Christmas

Well, hello Christmastime- I'm glad you're here....

You might call me a sucker or perhaps some other name with a slightly negative twist. You might call me cheesy or gushy or commercially sentimental. I don't care- you can stuff it in your stocking because I'm ok with it. I LOVE CHRISTMAS. I love the music- I love the decor- I love shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I love the traditions, new and old. And now with my own children in the mix, Oh MAN- Christmas Day is my utopia. I love it all!

I suppose this is my fair warning. I'll probably get sappy and a little homesick and you'll just have to bear the Christmas music playing here as you read this. You might have to endure some slideshows of old Christmas photos. You might have to read about my Dad, my sweet Granny and Grandmother; My Pa and my Uncle Gary. These are all people that at one time played such a huge part in warm Christmas memories. They're gone now and so Christmas is always a little bittersweet. It's not like I don't think about them every other day- but you know- Christmas is just.. well, it's Christmas. It's a little harder.

But it's still cozy and joyous and a happy time. Because even with all the crap going on- even when it feels like there's not much to celebrate. Even when you feel like the inauthenticity and commericalism has just clouded every real aspect of this time... you have to just breathe and release it. It is yours to enjoy and to appreciate all the love and beauty around us. And then it's our own responsibility to carry that in to the coming year.

"Christmas, in its final essence, is for grown people who have forgotten what children know. Christmas is for whoever is old enough to have denied the unquenchable spirit of man." ~ Margaret Cousins (1905- ), senior editor Doubleday Publishing Company.

Happy Holidays!

Catching Up

Wow! What a busy couple of weeks... We opened a beautiful new Subway in Maryland Farms, during which Kyle, in a fit of debilitating cramps and violent vomiting, discovered he was "expecting" kidney stones and a trip to the E.R. quickly ensued. The countdown for New Moon ended and the movie was released. We had a great party with a few of my fellow TwiHards and then headed to Green Hills to see the coveted flick together. It was amazing- wonderful- spectacular- and did I say AMAZING???. And then this past weekend, my Mom and Stepdad came into town for Thanksgiving. It was so awesome to celebrate with mine and Kyle's family as one. We spent the rest of the weekend just enjoying our time together...

Subway Maryland Farms Grand Opening. And introducing Emily Marlar as SubMan!!

New Moon Party and Movie Release- November 20, 2009. I, along with millions of others, waited for this day for months and months and then suddenly, it was here. I gathered fellow TwiHards for a New Moon themed party (check out the wine selections!!) and then the moment was upon us. Too quickly it was over but now the countdown begins for Eclipse!!

Sarah, Brittany, Me, Emily and Dianne (missing a couple of girls in this pic- where was Steffi and Katie???)

Me and Emily

Emily and Brittany

Thanksgiving morning my mom and I got up to start making a few dishes to share with the Browns- Sweet Potato Croquettes and Crock Pot Mac-n-Cheese.

Then on to Fairview for Thanksgiving Lunch at Kyle's dad's. Garry and Ruth always create such a warm and welcoming atmosphere for such a special family holiday. AND the best food you'll find anywhere in the south!!

Kyle's Brothers- Ben and Jason.

Kyle's Dad, Garry and "the princess"

Cousin Pam with Little Joey

Riley with her Great Aunt Diane

Riley and Aunt Emmie

Riley and her mommy

Gathering for the Prayer

Tyson and his cousin Hannah- she became his new best friend! Love the expression on his face!

This was the unofficial "Sleepy Couch"...

Next we headed to Kyle's Mom's for Thanksgiving Dinner- Once again- good food and family- there's nothing better!

Rosalyn Mae- Tyson's partner in crime...

Kyle's mom and younger brother, Ben

Kyle's Grandparents- Don and Betty Jane Clayton- They've been married 65 years!!

Riley ready to chow down...

Me and favorite my little guy

And the Turkey coma claims another victim...

Friday night- because apparently we didn't eat enough on Thursday- we met up with Brittany along with her sister, her nephew Tommy and niece Payton and went to Pie In The Sky for the best pizza in Nashville.

Tommy and Tyson playing with Pizza Dough
Pretty Payton hanging with the dough boys...

Brittany just saw our hot waiter dude- she was pretty happy...



My Stepdad, Dean- My Mom and my handsome husband...


Me and my rock....

Saturday was simply beautiful- so we headed to Tyson's favorite place- The Dragon Park- for a little playtime!

Halloween

Friday night we went to a Halloween Festival at my Mother-In-Law's church. Rosalyn and Tyson had a blast. I love this pic of the two of them. Look how Rosalyn is looking at Tyson. She just adores him. Tyson was "Dash" from the Incredibles. Rosalyn was the sweetest little kitten I've ever seen....

Halloween was spent at Cindy and Ken's house- eating Chili and enjoying time with Kyle's grandparents. Then we took the little ones trick or treating around their neighborhood. Riley Beth was a LadyBug....And Rosalyn and Tyson- so as not to be seen in the same outfit twice- went as a pumpkin and Thomas respectively.