photo shoot

At the rate we're going

this will be the closest we get to a Christmas card this year!

I am still optimistic...

BUT, Brad has crossed that item off his list!  :)

He normally writes our letter, 

so Momma J will have to step in this year.  

Yikes.

On Friday,

as Daddy went to get our Family Night dinner,

{pizza...again!}

I asked the girls if they wanted to try for a good Christmas picture.

They said yes.

WOOHOO.

That NEVER happens.

So, here's a peek at what we got...

What a pair of cutie pies!

What most of the pictures looked like...

Thought this was precious...

shows how Beks looks at her big sister most of the time!   :)

Someone was jealous...

PAY. ATTENTION. TO. ME.

{so neglected!}

Cute, but naughty.

I'm pretty sure which list he is on!

snack time...

They handled snack time by themselves today.

Um, no.  Those aren't their pjs.

Pickled okra juice...anyone?  What?  No takers?

And they say Folger's is good to the last drop.

Apparently, my girls are more connoisseurs of the green stuff.  

Pickles were on the menu too!

Mmmmmm...this face says it all.

But, it didn't stop her!

And the littlest...she couldn't be left out!

New skill of the day:

Abby can now give piggyback rides.

Homeschooling at its best.

Stick around, there's more...oh, so much more!

GameStop's: Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to:http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?

That we will enjoy the season and all it means.  That this Christmas will bring us closer to God, and that we will glorify Him by taking care of those who are in need. 

2. What is your Christmas morning / Hanukkah Nightly tradition?

Orange rolls!  

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?

Hmmm...an overnight trip to a spa, on a beach or a mountain, a stack of good books, and little drinks with umbrellas.

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?

We spend lots of time making handmade gifts/cards for people.  We love our crafts!!  Plus, we snuggle in and read/watch all our favorite Christmas stories & movies! 

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?

Trivial Pursuit, BINGO, Monopoly, all the oldies, but goodies!

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?

Christmas Eve Pajamas!!!  LOVE THEM!  :)

7. Where would you go for a Christmas/Hanukkah-away-from-home trip?

CO or IL...IF we're going to go somewhere, it'll be to see family!!

8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?

1.  Like EVERYONE else...Kinect!

2.  Just Dance {or Dance Dance Revolution} for the Wii--yes, I am 10!!!

3.  PSP for the oldest

Go get your list going & you could win ALL your Christmas presents & then some this year!!

This December...

I'm hoping and praying that we make it something special.  Something more.

We have lots going on around here...

Our Jesse Tree

{can you see the sparkles?!}

This busy little girl...

love her so very much.

As Abby & I worked on math, 

she worked on some beehive formation!

The first person to put clothes on every day.

Addicted to chapstick.

And velvet art.

Can quietly & happily play longer by herself than any 2-year-old this momma knows.

Precious girlies working together.

We see it more & more...

kindness.

Playing together.  Loving each other.

It fills this momma's bucket every day!

{okay, and we sure still have our moments!!}

Hours & hours have already been spent decorating

and assembling...

{many thanks, Auntie Sharm!}

Precious, precious friendship...

gives you hope that this military thing won't totally mess up our kiddos!

And can anyone tell me why the dog is on the couch???

Candyland anyone??

Skype game playing...VA & AL.

Thank you God,

 for this technology that allowed these girlies to hang out for 3 {YES, 3!!} hours!!

AL side of the game...

We are opening our Christmas books and movies daily...much to the delight of everyone!

Day 2 for our giving project tomorrow--girlies are involved in what we're giving and sharing with others.

Pray that they will learn to see the abundant blessings in their lives.  Daily.