Annual Christmas tree cutting ... (the day after Thanksgiving!)

Here I come ...

What is going on in his mind?

I don't want to take a picture ...

Yes, take with me ...

Daddy, I want you ...

A little Daddy lovin' ...

At last, a picture of father and daughter smiling!

Don't forget one with mom!

Oh, look at me!  I have the power ...

Seriously, Gretchen ... don't be taking my picture now!

Jack and basketball ...

I thought this was kind of a cool picture.  As much as I LOVE basketball and I LOVE watching my kids play basketball, it is a really really really hard sport to try and capture with a camera.  I finally gave up on this game ... mainly because the colors of the two teams and the lighting in the gym were not in favor of getting a good picture!

A little something about Jack ...

I'm ready ... Are you?

Jack received this sweatshirt for his birthday and he has not gone a day without wearing.  So that tells you two things ... he is a creature of habit and likes what he likes, AND I am an amazing mom because I have kept up on the wash enough to have it everyday for him!

New, but old ...

While I was in Dallas, I visited the jewelry store James Avery.  There is not one out this way.  Kyle and I bought our original wedding bands there some 17 years ago.  We also bought our current wedding rings from there.  When I bought mine to match the silver one that Kyle had picked out and worn for a couple of years, I wanted to have the wedding date engraved on the inside.  I also had my initials engraved on the outside.  Well ... those initials had pretty much worn away and I was saddened that you could not see it anymore.  I thought I would inquire into the possibility of having it redone while I was in Dallas.  Well ... success!  It was so easy to do.  They buffed the ring so it was shiny and smooth, then engraved it again.  AND I got to pick out a new font!  I got it in the mail yesterday and it made my day.  It is so very shiny and pretty ... so it is something new, yet old!  (And it did not cost me the price of a new ring!)

A great day to wear ...

I made this scarf a little while ago.  It took me a while to make, and it was my first time to do striping.  It was a lot of fun to make.  I love the colors.  It did turn out to be huge, so I don't wear it all that often.  But, today was a perfect day!  I went to a movie -- this FIRST matinee of the day -- with a friend and it was so cozy and warm in the theater.  I don't often -- or ever -- share my knitting projects but thought this was a good one to put on the blog.  Whenever I do wear it, I think of my mom!  She was the one that gave me the pattern and said ... knit this.  Thanks ... 

Dinner tonight ...

Tonight's dinner is Hearty Navy bean soup.  It is one of our favorites.  It is a perfect night for it because a storm decided to roll in today.  It has been cloudy gray and cold -- a perfect night to stay in and eat some warm soup with a good blanket maybe a book or a new knitting project.

Come on over if you want to eat with us -- we have some to spare!

Jack turned 10 years old ...

I am tired of pictures ...

Can I joke around a bit? ...

A smile ...

If you are going to stick your tongue out ...

A natural face of Jack's ..

I am up to something ...

Never without a ball in hand -- even while blowing out the candles ...

Look at my giant cookie sandwich!

It was Jack's birthday TWO days ago, and I am just now getting the photos up on the blog.  It was a grand day.  Jack requested that we not walk him to school.  Jack requested that I NOT bring the camera to school when I brought his class treats to enjoy at the end of the day in honor of his birthday.  Jack had to wait a really long time to open up presents and handled like a really mature 10 year old.  Jack requested that he be able to stay up until at least 8:09pm so that he could celebrate really turning 10 years old.  Jack once again asked for molasses cookies for his birthday treat this year.  I do believe it is 4 years in a row if not for all of them!  This year he also asked for cream cheese frosting to be in the middle and on top.  I got a little carried away and the sandwiches were HUGE!  Don't worry -- in case you were -- the kids were not able to eat ALL of it in one sitting.

Here is to my 10 year old son!