And they Danced....and Danced!

My nephew received this harmonica as a Christmas present. I think it took him all of 10 minutes to master it. He is a guitar player in a band and apparently now he plays the harmonica also. I love him dearly. He gets my kids all hyped up and they sleep like infants the that night. Thanks Al:-)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope that you remembered the reason for the season. We got up around 7:00 a.m. the kids were so siked! We read the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. We then opened gifts and it was all laughs and hugs. The kids got clothes, a few toys, movies etc. We then ate breakfast(croissants,bacon, homemade grits). Greg and the kids were exhausted so they took a 3 hour nap. I stayed awake because it's just like normal to me. They woke up and we started some new traditions this year. We went out to dinner for Chinese and that was fantastic! We then went to visit grandparents for a couple of hours and came back home. I love doing that. It took so much stress off of me by going out to dinner. I love cooking but I do it all the time and dh suggested we go out and enjoy each other rather than me be in the kitchen all day. He is a great guy! Something new we are trying going forward is keeping the going out to dinner but me doing a big breakfast with all the traditional things dh grew up with. We also are not doing gifts. I read about this family in Atlanta parent magazine and they do something called "trips under the tree". What we will do is rotate between dh and I where we go but it will be a total surprise for the rest of us:-) We will not do gifts anymore except one per person but no other gifts to each other and parents. When I first told dh about this he was skeptical until he thought on it some more and as we drove up 85 north he said let's do it. We are sort of cheating next year because we are doing Disney but I will plan everything so he will be surprised somewhat. I can't wait to do this. The kids are all on board....they might not understand it all. I hope that we can keep this tradition going for years to come.

A New Version of "Santa's Comin to Town!

Elf On The Shelf

Have you heard? We have an elf living in our house! His name is Hayden and he arrived here a little later than planned. I found out about him from a friend of a friend. It is the greatest thing. He comes to your house around Thanksgiving and leaves Christmas Eve. He is a nice elf unless he is feeling mischievous. He sometimes leaves crumbs, spills drinks, and messes up the toy room. Every morning he is a different place in your house or car:-)
The kids literally jump out of there beds at 6:30 a.m. and start to look for Hayden. He leaves after they go to bed and heads to the North Pole to give Santa and updated report on how they are behaving. I was a little skeptical about this whole Santa thing but me and dh came to a compromise. The kids know that Santa is not the meaning of Christmas and Jesus is and we talk about that daily. The minute they put Santa or the elf as the reason....we need some S, R, and R....STOP, Reflect, and Rejoice! This is a lot of fun as they are so excited and it's fun to see them use there imagination. I love watching them come up with how he got back into the house. The also have quiet a few friends with elfs living at there homes. Kids make Christmas so much fun. I can't imagine it any other way. Merry Christmas to you all!

Have you Met Her

Have you met her? She is my bff and we are like two peas in a pod,Laverne and Shirley, Meridith and Christina! Her name is Michelle and we finish each others sentences, foods, drinks, and are almost the same person except she is one year and two days older than me! She is also the God mother of my children (bless her if something happens..lol)If I can only get her to scrapbook and if she could only get me to ride a horse..??

My Christmas Gift....Ruined

I had planned an extravagant getaway for dh and I next year in August. I thought that he would not check the credit card statement until after Christmas but he and so he knows we are going somewhere. I am so bombed! I had made a lot of cute clues leading up to Christmas. I had the big presentation all set up and then...Needless to say I love giving surprises but this one is ruined. We will still have a good time but my Christmas will not be what I thought. The kids will be surprised at what they received. I now see why it is good to have your own credit card.

Snaggled Bedazzled Hits Again!

Princess has lost her 4th tooth. We are going broke by the minute:-)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Our friend came over to take Christmas pictures of us. I have a couple of friends who are really good and patient with taking pictures of us. It can be challenge sometimes getting everyone to look at the camera. Jay took these and Julie took the ones last year you all receive. Maybe it's in the "J". If you are in the Atlanta area give them a call. I will never take professionals again:-) I think we clean up pretty well for southerners?

Christmas Party

This is our small group. Greg and I decided to be leaders this time around and what a blessing it has been. We had a Christmas dinner at our home for the group. These couples are fabulous! It is really refreshing to know that life can be done together and with support. The guys get together about once a month and so do the ladies apart from meeting every Sunday evening. We have dinner and then we the most amazing discussions based on our current study. I am so blessed to know these people and have them in our lives.

Finally!

Ok so I have been gone for a while now. It started with my blog page bing too dark. I just could not focus. It was dark and spooky. Anyways, we have been so busy around here. Things have finally calmed down! I am still working on my colors so be patient with me. I am a visual girl so I have to have the colors just right. I will try and catch you all up. We have had Thanksgiving, after Thanksgiving shopping, school, christmas pictures, early release days, ballet, christmas parties, and everything else in life. Here are some pics of us over the past month.

I'm here

I am still here all my fellow bloggers. I am trying to figure out what is going on with my site. I tried to make is a little more brighter and then this happened. I am will work on it this weekend and have some pics up hopefully. We were a little sick this week so things have been really slow. I can't wait for the holidays so surely you will have lots to look at and I will have lots to talk about. I am off to look at Grey's!

Another Lost Tooth

Last Day of Autumn

For me Halloween signifies the last day of Autumn. I know that it is not officially over but I love Christmas so much that our Holiday Season at the Montgomery home officially starts today!! I am so excited. For one I hope this will be the our last Christmas in this home and for 2 the season reminds me of what is important to me. Get ready to hear lots of Christmas music on my blog:-) We went to a harvest fest last night with the kids. Check out dh's blog for a laugh. Here are the pics enjoy!

a 4 x 9 meme

I got tagged by by friend Kerry! She comes up withe coolest things!


4 jobs I've had in my life:
Cashier: McDonald's, free food and cute boys
Teacher 's assistant: fun, love the kids
Teacher: I miss it until I volunteer to help in the classroom...things are so different now.
Mom: Whew!
Wife: Whew!wee

4 movies I'd watch over and over:
Love Actually
Pride and Prejudice
The Matrix(entire collection)
The Notebook


4 places I have lived:
Texas
South Carolina
Atlanta

4 TV shows I watch
The O.C.( repeats...I can't let it go)
Grey's
Private Practice
24!!!!!!!!

4 Places I've Been
Jamaica
Cancun
Cozumel
San Deigo

4 websites I visit daily:
gymboree
archivers
scrapchick
creating keepsakes

4 of my favorite foods:

Pizza
Raw Spinach
Cheesecake
Loaded Baked Potato

4 places I'd rather be right now:

Chicago( I will be there in the am)
Hawaii( October 08)
Turks and Caicos
San Bernadino(miss you seechele)

4 bloggers I now tag for this:

Becky
Julie
Pam
Dh

Buzz's Party!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Birthday Update

As many of you know we celebrated the twins birthday last weekend. It was a blast! We took Buzz to Fernbank Museum with about 6 of his friends. We watched a stars and crumbs show which talked about stars, moon, and meteor showers. It was the coolest party yet. We then went to my favorite Greek restaurant called Athens Pizza. It was mostly dad's but my friend Jewels came! I had fun talking with her. My little astronaut received some of the coolest gifts ranging from planetariums to planets hanging from the bedroom. They are all his favorite. We are learning to write thank you cards so it is taking a while but they are coming.

Princess had an ice skating party! She invited her friends to also have cake and juice before the hit the rink. It was the funniest thing in the world. She had a hard time at first and wanted to give up but I would not let her. Her friends G and F really tried encouraging her and that helped. They were better than everyone on the ice! You go girls. I was happy that all of her friends and mine came. We missed you aunt Michelle! It was hard doing two parties but they loved it. I don't think we will do this again though until they are 10 or so...wheew!

Ring Found

The ring is found! After looking all over the house it is found. Check out my other blog for the full details tomorrow!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 5th birthday to my wonderful twins! I can't believe how the time has flown. We did so much for there birthday that I have to put together a slide show. I am not done yet but I will be soon. So stayed tuned for all the info. It was a blast. Thank you to all who shared in the special weekend with dh and I.

Apple Pickin'

We had a blast at the apple orchard! We go every year around this time to pick apples off the tree. This year Princess received a special surprise. She got ride on a horse and carriage and she got to hold the reigns! She was just beside herself. Those of you who know her can see how this would just make her just ecstatic! It was hot outside but it was the tradition that we loved the most. Dh does so well with the kids. He is so patient and loving. I really appreciate him being a wonderful dad! Buzz and Ariel just enjoyed the day as they enjoy everything outside.

Fun Fall Flicks

Grey's Anatomy
Private Practice
Desperate Housewives
Dancing with the Stars
Brothers and Sisters

Kid say the oddest things....

My kiddos were in the car going to school the other morning and started having various conversion with each other. Princess likes to carry around her bible now a days. She told her brother that the bible was good and that it says in John 4:16 that "God so loved the world that he sent his son". I was stunned. She was not totally correct but she was very close. Wow! I thought to myself to have a daughter who has Jesus on her mind first thing in the morning. You never know what will come out of their mouths!

Can it be?

Here is our friend Ryan who dressed for his sons 4th birthday party. It was the best party I have ever been to. Can you see the similarity? Wow! Maybe he has another brother out there.

What I've Been Up to

I have not blogged in a while. I know some of you have been waiting. Here are somethings that I have been up to.
1. Visiting with friends
2. Celebrating birthdays
3. Getting ready for the twins birthday
4. Leading a womens small group
5. Leading a couples small group
6. Bible Study
7. Working out
8. Scrapbooking
9. Helping out sick friends
10. Loving dh
11. Cherishing the little moments
12. Enjoying life!
13. Getting ready for a girls weekend in Chicago
14. Watching Prison Break
15. Getting ready for Grey's Anatomy and the Practice
16. Growing vegetables
17. House hunting
18. Searching for a photography class
19. Searching for the perfect b-day gift
20. Thanking God that I have wonderful in-laws

A Shout Out to the SAHM's

Today was a crazy day. My kiddos were off the hook today! I don't know if it was Unca Dave or what but when we got home from a friends house we could not even say our prayers because they were so wound up! One was crying, one was talking non-stop, and the other decided that we was just going to bed no matter what. Dh was out of town so they are usually out of sorts when he is gone. Whew. This is what I want and I will have one for all the moms out there who are wondering why they do this day after day. We love our families but sometimes.....

First Day of Preschool

Princess started preschool. She was so happy and excited! She walked right in and did not even shed a tear. It was a bittersweet moment. It is weird being home with no noise at all. I am enjoying it but I love to pick her up from school.

Can I do it?

Okay everyone. I am going to make a small change to my blog. This blog will contain fun things that we are doing as a family. I decided that I also need to focus on myself,God, and my wonderful hubby. I am in the process of creating another blog so you can visit both. The other blog will be a lot more personal information which I don't mind being "out there". It is who I am and the woman,mother,daughter, and wife I want to be. Here my new blog It will be up and running by the am. I hope that you enjoy both!

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Yesterday I recorded Yo Gabba Gabba for Buzz and Princess. As toddlers they loved to watch Noggin. In the past year they had started to not like it so much. I don't if it was too young for them or what. One day we were watching Noggin with Ariel and they all saw the preview for this new dance show. It looked really cute and cheesy but I like cute and cheesy. They danced the entire time! Check it out. Don't forget to pause the music in the green box.

Ice,Ice, Baby!

Ariel and I have been spending some "mommie and me" time together since Princess and Buzz are now in Pre-K. I decided to take her ice skating! I think she will be taking lessons soon. She only fell twice but never cried. I was so proud of her. She made it all around the rink! I wish I would have started at an early age like she did. I did not start until age 10 (thanks Dad)! I can't wait to scrapbook these pics!

Simple Remnders

The twins went off to school last week. I had total anxiety! I knew I would get over it but it was hard plus the fact that I had been sick the week before last with strep throat. Ariel had not left the nest yet so I was too bad off. She starts school in Sept. I thought to myself "she is a big kid like the other two". I realized today she is still a baby. I washed her hair as I do all the kids on Sunday so we don't have to worry about that during the week. As I washed her hair in the sick because she has so much hair! Ariel was asleep before the water had totally wet her hair. This is just a reminder that she is not quite as big as I thought. I thank God for small reminders.

Wordless Wednesday

Thinking back on Marriage Monday this couple says it all! True love is seen through all eyes even when it doesn't know you are looking. I took this picture to try and get a some natural shots and I did! I love capturing the "moment".

Marriage Monday-Back to the Basics

To have and to hold from this day forward. In sickness and in health. These are the traditional vows that Dh and I said to one another on July 10,1999. We had a few obstacles in our way while planning our wedding. I am surprised to this day that he did not walk away. It was a test indeed. I was determined that if no one came to the wedding it was going to happen. I have been sick a few times and dh has been there until I was better without blinking an eye. Our society teaches that when something is broken we need a new one. When something breaks get a new one. That is exactly what is happening in today's marriages. When the spouse is not pleasing anymore get a new one. What a terrible message this is. Try and stick things out every now and again. You will be amazed at what Jesus can do. I challenge you this week to be "on top of your game". I had some goals that I set a while ago on my blog. A friend of mine saw it and commented on how it was not her goal to have dinner ready for her husband 4 days a week when he walked in the door. I was a little offended but then I thought.....It may not be your goal but isn't it a part of your relationship to feed each other with love,respect,honor, understanding, and compassion and oh yeah a brother is often hungry when he comes home. I am ringing the alarm! If I don't someone else will. Temptation is out there and it is vicious. Make some goals, renew those vows, stick it out. Peace

Off they go...

Princess and Buzz went off to Pre-K today for the first time. It was a bitter sweet moment. Buzz was totally pumped about school this morning. Princess was shockingly a little nervous. She was it was because she did not know anyone. Of course that made me sadder. Dh was totally fine of course. He had a little water in his eyes though:-) It was a good day. I picked them up and they told me all about school. Princess said she has a Kylie and Callie in her class. Buzz said his day was "ok". He got hurt on the playground but he was fine. Whew!.....that was hard. This was the longest day ever!

Thankful Thursday

I am feeling much better after a week of strep throat! I am thankful that I no longer have a sore throat...that hurt. My son is taking after his mother. He found and old camera of ours and has been taking pictures for days. He loves saying " say cheese". I am thankful that I am being a positive person in his life and although is a daddy's boy that my hobby has rubbed off on him. It's nice to know that after saying "don't do that, No, because I said so, be nice to your siblings, love each other, don't run in the road" that they still love you and mock you. Say cheese...

Wordless Wednesday

What is it?

This was outside of our window last night. We thought someone was knocking at the window. Does anyone know what this is?

Thankful Thursday

As I turned over in bed this morning. My crew was all in bed with me as they usually are when I wake up. My eyes were a little swollen from allergies. Princess noticed right away. She said " mommmy are you not feeling so well"? I told her no that my allergies were bad today. She told me that she was going to pray for me. I thought "that is so sweet" thinking that she meant she would pray before she went to bed. NOPE! She prayed right then and there that her mommy feels better and that Jesus would heal me. She then proceeded to tell Ariel that she should pray also. So she did also! Buzz was like we do that later(lol). He is so BOY sometimes:-)I am thankful that DH works with the kids on our faith is shown even when he is away. I am thankful for dh, the kids, friends, and most of all that God has given me a man that is faithful and love his children enough that he teaches them God's basic principles. For that it is another "Thankful Thursday".

Wordless Wednesday

Menu Plan Monday

I am starting something new on Monday's for my blog. I know a lot of other bloggers who do this and you can come up with so many meals by copying from each other. Let me know how you like it!

Monday: Chicken Caesar Salad

Tuesday: Fire Cracker Alaskan Salmon

Wednesday: Spaghetti

Thursday: Mediterranean Pizza

Friday: Chicken Marsala

Thankful Thursday

Click "Pause" on the green music box on the right before clicking on the video so you can listen to the video's music.

We Now Interrupt this program for....Life

We are back or shall I say we have been back for a week now. It has been crazy every since then... The vacation was AWESOME! We laughed so much until our stomach's hurt. It was a much needed vacation! It all started as we got on the road towards Blue Ridge, Georgia. We joked and commented on the scenery as dh and Jamesess(yes..I spelled it like we pronounced it). He rode shot gun while the Diva's rode in the back. Our first stop was at Starbizucks. We all needed some caffeine right?. The whole time Jamesess and as we now call him "G-Reg"( gee-reg) talked about food. They wanted to eat like every 10 minutes. We kept driving until it was time to check in. We went to go pick up our keys which was 10 minutes from where the cabin actually was. The cabin was beautiful! It was just like the pictures. I can't wait to go back. After we unpacked we went into downtown Blue Ridge for lunch. We ate at a Victorian House were the food was delicious! We were going to take this awesome train ride but decided to wait until the next day or two for that. More on that later. After lunch we went around all of the cute little shops. Of course I liked everything and so did Pam. We hung out for a while more and went back to the cabin for dinner. We decided that night that we would go tubing. Well it said in the brochure that you could not wear flip-flops. Everyone knows that I am a flopaholic! I had to get shoes with straps on the ends. Dh bought me some cute crocs! Love em:-) We had to find shoes for everyone else so we went to a shoe store and everyone found the ones they wanted. Well then we went to Walmart and Jamesess found some for about 4.98! So he took his 15.00 ones back! He got the Wally World special! On to tubing we went. We parked the car and got on the bus with a 55 year old male with an earring in his ear. He was so funny. We got on the bus and drove to the drop off point but not before he pointed out the trailer that was hit by a car during a high speed chase that ended badly....for the trailer I mean. We got in the water for tubing and it was the slowest ever. I could have driven home and back in time to pick up the others! It was a lot of fun though as we all kept getting stuck on the rocks. The next day went on the "Great Train Ride" where Georgia meets Tennessee. The brochure described it as" The train route consists of a 26-mile round trip through historic Murphy Junction along the beautiful Toccoa River. This railroad was built over 100 years ago and is the only mainline railroad excursion service based in Georgia.
Each trip begins at the depot in Blue Ridge, Georgia and includes a stop in McCaysville which permits passengers to disembark and stretch their legs while exploring the downtown communities of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. Each round trip takes approximately 3 1/2 hours." So naturally we all thought that we were going really far! Hell No! It was 6 miles from our cabin but it took 3 1/2 hours. I figured this out as we passed the trailer that was hit by a drunk driver that we saw tubing! This was the highlight and laugh of our trip. I will tell you more about the hike that almost went terribly wrong in another post. Now for some pics!

Off We Go!

We are off to the mountains for our anniversary. Ahhh I can't wait! The kids are taken care of by friends and family! Thank you all so very much

Swim Team......Go Ripples!

Here are some pics of the kids from there first swim meet!