Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land, our family was gathering, a celebration was planned.

The presents were wrapped.

The puppies were walked.

The girls started cooking.

The boys talked and talked.

When what to our wondering eyes did appear, but Grandaddy Grubb in suspenders, hear hear!

The dogs were excited. Tanner started to dance. But with our Amazon lists, nothing was left to chance.

Beth got her mixer and Jake got some sweaters. Tyson got a movie and Matt got some letters. (Actually it was a compilation of the New York Times front pages for the last 100 years, but I couldn't fiture out how to rhyme that. Also it was a surprise gift from Sarah and Tyson.)

There were cookbooks and cameras and doggie toys. There was a Beatle's anthology for my special boy.

But the person who received the most numerous gifts was our dear sweet Camryn - we love you - that's it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM TYLER

Camryn

Actually Camryn Joy - it's a beautiful name!!

Happy Anniversary, Sarah & Tyson

I think they love each other!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Finally

I think I'm almost, kinda, sorta, maybe finished with putting up our Christmas decorations this year. But I'm not sure. I have a nativity scene that some friends brought Greg from Africa and I haven't found the perfect place for it, but I'm working on it!

Here's our family tree - my mother beaded the tree skirt when Greg and I first got married. It's so pretty and makes me think of her.

I look forward to putting up the Christmas village each year. It's the first thing I get out. I have four pieces and don't want any more. It's perfect and makes me feel all "Christmasy".

On year my mother announced, "I'm not doing Christmas any more!" I think I was almost 40 and I couldn't believe it. No Christmas? Anyway, I came away with her collection of salt and pepper shakers - and I love them too. Beth got me the reindeer in Houston this year. They're payback for me keeping the granddogs. Aren't they cute?

I really can't explain my affection for these mechanical Christmas creatures. You push a button and they play Christmas music. Another thing that makes me smile at Christmas. The new edition this year is the black dog on the right. I played it for Tanner and Bruiser while they were staying with us. Tanner sniffed it and walked away. Bruiser hid behind my leg and barked. Silly dog.

Hey wait a minute! How'd that cow get here? I guess it's really a Christmas cow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Anniversary Time

Happy 2nd Anniversary Beth and Matt!

Kirksey Christmas!

Although it has taken me a little longer than usual, my Christmas decorations are finally up! We're not planning on having a party at our house or having guests stay with us this year, so I wanted to share with someone out there! :)




Here is our tree...it even has a couple of presents under it! :)












And here is our fireplace and mantle all decked out! I made the stockings a couple of years ago, and the wreath was last year's project. I guess I'll need to make another stocking for our new addition next year!









And this is our bookshelf (also in the living room) with garland on top and a sparkly nativity scene on the 2nd shelf.








Our Christmas plans this year include time in Tyler with each of our families, time in Houston with Tyson's extended family, and a family trip with Tyson's parents and brother to an undisclosed location...it's a surprise! :) We'll be going, going, going just like every year, but we feel blessed to be able to see everyone with our time off. I hope your Christmas is full of blessings, family, friends, and the joy of Christ!

Testimonies

We had a special night at Glenwood tonight. To honor the advent season, two young couples were asked to give their testimonies about the recent births of their children. Austin spoke with great sincerety about their struggle with infertility and how he saw God working in every aspect of their lives. They now have a new son named Tyler who is an answer to many prayers. Susan and Blake told their story of committment and excitement as they welcomed their daughter Scarlett into their family. He said that even her name is a reminder of the beautiful sacrifice of Jesus.

Surprisingly I was asked to share my thoughts on anticipating the birth of a new grandaughter. So of course I had to show a grandbaby picture on the big screen. Isn't she so cute!

I called Tyson today and asked if I could share their story and he said, "Of course, we just want to give God the glory." So I hope I was able to relate to my church family a glimpse of Sarah and Tyson's time of waiting and anticipation - how God truly blessed them with healing and a baby. Go to their blog at http://www.thekirkseys.blogspot.com/ to get all the details.

Of course I had to show Sarah in all her glory on the big screen.

Uh huh - the big screen :>)

Thanksgiving

The Grubbs and the Kirkseys got together again this year for Thanksgiving. We cooked, we ate, we played games - I think we ate again. Then it was over.

Sarah made "Momo Rolls". That is Tyson's grandmother's roll recipe. They were delish.

Beth and Matt went to Houston, but we got the granddogs.

Beth says I'm not supposed to give them treats, but it was Thanksgiving, so some turkey may have fallen on the floor, and the dogs may have eaten a piece. But that's just a possibility.

I think they must be talking about world peace - nah probably what's for dessert. Which was by the way pecan pie, chocolate pie, and cranberry trifle.
So - it was fun, it was fast and it was fattening!

It's a Girl Thing

This weekend Sarah and Tyson came to Tyler! So Beth, Sarah and I went to Mistletoe and Magic - the local Junior League Christmas Bazar. It was crowded, but fun. I bought my first Christmas present - earrings for Beth. Shh, don't tell her. Oh wait a minute, she picked them out. Since Sarah doesn't have pierced ears, she was uninterested!

What cow? Do you see a cow? I don't see a cow. OK, here's the deal. The lady at the jewelry booth noticed that I was having a little hot flash so she let me have her fan from Chick-fil-A. It's my favorite thing now. However, I think the cow must be mad at Sarah.

We came home - I made chicken enchiladas for supper. Beth brought some homemade biscotti and pumpkin crunch. So delicious. Then we played Speed Scrabble - Greg is the undisputed winner of that game! We also played Shanghai Rummy, a game that Tyson's mom and dad taught us.
I think Tanner and Bruiser wanted to play too. Tyson helped his parents remodel a house they are working on and Matt went for a bike ride that afternoon. Clearly the girls in this family really know how to have fun.

The Bump, The Belly, The BABY

Greg and I went to Dallas this weekend to attend a conference called Elderlink, which obviously is for elders. It was all about shepherding, legal issues for the church, generational differences, etc. You get the drift. We stayed with Sarah and Tyson and I had to take a picture of the "bump". So cute!





Actually I played hookie Saturday morning and Sarah and I did a little shopping and had lunch.




This is just a random picture that I took in our backyard last week - I wish you could smell the flower too! Hey maybe they could name baby girl Camelia - Camelia Kirksey has a certain ring. Well probably not.

Trunk or Treat

Once again our church (Glenwood) had a Trunk or Treat party in our parking lot. It was a beautiful Fall night and lots of people came! Beth and I shopped at the local Halloween store for costumes and creepy stuff - spiders, dry ice, snakes, etc. I picked up lots of chocolate candy at Sams. Naturally I had to sample all the different kinds - I just finished an Almond Joy. I promise I won't eat any more candy - really - I promise.

Beth sent Matt to buy his own costume and this is what he picked out - yep it's a penguin. When he first started putting it on I thought Power Ranger? Duck?? Penguin??? Just when I thought he couldn't surprise me he goes and does. Ah Matt.

It was surprising how many people wanted to take their kid's picture with the penguin. But here are a few family pictures. First wife and penguin.

Then mother-in-law, penguin and wife. No jokes about "witchy" mothers-in-law, please.

Then father-in-law and penguin. So we had fun. The only snag was the plastic tub I put the dry ice in was cracked and water leaked all over my trunk. Oh well. Matt says he already planning how the penguin will show up next year: Surfer Penguin, Lawyer Penguin, etc. Happy Halloween!!!

Saturday Night in Tyler

Boy, we really know how to have fun in Tyler on Saturday night. First we ate hamburgers and then Greg made a fire.

Time for Speed Scrabble! In my life, I've never beaten Greg at a word game, but it was close, and it was fun. This is my puzzle - a little messy with a few tiles left over - whatever.

Here is Greg's puzzle - precise, neat, and of course the winner!

Happy Birthday Sarah

Sarah turned 26 on October 3rd, so naturally we all gathered in Carrollton to celebrate on Saturday (the 4th). First things first - we ate a sandwich and then were ready to play Settlers of the Cattan. It's a fun game, confusing game, lots of rules game, but the important thing is that my team won. Thank you Tyson.

Next it was time to open presents, but not for Sarah. They were for a certain little someone that Sarah hasn't blogged about, but I'm posting these pictures anyway. Sorry Sarah - Gigi can't wait.

Aunt Sassy (Beth) couldn't resist, so she bought this cute onesie. It says, "My Aunt Loves Me".

We all went to church (didn't take pictures of that) and then we went to eat at The Macaroni Grill - ooh pasta.

We went back to Sarah and Tyson's house to open presents and eat cake (red velvet). Sarah got lots of maternity stuff, but the purple purse was just for fun. Tyson gave her a book on decorating a baby room. Ahh.

On Sunday morning we rode the Dart to downtown Dallas to see the King Tut Exhibit at the Dallas Museum of art. What a great exhibit.

Part of our ticket included a 3-D movie about the pharoahs.

Oh yes, "The Boys" came too. They're so much fun.

Again, Happy Birthday Sweet Sarah - we love you, had fun, ate too much, and just generally enjoyed ourselves so much.