Christmas Day 2012

 

 

Looks like Santa came to our house!

There must have been some good boys here!

 

 

Stocking stuffers!

Always a hit!

 

Santa left a few other goodies besides edible items in their stockings this year.

Markers, colored pencils, games, etc.

 

A one pound Hershey bar!

Wow!

These boys LOVE their chocolate!

 

Some "together" family gifts...

A dvd player for the car...

And a hunting game for the Wii.

 

Looks like Evan got a...chair?

 

To go with his new...

Desk!

And now he'll have a quiet place in his room to do homework!

Oh no...did Nate get a Furby?

Heaven help us!

 

Cool stuff!

 

Video games are always a hit!

 

More video games for multiple systems...

 

Evan got some historical books...

 

He loves history.

 

Nate got a Kindle Fire!

 

More games...

 

Ooh, looks like Ev got a docking station for his iPod!

The boys had a very good Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Pixie Cut! A New Me! A Fresh Start!

So...I've had the same hair style/cut for the past...oh...FIVE to SIX years.

And that's a L-O-N-G time for me!

I am one who is ALWAYS changing her style.

But when I found the angled bob, it looked good on me.

It was one of the only cuts that I really liked on me and I got a lot of positive feedback on it over the years.
So I stuck with it.

For...a...long...time!

But then, this past summer, my sister got her hair cut really short.

Kind of like a Michelle Williams cut (pixie).

I really liked it.

I've had my hair ultra short in years past, but I don't think I ever found the "right" style.

And I didn't really know how to style it.

It wasn't something I really liked on me.

But I kept debating on this pixie.

I REALLY liked it!

I waited for like six months...I didn't want to do anything rash or hasty and then regret it.

 My sister kept saying, "Do it!"

Everyone kept telling me "Do it! You can always grow it back if you don't like it!"

But the thing is...MY hair grows at a MUCH slower pace than the average human hair.

My husband will attest to this.

One time I tried to grow out my short hair...it took me five years just to get it to my chin!

No lie!

So I was hesitant this time.

But after about six months of researching Pinterest for short pixie cuts and styles...

I DID IT!

And I'm so glad I did!

I love it!

 

What do you think?

I don't even hardly have to use a curling iron or flat iron if I don't want to!

I do sometimes just for a little sleek shine, but it's so easy!

Just a little pomade and blow dry and I'm good to go!

I love it because I can wear it tossled, sleek and straight, with a headband, a clip...

It's awesome!

Sooooo low maintenance!

And so far...

NO REGRETS!

I think I pulled it off pretty good!

 



Extended Family Christmas...12/23/12

We had our extended family Christmas at my sister's house this year.

We usually rotate between either her house, my house, or my parent's house.

We had a lovely spread of goodies.

We had pretty much every kind of appetizer, dip, spread, cheese ball, meatball, munchies, finger-food, whatever you wanna call it...we had it!

Not to mention a vast array of cookies and treats!

 

My sister had the house decorated lovely!

 

My dad and me visiting.

He was getting around quite well and recovering quite nicely from his hip surgery!

 

My favorite three guys!

 

My sister's family!

 

My boys opening some of their gifts.

Geeg knows the way to Evan's heart...Starbucks and beef sticks!  LOL!

 

Being silly with my boys!

 

My family!

 

 My momsie, Evan, and me...

 

Me, my momma, and sister...

 

Craziness always entails when all of the grandkids get together with Geeg and Papa!

What a silly bunch!

We had a lovely time together!

Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Nate's First Middle School Band Concert

Just like his big brother, Nate decided to join the band as well when the opportunity arose in middle school (I'm so glad!).

Nate plays the clarinet...but is thinking about moving on to saxophone at some point.

All kids have to start out with clarinet before moving to another woodwind at our school.

He is still debating on sticking with clarinet or moving on to sax.

 

He had his first concert last week.

Mr. Good does a WONDERFUL job with our middle school kids.

He is an amazing teacher/instructor.

 

 

They played a variety of Christmas songs and also a fun tune called "Popcorn Prelude" that showcases each different instrument and the kids "pop" up during their featured piece...like popcorn.  It's really cute!

 

I was never in the band during my jr. high/high school years (I played piano)...so I am glad my boys are going down that path.

I really enjoy listening to them play.

It's a fun journey!

 



Cookie Baking Day At Geeg & Papa's House

 

 

Every year my sister and I take our kids down to my parents house for Cookie Baking Day.

It's something my mom started several years ago and although the kids are all getting older, I'm glad they still enjoy getting together with the cousins and continuing this tradition.

 

 

Usually they just do sugar cookies...but this year they also did some other treats as well:

Chocolate and caramel dipped marshmallows w/ a mini candy cane inserted into the top...these are for hot cocoa (wish I had a picture!).

Then they also did chocolate and caramel dipped spoons for cocoa/coffee as well.

They did a great job.

They later watched a Christmas movie and had white chocolate popcorn w/ sprinkles (another traditions).

My sis and I...sportin' our pixie 'dos!

 

My dad...my friend...

My dad is slowly recovering from hip replacement surgery.

It has been quite a journey for him.

But he is making great progress daily.

Say a prayer for him if you would...for continued progress, pain management, full recovery/healing.

Have YOU finished YOUR holiday baking?
I'm still not done at my house!

Stay tuned for more holiday updates from The James!

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Mall of America!

Over Thanksgiving Break, we decided to take a little trip to Minnesota with our boys to the Mall of America.

 

It was a very long drive.

The hardest part...was getting through Wisconsin.

Bottom to top...oh...my...goodness.

Not fun.

But once we got there...

 

We had a GREAT time!

There is literally an amusement park in this mall!

Roller coasters, rides of all kinds, arcades...

Bowling ally, movie theaters, restaurants, multiple food courts...

You could spend DAYS (we did!) here and not even begin to touch everything offered in this mall!

 

This was the Lego Store...they had all kinds of massive things built out of Legos on the ceiling of their store.

 

Santa was at the mall...is this guy great or what?

 

The boys hanging out at The Rainforest Café...

 

Me and the boys posing for a picture by the fountains...

 

We stopped at a little eatery in the mall called "Pardon My French" and Evan experienced a French Truffle made with real French chocolate...at the tune of $1.75 for a nickel sized treat, LOL!

 

I finally got to try a macaron.

It was delicious.  Crispy and flaky on the outside, tender on the inside.

Really good.

Jam and Nate enjoying an Orange Julious.

We got these coupon books with all kinds of discounts and BOGOs.

 

The boys at the Lego Store.

 

They have the Sea Life Aquarium there.

We planned to go there on the last evening we were there, unfortunately, Evan got a stomach bug and spent several hours of our last night in bed.  I stayed with him at the hotel while he rested and got better for our trip home...and Nate and Jamie checked out the aquarium.

 

Nate checking out the jellyfish.

 

Natee in the tunnel!

 

Nate made sure they took lots of pictures so Evan and I could experience it too...even though we didn't get to go.  Sweet boy.

 

Also, while there...Nate conquered his fears of escalators!

Yay Natee!

We had a great time while at The Mall of America.

It was a really nice family trip.

A perfect little getaway!