Shelby Christmas Parade 12/21/08

Merry Christmas!

Through the Years

The church I grew up in, confirmed, married, first born baptized here - St. John, Forest Park, Illinois



Gethsemane Lutheran, Keyport, NJ, Jake's First Communion - Christmas 2000



This year - Zach and Max after the Youth had coffee hour - with their delightful punch mustaches - Ascension Lutheran, Shelby, NC

School Parties

Friday I had the pleasure of visiting both Max and Zach's rooms for their Christmas parties. In Mrs. Putnam's class, she divided the kids into 4 groups and they went from center to center to do different things. I was in charge of the snack, along with Monserrat's Mom. We had apples, peanut butter, crackers and cheese.



In the afternoon I had to go to Zach's class, and there, I am the room mother, so I didn't really get to take any pictures. Ms. Wall, had the kids make necklaces, play bingo and read a story, while they ate chips and juice, and Dairy Queen ice cream cake, care of Halle's mom. It is a bonus to be able to work the night, and spend the day with the kids at school.

Christmas Party #3?

I don't know if you count the one at church a party - so we'll go with this. My staff came over after work on Tuesday. Joe bailed - he was in Gastonia, Mike was sick - again, and Meghan (who doesn't work for me) was stuck at her job. So it was Jason, Mark, Matt and John. Jake stayed up too, and we nibbled on taco dip, pigs in blankets and pinwheel thingies, and exchanged grab bag gifts - I got chocolate. Here the "boys" are playing with one of toys received.

Filling in Saint Nick

Santa was at the church dinner after the Christmas play on Sunday. This time Zach came prepared, and Max, well, I think because he already saw Santa once, all he wanted was the goodie bag.

Shepards!

Would you let these two watch your flock?

Christmas Party #2

Saturday night Tim and I went to a party where you didn't bring the kids!! Wow, what a change. It was nice not to have to keep track of what someone else was doing, or if they needed help with food or drink, and you didn't have to watch what you said.........I think everyone had a good time, and thanks to our friends Clarann and Larry for inviting us. I think one of the most interesting pictures we took, was when our friend Kelly jumped up on a chair to give Tim a hug good bye.

Mother Son Party

So, Thursday, Jake and I had our Annual Mother and Son Christmas Party. We all eat dinner, have a grab bag and exchange some cookies. This is the 6th year we've done it, and I thought probably the last - but everyone gave me some grief over saying it was last, so Maybe.........we'll do it again. Besides, for the "last" of something, these are the only 2 shots I got. Pathetic.

Cards Received

Last week - when I did my last post, Max was making candy cane poems to put on top of the church members Christmas cards. We hung most of what we got around the 1/2 tree in the hall, the rest go over the entryway to the kitchen.

My Little Elf

Our congregation exchanges Christmas cards every year with the help from the Youth Group. We sort the cards, and then hand them out, usually at the covered dish the night of the Christmas play. This weekend we will be sorting cards so that they are ready for next weekend, we can hand some out in church in the morning and the remaining at the dinner, etc. So, I thought it would be good to have a little greeting from the youth to top the bundles, and I found a the Christian Candy Cane poem and we attached the candy canes to a like a business size card. Well, while I got ready for work, Max attached the candy canes to the cards in the box you see in the picture. It's so nice to get good help!

Seeing Santa

Ok, so I took off last night to go into town to see Santa in his little house. We have done this since Zach was one, and we stand in the cold, or the rain as we did one year and we wait for and hour or more for our 5 minutes in the house. However, this year, I was having none of the running around the grassy area while MOM stands in line for Santa, so after a 1/2 hour, we left Santa and went through the toyland. (See above photos) and then headed to the mall where the Santa isn't as pretty, his beard is more grey, and not white with glitter, but the line was really short. So Max went up and told him all he really wanted was Lego Indiana Jones. Zach who stood a distance away, was beckoned by Santa to come tell him what he wanted. To which my 7 year old son replied "I'll write you a letter." With that we headed to McDonalds and took them to Walmart to shop for their cousins. I miss the windows in downtown Chicago, and the lavishness of all the lights and finery at Oakbrook. It's just not the same.

Dinner

Thursday night Tim's boss Chris took us and the other Sales Manager Doug out to dinner. We hit the Old Stone Steakhouse in Belmont, NC. The food was great and the company - enjoyable as always. I had the Shrimp and cheese grits, it was really good, and they had some green Tabasco on it, which made even eating with my cold enjoyable, because that stuff can clear your head.

Twins

Around our house there's a lot of "2 of". It's because the boys are so close in age, that Max always wants what big brother Zach has, and if Max has something, Zach doesn't want to be left out. Here are "2 of" the most recent additions to our home.



I have two Good Citzens.



They have 2 new dressers, they received from B & P for Christmas gifts. These will grow with them, which is awesome, because I think they both just grew again!
Thank you B & P!

Thanksgiving 2008

Nothing says Thanksgiving, like the whole family in the kitchen!

What Week?

I swear, a week has almost passed since I updated this thing. (By the way - Meghan, don't ever harrass me for not updating - your last blog entry - 11/11 - HMM!!) So, what have I been doing....Friday - worked at 3 till midnight. Saturday worked 9 -
5ish and then headed over to church for Family Movie Night - feature: Kung Fu Panda. That was really fun, and the movie is cute, I hadn't seen it before. Sunday went in for Mike who has a throat infection from 9 to 5, dined at B & P, and went home to check book bags and bathe children before dieing. Monday worked 8 till 4 in my store and then drove to Charlotte for a sales planning meeting - home at 10pm. Today - worked 8 to 6, grabbed boys at B & P, had dinner - thank you Tim for cooking - went to Walmart to get garland for the Big Blue, and picked up Jake. Home to check mail, pay the cell phone bill - I'd like to toss that thing...........and here, now bed - work tomorrow - 1 to 10, busy day of crazy out of towners looking for a movie so they don't actually have to talk to family members on Thanksgiving. Sad, but I'll help them find something good - by the way Hancock and Fred Claus are the on shelves at your local Blockbuster!

Keeping Them in Stitches!

Let's hope this isn't a growing trend! First it was my "adopted niece" "honary sister" friend Nikki who sliced her arm open on a shaving razor while looking for something under a sink. Then it was my nephew, who had mats fall on him and he ended up hitting his head on a platform stage while helping out at school. Yikes and Yuck! Here's hoping you both heal fast!

Almost Done!

Moulding and a couple of doors and I think it's a wrap. Tim busted his butt to get a lot of the finishing touches on the room before Zach's party on Saturday, and it looks great!

Sunday's Covered Dish

On Sunday Evangelism and Social Ministry had a covered dish lunch. I brought the usual Shepard's Pie, and I brought a pumpkin pie, instead of the usual cupcakes. B + P brought wings and a cake to celebrate Zach's birthday. The boys took pictures, mostly of their grandparents eating and Pastor and his family. Afterwards the 4 boys (Max and Zach, and Pastor's Andrew and William) ran around in leaves with a Pastor chasing them.

Birthday Party For Zach

Happy Birtday Zach!

Almost to my shoulder now - it's hard to believe he was ever that sweet and little. Happy Birthday Zach! I can't believe you're 7!!!!

"It's A Train"

I love when my kids create stuff and we can hang it up. Last night this was in Max's book bag. It taped up perfectly over one of my existing pictures, so we'll display it there for a little while till it gets a frame of it's own and moves to the gallery wall in the bedroom where 3 of Jake's masterpieces, and 2 of Zach's and one of Max's hang now.

Thank You Auntie Jo...........

........and Auntie Jeanne, Uncle Nate, and Abbie - the Legos stuff is fabulous and already put together. Zach is having a very good birthday so far. A huge box of Lego City items, a card with gift inside from Uncle Mike, Auntie Jen, Sami, Matt and Dani, and an Amazon gift card from his Godmother Chelle. That was all before today and today is his birthday!! What a lucky kid - and thanks to all of you.

Whee!

While Bootie and Papa are away, Grandma wanted to stay with some of the friends she made last year at Sterling House. The boys like to visit her at "her hotel". Outside there is a hill where we park the car, and you can't help but want to run up the hill and slide down in the leaves! The little pleasures are what we all need!

Older Posts

I ws looking through the older posts I did from last year to see what picture I used for Zach's birthday, and I saw all my text is wacky - please know if you haven't looked at this blog before, those texts were under the pictures at one time - what the heck happened I don't know!!!

Hibachi

Fifi called and asked us if we wanted to go to dinner tonight. Not one to pass up not having to cook, I jumped at the chance. The boys enjoyed the cooking and food - see how interested they are? Zach even ate his rice - Zach NEVER eats his rice!

Happy Birthday Boots!

Happy Birthday Bootie, Boots, Willi, Wilma, Grandma, MOM!!!!

Now Showing - Sukiyaki Western Django

While cleaning my house, I have this playing. It's not really my kind of movie, but I saw a preview, and it looked interesting, so I thought I would give it a whirl.

Update: This movie is not the usual "Kelly" movie as my guys at work would call what I watch. It is a western (which I have some favorites)it's Japanese, it's bloody, and a bit comedic in parts. I liked it. I had it on while I finished up the living room and then while I cleaned the kitchen I mostly listened, often stopping to watch - never wanting to turn it off though - that's key! It will not appeal to everyone - about 1/2 my staff - Mike, Matt, and maybe Joe and John, and it'll get only a cult following with my customers.

Halloween 2008

MEGA TABLE

Does it call to you? Do you feel compelled to buy more? What is the attraction of the Mega Table? (I am so frightened that one good swing of my hips as I walk by, will take that baby down!)

Nov. 2nd...........

...and Max is still playing with the hose!

WELCA Lunch

Yesterday the women of the church hosted a luncheon for the women of the church in our area. The hall was beautiful thanks to one of the lady's groups, the brunch was good (I didn't go) and the lunch was yummy - bbq chicken from my friend Angela's husband bbq business. Even the door prizes were pretty nice(I made a Christmas photo album - which I guess with so much digital it's kind of dated, but that's another blog topic)



Our only problem with lunch?? Frozen potato salad - wow! Who knew you really can't get that to defrost so fast. Still we defrosted enough for it work and everything was great. I should've taken a photo of the vat of banana pudding (a southern staple)it was like a huge punch bowl filled with the stuff - I think Bootie may have a picture of the some of the clean up crew licking the bowl! (yours truly included