Wii Hurt, Wii R Tired

Yes, Santa delivered a Wii. By 10:00 am this morning the tree was gone. Christmas is over, lets get the tree out the door. Actually, most of the tree was already on the carpet and on the entry way floor by the time we got it out of the house. So after a lovely day of cleaning and moving Dora houses out of the way, Daddy hooked up the Wii. Now, after three rounds of tennis, boxing, bowling and golf, we old folks are starting to hurt. Cole was dancing around the living room in his new Wii boxers and trying to pound his mom and dad in boxing. Shelby gave it up really early. She didn't quite understand last night that Santa wasn't coming again and why there were no more presents.

Merry Christmas to all and to all A Good Night

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house. The Hoffman's weren't home they went out of the house. We all went downtown cause mom didn't cook. We all went to Bucca's and nana and papaw we took. We dressed all in red and in the kitchen we sat, Mom in her jeans was feeling quite fat. We ate salad and pasta and mushrooms and more and after Santa delivered the food, we rolled out to the door.

Then off to home the Hoffman kids did go. Shelby passed out before we said go. Up to the bedrooms in new monkey jammies. Papaw read a story and kissed our little handies. Cole dictated his letter to Santa and then after checking the radar went swiftly to bed.

Mommy and daddy stayed up a little longer hoping that Santa would bring coffee that was stronger.

Then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, Troy jumped up to see what was the matter. Cole was arising out of his bed. "I can't sleep" said the oldest, scratching his head.

Tucked back in bed and threatened with life, mommy and daddy were feeling the strife.

So laying his coffee beside him he goes, and giving a nod off to bed Santa goes. Good Night and Merry Christmas to all.
As nana says, You can't buy these memories.

Snow ok - Ice Day - NO SCHOOL!

Was feeling pretty lousy this morning and was going to call in sick anyway. It started sleeting and icing and the roads were really yucky. By 9:00 we knew there was a two hour delay. This morning around 6:30, as I was lying on the couch, we got the call that school was cancelled. Cole was so excited!. Shelby on the other hand had a huge day that she couldn't miss at her school so daddy took her in so she could have her party and see Santa at school. Thanks Troy! So- Cole and Mommy got to spend the WHOLE day just hanging out. As we were sipping our mint tea and cuddled on the couch under a blanket - he said "Mom this is the best day of my life, not only is school cancelled, but I get to spend the day with you. I love you Mom." OK melt my heart. We wrapped presents, cleaned and laid around with the dog. What an awesome day. We should do that more often!
They look cozy don't they!

Our Trip to Santa!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Dashing all the Way!

I have decided I want Elves for Christmas. Just 2 or 3 would be nice. A little elf for the laundry, one for cooking and one that cleaned. Surely Santa could do without a few. Polar Express made it seem like there were thousands of the little boogers running around! They could live in the Dora House!

So this weekend my friend and I went on a baking marathon with chocolate trees and Santas, cookies galore and fudge. Every year I say I'm stopping this insanity and every year I apparently can't seem to control myself until I am so tired I drop! I just love the smell of gingerbread in the house. This was my first year with chocolates, it was so much fun, I can't wait to do it again next year!

Sunday, Troy and I took the munchkins to the State Museum to see Santa. They rode the Christmas Train, saw Clifford the Dog and told Santa how good they had been. Ok- Shelby was pushing it a little! She did inform us that Bubba hadn't been so good lately. Cole begged to differ. It was so warm that we walked downtown, went to eat, went to the Circle of Lights (The Official World's Largest Christmas Tree) touched the lights, and then went to get ice cream and coffee at the Chocolate Factory. ( I looked for Oompa loompas on sale) It dropped almost 40 degrees in one day, so it was a good thing we got in all in yesterday! I'm posting several of the pictures of the weekend.

Attack of the Blonde Thing

Troy's Turn.

Have you ever heard something in the background, and in your head, you're thinking "Man, that sure sounds familiar". Not good, just familiar.

So, for two days now, I've been trying to buy a darn Dora Castle off of Ebay for my little sweetheart. I had one locked for a day and a half at $23.50. This morning it was up to $30. Long story short, the last 60 seconds it went to $54, and I didn't. So I get home, and lo and behold, there's a guy selling 16 of the things, new, for $19.99 (plus shipping) each. I'm scrambling to fill out the PayPal account, and I look over to see Shelby asking me if these were "Big Girl" crayons. "Yes, honey, they are". Two minutes later, I heard that sound. And the realization that she didn't ask for paper. Thank God for Orange Glo. Yes, it was a black crayon, and yes, that's our oak kitchen island. Oh yeah, I got the Castle.

Christmas Cards Take 3

I bought them. Yes, I broke. I bought Christmas cards you could slide a picture in at Wal-Mart. $5.00 was never so easy to spend. Did I mention I had enough until Troy ran the other ones through the printer. Sadly, I also like them. They're red and black velvet. They're a little more sophisticated than this year's picture, but they will be out in the mail this week. Amen and Hallelujah they are done. Let there be peace in our home. Yes, Eric, I am aware yours will be in the mail tomorrow. You also have beautiful children that smile happily on cue.

BTW- Cross your fingers we have 2 hours left on our first ebay bid. I cannot be responsible if Troy doesn't win.

In other weekend news our precious daughter has taken to running from the table with food in her mouth and spitting it as she runs. Lovely. This too shall pass. I'd take a picture of it but it is rather disgusting.

2008 Year in Review

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The weird time between now and Christmas

No- the Christmas cards aren't done or sent out. Don't ask. I want to say thank you to my precious brother in law for that encouraging call this morning on how I should have done the cards. Hey Eric - feel free to come send mine out at this point too!

Cole had a friend over today and we were going to go out, but after I ran into town for a few things in the freezing cold, we decided maybe we'll just stay in. Troy is having some type of competitive frenzy on ebay today for some reason. He's not really ever used ebay - but now he's obsessed!

The boys were of course bored and Shelby was driving them insane. It's too early to start making cookies so we made popcorn balls! The boys were very impressed that you could actually make popcorn outside of the microwave and they got to butter their hands, which they thought was totally cool. Shelby interestingly enough wants nothing to do with things that are ultra messy. So she was quite content to sit and eat popcorn balls just as soon as they came off the wax paper. I am putting in pictures of the tree and popcorn balls. The boys didn't decide to get in the picture.

Christmas Photo Take 2

Ok Seriously, how hard should I OK we have to work to send out a simple card.

Problem 1. I didn't realize the cards I bought didn't have a pre-cut opening for the picture to EASILY insert.

Problem 2. Didn't realize the cards were blank inside. OK so I didn't really look. They were red, green, white and pink. Liked them. Didn't get further than that.

Troy and I are now using exacto knives and carving out the center of every card so I can use double sided sticky tape for the pictures. (special double sided sticky tape so it doesn't ruin the picture). OK Troy is using his hunting knife to cut out the cards (yes, guys I am aware this can dull the blade) Troy has no time to hunt right now anyway because the cards aren't sent out! I made up the inside of the card and Troy is attempting to run it through the printer. So, we may actually get these sent out by New Years. I think Troy is seriously pondering sending out a Christmas postcard with a new address that has a new wife with less neurotic tendencies. As of this posting, he was mumbling something about the dog and going out to the barn. Hang in there hon, only 23 days left!