#365 - Glad to Be Back Home Again

Sam found a comfy spot amidst all the stuff we unloaded when we got home from our trip! (12/31/10)

#364 - Zzzzzz

M had his bear "Nick" all tucked in tight at Monue's house. (12/30/10)

#363 - One Small Step ...

We took the boys to the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville to see the space displays, and also a special exhibit of the Narnia movies.

This was called the Quick Plane ... and was flown in northeast Alabama ...

Hubby was fascinated by this Saturn V Rocket, which was tested in Huntsville ... it ran the whole length of the exhibit hall.

After exploring the rocket display, we followed Aslan's pawprints to the Narnia Exhibit, which was really neat - except for the fact that they would not allow photography within the exhibit. :(

(12/29/10)

#362 - Al and the Snow Angel

My inlaws had a white Christmas, and when we arrived for a visit on Monday, there was still snow on the ground, so the boys were able to go outside and play in the snow on Tuesday.  We built a small snowman we named Al (because of where we were), had snowball skirmishes, and made snow angels! :) (12/28/10)

#361 - Ready to Ride ...

It's funny how dogs know when something's up ... We took Sam out for a walk before we headed to board the dogs at the vet for our trip, and he hopped right up into the truck, ready to go! :) (12/27/10)

#360 - Anakin Skywalker Rides the Rails

Past meets future as a Star Wars minifigure takes a ride on the caboose of the new train that the boys got for Christmas (the two little boys AND their Daddy!) :) (12-27-10)

#359 - Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours

(12/25/10)

#358 - Candlelight Christmas Service

What better place to be on Christmas Eve than in our church, with our church family, celebrating the best gift of Christmas - the gift of Jesus Christ? (12/24/10)

#357 - Birthday Baking - and Tasting

Each year we bake a birthday cake for celebrating Jesus' birthday on Christmas Day ... M was my helper today, and made sure to taste the batter before baking! (12/23/10)

#356 - The Great Lego War

J created the "Great Lego War" in his room, with all kinds of vehicles and hand-to-hand combat between the peach-faced mini-figures and the yellow-faced ones ... in this photo, one invader is climbing up the ladder, while another guy is waiting to whack him back down. (12-22-10)

#355 - All Aboard!

Another holiday tradition, although our creation is usually a Gingerbread House ... this year, however, Matthew picked out a Gingerbread Train kit, and we finally got to put it together today! (12/21/10)

#354 - Feathered Friend

I saw this beautiful bird int he Rainforest exhibit at the aquarium on Friday ... and since today was pretty much a "cleanup the house and just hang out day," I didn't actually TAKE a picture today ... so I'm using a prior photo! :)  (taken 12/17/10, posted for 12/20/10)

#353 - It All Happened in the Country

Children's Christmas Musical at church tonight - both boys did so well! (12/19/10)

#352 - One of the Best Parts of Christmas is Giving

This year, the boys each specifically picked out a gift for their brother, and both are really excited about it.  The each wrapped their own gift to brother, and placed it under the tree until time to open gifts! (12/18/10)

#351 - Under the Sea ...

We took advantage of a great admission deal at the New Orleans Aquarium of the Americas to explore the world "Under the Sea."  It was even more fun because our friends the Bienvenus joined up for the excursion.  This photo was taken near the end of the tour in a "bubble" window that makes you feel like you are INSIDE the tank! (12/17/10)

#350 - Going on a Voyage to Narnia

All of us enjoyed the latest installment in the Chronicles of Narnia movies - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  (12/16/10)

#349 - We Wish You a Merry Christmas

The boys and I painted a banner for part of the decorations for our Cub Scout Pack Christmas Party ... and after the party, we put it across the top of our Christmas card display on our wall! (12/15/10)

#348 - Party Time

Today marked the last full day of school for the boys ... and along with that, time for class Christmas Parties!  I love being a full-time mom so that I can go to the parties and fun stuff at school!  (12/14/10)

#347 - A Friendly Face and Caring Hands

Today my long-time friend Beth and her husband came by for a visit, and the dogs quickly  realized that there were new people in the house who would pay lots of attention to them!!!  (12/13/10)

#346 - Debut Performance

Tonight, J played "Away in a Manager" with his piano teacher at church ... we hadn't told Daddy about it, so it was a wonderful surprise for him!  J did a great job in his debut! (12/12/10)

#345 - Graduation Day For a Friend

I was delighted to be able to share in the celebration as my long-time friend Beth graduated with a degree in nursing today ... she's now an official RN!  (12/11/10)

#344 - O Christmas Tree ...

One of my favorite holiday decorations, overflowing with ornaments that represent special times and people and places from our lives.  It's such a special time to decorate the tree with my sons and recollect what the ornaments represent.  This year, M asked me, "Mommy, is this what you always dreamed having children would be like?"  Yes, little man ... it is! (posted for 12/10/10)

#343 - A Frosty Morning

We didn't get the snow that the boys were hoping for, but it was quite frosty this morning! (12/9/10)

#342 - A Furry Friend

Hubby sat down on the hearth with the laptop, and before long, he had company from our little Sally! (12/8/10)

#341 - Christmas Greetings

Mommy's helpers assisted in sending our Christmas greetings to friends and family far and near ... total cards sent - 120+.  (12/7/10)

#340 - Dressing for the Holidays

One thing I love about the Christmas season is getting to wear holiday shirts ... they make me smile.  I've got quite a collection ... here in the southeast, you never know whether December's going to be warm, cool, or COLD, so I've got short-sleeved shirts, 3/4-sleeve shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweaters and sweatshirts ... so I'm covered!  (12/06/10)

#339 - So kissable!

I had a blast doing some family photos for friends of mine on Saturday ... not only did I have fun, we got some GREAT shots (a couple of days later, Sam's almost wouldn't print her photos on Christmas cards because she didn't have a release from her "professional" photographer (that would be ME!). (taken 12/4/10, posted for 12/5/10)

#338 - Dashing All the Way ...

In the Jingle Bell 5K race ... and he earned a trophy for first place in the children's division! :o)   (12/04/10)

#337 - Santa Silliness

(12/03/10)

#336 - O Come Let Us Adore Him

(12/02/10)

#335 - The Countdown Begins ...

One of the boys' favorite traditions ... counting down the days by removing a candy cane from the display and putting it on the tree ... then after Christmas, we take the candy canes when we go shopping and hand them out to the clerks and people working!  (12/01/10)

#334 - My Tiger Cubs

The Tigers had the opening section of tonight's pack meeting, and I was so proud of them ... they each spoke their part loudly and clearly and did a GREAT job! I'm having so much fun being a den leader! (11/30/10)

#333 - Heart of Christmas

(11/29/10)