Just Add Walter: 2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

X Marks the Spot

On the way to Florida for our cruise we saw this in the sky.

I think God was telling us we were going the right way.

After all "X marks the spot" right?!?

View other people's pictures at: Seven Clown Circus, 5 minutes for mom

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas 2009

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!

Here are some pictures from my Christmas in NC and FL:

First in NC we visited my parents.

We opened lots of presents

And took lots of pictures:

Our little family

My mom and me

Me with two of my older brothers, Kevin and Brian

My pretty Sister-in-Laws: Debra, Mandy, Rebecca

My sweet nephew James (isn't he so adorable??)

Mason, Carter, Kevin, Debra, Adam

Connor, Philip, Andrew, Emily

Little Gracie enjoying the festivities in her red Christmas dress

Guitar Hero in the "man room"

More Guitar Hero in the "man room"

Playing Risk in the "man room"

We were so tired by the end of the night... especially little Gracie

The next morning (26th) we headed off to Florida.

Our 6 hour trip took us over 8 hours because of traffic.

We had a short but sweet time with Justin's parents

Today we are heading off on our cruise to the Bahamas!!!!

(I know I had talked to a couple of you about guest posting but obviously it is way too late to do something like that!! I appreciate those of you that volunteered and may take you up on it at a later date)

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years.

I promise I will get back on track with posting and reading all of your blogs when I get back!!!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Night Before Christmas

I haven't been around lately... sorry about that! Christmas is kicking my butt this year! I finally have all the presents wrapped, the house is clean... its time to relax now, right!??!

I saw this on my friend Debbie's blog @ Just Breathe and decided to do my own version

The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through OUR house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

Gracie was nestled all snug in her bed,
While visions of lollipops danced in her head

And mamma in her tacky nightgown, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Christmas Broccoli

Today is Christmas Eve.

Last year something funny happened (yep, it's story time).

Justin, my stepdad and I all decided to go out and look at Christmas lights while my mom finished up some last minute cooking.

We come back and my mom is nowhere to be found. Her car is gone... she won't answer her cell phone... nothing.

We are all starting to get a little worried.

Next thing we know she comes in the house with a big bag of CHINESE food.

We are all confused because we already ate dinner that night

Me: Mom, what in the world are you doing with all that Chinese food??

Mom: Well, everything is closed. Wally world is closed. Target is closed. Grocery stores and convenience stores are closed. I needed some broccoli to finish up this broccoli casserole and the only place that was opened was the Chinese restaurant.

Me: Hahaha.

Mom: So I just went in there and ordered some broccoli. I needed at least a couple of pounds. They asked if I wanted chicken and I said no, just broccoli. They asked if I wanted rice and I said no, just broccoli. They asked if I wanted an egg roll and I said no, just broccoli. They thought I was really weird ordering that much broccoli but that was the only place left open to get what I needed.

So thanks to my mom and her quick thinking... we had a wonderful broccoli casserole afterall!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

And make sure you have everything you need before the stores close tonight!!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Hooray!

FINALS ARE OVER!!

Straight A's for me -- woop woop!

Afterall "A" is for Amy!

Thanks for all the support this semester.

I am looking forward to my month long break.

****

Cleaning update time!

Thursday's goal: Guest room & Closet

BEFORE of Guest room (aka: my "sick" room from awhile back)

AFTER of Guest room

(ps: I realize I STILL haven't centered those darn pictures)

BEFORE of Guest room closet (aka: all my overflow crap --- YIKES!!)

AFTER of guest room closet! (YAY!)

FRIDAY'S GOAL: Master Bedroom/Closet/Bathroom

(this is also going to be a rough one!!)

Bah-Humbug

The Holidays are fast approaching.

This time of year also brings stress and anxiety with it.

That is where the "Thursday Tirade" comes in.

Join me in getting out all your weekly frustrations. Rules? click here

I am turning into a scrooge. I am ready for Christmas to be over NOW.

My family is really big. We have around 30 people at our house for Christmas. Several years ago we decided to do the "name swap" for all the adults. However, EVERYONE buys presents for ALL of the kids.

This used to be ok... until I recently found out I am going to become an Aunt for the 13th time.

Now I LOVE being an Aunt. I love all of my nephews and nieces.

BUT... I am going broke over buying Christmas (and Birthday) presents for them.

I sometimes don't think its fair since Justin and I don't have any kids (yet). I tried bringing up the idea of doing a "name swap" for all the nephews and nieces so the adults don't have to buy something for ALL of them but that did not go over well at all.

The complaints: Kids like gifts. If one person is buying them a gift they will only get one gift versus 20 or so gifts from EVERYONE.

Any ideas of what I can do so I don't go broke spending all my money on their kids... My poor kids are going to get the shaft when they come along someday.

How do you guys do presents? Do you have a system or do you buy something for everyone?

****

Wednesday's cleaning goal was finish laundry, clean living room, finish Christmas cards

What actually happened?

Laundry = still in progress
Christmas cards = still in progress
Living room = clean but no pictures because it was actually already pretty clean. I do have a picture of the coat closet though.

BEFORE coat closet (minus coats):

AFTER of coat closet:

Thursday's goal: Guest Bedroom/closet

(this one is going to be rough!!!)

*****

Ok that's my Tirade for the week.

Now its your turn. Write a post (or use an old one), Grab my button, and Link up!!

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