Christmas Fun

A Plea To Read

Before I post pictures of our family Christmas (we're having another one today), I need to send out a plea...

PLEASE ADD ME TO YOUR BLOG SITE READER LIST!

Some of you have decided to make your blogs private - but my email address doesn't seem to work on logging in.  So, please add me!

rachaelneal@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Snowed In...Literally

A snowdrift - similar to the one in our driveway.

Snow, creeping into our garage.  I guess it would help if we closed the door?

A picture taken out of our front door.  Snow still falling!  We haven't seen a plow yet today.

I only remember one other Christmas like this one.  The first year Matt and I were married, I was looking forward to a Kentucky winter.  Everyone told me it would be much milder than the Michigan blizzards I was used to.  Liars.  We got the worst snowstorm Kentucky had seen for years.  My wonderful, newlywed husband listened to me cry and whine long enough that we decided to set out north to Michigan.  There was no way I was going to miss Christmas with my family.  After 10 hours in the car (a usually 5 hour trip), we made it safe and sound.

We've been under a blizzard warning for a day now.  Its been a long, hairy day in our house. Board games, laundry, movies online - the worst part...I didn't get groceries this week because we're supposed to leave for Kentucky tomorrow morning.  So, we have no food (literally) and are stuck in the house for at least another day.  We've crafted up a few good meals nonetheless.

So, here are a few pictures of our snowy existence.  Now, pray that it lets up so we can travel to Kentucky for a milder Christmas!

Crazy Neal Christmas

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Again With the Snow!

The weatherman is totally unreliable...except for this time.  In the last two weeks, we've had several false alarms when it comes to winter storm warnings. One night, they said we were bound to get 6 inches or more.  Matt and I stayed up late that night, watching shows online, certain we would get a call at 5am announcing a snow day. (He's a teacher.)  But, alas, we woke up to green grass and clear streets.  Stupid weatherman.  

Last night, they warned that we were going to get hit with 6-12 inches of snow, just today.  We laughed and prepared for our duties the next day - Matt administering exams before Christmas break and me hosting a brunch for my mommy friend.  But, with mixed emotions, I declare that...hmmm (it's harder to say this than I thought)...

"Mr. Weatherman...you were right."  

Schools all over the area are closed...even some businesses.  All I have to say is...Good thing I finished up my Christmas shopping last night.  Oh, and a whole pan of baked french toast to ourselves?  I like it.

PS - Matt had to go to the new school building to unload furniture off the semi.  Poor thing.  I guess I'll have to eat his share of french toast - and drink his share of coffee.  Tough life.

Couldn't Agree More

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Christmas Story

Loving, fun, and totally crazy. Don't shoot your eye out!

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

We've had so much good going on, its hard to relax when the time is given to do so.  I found these pictures on my camera and thought you might enjoy them.  Sorry, they don't really "go together."

I love Christmas plants - especially poinsettias!

Annelise loves taking a bath...

And being naked after the bath!

Redemption:  If you read last week's post about my house in disarray, its only fair to update you on the clean version.  Yes, we are capable of cleanliness, when its convenient.  P.S. The rest of the house is clean too, I just didn't feel like taking a million pictures. So, view the dirty ones and use your imagination as to how clean it looks.  Feel free to exaggerate those imaginations.

Lest You Think I'm Something I'm Not

Reading Melissa's post this morning regarding house cleaning has resulted in this very impromptu collage of photos.  In the past, I have been very careful to only post pictures...wellpost-cleaning the house.  But, after reading the aforementioned blog, I reminisced some of the houses I loved going to while growing up.  As a child, it was not uncharacteristic for dirty underwear to be lying in the living room floor, left by a child who had gotten dressed in that very spot before school.  I remember going to the Glupker's and Boese's, feeling very at home - for their dishes weren't done, carpet dirty in spots, beds unmade - but happy nonetheless.  So, as a tribute to those families, and ours for that matter, here are some photos of my houseundone this morning. Its cleaning day, but I'm having second thoughts.  Is there some value to having a messy home when it comes to raising families?                    

We'll start with the worst room in the house - our bedroom.

Someone should be spanked for this mess.

Yes, this is in fact the office where I work...and iron...and read books...

Its worse than it looks, trust me.  That glorious *shine* doesn't appear in real life.

Our coffee table...computer desk...dinner tray...dresser...it collects naturally.

And last but not least, the first part of the house that will be getting cleaned today.

The living room - quite literally.

Tree Tag

I love my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.  It has so many great memories.  Let me start with the tree.  Matt and I inherited this tree just before we got married.  Someone from our church was getting remarried and had offered us their old washer and dryer.  When Matt drove up to get the two machines, the man kindly offered their old, artificial Christmas tree.  As a young, engaged - and broke - couple, we gladly accepted.  I never dreamed we'd have it this long. Matt has allergies and I've heard stories of his near death experiences with live trees, so we chuckle every year when we pull our tree out of a box and reminisce its adoption into our family.

And what would a good Charlie Brown Christmas Tree be without one hundred million ornaments on it?  My romantic and thoughtful husband started a beautiful tradition early on in our relationship by buying Christmas ornaments for me each year.  Since we began dating, he would secretly purchase an ornament, have something painted on it - and would present the gift to me each year at Christmas.  Doesn't that sound lovely?  Well, wait, I found a way to ruin it.  Two years ago, I decided that I wanted to have a "grown-up" tree with every ornament matching the decor in our home.  (I know, crazy, just bare with me...)  So, I left all of the old, but very sentimental, ornaments in their boxes, went to a well-known store and purchased matching ornaments...much to my husbands chagrin.  He was so deeply hurt, that he vowed never to purchase another ornament for me again.  Which he has kept. In an effort to gain back his love - and hand-picked ornaments - I put every ornament we've ever received on the tree last year.  It didn't work.  So, I tried again this year.  Still didn't work.  Although, he did inform me of a new tradition, which would be to purchase Annelise a new ornament each year, special, from her daddy.  A good compromise.

So, that's the long, but true story of our tree.  I tag YOU to share yours!  

For the Love of Toilet Paper

"What?"

 

Christmas Letter

  
How is it that when your life is the busiest its ever been, you actually have time to write, print and mail a Christmas letter to all of your extended family - something that has never happened in the history of our life.  Weird.  

Anyways...some of you may be getting this in your mailbox.  So, don't spoil the fun by enlarging the thumbnail and reading it now.  And if you don't get it in your mailbox, well...do the latter.

'Tis the Season.

The Big 5-0

Here's a shout out to the most incredible mom in the world. 

Happy 50th Birthday!

Love, 

Matt, Rachael, Annelise and Boogaloo

A Bartlett Thanksgiving

What a fiasco.  My husband clearly didn't know the chaos he was marrying into...or did he? The holiday began with a photo-op.  After many out takes (too many to post) we finally got a great family photo.  Everyone but Annelise smiling?  I'd say that's success.

L to R: My brother Matt and his wife Emily; My sister Leah and her boyfriend Jason; Mom and Dad; Sister Sarah; and the Nealios.

We also thought we'd try to get a Neal family photo for the Christmas card this year.

Outtake number one.  Who's dog is that??

Ah, here's a good one.  Some of you may be seeing it soon in your mailbox.

Matt was obviously having too much fun with this.

My dad getting ready to cut the bird.  Yum!

Great Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is such a busy time of year for our family.  With me still working at the Mission, it means serving over 600 meals on Wednesday night at our Great Thanksgiving Banquet.  This event has been engraved on my heart.  My dad has been in the rescue mission ministry for over 20 years now.  And I have been serving (as a staff member, though I've spent countless volunteer hours throughout my life) for three years.  Its such a blessing to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by giving of my time and talents to those in need.

Consider spending some time at your local Mission during this holiday season.  Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a wonderful opportunity to teach your children (and remind yourselves) that serving others is very rewarding!

Photo Meme 5 of 4

Another request.  Our bedroom.   

I accidentally had the color swap feature on during this photo, so the walls shouldn't be pink.

Photo Meme 4 of 4

This was the hardest one of all.  Annelise has such a vibrant, but diverse personality. One minute she's crawling all over the house, chasing me.  She hates to be alone.  Quite often, she'll spend her time sitting on the living room floor, happily playing with....coasters.  

And without fail, she's always got those two fingers in her mouth (upside down) for comfort.

But, my choice photo would be of the flowers in her crib.  Its a little game we play.  Every time I wake her up from sleeping, this is what I find.  Droopy flowers.  How sad!  So, I promptly stand them up.  And without fail, I will surely find them again, dead and drooping to the floor. 

Let's just say her greatest personality strength is consistency.

Photo Meme 3 of 4

Little jackets.  

This is something in my house that makes me smile.  Its a reminder that we have a little person in our house that actually wears those jackets.  

Photo Meme 2 of 4

Linen Closet #1 - Doubles as a game closet.

Linen Closet #2 - In our bathroom.  

I didn't touch either of them before I snapped this shot.  Good thing I talked Matt into helping me clean them out last weekend!  Who'd a thought?

Photo Meme 1 of 4

My Kitchen.  I desperately wanted to use the photo from when I first remodeled it.  But, felt less than honest. So, this is what my kitchen really looks like day-to-day.  Since the remodel, the drawer face to the silverware drawer has come off - and we still haven't put the doors on the cabinets to the left of the dishwasher.  Nonetheless, I still love it much more than it used to look. 

Shoot, Me Either

Alrighty, Katie.  Thanks for pointing out your error, so I too can point out mine.  I responded to Krissy's meme.  And the directions clearly state (though I didn't read them) that I must post this in my blog too.  

Ask me to take pictures of any aspect of my life that you’re interested in or curious about. It can be anything from my favorite shirt to my cell phone. Leave your requests as a comment to this entry, and I’ll snap the pictures and post them as soon as I can. I would also add that you can ask anonymously, if you'd like. And if you decide to play along, do post the meme in your own blog!

Returning the Favor

I'm catching up on blogging today, so if this is the first post you're reading, scroll down for lots more!  

I have a wonderful friend, named Lisa, who watches Annelise each week while I work.  She is an amazing stay at home mom (read: incredible mother to her two daughters) and has chosen to bless our family by watching Anne at no charge!

In exchange, Matt and I try to watch the girls for them so they can go out on dates.  Well, today, I was able to return the favor for her.  It was a fun day, but made me realize that I'm not ready to add another two children to my household - and how much I appreciate what she does!

Acacia - Lisa's second daughter who's birth was just two weeks after Annelise!

Morgan - Lisa's first-born.  She'll be three in February, but is already such a big helper!

The "play-time" mess that was created in our living room.  This was only 5 minutes after they arrived!

THANK YOU LISA for all you do to help bless our little family!  We love you!

A Love Affair

Is it wrong to love your vacuum so much you'd marry it?

Ok, that was cheesy, but warranted.  My wonderful husband graciously allowed me to purchase a Dyson.  I vowed to find one cheaper than retail and succeeded.  And so, without further ado, here is the new love of my life - at least when it comes to cleaning my home.

Do you notice the uncanny sparkle in this photo?  

I would HIGHLY recommend this machine.  If you want a vacuum that actually cleans your floors - bare or carpeted - get a Dyson!

PS - Did I mention its snowing...a LOT!  6 inches already today!

Our Weekend

First, let me thank all of you that commented on my blog about discipline.  Some of your entries gave me a good chuckly (which helped lighten the situation) and others were very practical.  I hope to report back soon with a perfectly disciplined child...yeah right.

Matt and I vowed to relax this weekend, until we heard reports of snow and realized we still hadn't raked our leaves.  So, the beauty of home-ownership consumed much of our Saturday.

Annelise cried most of the time Matt was outside.  She watched intently as he raked the leaves.

PS - It snowed today.  Looks like we're going to get about 3 inches.  Welcome to Michigan!