Mallory's Christmas Program

Last night was Mallory's Christmas program at church.  It's precious to watch 4 & 5 year olds perform!  Here are some pictures of the big night...

Getting ready!

Me and my sweet girl after the "Birthday Party for Jesus" program

Mallory, Micah, & Kristin

Mallory, Me, Jack, & Daddy

It was a fun night.  Mallory did an awesome job and I was proud of her, as always!!

Snow Day & More WINS!

Last week when it snowed and Jack took his nap, Mallory and I decided to spend the afternoon in front of the fire, drinking hot chocolate, and watching The Polar Express.  It was the perfect way to spend a cold, snowy afternoon.

Christmas has been coming early for me lately!  I recently won some more blogger giveaways.  Some of them are pictured below, but the 4 Berenstain Bears books I won and the Piggy Paint nail polish are hidden away for Santa to bring.  ;-) 

I won a precious apron and apron pattern from Venezie Designs,

a Toddler Car Seat Cover and matching blanket from Dressy Dribbles,

2 Dora DVD's from Feisty, Frugal, & Fabulous,

2 Glade Holiday candles from Our Ordinary Life,

an Ice Age Scrat Pack DVD 2-pack from Stacey Says,

and 4 Berenstain Bears Books from A Frugal Friend.

It's been so much fun to enter these giveaways and actually WIN a few!!  :-)

As a stay-at-home-mom, I am always on the lookout for ways to save money.  I use coupons, surf the web for deals, and have been blessed with these fun gifts for FREE!  As I hit upon some great finds, I plan to post them here so you can take advantage of them and be blessed, too!  :-)

Annual After-Thanksgiving Trip & ICE!

Every year, my family has traditionally gone to Dallas the day after Thanksgiving.  The girls hit the sales and the guys golf.  This year Chad & Josh's families weren't able to go, but the rest of us went on and had a fabulous time!!!!  Here are some pics of our weekend...

Mallory, Micah, & Jack at the Gaylord Texan Hotel - a MUST SEE at Christmas!!!

Mallory at the life-size gingerbread house.  This puppy was made out of m&m's!!!

Jack is taking it all in

On Saturday, we went to the Bass Pro Shop.  They have some WONDERFUL activities for kids and free pictures with Santa!!!  I wish I'd had a video camera going as Mallory ran down the aisle and jumped into Santa's arms!  Here she is giving him her wish list...

He started counting on his fingers as she talked.

And I want.....

Now counting on the other hand!!  She had a list a mile long!!   He was a very, very good Santa....  so patient and really took time with each child, just as Santa should!  :-)

Finally, Mallory gave a list for Jack, too, then they got their picture made.

A carousel ride was next.  The kids rode reindeer instead of horses!

Mallory & Nana on the carousel

Micah & Kristin

On Sunday morning, we went to the ICE show at the Gaylord.  It is a 9 degree winter wonderland made entirely of ice!!  Parkas are provided.  :-)  This year's theme was How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Here is Jack getting some help with his parka - this was the smallest size available!!

This was about the funniest thing ever!!!  Jack literally toppled over under the weight of this thing!

Me and the kids as we entered Who-ville!

Me & Jack

Kristin, Micah, & Jamy

Mallory just slid down the ice slide - super fun!!

Mallory in front of the huge ice sculptures

Papa & Jack

Papa, Nana, Jack, Mallory, & Micah

Brad, Mallory, me, and Jack in front of the nativity.  It was gorgeous!!

Micah, Mallory, & Jack after the ICE show

It was an incredible weekend!!  :-)

Thanksgiving

I was talking to Mallory about Thanksgiving and she said,

"I know, Mama.  We're all going to sit down together and say thank you to God."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

And He's Off!!!!!

Jack is officially walking!!!  Although he started taking a few steps back in September, they were limited to holding hands and walking around holding on to the furniture.  He can now walk forward, backward, and turn around all on his own.  And, he can go from sitting to standing all by himself.  He is so proud of himself and LOVES his new mode of transportation.  Of course, big sister LOVES this, too!  :-)

A Giveaway!

Ya'll know how I am all about giveaways... well, here's one I just had to share!!!

Internet security is so vital in the world we live in.  It's so important to keep your information safe and secure when shopping online.  F-Secure Internet Security 2010 is a new prouct that can provide the protection we need.  Check it out here.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!!
The Shopping Mama is giving away a F-Secure Internet Security 2010 and $150.00 gift card to Amazon.com to one lucky winner.  Then 2 other lucky winners will receive $100 gift cards to Amazon.com!!!  Here's the link so you can sign up, too!!!  http://theshoppingmama.com/2009/11/fsecureinternetsecurity-amazongiveaway/

Blessings from the Blog World

I never knew how much fun blogging could be.  When I started my blog earlier this year, I had no idea how addicting it would become!  I've discovered that there are a zillion different kinds of blogs out there, too.  There are blogs out there that encourage your walk and have daily devotionals.  There are those who blog about decorating and crafts - I LOVE those!!!  And, then there are blogs that have giveaways!!!  Over the past few months, I've been blessed to win 4 giveaways!!!

First of all, I won a Christy Nockels cd from Boo Mama. 

Then, I won this $80 Kalencom Diaper Bag from Shop With Me Mama.

Next, I won this Skip Hop Pronto! Diaper Changing Kit from Meet Me In The Baby's Room. 

And finally, I won the Cute Like Me giveaway of a $15 gift certificate to Piggy Paint.  Piggy Paint is non toxic nail polish made especially for little girls!  I'm going to put it in Mallory's stocking, so ssshhhhhh!!  :-)

So, blogging has not only given me the chance to share my blessings, it's allowed me to receive many blessings, too!!!  How cool is that?!?!