December 23, 2010
Last year it was my Christmas cards. This year it is the chili. I just burned a triple batch of chili I was making for our Christmas Even open house. My house smells horrid and now I have to go back to the grocery store for more ingredients. Agh! I'm more made at the smell and how do you dispose of six million gallons of stinky burned chili?
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Holiday Activities
December 22, 2010
Gingerbread Houses at ACC
This year we had the pleasure of Claire & Riley joining us...
The Girl Scouts sang carols at a Retirement Home.
Hope you are enjoying the holidays!
Gingerbread Houses at ACC
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
All That Glitters
December 7, 2010
This year I decided to try a white/red/turquoise theme for my gift wrap. It just looks prettier under my fabulous tree if the packages coordinate with each other. So I got some white craft paper and sprung for some actual gift wrap this year. It was so pretty: white with glitter. See:
This year I decided to try a white/red/turquoise theme for my gift wrap. It just looks prettier under my fabulous tree if the packages coordinate with each other. So I got some white craft paper and sprung for some actual gift wrap this year. It was so pretty: white with glitter. See:
Well, it was a glitter fiasco! Glitter was EVERYWHERE! It was on me, my clothes, the floor, the gifts, the dog, the table, etc. I had to put down paper to contain the mess. See:
Lovely! So your gift will be accompanied by some glitter. Think of it as a bonus gift with purchase.
Karen
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Kick It
December 1, 2010
Grace & I saw the Rockettes' Christmas show tonight. The Rockettes were spectacular!! And had the most amazing bodies...so toned and muscular but totally feminine. Their timing was perfect every time. We never tired of seeing the kick line. My favorite was the toy soldier number.
The other actors/dancers were like watching an episode of Glee. I understand there has to be fillers during the Rockettes costume changes, but the "Christmas Singers" in their red plaid from head to toe were a little hokey.
Overall it was something I recommend seeing. Especially if your date is as cute as mine.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Angels
Tonight I went Christmas shopping with Tommy's confirmation class. Our church buys gifts for several hundred children who have a parent in prison. So the 10 or so eighth and ninth graders went to Target tonight and bought about 25 gifts. It was interesting to watch the kids. The girls were much more mature looking and acting than the boys.
After shopping they went back and talked about the project There were a couple kids who really "got" why they were doing this and what it will mean to the recipients.
I am hopeful that my kids will learn this lesson.
Bless all those angels out there who help others.
After shopping they went back and talked about the project There were a couple kids who really "got" why they were doing this and what it will mean to the recipients.
I am hopeful that my kids will learn this lesson.
Bless all those angels out there who help others.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Gobble Gobble
November 28, 2010
Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving feast:
We had 3 grandparents, 3 aunts, 1 uncle, and 3 cousins plus the 4 of us.
Em playing corn hole before dinner
Tommy with Joyce & Don
Poppy with the Halter grandkids
Kathy's always-beautifully presented turkey
Cousins sitting patiently for Aunt Kackery
Me serving one of the five desserts I made this year. Actually I made 4 and bought a pecan pie. What is that stuff under the pecans? Ick.
Kid table
Singing Happy Birthday to Kackery
Tommy & Grace trying to light the candle on the Key Lime Birthday Pie (I know the pictures are out of order)
Tommy & Grandma
The big table (Grace put herself at this table this year...)
Kid table
Auntie A being silly and putting the cute stuffed turkey on Allie's head.
I hope you had a fabulous feast!
Karen
Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving feast:
We had 3 grandparents, 3 aunts, 1 uncle, and 3 cousins plus the 4 of us.
Em playing corn hole before dinner
Cousins sitting patiently for Aunt Kackery
Kid table
COUSIN FUN!!
Singing Happy Birthday to Kackery
Karen
Friday, November 26, 2010
Happy Birthday Kackery!
November 26, 2010
Tom's oldest sister, Kathy, has a birthday today. Tommy nicknamed her Kackery back when he was itty bitty and said cute things. Now he says sarcastic things. But not often.
Kathy always gets jipped on her birthday because it is usually on or near Thanksgiving. Tonight, though, Kathy, Melissa, Ashleigh and I are going to a new restaurant to celebrate it properly. I hope there is a chocolate dessert involved.
Kackery is one of the best aunts/sisters-in-law ever. She's an amazing cook, decorator, mom, and friend. Mrs. Elwardt, our kids' teacher, told me Kathy should run for president (of the US, not the PTA). So you see, everyone thinks she's great, not just us.
We did celebrate a little last night at Thanksgiving by singing and treating her to a key lime pie instead of the usual pumpkin pie.
Happy Birthday!
Tom's oldest sister, Kathy, has a birthday today. Tommy nicknamed her Kackery back when he was itty bitty and said cute things. Now he says sarcastic things. But not often.
Kathy always gets jipped on her birthday because it is usually on or near Thanksgiving. Tonight, though, Kathy, Melissa, Ashleigh and I are going to a new restaurant to celebrate it properly. I hope there is a chocolate dessert involved.
Kackery is one of the best aunts/sisters-in-law ever. She's an amazing cook, decorator, mom, and friend. Mrs. Elwardt, our kids' teacher, told me Kathy should run for president (of the US, not the PTA). So you see, everyone thinks she's great, not just us.
We did celebrate a little last night at Thanksgiving by singing and treating her to a key lime pie instead of the usual pumpkin pie.
Happy Birthday!
My New BFF
November 26, 2010
Meet my new BFF, Dolly.
As Grace and I emptied the bins, they went out front waiting to return to the shed.
In about 5 minutes I had them all back to the shed thanks to my BFF.
I love Dolly.
I asked Tom to get me one for Christmas, but he said she could just come visit again next year. (Actually, he said, "Just borrow the Bettins' again.")
Karen
Meet my new BFF, Dolly.
She is visiting me from next door. I borrowed her to help make my Christmas decorating easier. I was not disappointed. In no time I had my many bins out of the shed and into the house.
As Grace and I emptied the bins, they went out front waiting to return to the shed.
I love Dolly.
I asked Tom to get me one for Christmas, but he said she could just come visit again next year. (Actually, he said, "Just borrow the Bettins' again.")
Karen
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tooth Fairy
November 23, 2010
Miss Grace has 3 baby teeth pulled today. She was funny after they had her sniffing the laughing gas for few minutes. She got a huge grin and the giggles. Then I stepped out. It took all of 25 minutes. She's recovering well. Dairy Queen for dinner and all is well.
Earlier this morning I was a little worried when I read this article in the New York Times. Guess what? Her oral surgeon read it too and we had a nice little chat about it. He totally agreed with the article. That did not relieve my anxiety when he confirmed that he does indeed use the CBCT. Grace has has 2 or 3 of these 3D scans. Plus the 3 foot x-rays, one head x-ray, and a couple other panoramic dental x-rays in her little 10-year life. I am now sick with worry about all that exposure.
Not what I wanted to read on the morning she goes to the dentist. What do you think 3 baby teeth pulled by a dentist will run the tooth fairy?
On a happier note, I made the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving tonight and it smelled so yummy and holiday-ish. I also found Christmas music on the radio last night.
Fa la la la!
Karen
Miss Grace has 3 baby teeth pulled today. She was funny after they had her sniffing the laughing gas for few minutes. She got a huge grin and the giggles. Then I stepped out. It took all of 25 minutes. She's recovering well. Dairy Queen for dinner and all is well.
Earlier this morning I was a little worried when I read this article in the New York Times. Guess what? Her oral surgeon read it too and we had a nice little chat about it. He totally agreed with the article. That did not relieve my anxiety when he confirmed that he does indeed use the CBCT. Grace has has 2 or 3 of these 3D scans. Plus the 3 foot x-rays, one head x-ray, and a couple other panoramic dental x-rays in her little 10-year life. I am now sick with worry about all that exposure.
Not what I wanted to read on the morning she goes to the dentist. What do you think 3 baby teeth pulled by a dentist will run the tooth fairy?
On a happier note, I made the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving tonight and it smelled so yummy and holiday-ish. I also found Christmas music on the radio last night.
Fa la la la!
Karen
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Trick or Treat!
November 2, 2010
Here is how different my kids are:
Tommy told me on Friday (the 29th) that he wanted a mask for a Halloween party he was going to that night. We went to Target and he found his costume in about 5 minutes. It cost $5. He spent more time and money on new golf balls during the same trip.
It's an inflatable Rastafarian hat/dreadlocks.
Grace decided about 3 weeks before Halloween that she wanted to be a present. We found a box, cut holes, bought bungee cords to hold it up, bought wrapping paper...a lot of wrapping paper, bought red tights and t-shirt, a headband, and bought several different bows because, you know it has to be THE PERFECT bow. Finally, we found the ultimate bow at Michael's in the wreath department.
She was a hit on the trick or treat circuit.
So here is the bigproject present
Tom and I dressed up for the first time this year. Here we are...Chilean Miners
Steve & Jane Irwin
is the Drag Queen??
Hope you got lots of treats!
Karen
Here is how different my kids are:
Tommy told me on Friday (the 29th) that he wanted a mask for a Halloween party he was going to that night. We went to Target and he found his costume in about 5 minutes. It cost $5. He spent more time and money on new golf balls during the same trip.
Grace decided about 3 weeks before Halloween that she wanted to be a present. We found a box, cut holes, bought bungee cords to hold it up, bought wrapping paper...a lot of wrapping paper, bought red tights and t-shirt, a headband, and bought several different bows because, you know it has to be THE PERFECT bow. Finally, we found the ultimate bow at Michael's in the wreath department.
She was a hit on the trick or treat circuit.
So here is the big
Tom and I dressed up for the first time this year. Here we are...Chilean Miners
Steve & Jane Irwin
Miner, Jane, & Sue Sylvester
An angel, Twister, Flapper, Miner, Sue...one of these is not like the other. Guess who...
Hope you got lots of treats!
Karen
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Costumes
October 30, 2010
Well, I've been actually making Grace's costume this year. It involves no sewing, however. You will have to wait till Halloween to see our creation.
But here she is for the costume soccer practice last week. Yes, they all practiced in costume. This is not her actual costume. She came up with this in about 10 minutes.
A disco hula girl. She made a coconut "bra" by taping brown construction paper "coconuts" to a swim suit top. She had the skirt & wig. The mask was over the top. She's crazy. Have I said that before?
Karen
Well, I've been actually making Grace's costume this year. It involves no sewing, however. You will have to wait till Halloween to see our creation.
But here she is for the costume soccer practice last week. Yes, they all practiced in costume. This is not her actual costume. She came up with this in about 10 minutes.
Karen
Monday, October 25, 2010
Camp Out Success #2
October 25, 2010
We made it: 18 fifth grade girls, 10 moms and 1 dad. No rain. 1 tarantula. And best of all NO girl drama!
The girls stayed incredibly busy with archery, geo cache-ing (is that a word?), wood burning (the artistic kind, not arson), climbing rocks, low ropes/obstacle course, camp fire songs (Baby Shark is stuck in my head forever), and of course making lanyards (it is a girl scout camp after all).
For those like me who had no idea what geo cache-ing is, let me explain. I thought we would be polishing rocks. Seriously. Like geodes...geo-cache. See my confusion? It is actually where some other people hide "treasures" or in our case, trinkets, in a secret location that you find after getting the satellite coordinates and then you use a GPS thingy to find the treasure. So more like a high tech scavenger hunt. A little tiring for un-athletic me, but the girls had a blast.
Here are the highlights:
Grace at the obstacle course:
Grace at archery:
Some great girl moments:
Our little hairy friend:
Me & G: (cabins in the background)
The bunks (yes the moms slept in these too, but the dad had to sleep in the "men's cabin"):
The troop:
We made it: 18 fifth grade girls, 10 moms and 1 dad. No rain. 1 tarantula. And best of all NO girl drama!
The girls stayed incredibly busy with archery, geo cache-ing (is that a word?), wood burning (the artistic kind, not arson), climbing rocks, low ropes/obstacle course, camp fire songs (Baby Shark is stuck in my head forever), and of course making lanyards (it is a girl scout camp after all).
For those like me who had no idea what geo cache-ing is, let me explain. I thought we would be polishing rocks. Seriously. Like geodes...geo-cache. See my confusion? It is actually where some other people hide "treasures" or in our case, trinkets, in a secret location that you find after getting the satellite coordinates and then you use a GPS thingy to find the treasure. So more like a high tech scavenger hunt. A little tiring for un-athletic me, but the girls had a blast.
Here are the highlights:
Grace at the obstacle course:
The whole gang:
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