4 great years down and a happy Life Time to go! : ) Happy Anniversary Bobby. I love you!

Tradition or Superstition?

Do you every wonder why we light fireworks and cheer in the New Year? Well I found some answers to those little traditions we have, and some new ones you may not have known about.

• Kissing in the new year- We kiss those nearest and dearest to us not only to share a moment of celebration with our favorite people, but also to ensure those affections and ties will continue throughout the next 12 months, to fail to smooch your significant others at the stoke of twelve would be to set the stage for a year of coldness.
• Stocking up: The new year must not be seen with bare cupboards, lest that be the way of things for the year. Larders must me topped up and plenty of money must be placed in every wallet in the home to ensure prosperity
• Paying of Bills: The new year should not be begun with the household in debt, so checks should be written and mailed before Jan. 1st. Likewise, personal debt should be repaid before the New Year arrives.
• First Footing: The first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight will influence the year you’re about to have. Ideally he should be dark-haired, tall, and good looking. Blondes and Red heads are considered bad luck, and female “first footers” should be shooed away before they bring disaster down on the household.
• Nothing Goes Out: Nothing - absolutely nothing, not even garbage - is to leave the house on the first day of the year. If you have presents to deliver on New Year’s Day, leave them in the car overnight… People sometimes soften this rule by saying it’s okay to remove things from the house as long as something else has been brought in first. Something must be added to the home before anything may be subtracted from it.
• Food: Eating of Black-eyed peas on the New Years Day will attract both general good luck (financial in particular) to the one doing the dining. Other “Lucky” foods are lentil soup (because it looks like coins), pork (because poultry scratches backwards, a cow stands still, but a pig roots forward, so… those who dine on pork will be moving forward in the new year), and sauerkraut (probably because it goes well with pork).
• Work: Do something related to your work -and be successful at it - on the first day of the year, even if you do not go near your place of work. Limit your activity to a token amount, though, because to engage in a serious work project on that day is very unlucky. Also do not do laundry , lest a member of the family be “washed away” (die) in the upcoming months.
• New Clothes: wear something new on Jan. 1st to increase the likelihood of your receiving more new garments during the year to follow.
• Letting the Old Year out: At midnight, all the doors of a house must be opened to let the old year escape unimpeded. He must leave before the New Year can come in, so doors are flung open to assist him.
• Loud Noises : Make as much noise as possible! Your not just celebrating; your scaring away evil spirits, so do a darned good job of it!

Do you have any New Year traditions? I have a few... The kissing rule is a favorite, and my Grandma Lil' always made a black-eye pea stew (with ham). Both I plan to continue. Another important one is my wedding anniversary. 12/31/04. When I was a kid, we used to write our resolutions down and share them at breakfast New Year's morning. I can't wait until my kids are old enough for this one. Please share your traditions, I would love to know what you all do to ring in the New Year.

Quiet Bowler Christmas!?!? Unheard of! Well this year was just that. Very simple and very quiet.

Degan had to be woken up this year - by sis - but he quickly found that it was worth it!

Santa didn't check his list twice I see.

"Pink Puter!!!" She was so happy Noni got her exactly what she wanted. Thanks Noni.

Santa got Mommy a babysitter. Just what she needed. Hehehe. below: Noni showing of her new shirt that Santa left her.

Just a few pictures from our Day. The kids loved playing with there new toys, as did I... Thanks Mom for the camera. We had a very yummy simple ham dinner, and ended our day with a new movie. We missed our family and our friends, but it was a great first Christmas in Texas. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Yup, today was another cold day... When it gets this cold, it's just no fun to go out side. I found someone who knows just how I feel!!!

I am Freezing! Jack Prelutsky I am freezing! I am freezing!I am absolutely cold,I am shivering and shaking like a pudding in a mold.There are glaciers in my stomach,there is sleet inside my bones,I am colder than the contents of a million ice cream cones. I am freezing! I am freezing!From my bottom to my top,all my teeth are clacking madly and I cannot make them stop.Oh I cannot feel my fingers,and I cannot feel my toes,now my cheeks are frozen solid,and I think I've lost my nose. I am freezing! I am freezing!Inside out and outside in,every bit of me is chilly,every single inch of skin,I have icicles inside me and my lips are turning blue,and I'm sneezing as I'm freezing,for I've caught a cold . . .AHCHOOOOOOOOOO!

Cookie Party

Kodi Lynn, Degan, and I hosted our first Christmas Cookie Party. I was so much fun. The kids had a blast, and Mommy got some grown-up time.

Little Luke testing out the cookies... Or should I say Tasting...

Little miss perfect analyzing her choices

And Degan not discriminating.

Jill's little boys going to town... They could not wait to dive in.

It was such a great afternoon... I think we will make it an annual thing.

Teach the Children

Kodi Lynn told me the other day that Christmas was about Santa bring her presents... Uh oh. I was a little embarrassed at myself, that I did not teach her the true meaning of Christmas. So the "Google" fan that I am, I searched Christmas Meanings, and this is what I found. Even I learned something new.

http://www.llerrah.com/truemeaningofchristmas.htm

No, No, No!

Last night I decided to get going on my Christmas gifts (I have been taking my sweet time). I decided to start with Kodi's Christmas dress, and on the first back stitch my machine broke!!! Noooooooooooo! I was so mad, and I have tried everything I can think of to fix it. I think that my only option is to toss it. I have had tiny problems with it before, but they were small enough to work through. I don't really know what to do... If I can't get it fixed, then I can't finish my gifts. I really wish I was back home, Kath would know what to do!

Hallelujah! It's Over!

Finally the challenge is over!! For those who have not read Tad, Cody, or April's blog. Here is the deal... Bobby and Tad's friend Neil was sent to Iraq a few months back, and his troop had sent out a challenge to all of their family and friends. Grow a mustache for a month to show your support. And of course the Guys where all for it! So today is the day, The day when the boys can shave off that disgusting Caterpillar on their top lip.

Record High's (and low's)

Yesterday Round Rock had a record high at 80 degrees. It was such a nice day, like being back in California... But this morning I woke up and this is what I found...

You can't really see the snow in the foreground, but look past the fence. Poor Coy was not happy about his potty break this morning.

Our house. The sun rises in the front of our house, but if you look close you can see the snow in the planters, and on the roof.

The front of our neighbors house. Who would have thought that we were going to have a "Semi"-White Christmas. Oh and if your wondering the temp outside is 27 degrees with wind chill. I'm hoping for at least 70 tomorrow.

December Fun!

We are enjoying our December! My mom is here visiting us, so we are keeping busy. Yesterday our community put on its annual winter winder land event. Fancy for "snow day". Hehehe. Some of our neighbors where there to share the fun.

It was a perfect day... And it's painted all over his face.

Actual size Rachel and me. The Boys dared us. What could we do? Poor Rachel. She got all muddy. Sorry Friend!

Minnie and Kodi on their 30th run.

Kodi looks nervous. I think this was our first ride.

After sledding we came home and decorated sugar cookies.

Yummy! Finger licking good!

He is a pro. I showed him how, and off he went. He wanted no help either. He is such a independent child. Miss Betty Crocker

I don't know why my pictures are loading out of order, but good enough.

Later that night we "Decked the Halls".

Of course Budah had to get in on the action. Hehehe.

Kodi is putting the angel on the top of the tree. Sorry it is so blurry. I will some day get a new camera. Santa? Degers was so excited, he showed Daddy each one of his ornaments.

What a big girl. She is so ready for Santa. Hurry, Hurry Christmas!!!

It looks like he's contributing, but really he is taking off the same ornament over and over again. Ha. He's such a funny boy.

Young Love!

Ahhh... To be young again! We met up with our friends at the Terivista Winter Wonderland today. I have yet to download my own pictures, but my neighbor did send me this photo of Kodi Lynn and her first boyfriend Luke. Aren't they cute. She has a thing for younger men. Hahaha. We had a blast! Stay tuned for more pictures...

NO MORE GREEN OLIVES

He was so mad about the green olive.