4th of july

happy 4th of july!!!

I watched the flag

Pass by one day,

It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine

Saluted it,

And then he stood at ease..

I looked at

Him in uniform

So young, so tall, so proud,

With hair cut square

And eyes alert

He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men

Like him

Had fallen through the years.

How many died on foreign

Soil

How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes

Shot down?

How many died at sea

How many foxholes were soldiers'

Graves ?

No, freedom isn't free

I heard the sound of Taps

One night,

When everything was still,

I listened to the bugler Play

And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times

That Taps had meant 'Amen,'

When a flag had draped a

Coffin. Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the

Children,

Of the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and

Husbands

With interrupted lives.

I Thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in

Arlington .

No, freedom isn't free.

Enjoy Your Freedom

&God Bless Our Troops

Happy 4th of july!

Welcome summer! Summer is finally here. It's been so hot and sticky out that Brandon and I can't really get out side to enjoy the weather. I for one can't breath in the humid weather, and he gets over heated too quickly. So we have been entertaining our self's inside the last week or so. I found this really great learning track on Craig list. He loves its! And I love it because it's teaching hi

m his colors and letters. I also found this train track at a yard sale for 5$$. What a great deal. We don't play with this track as much because he likes to knock the train off the tracks and he can't get i

t back on right. Then he gets mad and gets really fussie. So unless I can sit down with him we keep this track hid. LOL

Here is a picture of my 1st sunburn of the season.

Man did it hurt.Brandon and I was spending a lot of time in the small pool that my sister bought for us at a yard sale. (5$$!!) But something went

wrong with the pump. We aren't sure what , Keith is suppose to work on it today. i hope he gets it fixed so i can continue to work on my tan. oh also because Brandon enjoys it so. LOL he was really scared at 1st. But after spending time in it he really started to enjoy it. I cant' get him to do anything but walk around..but it's a start. I remember last year he was terrified of the pool. So we are taking baby steps so that doesn't happen this year.

As for my diet/life change..I have finally reached 205..5 more pounds and 'll be at my goal weight! Not that my goal weight is my stopping point.but if I reach 200 pounds I'm going to go get my hair done. Cut/color/ and style. I can't wait. I can't believe I've almost lost 32 pounds! I can really tell it too. My clothes fit so much better and I have energy! Now if i can find time to exercise i could lose that last 5 pounds in a matter of weeks. But working full time and taking care of a 2 year old..i just can't seem to find time.

As for cross stitching..well..i've lost my mojo. I have over 500 charts at my fingertips and I cant find a single that that catches my eye.I haven't stitched a single thing since I finished my girl on the swing. And it took all I had to finish her. Someone help me plz! LOL

My sister is getting married next week. And i didn't stitch her a wedding sampler. I feel kinda bad about that but..what am I too do.

Happy 4th of July to everyone. Plz be safe and responsible this weekend. NO DRINKING AND DRIVING PLZ!

Happy late mothers day

Of course I didn't get on here in time to wish you all a Happy Mothers day. I just can't seem to find time to blog these days. I have so much to write about..see things I would like to post..but then I get busy and forget.  My sister got me the most wonder full gift for mothers day. It's a hanging candle. It's from party light. I have been wanting it for a very very long time. My sister in law next door gave me the mini jar candles. Isn't it fabulous! I can't wait to light the candles and see what it looks like at night. Keith for mothers day ordered me something..not sure what..but it hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully it will be here soon! Will let you know what it is when it arrives. 

I have been working on my touching the autumn sky. I'm 

soooo close to being done with it. I have begun adding the beads. I think all I have left is the very top, a few beads and a little back stitching. I can't believe I have been stitching on this for over 2 months. I never thought it would take me this long. Here is an updated picture.

I found a bird nest in my back yard a few weeks 

ago. I've been watching it almost daily. Seeing the little birds out my kitchen window. It's very

 neat to see such a thing up close. I have taken a picture of it. If anyone knows what kind of bird this is I would be glad to know. 

We have had more sickness in this house this year than I can stand. Last week I had to take Brandon to the doctor, he had upper repertory and ear infections. Again!  And Tuesday I had to take Keith to the doctors (kicking and screaming lol ) and he has strep throat. I pray I don't get it. I don't have PTO hours at work to take. Would really stink to use the little hours I have saved laying on the couch sick. 

April....April

Where has April gone? The month has flown by. I can't believe it will be May soon..and soon after that hot..humid weather. I dread it. I don't do well in the heat. I have been spending most of our afternoons out side with Brandon. Before it gets too hot to be out side. I have been stitching very little.I hate taking my stitching out side. Scared it will get dirty. Here is a picture of it tho. My WIP hoping soon I will have it stitched and finished. Click on it for a bigger view. I really enjoy stitching this. Love all the great colors. I can't wait to start adding the beads.

I received the above and beyond award this month at work. I received a bag with our mission statement on it. I was very surprised to receive this award. I was rewarded this bag for the following reasons..takes initiative to follow through with her job,supportive of change,very positive approach to problem solving, and planned activities at home and brought to work for the residents to enjoy. How great is that? lol

We had a great Easter, spent Easter with my family here. Had a large dinner with the family and then took the kids out side for an Easter egg hunt. Of course the older kids found all the eggs leaving the smaller kids with nothing. Next year we've got to figure out a different way of doing things. We have kids from age 12 down to age 1. I hate to break them up in small groups, maybe have a big kid help a smaller kid? Or give them each 1 minute to find eggs..starting with the smaller kids 1st? I dunno..anyone have any ideas on this?We didn't buy Brandon much for Easter. He has so many toys now, and with yard sale season upon us..we didn't see the need. We don't allow him to have much candy, but I did buy him a small basket of stuff.

I hung a bird feeder in my back yard. Trying to bring finch birds to the yard. After a week of hanging back there and nothing..No birds at all. I woke up the other morning and found this eating from the feeder. Isn't it beautiful!!! I love watching this little bird eat.

The weather has been so nice here the last few days. High 80's. Today it is suppose to be 77 degrees but with rain. Of course the my day off it rains..it rained last week on my days off. grrrr

I've been doing alright on my diet. Still at 208 tho. I'd like to lose enough weight so I can fit into my shorts soon. I'm not buying new shorts..I'll either lose the weight or suffer in jeans. LOL What a great way to keep me motivated.

Anyways, I gotta go. Going to get my housed cleaned up today so I can relax the rest of the week.

Before I go tho here is a picture of my husband,son and me. Of course I couldn't get Brandon to sit still. He was wanting down to finish (drinking) blowing his bubbles. LOL

under attack...ack!!

A few days ago I was in my laundry room putting the clothes from the washer into the dryer. I noticed there was a wasp flying around the room. I sprinted to the kitchen and grabbed the first thing I saw to kill it...a bottle of mean Green(used to clean counter tops and floors). I went back to the laundry room and saw there were 3! wasps flying around. So I took aim and sprayed them with the mean green. When I saw the wasps were weakened I saw my next plan of attack across the room..the broom. Well...I started for the broom..and slipped in the mean green fell onto my knees and did a split. I was in awful pain..couldn't move..thought I broke something in my knee. But I was still under attack ..the wasps were now back on the move..and pissed. So I crawled..sorta of..to the phone and called my sister to come help me. I wasn't able to stand up..my inner thigh muscles hurt sooooo bad. She came and helped me..first my killing the wasps and then by getting me to my feet. Needless to say I am terrified of bees.I have no idea why I have this fear. I'm not allergic to them. But I freeze up and get all squeamish when I see one. Anyways, my knees are fine..other than bruising. I hurt for a few days, had a heck of a time walking. lol But now I get a good laugh when I tell this story.

I haven't gotten much more stitching done on my touching the sky piece. I spent one day frogging it..I was one over too far. I hate when that happens. I am so glad I stitched this on linen. The stitches look so neat and fresh. You can't really tell but it is stitched on a lite blue fabric.

Today I have to get my house cleaned top to bottom. I am having a party lite/candle party today. Party lite has such nice things but way to expensive for me. I'm having this party to see if I can sell enough things to get the candle tree I want. Gotta sell 150$ worth of stuff.

Brandon is in a new phase. Now when he gets into trouble..he wants a hug. You can be in the middle of telling him not to do something and he will hold out his little hands and say "hug mommy..hug". He hugs me probably about 50 times a day..cause he's not only wanting a hug when he's in trouble..it's all the time. If I ask him to pick up his toys, tell him dinner is ready, if I get up to go to the bathroom, all the time!! But at least he's not banging his head on the floor.

We have started potty training..but it's not working. The first few times were fun..and he sat on the little potty chair. But now it's a fight...he says "it's broke mommy, it's broke." talking bout his pee pee. I've tried offering him a sucker if he pees in the potty. But that isn't working. Keith seems to think it's too early for potty training. At what age did you potty train your little boy? Brandon just turned 2 1/2 a few days ago. I'm going to do some Internet searching today see what the experts say.

I have been sticking to my diet fairly well. I've had a few set backs with the hurt knee and the weather. One day it was 70 degrees out side with sunshine., the next it was snowing!! I couldn't believe it. Crazy weather.

But I'm off to do a little stitching before Brandon gets up. Hugs and have a great day.

blah blah blah

I feel like crap. Woke up on Sunday feeling very tired, sore throat,and my head feels like it is stuffed full of cotton balls. I went to work in a very foul mood. And working in a nursing home isn't the place for someone in a mood like this. I got through the day tho, came home and slept on the couch. (tried to sleep on the couch, Brandon didn't like the idea). Woke up Monday morning, got dressed for work..and I just couldn't get myself to go. So I called off. I HATE calling off. But I feel so drain of energy. Working 4 days a week, taking care of a 2 year old, taking care of ALL the house chores, trying to diet and exercise has really taken a toll on me. I feel as if I have the weight of the world on my shoulders and I just can't take it much more. I just want to lay down and sleep and sleep and sleep. I'm tired...and being sick doesn't help matter much. Today I have decided that I will get my walking and exercising done as soon as Keith is off to work. And then I'm going to spend the day on the couch with Brandon watching cartoons. Heck with the house chores..but..I won't be able to lay around knowing things need done. So I will probably not lay around all day. I feel guilty...is something wrong with me? Why can't I just forget what needs to be done and do what I want to do? Anyways..enough depressing talk.






I have been working on Touching the autumn sky. I love the colors in this piece. So pretty, kind of reminds me of fall. I think i will take a break from it today and stitch something small. I don't know what yet..but something cute and springish.





If anyone has any linen/even weave they would like to sell plz email me with prices. glorylady25@gmail.com I could really use white,cream,ivory, or lite blue.

I have this piece of Aida in my stash. I've had it a really long time. I do believe it is silk weavers. You can't really tell in the picture but it has sparkles in it. Very pretty. But what do i stitch on it? I have no clue what would look good on this fabric. I was thinking maybe flowers but i just don't know. Any opinions would be great.

Hope everyone has a great day.

my boo boo is sick

Took Brandon to the doctors yesterday. He has ear infection and upper respiratory infection. So the doctor gave me 2 different cough medicines to give him. One for the day time and one for night time. He also gave me an antibiotics but doesn't want me to start him on it unless he's no better by Sunday. I don't understand why he would want me to wait..but I'm not a doctor. lol

I need some help with my blog. See on the right..where I have a picture posted and it says I love Sig country. I want people to be able to click on that picture and be taken to Sig country's web site. I have fooled around with HTML codes for 2 days and have not figured it out. Can anyone help me out? Sig country is where I get all my blog candy, pictures with my names and my headers for my blog. I just love them there. And it's free! Here is the link in case anyone wants to check it out. http://forums.delphiforums.com/sigcountry You do have to sign up tho. IT's a message board.

Today I am going to spend most of the day cleaning. Spring cleaning..getting rid of junk that we don't need any more. And I'm going to finish washing down walls. So think of me when you are sitting and stitching the day away.

green thumb

I weighed in this week at 209! I am so close to my goal that I can almost taste it! I've been drinking slim fast and eating protein and fiber bars. You wouldn't believe how full you feel when eating these bars.I've also been doing a lot of walking, I try to walk 45 minutes every day, but I do good to get in 30 minutes of walking. I'm glad the weather is staying nice, I put Brandon in the walker and away we go. He loves it almost as much as I do. I've also been weight training 3 times a week. I LOVE my new weight set. I'm hoping to reach my goal weight by may. Fingers crossed!!

I've decided to try my hand at house plants again. I used to have many many plants in my home. But when Brandon came along I was scared we would try to eat them so I gave all of them away. Also I couldn't keep my cat out of the plants. She would lay them them..flatten them out, break the steams. I finally got sick of trying to keep her away from them. But now I have a new idea..hanging baskets. LOL Worth a try I guess. Here is a picture of my Jade plant. A friend of mine gave this to me. Isn't it awesome!(click for bigger picture)

Here is a picture of my WIP. It's called Touching the autumn sky. Very very pretty.

Today I gotta take Brandon to the

doctors. He has been sick all weekend. Started with a fever but now he is coughing and has a runny nose. I know it's probably just his spring allergies but I want to get him checked out anyway. Strep throat has been going around and I want to make sure it isn't that. I have to be at the doctors at 8:40. I will post an update when I return home.

Is it spring yet??

Oh my. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted. Whats up with that? Well I've been very busy around here. With the warm weather I have been taking Brandon out side to play most evenings. He loves being out side. And I love the warm but not so hot you can't move weather. So this is the perfect time of year for me. Having Brandon out side is so exciting. He is in the stage of asking "whats that"? So we walk around the yard , him asking the question and me telling him what this and that is. And he love to touch everything! He even picked up the neighbors dogs poop and brought it to me, asking "whats that"? It was soooo gross. Another thing that amazed me was the day we found a frog in the yard. We played with that poor frog for at least an hour. I had to finally hide the frog so Brandon couldn't find it. I'm sure the frog was glad to hop away from our yard. LOL

I've been doing really well on my diet. All though I've not lost any more weight. I go from 15 to 17..sometimes I hit 19. But I feel grrrrrrrreat. I have energy to play with Brandon, to get my shift at work in and I sleep so much better. Specking of exercise I have a new "toy". It's called The wave, by the firm. It is so awesome. Keith bought it for me after I saw it on TV. I've had it a week and can already feel the muscles in my stomach tighten. I'd post a picture of it but I'm too lazy to search the web for one. LOL

I haven't been stitching much lately. Work and playing out side doesn't give me much stitching time. I am working on touching the autumn sky by MIRABILLA. I am stitching it on 28 ct lite blue linen. I think i have fallen in love with linen. Makes everything look so .....neat. LOL I have more of this done, worked on it last night while watching a movie but didn't take a picture of it. Wish I could fine more charts of little boys to stitch.

I gotta run. Brandon is wanting his dinner. Hope everyone is doing well. HUGS!!

Better late than never!

Happy Valentines day all! Sorry to post this so late but I haven't been in the blogging moon lately. What did you get for V'day? Keith actually bought me something this year, with out being told what to get me! I was so surprised. He bought me red satin sheets for our bed, and a stuffed valentine Puppy dog. I LOVE sleeping on those sheets. So soft. I've wanted a set for years and years. I bought him his and hers Ky. (maybe a little TMI?) lol and stitched him the Valentine stocking. (click for bigger picture)Which I just finished yesterday. I think I'm losing my stitching mojo. I haven't stitched much at all this week. I've been either on this computer or watching movies. And usually when I watch movies it's great stitching time. Last night I watched the movie called Cloverfeild. I LOVED it. What a great movie. Also watched a movie called Blindness..what a stupid movie.

Keith and I got our income tax money this past week. He bought a 46 inch flat screen TV, which we now have mounted on the living room wall. I bought me a home gym. (I'll have to post pictures of it soon) I've had it for over a week and haven't used it. LOL I'm so lame. I haven't' lost any weight in almost 2 weeks. I like to eat..love to eat stuff that is bad for me. I need some major help from family and friends. I've been taking diet pills called slim quick. Been on them for 2 days,not sure If i see any difference with them or not. Will let you know when I'm on them for a week or so.

I bought to new charts last week from 123 stitch. New waxing moon charts. I can't wait to stitch them. Might start them today. Not sure tho. Have lots of things I want tostitch but just dont' feel like stitching. (((Some one help me!!!!)))

Here is some pictures of Brandon. He's doing much better with the fit throwing. Every time he throws him self down on to the floor we've been making him get up and go sit in his room for about 5 minutes. Seems to be working for us.

boring week

Today I woke up at 3am and couldn't get back to sleep. So here I am blogging at 3:30am. I don't really have much to report. I've been working, stitching and playing another game on shock wave. I am so hooked on a game called Westward gold rush 3. LOL If I'd stop playing those games I'd have a lot more stitching done.

Here is another ornament I stitched up last week. It was quick and simple. It is by Lizzie Kate, tiny tidings. You can't see the white on the top of the stocking. I was thinking I should probably back stitch that part. Haven't decided yet. I sent 4 of my stitched ornaments to Vicki at http://www.sewfun.biz/ to finish for me. She charges 6$ per ornament to finish them. I don't think that is a bad price. I can't wait to get them back and see what she has done with them. The other 2 or 3 I am going to finish myself this week. Least going to give it a try. LOL

I received my Valentine swap from Heather.(http://heatherstitch.blogspot.com/) I LOVE the heart she stitched for me. I think I will leave it posted all year long. Isn't it beautiful! I mailed my stitched piece to her late so she hasn't received it yet. I'm thinking today or tomorrow she should have it.

I am stitching on Hearts n hands Valentine stocking. Here is my progress so far.

Ice storm and another ornament finish

Well the winter storm is finally over. We have been without power since last night. Finally came back on a few hours ago. It was a very very cold night. This morning we made the trip to my sisters to reclaim our kerosene heater from her. We offered to let her and the kids come to our house to stay warm. Keith, Brandon and I spent the morning laying on the couch under the covers. Me trying to stitch a little (and I do mean very little lol), Keith sleeping on and off, and Brandon....well he drove me nuts. Kept wanting the TV turned on, lights turned on, wanting to go into his room to play, but he couldn't because we had that part of the house blocked off. Anyways..it was a very long morning. Here are some pictures of the town and of the ice. We are still under a lvl 2. Which means don't go onto the roads unless really really necessary.

Here is my recent ornament finish. Another snowman. You will be surprised to know that the one I'm stitching now is not a snowman! Can you believe it? LOL I just need to find someone to finish them for me. If you know of anyone plz let me know. I can do it myself..but not very well.

Brandon is still throwing himself down on the floor. When will he stop this! It makes me feel like I have no control..nothing I do makes him stop. Now when he does it he has to spend 5 minutes in the time out chair..which only leads to another head banging off the floor. grrrrrrr How in the world do mothers of more than one child make it..and remain sane?? Thank goodness I knew when I had Brandon that he would be enough for me. LOL Don't get me wrong..I love him very very much, but when he is throwing his tantrums I just want to join him on the floor. Another thing he is doing is..eating off of my plate. Doesn't matter if we have the same thing to eat..he wants to eat mine. Why is this?? Why can't he just eat his own food?? Does it taste better on my plate? Oh to be two years old again.

I gotta run..want to watch the life time movie today.

Becca

Have a good one all!

new stash and a finish

Man has it been cold here lately. Last week we got down to -13 degrees! I don't remember it ever getting that cold. I had to drag myself out of bed on those cold mornings for work. Going outside to start the car was brutal! We have about 3 inches of snow and ice on the ground. I don't see it going any where soon due to the cold. Brrrrrrrrrrrr

I have another snowman ornament finished. I've gotten board with these snowmen. So I have started working on a different one. It's from a chart called Charming Snow Trio by Ursula Michael Design. I'm almost done with it. So soon as I finish it I'll post a picture of it.

Now onto the greatest part...new stash. LOL I have fallen in love with Barbara Ann Designs. Her charts are so bright and color full. How come I'm just seeing them now?? I bought a few of her charts from http://www.creative-poppy-patterns.com/ And whats great about buying from here is that they email you the charts. So no waiting for the mail to arrive..and no extra money paid for postage. These are the 2 I bought. First one is called Lucas the love elf..I hope to stitch him on 32 count over one..to make him into an ornament. But since I've just tackled 32 count over 2..I'm not so sure about it. LOL The second one I bought is called Warm Winter Welcome. Just look at all the bright colors! So very pretty. Anyone stitch anything by Barbara? If so I would love to see your finish.

Now some family news. My mother come down on Saturday..spent the night. Spent the night on Sunday too. We had some much needed together time. I even called off work on Monday so we could have the morning together. Not the best reason to call off work but I've missed my mother. Most of the time I filled with anger towards here but not this time. She is talking about moving closer to home. She is 3 hours away..in a town that I NEVER go to. I miss her...not her now..but the old her. I don't think I'll ever be as close to her as we once were. But we can always try..see where it goes..but not if she is 3 hours away.

Brandon got this really great toy from his grandma Bea. Keith and I sat it up for him..he spent forever playing with it. Even the cat came out to check things out. LOL It's sorta like Lego's . You

build tunnels, drop the balls in watch them roll down. It's so much fun. You can build smalls ones, like the one we built for Brandon, or you can build one huge one! But Brandon can't reach the top of it to drop in the balls. LOL

Now for some much needed motherly advise. Brandon is having fits where when he gets mad the throws himself down on the floor..when he does this he BANGS his head off the floor. Hard! I don't' know how to stop him from doing this. He's going to bust his head open one of these times. Cause he doesn't care whats on the floor at the time..toy car, toy gun..whatever.. Any tips for me??We've tried ignoring him..tried telling him it was bad..don't' know what else to do.

Hope everyone is keeping warm. Have a great week!

another ornament finished

I have another ornament finished. Only 3 more to go. I'd probably have another near finished but I had to stop and stitch a valentine chart for an exchange I'm in. I hope my partner likes what I stitched for her. I was looking through my stash for a valentine chart to stitch..do you know I have like none! I only have a few and those aren't what I would want to stitch for someone else. I might have to visit eBay some time today. LOL Anyways, as soon As i send my exchange partner her package I will post a picture of what I stitched for her. Today I am going to "finish it" Not sure how I will go about doing that. Pillow? wall hanging? Hmmm wish I had some of your all talent when it comes to this sorta thing.

Now for the best news ever! I started my news years diet. Started it on Jan. 3th. I weighed in on Saturday the 10th. I lost 8 pounds! YAaaaaaaaaY! I've been eating a lot of oatmeal, yogurt, soups and baked chicken. I walked 3 days, in the freezing cold, for about 35 minutes. I'm so happy that I lost. It feels great. Now for the others on my team, they didn't do so great. My sister and Sister in law are on my team. My sister didn't lose any and my sister in law lost 2.Which is great for them I guess but the other team lost a total of like 19 pounds! My family is doing a "biggest loser" contest. LOL It was an idea that I cooked up due to the fact that I hate dieting and exercising alone. If I have someone to help push me along I do so much better. But it seems like i'll have to do the pushing and tugging this week. My start weight was 231. I'd like to weigh 195 by summer. My goal weight is 165. That's still 10 pounds over weight but I think it's a good goal for me.

I have updated my sales album. I have all sorts of good charts in there. I even have Q-snaps with a cover for sale. I have decided that I hate q-snaps. Snaps just don't keep my fabric as tight as I like it. So I'll stick to my scroll frames. Here is the link to my album. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v11/beccaC/sale%20or%20trade/

email me if you find something you would like to buy. Shipping is extra of course.

I guess that's it for today. Hope all is doing well.

Christmas ornaments

How did I miss posting a Happy New Years post? Where has the time gone. Seems like just yesterday it was Christmas. Oh how the time flys....

I have been working on Christmas ornaments. I've decided that for the whole month of January I am going to do nothing but stitch ornaments. I only stitched 3 last year! People were very disappointed that they didn't receive an ornament from me as a Christmas gift. Here is a picture of what I'm working on right now. The only one I won't do of the 8 pictured is the 4th one on the top row. For some reason I just don't like the way he looks. Right now I am working on the 1st one. But I only have a few stitched completed so I won't share a picture of it. I never realized just how many Christmas ornament kits I have laying around here. I've got to get them stitched this year! Just Gotta. Here is a picture of the 2 I have finished. They are quick to stitch up. I'm stitching these ornaments on scrap pieces of cloth I have laying around. The linen or even weave I stitched these 2 ornaments are was fun. I don't do much stitching on anything but Aida so it was nice change of pace. I might have to order some in the near future to work a larger project on.

Not much else going on in my life right now. So in til next time. Happy stitching.

Becca

2008 christmas

Today's post is going to be all about Christmas! Christmas was a very busy day around here. We woke up around 7am to open presents. Brandon had such a great time tearing his gifts open. I dressed him up in his Santa suit. Here are some pictures of him. We didn't buy him much this year. Seems like he grows out of things so fast. We will be getting him some more things at income tax time. He really liked his cow bowling. Well what he really likes is the ball that makes tons of noise and drives daddy and mommy crazy. LOL Anyways, after opening presents Keith went back to bed. So that left me to clean up the mess in the kitchen. The night before our electric went out. At like 5:30 and didn't come back on in til after I went to bed. So I had all those dishes to do from the baking I did. (yeah..U read right..I did some baking). Let me tell you that dishes from baking are HARD to clean once they sit all night. While we are on the subject of baking...Let me show you a picture of what made for my sisters dinner(actually it was lunch). I made peanut butter fudge and buckeyes. I also made peanut butter pies and chocolate pies but didn't take pictures of those. Anyone that knows me knows how much I HATE to bake, or cook. My thing is eating...lol.





We spent the morning at my sisters (sorry no pictures of this visit) Then we were off for a 2 hour drive to my MIL's. My MIL was sick with the flu, so she spent most of the time on the couch. But we had an awesome time. Keith's sister and brother's family's where there. Everyone got along..didn't feel the tension in the air that I usually feel when the in laws are all together. Here are some pictures of the opening of presents and such.

Before we opened presents I wanted to get some family pictures taken. I sure wish grandma would have waited on those suckers....This is Brandon and his cousin Jadon. They are only a few months apart in age.

This Is Keith (right) his brother mike(left) and his sister Christie(lower).

Here are the boys opening a gift from there Uncle Mike. He got them Leap pads. I went to 2 different walmarts and a Kmart looking for the books and cartridge that goes with this reading system..can't find them. I looked on eBay and have found a few. But most is for grade school children. So I might have to put this up in til he is a little older. And start stocking up on the books and things so he will have them. Very cool gift.

This is my Mother-in-law. She is more than that tho..she is my friend. She is the greatest person ever. Always willing to do for other people. Anyone that knows this lady is blessed. She was ill on Christmas but was still able to have a great dinner cooked and keep the kinds entertained.

This is me of course. My SIL got me this gift. Awesome. I can't wait to write someone a letter and use my new envelopes and stationary. I know I don't look very happy is this photo. But I hate having my picture taken. And I hate my smile, hate my dimples. Grrrrr lol

This is MIL with all her grand baby's. The dork with this Santa hat is Timmy(his dad is Mike..pictured above). He is 16 years old. Much Much older..but still a big baby. LOL He's a great kid..Some one for Brandon to look up to. I hope they get to spend lots of time together when Brandon is older. This is after all the presents are opened and everyone is just chillin and relaxing. Jadon really didn't' want his picture taken, he was getting crabby from not having his evening nap.

This is Christy. My sister. She is really my sister in law but I love her as much if not more than my real sister. She is so much fun to be around. Some times she gets a little crazy and strung out but for the most part is is awesome. She is really diggin her new jeans. A present from her mom. And for some reason I didn't' get a picture of her boyfriend so I will post a picture of him below hers. How did I let that happen??

This is Byran..Christy's boyfriend. I had his name for gift exchange. Well I sorta left his present at home. It was a gift card to walmart. So we just ended up giving him cash in a Christmas card. LOL I felt like such an ass for forgetting it. I'm not sure who got Byran the boxers shorts..but who couldn't use new underpants?

Well that was our Christmas. We ended up staying the night at MIL's house. I really didn't think she needed the extra company being sick and all but she more or less insisted. We had a great evening playing with Brandon's new toys. LOL I don't know who liked them more..Brandon or Keith's.

I spent yesterday taking down the Christmas tree and putting away the Christmas decor. I Love having the tree up in til after the new year but our Christmas tree has seen it's last year. The leg on the stand is cracked and broken. Took it down early before it fell over and broke completely. We did buy a new one at Walmart, the day after Christmas, got it 50% off. Was scared to wait to long after Christmas to get a new one. Was afraid they wouldn't have any of the one we wanted. Anyways Hope everyone had a great Christmas. Hugs to everyone.