Elf Batty Bing A Ling

Yep that is our Elf's name. This is his 3rd year making his appearance to our house for Christmas. I love that my kids still believe and love having him here. They talk to him and even tattle on each other to him.  Too cute! They ask every Thanksgiving Batty will be here. I try to take pictures of all his adventures. If you're not familiar with Elf on the Shelf, read about him here. 

Here are a few pictures from last year. 

1. Batty got a hold of someone's underwear and had a party! 

2. Batty in the candy dish

3. Toilet paper rolling taking place

4. Batty watching Nathan make his bologne sandwich

5. More tree rolling

6. Wrapping presents

7. Just hanging around

This is when Batty returned this year. They found him in the tree with a welcome note. 

I hope to capture his adventures again this year!!

I heart Christmas!!

Like many people, Christmas is one of my Favorite holidays!! One main reason is that Jesus Christ was born!! It's also a great time to get together with family and friends. Let's not forget the gift giving and receiving. I love to give gifts and see the reaction of the receiver when they open my gift to them!! I admit tho that I do love getting gifts too, who doesn't?!! I love the surprise of opening a gift and seeing what's inside!

I have the house decorated for the Christmas season and now to work on that gift list. I know some what of what I'm getting everyone on my list. The hard part is waiting on the funds...that always stinks. 

Anyhoo, here are a few pics of my beautiful tree and some of my decorations around the house! It's not much but it makes me happy to actually have a house to decorate! :) 

Our Christmas Tree

Two of my favorite ornaments!! My owl and GO HEELS!!

My son put up our little village all by himself!! 

He did a great job! 

Santas

         
















             Nutcrackers

And last of there's Batty, our elf on the shelf!

A Christmas Questionaire

A Christmas Questionnaire

I can not resist these things. Is it only me?

This looks like fun so I thought why not! 
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? If I can wrap it, I will. I love unwrapping gifts!! 

2. Real tree or Artificial? I only do real trees. I love having a real tree and the smell. I grew up having a real tree so it's just natural. 

3. When do you put up tree? I usually put up our tree the day or two after Thanksgiving. 

4. When do you take the tree down? I used to leave our tree up until New Years but lately I've been taking it down earlier. I try to have everything cleaned up before Christmas break is over. 

5. Do you like eggnog? Can't say I have ever had it but it. does. not. appeal to me. 

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Sad but I don't remember. I love Christmas every gift was a favorite. 

7. Hardest person to buy for? My sister and my dad. 

8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. I really want one of the nice  white cardboard ones for your yard. 

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Old fashion mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't remember...notice a trend ha ha

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I don't have a favorite but do like the Christmas Story, funny movie. 

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I wish I could shop all year long but usually start in October. 

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?  No

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I like it all!! 

16. Lights on the tree? Color for the kids!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Mary did you know

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We stay home but visit in town family on Christmas day. 

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and of course Rudolf

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Growing up we got to open one gift on Christmas Eve and it was always pj's. I started that tradition with my kids but the gift they opened was a new book. 

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?  All the craziness at the stores.

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?  I have traditional colors right now. 

24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? I love sweet potato casserole, deviled eggs, stuffing...heck I love it all!! 

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I always want happiness for my kids. I have asked for a new blender since my lovely cat knocked my other one to the garage floor and it shattered to a million pieces. I would like a new watch too. I don't ask a for much. 

Our God is Able

God Is Able 
He Will Never Fail 
He Is Almighty God 

Greater Than All We Seek 
Greater Than All We Ask 
He Has Done Great Things 

Chorus 
Lifted Up 
He Defeated The Grave 
Raised To Life 
Our God Is Able 
In His Name We Overcome 
For The Lord 
Our God Is Able 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/h/hillsong/god+is+able_20982781.html ] 
God Is With Us 
God Is On Our Side 
He Will Make A Way 
Far Above All We Know 
Far Above All We Hope 
He Has Done Great Things 

Repeat Chorus 

God Is With Us 
He Will Go Before 
He Will Never Leave Us 
He Will Never Leave Us 

God Is For Us 
He Has Open Arms 
He Will Never Fail Us 
He Will Never Fail Us 

Repeat Chorus 2x 

Repeat 2x 
For The Lord 
Our God Is Able

Follow Me Maybe Blog Hop

I'm joining in the Blog Hop this week I found over at A Happy Wife In New Orleans

Welcome to the Follow Me Maybe Blog Hop!

Hosted by: 

Anna @ Geek Can Be Chic

Mary @ A Happy Wife in New Orleans

Co-Host:

Erica @ Walking In My Shoes

Lauren @ Tennessee Honey

Mayra @ PonderWonders

Here are the Rules:

1. Follow the Host publicly on GFC- This will help us expand the blog hop and our blogs which in the long run helps bring more exposure to YOU :)
2. Follow the Co-Host- Help the Blog hop to grow and show some love to the co-host!
3. Spread the word- Tweet about it, include a link in your blog post or place the button below somewhere on your blog!} *The more link ups, the more new followers and friends! We will feature a new link up friend every week! We can only feature you if you have the blog hop button on your blog though! 
4. Go say Hello to the blog in front and behind you!
5. Have Fun and join us every Thursday! 

Today I'm Loving

I am loving the new Taylor Swift RED cd. I think my fav so far is Red and of course Never. 

Found a another app to play with my pictures. It's called Fotorus. 

Today it's a cold rainy fall day. 

Perfect scarf and boots kind of day

Also perfect Chili for dinner night! Yum-O

Recipe

Now I'm going to snuggle under my soft zebra blanket and catch up on my blog reading!

You cheesy tater tot!

Thank goodness for Pinterest. I can now plan my meals around you. You help take out the guess work of 'What's for dinner tonight?" Tonight we had a crock pot meal, those are the best I must say. Easy cooking and cleaning, right?! 

My kids love tater tots, chicken and cheese. Well why not put it all together in a pot!! Recipe I found is Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. You can find it here. 

Verdict is in....Delicious! Kids loved it as did I. 

Goes great with some green beans and fresh made Sweet Tea!

This does cook in less time than the normal 6-8 hour meals so it was done a little earlier. I just put it in a casserole dish, topped it with more cheese (cheese makes everything better!) and put it in the oven for a bit to warm and melt the cheese. This meal will visit the list often :) 

My son is a sort of picky eater and he cleaned his plate!! Makes me happy! :) Most times he doesn't like his food ..together. You can check my other recipes I've pinned here.  

Now I'm off to finish making that meal list.

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Yea say that 5 times really fast!!! I was shopping at my local grocery store and that day someone had a station set up to try some goodies. This day they had dried cranberries from Ocean Spray. Now I already love dried cranberries but did grab a coupon for future purchase. Well on the back of this coupon was a recipe for Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies.... they sounded and looked so yummy so I got to baking!!

Oh how yummy they look!

Done and cooling

Oh so good!! 

You can find the recipe here. Enjoy!!

Well Good Morning Monday

Today we are out of school and work due to Veterans Day.

Thank you to ALL who have served our country! I'm praying for my friend's brother who is part of the US Navy and is currently deployed on a ship. I pray for his safe return home...soon. 

Happy Monday y'all!

Our Thankful Jar

This year has really gone by so fast. Seems like we were just eating Thanksgiving turkey and celebrating Christmas. This Thanksgiving I wanted to start a new tradition.  

My inspiration came from Pinterest and I love it already. It's the thankful jar.  I cut strips from scrapbook paper and found the perfect jar from some I've been recycling.

You write down one thing you are thankful for on a strip and put it in the jar.

 Then I thought it would be cool to open the jar and read all the strips of thankfulness on Thanksgiving Day. My kids jumped on this new tradition. I'm looking forward to reading what everyone said. 

Happy November!

Election 2012

I voted today, did you??? 

Now if those darn phone calls would STOP!!!! 

til next time, xoxo