Tree decorating

 

The kids {and I} couldn't wait to get the tree up.  I convinced TJ to drive down to Orlando the day after Thanksgiving so we could go to IKEA (the closest one to us) and get me some organization for my craft room.  As soon as we got home from Orlando we put up the tree.  We have to have to drink egg nog while we decorate our tree too - we all love egg nog!  We watched Home Alone while we decorated.  It was a fun night.  But, I think I've worn TJ out from all the work I've been having him do!

and After!

After a lot of hard work TJ finally finished our backsplash!  We didn't have a clue what we were doing.  But, he did an awesome job and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  It's amazing the transformation just this little job did to our kitchen!  It went from being a nice kitchen to an awesome kitchen!

Before...

I can't wait to show you the after pictures!!

Trick-or-Treating at the Hangar

TJ's hangar had trick-or-treating for the kids and a static display of the P3.  They got way too much candy from all the shops in the hangar.  But, it was fun doing this at daddy's work.  This is the first time the kids had gotten to see their daddy's work spaces.

 Dressed and ready to go!

 I love this picture of the P3 with the American flag in the background.

 Going up the stairs to get into the P3.

 And they each took a turn in the cockpit.

Halloween festivities at school

I went to the kids' school on Friday to help them with their fun activities for Halloween.

 Brenalee at her table eating her snacks.

Brenalee doing the A Tootie Tah song.

 Tyler decorating his cookie.

 They also made masks.  That was my job to help the kids with the masks.

And Tyler's pumpkin won the cutest pumpkin award.  He wrote a story about a pumpkin named Veggie Boy who loved veggies.  He ate too many and woke up one day to see he had become a large veggie with broccoli hair, a carrot mouth, green bean nose, onion ears, and lima bean & corn eyes.  It was so adorable!

Maple Scotchies

We call my dad the cookie monster because he loves cookies.  I remember as a little girl whenever my mom was gone and my dad was in charge - we made cookies.  And we ate a lot of cookie dough.  I remember him telling us girls stories of when he was a teenager he would make cookie dough, put it in a plastic bag and keep it in his sock drawer to snack on throughout the next few days!  We have quite a few tried and true family cookie recipes from my dad.  This is one of them that we always made during the holidays.  I love these cookies.  They are so yummy!  They taste best after they have completely cooled.

Maple Scotchies:
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 slightly beaten egg
2 TBS milk
1/2 tsp maple flavoring
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 TBS cocoa powder

Combine flour and sugar.  Cut in butter till mixture resembles fine crumbs.  Reserve 1/4 cup and put aside in small bowl with 2 TBS cocoa powder.  Add soda and salt to remaining flour-sugar mixture; mix well.  Blend in egg, milk and maple flavoring.  Mix to form dough.  Stir in pecans.  Shape dough into balls using rounded teaspoon of dough for each.  Roll in cocoa powder mixture.  Place 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes.  Do not over bake!  Let cook on cookie sheet for a minute or two and remove to wire racks to finish cooling.

Jacksonville airshow

The airshow came to Jacksonville.  We couldn't go on the regular day it was scheduled.  But, of course because we are military we got to be there the day they were practicing.  We went up onto the roof of TJ's building.  We had a great view and no crowds!  We had to keep away from the edge though because the security guy would see us and start motioning us to get down.  It was a gorgeous day!

 P3's with downtown Jax in the background.

 F18 coming in for a landing.

Columbus Day!

TJ had today off because of Columbus Day.  We have been really needing to paint our house.  It came with this beige flat paint.  I'm sure you can imagine all the little dirty fingerprints I have all over my walls - especially going up the stairs.  And of course because it's flat paint - you can't wash anything off of it!  It was horrible!  It was a big undertaking and we spent the entire day painting - but we finished it!  We only have a couple of rooms left to paint now.

Touchdown for the Troops

I am so behind in my blogging!  A bunch of pro football players put on a football clinic for military kids a few weeks ago.  It was an all day event and Tyler wanted to go.  He had a great time.  He puked on the way home though!  I think he was over heated and a little dehydrated.  But, he was fine after a few hours of laying on the couch and recuperating in the a/c.

The best dad ever!

We got a knock on the door today and it was the postman.  I took the heavy package off the doorstep wondering who in the world it could be from.  It was addressed to Tyler and Brenalee.  It was from my parents.  When we opened it up we were so excited to find pears from the orchard and jars of jam, jelly and apple butter!  YUM!  The kids didn't waste a second in eating some pears.  Thanks Papa!

Tyler

Tyler was student of the month at his school in September!  We are so proud of you Ty-Ty!

Word of wisdom from Brenalee

TJ walked to the bus stop last week and picked up the kids.  I normally drive to the bus stop because it's a mile away and it's about 1,000° here still.  And the kids whine like crazy if they have to walk in that heat for a mile...I've finally just learned my lesson and drive.  But we finally cooled down to about 800° so TJ thought it would be a nice walk for Cesar and the kids.  About half way home Brena is really whining and says "Daddy I'm so hot and sweaty I'm going to grow hair under my arm pits!"  So, that's how it gets there?

Fall quilt

I actually pieced the top of this quilt last year.  But, I never got it quilted.  I finally sat down and basted it, quilted it, and bound it.  I love it!  And the best thing about this quilt - it is for ME!  I forgot to measure it, but it's a good size.  I sat on the couch with it on me last night and it was the perfect size.  Not that we are having fall weather by any means - we're still in the 90's - but I want it to be fall! 

Spelling Test

Tyler loves spelling.  It was no surprise to me when he came home with a 100% on his first test!  When we were homeschooling he would work in his spelling workbook in his free time.  He would finish one workbook in about 6 weeks.  One workbook should normally last 6+ months!  He loves spelling!  Good job Ty Ty!

Busch Gardens Tampa!

We are a family that LOVES roller coasters! Last year we went to Busch Gardens and I forgot my camera! This year I didn't forget! Busch Gardens does a Salute to the Heroes program that lets military and their families in for free to a Busch Garden theme park. We always choose Busch Gardens because of the roller coasters. They are fabulous! I love that thrill of plummeting to the ground, or going upside down. It's so fun! Poor Tyler. I thought for sure this year he'd be able to go on the big rides. There are about 5 or 6 really big coasters you have to be 54" to ride. He's like 53 1/2". But, there were plenty of other good rides to go on.

This is Brena at the end of the day running to cram in as many rides as she could on this coaster.

You can see Tyler in the very back seat and Brena is right in front of him.

This is on one of those crazy water rides. We got so totally soaked, I was wringing my shorts out.

Lots of animals throughout the park. We even saw a tiger and a white tiger.

Ahhh, one of my favs...Sheikra! It is 200 feet up and 90 degrees straight down and 68 mph the whole way!!! WOW! It's amazing! At the top of the 200 feet they hold you over the edge as you look straight down for about 5 seconds :P SO fun!!! ♥♥♥

This was Scorpion. You can see TJ with Brena - TJ has the blue shirt on and Brena is right next to him. The kids couldn't get enough of this one.

This wasn't a huge ride, but it was SO fun. It's one where they take you up, then drop you, take you back up and drop you, over and over. Seriously tickles your tummy.

Another water ride, figured I was already soaked, why not get more wet?

TJ and Tyler going up Gwazi...TJ's got his arm up in the air, second car from the front. Tyler's on the other side of him.

Until next year Busch Gardens!