Merry Christmas

I sent out all of my Christmas cards, and have gotten a few responses from friends and family who don't live close enough to be familiar with all of our family members. So, below I've attached the same pictures with names on them and then a listing of family members (including the two newest additions this year!) If you click on the pictures, they will come up full size so you can read the names.

BTW: If you didn't get one it probably means that I wasn't able to recover your address when I lost my address book earlier this year, so please email me with it!

Our Family:

Christopher - 5 years old (October 5, 2001)
Kaleb - 13 years old (April 7, 1993)
Brianna - 15 years old (October 3, 1991
Yennae and Joe
- Tatum - born September 6, 2006 (sleeping - not pictured)
- Sunny - 2 years old (September 17, 2004)
- Laila - 3 years old (May 25, 2003)
Tre and Tiffany
- Brooklynn - born November 29, 2006 (just days away from being born, so she's not pictured)
- Jasmine - 3 years old (November 18, 2003)

Cheryl and Ken (who weren't able to join us for Thanksgiving this year - so they and their children aren't pictured)
- Chandler - 2 years old (May 17, 2004)
- Chloe - 7 years old (October 17, 1999)

Finally, as I sit here sheltered from the blizzard outside with a crackling fire to keep me warm, I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. I've attached the lyrics to a favorite Christmas song of mine, "Merry Christmas, Darling" by The Carpenters. Although most Christmas songs could be classified as 'one of my favorites', LOL, this one really captures how I feel about all my dear loved ones who I don't get to spend the holidays with very often or never at all (if I knew how to attach the song to my blog, I would, so if you know how feel free to leave instructions in the comments section).....

Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you

Merry Christmas darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm Christmas-ing with you

Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday
When I'm near to you

The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too

I've just one wish On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too

I've just one wish
On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas - Darling
~ The Carpenters

"Blizzardy" - hmmm, is that a word?

You've gotta love Colorado in the autumn (though, spring can be equally surprising, LOL) Anyway, to the point, October 26th (while many states were enjoying above average temperatures) Colorado Springs was dumped on - literally, we had a blizzard.

This storm started over Wednesday night, much to the chagrin of the teens who already had Thursday and Friday off for parent/teacher/student conferences, LOL.

AND, they both had planned sleep overs for Thursday night, so those that were able to trudge through the blowing snow still made it to our house. BTW, if you have teens, blizzardy nights are just about the best time to have sleepovers, because you don't have to worry all night that they are going to try and sneak out and get into trouble (not that my teens or any of their friends would do anything like that - but I have teen years flashbacks sometimes and can't help but worry - it's a genetic default, LOL)

Here's what the journaling on the above scrapbook page says:
"We went to bed Wednesday night to clear skies and warmer than average temps for this late in October. We woke up to snow. Lots and lots of snow, and it continued throughout the day. Luckily we had no where to go, so we just snuggled up by the fire and watched the snow and the crazy people on the news getting stuck in the snow. It was already a day off from school for the kiddo's, so they didn't get a *real* snow day."

Scrapbook Layout credits:
kits: winter from freedigitalscrapbooking; winter wonderland by Melanie Willmann
fonts: snowy & ahoroni

Halloween

I won tickets to our local zoo's halloween celebration, "Boo at the Zoo". We were originally suposed to attend on Friday the 27th, but the blizzard on Thursday postponed that until Sunday the 29th for us.

Christopher had a hard time with his Darth Vader mask in the dark, so he just wore the costume and carried the mask. Kaleb was an "Alien Cyborg", what ever that is, LOL. Brianna's actual costume was a 40's gangster (cute pinstriped skirt and vest with a white blouse, plus a fedora and a thigh holster with a tiny gun) but in light of the cold weather, she wore the fedora with a hot pink wig.

On Halloween Bri grabbed a group of friends to go trick or treating with, but the boys and I went to Mr. Biggs (an indoor family fun center). Mr. Biggs was offering indoor trick or treating plus all their attractions free for the evening. Kaleb

brought a couple of friends, so I didn't see him all night. Chris hung out with me and we had fun on the go carts, playing lazer tag, miniature golf, the merry-go-round, and a very family friendly 'haunted house' before dragging the teen boys out of there AFTER they closed.

We also enjoyed a halloween party thrown by the mom's club I belong to. The teens don't look very enthusiastic, but I know Chris had a blast.


Scrapbook layout Credits:
template: Pages in a Pinch October by Ruby Q Hammer
paper and elements: BG paper created by me
font: creepy

Time Flies

Well, school started and has actually been in session for a full school quarter now.

Because of changes that were made at Branson (the virtual school Bri and Kaleb had gone to for the past two school years) Both Bri and Kaleb went back to public school.

Brianna, as always, is my little social butterfly. She has been enjoying being around her old friends and meeting new ones. High school (9th grade) is as easy for her as every other grade. She has been attending as many of the school football games as possible, attended the homecoming game and dance, and is looking forward to the bonfire this weekend. Bri is also working on conditioning and learning some 'moves' so she can try out for the cheer team in the spring.
Bri's classes & grades this quarter ...
Symphonic Orchestra.. A
Computer Apps .. A
Science .. A
Algebra .. A
English .. A
French .. A
AP Honors World History .. B

Kaleb is also as social as ever, and since he is in the 7th grade again he has the pleasure of haning with his old friends (who are now in 8th grade) as well as meeting new friends in 7th grade. Kaleb has been going to school early to play basketball during open gym so he will be ready to try out for the school team.
Kaleb's classes and grades this quarter ...
History .. B
Math .. B
PE .. A
Science C
Reading .. B
Show Choir .. B
Language Arts .. B

Chris is still enjoying his preschool class and is looking forward to kindergarten (the daily question from him, "Mom, is tomorrow the day I start Kindergarten?" ... of course, he also expects that his birthday and halloween is tomorrow or next week, as well, LOL)

I will post Bri and Chris' birthday plus halloween on this blog soon.

School is just around the corner

Christopher's preschool didn't take a summer break, he has continued to go to school every Tuesday and Thursday, although, they did change the time back an hour (to help avoid the really hot hours) to 9:15-1:45.

Kaleb will be returning to Russell Middle School in the 7th grade this year. His school starts August 17th.

Brianna is heading to the 9th grade and her first year in High School, and will continue with Branson School Online, as well as taking orchestra at Doherty High School. Her virtual school starts on the 21st. She will be 15 in October, and is looking forward to getting her drivers permit.

Brianna promoted to the high school youth group in June (which is on Sunday mornings, as oposed to Kaleb's middle school youth group on Saturday nights), so since we were going to be attending church both Saturday night and Sunday morning, Bri and I decided to volunteer in the coffee shop at church a couple of Saturday nights a month. It's been fun learning how to use an espresso machine and make all the different drinks.