Merry Christmas

I didn't get to see my kids open any of the gifts I got them on Christmas morning but I could hear them from upstairs. Boo for being sick on Christmas but at least the kids were ok and my not being there didn't seem to dampen their spirits. Having my mom and dad there was a big help I think because they had a nice audience watching them.

Reed's favorite things were anything to do with tractors and he really liked the flashlight that Millie got him from her school Holiday Shop.

Millie got a lot of books to add to her home library.

My dad really liked the old metal Ford signs that I got Reed for his bedroom. I kept hearing Dad ask Reed if he could have them but Reed stood firm and told him no.

Millie's favorite thing (from us) may have been the tennis trainer but since there was snow on the ground, she has not had a chance to try it out yet. I hope it works the way it is supposed to because that will sure keep us from having to chase so many tennis balls down the street from now on.

I was very happy that Rick thought to take pictures for me. I heard him say one time "Let me take your picture, you know how your mom is."

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve began very nice. My parents arrived to spend the holiday at our house. We had a wonderful meal of prime rib and all the fixings. After that, we let the kids each open 1 gift and then headed to 8pm mass at our church in Knoxville. Both kids fell asleep before it was over but it was a beautiful service will all of Millie's favorite Christmas songs.

I wish I could say that Christmas Eve ended as well as it began but unfortunately, I must have been a bad girl this year because Santa brought me a stomach virus during the night. Santa, I promise I have learned my lesson and I will be good this year.

Holiday Visitors

Rick's brother Vince made a trip home to Indiana for Christmas this year and he took a few days to drive down to TN to visit us. Rick's mom came along as well and the kids had a blast playing with both of them.

Vince took Millie shopping while Reed napped and they picked up a few Christmas gifts. Millie came back as a beautiful princess and Reed became Dr. Reed. He took his job very seriously.

Then it was off to play tennis for some reason. It was super cold so I sat in the truck and watched them for the most part.

Back to the house to make the 2nd annual Meunier Family Gingerbread House. We learned some things from last year so we did a little better this time around.

We were all very glad we got to spend some time with Vince while he was here because he will have left Indiana by the time we get up there for New Years. We look forward to seeing him again when we visit him this summer.

Christmas Tree

My tree is all glass and crystal with very little color, it is very icy looking. Lots of ice cube snowmen and glass icicles. I love that some of my grandma's ornaments are on my tree this year. They go great with my tree and it makes me smile when I see them on there.  Grandma Owen loved hummingbirds and always had bird feeders hanging around her home.

r

Breakfast with St. Nick

The Men's Club at our church has a pancake breakfast every year with St. Nick. The kids had fun and cleaned up on the food, they LOVE pancakes. They had grapes and milk to go with it so Reed was in heaven! I think their favorite part was the candy canes afterward. I kept telling Reed to just lick it but he just kept taking bites and had his gone in no time. He was a sticky mess when he was finished but he didn't seem to care.

I Can Sew!

I bought a neat do rag headband when I was in Cancun last month. The wind was blowing all around and we were on a boat and this kept my hair out of my face and felt great. Well, upon my arrival home, Millie discovered it and has been wearing it when she plays tennis. I have to say, she looks way cuter in it than I did and so I wanted to try to make her a few more of them. Here is the one I bought.

So, I dug my sewing machine out of my closet, dusted it off and opened the instructions and started reading. I have only used a sewing machine once in my life so I didn't have a clue how to use it, or even how to sew. After getting the thread on and figuring out it needed some oil, it started working much better. Thanks to my friend Jennie, I had a pattern to go off of but I didn't really use it, I kind of made up my own way which seemed easier. You know, because I am such a sewing expert and I am sure all the steps that they showed in the example were unnecessary. There is no way I am going to win any prizes for neatness but I am pretty sure it will stay together and be successful for it's intended purpose. Except for one thing, my kids both have huge heads and so it is too small for Millie.

I was prepared for my first one to not be usable at all so I am actually surprised that it even worked. So now I learned a few things with the first one and hopefully the next one, which I hope to make today, will be a little better.

School All Summer

From the looks of things, Rick and I should not plan our summer vacation because I think Millie will be in school all summer. They canceled school again today which was totally unnecessary. A delay would have gotten the job done just fine. Yes we had ice last night but by 7am it was raining and the ice was melting. So now we have 3 snow days to make up and I feel like only 1 was necessary. Oh well, what can we do about it? Well, since you asked, we can hop on Itunes and download 60 Children's Christmas Songs and have a dance party. At least, that's what we're doing. I had discovered that Millie's knowledge of Christmas songs was very limited. I guess we learned a lot of ours in school but now I don't think the are allowed to really do that so I have to take the matter into my own hands.

God's Early Morning Gift

I am sure my neighbors thought I was crazy but when I saw the sunrise this morning on my way to take Millie to school, I had to run back in the house and get my camera. Needless to say, I didn't have enough time to set up my shot or even adjust my camera settings so I just pointed, clicked and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, my neighborhood does not lend itself to the best views around but it was beautiful none the less. Then when I got in the car pool line, I had an even better view but I had to keep moving. Again, not the best shooting situation but I did my best.

Snow Days

I am worried we are going to have school all summer. It's not even officially winter yet and we have 2 snow days to make up. This isn't looking good for us. I did decide though that sledding down a street with curbs on a tube is kind of like kiddie bumper bowling. They just kept bouncing off the curbs and just kept going.

They Learn Quick

I just overheard this conversation while they were in Millie's bedroom...

Reed - Millie, can I play with your trains?
Millie - No Reed, you can't.
Reed - Why Millie?
Millie - Because I said so Reed.
Reed - Please Millie...
Millie - No Reed.
Reed - Yes Millie.
Millie - Reed, what does No mean?
Reed - No.

And that was it. I ask Millie that all the time..."Millie, what does No mean?" It seems to be the perfect way to end an argument in our house.

Cancun Part 2

Here are the photos of the gals and I. I didn't take too many because I figured they didn't want their photos all over my blog. We had a great time though. We all went on a catamaran one day to Isla Mujeres, where I got a taste of sea sickness and Laura and Liz did some snorkeling. Although I was in bed by about 8:30 every evening, I did stay up to watch one of the shows at the resort - Micheal Jackson. I am not a huge fan but I do enjoy some of his songs. I have to say, the show was great and the entertainers did a fantastic job! It was worth staying up until 9:30 to see.

Happy Thanksgiving

Rick was wonderful and let me go to Cancun over the Thanksgiving Holiday. This was my second Thanksgiving I have spent in another country and I think I could get use to it. It was a much deserved girl's trip with my mom, sister, 2 aunts and my cousin-in-law. There will be more photos to follow but these were some of my favorite scenery shots.