Cozy & Warm

I'll start this by saying that we don't have a fireplace, 

but YouTube has the best channel with a crackling fire

 that's almost as good as a real one.

We are officially ready for Christmas.

The only thing left to do is take the boys

to see Santa on Sunday.

The anticipation is almost too much for us.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Merry Christmas!

Our Tree~2018

Every year I plan to do a post about our tree and our special ornaments.

I never get around to it, though.

This year, I'm making sure to post about it because the boys

asked for colored lights, and we went a little whimsical with it.

I've used the same ornaments year after year 

and have collected a lot more over the years from the boys.

I also started buying family ornaments after Jubal was born.

Others were passed down or given to me,

but they are all special.

I found a cute little elf to top it off, too.

Our tree has always had white lights.

I'll admit the colored lights are growing on me.

They make the boys incredibly happy, so that's what matters to me.

The following pictures are the main reason for my post, though.

I want something to look back at in the years to come.

Our ornaments.

I started collecting these the year Jubal was born.

I intend to buy one every year, 

even when my boys have their own families.

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These were passed down to me.

These were a few of the ornaments off of my brother's last tree.

He passed away in 2003.

These hold very significant sentimental value to me.

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I call these my hodgepodge collection.

Some given to me as gifts, some I picked up along the way.

The cross was given to me by Shane & Julie Sikes

the first year I started working for them at Planet Cycle.

They have since sold the business,

 but I still work there for the new owners.

I've been there almost 14 years.

I bought the chihuahua ornament after I lost my first fur baby.

Farley was my first fur baby after moving into mine & Larson's first home together.

I got him in 2000, he passed away November 1, 2007.

The boys only remember Bozley, though.

I got him in 2008 after a customer who bred chihuahuas

found out about me losing Farley.

She gave him to me, and I loved him for many years.

Bozley stayed with us until he passed September 13, 2013.

The boys just assume the ornament is for Bozley,

but in my heart I know it's for both of my fur babies

over the rainbow bridge.

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Made by & given to us by my friend, Christie Kirkland.

Jubal's hand print.

Jubal & Gentry made a set of these for us while 

they were at Mrs. Diane Love's house.

Dad & Mom, but mine got broken on the way home.

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These next ornaments are my absolute favorite.

I'm pretty sure it's self explanatory why they're so special to me.

I will cherish them forever.

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The elves were also made by & given to us by my friend, Christie.

So that's pretty much it.

I wanted to do this post mainly for myself

so I can look back fondly at all of my family's precious ornaments.

There's nothing quite like having only the glow from the lights

of your tree on while up late watching some TV.

Especially if you're watching The Wizard Of Oz. :)

Now to get the presents wrapped & placed under the tree. <3

Picnic With Parents~Gentry

Larson usually has the privilege of getting to have lunch with the boys at school, 

but I actually got the chance to attend a "picnic" with Gentry yesterday.

First thru fifth grade has a "Picnic with Parents" event since the younger

grades get to have "Grandparents Day", which is where 

the grandparent(s)/special person(s) gets to go have lunch

and go to the book fair together.

We get to bring the lunch of our choice.

Gentry chose Subway.

He wanted a cheese pizza, Sprite for his drink, 

and those cookies(white chip macadamia nut) he really likes.

He got what he asked for, except the cookies.

They were out of his fave, so I had to get chocolate chip.

He was okay with it after he tasted the, though.

I love getting to do special little things like this with my babies.

Fun Week At School

The boys enjoyed this week at school.

It was still hard to wake them up each morning,

but they were more willing to go without a fuss after getting up.

Jubal didn't really want to dress up, but his teacher 

got him to wear some things after he arrived at school.

They both dressed for tacky day.

Notice Gentry's "Alfafa" hair style.

Pink Out Day.

Jubal will not wear pink.

Gentry did, but I didn't get a picture, and his 

teachers didn't send me pics like Jubal's teachers did.

This was Wear Your Costume day & Trunk or Treat.

You're not allowed to wear scary masks or

face paint, so my boys didn't get to wear their masks.

Jubal's teacher made him a YouTuber.

Again, no pics of Gentry this day, either.

Also, Pajama Day was on Wednesday.

I forgot to take any pictures, and none were sent to me.

Both boys dressed in their pjs that day, though.

I really liked this idea.

It was Pick A Vocabulary Word day.

Gentry chose "Athlete".

He was so excited to get to dress as a football player.

Jubal didn't want to participate.

His teacher made him a word at school, though.

He was "Cautious" since he had on a

bright orange shirt that day.

This week feels like it has lasted a year.

Thank goodness it's finally Friday!!