Christmas Eve and Santa

Boy how times have changed...where did all the Fisher Price toys go? This year instead of getting the kids a ton of "stuff", we opted for a big Summer trip to Greece! 

Knowing that our Summers are getting harder to all be on the same schedule, we decided to take advantage of this Summer and plan a big trip. Lookout Greece, here we come! Oh, and since we will only be a 2 hour plane ride to Beirut, I am trying to convince Judson to make a stop in the home country. Stay tuned...

Santa spelled "GREECE" out in Greek letters and hung them on the mantel. 

 

Merry Christmas! 

 

Happy Times and Amazing Adventures

 Our Christmas Card...December 2016

Girl's Night Out

Fun night at Monnie's with old friends. 

Thanks Monnie for getting us all together every year. 

Cousins...on the Burlison side...

Friends,Flowers,Faith

Friends, Flowers and Faith...that pretty much sums up this post. 

I haven't written much on here about Chad and Leigh and their battle with cancer because I want to respect their privacy. They have been at MD Anderson since early fall. He had his surgery and THANKS be to GOD it was a huge success. I was so grateful when Leigh posted this of them finally getting discharged.  

I was really honored when I got this on my Snapchat! 

My mantle was complete this year when I placed the HUMONGOUS poinsettia there that the Smiths delivered to us for a Christmas happy. During the Christmas season, every time I looked at it I said a short prayer for them. 

Keep fighting Chad and stay strong Leigh. We love you two!

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011

I love decorating for the Holidays every year. I am so proud of my ornaments, many were given to Judson and I at our Wedding.

I find myself getting more and more emotional when it comes to taking pictures with Mee-Maw. I keep telling myself and my kids that Mee-Maw may not make it to the next Holiday. I sure hope that she continues to prove me wrong! I think she actually looks pretty good in this picture. The kids are so patient with her...makes me proud.

Just a few pictures of us opening gifts at Mom and Dad's house. We always get together at my parent's on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning after Santa has arrived. One of the kids "big" items was drums for Ally, a video camera for Abby, and a money collection for Oney.They were all surprised with these things...I LOVE BEING ABLE TO PULL OFF A SURPRISE!

I had already changed into my pajamas in this picture, but I wanted a picture with Mee-Maw! She looks so happy in this picture! That has been our peace of mind with her being in an assisted living..she has been VERY content. That has made it so much easier on Mom.

Here are a few pictures of us opening gifts at Judson's parents house. I LOVE the armadillo that Joe received. He liked it too!

The boys were definitely Sittie's BEST shoppers! She took them shopping together before Christmas. They picked out lots of goodies! Joseph gave Oney a Grizzlies shirt like his for Christmas.

This picture was taken before the kids walked in to the den to see what Santa had brought. We always have to hold them back to get this shot! I love it!

BEATS by Dr. Dre...The big ticket item from us this year! It was a last minute idea but definitely one of the kids favorites! They were expensive but boy do they sound good!

I bought everyone a different "hunting" themed t-shirt since I am an addict when it comes to the deer stand. Judson's was my favorite..."This is my idea of bagging groceries"!

We teased Ally with drum sticks and a set of WI drums on the stair case!

Our drama Queen, Abby, got this cute t-shirt..."Save the drama for your lama"!

Oney loved his safe from Aunt Das and he immediately put his new coin collection in it. He also got a jet sled to pull behind the polaris!

Daddy got a Browning hat like mine...maybe he will let me wear mine now!

The folks that made it all possible!!! THANKS to our Grandparents and Parents...for everything in life! May we strive to be a fraction as wonderful as you all have been!

Holiday Baking Traditions

Candy Cane Cookies Compliments of Lynne Fisher

This is an old "Naifeh-Fisher" tradition. When Judson was growing up, Lynne made these cookies for all of her dearest friends and their children. This is one of his fondest childhood memories! If you had three children in your family, you would get 5 cookies delivered to your house. Not 3 not 6...but "5". I remember when Oney was born, (I think this was the last year she delivered cookies), she brought us 4 cookies! Judson called Lynne and harassed the heck out of her...where was our fifth cookie?!?! She had cheated us! I realized then the importance of the Christmas Peppermint Candy Cane Cookie!

So now we bake these as a family every Christmas! They are so delicious..the almond flavoring is the best! It has now become a "Naifeh Family Tardition"! I hope we can pass it on to all of my kids children! A family that bakes together-stays together!

Out taste tester...It seems like Judson always has to make a delivery to Munford each year when we are in the middle of baking our Christmas goodies! He LOVES licking the beaters!

THANKS Lynne for sharing your recipe with us! We always say that we should make hearts for Valentine's Day! I think its best to keep it special for Christmas.

Christmas Dinner at the Williams

Judson and I always try to have friends over for a nice dinner during the Holidays each year. We had already set a date for this years annual beef tenderloin dinner before my hunting accident. Dr. T really didn't want me doing a lot of bending and lifting (it was the Saturday after my surgery). Kerry so graciously offered to host everyone at their house this year and we took her up on her offer!

We usually do a dirty Santa gift and exchange between friends. This year though my dear friends surprised me with a little "presentation" of gifts relating to my accident! It was hilarious...I think I was a good sport!

Eric was the "presenter" and I think Ryan was the "instigator".

This was a new safety helmet for me to wear when I go hunting. They also gave me a bow and arrow to hunt with instead of a rifle. Pretty funny!

This was my dirty santa gift that I came away with..my fave...a Turvis Tumbler..and a Browning one at that!

It was a great night with great friends and great food!

They're Back...Our Elves That Is...

We weren't sure if the elves would come back this year or not. But, they did...yippee!!!  I keep thinking that the kids are going to "out grow" the elves but boy am I wrong! They love the anticipation of the tiny "happies" and mischief the elves bring. Cinnamon (Ally's), Blossom (Abby's) and Pipkin (Oney's) are their names. They started out like a ball of fire about 9 years ago. They aren't quite as active now but the kids still like their visit! The picture below is of their first visit this year...they ALWAYS bring Christmas pajamas for the entire family on their first visit each Christmas season.

I LOVE this picture...Oney digging in to the Dinstuhl's chocolate from our Advent calendar. The kids look forward to their special chocolate toy soldiers, santas, balls, trains, angels, etc for breakfast each morning!

It's hard to believe that in four very short years my Ally will be going off to college. WOW! Yes, these elves are definitely coming back next year and as long as I can make it happen!