Christmas

ready for the marathon gift opening!



The boys had a wonderful Christmas. They got all they wanted and then some. Mommy had to talk with Zane after he opened his first present from Santa. He threw the gift down, crossed his arms, scowled and said this was not what he asked Santa for. Obviously Zane had ideas about Christmas and the first present did not live up to what he thought. But after I talked with him about Santa giving him what he asked and then other presents he might like Zane warmed up to the idea of opening more presents. Then he was like a kid in a candy store. Oohhing and Aahhing with every gift.

Jesus Is the Reason

Another family tradition is the annual "Walk Thru Bethlehem" at a local church. This is a free event. All volunteers from the church. It is only for four days. And baby Jesus is always the main attraction.





The Roman guards at the gate waiting to harass those people who need to enter Bethlehem.












The "harlots" at the well with the guards.












Carpenters












Potters












The Shepherds













The Three Wise Men












The kids(with Joshua and Shawn).

Christmas Lane 2009

Ahhh....Christmas! And all the family traditions that come along with the Holiday. The kiddies and I have been going to a place called Christmas Lane for several years now. For my non local readers....Christmas Lane is a personal home that someone has decorated with tens of thousands of lights. They bring in Santa every year. They sell hot cocoa and popcorn. They have a small train ride for the younger folks. Carollers can be heard belting out Holiday tunes. And best of all....it is free!!!

Let's All Go To the Parade!!

Once again we attended the annual Lakeland Christmas parade. The only one not attending this year was Leslie. Darn that job of hers!!! She just was not able to figure out how to skip work. And that was a shame because the parade was excellent this year. Just the right mix of cold air and wind to make it nice but not freezing. Along with some eye catching and fun floats. Take a look below.












This is the start of the parade with the motorcycle cops going in circles with their light and sirens blaring. I like how I captured the moment.












Look!!!!! It's Mickey and Minnie!! Gotta love those mice.












The Golden Arches. I'm Lovin It!!












Let's Get Naughty!!! Who remembers those days???












I do not remember what this represents but I liked how the people were inside the snowglobe. Kinda unique ...huh??












Ohhhhh Look....Can it be???!! Plato the Publixsaurus!! This is the first time my family and I can rememebr Publix being in the parade. Now why you ask is this such a big deal. Ummmm hello....Lakeland is their hometown!!! This is a long time coming....should've been much sooner than later. I hope they keep up the tradition.













May the Force be with you












This got my kids going. It reminded them that it is almost Monster Truck time. Oh yea baby!













This one is for you Les! Missed you. (oh and by the way...another first timer in the parade).












And always last but never least.........."Who has reindeer pull his sleigh"??













Must be Santa......Must be Santa....Must be Santa.....Santa Claus!!! (it's a song people.....geesh!!)

Gobble Gobble Gobble

The boys celebrated Thanksgiving at school this past week each in their own unique classroom way. Here is a peek at what they did.




Zane makes one good looking turkey!













Trey the pilgrim boy!

A Look Into The Life of Zane

Zane has been quite the busy little man these days. He is in preschool which means tons and tons of activities to keep his days full of fun. And mine as well.



Here is Zane having his Red, White and Blue Parade. This is where the four year olds get to ride their bike or scooter around the parking area. Zane chose his scooter. The kids also make shirts to commemorate the day. Why the school has it in the middle of October is beyond me. I just go with the flow and don't ask.

















Another activity he did at school was the Fall Festival. His preschool does not acknowledge Halloween instead they celebrate Fall.








And last but definitely too cute and sweet is Zane hanging out with Gypsy in the dogs crate. Yes, Zane can be found in the dogs home during any given day. Strange child indeed!

Good Grief!

The boys school had a pumpkin contest where they had to make a book character out of a pumpkin. Any size and shape just no carving. Evan decided on Snoopy. While looking through our book collection Trey choose Woodstock. The boys made them together from the Thanksgiving Snoopy book. I think they are adorable. And we still have them on the front porch if you are so inclined to see them up close and personal.

Fall Festival

Besides Halloween, the kiddies got to enjoy wearing their costumes for other Fall events. Like our church, BayLife, annual Fall Festival. It was a fun night filled with games and friends.

Halloween

Since this Halloween was on a weekend night(again) the kiddies and I headed to a friends house for treat or treating. It is nice going with a group. I got to relax and just walk with the kiddies. I was not in charge. In fact I hung out in the back of the pack and watched. I watched all fourteen(not including baby Tybee)kids rush up to doors and overwhelm the people. But hey...it is Halloween...what do they expect.

















It was a hot and very humid night so most of the kiddies were tired and wanted to end the candy feast. But a few strong and brave trick or treaters wanted to continue the nights journey. These babes are the remaining few who braved more houses for more candy. Notice two of them were mine.

Apology

I am giving my apologies to my loyal readers(all one of you). I have been amiss of my blog. I have thought many times of blogging but then I just don't. For no good reason other than I have been lazy. Procrastination is my middle name if you have not heard. Well.....I have had a reason or two for not blogging if you really want to hear(or read them). I have started substituting at a couple of elementary schools in the area. Only about two days a week. Pile that on top of my father is in a nursing home right now. My sister and I have vowed to visit him at least once a week. That is three days in the week I am super busy. The other two it seems as though I have had school activities or household chores. The weekends seem to fly by with church and kiddie activities. Whew......that makes one tired, unorganized and crazed mom. I am trying to get used to working and being out of the house so much after seven years being home. I am doing it all I just have had to put a few things on the back burner....blogs and friend interactions(yes I have neglected my human counterparts and they are grumbling ...can't you hear them!!!). But I promise my loyal and steadfast readers. I will not neglect you again(well at least not for 2009.....too many pic moments I must recap).

Georgia

The family went on a mini weekend getaway. We went to Georgia for hubby's bike ride. The Six Gap. It was a great weekend. The kids were good, the weather awesome and hubby's ride the best ever yet(more on this in a later blog). The kids got to pick apples from an apple orchard and visit a waterall. We saw pumpkins and corn. And the kids and I went on a gold mine tour when DH was riding. The kids also got to pan for gold and gem stones. All in all a great weekend.












Gold Mine Tour