December Tomatoes

This year we finally succeed with our tomatoes. It has been great eating fresh ones right out of the garden. The kids have loved learning how to pick them at the right time. The season started in late June and has continued....

December Tomatoes

Until Monday, December 5th and I believe these will be the last batch since the weather has turned really cold and we have had frost each morning this past week. I am sad to see our plants fall to winter. But all good things must come to an end.

How long until Spring???

Christmas Craft: Apple Cinnamon Ornaments

I love the smells of Christmas and this year is no different. However, I have problems creating them and keeping my house smelling festive. This year I found a recipe in a magazine for Mott's Applesauce & Cinnamon Ornaments. I couldn't resist trying them. As I mixed, stirred, and kneaded them they smelled wonderful. Baking them and cleaning up afterwards they smelled wonderful. Then came the time to string yarn through them and hang them up. Slowly the smell started to fade.

Cooling & Drying from the oven.

Decorating the tree

More decorating the house

By Monday morning the smell had faded altogether. Back to the drawing board for more ideas to make it smell like Christmas. Brown circles with yarn don't look very nice if they don't smell.

Thanksgiving 2011: Decorating

Friday was full of shopping, eating, and decorating. Dave braved the crowds and left at 6:00 am to do the shopping for the deals that were to good to miss. He scored and came home a few hours later with a smile and grin of success.

Then came the decorating...

Dave always does our main tree and this year was no different. The kids helped him with the setup and clean up. It looked wonderful.

Ryder had to wait until Saturday for me to start with the rest of the house. He wanted to get out the Baby Jesus.

Finally, Mom was ready to start. He found the nativity sets and eagerly brought each piece to me for display and commentary.

Mom, that is not right they need to talk to the Baby Jesus. Why are there two of them? They should be able to talk to each other. Mom, the sheeps need to up there. Why does he sleep in a scratchy bed? Why doesn't he have any pants? He was moving to fast that his pants kept falling down. Finally, they were setup to his satisfaction.

The Upside Down Tree.

Decorated by Rylee & Reganne. They did an awesome job all by themselves.

I quickly finished up the odds and ends, plus cleaned everything up and stored away the everyday decorations. Time for a rest.

One pooped little boy.

All the decorating really wore him out. I tried to wake him up for a shower, but no luck he slept straight through until 7:30 Sunday Morning. He promptly ran through the house checking all the decorations. Lucky for us they passed inspection.

This is only the start of the best time of year.

Thanksgiving Day 2011: The Food

Thanksgiving is a day to eat and give thanks for all we have. It's also the day I cook all morning, eat for 15 minutes, and then clean up all afternoon. This year was not different except I had additional help. Rylee wanted to help so she could learn how to cook. Ryder wanted to help because he was hungry. Decorating takes lots of energy and he was starving. Reganne just wanted to watch tv.

Our meal turned out awesome if I can compliment myself. Good food, good friends The Wheelers, and sunshine.


The cleanup took awhile to complete. Just as I sat down to read the Black Friday Ads the little voices came that they were hungry again.


This time for snacks & desserts

Rylee....All For Me

2nd round of desserts, treats, and snacks.

Dacoda & Reganne... No for us.

We all went downstairs and crashed in front of the tv to watch Zookeeper. A cute movie for a tired family & friends.

Is it time yet to decorate???

Thanksgiving Day 2011: The Lights

Ryder has been so excited about Thanksgiving this year and not for the turkey, but to decorate for Christmas. All week he has asked how many days until we can decorate and watch Polar Express?



He was up early on Thursday morning and once he discovered it was the day he had been waiting for there was no stopping him. He followed Dave around the house asking if it was time yet to start?

Ryder waiting outside the bathroom door for Dad.

Finally, it was time to start and he patiently followed Dave around the yard with at least a hundred questions.

Don't fall Dad.

New Santa Blow Up.

The end result, nighttime pictures are not the easiest.

Now the question is when are we decorating inside?

Jubilee of Trees: Fashion Show

Monday came with a flurry of getting ready for the Jubilee of Trees Fashion Show. Rylee & Reganne were so excited to model again this year. Ryder was excited to go, but not so sure of modeling for everyone. Dave decided to watch the store so Natalie and her daughter could participate.

How do we look?

Posed in front of Dad's tree.

Ryder with his NICU Poster

I was excited for him to see it. However, he wasn't impressed by it but made sure that the baby in the picture was indeed him.

Did I really sleep in one of these?

He was full of questions about the bed. Was I as small as the doll inside? No you were a little bigger. As we talked about the bed people walking by asked if he was the boy in the picture. The main question was is he ok now? Which he just looked at them and buried his face in my skirt. I then said yes, very normal.

Waiting for the show to start.

And waiting...

More waiting....

It was finally time and everyone did a good job showing off their outfits. No tripping or mooning the audience this year. As soon as we were off stage it was a mad dash back to school for the girls as to not miss any of the fun activities planned for the afternoon.

Dave worked into the night and Tuesday all day to complete the dismantling the trees and delivering them for the foundation. This is always a fun weekend, but we are always glad to see it come to an end.

I Am Decorating

Saturday is the time to pick up the house and especially the bedrooms. The kids finished after much procrastination and arguing. Rylee asked for tape. I went to investigate what she was doing. She posted a sign on her door to please sign in before entering. She taped the paper and pencil to the door.

The tape never seemed to reappear. I asked Rylee if she still had it? I don't know what the reply.

Ryder promptly told me it was on his desk. Why do you have it? I am decorating was his reply.

Here is his sign in sheet.

You have your choice of marker, crayon, pencil, and oops the last marker fell off.

If you missed that sign in. Here is another one with the added touch of pictures to color on.

I am thankful for creative kids, washable markers, and scotch tape comes off.