Decorations are Done!!

The majority of the inside decorating is complete!!! There are still a few small things that I want to add, but they probably won't be done until tomorrow. Here are some pics of the pretty decor!!

Christmas Tree

Over the mantle
Mantle and Fireplace

Stockings and kid decor

Shelves around our TV

Front door from inside

Guest Bathroom

Soap dispenser...I'm showing all these because they are new and I love them!

Trio of candles

Towel

Kleenex...I can't believe there was one that matched all the bathroom decor perfectly!

Willow Tree Nativity Scene

My Maw and Papaw's first Nativity after they got married!

My Papaw's Nativity from when he was a kid

Handcarved Nativity from Aunt May's trip to Israel

Our Nativity we had when I was little

The kitchen table

Can you tell we like Christmas?!?!?

Musician Maybe?

While all the ladies were decorating the tree today, Adam and Parker were singing and playing the bass guitar. We all took a break from tree trimming to watch the concert. I took a couple of videos on my camera, which are REALLY bad quality. They are still worth watching though, even if the graininess makes you a little dizzy! I hope you all enjoy!

My Little Helper

This morning we began decorating the house for Christmas. It is no small feat...trust me!! I actually dread this day every year. I LOVE having the house decorated, but I hate doing the job.

Luckliy though, I always have lots of help! Thanks Mom, Aunt May, and Nona! Also, thanks to Adam for getting the 15 or so HEAVY boxes down from the attic! Oh, and we can't forget the Peanut! He was definitely a big helper this year. Well, he tried to be! I think he may have been in the way more than he actually helped, but it was still very sweet that he was so excited about it.

Aunt May snapped a few pics when Parker was helping us hang the hooks on the mantle. YES, I am in my robe, and YES I look like absolute crap...but, the pics are to show My Little Helper, so look at him!!

Helping out!

Hanging a hook.
I have the cutest helper in the whole world!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving day today! I hope you all did too! We celebrated the day with me, Adam, Parker, Peyton, Granna, Grumps, Nona, Aunt May, Paul, and Uncle Chuck.

I have been helping with Thanksgiving dinner for several years, but for the first time ever, I did almost all of the cooking on my own. I wanted to learn how to make it all, so what better way to learn, than to do it yourself? I made it all except the dressing, cherry pie, giblet gravy, mac-n-cheese, ham, and turkey. I was too scared to take on the dressing and mac-n-cheese...they have too many steps! Besides, Mom makes the best dressing in the world, and Aunt May makes the best mac-n-cheese in the world! Why mess up a good thing? I think I may attempt them next year. Better yet, maybe in a FEW years!

Since it ended up being such a nice day, we spent most of the day outside. My parents have a TV in the garage, so we were still able to watch football. GO COWBOYS!!!! We all ate so much we were sick, but it was SO worth it! I was also able to get a lot of pics today...surprise, surprise!! Who? Me? Take pictures? NEVER!!

Peyton giving Granna some kisses

This was her mood most of the day. I don't think she was feeling very well. Let's all pray she's not getting sick!!
Why is this the best we get when we ask men to pose for pictures?

Seriously? Can't even look at the camera?

I can't believe he gave a real smile! Isn't he a cutie?!?!

Mom and son! They look so much alike it's crazy!

Father and daughter! Even my Dad smiled a real smile!

Nona giving Peyton some sugars!

Nona and Bitty

The kids would NOT cooperate for pics with Aunt May!

Apparently it was goofy time!

I was able to get several shots of my handsome man!!

I couldn't decide on my favorite, so I am posting a few!

Look at those beautiful, blue eyes!!

This one was funny to me. Aunt May and I were posing for a pic and Mom walked out right as the picture was taken. Can you see her head over my shoulder?

So, we took another one!

Me and my MIL

Paul and Robbin. He is one of our close family friends. His family is far away, so he spends

holidays with all of us. He's pretty much family anyway! Me and Mom. It was like pulling teeth to get her to take this pic! She HATES having her picture taken! I think it turned out pretty darn cute!

Me and Uncle Chuck

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving!! I have A LOT to be thankful for!

Love you all, Heather

(Somehow I deleted my name thingy)

B-ball with Aunt Kate

Aunt Kate and her boyfriend, Chris, came over to Grandpa's for a bit too! The kids hadn't seen her in a LONG time, so they were excited. She played basketball with them for a while and they had a blast!

Getting ready to let Peyton shoot the ball

Bitty made a basket!!
Parker did some walking on his hands!

Aunt Kate and Peyton...can you tell it's Adam's sister? They don't resemble each other at all, huh?

Parker's hanging from the rim!

Bitty did it too!

I hope you all had a great weekend!

Tamales, Tamales, and MORE Tamales!

As I mentioned in the previous post, Saturday was tamale day at Grandpa's house. He makes tamales every year, but this was the first year that we joined in! We made a MILLION tamales! They are delicious too! We made two different kinds of pork tamales, and one with a chicken-chili mixture. YUMMY!!

Here's a couple of the steaming pots we used

These are just a few of the tamales.
Here's a few more. I'm not exaggerating when I say we made A LOT of stinkin' tamales!

I told Grandpa to act really excited about his tamales! This is the result!