Dough Ornaments 2008

Here are our 2008 dough ornaments! They are so cute this year as they are every year!! Also pictured are some ornaments from Disney World...had to get some since we were there at Christmas!!!

Even though I was only there for 5 1/2 months, I had to get an ornament for my rehab position with my favorite scrubs!

This one is so so cute! (Belmont graduation)

We could not think of any for Jason this year, so since he likes to grill, we decided that would be a good one this year. I think I thought of something else but we already ordered this.

This is Jessica's graduation ornament!

This Mickey is from the Wilderness Lodge where we stayed.

This one was at several parks. I thought it was too cute!

I wanted to get one from Germany in Epcot...had planned on the glass blown ornaments, but we found these and could not resist.

*I have been blogging for a year now*

Christmas Day

Jason, Jessica, and Ruby joined us on Christmas Eve again this year! We had Christmas dinner that night which is actually nice...we can relax all day Christmas! I didn't feel too great (horrible cold that is going around), so I ended up sleeping on the couch most of the day!

Traditional picture on the steps Christmas morning!

Dad is so excited and surprised about his fleece elephant pull-over!

Jason is too!

Jessica with a gift from Jason

Granddaddy!

I have no idea why he is laughing, but it is a fun pic!

"Ruby, get down!"

Ruby opening her gift.

A bottle that has treats inside that will come out if the dog pulls the "rope" just right! She loves it!

Finally! I can't wait to sew!!!! I have been ordering lots of cute fabric!

The family in our matching pajamas!

Disney Trip: Part I

I have been patiently waiting many days to write this post and the ones that follow. I waited patiently for my computer to be repaired for the second time since buying it a year ago and then waited patiently for the Internet to work. Well, now is the time and so much has happened since we returned from our Disney vacation last week that I will forever be behind on blog posting.

We left last Saturday for Memphis, so we could get to the airport on time Sunday morning. We were in beautiful, warm Florida until Thursday when we were welcomed back to TN with cold weather and rain. Friday night we all went to Jessica's graduation and then Saturday I left for Nashville to spend time with some of my OT classmates to do a little shopping and for our 2nd annual Christmas Extravaganza (which deserves a post...coming soon!). There will be lots to blog about in the coming days and Christmas, too!

This is what we get when we say "Dad, smile!" More fun pics of "Dad, smile!" coming soon!

This is what Jason does any time he flies...goes to SB and then watches people pass through security. Fun!

"Who's excited?!?!"


On our way to find the magical express!!

Dad and Jason in line to get our Magical express passes!

Waiting...

...and waiting!

Boarding the magical express...definitely the way to go to Disney!

On the magical express...ready to see Mickey!

We were so ready to get to D.W. It had been 19+ years since our last trip and being the Disney fan that I am, that is a very long time to wait. I don't think I can wait that long next time. This was also our first family vacation in ages, and it was to celebrate my graduation in May and Jessica's this month! We (I) started planning over a year ago for this trip!!

This is just part one of the Disney vacation...get ready because it might be a wild ride! There are Christmas presents to wrap and finish making...it is Christmas Eve after all, so you all will have to wait for the rest of the Disney adventure. Until then...have a Merry Christmas!

Family Vacation

This past week we went on a family vacation which was a first in many, many years. I think the last vacation might have been when I was in 3rd or 4th grade because I do not count football games or weddings as family vacations. We had so much fun! The weather was amazing...84 degrees...H-O-T!! We landed yesterday to 44 degree weather with a bit of a drizzle...nice! I questioned why we came back! I can't wait to post pictures and maybe even a video or two! Too bad my computer decided to freeze during start-up just like in September. I did save all 500+ pictures and videos from the trip before taking it in to be serviced or replaced...whatever it takes!
Tonight is Jessica's graduation for grad school, so we will all be together again! I love spending time with the fam!
Tomorrow I leave again for a quick trip to see some of my OT classmates for a Christmas reunion...can't wait!!

The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer...

This Christmas seems to be flying by...I just want to be able to stop and enjoy it but there is too much to do! Last weekend I had a Sunday School Christmas party, did lots of shopping for people other than family members (I need lists, thanks!), and also planned to decorate our family tree...still working on it. Tonight I went to my mom's school to see the 3rd grade students perform a Christmas musical, and it was too cute!

Two of the boys I kept during the summers of my college days...they did a great job (2 on left). All three of these boys were in my mom's K. class. It was fun to see some of her former students...hard to believe they are in 3rd grade!!

Basically spent my summers with these two...they are growing up too fast!

Did not get a picture with the other family I kept during the summers, but I did get to talk to them about their recent trip to Disney!

Tomorrow night we are having a Christmas party for the kiddos at work. That should be an experience! Have I mentioned that I really really love my job...seriously!

Lots to do this weekend! Cleaning, shopping, decorating, etc.

Lots of stuff coming up that I am super excited about...time off from work, time with family and friends, and lots of Christmas Cheer!

Shopping Trip

Yesterday, I headed to Nashville with two of my coworkers to go to Christmas Village and then shopping at the mall. I look forward to this shopping adventure every year after Ginny took me when we were Soph. at Union. Thanks Ginny! I lived in Nashville for 3 years and rarely saw anyone I know while out shopping, but yesterday, I saw several people I know which was surprising and so fun! I didn't really do much buying which is probably a good thing. I bought a few ornaments and that is about all! I was hoping to find some Christmas presents! I guess there is always next weekend! I was also on a mission to find new bedding, but naturally they were out of what I had picked, so I guess I will have to start over. It was a fun day, but also a very long day. I got home around 7, ate dinner, and fell asleep on the couch watching the game. I think the phrase "shop 'til you drop" would definitely describe the day!

Christmas Memories 2007

Some of my classmates came over to my apartment to celebrate Christmas as well as the fact that we have completed our thesis and our last academic semester. We had a great time watching movies, eating some great food, and exchanging gifts. I think we might just try to continue this tradition even after we graduate! A few of us went out a couple of nights later to look at the lights around Franklin and Brentwood. We had a lot of fun trying to find the list of items that Hannah created for us and even got out to take pictures! We missed out on seeing some things as the power went out in Franklin while we were driving around. There is always next year! I went home for two weeks and stayed busy getting ready for Christmas and babysitting for some of my favorite families! My Granddaddy came and stayed with us for about a week. Jason, Jessica, and Ruby arrived on Christmas Eve and then left Christmas day to be with her family. We meet up with all of them later for Christmas dessert! We visited my Granddaddy's sisters the day after Christmas and had a nice visit with them. My mom and I went to my Granddaddy's church with him on the 30th for the candlelight service to remember loved ones who have passed away this year. My uncle, aunt, and cousin were also able to attend. It was a nice service and nice to see people who have been friends with my grandparents over the years.

Another pic from the Christmas party!

Looking at lights!

Ruby in her Christmas dress on Christmas morning!

Traditional Christmas morning picture! We had on matching "Life is Good" PJs this year!

Sally spent Christmas Eve in cat jail for hissing at Ruby. This was more of a protection for Ruby and not a punishment for Sally Fred. Ruby just wanted to play!

Christmas night with Jessica's family. This picture: Bobbie (Jessica's mom), my dad, me, Jason, Ruby (so tired), and Jessica.

Christmas Tradition

Every Christmas my mom orders us dough ornaments. I get so excited waiting for the arrival of the new ornaments! This year mine was from my experience this summer at Vanderbilt Children's for my first Level II Fieldwork (clinicals). It also represents my research study I completed with one of my classmates: The Impact of Therapy Balls on Attention in the Classroom. I think this one might be one of my favorites although I say that about all of my new ones!! We also had one made for Jason and Jessica and their dog Ruby!

"A house divided." Jason as an Alabama fan and Jessica as an Ole Miss fan!

Ruby! (Jessica's nurse ornament is in this pic, too.)