend Telah. She turned the big three-o on Saturday. Her and her husband had an out of town outing planned, so we used that opportunity to throw her a surprise party. When she arrived home on Saturday, she had a houseful of people waiting. I think she was very surprised!

This picture was taken as they were driving up the driveway. Thank goodness she seemed very happy to see all of us!

Our circle of friends is blessed with lots of little ones. Here are some other pictures from her party of all the momma's and young babies. This is just a small sample of the kids. :) They are in abundance of all ages!

<---- Kim and Lilly

Amy And Audrey ---->

----> Crista and Julia

<-------Heather and Parker

Today we took Natalie for her 2 month checkup. I was really anxious to see how much she weighed. It just seems she is growing so fast. She weighed in at 9lbs 3oz. I was guessing she was around 8, so I was off a pound. She's still been wearing newborn size clothing but I had to change her this morning because the outfit I put on her at first was too small. Looks like we'll be moving up a size! She had a series of shots today and some tylenol to help with the side effects. Between those two things she has been groggy and sleepy most of today.

I also made a run to Hobby Lobby today and purchased just a few things to make the ornament for this year. As mentioned in a previous post I wanted to start a tradistion of making one every year and eventually I wan it to be something Natalie and I do together. Here is the finished product. I ended up using an idea I got from Telah and took and old cd and decorated it. I thought it turned out pretty cute.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

O Christmas Tree

It took me 3 days but I finally got the tree up. My picture turned out very blurry and I can see some holes I need to fix, but at least it's up. I want to start a tradition of making an ornament every year for/with Natalie. Obviously I'll be making it for her for the next several years but I want it to eventually be something we do together. If anybody has any ideas for this or knows of a place where I can get a kit for something like this, please let me know.

Our good friend Jeff gave Natalie her 1st two ornaments. They are from the Hallmark collection and so cute! Such a great addition to the tree. Thanks Jeff!




Natalie turned 2 months today. I called this place about making an appointment to have her picture taken and the soonest they could schedule me was December 21st. However they do take walk ins so I took my chances and went down there this afternoon. But no luck.. they wouldn't even let me "walk in" they are so busy. So we went ahead and made an appointment for the 21st. They print the pictures in store, so from what I understand we'll get them back that day. Talk about just in time for Christmas..


Ok.. I've been tagged today by Heather.
A - Available or single: Very unavailable.
B - Best Friend: My husband of course and then my long time friend Telah.
C - Cake or Pie: Both.. I love Birthday cake and Apple Pie
D - Drink of choice: It changes. Currently it's Gatorade RAIN Tangerine flavored.
E - Essential Item you use everyday: my laptop
F - Favorite color: Pink
G - Gummy Bears or worms: Bears
H - Hometown: Born and raised in Huntsville, AL
I - Indulgence: Krispy Kreme donuts or Caramel Sudae from McDonalds. Although I'm dying to try the Peppermint Candy Kisses that Jolene has been talking about.
J - January or February: February
K - Kids & Names: yes…one beautiful baby girl. Natalie
L - Life is Incomplete Without? My faith, my family, and my friends
M - Marriage Date: October 2nd 1999
N - Number of Siblings: I have one brother thats 3 years younger than me.
O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P - Phobias or Fears: Losing my husband and/or my daughter
Q - Fave Quote: Thomas Edison...."A lot of people miss opportunities because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work....."
R - Reason to Smile: My family, my many blessings
S - Season: Summer
T - Tag 3 or 4 people: Most of the blogs I read have already been tagged!
U - Unknown Fact about Me: I actually like doing laundry. LOL
V - Vegetable You Don't Like: Cauliflower. I can stand it raw but cooked is another story
W - Worst Habit: Picking the split ends of my hair.
X - Xrays: Several, but most recently, my teeth
Y - Your Fave Food: Chicken Cordon Bleu
Z - Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Late Nights and Easygoing Saturday morns..

Can I just say that I love my friends? What a fun crop night we had! I don't know if any of us completed many pages but we had a great time. There's never a dull moment when this group gets together. A few things I learned:

• Crisco has many uses
• Ringtones are addictive
• Most of us are married to White and Nerdy

We cropped til 1am. Thats scrapbook dedication!

Natalie went with me to the crop, and while she slept the last time, this time she wan't missing out on the action. The poor girl just wouldn't go to sleep.

I finally got her to sleep at 2am once we got home. She woke up this morning at 6 bright eyed and bushy tailed. It was just too early for me after such a late night and luckily she went back to sleep and we all got up around 9. Here she is this a.m. I think she's telling me to hurry up and put the Christmas tree up! :) That's mommy and daddy's task for the day. Have a good Saturday!

Family Pic

John absolutely hates getting his picture taken. I bet you can't tell it in this picture can you? LOL This was just a spur of the moment picture that I decided to take before we went grocery shopping this afternoon.

I may have mentioned before that John's 12 hour days work schedule allows him to be off some weekdays. I'm very lucky to be married to a man that doesn't mind going to the grocery store with me. This has been specially helpful since Natalie has been born. I've made small runs to the store by myself with her, but haven't done any major grocery shopping with just the baby as of yet. She normally sleeps any time we go out so I don't anticipate it being a big deal but I still appreciate him going with us. I'm terrible about making a good grocery list. We always have the same cycle of meals and I'm going to try real hard to start branching out and cooking some different things.

Ok so attempt number two at a family pic turned out a litle better. I don't know how in the world we got Natalie to look straight at the camera. That will probably never happen again! :)

Some Layouts and an Update

I can't beleive it's been almost 2 weeks since I've posted anything. Time flies when you're having fun, and even when your not. I'm just getting over a terrible stomach virus that's going around. So far John and Natalie haven't gotten it. Hopefully they won't because it is terrible and I especially couldn't bear to see my baby sick with that stuff. On a more positive note we had a good thanksgiving. We had lunch at my great Uncle's. He has a house on the river so it's a beautiful setting for our huge family gathering. That evening we went over to the other side of the family to visit with my Dad's sisters and brothers. There have been 3 babies born this year. Here are all the pround grandma's with their grandbabies.

Over the last couple weeks I've gotten a couple of pages done. I've gone a little crazy over the acrylic stamps. (Thanks Telah and Heather.. I am totally blaming you 2 for that :-)

The "Daddy's Hands" layout is stamped with an alphabet set by Autumn Leaves, and the other page is stamped with a smaller alphabet set by MSE! Hope everyone is having a good week!

Look what I did!

I got a little bit of time to scrapbook tonight after I put Natalie to bed. I'm so happy with this layout. I do have to say that I totally scraplifted it from someone but I have no idea who. I saved the image months ago while browsing around the internet. So if by some chance you're looking at the layout and thinking "hey, thats my design" leave me a comment and I will give you credit. :)

I still need to finish up my baby shower pictures but I was just dying to do my first page with Natalie in it. There's a weird glare on the picture and it's a little crooked, but that because I don't have a scanner big enough to scan layouts so I have to take pictures of them. The flash makes a really bad glare so I take them at an angle with the overhead light on. Any of you gals that scan your pages.. what kind of scanner do you have?

We were on the go again today. John was off work so we went out for lunch, took Natalie to see all the gals up in Pre-Op where John used to work, and then went grocery shopping. Natalie is such a trooper when we go out. I think she likes it better than staying at home. Tomorrow we are meeting Telah for lunch and then some major scrapbook supply shopping. Hope everyone is having a good day!

Bring on the sandman

One thing that Natalie seems to love to do is fight sleep. The strange part is when we go somewhere during the day she sleeps like a rock in her car seat for hours at a time. I even took her with me to scrapbook with the gals last Friday night and she slept for 5 hours! However when we are at home the past week or so, she doesn't sleep during the day for more than 15 or so minutes at at time. I really can't complain though because she does well at night once she initially goes to sleep. If she's gonna stay awake, I absolutely would rather her do it during the day.

Well today was another one of those days she wouldn't nap. She won't just sit for long either because she gets so tired she cries and wants to be held. So, this afternoon I decided I'd put her in her car seat and lo and behold she's been asleep for 2 hours. I was able to scrapbook some although I probably should have done some chores around this house. Guess I need to get the little girl up.. if she sleeps too long it will be a long night!

Thank You SICU

Natalie and I went to the dentist today. My mom came along to watch the baby while I had my teeth cleaned. When we finished there we had about an hour to kill before going up to John's unit at the hospital for a baby shower they were giving him. To pass the time we went to this store where I got some of these and these. I also received this birthday gift last week from my friends. Hopefully I'll find some time to use what I bought soon!

For lunch we met John at work for his party. The unit had gone all out with all kinds of food. Thanks to everyone for the gifts. Natalie got some neat toys and we got several gift certificates to eat a various restuarants.

One Month Old

Natalie has really been on the go the past couple days. Yesterday was our first Sunday back at church with our little gal. It was good to finally get out for more than just a trip to the doctor's office and to feel like we're finally getting back to our normal weekly activities. After church my parents took us out to eat for lunch. Natalie did so good at the restuarant and slept the whole time. Then Sunday evening after church we went with our friend Jeff to eat Mexican. Natalie better get used to Mexican food, this Sunday night outing has been a tradition for some time now.

Then, this morning I had my check up appointment. John was working today, so this was my first outing with the baby by myself. She did so good. Once we finished at the doctor we went to Babies R Us and then met two of my good friends, Telah and Amy for lunch. What a busy couple of days.