Oops...more trees

I don't know what happened to my original Christmas tree post - but these got left out.

Courtney's tree

tree in my bedroom

tree in kids bathroom

Now that is all of them :)

Christmas Trees

Christmas time is my favorite time of year and definately my favorite holiday to decorate for. I love to put up trees and decorate them with all the different ornaments. I put up 8 trees this year before Rod informed me there was such a thing as "overkill". That is why I left the 9th tree in the box in the garage - that and it was missing a branch or two. I love it at night when we have all the lights off except from the lights coming from the Christmas trees. I guess it reminds me of my childhood and how excited I would get waiting for Santa to come see me :)

This is my main tree. My friend Pam gave it to me last year because she wanted a smaller one. I had a tough time trying to figure out where to put it in our new house. I decided this wall was best. It is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door. It has sort of a "nature" theme
There are several oranaments that say "peace "love" "joy"

This is my mini forest in my dining room. It is a set of 3 alpine trees that has a snowman/snowflake theme

My kitchen tree has a candy/gingerbread theme. This is probably my favorite tree... Michael's tree

Another pic of kitchen tree (out of order). I love the oversized ornaments!

This is on my entry table in my foyer

I love the ornaments in different containers

This is the ornament I got at the ladies ornament exchange a church. The tree in the middle lights up. Pretty cool!

Just 4 more days until Santa comes!!!

Christmas at the Jones'

This past Saturday, we had Christmas with the Jones' at my Uncle David and Aunt Patricia's house. We always try to get together the weekend before Christmas each year. Last year we had it at my house, and as much as I love to throw a good party, I was glad that it was at someone else's house this year. I guess I have been so busy lately, that it was nice to just show up with a dish and not have to worry about a clean house :)

This is Courtney, and my cousin Tiffany's daughter. Trinity is 6 days older than Courtney. Courtney was due BEFORE Trinity, but Trinity got here first.
Me and my uncle David. He is Trinity's grandpa.
David smoked out some ribs and brisket - and it was DELICIOUS!! He sent enough home with us for our lunch the next day :)



My aunt Nita, her son Cody, and Michael
Court and Trinity again. I love that they are good friends :)

my uncle Ed - looks like he is drinking out of a sippy cup

Jacob (Trinity's brother) and Cameron - my cousin Micah's son

my cousin Sheena with my cousin Bradley's baby - Brandon

my uncle Steve

Trinity and Courtney getting ready to blow out their birthday candles

my aunt Paula (Ed's wife) opening her gift

Gayla opens her present and Nita looks in to see if she might want to "steal" it

Courtney opened some Bath & Body which was stolen from her, but she ended up getting it back

Michael opened a Mag light, but didn't get to keep it for very long

I think everyone had a good time. It was nice to be around family I don't get to see that often. One family get together down, two to go :)

Youth Christmas Devo

Tonight we hosted a youth devo for our youth group at our house. Everyone brought a gift for a gift exchange. We also had a mystery game called "Who kidnapped Rudy Reindeer." At church this morning, I gave each person their "character" for the game, so when they got here tonight they would know who they were. It was sort of like a murder mystery game, but it was a kidnapping instead of a murder. The game was a HUGE hit, and it was hilarious to watch. I think everyone had a good time just being together.

I was running short on time this afternoon and was needing some help about the time Rod came walking through the kitchen. He asked me what he could do to help, so I gave him the option of unloading the dishwasher, or putting sprinkles on the cupcakes as I iced them. Much to my horror, he chose helping with the cupcakes. And since he was willing to help, I didn't say anything about the mexican flag or his initials on the cupcakes. I did try to fix them after he left, but some of them just couldn't be fixed. Most of the ones he decorated are on the bottom layer.

These are the few that I put the sprinkles on
Rod kicking off the mystery game of who kidnapped Rudy

After the first round of clues, it was time to eat

Mandy and me

Everyone was going around asking questions trying to figure out just exactly what was going on

Since Rod and Chuck were not playing, they were first to eat

Finally, the kids started to eat. Here is Colton who played the Gingerbread man.

Amy and baby Benton

Round 2 of clues came as everyone finished up eating

Mandy and Butler

Chuck and Benton chilling Rod enjoying the festivities

Finally, round 3 revealed who the kidnapper was: Prisser the Reindeer (aka Courtney)

Then it was time for the gift exchange

Butler joined in on the fun

All the kids seemed to really have a good time, and I enjoyed getting everything ready for tonight. I think this is my last holiday party to host this season, unless Rod will let me get another one together :) If not, I guess the Superbowl party will be our next one.

It is almost midnight so I better get in bed!