Trimming the Tree

Thanksgiving has come and gone, so that means it's time to break out all of the Christmas decorations. The kids love decorating the Christmas tree. They have been so excited all weekend. Kaylyn started on Thanksgiving night wanting to put it up, but I didn't finish with all the lights until today, so they finally got to put the decorations on today.

The Finished Product

Chris says this is my "beacon" that can be seen from outerspace. I like lots of lights on my Christmas tree, but this year there are not as many as last year. This one only has 2200 lights on it, last year's tree had 3600 lights on it. The thing put off HEAT! I had to cut back on the lights after I broke the tree last year, I guess it wasn't made to hold that many lights. So, I promised Chris as we were buying a new tree after Christmas last year that I would cut back on the lights. I'm not sure if I really did, since this tree is no where near as fat as the other tree and it is also shorter.

Special Ornaments

These were a wedding gift for Chris and I, a bride and groom set. They hang in the same place on the tree every year. The picture below is the box they are stored in. A couple of years ago I added the girl and boy angels for Kaylyn and Luke.

And there's those famous home-made ornaments from school. These are just a couple of about 20 that Kaylyn has made over the past few years. I don't have any from Luke yet, but I know they are coming soon enough and they will be added to my list of fav's.

My Favorite Part

Christmas '01
Christmas '02

Christmas '03
Christmas '04

Christmas '05
Christmas '06





Every year when it is time to get out all of the Christmas decorations I become a little nostalgic. This is my favorite part; I love to get out all of the Christmas pictures of my kids, but I especially love their Santa pictures. They all sit together on a table and its like watching them grow up from year to year.

Cute Kiddo's

I just had to take some pictures of the kids before church this morning. I thought they looked so cute in their new Christmas outfits.

Guess Who Came To See Us Today....

Addie did! She has grown soooo much since the last time we saw her! She is such a sweet and happy baby, full of smiles. Thank you Chris and Jennifer for bringing her to visit, it just made our day.

Lil' Ham

This little girl is such a ham! As soon as she saw the cameras came out she started smiling and showing out. Her parents may have a future super star on their hands!

Addie's Fan Club is Growing!!

September 24, 2007

November 21, 2007

Watch This!!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9566185972





So I found this on Aereal's blog and had to copy it. It is sooo funny! Click the link to watch.

How to make a Pumpkin Pie, by Kaylyn Chilton...

Yesterday, Kaylyn brought home a book of her class' favorite Thanksgiving receipts. She picked pumpkin pie as her favorite Thanksgiving food (not sure why). She helped her Granny make a pumpkin pie the other day and as you can tell she knew exactly how to do it. I thought her spelling was pretty funny. So, if you need to know how to make a pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving, just call Kaylyn! Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

A Karate Family...

Okay, I know ya'll are tired of seeing the karate posts...this is the last one for a while, I promise! We had pictures made at the karate school tonight, so of course I had to take some pictures of my own. There are very few occasions when we are all there together and dressed in full uniform. I thought these turned out pretty good. The photographer got some better shots of all of us and some great one's of the kids. Since I'm a sucker when it comes to pictures of my kids, I am now broke! He took about 20 shots of each of them and you all know what that means...CHING, CHING, CHING!

Karate Awards

Tonight was the awards ceremony from last week's belt testing. Kaylyn moved up to a yellow belt and Luke moved up to a Tiger Cub yellow belt. Luke was so proud of his new belt, but as usual he refused to let me take a good picture. Little stinker!! Kaylyn had to miss awards night because she had to go to dance. Being on the competition team means she can't miss any practices. Oh well...we can't be two places at once! She will get her new belt presented to her at her next karate class.

Karate Testing

He was mad b/c I wanted a picture,

Ya'll know how he HATES to have his
picture made!

Kaylyn and Luke both tested for their next belt in karate tonight. Kaylyn moved up to a yellow belt and Luke moved up to a Tiger Cub yellow belt. For their testing, they both had to demonstrate some things they had learned. Kaylyn had to do her form which is kind of like a dance routine, but with karate movements. She also had to do one-step sparring, which is a series of movements to simulate sparring, but no actual contact is made. She did both of these perfectly.


Luke's testing was a little more laid back. He had to say the "Tiger Promise," which is "I promise to use TaeKwonDo only in class and to escape from strangers. I will not use TaeKwonDo to cause trouble"....Luke's version went like this, "I pwomise to us TaeKwonDo to wun fwom stwanga's. I not cause twouble." Too cute! He also had to demonstrate 3 punches, a high block, 3 front kicks, and stand at attention for 30 seconds. He did all of these things with no problem. I'm just glad he got up in front of everybody and did all of his requirements. After all, he's a bit on the shy side...nothing like his sister who loves to be the center of a crowd! We are very proud of both of them!

P.S. I'm not sure why, but my camera just will not take good pictures at the karate school, I think it may be something to do with all of the florescent lights (or it could have something to do with the time Luke threw my camera on the concrete a few months ago). But anyway, sorry for the poor quality, but I'm posting them anyway!