Our Christmas

My parents and brother came to our house for Christmas as they do every year. On Christmas Eve it is tradition for my dad to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to my boys before they go to bed. This year, Zachary wanted to read the story. He is such a good reader. They really love this and look forward to it every year.
Christmas morning, the boys woke up at 5am! We managed to hold them off until 7:00. I'd say it was worth the wait. Zachary and Connor were such good boys all year that Santa got them
a WII!

As you can see, they were quite excited! I think Zachary was in shock. They got several games for it and have been playing it non stop. One of their favs is Guitar Hero. Zachary is really good at it too!
My brother, Tony got the boys these jerseys. Connor's is a Travis Hafner and Zachary's is Peyton Manning. They wore them all day long.
I love this photo. It is my mom, dad, and brother with my boys on Christmas day. Don't worry mom, I will email you a copy.

Nicole, her husband Mike, daughter Allie and mom Elaine came over for dinner Christmas day. My mom and I made our traditional Italian feast. We started off with antipasto. The main course was stuffed shells, meatballs, and eggplant Parmesan. Everything was yummy and I think Elaine died and went to heaven! After dinner, Erika and her family came for dessert. Nicole brought Cannolis and some other Italian pastry that I cannot spell. Both were so good.

Now we are getting ready for Christmas part 2. Eddie's family arrives this afternoon.

Tomorrow's the day!

The Grand Opening of All Moments Remembered is tomorrow!

Make sure you stop by and check out the new site complete with message board, gallery and the announcement of the new Design Team. Stacey has filled the store with lots of new products so make sure you stop in.

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to wish all our family and friends a Very Merry Christmas! Hope everyone enjoys time with their families and I hope the present you were wishing for is under the tree tomorrow!

Finally I can share...

this layout. It is from the Memory Makers 601 Great Scrapbooking Idea Book and is my first pub! There are so many great ideas in this book from so many great people. Including my two best buds Nicole and Erika.

I got some more exciting news yesterday! I got a request from Scrapbook Trends Magazine for their May 2008 issue! It is my first time with Scrapbook Trends and I am over the moon about it! I have to brave the busy post office today to get it in the mail on time.

In sports news, Zachary's basketball team won their tournament championship game last night. Honestly, for playing together a few short weeks, their team has it together. Of course I didn't have my camera so no pics, but one of the moms snapped a few and promised to share! Their coach surprised the boys before the game with an early Christmas present. He gave them all warm up shirts complete with their last name and number on the back. He really is so good with all the boys and a great coach to boot.

OK, I need to get some more cleaning done. My parents and brother arrive tonight from North Carolina. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

More Crafts and some Exciting News!

Yesterday was Zachary and Connor's last day of school. They are officially on Christmas vacation! Last day of school means Christmas parties. I am a room mom for both their classes and it was hectic to say the least, but everything went off without a hitch. Except for a small third degree burn to my finger with a hot glue gun! LOL! Just look at the beautiful crafts they made during the parties. Zachary's is a centerpiece/pen holder. I have it right by the phone. If you need to right down a message, boom, you have a pen right there.

Connor's class made this snowman ornament. Isn't he cute? I just love all the handmade things my boys have made through the years. My mom still has crafts my brother and I made and displays them every Christmas. I hope to do the same.

Now, for my exciting news! I found out yesterday that I am a finalist for the All Moments Remembered Design Team! The announcement of the new team will be made on December 27 along with the launch of their new site, complete with message board, gallery and a new monthly kit club starting in February! There is also a store, which will be packed with new goodies. Stacey, the owner of All Moments Remembered is planning some really fun stuff on the 27th with lots of RAKS! Make sure you check it out! I have added a link on the right side of the blog.

Hope everyone is enjoying the season! I need to go help my son, who tied his pajama string to the pantry door! Boys!

Crafts, Treats, and Basketball!

When Zachary came home from school on Friday, he immediately asked me for wrapping paper. He went up to his room and came down with a box. "Merry Christmas Mom", he said. This candy wreath was inside. I was floored! It is beautiful! Everyone in his class has been working on one for their families a little bit here and there during their school day. And if you feel like a peppermint or butterscotch candy, just take one off! I absolutely love it! He did a great job!

Zachary's first regular season basketball game was on Saturday. Before this, they have been playing in a tournament. They were playing against their science teachers son so needless to say, they really wanted to win this for bragging rights today at school. The coach told the team they needed to be more aggressive on defense and boy did Zachary listen. Now, if you know my son he is not aggressive except when he plays sports. He really stepped it up as did all his teammates and won the game 16-11. ( The scores are not that high in 4th grade B ball)
On Sunday, during the blizzard, they had another tournament game. The weather was treacherous and I am surprised they didn't cancel. They won this game as well, 13-11 and will play in the championship game Thursday night. I will keep you posted.



On Saturday, the boys and I whipped up these little treats. I don't know what they are called, but they are super easy and super delish! I found the recipe through Becky Higgins blog. All you do is lay pretzel snaps on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Place a Hershey kiss or Hershey hug on each pretzel. Put in a 170 degree oven for 4-6 minutes. Take sheet out of the oven and place a holiday colored m&m on each kiss, pressing down slightly. Place in fridge to cool for about 5 minutes. That's it. So easy and my boys practically did all the work!
Only a few more days until the boys are on Christmas vacation and my parents and brother arrive for the holiday. So much to do. I better get in gear!

My little helpers!

It rained practically all day Sunday so I decided to get some of my Christmas baking done. The boys are very eager to help and they did a great job! Here they are rolling some "Sugar Balls" as my mom calls them.
Connor was facinated by the Kitchen Aide mixer and wanted to mix everything at warp speed! We also made a batch of chocolate chip cookies but I think we will have to make a second batch real soon. Eddie and the boys had to make sure they tasted ok, if you know what I mean!
After you bake these beauties, you roll them in powdered sugar. They are delish!

Since I am working at the preschool all this week and today is my only day off, I decided to get some cooking done for Christmas dinner. I breaded and fried all the eggplant for the eggplant Parmesan will have for Christmas dinner. I then popped it in the freezer. All we will have to do is assemble it on Christmas day.

I have mailed my Christmas cards and wrapped some presents last night. I just have a little more shopping to do. I think I am in good shape! That is so unlike me!

Yes, I am still here!

Sorry about the lack of blogging. Things are crazy busy here and they are about to get busier! Between the holidays and working some at the preschool, the days are just flying by! I still have Christmas shopping to do, baking, wrapping, cleaning, oh my! Ok, here is what we have been up to this past week.

Last Thursday and Friday, I helped out with Santa's workshop at my boys school. This is where the kids can shop for presents for their family for 5.00 and less. It is always a hoot to open up their presents to us on Christmas day!

Saturday we went to Breakfast with Santa at the school. The kids always have a great time! They got their faces painted, and of course sat on the Santa's lap!

Nicole and Erika came over to scrap Saturday night. Always have a blast with these two! Was really happy with layouts I got done! I will share some real soon.

This week has been filled with working at the preschool and Christmas shopping. I still have more to do, but I am making a dent! We got about 2-3 inches of snow yesterday which was just what I needed put me in the present buying spirit. Zachary and Connor played in the snow every moment they could.

Ok, I think I have you up to date. I promise to be a better blogger.