We pray each of you have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and New Year!
...from the Fosters – Lance, Heidi, Riley and Owen
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas Baking
We baked last weekend at Nanny's house (my Mom). We made Divinity, Gingerbread Cookies, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Toffee, Praline, Sausage Balls and Monkey Munch. The pictures are of the boys all decorating their gingerbread men and one of them stirring the monkey munch.
We did more baking yesterday with Nana and made lots of cookies. They all decorated another gingerbread man and also made lots of chocolate chip and M&M cookies. Somehow I forgot my camera yesterday, but hopefully Nana will share some of her pics with me that I can post here. She had the cutest aprons for each of the kids all with matching hats. Owen's was Santa, Riley wore the Gingerbread one, Abby's was a cupcake, Kalyee a puppy and Tyler's was red/white checked. Very cute!
Here are pics from last weekend at Nanny's:
We did more baking yesterday with Nana and made lots of cookies. They all decorated another gingerbread man and also made lots of chocolate chip and M&M cookies. Somehow I forgot my camera yesterday, but hopefully Nana will share some of her pics with me that I can post here. She had the cutest aprons for each of the kids all with matching hats. Owen's was Santa, Riley wore the Gingerbread one, Abby's was a cupcake, Kalyee a puppy and Tyler's was red/white checked. Very cute!
Here are pics from last weekend at Nanny's:
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Polar Express
*** 12/22/08 - UPDATED WITH PICTURES ***
I'll add pictures later. A stomach bug is making it's way through our house this week. This is all I could muster up the energy to publish today...
Wow! What a fun day we had on Saturday. As I’d mentioned, we drove up to Chattanooga to ride on the ‘Polar Express’ train Saturday evening. It was one of those experiences that I know the kids will remember for a long time.
We boarded the train in our pajamas about 5:30pm. Soon after we boarded and got settled in our seats, the hostesses made their way down the aisle serving everyone a gingerbread cookie and a YooHoo! Owen was quick to notice that these cookies they served us, which were made in by Santa’s chef and served with ‘magic dust’ sprinkles, looked suspiciously liked the Little Debbie ones we had at home. I think I was able to convince him that although they looked similar, ours at home certainly didn’t have Santa’s magic dust.
After the train departed the station and we oo-ed and ahh-ed over the light displays outside our windows, the story-teller came out and read The Polar Express and she walked up and down the aisle. It helped that the kids had all just watched the movie on the ride up in PawPaw and Nana’s Navigator, so it was all fresh in their mind. Owen wondered if the conductor would be by to punch our ticket. And Abby asked about whether we would go down the out-of-control hill they did in the movie.
Soon after the story ended, we heard the locomotive whistle blow which they’d already told us meant we were about to enter the ‘magic tunnel’. Once we made our way through the tunnel we were in the North Pole. Soon we were seeing Santa’s Workshop and feeding stations for each of the reindeer. We even made a dramatic stop when one of the pesky reindeer decided to block the tracks. In a few minutes, Santa’s came into view as he stood track-side and waved at all the passengers. Once our train came to a stop, he boarded the train.
He started at the back of the train and began making his way row by row, to greet each kid and sit with them for a few minutes. When he got to Riley and Owen, he took a few items from their list but then really focused on making sure they knew they must behave and be very good if they were to get any gifts on Christmas morning. Before he moved on, he gave them each a high-five and let them sit on his knee for Daddy to take a few pictures. He really did a great job with all the kids and gave each child a silver bell to remember him by.
Once Santa left our car, Mrs. Clause joined us. She led the kids in several Christmas Carols and even had Tyler lead everyone in a song and then picked Riley to lead one as well. I don't know why I would have expected anything different, but Riley loved the microphone. Definately doesn't get that from his Momma!
That was it, soon we were back at the depot and our trip to the North Pole was over. We stopped at Cracker Barrell for dinner and then hit the road to head home. What a fun day!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Busy Time of Year
Like I'm sure it is for each of you, this year is very busy at our house. We did enjoy a somewhat lazy Saturday last weekend. We decorated our house and tree but did so in our pajamas. I don't think any of us put on clothes until at least 4pm. After that we headed to see Santa and grab a bite to eat.
Sunday we went to my company Christmas party. It was fun. I always enjoy meeting the spouses and children of all my coworkers. Some I'd met before, but many I hadn't. There are LOTS of babies in our group. I think we counted and in the last 5 years there have been something like 15 babies born among the 30 employees in the IT Network groups. I guess we were destined to be next. There have already been at least 3 born this year and I know of at least one other besides myself that is due in 2009.
This weekend is going to be busy but should be a lot of fun. The boys are heading to PawPaw and Nanny's to help setup their Christmas tree and spend the night. I think Nanny is nuts asking for all 7 of her grandkids on one night! I hope to get a lot of my shopping done tonight after I drop them off.
Tomorrow we are going to Chattanooga with the Fosters to ride the Polar Express train. It should be a lot of fun. Everyone wears their pajamas and the kids are fed cookies and milk while a story teller reads The Polar Express on our train ride to the North Pole. Once we reach the North Pole, Santa boards the train and rides back to the station with us, greeting all the kids and listening to what they want this year.
Sunday after church we are heading back over to Nanny's to do our Christmas baking.
See what I mean, busy, but all fun stuff. I'm looking forward to it all. I'm just not sure how the laundry will get done or the house cleaned in between all the fun stuff. I'm sure we'll manage.
No word yet on Riley's baptism. We will meet with our pastor one day next week and pick a date then.
I pray each of you are enjoying an equally fun Christmas season. I have to remind myself to pause and remember the true meaning for this celebration, Jesus!
Sunday we went to my company Christmas party. It was fun. I always enjoy meeting the spouses and children of all my coworkers. Some I'd met before, but many I hadn't. There are LOTS of babies in our group. I think we counted and in the last 5 years there have been something like 15 babies born among the 30 employees in the IT Network groups. I guess we were destined to be next. There have already been at least 3 born this year and I know of at least one other besides myself that is due in 2009.
This weekend is going to be busy but should be a lot of fun. The boys are heading to PawPaw and Nanny's to help setup their Christmas tree and spend the night. I think Nanny is nuts asking for all 7 of her grandkids on one night! I hope to get a lot of my shopping done tonight after I drop them off.
Tomorrow we are going to Chattanooga with the Fosters to ride the Polar Express train. It should be a lot of fun. Everyone wears their pajamas and the kids are fed cookies and milk while a story teller reads The Polar Express on our train ride to the North Pole. Once we reach the North Pole, Santa boards the train and rides back to the station with us, greeting all the kids and listening to what they want this year.
Sunday after church we are heading back over to Nanny's to do our Christmas baking.
See what I mean, busy, but all fun stuff. I'm looking forward to it all. I'm just not sure how the laundry will get done or the house cleaned in between all the fun stuff. I'm sure we'll manage.
No word yet on Riley's baptism. We will meet with our pastor one day next week and pick a date then.
I pray each of you are enjoying an equally fun Christmas season. I have to remind myself to pause and remember the true meaning for this celebration, Jesus!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thanksgiving
We've had a great week. Sad to see it coming to an end and know that as our heads hit the pillow tonight, we'll return to our 'regularly scheduled programs' tomorrow. Lance and I had a great time last night at the Zac Brown concert and I think the boys had an equally good time at their sleep-over with Nana and PawPaw.
Our week kicked into celebration mode on Tuesday with Lance's birthday. The boys were kind enough to wake him at 7am with homemade cards and specially wrapped presents. We had bought poster boards for each the previous weekend and they had labored 2 nights with glitter paint, water colors, markers and stickers to make just the perfect cards for their Dad. Definately keepsakes! Owen also picked out a nice new, red coffee-mug for his Dad and Riley bought him a UGA fleece blanket. When I got home from work, I surprised him with a new Gerber knife and the tickets for the show we saw last night. I think he had a great day. We ended with a celebratory dinner at Longhorn with Lance's parents, who were celebrating their anniversary which falls on the same date as Lance's birthday. Before we went to bed we had to sample the chocolate/sprinkles cake that the boys and I had made for him on Monday night.
Thursday was another special Thanksgiving. We had lunch with the Helton's and then supper with the Foster's. Of course we didn't over eat, why do you ask? Really, it was a great day with all of our family and of course great food too. And aside from all the food, the highlight of any special gather day for the boys is always seeing all of their cousins and getting in lots of play time.
Friday Mom, Alice, Aunt Amelia, Kaitlyn, Nathan, Owen and I all did our traditional shopping trip. We hit I think 5-6 stores and made a little dent in our Christmas shopping lists. I left it up to my boys who would go and who would stay home and I was right in guessing that Riley would choose to stay home with Daddy and Owen wanted to shop with me. We ended the night with dinner at Red Lobster thanks to Aunt Amelia.
Saturday and Sunday were mostly spent hanging out at home. It was nice since it rained most of both days and gave us a good excuse to take naps, eat leftovers and watch football. We also managed to do a little garage cleaning, clean out the boys closets and dressers from out of size clothes and get most of the laundry caught up.
See what I mean? A good week. We had a few fun, busy, family days mixed in with a couple of lazy, rainy days. I can't think of a more perfect combination. I only wish all of my weekends were 4 days long so I could squeeze it all in each week.
Now the countown begins for Christmas. I really enjoy this time of year so I'll do my best not to let the money and shopping lists stress me out. It's too easy to get wrapped up in all that and forget the real reason for this season. I hope each of you had an equally wonderful Thanksgiving week!
Our week kicked into celebration mode on Tuesday with Lance's birthday. The boys were kind enough to wake him at 7am with homemade cards and specially wrapped presents. We had bought poster boards for each the previous weekend and they had labored 2 nights with glitter paint, water colors, markers and stickers to make just the perfect cards for their Dad. Definately keepsakes! Owen also picked out a nice new, red coffee-mug for his Dad and Riley bought him a UGA fleece blanket. When I got home from work, I surprised him with a new Gerber knife and the tickets for the show we saw last night. I think he had a great day. We ended with a celebratory dinner at Longhorn with Lance's parents, who were celebrating their anniversary which falls on the same date as Lance's birthday. Before we went to bed we had to sample the chocolate/sprinkles cake that the boys and I had made for him on Monday night.
Thursday was another special Thanksgiving. We had lunch with the Helton's and then supper with the Foster's. Of course we didn't over eat, why do you ask? Really, it was a great day with all of our family and of course great food too. And aside from all the food, the highlight of any special gather day for the boys is always seeing all of their cousins and getting in lots of play time.
Friday Mom, Alice, Aunt Amelia, Kaitlyn, Nathan, Owen and I all did our traditional shopping trip. We hit I think 5-6 stores and made a little dent in our Christmas shopping lists. I left it up to my boys who would go and who would stay home and I was right in guessing that Riley would choose to stay home with Daddy and Owen wanted to shop with me. We ended the night with dinner at Red Lobster thanks to Aunt Amelia.
Saturday and Sunday were mostly spent hanging out at home. It was nice since it rained most of both days and gave us a good excuse to take naps, eat leftovers and watch football. We also managed to do a little garage cleaning, clean out the boys closets and dressers from out of size clothes and get most of the laundry caught up.
See what I mean? A good week. We had a few fun, busy, family days mixed in with a couple of lazy, rainy days. I can't think of a more perfect combination. I only wish all of my weekends were 4 days long so I could squeeze it all in each week.
Now the countown begins for Christmas. I really enjoy this time of year so I'll do my best not to let the money and shopping lists stress me out. It's too easy to get wrapped up in all that and forget the real reason for this season. I hope each of you had an equally wonderful Thanksgiving week!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Go Tech!
Go Georgia Tech! Georgia Tech beat Georgia today 48 to 45. After 7 years of losing to UGA, I had to include today's score in my blog. Of course with 3 UGA fans in this house and myself being the single Tech fan, it was maybe even a little sweeter. Is it wrong that I enjoyed watching both my sons and my husband grumble and pout after the game :)
With that part of the day behind us, Lance and I are heading to see the Zac Brown Band tonight in Athens. The tickets were part of Lance's birthday gift from me. The boys are excited to be heading to PawPaw and Nana's to spend the night and Lance and I are looking forward to an adult only night with some great music.
More on our Thanksgiving weekend and Lance's birthday later. For now, it's time to drop off the kids and head out for a fun date night.
With that part of the day behind us, Lance and I are heading to see the Zac Brown Band tonight in Athens. The tickets were part of Lance's birthday gift from me. The boys are excited to be heading to PawPaw and Nana's to spend the night and Lance and I are looking forward to an adult only night with some great music.
More on our Thanksgiving weekend and Lance's birthday later. For now, it's time to drop off the kids and head out for a fun date night.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My New Brother
That's right. I have a new brother. A new brother in Christ. And it's so special that he's my son too. Riley thought it was so cool that he is now a 'brother' to Lance and I. I think it's pretty darn cool too. Thank you, Jesus!
Sunday night, Lance had gone to his brothers to play cards with him and some of his former youth group. The boys and I were home watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. One of the designers was doing a little commentary about how they were helping out this family that was in need. Riley said to me, "Mom, I can tell he's a Christian." I said, "You can? What does that mean? What is a Christian?" He went on to tell me that he must be a Christian because he was doing something nice for someone (obviously oblivious to the fact that this designer probably gets paid big bucks to do this nice deed, but that's OK). I just responded, "Yeah, your right. Christians do do nice things for other people. And he is doing something nice, he might be a Christian." A few minutes later he asked if he (Riley) was a Christian and I tried to explain that he wasn't one yet, but when he was ready and older it was something he could do. His reply, "Well if I'm not a Christian, does that mean I'm a democrat?" Too funny! Obviously he's heard one too many political conversations this election year. Anyway, I told him it didn't mean that at all and we went on and finished watching the show.
Thirty minutes or so later as we were doing our bedtime routine and saying bedtime prayers, Riley started asking more questions. I really hesitated. Not sure if he really understood or was old enough to take this step and especially didn't want to go on with this without Lance. He insisted! He was ready and he didn't want to go to bed without becoming a Christian first. He said he'd just wait up for his Dad and we could do it then. Well we ended up making 2-3 phone calls to Lance instead and before his head hit his pillow, he was my brother in Christ. Oh how special that is! He, Owen and I sat on his bedroom floor, held hands and he repeated after me the sinnners prayer. We talked some more before he went to bed again trying to make sure he really understood.
Lance had to teach Monday night, which means another night where we couldn't really have a family discussion since we only pass each other for about 30 minutes as he leaves as soon as I get home. Tuesday night though, we sat at the kitchen table and talked with Riley. Lance and I both just really needed to be sure he understood what he was doing and what it all meant. We went through a series of scriptures my youth minister, Chip, had given me a long time ago to help lead someone to Christ. The first one talks about why we need him and then the next explains what he did for us and then one that tells what we have to do to get to him and finally last verse talks about the glory of heaven and the hope we all have as Christians. I've had them written in inside cover of my Bible and they were a great guide in helping my 7 year old understand what it means to become a Christian.
Below are the verses if you are interested. I have the first one written in the cover of my Bible and then the next one written at the bottom of the page where the first one is found and so on. That way you can turn from one to the next without having to go back to a list at the front.
1. John 1:14 - Revalation
2. John 3:3 - Need
3. John 3:16 - Response
4. John 3:36 - Consequences
5. John 10:28 - Security
6. John 11:25-26 - Hope
We talked to our pastor tonight about baptism. He has a workbook he likes kids to complete about baptism and salvation, we'll get that from him on Sunday. Once he works through the book we'll schedule a conference with the pastor and again make sure Riley is clear on what he's doing. Then we'll pick a Sunday for the baptism. What an awesome thing to experience. No doubt a moment that not only he will remember for the rest of his life, but Lance and I will as well. My son, my baby boy is now a fellow Christian, my brother in Christ.
I love you, Riley! Mama and Daddy are so proud of you!
Sunday night, Lance had gone to his brothers to play cards with him and some of his former youth group. The boys and I were home watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. One of the designers was doing a little commentary about how they were helping out this family that was in need. Riley said to me, "Mom, I can tell he's a Christian." I said, "You can? What does that mean? What is a Christian?" He went on to tell me that he must be a Christian because he was doing something nice for someone (obviously oblivious to the fact that this designer probably gets paid big bucks to do this nice deed, but that's OK). I just responded, "Yeah, your right. Christians do do nice things for other people. And he is doing something nice, he might be a Christian." A few minutes later he asked if he (Riley) was a Christian and I tried to explain that he wasn't one yet, but when he was ready and older it was something he could do. His reply, "Well if I'm not a Christian, does that mean I'm a democrat?" Too funny! Obviously he's heard one too many political conversations this election year. Anyway, I told him it didn't mean that at all and we went on and finished watching the show.
Thirty minutes or so later as we were doing our bedtime routine and saying bedtime prayers, Riley started asking more questions. I really hesitated. Not sure if he really understood or was old enough to take this step and especially didn't want to go on with this without Lance. He insisted! He was ready and he didn't want to go to bed without becoming a Christian first. He said he'd just wait up for his Dad and we could do it then. Well we ended up making 2-3 phone calls to Lance instead and before his head hit his pillow, he was my brother in Christ. Oh how special that is! He, Owen and I sat on his bedroom floor, held hands and he repeated after me the sinnners prayer. We talked some more before he went to bed again trying to make sure he really understood.
Lance had to teach Monday night, which means another night where we couldn't really have a family discussion since we only pass each other for about 30 minutes as he leaves as soon as I get home. Tuesday night though, we sat at the kitchen table and talked with Riley. Lance and I both just really needed to be sure he understood what he was doing and what it all meant. We went through a series of scriptures my youth minister, Chip, had given me a long time ago to help lead someone to Christ. The first one talks about why we need him and then the next explains what he did for us and then one that tells what we have to do to get to him and finally last verse talks about the glory of heaven and the hope we all have as Christians. I've had them written in inside cover of my Bible and they were a great guide in helping my 7 year old understand what it means to become a Christian.
Below are the verses if you are interested. I have the first one written in the cover of my Bible and then the next one written at the bottom of the page where the first one is found and so on. That way you can turn from one to the next without having to go back to a list at the front.
1. John 1:14 - Revalation
2. John 3:3 - Need
3. John 3:16 - Response
4. John 3:36 - Consequences
5. John 10:28 - Security
6. John 11:25-26 - Hope
We talked to our pastor tonight about baptism. He has a workbook he likes kids to complete about baptism and salvation, we'll get that from him on Sunday. Once he works through the book we'll schedule a conference with the pastor and again make sure Riley is clear on what he's doing. Then we'll pick a Sunday for the baptism. What an awesome thing to experience. No doubt a moment that not only he will remember for the rest of his life, but Lance and I will as well. My son, my baby boy is now a fellow Christian, my brother in Christ.
I love you, Riley! Mama and Daddy are so proud of you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
