Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 12

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of food, friends, and familiy. Mine was great and I get to do it all over again tomarrow with JBody's family.

Well today is the last day of the blog party. I can't believe that I stuck with it every day. I posted all 12 days. WOW!! I did it.

For todays question we are to finish the following phrase...

I Am Thankful This Year Because

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I am thankful this year because I have been blessed so much. I have a happy and healthy family. Yes we did get sick at various times of the year and during those times I didn't know how we were to get through them, however, it wasn't the end of the world and we all made it out quickly and in one peace. My children didn't have to go to the hospital. We had no broken bones, or hearts. I have known some of you who have had health trials this year with children and loved ones. My heart goes out to you and I admire you for your strength and courage.

I am thankful this year because my family has a warm and comfortable home to live in. This year we moved into our first home. No more apartments or living with family. And just this passed month we were able to buy it. It really feels like home here and I can't wait to raise our children in this great community.

I am thankful for a wonderful, supportive husband who works hard for his family and loves us. JBody was able to purchase a well known chiropractic clinic here in town. I thank the previous owners who have blessed us beyond what I think they know they have.

I am thankful for my three beautiful children. Yes there are times when I get frustrated and I really wonder what I was thinking when I thought motherhood was going to be bliss. My children teach me so much. One being patience and two being unconditional love. They really teach me also that I have a father in heaven who loves me as much and more than I love my own children.

I am thankful for dear friends. Friends who are where I am at right now in life being a young mother. Friends who care enough to take time out of their lives to go on girls nights when I really need them. You know who you are and I thank you.

There are so many other things that I am thankful for but it is late and I should get my hubby to bed. He is asleep on the recliner and although he looks comfortable, I know that he would be much more comfortable in bed, which I am really thankful for. My bed has felt extremely comfortable the passed couple of mornings.

I hope that the start of the holidays is all you have wished for. Happy Thanksgiving!!! Now onto more wonderful, magical times ahead of us. Farewell blog party it has been fun.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 11

MMM Thanksgiving is tomarrow. Who isn't excited? I know that I am. Todays question is a hard one because I love Thanksgiving and I love it because of all the food. So here is day 11 question.

If you could only pick one food to eat on Thanksgiving, what would it be? Do you have a home-cooked meal or eat out? Does your family dress up?

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Oh boy this is a hard one. Well turkey is a must. So I am going to assume that that is a given that has to be included in the list. I would have to say that I love yams/sweet potatoe bake (talked about early during the blog party) MMM. But I don't have to worry about it, because I don't HAVE to choose just one.

Our meal is a home cooked one. My dad actually does most of the cooking. This is the first year that we were actually asked to bring something. So we are bringing the pumpkin pie (bought from costco) a fruit dip (marshmellow cream mixed with 8oz of strawberry cream cheese) and homemade rolls.

We do come somewhat dressed up. Casual but still dressed nicely. I hate to put the kids in anything to fancy because I know they would just make a mess.

Hope everyone enjoys all the yummy foods tomarrow. I know I will.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 10

Well the blog party over at momdot is coming to an end. We still have a couple questions left to answer.

Day 10

Do You Decorate for the Holiday?

Do You Have a Themed Tree?

Do You Think There is Such a Thing as Over Decorating?

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Of course I decorate for the holidays. Actually to tell you the truth I have beeen itching to start for the passed month. I love decorating for Christmas and can't wait till I can this weekend. I love lights, music, garland, the whole shabang.

I don't have a themed tree. Never have and probably never will. I love a tree that is full of ornaments that mean something. Our tree has slowly gotten fuller as the years have progressed. The first year we were married we couldn't afford much so we gingerbread boys and girls out of cinnamon and glue. The kids get a new ornament each year as well. This year we made ornament balls with handprint snowmen. I don't remember who it was, but someone shared this tradition on their day 2 post. If it was you leave me a comment so I can give you credit. They turned out so cute and I can't wait to give them to my parents and inlaws as well as put them on our tree.

As for over decorating...Maybe. However, I love a cram packed Christmas tree. You can get a little over excessive on the lights and I will admit that I have done this. One year our tree was a fire hazard 1800 lights on a 6.5 foot tree. Yeah I know way to many. This is why I bought a prelit tree this year. I had putting the lights on the tree. I don't have pictures to share, but promise to post pictures when we decorate the tree this weekend.

Happy Decorating!

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 9

Day 9 of Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is here. For those of you just arriving hello and welcome. Remember that you can participate in the fun at any time. Come and join us over at Momdot. Let me explain again what the party is all about. Each day (except for weekends) you answer a Holiday Question. Then you get to go to other participating blogs and comment on their answers. Others will visit you and we all become friends. Hopefully in the process you can meet a new friend and even win some great prizes. Click on the Day 9 button to join in. So onto Day 9 question.

I know I am a little late on day 9, but hey It is only 11 so I still have 1 hour to spot don't I.

Day 9

What is the Most Unusual Gift You have Received?

What is Your Favorite Gift You Received?

Is is okay to Regift?

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The most unusual gift I have received. Wow this is a hard one. Well this one wasn't given straight to me it was more for JBody. The first year that JBody and I were married, my little brother who at the time was about 14 or 15 gave him a thing off goo stuff that dripped like an hour glass. I don't even know how to describe the thing. The funny thing is somehow it got to JBody's moms house and now all the grandkids love the thing. Lil' E always plays with it when we go over there.

As for my favorite gift, I have been given alot. I would have to say that it was my pearl ring given to me by JBody when I was pregnant with Lil E. I call it my pregnancy ring. The sad thing is just about 2 weeks ago the pearl fell off. I need to take it to the jewelers to see if they can fix it.

Yes it is just fine to regift in my opinion. However, it is really tacky if you regift something used. It must be something unused. There are alot of things that I have been given that I know someone would like better than me. I have done this alot with baby shower gifts.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 8

Day 8 of Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is here. For those of you just arriving hello and welcome. Remember that you can participate in the fun at any time. Come and join us over at Momdot. Let me explain again what the party is all about. Each day (except for weekends) you answer a Holiday Question. Then you get to go to other participating blogs and comment on their answers. Others will visit you and we all become friends. Hopefully in the process you can meet a new friend and even win some great prizes. Click on the Day 8 button to join in. So onto Day 8 question.

Day 8

Do you shop on Black Friday? What time do you start? Do you finish all your shopping on that day? What’s the best deal you have found? What’s your shopping strategy?

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Thanks to my friend Alice I do do Black Friday shopping. I don't really know why I do go, because I do have to admit that I really haven't found the ultimate deal like some others have. Maybe it is because we don't have much to choose from here...Walmart and JCPenny. If I wanted to get up even earlier I could drive an hour away to hit the mall and bigger department stores, but I am not that die hard. I just enjoy a good deal so I will get up just in time to make it. It isn't that huge of a deal here. So you don't have hundreds and hundreds of people waiting in line. Where I live it is a retirement community, so it isn't like you have a bunch of 70-80 year olds fighting their way to a great deal. I don't have a strategy. I kind of go in hopes to stumble across something good. Maybe that is why I haven't come across the ulimate deal yet.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 7

Day 7 of Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is here. For those of you just arriving hello and welcome. Remember that you can participate in the fun at any time. Come and join us over at Momdot. Let me explain again what the party is all about. Each day (except for weekends) you answer a Holiday Question. Then you get to go to other participating blogs and comment on their answers. Others will visit you and we all become friends. Hopefully in the process you can meet a new friend and even win some great prizes. Click on the Day 7 button to join in. So onto Day 7 question.

Day 7

Who is on Your Naughty and Nice Lists? and Why?

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Both my lists consist of these THREE: Lil' E, Razy, and Doble. I will have to say that their names have appeared on both lists frequently throughout the year, but will most likely end up on the nice list by the time Christmas rolls around. No matter how obnoxious or how whiny they have been throughout the day I almost always forget about it after I have had a good nights sleep and begin the next day. Table climbing, whining, messing up, fighting, and yes even the occasional biting, is always forgotten after one of their heart warming "I love you mommy", or melting smiles.

Others who have made their name on my lists would have to be my dear friend April. I am so glad that the two of us have met and become such great friends. It is so fun to have a friend who has young kids that my kids love. April if you read this I thank you for having such a sweet and caring persona that truly lets me know that you care for me, my children, my family and are willing to help out whenever. I love our "girls nights" that we can get away without the kids and shop at Joanns or get an icecream. BTW we need to go SOON. So because of the great friend and person you are you are DEFINATELY on my nice list.

JBODY: it is only obviously that he two would be on the nice list. I don't think I could have asked for a better husband. I really am lucky to have such a great man that loves me and his children and who is willing to take the roll of Daddy as well as Father. I love you!

As for the Naughty list. Other than the occasional apperances of the three children mentioned above SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS has made his mark on the list. Why the heck my children like the sponge is a mystery to me. When he is on I try to switch it fast, I just can't stand him. And last but not least....THE INTERNET. I love you, but you take up way to much of my time. Therefore you are on the naughty list and I will come up with your punishment as soon as I can think of something that won't be punishing me as well.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 6

Day 5 of Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is here. For those of you just arriving hello and welcome. Remember that you can participate in the fun at any time. Come and join us over at Momdot. Let me explain again what the party is all about. Each day (except for weekends) you answer a Holiday Question. Then you get to go to other participating blogs and comment on their answers. Others will visit you and we all become friends. Hopefully in the process you can meet a new friend and even win some great prizes. Click on the Day 6 button to join in. So onto Day 6 question.

Day 6

What is Your Favorite Childhood Holiday Memory?

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Hopefully this post doesn't make me look like a total brat. The first holiday memory that comes to the top of my head was the year that I recieved my Kirsten American Doll. I had been wanting an American doll for a really long time and had been asking for it for Christmas. Christmas morning came and we all began to open presents. At our house Santa never wraps the presents so they are the first things to be seen. "No American Girl, maybe I got it from mom and dad." All the presents had been opened and everyone was playing with their new gifts. Everyone that is, but me. Okay so here is the part that makes me look like a brat. I threw a fit. I didn't get my doll. My dad told me that I had to go to my room and make my bed because of the way I was acting. This upset me even more and I did so, but probably causing a scene. When I got to my room I started to make my bed and there on my bed was Kirsten. I did get her, but now I felt bad because of the way I had been acting. I don't know or remember if this changed my view on things or if I just grabbed the doll and was happy. But looking back now I think I would have to say that....

1. I don't want to play a trick on my kids like this....I don't want to see them react the way I did.

2. I really hope my children grow up realizing that it really isn't about the gifts we receive, but the gifts we give. That is my job as a parent to teach them this.

I am not posting this to say that my parents didn't do a good job teaching this to us as kids. I think they did. I just think sometimes we overreact and forget that when things don't go our way it isn't the end of the world.

Of course I have better holiday memories, but for some reason that one was the first to pop to my head and the one that I felt like I wanted to share with you.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 5

Day 5 of Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is here. For those of you just arriving hello and welcome. Remember that you can participate in the fun at any time. Come and join us over at Momdot. Let me explain again what the party is all about. Each day (except for weekends) you answer a Holiday Question. Then you get to go to other participating blogs and comment on their answers. Others will visit you and we all become friends. Hopefully in the process you can meet a new friend and even win some great prizes. Click on the Day 5 button to join in. So onto Day 5 question.

Day 5

What Do You to Give Back During the Holidays?

Do You Volunteer Your Time?

What Do You Do To Teach Your Children the

True Meaning of Christmas?

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When I was my family was blessed by another family one Christmas. We were brought a nice basket of food for Christmas Dinner. Each of my siblings and I (there are five of us) were given a gift. I remember getting one of those large piece puzzles. We were so excited and I still remember it to this day. After my family was able to return the favor, we chose a family to do the same to. I remember being the recipient of a great blessing, but the memory of giving has stuck with me more. We thought it was so fun to do the "ding dong ditch" and surprise a family who we knew was less fortunate than us.

One of our family traditions is to go caroling and bring people goodies. It has been fun to see my children get excited to give the plates and sing their songs. This year my husband and I have talked about having the kids choose some of their toys to give away or even place a new gift under the tree at one of our local department stores.

As for teaching our children what the true meaning of Christmas is...Each day in December until Christmas we sing a Christmas hymn, read a Christmas story/poem/quote, and read a scripture. This way we can talk to our children about the Savior and his gift to us, The Atonement. We talk about the birth of the Savior and on Christmas Eve read the account of his birth. We do talk about Santa and in so doing talk about he teaches us the spirit of giving to others. IRight now it is really watered down for our 4 year old, 2 year old, and one year old. However, I know that they are learning about Christ and Love and Giving. It is also a good time to teach them that the Christmas Season doesn't just mean December. We can love and give all the time. Whether it is with material things, or just a smile, a hug, or kind word. I love the Thanksgiving/Christmas Season for this whole purpose.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 4

Day 4 of Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is here. For those of you just arriving hello and welcome. Remember that you can participate in the fun at any time. Come and join us over at Momdot. Let me explain again what the party is all about. Each day (except for weekends) you answer a Holiday Question. Then you get to go to other participating blogs and comment on their answers. Others will visit you and we all become friends. Hopefully in the process you can meet a new friend and even win some great prizes. Click on the Day 4 button to join in. So onto Day 4 question.

Day 4

What is your favorite Holiday recipe?

Describe your Holiday table.

What is your biggest Holiday cooking disaster?

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I love the Holidays because of all the yummy foods and smells around the house. It all starts at Thanksgiving with my dad's great Thanksgiving feast and then onto JBody's mom's Thanksgiving dinner on the friday after.

Thanksgiving wouldn't be thanksgiving with out Dad's Thanksgiving Jello. This is something I have grown up with from my first Thanksgiving up and we are still enjoying it today. Not everyone likes it. The first year JBody had it he actually didn't know what the whole hype was. It took him until the next year to actually decide that he liked it.

Thanksgiving Jello
Large Cool Whips
1 Large box of Jell-O (we perfer orange)
2 cups cold (made the night before)
Canned Mandarine oranges about 4-5 cans (drained, reserved)

Slowly add jello mix to the cool whip (you are going to be adding according to your taste preferenc). This takes a lot of whisking. Tilt your bowl to help you make the mixtures really fluffy. When the mixture is airy and fluffy add the cold rice and the mandarine oranges. Add a little juice in case the Jell-O gets hard. Let Jell-O set before serving. Decorate top with extra mandarine oranges.

Sorry the recipe is so vague. My dad does this all out of memory and by throwing it together.

JBody's Mom makes my favorite sweet potatoe bake

Sweet Potatoe Bake
3 cups cold mashed sweet potatoes (if you want to get technical they are really yams)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
TOPPING:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup flour
2 Tbsp cold butter

Beat sweet potatoes, sugar, milk, butter, eggs, salt and vanilla until smooth. Place in greased 2-qt baking dish. Combine brown sugar, pecans, and flour; cut in butter until crumble. Sprinkle over potato mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 45-50 min. or until golden brown.
Lil' E has a nut allergy so when I make this for the kids, we don't add the pecans to topping.
For New Years Eve we have a big get together at my in laws. We eat a bunch of finger foods and play games. Every year J Body and I bring Fruit Soup. We love this stuff.

Fruit Soup
4 cups water
1 cup sugar
¾ cup minute tapioca
2 (12 oz) frozen orange juice
5 cups water
4 bananas-sliced
4 small packages strawberries- slice strawberries
8 oranges- section and slice oranges (you can just use drained mandarines if you want)
4 (16 oz) cans peaches with juice-cut into bite size pieces

Add 4 cups water, sugar, and tapioca to a very large pot. Cook on med heat until tapioca has thickened and is translucent. Remove from heat. Add orange juice and fruit. Refrigerate and serve.

If I were to describe our Holiday table to you it would probalby sound alot like yours. Alot of food, family, and friends. At my parents house there is the large table that the adults sit at with most of the food on it. Another table for the teens, and a smaller table for the little grandkids. At my in laws there is a table with food and the children, a bar with food and the older children and then the rest of us sit on the couches and floor.

This is a picture of Lil E's first Thanksgiving. This is at my parents house you can kind of see all the food and the extra tables. I think this year we only had 2 tables. It has since moved to the three I was telling you about earlier.

As for disasters well I don't think we have ever had any disasters in the kitchen during the holidays. I do remember one year my mom added way too much milk to the mashed potatoes and we still talk about it today.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 3

Day 3 of Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is here. For those of you just arriving hello and welcome. Remember that you can participate in the fun at any time. Come and join us over at Momdot. Let me explain again what the party is all about. Each day you answer a Holiday Question. Then you get to go to other participating blogs and comment on their answers. Others will visit you and we all become friends. Hopefully in the process you can meet a new friend and even win some great prizes. Click on the Day 3 button to join in. So onto Day 3 question.

Day 3

When do you start Christmas shopping? How do you budget for Christmas? Do you stick to your budget?

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I have already begun and am almost done with shopping this year. I began before my daughters birthday in September. I hate the stress of Christmas shopping and wondering if I got everyone. The longer I wait, the less Ihave to choose from. So this year we decided to buy early. Our goal is to be done by Thanksgiving. However, I do have plans to hit the After Thanksgiving sales.

How do we budget? Well, that is a good question. I think we just see how much we have and know not to spend over that. We haven't really ever "budgeted" for Christmas. Probably not a good thing because that leaves me to the next part of the question. We try to stick to the budget. We always seem to spend a little more. Now to justify. We are known to give our children what they "need" and then just wrap it. I know that sounds horrible. I found underwear on sale and the boys really need them, but can wait a month so I am wrapping them up. I like the look of wrapped gifts under the tree. In a way I think that is bad because I wonder if my children are always going to expect alot of gifts, even if they are socks, underwear, and clothes that they are in need of. And when I say we spend a little more than we were thinking that doesn't mean we go into debt. We don't buy on credit cards or anything like that. It just means we saved less during the month of December. I heard from a friend that they only buy their kids 3 gifts because that is what the wise men brought Jesus. Thought it could be something we would try, but then I probably wouldn't be gifting socks, and underwear. What do you think?

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 2

Day 2 of Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is here. For those of you just arriving hello and welcome. Remember that you can participate in the fun at any time. Come and join us over at Momdot. Let me explain again what the party is all about. Each day you answer a Holiday Question. Then you get to go to other participating blogs and comment on their answers. Others will visit you and we all become friends. Hopefully in the process you can meet a new friend and even win some great prizes. Click on the Day 2 button to join in. So onto Day 2 question.

Day 2

Traditions, what are some of your favorite family traditions?

What are some that you want to begin?

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Like many of you, I love the holiday season. I have to refrain myself from pulling the decorations out too early, and playing the Christmas music before Thanksgiving has even arrived. I love the Traditions that come along with the season, the feel, and family. So on Thanksgiving after a huge dinner at Mema and Papa's, put up the Christmas Tree and begin, decorating and listening to music.

JBody and I both come from large families and the two of us have traditions that we have combined together to do with our own family. There are some that we have even started ourselves. Let me share with you some of our favorites.

The normal that most families enjoy include: Christmas Baking, Christmas Dinner, Caroling, and Secret Santas. When we go caroling with JBody's family we bring cookies to those we are singing to. When we go with my parents we do caramel corn. The kids love singing Jingle Bells. And for months after they are still singing it.

I think our biggest tradition is our Christmas Eve Program. Every Christmas Eve we enjoy finger foods and then begin our annual program. When we were younger each person in the family contributed a talent (singing, playing an instrument, poem, ect.) Now that some of us are married and have our own children, families can do the talent together. Some years it is a huge crack up. JBody and I usually sing a song that we compose, telling of the years recent events. My Brother Skyler never has to worry because he has been sing Silent Night since he was like 6 (we have heard the song for about 16 years in a row now). After talents are shared we listen to (sometimes acting out the story of the birth of Jesus) and sing songs in between. Everyone opens one gift and puts on their Christmas Jammies. Papa then reads The Night Before Christmas and for the past 5 or 6 years we have been interupted by Santa. The whole event is something to look forward to.

(I am having technical difficulties, but hopefully will have two videos to share ith you soon.)
For each of the kids first Christmas's we took pictures of them in their Santa outfits. Their first tree ornament is a picture of them in their outfits. Not necessarily the one that I have posted.

Lil' E's first ChristmasDoble's First Christmas

Razy's First Christmas

When I was younger all the siblings would sleep in the same room on Christmas Eve and get up really early. We couldn't wake the parents till 6, but we were always up and seeing what Santa brought in the stockings and unwrapped by 4. I think we all slept in the same room till I was married.

Each year we take a picture of the gifts with our life size Santa Clause. I know it looks like a lot of presents, but understand we have been going home for Christmas. This is gifts for the kids, grandkids, Mema, and Papa.

Christmas of Dreams Blog Party Day 1

So I want to let you know of a blog party that is going on over at MomDot . It is the Christmas of Dreams Blog Party. Each day there is a new question to answer and new people to meet. If you want to participate just click on the Momdot photo to the left and join in.

Introduce Your Family and Share Holiday Photos
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We are The Party of Five. Daddy Five is also known as JBody, Mommy Five as Peaches, and the Children Five: Lil' E, Doble, and Razy.

JBody is a chiropractor and business owner. He likes to fish, play and watch sports, UFC, and wrestling with the kiddos. I (Peaches) am a SAHM. Although I think it is the hardest job I have ever done it is the most rewarding and satisfying. In my spare time I try to scrapbook, do crafts, and make cakes. However, it seems like my spare time only comes when the kids are asleep and by that time I want to just crash. I am not your typical girl who likes to shop. Actually I HATE to shop (well for myself) I don't mind it when it comes to shopping for others. My least favorite chore is the laundry. I don't mind washing it, but it is the folding it and putting it away that kills me. There are times when we start to live out of the laundry baskets. I like to make new recipes. Do you have any that you want to share? There are a bunch of things that I could go on about, but first and foremost I love my kids and my husband. JBody and I have been married for 7 1/2 years and have 3 beautiful children. Lil' E is our four year old. He likes to play baseball and is so into spiderman. He is quite the little boy. Doble is our two year old. He is our Thomas the Tank Engine expert. Ask him who any train or car is and he will tell you. Razy just turned 1 in September. She is our little joy. She has definetly brought a new feel into our home this year. Mommy loves her boys, but there is something so fun about having a little girl. She is a big daddy fan. Just today she cried when I made her leave the house and come with me. She wanted to stay with daddy. She wouldn't let go of him. I know that makes daddy feel good. So that is a little about our family. I blog when I have the time. Which seems to be less and less. I love to look at other blog pages and see all the fun things that people create and sell.

Holiday Photos

This is our 2007 Christmas Newsletter Photo. Razy is 3 monts, Lil' E is 3 1/2 and Doble is 18 months.

Getting the kids to sit on Santa lap is a huge struggle and I know it will be this year as well. Both the boys are still a bit leary of the jolly old fella. However, by the 3rd time sitting on his lap they began to realize that he was a friendly chap. Let me just tell you that I BELIEVE in Santa still. I was NEVER told that there was no Santa. I just figured it out on my own and then continued to play along. I believe that there is a magic about the whole Santa part of Christmas. However, I also know that there is a more important side of Christmas and that is what we teach our children. That is the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I think that you can have a balance of the two and enjoy Christmas fully.

Here is our 2006 Christmas Photo. We are all dressed up in our footie jammies. The couple up in the left corner are Papa and Mema (Peaches' parents) Uncle Austin and Auntie Bails (two of Peaches' siblings) Lil' E is on Bailes' lap and Doble is on Peaches lap. We are at my parents in front of the tree. We love my parents tree so much that we went and purchased one for our home this year. I can't wait to put it up.

Well there you have it folks. I hope that I can do this each day so that you can get to know me a little better and see what the holidays mean to me. Hey if it gets me to blog a little more it has to be a good thing. Can't wait to see those of you who decide to participate.