I love Christmas!

Some close up shots of the tree... That is Jared in the "I love you" tree, and both boys in their hockey jerseys.

Carson made this tiny Reindeer handprint back in 97. He was 1!

Special Christmas ornaments....

Yes, I am that person who sets up the tree the day after Thanksgiving...almost every year never fail, unless we were gone for a hockey tournament. I love our tree!
Our tree has lots of fishing ornaments....it is probably the main theme, but over the years we have gotten a little of track with that, but its okay....

I think I have about 4 or 5 of this type from over the last few years. This one is from 2005. I love looking back.

Of course hockey is another theme...go figure...

This guy is great. Back in the late 80's we hosted NP Nick baseball players. (like the Fairbanks Goldpanners). This baseball ornament says on his back "North Pole Nicks 87" Im pretty sure I stole him from my Mom's tree.

we have 6 of these guys. Jagr, Howe, Gretzky, 2 Lemieux-Home and Away jersey, and Lindros.

I remember going to Hallmark each year and reserving my hockey ornament for 6 years.

Im pretty sure I bought this volleyball girl on sale the year that Derek and I lived together back in 91-92 at Sophies Plaza. It was a pretty sad looking tree, but this one was hanging on it.

This one is Carson's favorite Ornament. You push the button up top and it clicks off a day, so you can count down the days until Christmas. The Mickey Mouse one, I remember I was waiting for it to come in at Hallmark. So when I went they didn't have any out, and I asked the person working and she said she had one in back. So she brought it out to me and some other lady was there and her last name was Disney or Mickey (something like that) and she pretty much tried to take it from me. haha But its a great little clock.

Carson made this at St. Nick's (our church) in 2004 during Sunday School. I have loved it ever since. When Jared came out of class, he said he threw his in the garbage cause he thought they were dumb. I was so mad at him!

My oldest ornament for sure. This hung on my parents Christmas tree when I was little. I loved laying under the tree and looking up at all the ornaments. (and counting who had the most presents!) This was in my mom's garage sale one year! I almost had a heart-attack. Its just a cheap piece of plastic ornament, but I just love it and every year it goes on the tree!

I have a Noah's Ark collection too.....

Speaking of St. Nick's....we had a craft day when I was probably in 7th grade and I cleary remember decorating these. I have two of them. Again probably stole them from my mom, or they were in the garage sale too.

I love my tree.

The cousins get into a serious game of Battleship...not sure who won...
Me and Macy

Oh yeah....just eat the whole pie Mikey!

Siblings.....Good to see ya matt....its been a long time!

We all said what we were 'Thankful' for right before we started to eat. Carson said he was thankful for all the food that God provided for us. Smart boy.

Tried to get a group shot with the timer on my camera...not that great, but here we are.

You can see 12 of the 13 of us. Macy is hidden back their in her booster seat. Jared is out of town at a hockey tourney.

Missed you Jared, but they kicked butt, and beat the Allstars 9-1, and Jared had 2 goals and 1 assist he said.

Jenna and her mom right before dinner....
cousins enjoying their 'wine.'

The girls and the turkey!

Dad and Cars waiting to get eating....

Three pretty ladies!

Hors-d-oeurve

For our family functions, I always make the appetizers. Here are my deviled eggs!
The start of the jalapeno poppers. They are so good, and these are the only ingredients. The Jalapenos, cream cheese and the bacon.

Yum yum yum!

Just be careful when cutting them up and gutting them, as you can get 'Jalapeno hand.' Its not a fun thing! It burns.

If you leave the membranes in they are hotter! (too hot for us, so I try to take them out as much as possible).

I made some other stuff too, just didn't get any pictures of it.

May your Thanksgiving be filled

with family,

food,

laughs,

good times,

memories

and love!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my family and friends!

Carson and his buddy John during the last Icedog game.
Macy....she has that 'Christmas Story' movie snowsuit going on! So adorable. So happy she is a part of the family!

Jared and Tiger...

Carson and his phone....