Along the path...

How fast this year has flown by! I can hardly believe the new year is just around the corner. It seems like only yesterday we were welcoming 2009 and adjusting to its shape. I had hoped to post a few highlight pictures from this year, but alas, I inadvertently deleted the pictures on my SD card. Anyone know how to retrieve them?

What a fabulous way to spend Christmas vacation!

New found love in MLIA : Last night some friends and I went to Toys R Us at midnight with about a thousand other eager Black Friday shoppers. Except we weren't there to shop. We were dressed as Spartans, and we walked up and down the line, and shouted out a speech encouraging our fellow warriors to stay strong and take heart in the upcoming battle for their children's happiness. MLIA Sure wish I would have heard about this sooner. It would have been awesome to try.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas (I haven't been able to upload this video. Please follow the link .)

Renee posted this video on her family's blog the other day and I really appreciated her sharing it. You can view it below, from her blog or on youtube .

Courtesy of Conan and the Tonight Show ... Eight Days of Hanukkah from Tablet Magazine on Vimeo .

(To both of my blog readers:) Feeling the spirit of the season? Need somewhere to give? Remember setting up your first home or apartment and all those things you went to your "Old Mother Hubbard" cupboards for? My sister-in-law , Rebekah, and her family are collecting items for "Apartment Start-Up Kits" for a United Way organization to give out to needy families during the coming year. Items can be gently used. Needed: dish clothes and towels cooking utensils pots and pans vacuums brooms mops buckets sponges cleaning products sugar flour spices If you would like to donate anything before January 4th, let me know and I'll help get it to her.

Today I received an email: S. Claus (HelpSanta09) is now following your tweets on Twitter . Guess I'd really better watch out now!

Happy birthday, Mike!!! Hope you have a super awesome day full of all your favorite things. Like playing dress up with your daughters and football with your son and hanging out with your wife. I'm so glad you're a part of our family.

I found these cupcakes in a random blog stalking and fell in love. So holiday-festivish! They look delish.

More info here and here

Happy birthday, Karyn!!! Thursday was a blast. (Thanks, Melinda, for sharing your pics)

This spoof is hilarious! Tom , you rock my world. Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo .

Happy, happy birthday, AJ, dear. Happy days will come to you all year. If I had one wish then it would be--a happy, happy birthday to you from me! I am so glad you are a part of our family you darling, lovable girly-girl! Thanks for hanging out with me at the zoo and the fair and for going fun places. I love our "dates" and playing hide and seek. Hope your fourth birthday is full of happiness and many wonderful surprises. Love you girl!

Nathan, Even with as much as you protest, you know you love it! Hope you have a great birthday and that this year brings the best of everything your way! Love you.

My friend Andrea sent me this picture along with the following message. I'm not sure where it originated... The good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take them down after only two days. So many people came screaming up to my house. All great stories, but two things clinched it. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents--they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder and almost killed herself leaning it against my house. She didn’t realize that it was fake until she climbed to the top--and boy was she not happy. She was only one of many who attempted the feat. Also, my yard just couldn’t take it either. There are more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.

Guess who is finally FOUR! Yeah, RD! I'm so glad to have you as a nephew. I love your wit and charm and intellect. No one could ask for a better nephew. And I love the way you speak Spanish. Thanks for your kisses--where ever they happen to land! You're the best!!!

This recipe came from a co-worker at a potluck Halloween luncheon. It was Yummmm! 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 lb. Velveeta cheese 1 med. onion, chopped (or 2 Tbs. dried minced onion) 1 pkg. Doritos (we usually use ¾ of the bag) Bake or boil the chicken and cut it up into bite-size pieces. In a saucepan, slowly heat the tomatoes, soup and cheese. In a 9x13-inch pan, put 1 layer chicken, 1 layer chopped onions, 1 layer Doritos. Pour cheese-and-soup mixture over the top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Sing on!