It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Getting ready for Christmas has been different this year with me working. In the past, I have gotten the 14 rubbermaids out of the attic while the kids are at school. I also set up our 5 trees (I love trees, OK?) so all we need to do is decorate them when everyone comes home at the end of the day. This year, I had to get all the rubbermaids out with the kids opening each one and squealing as they pulled out all the stuff. They also bugged me to no end about how long it was taking me to set up the trees. We did get their trees in their rooms set up last night and they decorated them. I have my Barbie tree set up, which is proving to be almost too much of a temptation for a 4 year old girl. She wants to take everything off to play with. The kids helped decorate the hearth room tree last night, too. It holds all our personal ornaments from travels, interests, hobbies, etc. After the kids went to bed, Brent and I did the Santa Tree that is in the living room. Every ornament is a Santa. The newest Santa is a marionette that really moves. I am TERRIFIED of puppets and marionettes, but this is pretty funny. Now I have the rest of the stuff to put out, not to mention the outsides stuff. Plus, I got my first Christmas card today. I haven't even begun to get mine out!!! It will all come together, though. It might be by New Years, but it will happen!!!

Major award

I grew up being able to quote every line from "A Christmas Story." In my family, we always refer to the scene when the dad opens his lamp and calls it a major award. I got a major award today...Teacher of the Month at school. I got a gift card, but I asked if I could trade it in for a day off. No such luck! Seriously, I am very honored to have been given this and I know every day that I am where I am supposed to be.

Men-folk go hiking

Cades Cove Thanksgiving Day 2007

Thanksgiving in the Smokies

We spent Thanksgiving in Townsend, TN. The kids were really sick Tuesday, and both were puny and whiny the entire trip. It was great anyway. I am going to post a few pictures this morning and I will post more later today.

Look Alike Meter

My college friend Lana showed me this!