Welcome 1-1-11!!!

This is what my whole house looks like-and I didn't even have a party!
I'm cleaning and preparing for the wonderful New Year!

Plus- Here's a new picture of sweet Connor with his little eyes open!




May God Bless you all!

New Grandson has arrived!

Little Connor Isaac is here! Garrett and Britney's second son.
22", 9 lbs 2oz. Pictures soon to follow.
Mommy doing well in recovery.

Ryan kissing Connor




Here is some info from the website "Think Baby Names"...
The boy's name Connor \c(on)-
nor\ is pronounced KAH-ner. It is of Irish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Connor is "hound-lover". Anglicised form of Conchobhar (Gaelic), which was the name of a legendary king of Ulster who lived at the time of Christ. See also Konnor. Irish author Conor Cruise O'Brien.

The boy's name Isaac \i-sa ac\ is pronounced EYE-zik. It is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Isaac is "laughter". Biblical: the only son of Abraham by his wife Sarah. Violinist Itzhak (ITS-hahk) Perlman; scientish Isaac Newton; angler Izaak Walton; authors Isaac Bashevis Singer, Isaac Asimov; football player Isaac Bruce; singer Isaac Hanson.

Random Post and Pictures...

I have lots of photos on my computer ...thought I'd share some random ones...

First up, A little Hawaiian Sandman -cute isn't he?

A couple of ornaments Lily painted for my parents...cardinal...

and doe and fawn running - for my dad.

Sawyer's letter to Santa he wrote during school. So polite too.

I'm sorry-no dog this year either. But hey-at least he likes math!

A mouse Lily made from pipe cleaners for Sawyer.

Sawyer made his name out of pipe cleaners...

Lastly-my cousin Sam Rockwell. Excellent actor-great guy-wonderful memories. Super super talented!!!
Haven't seen him in a long time, but keep close watch on him! Good pic too.



That's it around here.
I have lots to wrap and a special candle light service to go to.
Merry Christmas Eve to you!

Christmas program

On Sunday, Lily was in the "Angel Alert" Christmas program.
It was so cute to watch the performance of the children.
The stage before everyone arrived...

The kids all ready to go...(notice the gray windows-it was POURING outside all day)


Singing their songs...

Saying her lines...

and in the second performance she played Mary...

Holding her bitty baby doll...


She was nervous because she sang a solo in the song "Such a strange way to save the world".

but she sang really, really well.



I love Christmas programs, but I especially love watching programs when my children are in them!


Merry Christmas.

Christmas decorations around my house...

I'd like to give you a little house tour of some of my Christmas decorations...
Let's begin!
Living room tree with all glass ornaments...



During the day...


Plus a few close up shots...
Lots and lots!

Poinsettia, Santa and Hula girl,

Car with surf board on top...

Fancy burlap cloth for tree skirt and presents from my sister already in place!

I put apothecary jars on the sofa table and the candle holders from the church tea.

At night...

Above the jars, is my mirror with Christmas cards, clothes pinned on the garland. My lighted houses are from my mother in law -and I just set them up in a row. It looks like a cityscape at night.
another angle...


My garland up in the living room windows.


Nutcrackers I've found over the years...
On top of the entertainment center...

old and new -real inexpensive.

In my kitchen, some cedar, huckleberry and pine clippings in a vase... reminds me of home in Oregon! Smells great!

Some more apothecary jars on my kitchen counter with Oregon pine cones, ornaments and a silver branch.

In my dining room, I use all the non breakable glass ornaments Ive received or bought throughout the years....on another artificial tree.



Hard to see them during the day...

Kmart ornament -Country Living Brand.

tin horse...

tin dog...

Some more!

...Nativity scene up on my hutch in the dining room...however next year I plan to put it on the living room sofa table and to put baby Jesus out on Christmas morning.

Nighttime!


End of our hallway- mirror with the gold letter "B" for our last name, or "Believe" whichever you prefer!
P.S. Letter from my sister, mirror was pulled from a dumpster, at my hubby's work site. Score!


The boys tree...

Lots of shatter proof ornaments on it and a few airplanes and cars from Pier 1.

Sawyer loves this on at night.

Lily Girl's tree....

Top of tree...

Love these fake snow balls I got last year 75% off!

Her bookcase-found these Breyer deers for her- $3.25!

I put this little Christmas tree in the kids' bathroom...

It reminds me of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

Outside our house-Christmas lights!!


On our lanai, I have an old 40's Santa and a Santa boot with vintage holly leaves.

I put an artificial tree out on the buffet table and used some 80's glass ornaments.


Here's another little retro Santa on my lanai table with a candle and a wreath...

I still have to put lights on the tree in our bedroom, and then put the handmade ornaments on it.
I shall post pics soon!