Music City Bowl

If you have time and the Music City Bowl is airing in your area be on the look out for Eric and Ethan!! Eric got tickets through work and they will be on the 50 yard line in the FRONT ROW!! They are seated on Boston's side so keep your eyes open :)

Christmas... a bit delayed

Ok so I'm finally going to post about how Christmas went at the Joki house. Can you believe Mom and Dad woke up before the kids??? I know, strange right? Well we woke up and called for Ethan as we couldn't wait to see his face- and what does he give me- NOTHING!! I told him, look Santa came and he say "I know", silly boy. Well he came downstairs and took in all the presents and became more excited after that.


Here is what our house looked like first thing Christmas morning... pretty cozy right???



Well, we were expecting Papa and Cathy to show up any time but we could tell Ethan was excited so we let him go ahead and do this...







Which seemed to appease him a bit :) When Papa and Cathy finally arrived they brought with them donuts... bless them... and also lots more presents. This is what our house looked like after their arrival...

Then we proceeded with the unwrapping of gifts and all chaos broke out, just look...

Adalyn had more fun picking up the paper than unwrapping gifts...

We all got wonderful presents this year, and had a lovely day. After presents we were treated to pancakes and sausage courtesy of Papa and Cathy and spent a wonderful day together as family. Though we missed those that couldn't be here with us (Ryan and Emily and my whole family) it was a good day filled with happiness.

I hope you all were as lucky as us this Christmas.

Busy...

Sorry for the lack of posting... it has been a busy week! I plan to do a Christmas post as soon as I am able to sit at the computer long enough to do so. Till then, I hope everyone had a wonderful Chrismas... I know we did!

Happy New Year!!

Christmas Eve...

The children are nestled all snug in their beds...

The letters to Santa have all been written (for those that can't tell, Ethan has asked for a computer and love for Christmas)

The reindeer have all been fed... (oatmeal and glitter go a long way!)

Santa's cookies are out... (thanks Mom!)

and have been eaten...

The stockings are stuffed...

Santa has visited..

and the presents are under the tree...

Now Mommy is tired and headed to bed...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Not Me Monday!

Ok so I'm finally going to jump on the bandwagon and join in Mckmama's blog carnival and tell you all about the things I most certainly did not do this week. Hop on over to Mckmama's blog and check out what others are not doing as well!

• I did not put Ethan to bed at his normal bedtime, even though he had earned the right to stay up half an hour late by doing all his chores, just so that I could have some peace and quiet to wrap presents... what kind of Mom would do that?


• I did not order a Christmas present for Eric online only to stress that when it arrived at our house he would see it an open it before Christmas. I also did not yell at him on the phone when he did indeed see the package arrive to not open it!! A smart person would have just had it delivered to her work address... right?


• I was not so busy this week that I realized on Friday that my daughter had not had a bath... all week long... ewwwwwwww!!! Of course, if I had done that I would have quickly rectified the situation...

• I also did not get all choked up about selling our house when our neighbors, who are really more like family than friends, came over with Christmas gifts. It also did not make the situation even worse that the gift that was given to me was a beautiful church that was taken from their personal collection so that "every year we will think of them when we put it out". How can we possibly move away from such lovely people- are we completely crazy! We love you Bud and Debbie!

So what have you not done this week???????

Teachable moment...

So this morning as I was driving the kids to daycare on my way to work, Ethan and I were listening to Christmas music. Well, Away In a Manger came on the radio. Here is the conversation that followed:

Me: Ethan, did you know this song is about the day Jesus was born. You know that is what Christmas is about right?

Ethan: Mom, Christmas is not allllll about God. (said in a "I know what I'm talking about way") What about Santa?

Me: No Ethan, Christmas IS all about God, it is the day Jesus was born and it's all about celebrating his birthday. The reason we give gifts on Christmas is to celebrate that. Santa just helps.

Ethan: Oh, ok. (and his mind was on to something else already!!)

Wordless Wednesday

BooMama Christmas Tour of Homes

So, this is my first attempt at doing a blog carnival but this one looked like so much fun I had to try. So, over at BooMama's blog she is hosting a Christmas Tour of Homes. Here is a peak at what we've done in our home!

The tree... I love our tree. I used to want the perfect tree, you know the one, all the ornaments match, everything is just so, and I had that tree for awhile. Mine was all red and gold with spiraling ribbon coming from a huge bow on top. I was great! Then I met Eric and we aquired this wonderful tree with it's colorful lights and it screamed fun not formal. So now we have ornaments of all shapes and sizes and most have a meaning- first Christmas ornaments and wedding ornanments and engagement ornaments- even a "parents-to-be" ornament. And without further ado, here is the tree...



And here is the fireplace. I can't take credit for the design as this is the same set-up that Eric's Mom had on her fireplace the last Christmas we had with her. Every time I look at it I think of her.



And the tinsel tree that used to be Eric's Mom's as well. It's really pretty as it rotates around with the different colors bouncing off the silver branches.

First with the flash...



And without...




And you must have a tree in the kitchen... right? Mine is decorated with gingerbread ornaments, too cute!




And the centerpiece on our table. I can't take credit for this either as it was given to me after a party for a dear friend as he graduated from police academy. I loved it and decided it needed to be on my table!



And the garland on our railing to the loft. Not the best picture but I couldn't get a good angle.




Well, I hope you enjoyed the tour of the Joki house. I had fun sharing! Now check out BooMamma's blog and share your own tour!

How could anyone not just love this face????

Check this out...

Wow, what a wonderful opportunity to try to win something great PLUS give to 3 great causes! Check out Mckmama's site for this great raffle and to learn more about the cause you could help.