Christmas Eve (Part Deux)

I love being Santa! I love putting out presents for our kids. Bryan went to sleep early (the faster he goes to sleep the faster Christmas comes) and so we brought out all the presents. How Fun!

Stuffing Stockings

The not so secret Santa Elf

A full Christmas Tree :)

Can't WAIT for the kids to open them!

Christmas EVE!!!!

It is a little hard for me to think that it is Christmas Day tomorrow. In Georgia it's not really cold, wintry or anything that sparks that feeling of needing a hot chocolate and fire. Mostly, I just need an iced tea and some shorts. But, God, in his infinite wisdom, put us here to enjoy the season of His Son's birth. And, being the troopers we are, we make the absolute best of it!
There is a large garden, called Callaway Gardens, that outdoes themselves on Christmas lights. I wanted to take the boys, but it was a 2 hour drive and it cost a whomp-ton of money to get in. So, we did the next best thing. In our town there is a family called the Ludy's. Every year they create lights on their house in time to music and broadcast it for people to hear as they pass or stop. They do this to raise money for the Make a Wish foundation. So, we went there. And, it might have been only one house, not the whole neighborhood, but it was beautiful. And the kids didn't want to leave. :)

The lights are all connected to a computer and flicker on and off in time with the music.

They really out-do themselves. They even have a Santa come each night before Christmas.

Hansel, Hansel, Hansel and Gretel

I got gingerbread house kits. I got one... because I wanted to make one, and everyone else said they didn't. Knowing my boys, I got two more just in case. Today I sat down to make my gingerbread house. Three boys sat down to watch... so I gave them a kit. And the hilarity ensued. A contest was created... who can make the ugliest gingerbread house. I lost. :)

Their structural beginning.

More icing on fingers than on the house :)

Steve, Ray and Chris being diligent at (eating) putting candy on their house

The contest winner!

Demolition derby after pictures were taken

My little losing house. :)

Happy Christmas Eve(x23)

In our house we do not decorate or put up the tree 'till December. That way, we have 25 full days of Christmas decorations, but we don't lose the excitement from them being up in the middle of November. Today was tree/decorating day. Advent calendars will be given out, and names will be drawn for secret santa. I am giddy with excitement. Merry Christmas is coming!!!

Thanksgiving 2011

Ahh turkey, ham, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs... need I go on? My favorite food holiday ever. :) Happy Thanksgiving from the Swicks.

Table full of food and family

Bryan and Chris smiling because I threatened them with no pie if they didn't

Steve is sad because we are taking pictures

A stray cat that was left behind after her owners moved. We gave her a bath and are contemplating keeping her if she gets along with Hopkins. Naming won't happen until we decide to keep her or not.

A Table Story

This is a story of a table, a sad and quite lonely table that had been through many moves and hard times. This table had four chairs, and as time went by, one by one the chairs left because of broken legs and broken backs.

When there were only two chairs left and Alison was forced to sit at her own table with a dilapidated computer chair to eat, Alison and Eric made an executive decision to put the ole table out to pasture. (That just means it moved into the kitchen and became counter space.)

Out with the old, in with the new.

This is the new, not so lonely or dilapidated table. The table that fits 6 comfortably. The table that won't make Alison cry when she looks at it every night sitting in her computer chair.

But, Alison won't be sitting in her computer chair anymore... This is her NEW chair.

Sometimes you just have to...

I had an urge, a large urge, one that could not be quelled unless I did something, something drastic...

I just HAD to make homemade donuts!

So I made the dough last night, rolled them this morning and fried and glazed them for an early Saturday morning treat for my family. :) I haven't heard any complaints yet from them.

I had to make them square because I currently own no cookie cutters

Glazed and cinnamon sugar coated. MMMMmmm

Finished product, the one round one was formed by hand. They're rustic looking but very scrumptious.