Monday, December 8, 2008

Better Late than Never!

Now that everyone I know is waxing philosophical on their blogs about Christmas (traditions, recipes, wrapping paper, etc.) I finally find the time to post about Thanksgiving! It's not as if I will have a hard time finding something to write about.
We (the Green Family) have so very much to be thankful for this year, not the least of which is being back under the same roof at our home in Yukon. We are still moving some boxes around (in the garage mostly) and not every picture has a permanent home on a wall somewhere, but it is beginning to feel like home!
We are also incredibly blessed with wonderful family. So blessed, in fact that we got to have Thanksgiving dinner not once, but twice! We started the holiday with our 11th annual (I hope that number is right) Payne Family Thanksgiving - only that isn't the best name for it, since my immediate (Payne) family is there, Jason's immediate (Green) family is there, and Brandon's (my sister's husband) immediate (Lee) family is there. There was, this year, like all the years past, great food and lots of wonderful fellowship. Below are just a few snapshots from the event.
Last minute preparations underway the night before the feast.
Taking a technology break with Bogum (that's my sister Molly, and Bogum is what I called her when we were little, and Vaughn has adopted that name as well.)The "Payne(now Lee-Molly my sister, Payne-Julia my mom, and Green) Girls"


These are two guys with LOTS to be thankful for. . . each other! That's Pop (Jason's Dad) holding V.

Nonni and Pop (Jason's mom and dad) trying to take in all the chaos. . . I mean merriment!

Yet another reason to be grateful. . .V's favorite toy EVER. . . the "Cool Car".

Brandon, my sister's husband, and HIS sister, Taylor.

The Hosts with the Most - my mom and dad, Grinny and Hitee, Bill and Judy Payne

Lots of wisdom just waiting to be passed out. . . Pop and Hitee waiting on dinner.

Our Happy Family!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Obsessions. . .


While checking my friend Amanda's blog, I found her writing about her and her 2 boys' obsessions. She was challenged to do this by another friend (and past co-worker) of ours, Melissa. I so enjoyed reading about Amanda, Noah, and Zach, that I went BACK to Melissa's blog to read about her and her daughter, Paisley. And guess what I found. . . they wanted me and V to play too!! This is going to be sooooo much fun! Ok, here goes!

Vaughn's Obsessions:
1. GabbaTwuk - As any of you who have read my blog in the last several days already know, Vaughn is totally into GARBAGE! He loves his garbage truck with a passion that, at times, leaves me scratching my head!

2. Bob the Builder - I don't think this cartoon is even on TV anymore, but his daddy bought him a DVD that has cartoons mixed in with real live visits to construction sites and he cannot get enough! He walks around the house with his (battery-less) remote in one hand while chanting "Watch Bobudah" (Watch Bob the Builder) almost like a mantra!

3. Construction Vehicles - This obsession could be related to (or caused by) obsession number 2! No matter where we are - in the car, at the park, at the library, at Sonic. . . it doesn't matter. He is constantly on the lookout for, and announcing the sightings of, tractors, bulldozers, cement drucks, dump trucks, and "Big Vans" - not sure where he got this one or what it has to do with construction but he is just as consistent in finding these as he is with the other vehichles.

4. Grapes/rasins - I think the boy would eat these until they started coming out of his ears! They are definitely his snack of choice right now.

5. Old Bear/Brown Bear, Brown Bear - We cannot even think about going through the day without reading these two books at LEAST 10-12 times! Old Bear is a book we found at Target and the illustrations are really neat - kind of vintage looking - and it is the story of a bear who is hibernating and dreams he is a cub again. "The Teacher Book" as V likes to call Brown Bear, is our current library check-out fave, and I am thinking we may need to recheck this one (or just get him his very own copy!)

Mommy's Obsessions:
1. My New Camera!!! - J got me a Nikon D60 for my birthday/Christmas (we got it the day after Thanksgiving) and I love it! I can't wait to use it Christmas morning!! Be watching the blog for some examples of what a fabulous camera (note I didn't say a fabulous photographer!) can do!!

This is just one example


2. Jon and Kate plus 8 - Ok, Kate is a little intense for me at times, but I LOVE watching the kids! They make me laugh! I also get a dose of reality - I only have 1 to manage, so I ought to be able to do it with patience and a smile - always! Also, I am reading their new book (Multiple Bles8ings) and am enjoying it.

3. CoffeeMate Peppermint Mocha Creamer - If I had unlimited amounts of expendable cash this item would read Starbuck's Peppermint Mocha - but since I found my coffemate, I save some money, AND I don't have to leave home OR get out of my PJ's! I win all the way around!

4. Top Chef - the season just started and I am not sure who I am rooting for just yet, but I love Tom Colicchio. Maybe someday I'll get to eat at Craft in NYC.

5. All Things Christmas - ok, this one is kinda lame, BUT, right now it is true! I need to get the house decorated (the tree is up, with lights on, but that is all!), the cards addressed and mailed - THEY ARE SO CUTE (thanks amanda!), the gifts bought and wrapped, the Gingerbread House finished, and the list goes on. . .

OK, so now you know about us. . . let's hear about YOU! We'll be checking your blogs!

Molly Lee

Kasie Noble

Jaime Ferguson

Abby Mann
Kathy Meador