Let's hear it for the cards.....

It's always been my favorite part of Christmas and I refuse to give in to the e-card. I lost my address list from last year so resorted to sending out cards to my friends and family with addresses I was sure of or to people that sent me one but I did send them. I think I've only missed one year and I'm not sure why but I've kept my card each year to chronicle the changes in our family. It used to be creative but now it's pretty basic and I try to write at least a one-line message to those I choose to send one to. I do love pictures but I love more knowing what the family has been doing throughout the year. I was taking down my decorations and started taking my Christmas cards off the wall and decided I had to give a "shout-out" to those who sent me cards this year and a great big "THANK YOU" for not taking me off your Christmas card list. I'm going to start compiling a more complete address list so that next year I can get mine out by Dec. 1 which is what I did for most of my married life. Here's an excerpt that I ran across the other day that sums up why I like to get "real" Christmas cards and why I will continue for as long as I can write one (or afford to send one) to send my holiday greetings by snail mail.

"It’s intriguing at a time when e-mail is slowly taking over from the traditional letter ....... few of us want to receive electronic Christmas cards. The explanation is simple enough – it’s far more pleasant to decorate a room with cards than it is to pile them into a desktop folder on your computer."

Long live the Christmas card!!!!!

Christmas Eve at Grandma's...

A few loved ones were missing but other than that, same....same...same....Great food, Family Feud, Rudolf Relay, A visit from Santa, Count Chocula, Dixie College Sweatshirts, Chaos.....

It's gonna be lonely on the stairs this year....

.....for Lauri on Christmas morning. It's just her and me. No presents out to the middle of the room as in earlier years but we're healthy and happy. Christmastime is a time of hope in our family....a time to remember some very monumental Christmases Past....Twenty-three years ago today Scott coming home from his Bone Marrow Transplant and nine years ago tomorrow, getting the call to go up for a Liver Transplant. Very lonely but happy, hopeful times that I never want to forget because it has forever changed my life and given me a different perspective of this season. I love the feeling that will be present tomorrow as my family gets together for our traditional "Christmas Eve at my Mom's" to celebrate the good parts of our lives. The Annual Homerun Derby might have to be cancelled or postponed.....the pickin's are lookin' pretty slim for participants....hopefully just postponed a few days....we'll see. I'll keep ya posted. To everyone that can't make it this year, we'll miss you and hope you'll miss us. Travel safely. Next year it's our turn. Love ya!!!!!!

I really liked this.....

.....but I'm not sure why. I really like Glenn Beck so I thought I'd give it a try and wanted it to be just another "sappy" Christmas story made into a book because a guy is famous but it was more to me than that. But I'm still not sure if I like the book or the author more. I just liked it....'nuf said.

The mall was packed......

.....and I can't believe I actually went out on the Saturday before Christmas but I thought with the bad economy and all, maybe I would be the only one there!!!! This was actually my first day out to "shop"...you see...when we were young, Scott would always have to pay estimated taxes in November and it took a while to build back up again so I never got the "go ahead" until about December 15 to start my Christmas shopping so I'm used to getting a really late start and it usually consisted of just getting "anything" as most of the really good stuff was gone. So, Lauri and I were talking the other night about gifts and she admitted that there were some pretty "stupid" ones given by me.....but she did add that it was kinda fun seeing what Santa would bring when they didn't ask for anything. She admitted that among the stupidist (is that a word) were the ukeleles they got one year. I was SHOCKED to say the least. This was the first I've heard that they didn't just love them and I had high hopes of making them into my little strumming stars. But come to think of it, those things have just sat around all these years and no one knows how to play them. So I got to thinking about other stupid tries. There was the year that I didn't know what to get Kyle so on Christmas eve I hurried out and got him a unicyle. He did learn how to ride it though. Oh, then there's the year I got this HUGE manly gold necklace from my husband. I tried to act surprised and pleased when I opened it but I just about gagged. I probed a bit and Scott said that he took the little girls shopping and they led him to the JC Penney's jewelry department and pointed to that and said that I told them to tell him that I wanted it. Ugh.....so I questioned them for a really long time and was totally baffled as to what they think I pointed to....it was NOT that necklace. I quietly returned it for the $800.00 that he paid for it. It was actually half off. Poor Scott. He had the hardest times buying me gifts. Then there was the year of the sweatsuits. Not just one but two beauties, pastels both of them with the beautiful flowered embroidery. Those babes got traded in for some diamond earrings.....there you have it. I probably shouldn't admit that I ever hated any gift I got and I did appreciate the sentiment but some of those things just really needed returning. Good luck and just try to remember that it's the thought that counts. I'd love to hear your "stupid gift" stories.

And more snow.....

...yes, the children of Washington County must take this opportunity to make a snowman before the snow melts at noon.....thus a "snow day" has been declared. I will post some of those snowmen as I get out and about in a little while but for now, just wanted to say "hey" to my family in Kentucky and let them know what the snow is happening out here. I did write y'all a message on the trampoline. Taylor wanted to send his greetings as well. He and Skylar have been with me the the past 2 days as Sheryl had to make a quick trip to Nebraska where her father passed away. Looks like the snow is movin' on up north, up Traci's way. I have to admit that I like the snow.....I even liked it when I lived in Salt Lake. I just don't like it "wearing out it's welcome" by staying until May. I remember being in Logan one year for school and we wanted to have a nice little "end of the year" picnic up Logan canyon. Yup, there was still snow but we did it anyway, I think around May 26 or something like that. Not real good pictures but the caption in my scrapbook said "We got impatient waiting for spring" when actually, we were all heading home the next week. Seated at the "snowy" picnic table is Ann, Becky, Carla, Carol Ann and Phyllis. I must have taken this one because I'm in the next one and Carol Ann is not. Just wanted to give credit to all present. Those were pretty fun times...yep, they were and you can see we didn't let a little "late snow" keep us from having our good times. So, thanks Washington County for letting a little snowfall give our kids a good time. We here in the south deserve a "snow day" once in a while. I'll post some snowman pics later.

A little frostin' on the ground.....

......and a whole lot of it on the cookies. Yep, "frosting" is the theme of the evening as we've had a little dusting of snow all day long. Lauri and I were invited to the annual Shelton Family Cookie Decorating Night. Jan baked an uber bunch of yummy cookies and we all got to decorate to our heart's desire. I wish I would have gotten a picture of Evan's blue mouth...he got into the food coloring. It should wear off in a week or two. Lauri's had a Mexican theme and Kyle's....well, let's just say I don't think his creation would be politically correct to mention but it was creative to say the least.

Gingerbread is in the house....

....thanks to JoEllen for our 2nd annual Gingerbread Fest. She did all the work, got all the stuff and we all made the mess. (I think JoEllen cleaned everything up as well). Thanks for a good time. If prizes were to be given out, I think Mason would win for adding the sled....it took his over the edge for sure. The kids will probably all be sick tonight but it was a really good time and the continuation of another Wells family tradition. I was wondering where gingerbread houses originated so thought I'd share what I found. Gingerbread is a baked treat that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to have first appeared in the U.S. in the nineteenth century, when the Swiss monks of St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana baked gingerbread on holidays, and gave it to the sick. Over the years, baking gingerbread cookies and building gingerbread houses developed into a popular American Christmas tradition. It was a beautiful day outside so when we got finished with our lovely creations, some of us partook of a little Cornhole game while the kids jumped in the leaves.

Happy Anniversary, Spencer and Shana.....

Eleven years ago tomorrow these two became a family. Four kids later, they're a bigger family. Shana has been a "rock" to help Spencer fulfill his life goals. She's been willing to move to Salt Lake then cross country so he could finish his education. Thanks, Shana for taking care of my boy who threatened early on that he would never move out of this house. And thanks for welcoming me into your house when I visit. I hope you have a great day and do something fun together. Sorry I'm not there to babysit. Shana sent me this little diddy. Click HERE to see what Spencer's "little" family is up to. (Wait for it to download.)

Leaves are flyin' and donuts are fryin'.....

We set up in the garage and started the donuts fryin' about 3:30....by 4:30 the neighbors had gathered and the donuts were gone. This is a fun tradition that started with left-over mashed potatoes on long Sunday afternoons. A few of the neighbors got to where they were asking for them so we kept it going, dwindling down to just once a year at Christmastime. The girls figured a

few years back that they could cook them in the garage and not stink up the house, plus they could share them with passers-by and spread the holiday cheer. We did have a good time today but missed a few loved ones so may have to put on another batch another day.

The leaves are just barely hitting the ground as well. Seems a bit late this year but the kids had fun in them today.

It was a very good day...

....and fun to prepare for a hero's welcome as Lauri returned from her Mexico adventure. Actually, I'm glad she had mixed emotions returning home because that means her experience was worth all the sacrifice and the lessons learned invaluable. It's so good to have her home. Mexican cuisine from here on out. She and JoEllen hit the Mexican market early this morning where she got this and much more. Yummy........

Superman and Puddin' Boy....

The last installment of Superman jammies.....
Scotty has flown through the house for 2 days saving the princess from monsters and fighting the bad guys.










C'mon mom....just let me have it.











That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.....

It's the most....wonderful time....of the year....

....and since I've given myself permission to slow down, it really is. I decided to start looking at the season with my "glass half full" and decided it really is a happy, wonderful time if we remember the "reason for the season". This came in my e-mail this morning and helped me get my day started right. Click HERE if you'd like to enjoy this simple little video and just sit and reflect on the happy part of life, people. Yesterday I was able to get a really good start of de-cluttering and it feels so good. Also, I've taken on my "gratitude attitude" instead of my b----- one and it really makes a difference (a good night's sleep really helps too). So, to all you scrooges out there (and I may turn into one tomorrow but today is good), put on your re-thinking cap and do the things you enjoy and "slow down"........the day's going to come whether we're ready or not. I especially love my simple piano decoration so I'm sharing.

I hope you've got your lights untangled....

.....and you are standing there admiring your tree. I've lost a little holiday steam as I started out strong (in the enthusiasm department) but I'm waning. (1: to decrease in size, extent, or degree : dwindle : as a: to diminish in phase or intensity — ) It's taken me all day to drag the microwave box off the shelf (seems like just yesterday I hoisted it up there by myself) but I did get it out, untangled the lights (why don't I learn from year to year) and got my front room tree in place (thanks to Kyle's help, I was able to once again anchor the outrageous top ornament purchased in honor of Lauri on her Spanish speaking mission and now in honor of her return from Mexico. I will continue to keep it festive and colorful for her). Maybe tomorrow I'll get one more thing done. Let's see.....I have 21 days until Christmas....which means, if I get one thing done per day, I can only do 21 more things to get ready for Christmas. I've often wondered why we "get ready" for this one day. I've always been uncomfortable with the question "Are you ready for Christmas?" I do love the holiday but I don't like the stress that this question puts upon me and I try every year to avoid it or at least not let it consume me. So....I'll accept my slower pace this year and enjoy the 21 more things I will do to be "ready" when the day arrives and try to be merry about it. I like the concept of the "Secret of Christmas" which is....."it's not the things you do at Christmas time.....but the Christmas things you do all year through." Maybe I'll just leave my house decorated and have Christmas for 12 months and avoid the rush next year.

The very first Wells family tradition....

It was a cold day in Logan, Utah where Scott was attending school and I was working. We were newly-weds and lived in a dark, dingy basement apartment and, even though it was cold, the sun was shining so we took our lunch outside that day and sat down together at the top of our stairway to enjoy a yummy bacon and tomatoe sandwich (it's always been one of my favorites. Sometimes I'll even order it for breakfast when we go to a restaurant.) The topic of conversation that day was family traditions and in a joking way, I think I mentioned that since it was December 2 (or 1st, not quite sure) and we were eating BLT's and if every Dec. 2 (or 1st, haven't found any proof of the real date) we had BLT's then it would be a tradition. I tell this story to my children and over the years it has caught on with some of them.....so whether you have a BLT today or not, just talking about it keeps it alive. So here's to the BLT.....yum...ay.......and to family traditions.

Bring on the count down....

.....ya got yer chocolate advent calendar? Well....everyone should have one and today's the day to start (and spend the rest of the month refereeing the fights over who gets the chocolate). Also, just passing by, thought you might want to covet this front lawn. This guy brought out the whole choir....I'm gonna be lookin' for one of these, fer sure!!!!! He didn't have it lit up yet but I'm sure it's gonna be spec....tac.....ulaaaaar..... I'm leaving today so I won't get to enjoy but next year....my yard's gonna look just like this, fer sure. It's been a good stay here in Kentucky but gotta go home and face reality again (and get ready for Lauri's return, yay.........). Oh, and BLT day is upon us. Traci, I really think it's tomorrow but I'll go check my journals and find out for sure, so look for a post soon and I'll give y'all the 411 on that little Wells family tradition.
Happy Holidays