Merry Christmas!

Family Photos

If you want to see how our wacky family endures family picture day, visit our Picture People Album. It went very well, actually. But of the 11 pictures taken I had to pick only 1!

Christmas Recital

Allie's Mother's Day Out is at a church. They've been working with the kids for months and this morning they performed before their congregation. Turn your speakers WAY down because that voice you hear screaming above all the other voices? Yeah, that would be Allie :)

FWD:

ive been SSSSOOOOOOO good this year SANTA!

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Decorations, Bobcats and Another Lost Tooth

Christmas is here, which means the Neals perform their annual ritual of decorating the house. The interior is fairly easy, a few lights, a tree and the snow village. The exterior is a WHOLE other ball of wax. 30+ hours later and we are finally done! YEAH! I tried to include the highlights :)

Stewart is a Bobcat! The Cub Scouts had their Bobcat ceremony in which they award those who have moved onto the next level. They painted his face during the ceremony, which he hated. But he loved standing up in front of everyone next to his daddy :)

Stewart lost another front tooth this weekend. I guess he really will be asking Santa for his two front teeth!

Halloween and more Cub Scout stuff

Stewart has been having a great time during his first year with the Cub Scouts. A few weeks ago they made bird feeder out of a plastic milk jug. Then they designed their own wooden boat and raced them at the Regatta.

Halloween is always exhausting, but fun. And this year was more so now that Allie is old enough to actually "get it". Stewart dressed as a zombie - or as Allie says "a scary" - and Allie was a fairy princess. Luckily Cherry was here to help me rangle the kiddos because they ran - and I do mean ran - from house to house and in seperate directions. After about 45 minutes they were exhausted and ready to go home. Stewart loves passing out candy to the kids that come to our house afterward. Allie managed to not get sick from the massive amount of candy she consumed, so that was good :)

Forgot One!

And this one's my favorite! This is so something my husband would do :)

Dad 1974

Old Family Photos

My Aunt Michele sent me these old photos and I wanted to share them. These were fun to go through! The kids looked at them and Stewart kept saying "That's not you, that's Allie!" I don't see it, but maybe?

Me and Brianne - 1985

Mom, Dad and I - 1983

Me - 1983

Mom and Grandpa - 1974

Mom and Dad - 1974

And now a message from our sponsor :)

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Stewart went to the dentist last week and got a clean bill of health! Today he lost another front tooth so now he looks like a jack o'lantern :)

Cub Scouts and Fundraising

Stewart joined the Cub Scouts this year. Here's how our first meeting went:

Me: Before we leave we have to get a picture in your uniform.
Stewart: I don't want to.
Me: Too bad. Now stand in front of the garage here and smile. (First picture taken) That was good now can you try smiling instead of making a face. (Second picture taken) Better, now Allie wants to be in the picture pretend you love her. (Third picture taken) OK everyone in the car let's go!

So far it's been fun but we've only had one meeting so I'll let you know more in a few months :)

Stewart's Fundraiser started earlier this week and I am just now getting around to looking at the catalog. I know, BAD MOMMY! It's really easy this year for everyone. Everything is $15 each. OUCH! Don't feel pressured to buy anything, the prizes are not very exciting :) Here are your choices:

One box of frozen pre-portioned cookie dough. Contains 48 1 oz. cookies per box. 3 lbs. Choice of flavors: Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter, Lemon Cooler, Chocolate Chunk, White Chunk Macadamia, Double Chocolate Brownie, Snickerdoodle, or Candy Cookie (M&Ms).

Cinnamon Rolls. Two re-sealable trays each with four large 4.5 oz. servings with delicious cream cheese icing.

Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels. Each box contains six 4 oz. frozen pretzels with salt and cinnamon sugar flavor packets.

Kolaches. 10 individually wrapped 2.2 oz. kolaches. Choice of flavors: ham and cheese, pork and cheese, or jalapeno pork and cheese.

Ugly Mug brand coffee. 12 oz resealable bag of ground or whole bean coffee

Ugly Mug brand hot cocoa. 16 oz. resealable bag of old fashioned hot chocolate.

Ugly Mug brand vanilla chai. 12 oz resealable bag of vanilla chai.


I have to have orders by October 7th. Again, no pressure :)

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Shield Parade

Every year, Naumann Elementary has the Shield Parade for all the students. I think its for every grade, but I'm not sure. At the beginning of the year, the students are asked to decorate a shield with one half representing their class mascot (which for Stewart is the gecko this year) and the other half representing themselves. Them all the classes get together and pmarch in a parade around the school. Its always like pulling teeth to get Stewart to decorate his shield, but he loves the parade :)

Oh my God its RAINING!!!!!!!!

Yes, we're fine. Just alot of rain and road closures.

Stewart was thrilled that school was postponed for two hours, even though I'm bummed because it looks like I'm stuck at home today with Allie. Oh well, I'll just slap a rain coat on her and some galoshes and call it a day!

Just Chillin at McDs

Menu and Recipe Ideas

Planning a tailgating party, bridal shower or kids' party? Check out the Try Our Recipes section of tastefullysimple.com for full menus to make planning these events even easier (and tastier!).

Stewart is a 2nd Grader!

How could I forget to post this?! Stewart started the 2nd Grade this year. He likes his teacher, he like his classmates, he likes recess... but he hates being away from his computer. Seriously! He doesn't miss me or Allie or sleeping in or any of that. He just hates being away from his computer. The boy is truly my son :)

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Family Trip to Dallas

Stephen was home this week so we decided to load up the family and go on a trip. We drove up to Dallas and spent three days there. We went to the Aquarium and played in the hotel pool. On the way home we stopped at Dinosaur World. It was a great time! Here's a slideshow of all the pictures we took:

Tastefully Simple and Tupperware

This month I became a Tastefully Simple consultant. I've been ordering their products for years and finally decided to just give in and start selling the stuff :) Tastefully Simple offers a wide selection of convenient, easy-to-prepare foods designed to help people spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the rest of their lives.

I recommend the Perfectly Potato Cheddar Soup , the Absolutely Almond Pound Cake , and my kids LOVE the Twisty Grahams. If you're interested in learning more or to place an order, please visit my website by clicking here.

As far as Tupperware goes, I am still an active consultant. If you are interested in placing an order please email me by clicking here. All of our catalogs and flyer can be found online by clicking here.

LEGO store

We tried to go to the LEGO grand opening at Barton Square Mall, but then we saw this mob waiting to get into the store and we turned around and went home.

Nope! Sorry kids. I told Stewart we could anywhere he wanted for lunch but no way no how were we going to stand in that line. The kid is a trooper, he was happy to go to Burger King :)

Grandma and the Museum

Grandma was visiting this week. One of the things we did was take her to the Children's Museum. As always, the kids had a blast. For lunch we went to McDonald's where Allie proceeded to sucker grandma into putting even more stickers on her body. The girl is a stickers nut.

Ok mommy im almost ready for school. I just have about 40 more necklaces to put on and then ill be good to go.

Happy Independence Day!

For 4th of July fireworks we made our annual trip to Milburn park. It wasn't too hot, in the 90s. But just before sundown is when it was at its hottest. So when the sprinklers came on and we all got soaked, it was great!

GOOD BOY!

Stephen's finished all his honey-dos while I was away: covered the patio with outdoor carpet, filled the sandbox, and kept the baby happy ;)

DADDY AND ALLIE

While Stewart and I are in CO, Daddy and Allie are back at home. Oh yeah, theyre getting along just fine ;)

THE NORTH POLE

Stewart and i are in CO visiting Cheryl and her family. Yesterday we went to The North Pole in CO Springs. Here are some pictures.