2 Days until Christmas!

My nemesis!

Laundry.

But don't worry!

The boys stacked it tall

like a Christmas tree

and put a bow on it

to make me happy.

Ha!

 

2 days before Christmas

and the boys were starting to

worry that Santa wouldn't find

their stocking if we didn't hang them

So we made this.

And I just love it!

 

More Jinx shenanigans.

 

The boys woke up

with green marker J's

on their faces this morning.

And then we saw Jinx.

Bad Jinx!

 

More Christmas Baking.

We like gingerbread

boys and girls, but we love

gingerbread weenie girls!

 

 

 

Didn't they do a great job.

Not a white Christmas

BUT we got snow

on Christmas Eve Eve.

Yay!  It was only this much

but hey ~ it counts!

 

12 loaves of Banana Bread.

and it is not the healthy version

either.  My Great Grandmothers

recipe.  So delicious!

Do you want to build a

snowman?  Jinx does.

 

 

 

Our 2014 Christmas Eve

Random Acts of Kindness!

 

 

We started this tradition last year.

12 RAOK on Christmas Eve.

~ we dropped off coloring books

and crayons in the

labor and delivery waiting room

~ we passed out suckers to kids

and a few workers at our

favorite United

~ we passed out dog biscuits

to all the cute puppies at

the humane society

~ we paid for the car behind

us in line at Sonic

~ we gave a gift card to the

family that had their baby

in the same bed that our

sweet little Dallyn was in

in the NICU at BSA

~ we passed out cookie treats

to the very sweet residents

at the nursing home

~ we passed out candy bars to

nurses working at BSA

~ we set out a bunch of coins

on a playground for

little ones to find

~ we passed out hot chocolate

and banana bread to the homeless

~ we delivered sweet

treats to neighbors

 

 

When we stopped for lunch

at Buffalo Wild Wings our plan

was to give a gift card to a table

to enjoy dessert on us. 

However when we got ready to go

our waitress said our ticket had

already been paid by someone

who wished to stay anonymous! 

How awesome that someone else

was out spreading kindness too! 

So not only did we buy someone

dessert, we also turned around

and bought a different tables lunch. 

And then our waitress got a

little extra on her tip. 

 

I share this not to brag but in hopes

that it will inspire some of you to

go out and do a RAOK next time you

think about it. My boys love doing this. 

Visiting the nursing home

was their favorite! 

I loved watching their smiles as they

walked out of every single room. 

They have already asked to do

that one again next year. 

So go! 

Go out and spread

some kindness! 

It's not too late!

When we got home it was

time to wind down

and watch some Christmas

movies.

And of course the tradition

of opening one gift.

 

Pajamas!

Always Pajamas!

 

The boys were in bed by 9:30.

They don't mess around on

Christmas Eve!

I can't wait for tomorrow!

Marking Things Off My List

Well the last of the

Burlap Butterfly signs for 2014

were shipped and handed out

this week.  It was a great year!

We look forward to

everything 2015 will bring.

 

The countdown is on.

Christmas is coming in fast!

I've got to get a move on

gifts and our traditional

random acts of kindness!

 

We made these mason jar

drinks for our guy friends

and all the guys on KC's work

crew.  They loved them!

 

We put together these

mason potpourri jars for

our girly friends and the

boys teachers.

I even kept one for myself.

You mix it with a bit of

apple juice put it on the stove

to simmer and it smells

AMAZING!

 

We also started doing our baking.

You would think they would

make a baking version of

these kisses.  Ones that are

not wrapped so you don't

have to sit and unwrap 3 bags

worth of small candies!

 

 

 

 

I think Jinx was

trying to trap Cody.

 

Look at these cuties

all dressed up in their

Christmas best!

Cody was in the 4th grade

spelling bee.  He got 7th place.

I was amazed he did so well.

It deserved a special treat.

KC and I had some last

minute Christmas shopping

to do.  We traded babysitting

for some of my homemade chili.

Not a bad trade.

 

Silly Jinx wanted

some cookies.

Starting to Feel Better

After 3 weeks of

sneezing. body aches. runny noses.

fevers. cold chills. sore throats.

we are finally starting to feel better!

Thank goodness!

I think this was the sickest we

have ever been.

It was no fun!

We got out Sunday morning to

do one of our favorite

Christmas traditions... Glo.

It's a rock/Christmas concert

put on by a local church here.

We just love it!

 

Cody came home from school

with this Christmas card for me.

 

He made my heart melt!

He's so sweet ~ I just love

him so so much!

Jinx did some

monkeying around.

Rylee had an awards

ceremony and a small

Christmas party with his

scout group this week.

 

All the boys had a great time!

I've been trying to get back

to cooking.  There was zero cooking

while I was sick.  I have been

actually doing some of

those tons of pins I have pinned on

pinterest.  This chicken and broccoli rice

crock pot meal was a hit with

everyone!

 

The Flu and then more Flu

Look whose back!

 

This was my company for

some late night working.

To be honest,

they weren't much company.

This beautiful sunrise made

doing the dishes a little easier.

Cody had his first home

project too.  He had to create

a board game.

 

I was talking to Aunt Tab

when I took this picture.

It looked like I was going to

be heading back to Midland

to watch the kiddos. This little

boy was sure worried I was

going to miss Christmas this time.

Aunt Tab set his mind at ease

and said that she would

not let that happen.

More work to get done.

Lots of Christmas orders

to finish up.  We passed

the time quickly with some

of our favorite Christmas movies.

Crazy Jinx.

I think he got stuck in this

gumball machine!

He spent 4 days straight in there!

Cody finally took the lid off

so he could find a new

place to go.

oops!

Got a text from one of the birthday

moms saying her kiddo has the flu.

So, you guessed it!

This sweet boy got the flu.

He was feeling better just in

time to join us in the nights

of lights parade.

We rode with a group of razors.

Lots and lots of lights!

 

and then this was our Saturday.

KC was working all weekend

so we just took it easy.

 

We were kinda scared to look

forward to this game.

Oh but it was

oh so good!

 

We thought this was going to be

James last college game to play.

oh it was good

Look how pumped and happy

he is.

 

We met this kid when he was

maybe 12.  He mowed our

yard for years!  It's amazing to

see the kid has grown up to be.

We are very proud of him!

 

And now we get to watch

him play one more time!

 

and Sunday kid number 2

got hit with the flu.

While I took care of sick kiddos

KC hung up our Christmas lights.

 

Someone is feeling better!

I got the flu Monday

and it has been so horrible.

I'm ready for the weekend!

A new start. feeling better.

getting out of this house.

Lets just hope KC

doesn't get it.