You know It's Christmas When:

1. The baby always has a pine needle somewhere in his mouth (no matter how many times you vacuum).
2. It's inoffensive to talk about Jesus pretty much anywhere.
3. People are singing fabulous theology (even though they don't actually believe it the rest of the year).
4. The food is really good.
5. You have many parties to choose from.
6. People want to know what you desire, and then they get it for you!
7. Did I mention that the food is really good?
8. You must water your biggest indoor decoration.
9. There are candy canes everywhere and in every flavor.
10. Your bank account is getting really empty, but you would do it all again anyway.

Hilleke Tree Decorating Party

Mom and Anne getting us started.

"Aunt"

Me and Bubbie checking out the light situation.

Dad and Emily

Lolli and Pop

Awww I love this one

Aunt helping educate Arthur on the ways of Christmas Tree Decorating Parties

Pop and "Dragonclaw"

Samson and Emily with his little tree

Arthur inspecting (and removing) the lowest decorations.

Taste Test

Learning about hooks.

Samson gets the prize for the most enthusiastic and most improved on tree decorating!

Gramps' 80th Birthday Party at Roseland (Natchez, MS)

Grandmother and Santa Arthur

Me and bubbie (this one is Jarrod's favorite)

Mom and Dad

Cousin Katie and Baby

Father and Son

Me and Mom

Emily and Ben

Playin' with Pop

Pee-Pie

Ha!

Grandmother and Gramps

Jarrod with nephew Ben

The cousins

Party girls

Emily's beautiful appetizers for Gramps' party

The birthday boy!

My favorite little sister

Laura Belle resting on Daddy

Aunts Muff and Anne

Mom and Aunts Anne and Archer

Emily with her kiddos

Samson sneaking up the stairs

The guys!

Arthur's first party tooter

Katie, demonstrating the tooter

The illustrious pith helmet

How great a birthday boy is that!

During the "Move Over Mickey Mouse" toast.

Jarrod's Tech Concert

Jarrod conducted a lovely piece in his choir's Fall Concert. All the folks came up for it.


After the performance.


Me and my boyfriend (gotta love a man in a tux!).


I even made a red velvet cake with the Tech logo on top.

Blast that 6 month photo!

Well, I've been trying for 2 weeks to get Arthur's 6 month picture taken. Yesterday I had an actual appointment. I readied myself early, fed the baby, dressed the baby and packed emergency bibs and an extra outfit in case he spit up during the shoot. We were in the car strapped and ready when all that came from the engine was a sad little "cough sputter click." #$%* I had to sit out in the cold late last night while the psycho neighbor smoked a cigarette as he hovered over the dead battery. We had to borrow his jumper cables or I would have avoided the whole safety hazard plus lecture on the ways of the alternator and the miracle honda that drove his girlfriend six miles without the alternator belt which they found flat in his driveway after he pushed the car home. Right.
I don't care if he's seven months old by the time I get there, Arthur's gonna have a 6 month picture dadgumit! I've tried too hard to give up now. Maybe this afternoon?

Garage Sale

Well, it's finally time. I've been driving down to Alexandria at random free intervals for several months now trying to prepare a garage sale at my parents' house. Honestly, I thought it'd never happen. I don't think I've ever worked so hard on one of these things before. This year required serious dedication to the cause, climbing through attics, finally parting with that whatever it's called that's been floating around my room sentimentally for 8 years now. Mom and I walked through the house, "When did you last use THIS? How many of these do you NEED? Why is THIS even here?" Up and down the stairs countless times. Hours of pricing and rearranging. This Saturday should be "g-day" at last, as long as it doesn't rain or hail or anything.

Wanna stop by? We have: tables, chairs, appliances, TVs, pewter, crystal, and tons more!

I've been Blooged!

Here are the rules:

1. Comment in some one's post (you can do it anonymously if their blog let's you) telling them they've been Blooged! and send them to get this cute little graphic.
   
   
2. Put the graphic in your sidebar showing everyone you have been Blooged!


3. Write a post saying you've been Blooged! and copy the rules into that post (with links please). Or copy the code at the bottom of this post.


4. Go Bloog two bloggers and then they will Bloog two bloggers and they will bloog two more bloggers and so on and so forth.


5. Don't forget to come back here to comment and share who you Blooged!
   

hmm.. ok, I bloog Rashell and Kajsa

Me and Meredith

Me and Munchkin

I love being a mom, but I don't feel like one yet. I suppose that will come when I have to use my authority huh? Meanwhile, this is such a fun phase!

The Price is Right

Jarrod played Bob Barker at a wedding shower for our friend Christin Booth. What a scream!

Look, Emily and I finally got a picture together at a party!


Barker and his beauties.

Even Thomas had to play.


Me and Rachel Shipp

Esther, Ragan, and Bethany

The cousins


I love this photo of Thomas and Ben.