Hark, Hear the Bells...

...sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away...Christmas is here!

I finally got both my trees up and completed! Now all I have to do is the kids' trees and the outside lights (I think). Then, I have to speed clean my house because I'm hosting a Christmas party in ONE week! Ahh!

But, to be festive, I thought I would share a few pics of my trees and a few of the fam. As I mentioned in my last post, my parents gave me my present early--a fancy new digital camera, so we've been having fun playing with the different settings. My favorites for the trees are "candlelight" and "night scenery." Scott's a better photographer than me as he takes the time to actually read the manual and try stuff out :) But, I digress. Here ya go:

The den tree--my traditional one. I also have one in that little corner. Yes, I am one of those people (You know, those that have a tree in almost every room). Sorry, I got it from my mom; but I really think she learned it from our old next door neighbor, Ruth Ann, so we'll blame her!

The front living room tree. It's my "elegant" one.

(Above & below: Some of Scott's fancy photography.)

In Pottery Barn's Christmas catalog they featured a family tree with framed photos on it. I thouhgt that was pretty neat, so I tried to copy!

And how could I forget...I took the kids to the parade last night. Below, Will is pointing at something...not sure what!

Claire Bear at her first parade

One of the many floats

Also, I have been tagged yet again by Kelly, but this is a special Christmas edition. I think I did it last year, but hey, it's the holidays. let's do it again!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapping paper at Christmas-time for some reason. Of course, if a gift is impossible to wrap and would go better in a bag...by all means, I use the bag.

2. Real tree or artificial? I love the way real trees smell (love walking by the tree lots!) but artificial is so much more practical for me.

3. When do you put up the tree? Anytime after Halloween is fair game for me. Since I have so much to do and two little rugrats, the sooner the better. They might be up and naked for a coupld of weeks before I can get to them!

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Year's

5. Do you like eggnog? Nope. Scott does, though.

6. What about fruit cake? Again, nope!

7. Favorite gift recieved as a child? One Christmas I got everything Barbie...the house, the car, clothes, and of course, several of the dolls. My poor aunt got the job of putting it all together and sticking all the stickers on. Thanks, Aunt Shirley. I still remember. What a great day!

8. Do you have a nativity scene? No

9. Hardest person to buy for? grandparents and in-laws; and Claire, because she's a baby and doesn't need anything!

10. Easiest person to buy for? Will (I want to get him so many things!)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever recieved?

12. Mail or Email cards? I definitely prefer snail mail, but this year, I think the cards ain't happnin'. We just have too much going on. So maybe email would be a good alternative to nothing!

13. Favorite Christmas movie? I have so many...it's time to start watching! White Christmas, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life

14. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually around October or November...as soon as it occurs to me that I need to start!

15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Yes.

16. What is your favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham, my grandma's sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, candied pecans, pecan pie, hot chocolate

17. Clear or colored lights on the tree? Clear!

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? I prefer to stay at home, but we end up traveling a lot to be with family.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, & Rudolph

20. Angel or star on top of the tree? Star

21. Favorite Christmas song? religious--O Holy Night; secular--Winter Wonderland

22. Open the presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Usually Christmas morning, but sometimes we open one on Christmas Eve.

23. What is the one gift you really want this year? An iPod stand alone player. I already got the digital camera I also really wanted.

24. What is the most annoying thing about this time of year? The crazy holiday shoppers. And things like going to Midland to get more ribbon from Hobby Lobby only to find out that Hobby Lobby is completely sold out of ribbon.

25. What I love most about Christmas? I love the joy and fun of it. I love the special, warm, fuzzy feelings that are so prevalent. I love giving gifts and seeing people open them. It's just a warm, cozy, wonderful, sweet time of year!

50 odd things...

I got this interesting survey on MySpace. I thought I'd post it here, too...I haven't posted a survey here in a while. Notice question number two...I thought that was definitely odd!!

1. How tall are you?
5'7"

2. Have you ever done heroin?
Seriously??? Who answers yes to this???

3. Do you own a gun?
not personally, but my husband does

4. Do you recycle?
No :( (wish I did/could).

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
It depends on the kind of doctor appointment or what it's going to be about. Not normally, though.

6. What do you think about hot dogs?
alright every now and then...I do NOT want to know what exactly is in them.

7. What's your favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Coffee and OJ

9. Can you do push ups?
I'll be honest on this one...no.

10. Is your bathroom clean?
Honestly, no. It could use a good scrubbing (it's not horrificly dirty, though).

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My wedding ring

12. Do you like painkillers?
When I'm in pain, yes :)

13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
That's a good question for Scott. I have no idea :)

16. Middle Name?
Patrice &/or Reed

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
I should be getting ready for bed.
I'm tired.
I hope Claire lets me sleep tonight :)

18. Name the last 3 things you have bought:
Diaper bag.
Birthday card for my brother.
Pajamas for Will.

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:
Water, Diet Coke, tea

20. Who is your hero?
Scott

21. Last person you called?
Mom

22. Current worry?
I'm a mom. This almost requires me to constantly worry about my children. Currently I worry that Claire is getting enough to eat, and that Will might be getting sick.

23. Current hate?
being tired

24. Favorite place to be?
With friends and family.

25. How did you bring in the new year?
We traveled from Florida to Houston. Then we sat in the hot tub at my parents' house.

26. Where would you like to go?
The UK, most of Europe, Australia

27. Do you own slippers?
yep

28. What shirt are you wearing?
a green one

29. Do you burn or tan?
burn then tan

30. Favorite color(s)?
Red, purple, green, coral

32. Are you wearing socks right now?
nope

33. What songs do you sing in the shower?
depends what is stuck in my head

34. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
the Boogey-man

35. What's in your pockets right now?
nada

36. Last thing/person that made you laugh?
Either Scott or Will

37. Best bed sheets as a child?
I had Strawberry Shortcake sheets, but what was even better was my Smuf sleeping bag!

38. Worst injury you've ever had?
I've never really been horribly injured. I've given birth twice, though.

39. Are you doing anything else right now?
nope

40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
Two, but only one works.

41. Who is your loudest friend?
Chelsey

42. Who is your most silent friend?
Beth P.

43. Does someone have a crush on you?
Scott

44. Do you wish on shooting stars?
I haven't seen one in years!

45. What is your favorite book?
How could I ever choose??? I'll list a few of my favorites: Gone With the Wind, the Outlander series, Harry Potter series, The Poisonwood Bible, A Painted House...I could go on and on.

46. What is your favorite candy?
Snickers. It really satisfies.

47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding?
Acapella's version of Canon in D

48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
Never thought about it.

49. What were you doing @ 12 AM last night?
I was about to go to bed.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning?
I have to feed that baby!