Dandelions and Dinosaurs: Long Christmas Post!

Wow what a busy, sometimes crazy, but overall wonderful year 2010 has been! I wanted to send out Christmas cards this year with a letter describing our year. However, life got too busy and before I knew it Christmas was already here. So in lieu of sending out letters, I'm going to do a blog post.

The boys are growing like weeds. T-Rev is in 4th grade and CB is in first. They have both been taking music lessons and are becoming quite the musicians! T-Rev plays the guitar and CB plays the piano. They also started karate this fall and have just tested for their yellow belt.

Brian has switched roles in the agency he works for. He is now dubbed their "IT/Sales Manager/Do It All" man. This means he has a great deal more responsibility but he doesn't have to travel nearly as much. So that makes me a happy camper. He is also very involved in our church and small group. He also volunteers with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief when he is able.

As for me, I'm still home schooling the boys and working as a nurse on the weekends. I've become the secretary of our homeschool group which has been a lot of fun.

God has blessed us this year with good health, stable jobs, and a close knit family. I thank Him everyday for His mercy and grace.

Christmas was a lot of fun! We've had decorating, baking, parties, church programs and family. What more could one ask for?

We started out the season the week of Thanksgiving by decorating the tree and house.

The first of our parties was our Homeschool party. Our group, CLHE (Christ Led Home Educators), has a Happy Birthday Jesus party every year. We pick a mission to bring gifts for Jesus to. This year we picked a local shelter for battered women and children and brought different items to donate. We started off the party with lots of great food. We then decorated cupcakes and made ornaments. We then played lots of games and ended with singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus."

We also had several other parties during the month of December but unfortunately I didn't get any pictures.

Next was our trip to Dublin. We were able to go to Dublin for the weekend before Christmas and spend some time with all sides of our family. We don't get to go home often, so when we do we really pack in a lot. We started out at my dads on Saturday, Sunday morning church with Brian's parents, and Christmas with my Mom on Sunday night. It was great to be able to see our family. Just wish we could spend longer visiting and catching up with everyone.

The Fantastic Five

I love these guys!

This was too cute! My Dad and Laura (SIL) were standing side-by-side and eating at the same time.

Jeff! Need I say more!

Uncle Luke and Aunt Laura gave all the grandkids these really cool fort-building kits.

Mama, Chess, and A.

Me and two of my "little" brothers

After returning home, the boys and I made mini gingerbread houses.

The finished project!

On Christmas Eve, we loaded up the van with our hot chocolate and drove around looking at Christmas lights. Just the thing to get us in the Christmas spirit.

Every December 1st we start our Advent calendar. Each night we open a box and pull out a piece of a nativity scene and read a portion of the Christmas story from Luke. On Christmas Eve, we place baby Jesus in the manger and read the entire story.

Cookies and milk for Santa

Mama and Uncle Chess came to spend Christmas with us. The boys woke up at 5:30! When they went to wake Uncle Chess they scared him half to death. It was hysterical but I guess you had to be there.

The boys with their train that Santa fills with candy every year. This year it was filled with Skittles, Jelly Beans, and mini Twizzlers.

"Merry Christmas everybody!"

"Oh what can it be?"

"Bond, James Bond"

Do you know the show "Punkin Chunkin" on Discovery channel? Well Brian saw the commercial for it and the big burly, biker guy was wearing this shirt. Brian thought it was hilarious and wanted one. Now wonder if he will wear it?