We have a WINNER

300!

Today's Special Announcement!

After adding it up today is my 300th post. So to celebrate and in a shameless attempt to see how many comments I can rack up today, I'm having a contest. Leave me a note in the comments and tell me your favorite Christmas song. Comments will be open until midnight and then I'll randomly choose one to win a fabulous $10 Target gift card. Hey I know it's not much, but it's free! :) You can use it to buy some Starbucks coffee or perhaps some Peppermint Mocha creamer. Maybe you can get a few stocking stuffers out of it. Heck, buy $10 worth of paper towels. The sky's the limit. And face it, I have less hits on a Saturday, so you may have a really good chance to win.

What's your favorite Christmas tune? And if anyone lists, "Christmas Shoes" they are automatically disqualified! Just kidding, but I REALLY do not like that song. Who wants to hear about Momma needing shoes to wear to heaven because she's dying on Christmas eve?!?! But I digress.....



Good Luck and check back tomorrow to see who won.

So Cute!

I'm sorry, but this is just cuteness overload! This is Cohen and his family attends our church. My sister-in-law Becky babysits him, so we had to snap off a few while I was at the house doing their family photos today.

PS - Look for a special announcement tomorrow!

Ugly ornaments

Tonight I enjoyed a fun evening with the ladies at a Christmas tea. I know that sounds all fancy and stuff, but it really boils down to 10 women sitting around eating cheese ball, various finger foods, and drinking some yummy wassail. We had a few rounds on the Wii and held an ugly ornament contest. I'd like to offer up some of the entrys.

From the Painter home we have the Slam Dunking Shaq (Sorry PEC, I know it's out of focus) Nothing says Christmas like a replica of a large basketball player hanging off the rim. :)

Heather Schmidt offered up this gem. She says that there are more and they keep appearing around the house. Jen and I think that Ryan is secretly making them and placing them around the house to drive her crazy!

Lisa bought this special little number at Hobby Lobby today and managed to keep a straight face. Maybe if the Cubs ever win the series she can pass it on to Shelby.

All I can say about this guy is that Jen was ready to take him home and hang it on her tree. I fairly certain she was serious.

The runner up was a frog performing in a burlesque show. I'm really not sure how this works into any decor.

The grand prize winner was this lovely dollar store find. Is it Santa? Is it a wrinkled old lady with a tinsel beard. Who knows, but it's a little creepy either way!

Mmmm...coffee

So every morning I brew up a couple cups of coffee, then sit at the computer reading e-mail and a few blogs while drinking the creamer laden goodness. Since it's December, it was time to break out the big Christmas mug. The one that cuts out the trip to the kitchen to refill. Why spend time refilling when there are all your blogs to read. :) What's in the cup today? Coffee from Holiday Peppermint beans that I ground this morning, 2 teaspoons of Splenda, and an obnoxious amount of peppermint mocha creamer. Have a great day!

It's started!

The Christmas season I mean. Dec. 1st and there is snow on the ground. The fall decorations are back in the attic. I've started putting out the decorations and the blog has received its Christmas makeover. There are many gifts to buy, cards to send, fudge to make...24 days left!

It's officially December!

Yes - we are back from Illinois

Yes - we had a fun time with family

Yes - I got up early on Black Friday to shop

No - I'm not anywhere near done shopping

No - I don't have any Christmas decorations up yet

Maybe - Will we get a real tree this year

Yes - I'm searching for something to put up on the blog tonight

In the meantime, enjoy this ridiculously cute photo of Rachel and my niece Makenna from this weekend.