Making Christmas Goodies

This cookie is what Burks grandmother used to make for him, so it has become one of our family traditons as well.  I can not make these fast enough.  I always have to make several batches several times.

Can you tell which is Jenna's favorite part?  Her cousin Sami does the same thing.  

This year we made Reindeer Cake Pops.

They turned out pretty cute I think.  I wrapped some up and gave as gifts to teachers and friends.

The kids like to help make cookies.

Jenna just likes making a mess!

Marley and Hunter are great helpers.

This is where Jenna made her cookies!  We don't call her Miss Mess for nothing.

Our Crib

We have had this crib for 9 years.  We are now done with it.  Marley didn't sleep in it too long.  She liked sleeping with her Mommy too much!  Hunter started climbing out of it when he was 2 years old.  Jenna will be three in March and we finally just had to kick her out so that we could make room for a Christmas present that was coming!  She is now sleeping on the bottom bunk under Marley.

Christmas County Spelling Bee

I have been so busy and have not been able to update.  So I will be putting a lot on in the next few days.  And for those of you wondering if Marley got to do her solo.  She did!  And she did great!

Here is Hunter fighting over the mic with Marlow! He also did very good!

This was a great program.  All the kids did a great job!  I can't believe how many talented kids we have in our church!

Marley turns 9!

Our annual tradition for Marley's birthday is to eat plain spaghetti and play video games in the mall and look at the lights on the square in downtown Fayetteville.

Here is Marley and Jenna in front of Marley's favorite place to eat in the mall.

Since they took the arcade out we went to visit Santa. This is the first time my kids would sit on his lap. Hunter only would with his sisters not by himself.

We love to look at the lights! Although it was 29 degrees and misting!

Marley is wondering why she can't have a horse!

Marley wanted to open gift when we got back into the car.

It was matching jammies for her and her American Girl doll.

Marley wanted you to see her doll's slippers

The Hevener's got Marley this balloon for her birthday. The Balloon Closet has the neatest balloons. And they are willing to replace the part Jenna popped today, cheap! Shhh! Don't tell Marley, we will have it fixed before she gets home!

Marley's Birthday Dinner

Marley chose egg rolls for Nana to make her for her birthday dinner.
And a brownie for dessert!

Krispy Kreme

A few weeks ago I had just finished "Twilight." I ran to Walmart to get the next book in that series "New Moon," but they were all out! That meant driving to Rogers in the snow! Burk thought I was crazy that I could not wait until the next day for him to pick it up for me. I bribed the family with Krispy Kreme! Here the kids are watching the donuts being made.

When we walked in we saw Dale and Becky enjoying their coffee and a donut in the peace and quiet. They took off when they saw us coming. You can see them speed away through the window!

Sami Turns 20!

Sami chose chicken strips, mashed potatoes and macaroni for her birthdya day dinner. Thanks Grandma it was yummy!
She had a chocolate chip cookie for dessert!

Hunter's Turn

Just to prove Jenna is not my favorite, here is a video of Hunter being silly. Hunter and Jenna are my silly kids. They love to make people laugh.

Jenna Sings!

It may appear that I favor Jenna. It is so not the case. I love each of my kids. Of course they each have their own special personalities. Jenna just happens to crack me up. Listen to her sing Twinkle Little Star and see if it at least doesn't make you smile. If her singing doesn't I am sure her hair will!

Sick Kids

Wednesday morning we had a rough time getting out the door. Hunter was complaining that his tummy hurt and didn’t want to go to school. I asked what was going on at school, he just said “It’s too long.” We finally got out the door. I took Marley first so she wouldn’t be late since it was Hunter’s fault. When I went to check Hunter in at school he didn’t want to let me go. The secretary had to pull him off of me! I had planned to work all day in the church office. I was there about an hour when his school nurse called to tell me I was up for the “Mother of the Year Award!” He had thrown up and I needed to go get him. He got sick a few more times during the day and had developed a fever. Thursday he didn’t feel any better and by the afternoon he was complaining of a sore throat. I got an appointment with the Dr. and he confirmed strep throat. When we picked Marley up from school she said her throat hurt. You would think I would learn, but they like to play me! She didn’t feel warm to me. Burk took her temp later and she did have a fever! Luckily the doctor just called in a prescription for us. We have one for the rest of us on standby! This is not a good weekend to be sick. The kids are in a Christmas program at church on Sunday. Tonight was the first dress rehearsal. We have another tomorrow afternoon. We are not guaranteed that Marley will still have her solo after missing tonight. Right now it is not looking good for making it to tomorrow’s rehearsal. She doesn’t want to talk because it hurts how would she be able to sing! I feel terrible she has put a lot of work into this and has been so excited.

It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas!

This is not a very good picture. I need to learn about ISO and Aperture. But then I would have to read my manual. I just want someone to show me! Anyways...We always put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving. I get up at 2am to hit the Black Friday sales. Burk stays home with the kids and listens to them whine about getting the tree up. Once I get home we get start decorating. This year by the time we got the tree ready to decorate Marley took off and left me to do it all! At least it kept me awake!

Hunter hung around long enough to hang his Spiderman ornament.

This year he helped Dad with the outside lights!

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with my family. We had way to much to eat. Which I am sure most of you can say the same thing! Marley and Hunter wanted Tara and Sam to sit with them. Tara thought that since is has turned 21 she should be able to move from the kids table to the adults. No such luck Tara!

Here is Dad and Uncle Bill filling their plates. This is the exact reason I do the picure taking. Except Dad remembered to get his out and he got me! But since this is my blog it will not be posted here!

Of course we can't forget the dessert! We had the traditional pumpkin, apple and chocolate chip pie. But this one was the best. I think it is called Black Bottom. I definitely had my share of this one.

But I won't say how much I had!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Burk's annual Thanksgiving tradition is to fry a turkey!

Yummy!

Tara turns 21!

Wow! I can't believe she is 21. Next thing I know my kids will be that age! I took lots of pictures but I noticed my dad has already posted some and I am lazy and behind on this blog so I am going to just link to his! http://wallaceblue.blogspot.com/2008/11/tara-turns-twenty-one.html

Zooming

Jenna is taking off on her bike. It was not that long ago it took us forever to get around the block. Now I have to jog to keep up with her. That is one less excuse I can use to get out of exercising. Good thing winter is just starting!

Thanksgiving Meal

Wednesday Hunter's school served a Thanksgiving meal for lunch. Burk was able to take a long lunch and join us.

Our Weekend

Saturday was Marley's last soccer game. As you can see it was a cold morning! Marley is huddled in her coat.

Once she got in the game she warmed up. Here she is ready to take the ball from her friend and opposing team member Avery.

Saturday night I went scrapbooking. I have not scrapbooked in awhile and have a lot to catch up on. This is not even a dent into it but maybe it will getting me going again.

Sunday we cut wood at my parents house. Mom made us lunch. Free wood and a home cooked meal what else can you ask for. Well, maybe having the wood delivered.

Harvest Celebration

Our church had a Harvest Celebration last night. They had inflatables to play on.

Games to play. Jenna played in the balls with her best friend Annalise.

This was the never-ending cake walk. Everyone wanted to play!

The best part was the Illusionists. Here is there web site: http://www.davidandteesha.com/

Camden got to go up on stage. Here he is testing the ropes, making sure they are strong.

Next they put him in this black jacket.

Then he helped tie up the assistant. I think he got it a little tight.

Then they both got in this screen.

When the screen came off the assistant was wearing the black jacket and Camden was very surprised! He didn't even know he was not wearing it until David told him to look!

Next Hunter got on the stage. They both got scarves. They had to pretend they were different colors. Like the red scarf was really blue.

Hunter holding up the "blue" and "yellow" scarves.

They put the scarves in the bag and made sure they were there.

The scarves turned into one long rainbow scarf!

The best part was at the end. They made it snow in the sanctuary! When it fell on us it was even wet! I guess Marley caught some flakes on her tongue she said it tasted like soap!