It's Official

I am officially going to switch over to typepad....you will find my new blogger home here...http://abarefoothome.typepad.com/

Come on over for visit anytime. Feel free to look around and comment too, if you'd like.

See ya over there!!!

New pics

We went looking at Christmas lights last night and I posted the album here http://abarefoothome.typepad.com/ if you want to take a look...

New Blog

I am thinking about switching over to Typepad...they have a free trial offer right now and I'd like to give it a try...I put some updates over there if you want to check it out....http://abarefoothome.typepad.com/a_barefoot_home/

Nostalgic

There is something about Christmas that brings back so many childhood memories.

I had a great childhood. Wouldn't change it for the world, but there were times when it was tough, epecially around Christmas time. We didn't have a lot of money growing up, which we as kids never seemed to care (I think because we just didn't know any better) until around Christmas time. Hearing other kids from school talk about ALL the many toys they had recieved, ALL the money they had recieved, and ALL the newest electronics they had gotten as well. We did get gifts but they were simple, like new pajammas, socks etc...stuff we needed, and usually one big gift each.

My grandparents came to our house every year, that is until they were too elderly to travel. One of my favorite things about Christmas was waking up early, before the sun, with my Grandfather to make coffee. Neither of us had any idea how to work the coffee pot, so it was pretty much comical trial and error trying ot figure it out. Then we would scramble to try and clean the mess before Mom and Dad woke up...My Grandpa always made me laugh. Then once my parents woke up, Mom would get started on baking something for breakfast and Dad would make hot chocolate that he'd put into this carafe (sp?) that kept it warm with a burning candle. Then eventually my brothers and sister would wake and we'd open gifts. Then the rest of the day was spent with my Mom and Grandma in the kitchen preparing the dinner and us kids in the living room playing with everything we had gotten while Dad and Grandpa sat drinking thier coffee and watching us.

I think the best Christmas memory I have as a child is the Christmas when things were extra tight. My Mom with tears in her eyes telling her children that there wouldn't be any gifts under the tree this year. We were a little sad, mostly because we knew it was hurting my Mom so. I remember waking that morning, my grandparents didn't make it out that year either. Dad was in the kitchen making breakfast. Bisquits and gravy, sausage, bacon and eggs. He made the best breakfast! So after we feasted on the yummy food we all got dressed and went outside. It had snowed that year. The first and last white Christmas I've ever had. It was beautiful. The whole neighborhood was out. We of course started to make snow angels and snowmen and of course a snowball fight. Then our friends came over from down the street (our house was always filled with friends and visitors, our door was pretty much open all the time) and we got out trash bags and lids and went sliding down the small hill across the street. Pretty soon more friends and neighbors were at our house and everyone hoped in their cars and headed to Eagle Hill. The big hill in the neighborhood where all the kids rode their bikes. It was covered in snow, so we hiked to the top and slid down on trash bags and trash can lids....we had so much fun. I remember I was soaked!! We stayed and played for hours. A great time was had by all. We got home, dryed off and sipped on hot cocoa and played games the rest of the day. Nothing spectacular just family and fun. It was simple, it was easy and it was great! Still my favorite Chritmas ever!


The pic is of my brothers and my sister. It was probably the year 1976. Funny how that one picture brought back so many memories. This is defiantly one to scrapbook!

Here's to making more special Chirstmas memories...

Penguin Party

McKenzie got a new bike for her birthday. She was so happy! She had been asking for one for awhile now. She rode so well too. She even fell a few times (she turns too sharp and down she goes) but she got right back on and kept going. Everyone dressed in black and white for the the penguin themed party. They all looked so nice. I was really glad everyone participated, it made it all the more fun.
4 candles on her cake this year! I can't believe how big she is getting.
She had a great day and was so tired at the end of it. She recieved so many nice things that made her so happy! We've already played checkers, memory, old maid and cooties...and that was all last night!! I was glad to see she got some games. We only had Candy Land and she's gotten really good at it. So now I think we're set for a while! She is already asking to play the Bingo game. Cool! I am game!! he he

McKenzie is 4 today!!!

The first time I got to and hold my first born in my arms. This was truly a magical moment. She was an emergency c-section, so with only a glance at her after she was born , I was immediatly wheeled off to recovery and it was about 2 hours later that I got see her. It's as though my heart just leaped into hers and we were bonded from that moment on...
I still love to hold her in my arms. She gives me such joy! She is such a sweet, happy, bright, smart, beautiful little girl. She brings a smile to my face everyday! I am so proud of the little girl she has become. I am so honored to be her mother.

Happy, Happy birthday McKenzie Grace!!

Preschool Party

On the first day of preschool, all the kids make their own birthday crowns and place mats. Then on their day, they get to use them. So cute. They really get the special treatment when it's their birthday. Here she is with Gracie waiting to get their cupcakes.Since there was a little boy absent, they let Haylee join the party at the table and have a cupcake. You should have seen her. She was so excited to be able sit with her sister.
Here are the cupcakes that we all took part in making. Both girls helped Daddy bake them and then Mommy decorated them and Daddy dotted the eyes. She had reindeer cupcakes, reindeer plates, napkins and cups.
Here, she is getting her birthday crown. Everyone sits in a circle and Mrs. Stalder crowns the birthday girl.

They made this day so fun for her. She got to be the special helper (which she loves) and received extra special treatment that was just a boost for her. Robbie and I had a great time too. Preschoolers are a hoot!

Birthday Girls

Friday is McKenzie's birthday and Rebekah's is just 10 days later, so every year(since they turned 1) they've had a double Daddy and daughter date to Disneyland. So last night, off they went to the happiest place on earth! They had a blast!They went to to Goofy's kitchen for dinner. I think Goofy rubbed off on McKenzie. She rarely misses an opportunity to act "goofy" for a picture...LOL what a goof!! Here they are sporting there very first pair of Mickey Mouse ears! McKenzie got the Minnie mouse pink one and Becca got the purple Tinkerbell one. They wore them all day long!
Can you tell they were having fun here? This is on Tom Sawyer Island. They found this tree house and couldn't resist being silly for the camera. I love it! Silly girls!


They had such a great day! McKenzie was asleep before they even got on the freeway. She came home with loads of goodies and lots of memories...