Life is too short

Tonight was so cold we HAD to have a fire! Oh my goodness! The children snuggled in with us to watch Survivor as we do every Thursday night! We had egg nogg with whipped cream and shaved chocolate on top. It was so yummy! I love and live for those family nights together.

I had a great long talk with my precious friend Shana today. We have been friends for over a decade (13/14 years)and it had been a while since we had such a heart to heart. She is one of the best friends I will ever have. I have been blessed with many wonderful, special, close friends that are always there and never fail. Too many to list, but I love you all. Three stand out above the rest. Shana, Michelle, and Jonna, are friends that I don't deserve, I have known forever, and will have for a lifetime! Nothing and No One will ever come between those friendships. I love you girls! ( it is OK Michelle)

At this special time of year it is the chance to look at things and people in your life that just shouldn't be there. I made one of those choices today and feel so liberated about it. I encourage all that are pulled down by someone or something to just let go, life is so much better. There are too many good things in life to enjoy, too much to be happy and thankful for! Besides, I am too busy for all of that deceitfulness & DRAMA!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Mother and Daddy

Happy Anniversary Mother and Daddy!

We love ya'll so very much! Hope it was fabulous!

Saturday is THE game of the year! Our precious Alabama Crimson Tide will battle the Florida Gators for the SEC championship. We are very excited and will be pulling for the Tide.

Auburn will be looking for a new coach in the morning. Tommy Tubberville has been let go/ resigned. I hate that, I am not sure that one bad season should cost someone their position. All the same this is the creature that is football in the south.

We did a little more decorating today. We will erect the BIG tree this weekend, the pathway trees along the sidewalk, the topiary reindeer in the yard, and we will be done! I am so happy that Clark Griswald A.K.A (my husband) has decided against all the lights he put up last year!

Merry Christmas!

The Elves have arrived

The elves have arrived! If you are not familiar with the Elf on the Shelf it is a must holiday tradition! Ours has arrived and is ready to report for duty. They have also been hard at work decorating and they have a couple of the trees up inside and the front entrance decorated. The children love this and it adds a bit of magic to the holiday for everyone.

Our holiday traditions are beginning to come to life and I love that. I am very excited about a couple of new ones. In an effort to keep the focus of the season on Christ, we are implementing a new policy about gifts. The Children will each get three gifts representing the three gifts Baby Jesus was given by the wise men. Father Christmas will only fill stockings from this point forward. NOW, there are no regulations on size or cost on those three gifts but there will only be three. Of course grandparents, Aunts, and Uncle's are not required to adhere to this policy. I have already been informed they won't be. LOL

Another tradition that I love is the baking of Jesus' birthday cake. We have a star shaped pan, and we cover it in yellow sanding sugar. This represents the Star of Bethlehem. On Christmas Eve we sing Happy Birthday Jesus and leave Father Christmas a piece of cake as opposed to cookies. With a big glass of egg nogg.

I look forward to sharing more of our traditions this month.

The Polar Express; Zoolight Safari; Christmas baking; Christmas hayride while carolling; hot chocolate and s'mores

No more Copper Grill in Birmingham!

Had to share this information. I had no idea that one of our favorite places to dine, The Copper Grill is no longer! I am so upset. They are now Plaza III steakhouse. We will miss them! Guess we will try this new place. I hear it is one of the top ten steakhouses in the country.

Tonight another reason to look at the heavens!

Tonight something very spectacular is going to happen in the sky. Be sure to take the time to look at the heavens. Here is the link: Look to the sky

I am pulling out our big thermos to fill with hot chocolate; the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate for s'mores; the blankets; and flashlights for the children to play with. At dark we will light the outdoor fireplace and wait! It has flurried off and on all day today as well so it would be very cool for it to snow tonight to!

Enjoy, we will be

Steve doing what he does best! With Steve and my Daddy both having played pro-football, you know there is going to be some played whenever we gather!
Kelli is in the middle kissing Marris!

Aunt Jacque, Mother, and GiGi

My Daddy and GiGi

OK, so I lied none of me! Maybe next time.

See it in pictures

As you know we spent Thanksgiving at my cousin's house in Madison, MS (Just outside Jackson)

We had a fantastic time and here, you can see it in pictures

The Satsuma loot!

( L-r) -Marris; Orren; Aaron; Ryan; Olivia; Jordan; Lillian
GiGi with her family tree made from all of our hands!

My hubby and son(in his 4th outfit of the day)

Uncle Tommy working hard on the hands!

Orren "teaching" GiGi about blocks

My son was addicted to the sweet potatoes (2nd outfit of the day)

Mother was telling something to Hannah, that is the back of Aunt Jacque's head!

David and Suzann with my son Orren

Olivia in her 2nd out fit of the day and Jordan, in Jordan's room

Mother (GrandMaMa) and Orren (original outfit)

Ryan, the hunter and the duck he killed, we are a true southern family! The men go hunting Thanksgiving morning. Period.. No questions.

GiGi, Olivia, GrandMaMa (my mother) Orren

There are still some missing. I will find pictures of Steve, Kelli, Daddy and Aunt Jacque. MAYBE.... me, LOL we will see!