First Tree

Chris and I got married very young. Being in college and living in Married Student Housing made the financial and spacial constraints of having Christmas trees just something we had to deal with. Plus, we always went "back home" so we actually had two trees -- one at my parents house and one at his parents house.

This little glass tree was the only tree we had for several years.

I can still remember the first Christmas tree we purchased.

We were living in Stillwater, OK. Chris was in graduate school and I was working at the Chamber of Commerce. Chris surprised me one night about 5:00 by walking into the Chamber, grabbing me and my coat and telling me to get in the truck. We headed to Wal-mart, got a cart and he pushed it to the Christmas aisle. We searched the aisles for the perfect lights and decorations. We ended up with a theme of purple and green! (This WAS the early 90's!!)

We then headed outside to the trees and scoured the lot for the perfect tree!

I will never forget the excitement over that night and how Chris surprised me.

Every year, I still "put up" our first tree to remind me of how far we've come and that special "first" in our marriage.

Holiday Cheer

I have a few new holiday decorations this year.

One in particular makes me smile.

I hope everyone has a holiday season that is filled with lots of smiles!

Thankful

The Blakley Family has thrown tradition to the wind -- at least "normal" traditions. We don't spend hours on Thanksgiving Day cooking or eat in the dining room of a family member. Our tradition is meeting in some city in Texas for Thanksgiving weekend. We stay in a hotel, go on outings, make crafts with the kids and watch a lot of football! And, of course, we do eat!

This year we met in San Antonio. A beautiful, historic city.

We stayed on the River Walk, ate Thanksgiving dinner at a quaint restaurant, visited the zoo, and watched the river be transformed into a Christmas wonderland with Santa arriving on a boat!

My mom wanted us all to go around to say what we are thankful for. Judson, the youngest, was thankful for the clones in Star Wars! My sister and brother-in-law are at the end of a 3 1/2 year "adventure" and are thankful with God's provisions throughout it all.

One of our newer traditions is helping people on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, having lots of kids, it is hard to find somewhere where all of us can volunteer. This year we took matters into our own hands and the kids fixed bags of food for the homeless. My dad carried a big bag full of sack lunches through the streets of San Antonio and when we came upon a homeless person he would gather all the grandkids around and have one of them give the homeless person a small bag of nourishment. Each person was very grateful. We heard some sad stories. I believe it made a difference in each of our hearts -- to realize how blessed we really are.

I am thankful for so much. I have been blessed since the moment I entered this world. I have amazing Christian parents. Having a dad and mom who "walks the walk", especially in front of my kids, is huge! I have always been loved, supported and encouraged. I married a man who is my best friend, who I love being with and who I want to grow old with. He is an awesome father and giver and provider. I have two boys who are healthy, smart and fun! I live in the best country in the world. I know that God is beside me through everything and He is the Lord of my family.

And...we all really like spending time with each other!

Dad, the Addict

I'm so glad we bought a Wii for the boys this Christmas...

We Progressed

Last night, we held the 1st Annual Neighborhood Progressive Dinner. It was the first time in the 6 1/2 years we have lived here that we have had a get-together that required no kids! When we moved here, there was the traditional Halloween night craziness that included games, food and lots of kids that just wanted to go trick-or-treating. A couple of years later, the parents gave in and let the kids do what they wanted -- just go get candy! National Night Out was another "bring food to the end of the cul-de-sac and watch the kids go wild" night. However, August 1 in Houston equals a warm, soupy night and that got tossed by the wayside too. We all figured we see each other everyday. We can wave and say our neighborly "hellos" and get back to our lives.

After Hurricane Ike, the neighborly ways came out in full force and in the midst of helping each other, friendships were grown. The days were spent helping neighbors clean up, the kids playing together, gasoline and water and food shared. At night, bar-b-que grills were brought out and we sat and enjoyed the food and company in the dark together. I decided that attempts needed to be made to keep those relationships going.

Everyone seemed to like the idea of the Progressive Dinner. I explained that my parents used to do this when I was growing up. However, they would drive all over town and not be done until the wee hours of the morning. We just walked and were done by 9:30! (We are such partiers!!)

We started at one house and had appetizer's -- yummy pizza dip, olive tapenade, and sticks of mozzarella, basil and tomatoes. I tried to pace myself...On to the soup house, where a new neighbor moved in. Aida is from Russia and made this AMAZING Russian vegetable salad, vegetable soup and a meat pie. Wow!! I was very comfortable at this point; but, we were only halfway done! On to our house for the Main Course and side dishes and dessert -- ugh! -- I could barely leave the table after eating small portions of pork loin, green bean casserole, baked beans, broccoli salad and potato salad! We decided to take a break and do our White Elephant gifts first before having dessert. We had lots of laughs seeing the gifts people chose to give --an old Mr. Mouth game, a set of knives, salt and pepper shakers, and a framed picture of one of our neighbors! Poor Aida will get to look at Spencer's face for a year! We then FORCED ourselves to have a plate of desserts!

Four hours later, the babysitters were taken home, the kitchens were cleaned and we all were snug in our beds dreaming of what Aida will make next year!!

What Christmas Looks Like at My House

Last year, I joined the hundreds of others who linked on to BooMama's Christmas Home Tour. I am so glad I did because as I was decorating this year, I went back to those old postings to see where I had put a few things. (I know I say often how my memory is bad -- but it REALLY IS bad!!) Those pictures made me realize that my mantle last year was really boring -- so off to the store I went! :)


I decided not to join BooMama this year; but, did want to post pictures of our house anyway. My parents are the only family who have been to our house at Christmastime; so, if nothing else, the rest of our family can see how everything looks. In all reality, these pictures are actually going to help me next year when I am decorating!!


This is my "snowflake" tree. I have red, green and white jingle bells and white snowflakes all over it. In Houston, this is usually the only snow we see!

My homemade Santa greets you in the entryway in his "twiggy" sled.

Our England Santa sits on our Dining Room table. As I said last year, this poor Santa's view is sure not the same as it was a few years ago. Chris and I were standing on a street in Stratford-Upon-Avon looking at Shakespeare's home. I turned around and this Christmas store was behind us. In the window, looking toward Shakespeare's home was this Santa! I had to have him!!

Welcome to our living room. If you can't tell, I LOVE snowmen! This is actually a bit odd since I don't like being cold and told Chris that I never want to live anywhere that is cold! I am getting very accustomed to Texas' hot, soupy weather!







This tree is sitting on my kitchen counter. When we brought it home a few weeks ago, we told the boys that was our tree this year. (You would think they would quit listening to us for as often as we tease them!) I said they would only get enough gifts to go under that tree. Colby looked heartbroken; however, Connor gladly said, "That's OK. The cell phone I want will fit perfectly under that!" Ha!!

Decorating the tree...




Some of my favorite ornaments...




Merry Christmas to all!!

It Must Be In The Blood

Chris and I got married in July. I thought, after knowing him for five years, that I knew everything about him. Then, Halloween approached. My engineering-student husband started doodling on his graph paper and hence a tradition was created.

Chris came up with detailed, goofy jack-o-lanterns that boasted ears and noses like none I have seen. Shoot, we didn't have a Christmas tree for the first two years of marriage...but, by golly, we carved those pumpkins!!

Once the boys were born, carving pumpkins became a "father-son" deal. I just take the pictures documenting their creativity. Well, this year, Chris is out-of-town. So last night, the boys became men and carved their own pumpkins. I guess it's in their blood (or they just like to play with knives)!




Connor carved a Bald Eagle and Colby carved a spider. I think their dad will be proud!

Happy Halloween to all!!

May Time Stand Still

As I look over my previous blogs, it seems I refer to "time" alot! My mom was right when she said that I need to enjoy this time in my life because it goes way too fast. There are a few days I wish time would race by; but, I look back and review my weeks and it is amazing what we get done and what we experience. I hope, as I said in my last blog, that the memories stick.

The boys went to church Friday night for an evening of games and fun so that the parents could have an evening to themselves. Chris and I got most of our shopping done! Yippee!! The pictures of the boys are from Friday night.

As December falls upon us once again, my main wish for me and my family is that time will stand still. There are always 101 things to get done -- decorate, shop, cook (yes, Chris, this does happen in other households!!:)) -- and I really am trying to be organized so that I can enjoy my family and not get so wrapped up in all the "need to do's".

That is my wish for everyone this holiday season. May you take the time to remember the real reason we are celebrating and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells from the eyes of your children!