New Years

we used to be in the habit of going to The Dalles for new years eve but kinda got out of it well today we are starting it again. We go up and visit Aunt Pat and have a fun time playing if there is snow which there usually is and spend time just relaxing and having fun and playing games. so off we go after my shower to The Dalles another trip to probably yell at the kids for fighting and pull over to go potty and watch out for the crazies on the road. for all of you have a safe and happy new year.

say good bye to Christmas early

We are in the habit of leaving up all Christmas decorations until after the new year, except this year. out with the old and in with the new shall be done with out the Cheer of the holidays. we made this decision because we are getting ready to start packing or actually finish packing and Christmas must end. we put them up early so down they come early. it is a little sad having it end so soon but, it will be here again and next year we shall hopefully be in a new home to call our own. with the lights coming down and people getting ready for the new year we will try to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive all year. So as we embark on this new adventure we shall bring you along for the ride in our habits.

Christmas Eve

we are in the habit of trying to see family for Christmas. today is no different so as we go off to The Dalles to see family we will give them their goodies and gifts to the ones I got them for and have fun visiting. as we go I will keep in mind that the reason for this season is Jesus and I am trying to teach my kids that. As a family I try to keep Christmas real but put some fun into it too, yes we write letters to Santa and he writes back, and yes our kids wonder how Santa will come down the chimney when we do not have an opening for it but, we have our nativity scene and angels and things that remind us that we are celebrating a birthday so here is to Jesus and happy birthday to him.

pumpkin cookies

I am in the habit of making cookies and this year is no different today I am making pumpkin cookies and boy do they smell good these are to put in my goodies baskets and I really hope everyone likes them. any way today I have 4 cheese cakes, more pumpkin cookies, chocolate peanut butter brownies and more chocolate covered pretzels bot I am a busy little bee today. any way I enjoy making all sorts of things to give to our friends and family. it is a little of myself that I put in to it and of course a little of the kids fingers too wanting to help but it is agood time to spend and enjoying each other. Happy Holidays

Strays

I am in the habit of feeding the strays that have adopted us as their family weather we wanted it or not. we have coon cat he looks like a raccoon then a new one because my neighbor is gone has turned to us for food. Meo (pronounced Me O) has run off I am not sure where he went but he has changed addresses. Hunter and Khirali are sad they miss him a lot. anyway as we get ready to move and we are packing I am thinking of which cat will go with us max really belongs here but, coon cat has been our cat for years. He is a loving cat and huge so maybe I have already made up my mind coon cat it is. that was not hard. so we have three cats two dogs and two newts. although I think maybe we will be saying good bye to the two dogs because unfortunately most places don't allow dogs. so as we go into moving mode and we say good bye to old friends and hello to new ones at least we will still have our family.

Goodies

we are in the habit of making goodies for Christmas and giving them as gifts. this year is no different. As a family we have fun making cookies and other things to put in the baskets. this year I will be adding Cheesecake to them as a little extra. I found that if we buy for kids and do goodies for the whole family it is not so hard on the pocket book. the thing I like the most about this is it comes from our hearts and we out a little bit of ourselves into it. and homemade gifts are wonderful and usually everyone likes them. so as we make our goodies we think about our family and how much we love them. I will be busy the next few days baking Love to all from Us.

Coffee

We are in the habit of drinking coffee all of us. Rich is either a plain coffee or a 4 shot mint mocha, I was a high octane coffee drinker but have switched to decaf. so I either have double decaf eggnog lattes or double decaf cherry vanilla lattes more cherry than vanilla, Hunter is a sugar free caramel latte single shot. Khirali is a "pink coffee" steamed milk and strawberry syrup and what ever else she can get her hands on. at home I have a little coffee with my creamer and again Rich just drinks regular coffee. as a society coffee is a huge thing most people rely on it I know I for one have found my self tired because I do not drink the regular coffee anymore. I wonder if with out coffee if our society would function as well as it is? who knows I mean maybe, we are only going and being productive because of a simple thing called caffeine. Think about it!