Digital Christmas Card

For all you blog stalkers who I don't have your mailing address...here is your digital version of our Christmas Card. I got off really easy this year! I used pictures from our Disney Trip in October...I took the middle one and the photographers at Disney took the other two. I got to skip the dreaded Christmas Card Picture Photo Session! I "designed" them myself in Publisher and uploaded them to VistaPrint. Next year should be really interesting with trying to get 3 kids to look great in a picture...maybe I will opt for individual ones!

Wishing you a Magical Christmas!

Please Not The Fashion Police

My cell phone rang this afternoon shortly after 3:00pm. I didn't recognize the number but I did recognize the voice when I picked up. It was Mandy {from the front desk at MR's preschool}. Apparently Mary Reese had an accident in her sleep during nap time. It completely devestated her! They found some clothes in the closet for her to change into but Mandy said she wan't happy about her options. Jody {thankfully} was able to pick her up so she would have to spend the last hour of school in these duds:

When I saw these clothes in the dirty clothes basket I just cracked up! Can you blame her?

Holiday Baking Extravaganza!

This weekend I baked!

L to R - Date Balls, Oreo/Cream Cheese Balls Dipped in White Chocolate {don't know the real name but someone was telling me about it at the Thanksgiving Table}, Chex Mix, Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Brittle, Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies and Toffee.

I don't want to even think about how much sugar and butter I went through!

This is what I did with most of the goodies after I packed them up in plastic baggies:

I found these great felt gift bags in the Target Dollar Spot {love that section} and piled them full of goodies for all the teachers!

Happy Holidays!

Curly Pearly

Meet Curly Pearly:

The story according to Banks: "My mommy went to the doctor on Monday. The doctor put my baby brother in her tummy and then took pictures of the baby. He will be here in March." Mary Reese came home the other day from school saying she wanted to name the baby "Curly Pearly."

Yes...Banks and Mary Reese are expecting their new baby brother March 31st {according to the chart} or March 24th {according to the sonogram}. More than likely, he will be here mid March. Dr. Keller like to take me 2 weeks early considering Banks was 8 lbs. 6 ozs. at 1 week early and Mary Reese was 7 lb 10 oz at 2 weeks early. It should be a fun 2009 at the Murphree House!

Hunting with Tony

Banks went on his first deer hunt this afternoon.

This is what it looked like inside their hunting spot:

This was the view from the inside:

He reported that they saw 7 does. They didn't shoot at any of them. He told his Daddy they should have shot at the first one because it was looking right at them.

After the big hunt, they got to hang out with the one and only Tony Chachere.

The picture is not that great. I am not sure what they had the camera set on. This was the second day this week he got to hang out with Tony. Tuesday night, he went to Tony's Fish Fry with David, Sue and John B at the Anderson's farm. Needless to day, we are now stocked up with Tony's Creole Seasoning!

Live Nativity

When I picked Mary Reese up at school today...this was in her bag:

Apparently her brave teachers staged a live nativity scene with their class. Mary Reese played the part of Mary. I don't know why but this picture just cracks me up! I think it is because the entire class looks really into their part.

When Banks was in the Three Year Old Class, I remember laughing hysterically when I found this ornament in his backpack:

On the back it is written "Banks as Joseph". I love pulling it out of the Christmas ornament box every year. Now I have one of Mary Reese to add to the tree!

Happy 6th Birthday Banks!

Happy 6th Birthday, Banks!

{6 cookies for him to take to school tomorrow to share with his class}

On this day 6 years ago, Banks litterally decided to join the world: {I was scheduled to be induced on the 10th but Banks had different plans. My water broke late Friday night and he arrived shortly after lunch on the 7th...weighing in at 8 lbs 6 ozs}

He started out his day by hanging his ornament on our Christmas Calendar:

We had the grandparents over for a taco bar dinner and then dove into these: {white cake, peanut butter filling, chocolate icing with green and blue sprinkles...a Banks request} The cupcake almost wasn't big enough to hold all his candles:

Afterwards he had a few of these to open with the help of his sister:

Banks loved all his new stuff...he is dying to put together his electric train and has already played his new Wii games and found the North Pole on his globe. I think Mary Reese loved his High School Musical Halmark Ornament that plays the theme song better than Banks did. She danced to it for 15 minutes!

Even Camp {whose birthday is December 19th} got an early birthday present from Debbie:

Baked Mac and Cheese {by request}

I couple of days ago I had a comment under the Falling Christmas Tree post from Carly requesting my Mac and Cheese recipe from my Thanksgiving cooking marathon. So without further adieu:

Baked Mac and Cheese {a staple at any of our family gatherings}

2 T. cornstarch

1 t. salt

1/2 t. dry mustard

1/4 t. pepper

2 1/2 c. milk

2 T. butter

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 c. sour cream

8 oz. elbows, cooked 5 minutes and drained

In a medium saucepan combine first 4 ingredients; stir in milk. Add butter, stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 3/4 c. cheese and sour cream until melted. Add elbows. Pour into a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with reserve cheese. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

{My SIL can attest to the fact that I never follow the recipe to the letter. I don't really measure either. I usually add a little more noodles than 8 oz. because I don't like my mac and cheese real saucy. I also add the full 2 cups of cheese into the sauce and grate extra for the top. I always use extra-sharp cheddar but usually mix yellow and white together.}

Carly, I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as mine does! {I liked you immediately when I looked up your blog and discovered you also have a daughter named Mary Reese!}

What were you Thankful for?

I was cleaning out backpacks Sunday night in preparation for school on Monday morning, when I found these:

A picture of MR's class. I guess she was thankful for Dresses!

This one made my heart melt. I can't express in words how much the 4 of us enjoyed our 1st Murphree Family Vacation to Disney! I am very thankful that we were fortunate to go and to do it right!

Prelude to Christmas?

If this is any indication to how Christmas is going to turn out this year...I am boycotting!

I was busy decorating my tree and watching the Alabama/Auburn game when the disaster occurred. Of course Jody would not answer his phone...so I called my friend Rebecca {whose tree full of Radkos fell last year}. Her and Jody pulled up about the same time. Jody held the tree {whining the entire time that I was interupting his game watching...at least it fell during half time} while Rebecca and I undecorated the tree. My losses weren't near as bad as hers {the chair prevented it from falling completely down}...my major loss was my finial {a wedding present} and the bottom of my Christopher Radko 40th Birthday ornament. I have already been on ebay bidding on a new one. Here is the tree last year:

RIP Finial!

Thank you to my dear friend Rebecca who came to my resue...I couldn't have done it without you.