John and Tina Plus Three: finding the holiday joy

Showing posts with label finding the holiday joy. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Finding The Holiday Joy!

I just finished taking the Finding the Holiday Joy class from Willette. I had so much fun taking this class and if your interested in photography please check-out her site.

Monday, December 27, 2010

I was so busy with the kids opening presents and with all the excitment, I didn't take very many pictures on Christmas day. We have been playing non-stop for the last few days with all the new toys and games everyone got. I love the week after Christmas when all you have to do is play with your new toys. Here is Day playing with his new NERF gun. It is a very powerful semi-automatic weapon, and yes I took several bullets to the face!!!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Lesson 13. Outdoor Lights and Lesson 21. Nativity

We never put lights on our house, just not my hubby's forte. Not to mention we live in a really tall house and I would hate myself if he fell and hurt himself. But my dad, yes that's right MY DAD makes sure to put his lights up every year. That's right he lives in a tall house too and is 61 years old!!! So here is a few pictures of their house.

My mom has been collecting decorations for the last 40+ years and goes all out for Christmas. She spends weeks setting up and making sure everything is perfect. These next few pictures were taken inside their house.

I don't own a nativity set, just the one I shared earlier of my Granny Mercy's, but my mom has a beautiful one above her fireplace.

Lesson 14, 15 and 18

Lesson 14. Receiving Cards

Unfortunately, this day in age most people don't send Christmas Cards. Not to many people want to go through the hassle or the expense. I know a lot of people that just send emails with a holiday greeting. Call me old fashioned, but I love receiving cards even if they give it to me when they see me or if they drop it off.

Lesson 15. Mistletoe

Mistletoe? Really? I thought that was just in the movies. I have never even seen an actual Mistletoe. LOL...

Lesson 18. Charity

I'm sorry to say that our family doesn't do any charity work. It's a shame, but I will look into this...

Lesson 16. Traditions

What would Christmas be without a little baking?

Every year our wonderful neighbors give us a giant Poinsettia plant. I look forward to this every year!

Last year the girls in my family started a tradition of an Ornament Exchange. Last year it was at my house this year my beautiful cousin Stephanie had it at her house.

Yummy!

What would a mexican party be without mexican food?

Stephanie and Pat

Krista

Lyndzay

Our favorite ornament-Elvis

Machee

Lesson 20. Homemade Gifts

I am such a sucker for handmade things. This year I thought it would be fun to make a few things...

This is a sterling silver blank with "teach," "inspire," and "love" stamped on it with an apple charm. We have three really great teachers this year and I wanted to get them something special. Have I told you how much fun it is making your own jewelry? I absolutely ♥ it!

Olivia had to make a handmade gift for one person in her class and she made this cute necklace. I helped her stamp it, but she did the rest.

Our neighbors are getting these boxes of hot chocolate with a scrap booked tag that says...

Warm winter

wishes for a cozy

Holiday Season

and a wonderful

New Year!

This is what the kids are handing out to friends this year. It's reindeer poop! Okay, it's really whoppers. Here's what is says in case you can't read it from the picture...

Christmas is coming and so are the deer.

Listen closely and bells you will hear.

Along with them come special treats.

Reindeer droppings for you to eat!

I made a lot more, but won't post the rest until after Christmas so that the surprise is not ruined.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Lesson 19. Reading Christmas Books

Lesson 11. Snow

We haven't had that much snow this year, YAY! But a few weeks ago Liv played outside with her little friend. My kids really don't like playing in the snow too much. They really hate being cold.

Lesson 10. Gingerbread

Liv-The Drama Queen

Liv is really smart. She loves going to school and hanging out with her friends. She is really excited about learning to play the Recorder this year. She is a huge "Smarty Pants" and has a come-back to everything I say. She helps me out a ton with the two little ones, who both admire everything about her. She tells really, really, really long stories (sometimes I have to remind myself to be patient.) She acts every detail out and changes her voice for the different characters in her story. She has a talent for getting anyone around her all hyped and rawled up. The house is usually quiet until Liv arrives. She is such a "Drama Queen." She spends most of her time making the two little ones re-enact a movie that they just watched. I think she is going to be a Movie Director or a Teacher when she grows up.

DayDay aka Prince Charming

Damon is a real sweetheart. We call him DayDay for short. He is a very sensitive guy and is tuned into everyone's feelings. He tries very hard not to hurt anyone and really wants everyone around him to be happy. He loves to cuddle and gives the best "Bear Hugs." He's already embrassed to hold my hand or kiss me in public. He doesn't love going to school but is really good at it and tested above grade level. He is a "home-body," crowds and a lot of noise over-whelm him. He loves wearing soft clothes and would stay in his jammies all day if I let him. He can memorize a movie after watching it just once. He quotes lines from movies and even uses them in the right context. He is always making us laugh and is quite "The Charmer."

The King & Queen

I have been a stay-at-home Mom for almost 10 years. I love being a wife and a mom. I am very blessed to be able to stay at home. I really, really, really love my life and my home! The kids are amazing and being able to watch them grow is so much fun. They change everyday. I love making crafts and cards. Photography is a hobby that I am still learning and I spend a lot of my time reading and learning new techniques as well as learning Photoshop. I should say that I spend most of the time trying to figure out my damn camera!!!

John is a brillant man. He is self-employed and has many talents. Taking out the trash is not one of them, but I love him anyway. John enjoys watching sports and plays football whenever he gets a chance. He is an amazing dancer and is always the center of attention at a party. His son is his protege.

Chloe-Puppy Royalty

Chloe is the puppy Santa Claus brought for the kids this past Christmas. She is an Imperial Shih-Tzu. She was abandoned by her mother and then was raised by a Persian Cat. When she first came home she even meowed. Now days she spends most of her days "cat napping" and sitting on the back of the couch looking out the window. She is very playful and hates to be left alone. Her hobbies include hanging out the window of a moving vehicle and playing with her boyfriend-Mugsy. She is spoiled beyond belief and acts like "Royalty."