A last post for 2009

I am posting to my blog on this chilly New Years Eve and yet…have nothing really profound to say – just a few little bits and pieces.

I have been putting the final touches on the Christmas “pack-up”. I finally took the Santa down from the shelf next to my bedroom and he is sitting on the kitchen counter waiting to go into the plastic tub – I look forward to seeing him next year since the shelf looks plain and boring without him.

I have finally removed the stickers and tags from a few of my favorite Christmas gifts this year. I have to leave my “pile” out for a few days just to enjoy my haul a little longer before it all gets stored away. This year the haul included some of my favorite types of gifts. I am not a frilly fussy Christmas gift receiver – no way! I like stuff I can use. I got the most adorable cupcake measuring spoons from my sister and family….I may leave them on the counter permanently! They are that CUTE! I also got new spatulas, new whisks, a new cookie sheet, an awesome new cooking pan, and a flour sifter. I am in some serious kitchen heaven. Anyone else like me and LOVE LOVE LOVE the practical gifts? I will take an appliance over diamonds any day. I used some of my Christmas money to buy a new coffee pot – and we are loving it!

My mom and Dad got us a new comforter set and my room now feels like a 5 star hotel – it feels classy and I am in love with it. I am also enjoying it because Chance has made the bed three days in a row (including perfect placement of each and every throw pillow)…a Christmas miracle Ü.

I am having a blast with my new Samsung point and shoot digital camera that Chance bought me – I just discovered that it will edit and correct flaws automatically. I chose the picture of us that I had blogged previously and told it to make it a “beauty shot”. Oh my sweet goodness – it corrected our skin tone and everything. It also automatically corrects red eye – unbelievable. Now if it just had a button to auto-slenderize…LOL

(BEFORE)

(AFTER)

Tonight everyone has settled down after stuffing ourselves with a ChickFila nugget tray, homemade queso, chocolate cupcakes, brownies, and poppy seed muffins (Cambry did all the baking). We have managed to fit in a couple of rounds of Guitar Hero and  two games of Disney Scene It. It is fun to spend time with the kids on New Years Eve – I know someday they will have their own NYE activities and we will be alone. We will finish with a movie (G-Force) and some snuggling. Cutter is the best snuggler – wraps his skinny little legs around you and still gives lots of kisses. I wish they didn’t have to grow up.

 

Happy New Year to all of my blogging friends and family – hope you are super blessed in 2010!

p.s. a blogging tip: if you have not discovered the joy that is windows live writer – you must check it out. It is so much easier to post to your blog and allows you to do some fun things with your photos like adding this cool picture border. Just google Windows Live Writer and check it out.

Christmas in Review

Well it seems like there is so much build up to the fun and festivities and then poof…it is all over. It is  incredibly fun though and worth all the stress and trouble. Our visits from Santa have taken on a more “mature” feel. Gone are the days of barbies, baby dolls, matchbox cars, and toy trains. These days my kids are pleased to find laptops, cell phones, and playstations under the tree. We still make the rounds to several houses on Christmas and this year one stop included our own house - where all of the Hedger family gathered for a Christmas celebration. It seems a little strange that we have reached a point in our lives where we are hosting a get-together….yet it makes me even more grateful that we have people we love to spend these special times with!

We hope that all of our family and friends had a wonderful and joy filled Christmas with their loved ones and took the time to reflect on the “true” meaning of the season. May each of you have a blessed 2010!

Cutter, Chesley, Cambry, and Campbell at Aunt Jill's and Uncle Kameron's - Christmas Morning 2009

The Hedger Family - Chesley (14), Cambry (11), Cutter (7), Jerilynn (old), and Chance (older)

I really love this guy - he is a stinker and makes me crazy....still love him.

Papaw and Cutter with his new rifle that Papaw picked out for him  - Cutter is sooo proud of it!

Chesley and Katie

Nanny and Papa Hedger with Cambry and Ashley

The Hedger Five (original members) Jan, Kenny, Chance, Karen and Jana

Singing for your Supper

Sending out a big thank you to our local Chick-fil-a for hosting a Christmas Karaoke night. If you sang a Christmas carol you got a free combo meal. So, I loaded up my car with a few brave and gutsy ninth graders and had a blast watching them belt out a tune for a free meal. I can't wait to take them again next year!

Chance laughed when he saw the videos and realized it was more about having an audience and less about the free combo Ü

Personalized Christmas Craft!

While doing what I do best....blog surfing! LOL - I found an idea this year that was a must try for me - I knew the second that I saw it that I was going to attempt it for our teacher's gifts this year. I just thought it was that CUTE! Now that I have completed them....they really are cute and so appropriate during this "germ"y time of year!

Instead of typing out the supplies needed and a tutorial - I am just going to link you to the blog that supplied me with this grand idea.
 The Idea Room - Personalized Gift Tutorial.

 I will add that I tried to copy and paste her template into my scrapbooking software, but I was just not happy with how the graphics transferred over - they looked flat and dull. I spent about 45 minutes using my own fonts and creating my own template. It takes a little time to get it sized right, but then all you have to do is change the name. I also used the Equate (walmart brand) hand soap container for mine - I liked the shape better than the hand sanitizer bottles. I just poured the soap into a big container to use for refills - washed and cleaned my bottles and they were ready to use. We are giving each teacher a personalized hand sanitizer and some home-made almond toffee. I spent around 17.00 to make 10 sanitizers....not bad. Ü

I Tricked my Kids

Into thinking I was "the cool mom" even if it was just for a few hours and involved graham crackers and canned vanilla icing. They spent a couple of hours on their creations and really had a great time. (finally Cambry can cross off Make Gingerbread Houses on her LIST of fun things ..that she has never been allowed to do!)

All I Want For Christmas is....

GUESS!