Happy New Year!

I finally found a few minutes to take some holiday pictures before putting the Christmas decorations away for the year. It is "supposed" to be bad luck to not have them down by New Years...I'm not tempting fate...everything is down and put away! :)

Cocoa anyone? It's way too warm, so the picture will have to do.

I can't help but hope that 2012 is a better year than 2011. More downs that ups, but we take one day at a time and it has made us stronger.

Our 1st Christmas ornament from many years ago...together, anything is possible!

A year later we added this one...

And as long as we have this...ALL things are possible. Wishing everyone a safe, happy, healthy and PROSPEROUS New Year!

Dear God...

THANK YOU for the GLORIOUS sunset on my drive back home last night. Although trying to find a spot to pull over (without power lines and during rush hour) was a bit crazy, but I did it! And it kept getting prettier the further I went...unfortunately by the time I found another spot with a clear background it was almost gone. I LOVE this state and its beautiful sunsets.

Weather

2 pictures that tell a completely different story. The first one taken on an early morning run to town last week. It looks like a cold winter day, but with cool clouds though, which is why I stopped in the middle of the road to take the picture. Good thing there's no traffic at that time of the morning! The next picture looks like it's going to be a beautiful day at the lake as the fog burns off. Looks can be deceiving! In the first picture, it was quite warm, but the cold/rain had not come through yet...and the lake was freezing (as I hiked down there in my jammies because I was afraid I'd miss the picture I saw in my head if I took the time to get dressed)...and it was beautiful as the sun was out! The lake is just no fun when it's cold out...but that's just my opinion!

Madelynn Noel

...born 12-19-11 @ 805am...7lb 12oz and 19 1/2" long...and so, so beautiful. I see plenty of weekends visiting this coming year. Good thing it's a quick 2 hour drive! It's amazing how fast they change. She was even cuter this morning! How can that be?! I can't wait to see her again and take her newborn pictures next week! Happy Birthday little girl!

Minutes old

Sugar and spice and all things nice...that's what little girls are made of."

Santa baby...

I made a Santa Hat, from scratch, in about an hour, WITHOUT a pattern. Go figure. It turned out great...a hair small, but some pulling and stretching made it fit better...and too cute on baby! (I bet you're waiting on a picture!) :)

The List...

I'm checking off things one by one and I'm starting to see the light. Packages shipped, shopping done, handmade gifts finished...sorta..., school's ALMOST out and the spirit is slowly returning. I'm heading out of town to go meet my new niece/nephew, so hopefully new baby pictures to come!

I love holiday bokeh...need to try some more before taking down the lights.

A manger....

At the end of our Christmas program, I caught this...

Spirit-less

I have lost my Christmas Spirit. I am trying hard to find it or regain it, but it's tough. I'm tired and emotionally beat up. This is a hard holiday after a hard year. I hate that the kids can tell, but I love all the hugs they randomly give me. It's what keeps me going. But I try to remember...

I have to remember...

That when the winter doldrums set in in the middle of winter...you know, when it's cold, snowy and generally ugly outside, Opryland is a safe haven. :) When you need a dose of summer, their indoor gardens are always blooming and green. I will be back in a few months for my spring kickstart!

And as I was leaving, their beautiful Pansy's that will bloom outside all winter.

Tis the season...

Sometimes it's hard to get into the Christmas spirit. We try, because we know at the end of this tough year, we've survived it...and we're looking forward to a brighter and better 2012. So, since I forced Mr Social (not really) to drive me up to Bass Pro for some Christmas shopping, I wanted to walk thru Opryland to look at their decorations. Mr Social stayed in the car. :) It was worth it...some of it has changed due to the flooding, but it's still beautiful and worth a look see if you get the chance.

We did go home and dig out our decorations! :)