A New Year is upon us…..

Hey Guys!!!!!
I apologize for not being around or visiting anyone blogs. Lots going on with Christmas and children being out of school.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. We sure did.
It took Eric and I (Mostly Eric) about 4 hours to put the Foosball table together.
It took him only about 45 minutes to put Aimee’s desk together~Which she absolutely LOVES!!
Oh, I also got sick on Christmas and I am still trying to get over it.
Now with Christmas over and done with next comes the bringing in of the New Year….
How do you celebrate New Years??
Daniel and Aimee will get to stay up until Mid-night and they will watch the ball drop…
On New Years eve we will more than likely play games with the kids, watch movies and I will make popcorn and appetizers (if I am up to it).
Do you make any New Years Resolutions??
I don’t. But this year, I decided to give it a try and even though I do need to loose a lot of extra baggage that is NOT going to be on my list of New Years resolutions this year.
So here we go with my list…

1. My house is still pretty bare with decor and furniture. So I am going to try and purchase 2 decorative items a month for my house.
2. I want to try new recipes and cook more often for my family.
3. I want to start taking better care of myself. Such as going to a the doctors for a complete physical and exam…haven’t done that in over 3 years! (yes, I know…..I am bad) I am hoping to do this right after we get our van.
4. spend more family time with my husband and kids.
5. I do want to do a blog EVERY day! ( we will see how that goes)
6. I want to get the inside of my house painted this year.
7. Stain both of my decks.
8. By a grill (hopefully before April) not making any promises there.
9. Start my Christmas Shopping Earlier than the previous year.
10. RELAX more and not take things SO seriously.

I think that about sums it up…
I am hoping that I get at least half (if not more) of them accomplished….we shall she….

I hope you all had a fab Christmas…it went faster than it came…
I will try to blog tomorrow, but as of right now we are working off one computer. Seeing that my flat screen monitor on my computer is on the fritz. And sharing the computer is just not Eric and I’s strong suit!
Have a wonderful Saturday evening!

Hanger Christmas Tree Craft

Hey Guys!!!!

I am still trying to get caught up on all the house work, wrapping gifts, getting the kids through there last week of school….

However, I found time to pull these together….. 

I will first post pictures of what the trees can look like…

Enjoy!!!

List of Materials
6 Wire Coat Hangers
2 Craft Pipe Cleaners
1 String of 100 Miniature Lights
2 Garlands 12 to 15 Feet Long

Ornaments
Hot Glue Gun with ample supply of Glue Sticks

Assembly Instructions

To begin assembly you will use 2 of the 6 coat hangers and cut 3 pieces of the pipe cleaners into 2 1/2 inch pieces. Place the hangers in position as seen in the following picture.You will make 2 more of these in the same manner.

After assembling the 3 main pieces you will insert the leg of the 2nd and 3rd through the middle to form the tree frame. You can make minor adjustments to align the frame by bending either the outer leg or the center area where the 3 pieces meet.
This is what the main frame will look like after assembly and alignment…..

Next, warm up the glue gun and stretch out the lights. I have found it best to start attaching the lights at the base from the end with the wall plug. The first course is attached about 3/4 of an inch from the bottom. This allows room to run the garland around below the first course of lights. The remainder of the lights are attached at 3/4 inch intervals all the way to the top. Depending on how much slack is left in the wire as the lights are attached you will most likely have a short length of lights left that I feed down into the middle of the frame.
Now it’s time to attach the garland. I also tack the first course of the garland with hot glue to each leg of the frame. The remainder of the garland is placed between each course of lights and is held in place by the lights. Depending on your garland selection you can use either solid color lights or the multi-color. This is where your creativity gets to participate. Once you are finished you can decorate your tree with miniature ornaments.

I have also found in my search for this tree crafts…they you can make them a theme…like a fall theme, valentines day theme, Independence Day, even a baby shower theme for baby boys and girls….also school teams and colors….
This looks like it will be a little time consuming at first…however, I think if you get the hang of it…it will be VERY easy!!!

* Added Nov. 7, 2008—This post has received over 1,100 hits just in the last two months.  If you like my craft and like the directions or have made it/are going to make it.  Please leave me a comment. Thanks and have a wonderful day*

**Added Sept. 10, 2009** This is a VERY popular post on my blog….I *think* it is THE most popular.  And since it is popular.  I have found that someone copied my pictures and directions(they did change them slightly).  I do not mind is someone makes this craft and posts it to their own blog.  However, PLEASE do NOT take my pictures without my permission.  I worked hard on this tutorial.  And not to get credit for it frustrates me.  Please don’t ‘take’ my pictures from this post or any other post unless, I have expressed that it is there for the taking or you have asked for my permission and I have granted it.***

Christmas Tradition…..Do you have any???

Do you have any Christmas Traditions??

When I was growing up I really don’t remember having any Christmas traditions….except the opening of Gifts and going over to grandparents houses….

With our family we do have a few or handful of Christmas traditions…

*I always send out Christmas Cards every year….I have done this since I graduated from High School.
*All gifts are wrapped—-Except the Santa Gift….(My Santa Gifts were wrapped growing up. Eric’s were not. He didn’t like the idea of me wrapping the Santa Gifts, well….to be honest, Santa is just in TOO big of a hurry to get them wrapped)
*They are read the Christmas Story from The Bible before they go to bed on Christmas Eve…
*Grandparents are called or they call us later on during Christmas day
*Of Course we set out Cookies and Milk….However, every year Santa’s Drink and snack have changed….But it is left something is ALWAYS left out for him.
*We place white flour in front of the fireplace….once all the kiddies are in bed and asleep…..Eric takes his old Army boots and walks through the flour and to the tree and around the tree like he was placing gifts around the tree…that why the kids really think Santa has come for a visit. Kind of messy but it cleans up VERY easily…
*This isn’t a tradition yet, but soon will be I think…I am going to start putting my Christmas tree up…..the week before Thanksgiving and taking it down on January 6th.
*We try to get a least one new ornament a year. We used to get the kids a new ornament every year but somewhere along the way that stopped…maybe I can catch some good sales on Hallmark ornaments.
*I always bake a lot….(going to pick up my ingredients for all my baking on the 21st!
*I always bake the mail man a loaf of pumpkin bread….

Let see…..I can’t think of anything else…if I do I will add it….

I hope you all have had a wonderful day…..

Do you have any Christmas Traditions….any you would like to share with us????

Some Christmas Snags for you…

Here are some Christmas Snags to share with you…
I have tons of snaggables…and love sharing them.
I have been quite busy lately and hope to do a regular blog post soon….
Until then….Snag Away!
Here is how to save them.
Right click the ones you want and then click “Save As.” Make sure they go into a directory where you know you can find them later. To post them here on the forums, you can use imageshack.us or photobucket.com (or any image hosting site of your choice).

From Photobucket Click on “Browse” and locate your picture, then click “Upload it.” On the new page, scroll down to your image and left click to select the entire “HTML Tag” line, then right click to select “Copy.” Paste it directly into your message box.

From Imageshack Click on “Browse” and locate your picture, then click “host it!” On the new page, scroll down to the line that begins with

A Christmas Craft—Socky The Snowman

Socky The Snowman

Supplies:

*Tube Sock with red border (Plain or any color border can also work)
*uncooked rice (approx. 2 cups)
*string
*2 plastic baggies
*small green pompoms
*extra small brown pompoms
*small brown pompom
*googly eyes
*red yarn

*glue gun glue
*glue gun

Directions:

1. Fill a plastic baggie with 1 cup rice. (this should fill 2/3 of sock, you may need more or less depending on the size of the sock)
2. Tie the top of baggie with twist tie.
3. Set bag inside tube sock and tie tightly with string.
4. Repeat above using 1/2 cup of rice (more or less) and tie tightly with string.
fold over the ribbed part of the sock to make the snowman’s hat.
5. Cut 3 strands of yarn and tie around the snowman’s neck.
6. Then glue on green buttons, brown mouth, the nose and eyes
7. Make a tassel on the top of the hat with yarn and secure with glue.

Christmas Break Countdown….

My kids have 4 and a half days left of school. Next week I think is more of a play week for them anyways. For two of the day they get to dress in there pj’s. Which my kids just love wearing there pajama’s to school. Those two days they are going to watch The Polar Express movie. They are breaking it up in two days. For the kids that AREN’T allowed to watch it…they get to watch Ratatouille.

Okay time for some blogger name dropping….LOL

Maria wanted suggestions for stocking stuffers so here is my list….(So cool that you are also a mommy of 4)….For my boys and for my daughter…..I got those beanie knit hats to keep their ears warm during the winter. There favorite sports team is the Dallas Cowboys! All of them…The only difference in them is the pattern and Aimee’s is Pink.
I got there favorite Character pencils…..
Gloves with there favorite character or sports team on them. (my littlest ended up with two different pairs….Go Diego Go and Dallas Cowboys.)
My two older boys are really into Transformers so they will receive transformer Key Chains in there stockings.
Everyone of them is getting a wallet in there Stockings….Aimee is getting a Hannah Montana Wallet that I made myself. Daniel is getting a Dallas Cowboy Wallet, Zachary is getting a Camo Army Wallet, And David a scooby doo wallet.
All of them are getting new toothbrushes. Stickers, some of those small tin games they are also getting….Small Lego boxes. Aimee is getting the Webkinz Bracelet and Charms….And she is getting the Webkinz Reindeer in her stocking as well.

Anyone else have any ideas on Stocking Stuffers???? And be sure to go and visit Maria’s Blog! I will be adding your blog to my favorite blogs….

DeeJay~First you guys, HAVE GOT to go and check out her blog!!!! Love her blog! She is AWESOME and the MOST adorable Grandchild! Am I organized…..LOL….ummmm no! If you were to ask my husband how organized I am on a scale from one to ten and ten being best…he might give me a 3 or 4.

Forgetfulone~Thank you so very much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I know of a few little girls that have asked for desks this year for Christmas and several that will not be getting them…We actually bought a computer desk for her and starting this week we are going to ‘dress’ it up for her….it was cheaper for us then buying a child’s desk….it was REALLY hard to find a desk this year….

Amy-I ALWAYS get excited when I see a comment from you…I loved participating in your Christmas Card Exchange….and am already looking forward to next year….

Okay, give us all your Stocking Stuffer suggestions….even for men and women….

I hope you all had a Wonderful Thursday….

ALL Santa Gifts and stocking Stuffers….

Are bought and hidden in my house….I am SO incredibly excited to see my kids reaction on Christmas Morning…(Daniel and Aimee actually walk by the closet and open the closet that there gifts are in DAILY~! But they are in unmarked boxes so they don’t even realize it is theirs….

Daniel is getting a 8 in 1 Foosball table! That thing looks SO neat, I can’t wait to play some games with him….and it is HEAVY!!!!(gotta get that play room clean so we can move it upstairs)

Aimee is getting a Desk and School supplies. *Yes she asked for the desk and the school supplies. She has been wanting a desk for at least 2 years!*

Zachary and David are each getting a handheld Leapster Game system With a game. David’s game is Scooby Doo and Zachary’s game is a Math game. We also purchased them 2 other games for there systems…however, those will be wrapped and placed under the tree.

And the Stocking are done….They are getting a few little toys and some ‘needful’ things. Pluse some candy coins and Christmas Reeses cups.

This is a HUGE relief to be done with that Santa gifts and stocking. We are done with our shopping as well. We just have to pick up some small gifts that are left from the kids great-grandma and Aunt/Uncle. I think about 6 more VERY small gifts is all we are lacking….

Oh and the batteries and lightbulbs for Aimees new desk lamp!
Hope you all are having a Wondeful Wednesday!

Great-Nanny’s Gifts…..

Are bought….
With the exception of Daniel.
Great nanny bought:
Aimee a Mancala game….she had this game last year, but the wood broke apart and she lost some beads…she loves this game. She was introduce to it last year when she was in the 3rd grade by her teacher.
Zachary will receive a pair of Spiderman Lounge pants and Transformer underwear.
David will receive Go Diego Go Flannel Pajama’s and some new underwear.
Daniel we will be picking him up some lounge pants/pj’s as well from Great Nanny. Just need to pick them out.

Now, my sisters gift card hasn’t got here yet. She lives in Oklahoma and with all the ice they have there it still might be a couple of days before we get it…and I want to get the children something useful with it. Aimee will probably get a night gown or pajamas of some sort. But that is all I know…
After that we are DONE, DONE, DONE with Shopping!
My kids are going to be so spoiled this Christmas…..Not by us….but by the grandparents, great-grandparents and Aunts and Uncles.
Eric’s classes for the fall sememster are coming to an end. So he is picking up more hours at Hobby Lobby. Which is great. And he doesn’t seem to mind at all….He might even collect a good chunck of over time. Which is so good.
He is needing a break from college studies. He ‘might’ be on pare to graduate a semester early. Which would be awesome.
I hope you all had a Tiggerific Tuesday.

FOOSBALL!!!!!

FINALLY! We have figured out what to get Daniel for Christmas from Santa and it is RIGHT in the middle of the price range that I wanted to spend. However, if it is NOT at Walmart on Wednesday, I will have to order it……

We are getting Daniel a Foosball table. He has wanted one in the past…and we were going to get him one last year but they stores sold out of them FAST!! I was suprised it was still available online.

Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn’t sell out online and that maybe we might be able to find it in store.

I do have a lot of wrapping to do….

But I am almost finished! I am so excited…..I feel like my brain is fried on Christmas. I try to really get what a person wants for Christmas and I worry to a fault about if they will like it or not….I REALLY have to stop doing that…

Christmas is very fast approaching will you be out and about up until the last day shopping for last minute things?
I try to have everything done, wrapped and food purchased at least by Dec. 20th. So maybe I can enjoy Christmas for the 5 days prior and relax a little. Christmas gift buying has REALLY stressed me out this year.

I hope you all had a Marvelous Monday!

A Game~Christmas recipes from A-Z!

Hey Guys!!!!
I thought this would be fun thing to do with the holidays fast approaching….
Here is how it works…
Post me a comment leaving recipes from A-Z.
When we have all letters of the alphabet accounted for…I will do another post on the recipe and add them to my recipe blog for everyone to enjoy….
I will start it off first with A….I have made it where the comments will post immediately so everyone knows what letter we are on…
Maybe this will give some other person a neat recipe to try….
I know I am in need of recipes..
I hope you all had a terrific Sunday!