It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The outside was complete several days ago, the inside decor is done and the only thing left last night was decorating the tree and pulling out the Christmas china. It was lots of fun.Colored lights, of course. I love clear too, but these are just so cheerful. We have to be cheerful, ya know.

Macy was part of the party. She's done very well so far, although after the carpet is cleaned Tuesday and gifts go under the tree --well, it may be a different story. She loves paper and ribbons.

Decorating the tree with our favorite ornaments is the most fun!

Gotta put ornaments in the back too!

Thomas always puts the star on. Actually, this was done before any decorations were added. Somehow, the tree in a picture really and truly does it no justice. It looks 'lacking', but it is a very pretty tree.

This is my favorite ornament. This was the last ornament Daddy and Mama gave me before he passed away. They always put an ornament on the tree for me and Thomas and for Greg and Amy with pieces of paper folded up in it. While that paper was worth something, it didn't and never will come close to the sentimental value that this ornament holds. It is precious.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.......

We're finally glad we found one!! Whew, it was frustrating. After visiting about five farms that were either closed or weren't quite set up with a baler yet, we hit the jackpot. Oh my gosh. It took hours to find a farm with decent trees to choose from. If we had only driven a couple of miles more through Linville, we'd have been in luck - sooner than later. What actually happened was that we went to Linville, into Newland, and back to Crossnore. We drove an hour out of the way. When we did finally find THE FARM, we had a ball.

This was it. Thank goodness.

Had to have a fresh wreath, of course.

The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree section of the farm.

What a day!!

Preppin' The Porch!

Love, love, love this time of year. I love Christmas and Thanksgiving too. To me, you don't have to wait until after Thanksgiving to start decorating for Christmas. We started yesterday since Thomas will be hunting after Thanksgiving. There are some things that require his abilities and height. Sooooo, we started with the porch. There are still some bows to add and the mailbox needs its attention, but the rest is well on its way.

Saturdays are typically 'no make-up' days for me, which I love---so no made up face for ya'll. These new dangly balls, okay, dangly decorations were added last year and they are my favorites. They added so much to the porch decor.

Clyde and Clara (no, not Rudolph and Clarisse) are just hanging out. They haven't come to life yet.

Okay, now they have. Clara needed her bow tied.

A true sign that it's beginning to look alot like Christmas. This is Mom's holly tree and it is absolutely beautiful. I wanted to get a close-up shot of the berries before the birds get to them.

Leave it to us!

Last weekend when we were in Marion, the kids had their own fun out in the back yard at Nana's. They raked and jumped and raked and jumped......and posed a few times, of course. They make take after their mother slightly!! Cammie took most of these pictures, even the close-up of her and Macy.

Just leave it to us to have the grandest of times!!!!! We're just lovin' life.

I feel sooooo loved, part deux!

Okay - today I turn 40. It doesn't hurt; it doesn't scare me; it doesn't bother me. I'm just thrilled to be here. It's just a number and I feel great! Last night was such a celebration. There were suprises happening all over the place, starting pretty early in the day. I didn't realize prep work had been going on for quite a while.

Thomas came into town to take me out to dinner. When we got to Bone Fish Grill, which I now tout as one of my favorites, we got to the table where Amanda, Edwin, and Christal were waiting. A perfect dinner with my perfectly wonderful buddies (along with perfectly wonderful pomegranite/ cranberry mojitos). Awesome food and silliness beyond belief. I know what ya'll are thinking - "Beth-silly. Nah." Well, I can get that way SOMETIMES! I'll get a picture posted later on this - Christal will have to email me hers.

Next, when I got home, the kids (Cammie, Brookie, Brittany, and Seth) and Mom yelled SURPRISE and had the kitchen and dining room decorated so well. Streamers, balloons, over-the-hill stuff, black table cloth, and confetti everywhere! They did such a great job. Boy, do I feel loved!

I don't know why, but I got soooo many presents. WOW! Check'em out!

Okay ya'll. I am amazed by this cake. It is beautiful. The details were awesome. Thomas, Amanda, and Christal all designed it and it was perfect. I didn't even want to cut it, but when we did, OMG - heaven. Chocolate with chocolate mousse filling and light buttercream icing under fondant icing. To die for! And right on top of chocolate fudge birthday cake at the restaurant and mojitos!!! Geez - my sugar levels were whizzing out of my head! I had to get up and eat cheese so I would have some protein to counteract it. Okay---the details of my cake!

Check out the details - monogrammed pocket book, long eyelashes, uh-hum large chest, deep-V top. Love it, love it, love it!!!!!

And last but definitely not least - the three musketeers!

I feel sooooo loved!

Today was my last day at Lakeshore Middle School as a long-term substitute for an eighth grade Social Studies Teacher. She will be back from her maternity leave on Monday. I have to say... I got so attached to my students. They all have such sweet personalities and even those who tend to be the class clowns are so lovable. I'm gonna miss those babies!

These are some of my early birds that get to school about an hour before school actually starts. They are so sweet.

These signs were posted around my door and on my white board this morning.

Each class brought in food to have while we watched THE NEW WORLD. Homemade goodies galore like cakes, brownies, cookies, and even baklava. We had plenty to drink and eat all day long.Check out the sweet cards and flowers and gifts and gift cards. I could have just cried.

But the best part------ all the hugs, kind words, and smiles.

CHARLIE'S ANGELS............

.......READY FOR THE SEASON!!!

CHARLIE EXPOSED.

It's a bird; it's a plane; it's.........

A bunch of hot air balloons!

Statesville's balloon festival committee takes it seriously. This took place a couple of weekends ago, and I forgot I had so many pictures. It is one of the coolest sights ever, especially on a clear afternoon. We remembered the balloon lift-off finale was going to take place on a Sunday evening, so we took off up to Statesville! We got off the interstate trying to find a good place to park. Evidently (and hopefully) the people who own this little piece of heaven on earth were very willing to let people park in their field. There were about forty or so cars there watching the finale.

Love this farm! I want one...but only if I have can have some pet goats!

The kids (all three of them) loved it.

Macy couldn't quite figure it out. All she knew was that the tall grass was the best ever to roll in!

These are some of our favorite balloons!