Merry Christmas!

Just feel like sharing some photos with you.

These make me smile.

Hope you smile too!

Jasper.

Is there anything cooler than a beautiful female drummer?

She rocks.

He thinks he's a real boy.  

I don't know why.

Kinnect!

Hold me?

It's kinda irresistible.

Oh that face.

Sunrise.

I got a good laugh when I found these on my camera.

The little girls obviously got a hold of it.

Creative, romantic girls?

Merriest Christmas blog friends!

Hope your holidays are fun, bright and full of smiles.

Christmas cozy.

 This year we had snow BEFORE Thanksgiving!

The frosty trees are breathtaking.

I am in awe of them.

And it makes the house feel even more Christmas cozy inside!

Don't you love that word . . . cozy.

I do.  

Cozy. . .

Thought I'd give you a tiny tour.

This is my home at Christmas time.  At least some of it.

Welcome.
Trev made that bed with his own two hands.
It was his wedding gift to me 17 yrs ago.
I refuse to buy a new one.

 I love this old hutch.

I imagine it was in some farm kitchen long ago,

made lovingly by a farmer for his wife.

I don't know, I just imagine it.

 Just a chair in the entry.

Decorating the sideboard.

I always find it hard to decorate this piece in the entry.

Maybe because I think it is so pretty without anything on it.

My entry bench, an old church pew.

I love old wood, yes I do.

 Dine!

Did you spot Cotton?

He blends so well with the sofa.

I told you it was just a tiny tour.

Thanks for coming along.

Hope you are enjoying your own cozy home!

Especially if you have breathtaking frosty trees.

Jump start.

So I got a little jump on the holiday spirit this year.

I didn't want to miss it.

We put the lights on the house this weekend.

We are usually the very last ones in our neighborhood to get them up

BUT this year I told Trev. . . 

let's do it while it is still warm, and EVERYONE can help!

So, they are up!  

AMAZING!  WONDERFUL!

All the kids helped.

And he only complained a little.

Usually he complains a lot...he hates being cold up on an icy roof.

I mean . . . Santa does it every year.

I doubt HE complains.

AND so my blog reflects the Christmas Spirit

that is starting to fill my soul.

Early as it may be.

Now you can start checking back with a mug of hot cocoa in your hands.

Yes, I am still looking forward to the Thanksgiving feast.

But it's coming up pretty quick,

and with the lights up, I can enjoy doing other things.

Like... decorations and the tree!

It is definitely "the most wonderful time of the year"!

Enjoy!

Pie People.

Some people are pie people.

You know who you are.

I've told you before, I am a CAKE person.

Cake.  The word itself makes my tummy rumble.

Oh...cake...

BUT, tis the season for pie, right?

For a self-proclaimed cake person, I admit I can make a mean pie.

Trevor and Monkey A love my apple.

Mom loves my lemon meringue.

The little girls want my crustless pumpkin.

My sister enjoys my apple custard.

My strawberry rhubarb custard rocks.

I myself thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate pecan I made last Thanksgiving.

You pie people are lucky,

this is your month!

Are you already licking your lips in anticipation?
It's just a few weeks away!
What kind are you going to dive into first?
What kind of pie makes YOUR tummy rumble?

Boo! Part 1.

Boo!

Part 1.

It's that time of year again.

Time for the Annual Family Halloween Bash.

Cozy yourself up. . .

here we go!

Sent these babies in the mail. 

Thanks Martha.

Your hostess for the evening.

The lovely vampire...me.

The girls...and Ez.

Pirate, witch, Eskimo, sorceress, Spanish dancer, and airplane.

 Mikey showing Skoogs his handcuffs.

  This guy shows up on my wall every year.

We can't have a party without him.

Everyone loves him.

My oldest monkeys.

They are going to love me, but can't remember the names of their characters.

My bro Craig, his wife Carrie & their cuties.

Curious George, The Man in the Yellow hat, The mad scientist,

the sorceress & a storm trooper?  I know storm trooper is wrong. oops.

Trev's bro Jeff, his wife Kelli & their cuties.

Bumblebee, and a nervous naturalist.

My bro Mike, his wife Jenn, and their cuties.

A policeman, witch, 70's Private Eye, black cat, pirate girl, and M&M.

My parents.

Fandango!

Okay...BRILLIANT.

Our bro in law, Josh.

Do I need to explain this?

Our sis in law Kelli & Trev's mom with baby Ashlyn.

Indian.

Trev's Dad & sister Kiersten.

Gangster & Pippy Longstockings!

The host & hostess...us!

Skoogs made a pin the eye on the monster game.

Then she was in charge of it.

It was a hit!  Nice job girl!

Some of the yummy fun food.

And the winners are...

3rd place - me, the vampire!

2nd place - Carrie the mad scientist!

1st place - Mom & Dad A...they swept it again this year,

only this time with their fabulous Fandango costumes!

Don't forget to take one from the licorice rope curtain before you leave!

Party favors for the kiddos!

Thanks again all who came, 

and we missed those of you who couldn't make it this year!

I love Halloween.

AND

Scroll down so you don't miss the post after this:

"Boo!  Part 2."

Boo! Part 2.

Boo!

Part 2

 Welcome.

 "Ahhh . . . you didn't tell me you were gonna kill it!"   - Linus

 Making a masterpiece.

 She got a little out of control this year...

 Trev's work.

 Carved.

 Chatting on the porch.

 Arriving for an enjoyable Halloween evening with friends.

Halloween dinner at Jared & Wendi's.

Wicked good.

On to trick-or-treating... ha ha!

 The boys ready to scare innocent trick-or-treaters.

 The loot!

 Ah, the sorting and trading of the candy.  A tradition.

When we returned home, we found that we had been. . . 

PUMPKIN'D!

Hope your Halloween was spooky good too!