Got this from two people today ... and really enjoyed reading their responses. I do love Christmas, and I wouldn't want to be a SCROOGE, so I filled it out too! ENJOY ...
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper ... sometimes brown butcher paper that I decorate with stamps, glitter, etc. depending on time/how much energy I have.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Now, an artificial one. Growing up, a real one. Dad used all of us (visiting grandparents included) as "placeholders" out on the tree farm until we found the perfect tree (then he'd holler for us like a crazy person!)
3. When do you put up the tree? That's up to Dennis ... because it's QUITE an undertaking!
4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years ... there's a point where the tree that looked so charming sitting in the middle of your living room starts feeling like ... well, a giant tree in the middle of your living room.
5. Do you like eggnog? Not so much.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my Schwinn bike or my 10-speed bike (which was on Christmas ... good thing I "found it") or my cabbage patch doll (which was NOT on Christmas ... but it was one of my favorite gifts ... and Dad went through so much to get it).
7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad. He
thinks he's so easy to shop for ...
8. Easiest person to buy for? My mom ... IF she doesn't go out and buy the gift I'm thinking of, for herself, the week BEFORE Christmas! I know, isn't that awful!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? You mean a "nacimento?" Yes ... we actually have adopted Abby's Fontanini set her godmother, Jenn, gave her a few years ago.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. And most of you probably know about the holiday letter we MUST do each year ... blame it on my dad!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can I count all of the headache-inducing gifts Uncle Aaron has been giving the kids over the past five years ... just kidding Aaron ... but your chance is coming SOMEDAY!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to collect gifts all year long ... or at least have a list of ideas. I do most of my shopping as the holidays near though.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Sure have!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Almond Puff
16. Lights on the tree? White ... and bows ... and baby's breath.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Dennis and I have vowed to have Christmas at our house while the kids are young (for several reasons - traveling with gifts ... ugh! and Mr. Claus - to name a few). Someday we will surely travel to Iowa or other parts of Florida though. In the meantime, thanks to all of you for coming to us!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Do you want me to say them or sing them ... I can do both!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel ... and "isn't she lovely, folks!" (Dennis joke)
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Day ... all day!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Getting so wrapped up in the to-do list that I often forget to just enjoy the season ... and how magical it is for Abby and Tyler.
23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? We have such an assortment of ornaments. Mom and Dad gave me all of my ornaments from the early years ... and Dennis and I have started collections for Abby and Tyler as well. The ornaments on our tree are priceless (because of the memories) ... not because they are fragile!
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A low-key MORNING of opening gifts and sitting with my wonderful hubby, watching Abby and Tyler play with their favorites!
I have to admit ... Abby and Tyler were super-helpful when it came to trimming the tree this year. Yes - we did a bit of rearranging when they left the room (certain spots were "overpopulated") but they were very into decorating the tree this past weekend. Now, that's about as far as we've gotten in this house. I hurt my back earlier in the week, so the boxes with other decorations came DOWN from the attic, but that's where they've sat! Had to include this last picture in this post. I just LOVE Tyler's expression! Can we pack him in a box and keep him at this same adorable age until next Christmas? 
The rain couldn't dampen our spirits ... and it WAS fun ... for awhile. 
But this UF vs. FSU matchup didn't turn out as planned! Dad thought our Seminoles would perform much better in the rain (or maybe that the Gators wouldn't perform as well), but they kind of killed us! Noles ... here's to better luck in 2009 at the Swamp!
I plucked artwork from the wall behind me in this photo and auctioned it off (most pieces for a quarter or 50 cents) to the highest bidder. We had paddles of all shapes and sizes: FSU fans, shamrock diecuts, and princess wands! I thought I had it all figured out ... the artwork leaves our house (which is overflowing with masterpieces from these two artists) and the change collected is added to Abby's Penny Harvest collection (a charity being supported by her elementary school). The kids got really into it ... they were cheering on Grammy, Grandan and Nanny and were so proud when someone "won" their work of art. That is, until they realized bidding was fun for THEM too! 
We actually ended up buying several items from our OWN gallery! Thanks Grandan for upping the anty! Dennis had to put an I.O.U. in Abby's piggy back in order to buy a picture he could have grabbed off the wall that morning. But hey ... we had fun!
Then, at dinner, Abby and Tyler dressed up in their Thanksgiving garb and entertained US with all of the factoids they learned about the origin of the holiday. Can YOU name the captain of the Mayflower? 
It was a great dinner ... and of course, we paused to give thanks for all the blessings we have. There are too many to count ... but our friends and family top the list!
On Thanksgiving morning, we hit the streets early to participate in the annual Turkey Trot. Nanny was the only turkey (or maybe she was the smart one!) who didn't brave the cool temperatures that morning. But it was bright and sunny, which made the chill a bit more bearable. Grandan and I got the kids pepped up for their 1-mile Turkey Gobbler walk with Grammy and Dennis before we began stretching for our 5K. 
I believe these racers are ready to go ...
... and they're OFF! (well our family members were a ways back in the pack ... but they WERE there.)
No one told Tyler he didn't have to run. Apparently he hoofed it most of the way in his "jogging pants" and Dennis said he could have kept going! 
We were actually quite proud of both kids. Abby took about a 30-second break in the wagon (which was brought along as a precaution in case anyone pooped out or melted down ... it happens!) but otherwise, she was a trooper. 
Speaking of troopers ... so was Grandan! He accompanied me for my first-ever 5K! I was feeling pretty confident about my decision to run the longer race ... until Thanksgiving morning that is. That's when I realized I must gave mashed potatoes for brains. I had never in my life run a mile OR even a half mile without stopping to walk (and I'm a pretty fast walker ... but NOT a runner by any means!) Dad was so encouraging. He told me stories all along the route (!), and we ran the entire first mile without stopping, then ran the majority of the next two miles (walking for a minute or two when necessary). I kept apologizing to Dad ... who would have been fine jogging much faster, but he was so patient. I never have checked our actual time, but the race clock said just under 37 minutes ... and that was when the first (much faster) running started the run.
Seeing the kids as we rounded the bend to the finishing line ... cheering us on ... was just great!
Thanks Dad for helping me accomplish this goal ... and thanks Dennis for putting up with my pre-race jitters (whining) that morning! To celebrate, we hurried back to the Little Yellow House for a lovely brunch ... and a few mimosas!
