Kitchen Remodel

Leave it to us - we've only lived here for 6 months and we're already re-doing something. About two months ago, we got appliances given to us - a dishwasher, over the cooktop microwave and range - all white. This week we're having the appliance installed and Saturday I'm painting our wooden cabinets white. Matt's been studying a lot in the evenings, so I thought while it's cold outside, I might as well put myself to good use. So, this time next week, you'll be seeing a brand new kitchen. In the meantime, this is a reminder of what the old kitchen looks like...

It's Over Already?

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone! Matt and I spent a wonderful 5 days in Kentucky with family and friends. It was fun to stay with his family and celebrate Christmas the Neal way - it's the first Christmas in my life that I haven't been with my family! I really enjoyed watching Daisha and Jamal open their gifts too. We were able to go to our old church on Christmas Eve. It definitely felt weird to be a "visitor" at what we still consider to be our church. They recently opened a new portion of the building, which was amazing! All in all, our trip to Kentucky was refreshing. And we promise it won't be 5 months before we visit again!

We celebrated Christmas in Michigan with my family last night. We opened presents at 5pm and then headed to Muskegon for a Fury hockey game. Going to the Muskegon Fury has become a Christmas tradition for our family. It's always a lot of fun - mostly watching Matt make a goof of himself. We love to watch the fighting (shh...don't tell dad) and the people that attend the event are also quite amusing. I didn't realize hockey was such a "hick" thing!

Enjoy the pictures!

Painting at the Neals

We had the great privilege of having three senior girls over last night to PAINT - Matt's favorite pass time.

It was Emily and Sarah's first time painting and they did a fantastic job!

Hannah on the other hand is an experienced oil painter and experimented with acryllics last night.

As you can see, it was a lot of fun!

Students Raise $1500, Teacher Shaves Head

You know the saying - "Put your money where your mouth is?" Well, you could say that Matt put his head where the money is. The Senior Class at Calvary raised $1500 through their phone-a-thon - and the reward was shaving Mr. Neal's head. Most of you know that Matt was already half way there, so it isn't too big a change.

Never Ending

School, volleybally practice, play practice, school fundraiser, quick homework, bed, school...Does anyone remember their life being this busy in high school? I mean, I guess I ran around non-stop, but I must have blocked it from my memory - because I am shocked at our busy my sisters are. I'm not sure how they do it?

Day three with the sisters

This is just a glimpse of day three with the sisters. My normally organized and neatly arranged guest room has turned into a teen sheol quite rapidly. BUT - this is not to say we're not enjoying them. Because we are. They're lively, extremely busy and way too much like me when I was 17. God help them!

Christmas Recipes

Molasses Sugar Cookie Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 3/4 cup shortening in a sauce pan over low heat. Remove from heat, let cool. Add 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup molasses and 1 egg. Beat well. Sift 2 cups flour, 2 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. ground cloves, 1/2 tsp. ground ginger, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon and 1/2 tsp. salt. Add wet ingredients to dry. Chill and form into 2" balls. Roll in sugar, press down slightly onto cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool on pan for 1 minutes and transfer to wire rack to cool entirely.

If you bake them a little longer and allow them to sit out on a plate, they get crispy and are great with coffee!

Parenting the Sisters

We took my parents to the airport yesterday and soon inherited 2 seventeen year olds! How is it that you go from no kids (well, except for Booga and Bwana) to twins teenagers? Seems like a lot of responsibility. But, we're excited to have them around for 10 days. Now, read in my blog then and we'll see what it was really like!

Another Free Day

Matt had a beautiful day off today - a snow day! We got the news a little late, but as they say "better late than never." Too bad the corporate world doesn't have "snow days." I'm only two blocks from work, so I drove in without a problem. And Matt had the chance to study and clean for me! Nice.

BUSY BUSY CHRISTMAS

This week has been my first real taste of the "busyness" of the season - and it smacked me dead in the face! Holiday parties, house guests, Christmas concerts, heavy workload, phone calls, emails, Christmas cards...and more. So, for once, blogging isn't a chore, it's a break. A very nice, much needed time to sit down, take a deep breath and release.

Lots of Snow!

Holy Cow the snow is coming down here! The wind is gusting (is that a word?) and the snow is dropping. I would assume we'll get somewhere between 5-6" today. We had a pretty big storm on Friday too.

You know, living in Michigan, the snow comes and then the cars drive on it and it turns this ugly gray color, kind of like Chicago. So you're almost happy when it snows again - because then it looks a nice white and pretty, instead of muddy fluff on the side of the road.

Home with the Flu

Matt was home from school yesterday with the flu. So, I got to teach one of his classes. It was a nice sneak peek into his world. I felt great yesterday, until last night. That's when I was defeated by the flu. I'm home sick from work today. Thanks heavens we got our internet installed yesterday - and wireless at that. I'm able to monitor my emails at work and still lay on the couch sick. Isn't technology wonderful?

A Whole New World

The Neals have entered a new world - we have internet at home! How have we survived this long without it? Well, it's possible believe it or not. But, with Matt teaching now, he uses so many online resources, not to mention access to email. And now I can update my blog more regularly.

Family Christmas Photo

As promised, here is our family Christmas photo! Oh and a few more of the kids. :) Enjoy!

Christmas In KENTUCKY

We're coming home for Christmas! I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it. We'll be in town December 23-27th. Matt and I are hoping to hang out with friends on the evening of the 26th. So - if you're available that night, email us to find out where and when we're getting together! We hope to see all of you!

*Neal Family Christmas Picture...coming soon!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year - but different. Matt and I usually spend the holiday with his family, instead we spent it with mine. We had the traditional meal at my parents' - and of course we ate way too much! Then Matt and I got up early on Friday to shop! We spent the whole day together, chasing down deals and snagging a few. It was nice to have a study free day - spending quality time together.

ALMOST Thanksgiving

Happy Almost Thanksgiving! Matt and I are spending the holiday with my family this year. I love Thanksgiving - food, family, SHOPPING (the day after)! This year I'm making two pecan pies and a huge veggie tray. YUUUUUUMMY!

My brother got engaged a few weeks back - exciting! So, we're spending our first Thanksgiving with he and his fiance. I think it'll be a fun time for all.

What are you all doing for Thanksgiving?

Making the Switch

So, I upgraded to the new Beta Blogger. Whatever that means. Hopefully it doesn't screw up my blog site. I hardly know what I'm doing on this thing now...let alone making some huge technological switch. Oh well.

Life in Michigan is getting COLDER. It's been in the 30's all week. I keep secretly hoping it's going to get warmer, but then reality sets in and I realize I live in one of the coldest states in the Continental US. I just wish it would snow - then there'd be a reason for the cold.

Last Game

Yesterday was Sarah and Leah's last home game of the season - and by winning, they share the conference title for the Alliance League. They graduate this year, so it was an emotional time for everyone! The newspaper ran a story in today's paper. Click here to read it!

Their team will go to Districts next week and most likely will play for the finals on Friday night. It's a very exciting time for them. And I LOVE being here for it!

*The cookie says "Sarah & Leah, Congrats on a Great Season!"

PISTONS' GAME

History was made on Saturday. My sisters played basketball at the Palace of Auburn Hills - where the Detroit Pistons play! It was awesome! They beat the team (Algoma Christian) 58-18 and Sarah and Leah scored 30 of the 58 points. With 3 minutes left in the game, Coach Stayton told the girls she wanted them to play their hearts out - this was in fact there last 3 minutes to play at the Palace. She also said she wanted to see an NBA 3-point before the game was over. So, Sarah went in and scored TWO NBA-3 pointers before the game was over! Leah played as a scrapper the whole game - stealing the ball left and right. It was awesome to watch them play. What a cool experience during their Senior year of basketball! Any scouters out there?