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