So, last Saturday we ventured over to the elementary school for the annual Santa Breakfast. They had Santa there for pictures, yummy pancakes, a silent auction and candy house making. It was a lot of fun for everyone, especially the kids who didn't want to leave.

After the breakfast we made our way over to the Virginia Tech Surplus Auction. This is our new discovery and there are some great finds here. We were hoping to be able to win some of the clothes that they auction off but the other bidders had other ideas. Oh well.

After the auction we packed up and got in the car for a lovely drive to Tennessee. We visited Troy and Stacy and had lots and lots of fun! We brought the kids to see the Speedway in Lights at Bristol Motor Speedway. This was an EXPERIENCE! Thank goodness we were in good company because we sat in a line of cars waiting for 4 hours before we even got in to see the lights! The lights were fantastic (even though Tabitha slept through it). They donate all of the admission frees to children's charities so it was definitely worth the money. If you are every down in that area you should "stop by" and see it, maybe on a weekday though.

Thank you Troy and Stacy for your hospitality and giving up your whole evening!

The Santa Picture Experience

So here is Santa. Sitting, happy, waiting for children to come and take pictures with him. Then, come our children . . .

Ethan, move, we can't see your sister! Let's take your picture . . .

Ok, really? Are you serious? Poor Santa, not even allowed in the picture.

Yea! Merry Christmas!

Our "Baby House" Christmas Tree

We were very excited this year to be able to have a "different" kind of Christmas tree in Blacksburg. Thank you Nana for the beautiful tree!

The Elf Yourself Video - Remember to pause the music down below on the right so that you can hear the music from the video!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I don't want to move you down the page . . .

So, this is what I have to say. I have been struggling with moving my Grandmother down the page. I like her here, at the top. I can visit, see her whenever I want and I always know her picture will be here. My new dilema is moving her down. Every time you post something new, the old posts get moved down the page. I have so many new pictures and things to say but in order to do that I have to let Grandma go. She has to move down the page. So this is me, letting go, letting her move down. I am encouraging myself to embrace the fact that even though she is gone she is still with us. Her spirit is here. My Grandmother would want to hear all the new things the kids were doing and see the new pictures we had taken. So this is for me and you Grandma. Grandma, you move down and I will keep you in my heart, always.

By the way, my Grandmother would have really gotten a kick out of the elf video posted abovt. Thank you Amy for sharing the video you made of "the brothers". I stole your idea!

I will miss you Grandma . . .

On Sunday, November 23rd we lost my Grandmother. She was 74 and had 8 children, 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. My Grandmother was an amazing person. Our hearts are broken.

To Grandma,

I will miss you being here.
I will miss your smile.
I will miss the way you laughed.
I will miss your open heart and strong character.
I will miss the way you kissed us on the cheek before saying goodbye.
I will miss the way you looked at your great-grandchildren.
I will miss hearing how much you won at the track.
I will miss hearing how much the last lottery ticket brought you.
I will miss your cooking .
I will miss how you let every stray in (human and animal).
I will miss you on Christmas like I did on Thanksgiving.
I will miss you when our family is together.
I will miss you at every birthday Tabitha and Ethan have.
I will miss your mashed potatoes.
I will miss your love of slot machines.
I will miss all of the stories I didn't get to hear.
I will miss how you rearranged the furniture every day, it seemed.
I will miss your sense of humor.
I will miss your strength and persistence.
I will miss seeing you and Grandpa together.
I will miss how you loved your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Most of all, I will miss you!

Every day I will think about you. You were an amazing Grandmother and Great-Grandmother.