Candy Cookin' Carters

Every year about this time the 6 of us girls get together to make fudge and candy for Christmas. This year is no exception but it seems everyone is a little afraid that when I break out my camera that they are all going to end up on my blog.. They all protest a bit, but I know they check my posts frequently until they see their bright shiny faces smiling back at them! Someone has to document this stuff! Might as well be me. You all love it and you know it!Brooke humoring Grandma!The Little SickoChanel having way too much fun with the pretzels.Fudge!It all went downhill once the dancing started!Grandma bustin' a groove!Getting Crazy!Brooke.. Getting ready to make a run for it!

Thanks Ladies! It was fun.. I still haven't found my Christmas spirit but this helped!

Rock Band!

So we are probably later than some to get this game.. But it's my family's newest addiction.. Cody bought it for his birthday with the money and gift cards he recieved and we have played it almost every night since.. No one really wants to play the drums though.


We are so good.. We're almost ready to take our show on the road!

20 Years

My parents have been married for 20 years this year. I admire so many of the things about their relationship..(and there are some things I just don't get!) but most important you can tell that they love each other and respect each other, and they are an example of where I want to be when Jon and I get there. They make each other happy, and they have both worked so hard together to get where they are today. Growing up I said I never wanted to be a parent like my own, but I sometimes find myself sounding just like them. I believe that one of the most important things you can give your kids is to be happy in your marriage, and they have been great examples of that to all of us.

So..congrats kids! Here's to 20 more!

(Jon, just an fyi..the traditional gift for a 20 year wedding anniversary is China, the modern day gift is Platinum..and I would be very happy with either! So start planning now!)

Thanksgiving 2008

I am thankful this year for my family and my friends who are there for me even when I'm not the nicest person ever.. (I know hard to believe huh?) I'm glad my family is close and that my kids can grow up with and so near their aunts and uncle. Our Thanksgiving is more or less informal (they only one really dressed up is Kelz!) and we don't all sit down to one table, there is just too many of us! But it is still great to get together and share a meal and catch up with everyone and if you are Fredrick, you're just there to watch football!.. I branched out and made stuffed mushrooms and spinach/artichoke dip and both seemed to be a big hit. Jon makes his grandma's stuffing and I make her cheeseball so he has some of his family traditions there too.. Kelz insists that my Dad deep fry a turkey every year so she was quite pleased too! We ate too much and were miserable the rest of the day, but that's what it's all about right?? Thanksgiving..Carter-style!She's cranky that she has to do dishes! I'm just excited that we finally have some help!!

Hope you all had a great day!

Turkey Bowl

Every year the "boys" in our neighborhood get together and play football on Thanksgiving morning. I've never gone to watch before but this year curiosity got the best of me, so I went to take pictures under the guise of bringing them all hot chocolate. It was hilarious to watch these guys try and kill themselves on the field!! My boys seemed to have a great time and we were among the last to leave. They played pretty well, but the older of the two was feeling it for days to come!

I think a great time was had by all..even the adoring fans! Can't wait until next year! I'm so glad no one was hurt and no bones broken.. (And thanks Brent for reminding us where the church is!)

Christmas Already?

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends! Change all the answers so that they apply to you, and post them on your blog!

1. Wrapping paper? The shiny kind, but I'm lazy..I like gift bags.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial.. It's easier that way.

3. When do you put up the tree? Whenever Jon gets it out and puts it together.

4. When do you take the tree down? Whenever Jon gets tired of the cat in it and takes it down.

5. Do you like eggnog? No! You should not have to chew a drink before you swallow it! Cody and Jon like it though!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my first Cabbage Patch Kid.

7. Hardest person to buy for? The Inlaws.. And my Mom!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Cody and Kellie Jo.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, if I get around to it.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Um?? Clothes, if they don't fit!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Anything except It's a Wonderful Life.. (I blame my mother!)

13. When do you start shopping? Way too late! When Jon gets his Christmas bonus. (Which is more of an "IF" this year!)

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Most Definitely!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Grandma's Rolls, Turkey, Fudge.

16. Lights on the tree? Red and White lights only.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I HATE all Christmas music, unless my kids are singing the songs!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel, we go to everyone else. When do we get to stay home and everyone come to us??

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I can, but I'm not going to.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither.. A bow and ribbons.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve? Only one, usually Pj's and slippers.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Christmas music and cranky shoppers.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Color: Red, Ornament: The Baby's First Christmas ones Theme: Peace

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Everyone to be happy and healthy!

Festival of Trees

Kelz and I went Saturday with my Mom and sister to help decorate a few trees that my Dad's work donates to the Festival of Trees. I think she was a little bored, but the rest of us had a pretty good time. They decorated three trees, a Lance Armstrong tree, a Harley Davidson tree, and a camping themed one for a friend of our family, Keith, who died a few years ago.
And I still think it's much to early to find my Christmas spirit.