The Year In Review III

Here are the last four months of the year.


In September we enjoyed the first of many home football games. I LOVED watching B in the band!



We also had the groundbreaking for the new school. Every student had a chance to dig in the dirt and fill a small bottle with dirt to keep.







In October, M and I went to the.largest.food.show.EVER!

C1 and C2 also went Trick or Treating twice for the first time.











In November we enjoyed unusually warm weather by going to the park.



Then, twelve days later, we had our first snow:(







In December, between programs and concerts, I took my Girl Scouts to The Lights Before Christmas.



We also had Christmas at our house this year for M's family. We hadn't hosted it for 10 years and it was really nice. I'm glad we did it.


2008 was full of fun memories and I can only pray that 2009 will be the same, if not better!

The Year in Review II

Next up:

In May we hatched our biggest flock of kindergarten chicks. EVER!



C1 had her eighth dance recital. She was in a total of four dances this year, counting the finale!






In June C1 cut her hair and donated it to Locks of Love!


My mom got a new kitten, Sam!







In July we attended a private opening for the new community water park!


Copper found himself in this predicament.







In August B had his first experience with the marching band. Band Camp!


We took a family day trip to Hocking Hills.







It was really hard to pick summer pictures, but I think I got the best.

The summer months are my favorite!

The Year In Review

For my last three posts of the year, I decided to do a review of the last year (in three parts, obviously)

Here it goes:

In January, I started the year by meeting up with old friends in Nashville, TN.
This was a GREAT experience, and I highly recommend it.


C2 attended a basketball clinic. He enjoyed it, but I really don't think he's built for basketball.

Maybe football?




In February, we went sledding at the Neil Armstrong Museum. The kids are already asking when we can go back!





We also didn't now yet that my aunt had cancer. Thankfully, she's doing OK.








In March C2 participated in his first Pine Car Derby. He won his first two races and then lost the next three.







We got new stone poured in our driveway. B and his friend spent the day spreading it for a pizza. Talk about cheap labor!




In April, I took my Girl Scouts to see High School Musical on Ice. It was good, and the girls really liked it.


A big accomplishment was B's confirmation. We were all proud of him!




Check in tomorrow for May, June, July, and August!

Marley

This afternoon the kids and I went to see this:



Loved it!!!

If you've read the book, you know how it ends though.

Be prepared, take Kleenex. I don't think there was a dry eye in the theater.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Well, as usual, "Santa" outdid himself this year.


This was the first year that we really didn't have any "true" believers. Last year C2 wanted to believe, but just had doubts. I was a little sad about this fact, but in the end, I think it was even better.

We had told them to make a list, but make sure they really thought about it. There was going to be no extras and they would only get three things. We stressed the point that gifts is not what Christmas is about. Christmas is about the birth of God's son. Christmas is about family and being together. Without the whole Santa thing, we could focus on this even more. And think they did. So everyone got what they really wanted, and we didn't go overboard. There were even some fun extras.

So, on Christmas morning, they all stood in front of their piles. C2 was about to burst with excitement. He couln't stand waiting another minute.


One tradition that we do have is everyone's gifts are wrapped in a certain color of Santa paper. This year, B had bright blue, C1 had pink, and C2 had dark blue. This drives M crazy when it comes time to wrap, but I love it.

Anyways, late last night, C2 asked me why Santa left all the special wrapping paper in the closet. C1 replied to him that maybe it was extra and he just left it for us to use.

So much for "non" believers.

Glory To God In The Highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased! Luke 2:14



We want to wish you and your families a joyous, peaceful day!

Love,
The Mosgrove's

Our Cake Balls

We did it. We made cake balls. They really weren't that hard and everyone joined in to make them. Even M and B made a few.

Here is what we ended up with:



The best part?

Thay taste as yummy as they look!

Those Elfy Mosgrove's!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Final Lap

Well, here we are.

The last full day before M's family all come to my house.

I really should not be doing this. I actually sat down here to look up a recipe. I just keep adding things to my list of items to make. Last night, when at Hobby Lobby, we walked by the cake decorating aisle and saw the melting chocolate. "Oh! Let's make cake balls!" I said. "We'll make Christmas trees!" Then I made the mistake of coming home and actually showing them to C1 and C2 on the computer. Now, we.have.to.make.them. Aah! What was I thinking!?!

M unexpectedly took today off, so that helps.

I hope everyone is enjoying the season. Don't let the rush of baking, shopping and wrapping get in the way of remembering what the season is really all about. Take the time to thank God for all you have and for giving us His son. Enjoy your family and friends!

Merry Christmas Internet!!!

Oh! I Should Be Doing Other Things!

There is so much I should be doing.

But instead of whining about it all here, I thought I would share a song that has been going around my house. It was introduced to all of us by B. Now we play it in the car even when he's not with us. I've heard it played upstairs, in C1's room and on the computer.

But when I woke up this morning singing it to myself, I knew I had to blog about it.

Here it is.

Are you ready?

And I just want to say, by no means does this reflect my feelings for any of you.

(OK, maybe a few)

Just kidding!

(no I'm not)



Catchy, isn't it!

A Different Jingle Bells

So, I copied this from here.


Too cute!!!

M said someone had too much time on their hands.

Bah humbug:(

Glad That's All Done

We have made it through the busiest part of the holiday season.

We had C2's Christmas program at school.


We had C1's band concert.


We had B's band concert.


And we had C1's choir concert.


We also had the Christmas program at church, Christmas at my dad's house, staff Christmas party for school and Girl Scout Christmas activities.

All we have left is the employee party for the restaurant.

Oh, and we are having M's family here for Christmas Eve.

Before and after church.

Yikes! I need to get on the B-A-Double L ball (that's Kindergarten talk) and get this house ready. I need to clean, shop, wrap presents, cook...

'Tis the season!

Michael's List

SCOTT'S SHOTS
by Michael Scott

No pressure, but below is a Christmas wish list of things that I want. Now I know these economic times are here, but if you do get me something it would help the economy, so win win.

Michael Scott's Christmas List:

Wheelies - I can't believe I've been walking when I can be rollin'. Do they make dress shoes with wheels in them?

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama - Don't tell me how it ends.

Skinny jeans - Totally hip.

Versace keychain - having this on my ring beside my PT Cruiser key and BevMo membership barcode will no doubtly impress the ladies.

Joe Versus the Volcano on DVD -A classic!

So now you know how to make this boy's Christmas one to remember. I hope you all enjoy the holly-days, merry Christmas everyone! Happy Kwanza Stanley! Feliz comple anos Oscar!

This is from the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Newsletter I just got.

Skinny jeans anyone? They are totally hip!!!

Is It Me...

or is this camera cool?

But I'm not sure if it's the camera, or who is endorsing it.


I would probably want to buy chocolate covered crickets if he told me to.

What a hottie!!!

Finally!

Finally, today we have a two hour delay! We have been waiting ALL year for some kind of bad weather to delay us, and today it happened.

Remember the days of sitting by the radio and listening to the delays? You had to wait through the music, commercials, the DJ's chit chat and finally the delays would come on. Then, you had to keep the radio on to listen for changes. Sometimes, your friends listened to a different station and would call and tell you that their station just said it was cancelled but you still had to listen for your station to say it to make sure.

Then, came the delays on the TV. This was much nicer. You could sit and watch TV and still stay on top of the delays.

The last couple of years, we have used the Internet. The local TV station always has it posted on it's site and it updates faster than on the TV. I could get out of bed, check the computer, and get right back in bed. Easy and nice.

Well, this year we could sign up for text messaging! The local TV station will send you a text notifying you of your delay or cancellation! At 5:24am this morning I got a text telling me we had a two hour delay! I.never. even.got.out.of.bed!!!

Then, about fifteen minutes later, the school system used their new "One Call" system to call everyone and tell them about the delay!

How cool is that!

But then I was so excited, I couldn't go back to sleep.

I'm not waking the kids up though. This is like free, no kids time. Yea!!!

32%

So, I saw this on another blog and thought it looked fun.

Just highlight everything that you have done.

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii (when I was a baby)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (well, M has)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

I've done 32%, how about you?

Lights Before Christmas

Last night I took my Girl Scout troop to the Toledo Zoo's "Lights Before Christmas".



The weather wasn't too bad. It was 35 degrees and we had just a few sprinkles.

I have such a great group of girls. They are well behaved and really fun to be with. I have been their leader since they were all in first or second grade. It has been fun for me to watch them grow and mature.



Even if they are goofy.



This tree was one of the coolest things there. It has over 32,000 lights on it. That is even more than the tree in Rockefeller Center!



They had "dancing" lights also. This was a big hit with the girls. As you can tell in the video, they all like to sing!



If you get the chance to go to something like this, GO! This would be a great family trip.

I am so going to talk M into going!

FRAGILE (must be Italian)

Because this is one of my favorite Christmas movies,




when I pull up at the stop sign at the end of our street and see this in the window of a house there,




I smile.

Oh My Gosh!!!

I have been an emotional wreck for the last two months. There are a lot of "family" things going on besides the everyday life things and the holiday season.

This morning though, I read this.

It completely did me in. M came in the room and I know he thought I was crazy. I was crying so much I couldn't even tell him why.

Go. Read it. It will make your day!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

This year we decided to get a real tree.










I love a real tree, but I know next summer when I'm still sweeping up needles, I'll be asking myself "WHY!?!"