The Stomach Flu & Riding the Polar Express

Emily has been throwing up again. This happened about a month ago and she threw up for almost 36 hours just about every 20 to 40 minutes. So, this experience is all to fresh in her mind. But let me tell you, the girl can aim. Not one mess made by her. (We won't talk about the one that dad made when he forgot that the bucket had about an inch of water in the bottom of it.)

Anyway, this time it only lasted for about 24 hours so we were all most grateful.

The bad part about the timing was, we had purchased tickets almost 6 weeks ago to ride the Polar Express last night. Emily threw up about 8:20 yesterday morning and started to perk up throughout the day. So, we decided to take a chance and go.

We met Mike, Sharon, Bryce and Alexis there. The kids were all able to wear their pj's just like in the movie. It was awesome and we are both grateful that she didn't have to miss it. Here are some of the highlights:

All Aboard!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We go NOWHERE without Woobie!
The Shew'sThe Sandage'sDancing to the "Hot Chocolate" song.

Emily receiving her bell from Santa

The trip was awesome! The music, the dancing, riding a train for the first time, hot cocoa and cookies, the reading of the story, all of it. We could not have asked for a better evening. Perhaps the beginning of a new tradition? Next year will tell.

Thankful for....Family

My dad and Carole have had Thanksgiving dinner for the last couple of years at their house and we always have a fun time. My step-brothers are great as are their family's. It also usually gives me time to chat with my sisters two oldest boys whom I don't see very often.


You know how sometimes with "step" families, the two sides "stick with there own", not at this dinner. Carole has us draw numbers for seats so you don't get to pick who you sit by. The first year we we all complained but now I think we all enjoy getting time to talk to people other than our immediate family. Except for Delmar and Angelic, somehow they manage to sit by each other EVERY year...hhhmmmm.


Chow time! Emily & Grandpa JackThanks for letting the kids play on your computer Christopher!
Me and my buddy Angelic.Emily has had about as much fun as a girl can have.


The whole clan...

3rd Lost Tooth

This one was knocked out with a little help from her friend Lilly. Apparently they were fighting over a toy and Lilly just let go and Emily popped herself in the face with her own hand and knocked out the tooth! The toothfairy was gracious and left another 2 golden dollars and the tooth.

Cuttin' Firewood, Hair Cut & A Christmas Parade

I have decided that I LOVE my fireplace, after living in this house for nearly 4 years! So, when Bob (my step-dad) posted a bunch of firewood on Freecycle, I jumped on it. We have a friend of a friend who has a friend that has a log splitter that we were able to borrow. Delmar and Emily spent the early part of the morning splitting wood. Emily was having a ball operating the hydrolics while Delmar did the heavy work.

After resting for a bit, Delmar headed off to be on a float for the bank in the Decatur Christmas parade. Meanwhile, Emily and I headed off to get her hair cut. It had been getting a bit unruly and was in desparate need of a trim. We ended up getting about 5 inches cut off of the back but not too much cut off of the front. The picture isn't real great since I didn't actually get the back of her head...gggrrrr. Anywho, we all love it.

We met up with daddy on the parade route and prepared to freeze our rearends off. It was soooo cold. I got to drive the truck and Emily got in about half way thru because she was too cold. Recognize the Jack in the Box?

My First Scrapbook Crop Night

I've always wanted to go to one of those crops that they have at scrapbook shops, etc. but time never really allowed for it. I'd dreamt of scrapbooking into the wee hours of the morning. So, when I was approached by our pastor's wife to work with her to host one at our church for our ladies ministry I thought HECK YEAH!

So there we were lost in paper, adhesives, embellishments and 3 Cricuts having a ball. It was supposed to last from 5 PM to midnight but I called Delmar at 12:30 AM to let him know that some of us were staying a little longer. I got home at 2 AM!!! I was so wired, I didn't get to sleep until after 3! Of course, I was dog meat all day on Saturday but it was so worth it. Tori and I were actually supposed to go to the Assembly Hall in Champaign for Chris Cringle but we decided not to go.

We decided that we are going to try to get together once a month and scrap as a group. YEAH!!!

Here are some pictures of the night. I'm going to post my pages after I get the pictures on them.

Also, not sure why but I'm missing pictures of 2 of the other ladies that were there...I'll get them next time.