Yes Yes Yes! We finally got some snow - and a decent amount!
Isn't this Cardinal gorgeous against the snowy backdrop! Love this pic!

This shot makes me think of the Robert Frost Poem "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening" - he is one of my favorite poets!

The snowman is actually bigger than Madison!

Hello Mr. Snowman - we're glad you can join us! Madison has been dying to meet you!

This is Madison's mini-snowman, just don't count the eyes ok?! LOL

Reilly scooting throught the snow! He was super excited too but glad to go inside!

Making a Snow Angel was even more important to her than a Snowman! She did good!

At first she just galloped around in the snow!

She was pointing out snowflakes to her babydoll (nevermind the baby is nekkid!)

Stacy coming in from warming up his truck (I love the snowflakes captured on camera)

This is when we first got up and it was still kinda dark, love the snowflakes!

Sending Warm Winter Wishes.......

I took Madison for her first visit to a japanese restaurant - Miyami and she loved it!
She learned to master the chopsticks (not too hard when you're dealing with nice big shrimp!)

She ate everything put before her and tried the sauces and all. She said he was "the best cook in the whole world"!

All in all I give it two thumbs up! The food was fantastic and she loved the cooking demo. Sad that this is the only "j" restaurant in Florence left that actually cooks at your table anymore but i'm glad we've got it!
Hoping for some snow - we want to make a snowman and some snow angels (not to mention pelt Daddy with a few snowballs!)

Madison's cousin "E" had his fifth birthday party at the Bowling Alley! What a cute bunch of kiddos!

Hmmm do my fingers go in HERE?

I hope I get a STRIKE!

These are some pretty bowling balls!

A great time was had by all .... and a STRIKE was made by ....

Stacy has booked an evening dinner cruise in Charleston on Valentines Day!
He wanted to do it last year but sadly, they were all booked up - but he got the jump on it this year!
We are staying at the Harborview Inn and I hope to get a little bit of shopping done on King Street!
I am wearing this dress (note: it is a darker red but due to my mad photo-skillz looks pink - it's not).
I have some super cute dark red Vera Wang heels to wear and now I just need to get a black shoulder wrap.


Did I mention i'm excited! OMG I am!
I have the best, most wonderful, smart, cute, generous, sexy, handsome husband IN THE WORLD!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR REILLY

my precious puppy is 5 years old today!
Thank you, sweet boy for five happy, love-filled years!
You have brought so much joy and happiness into our family and even when Madison came along you were never jealous and have always been patient and loving with her.
We love you so much love bug!!!


The bad news ... I have to take a mini-break from blogging. With me being off Monday, school starting back and some stuff at work I tried to visit blogland today and just couldn't pull it off so if I did visit you - feel privelaged and if I didn't, don't be slighted as there was no rhyme/reason where I posted.

The good news ... Boss will be off Friday and when Boss is away... well you know how it goes. I'll have time to get caught up. I'll MAKE time. I have no illusions about that. Blogging really does help me de-stress here at work.
Think I can get a doc's note saying I need to blog for a few hours during the workday? *grin*

Yeah....... I can just see Bosses face now!

Now ... what you have been dreading waiting on with bated breath *snort*
From finish to start (why be normal?)

Madison riding her favorite - the Monkey!

Madison even got DADDY to ride!!!

One of my favorite of the "life-size" Christmas Cards made by local students at area schools in Charleston.

Madison working the light-board on one of the huge Christmas Trees!

This is one of my favorite things to see every year, a sculpture made of SAND.
(I'm not sure if that reindeer to the right is dead or what but.....)

Madison and her cousin "J" pose by a reindeer


Another favorite - the coconut falls from the palmtree, conking the monkey on the head! Poor monkey! This is another timed light one with the coconut falling in stages.



Another bright snowman! (I love snowman - how bout' you?)




Snow family! (and somebody peeping in the mirror while driving!)

We interrupt this light show for some family photos! Me & my sweet girl!

Three kiddoes ready to see some action!

Finally - after waiting over an HOUR, Yes - an hour to just get into the Park we are turning in! None of us have ever been in a crowd like this. We went the Sunday before Christmas so I don't know if that is the most popular night but I don't reccomend it mmmkay? Thank God my SIL had a portable DVD player in the van or we would have been toast! Ha!

Hmmmm I usually don't do very well at Resolutions but why not?
Nothing ventured - nothing gained!

* To lose 30 lbs in 2009

* To go to the Beach at least three times between April - October 2009

* To go Snow Tubing this month or in February

* To make the Dean's List every semester

* To not let my job make my whole life miserable.

* To cut all "toxic people" out of my life.


A few words of advice or encouragement appreciated! *grin*

Well friends I am back at Crying Cow/Run once again after over a weeks respite.
It was WONDERFUL.
I sure wish I didn't have to come back. Kind of tacky, I know, in light of so many who WON'T be soon coming back but it's how I feel.
I do love the paycheck though *snicker*

My child has been an absolute BEAST since Christmas Eve. I don't know what has gotten into her but I feel like "beating" it out! I want my sweet little girl back not this smart-mouthed disobedient monster! Arrgghhhh!!!!!

I accidently deleted EVERY single Christmas picture that I took from my camera so all i've got is the pics from the Festival of Lights which i'll probably post them tomorrow or Wednesday. I want my sister to look and see if there is any way they can be retrieved (I read the manual and couldn't find any) before I take a few pics of my Christmas spoils at least to share.
Santa WAS good to me!
I hope he was good to YOU as well!....

We are in the midst of wrapping paper... gift bags... stockings ... reindeer poop - and the like!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Holiday and doing whatever it is that brings you happiness and peace.
Whether it be with family, friends, a special someone, your beloved pet(s) or by your own sweet self. (sometimes we are our own best company).

I am very blessed to have my family, my health, my job and wonderful friends such as all of you.

I am blessed.

Okay ... no laughing (I see you over there snickering!)
These are the only two shots one of the kids took with my camera.
I will get some more from the ones that the newspaper photographer shot.
I think i'll have access to them by Thursday.

It really was fun and I enjoyed doing it! It helped with my "christmas spirit"

Madison decided she wanted to be an elf the next morning ... this is how elves sit apparently! and they hold candy -filled canes!


Okay I am off today and out doing any manner of Elf-like things... Toodles~!

Finally without further ado.. for your viewing pleasure a tour of the Griswold, er, T*ndal abode by the cutest little Christmas girl EVER!!!!!

A Peppermint Christmas Fairy watches over our livingroom.........

Lighted packages (the middle one opens and closes) and a life-sized Santa welcome you

The Santa Express chugs through our yard and a little blowmold Snowman says "Hiya"!!

A Jolly Ol' Gator chases Surfin' Santa while another Santa makes a getaway in his trusty Speedboat!

No yard is complete without SNOOPY and his famous doghouse!!! from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Nascar Santa and his trusty pitcrew of Elves... we're not fans of J*mmie Johnson so Stacy tried to change the number... with whatelse? Duct Tape!!!!!

A Giant Frosty oversees the whole yard and all who enter!

This is a close-up of the lifesized Santa by the front door. I love him. Wouldn't he look GREAT in the entranceway of an old grand house! *hint* Stacy *hint*

Spongebob Santa oversees Maddie's playhouse. The spiral trees look great lit up but unfortunately they are tripping the breaker. Still it's pretty!

I hope you enjoyed your tour of our festive yard! It surprises me the people who come by to see it! I hope it makes Christmas a little merrier!

Sor-r-r-r-r! It IS Monday you know.
Without further ado.... the SANTA PANTS! I really do love them. I'd totally wear them. In fact i'm going to Dumas myself and scope out their cords. I had NO idea.

Nurse Jacki weighs and measure Madison. Will we EVER crack 40 lbs???

The incomparable Dr. Whi*tehead! We love him! He's taken care of Maddie since she was a tiny baby and done a GREAT job! He always listens and explains.

A weary........

19  

If my poor old body wouldn't curl up and die i'd do cartwheels - THAT is how happy I am that it is Friday!

I got a cute christmas card from Daisy & Man yesterday, Thank You!!!
I promise to get mine out over the week-end!

Madison went for her four year check-up yesterday. She did so good.
Had to have five shots and that almost killed me.
I will post some pics next week because I didn't get them downloaded last night.
Her doc was wearing the snazziest red corduroy pants with santa faces embroidered on them.
He got them at Dumas in Charleston. LOVED THEM!
I took a pic of him holding Madison and will be sure to do a zoom in of the pants.
I love her pediatrician. He is just the best!

Y'all have a fab-u-lous week-end. I plan to.
A little snuggling with my precious husband, taking baby girl to look at lights - can't wait!!!!!!

A suddendly energized and excited...