Nutcracker

We have an army of nutcrackers!  Why you ask?  Well ever since Archer was born in 2008 Mimi (Andrew's mom) has bought a nutcracker for the boys!  She would put their names on the bottom and the year she gave it to them- it was a special keepsake for them!  Unfortunately last year was the last year she was able to give them to the boys.  Mimi passed September 20, 2012 after struggling with pancreatic cancer ,since February of 2010, to be with JESUS.  This has been a rough year as we have lost Andrew's Dad and Fozzie (our Jack Russell of 9 years) as well.  Who would of thought that we as parents would of had to explain to our children 3 times in one year that people very special to them went to Heaven to be with Jesus!  It brings such peace and comfort to know that they are healed and in a better place with our Lord and Savior!  He brings eternal life!

Well...our Aunt Devra (Andrew's sister) is keeping the tradition alive- she got Archer his 5th one, Ashton his 3rd one, and Kirby her first one!  We greatly appreciate her and her willingness to keep it going!  Thanks Aunt Devra for your love and support!  We love you! So if you march into our home- watch out for the piano as the army of nutcrackers are guarding it! :) Merry Christmas!

another peak! eek!

Here is the invitation!  I just love it!  My super talented friend from Little Bears Designs created away and I "sang" away the words!  I tell ya what we have too much fun together planning parties- we really should start our own business- so I think!  This invitation we made into a "thick" postcard and mailed away at a much cheaper rate than an envelope and card! I LOVE to do things on a BUDGET too, cause let's face it money doesn't grow on trees around here!  In fact we don't even have a tree in the front yard, which drives me bananas all the while EVERYONE in our neighborhood has beautiful old oak trees gracing their front yards!  Oh well, can't have it all!  Blessings

Winter Onederland sneak peek

I already started to decorate for our little ones 1st birthday, which is a Winter Onederland theme!

 

Check out the sneak peek...

 

Jars filled with snowflakes and ornaments

 

The Christmas tree in the kids playroom is decked out in Winter Onederland and I know it's MISSING some lights and the rest of the snowflakes!  Argh!  I do not like pre-lite trees because now I get the privilege of basically cutting out the lights that do NOT work and then purchasing strands of lights to wrap around the tree!  Did I say ARGH already, because it's not like I don't have enough that I "have" to get done prior to her party and aren't pre-lite trees suppose to be SUPER DUPER easy!  Well it's not and I'm glad I didn't buy this tree and it was given to me- ok I'm done with my rant on pre-lite trees!  It's beginning to look like a P-A-R-T-Y!  Stay tuned for more about her Onederland!  Oh my goodness my baby, baby girl is turning one in less than a month!  OK...I'm signing off!  Ciao for now!

Brotherly love

This melts my heart!  The love that they share for one another...some days more than others but hey what do you expect from lil' ones full of energy, life, and competiveness!Aren't they just beautiful little boys though- sporting new shirts their Aunt Mer got them!  The smiles are all for her as the posed before we left the house, so she could see them sporting their tees!  Thanks Mer- love you!

PS- check out Ashton's mittens that he can't seem to take off for the past 5 days and if you look really closely he is hiding his cap behind him in that green bag of his, which is another do not leave home without it!  I think he would much rather live in cooler climates- what do you think?

MOPS wednesday

Yesterday was MOPS Wednesday and that means I get to jump out of bed, get the kids ready, and myself too without having to eat breakfast or as I usually do shove it down my throat as I'm racing out the door!  This meeting was themed PJ's and pancakes, so I dressed really comfy not too comfy because I was meeting my Aunt for our usual MOPS Southwell Wednesday lunch!  At our meeting I got the opportunity to read the Christmas Angel book to the Moms and explain what an amazing tool the angel can be in ones home during this Christmas season!  It was a treat reading to the Moms, but kinda funny not having little ones gathered around while I was bringing the book to life with animation in my voice!  If you wanna know more about it click here, and when you purchase it tell them how you find out about it, Tiffany Fuller!

Our MOPS meeting was crafts and guess who LOVES crafts?  ME! ME! ME!  Especially when the materials are provided and I get to create away!  Thanks to Erin DuBroc for being Miss Creative we made two different things 1- a snow globe using mason jars and trees and 2-a burlap wreath!

 

I enjoyed making the bow with just enough fluff for our door where I hung it and placed our Christmas cards that we have already received!  I used clothes pins to hold them onto the wreath, which is a wire wreath wrapped in burlap ribbon finished off the extras with a bow!  BTW:  it is NOT even December and I've got some friends that are on top of it- thats what I adore about them! 

 

 

BUT this my folks is what I adore the most...lunch with my kiddos and aunt!  It seems we have made a tradition out of this- meeting on MOPS Wednesday at Southwells to enjoy a burger or chicken tenders while getting to hang out with Ronna!  Archer loves it not only because he sees his Aunt, but she usual brings him a treat and if she doesn't he reminds her, so I had to explain to him it is a treat to be able to spend time with her while dinning out!  Now Ashton on the other hand loves it too, but doesn't wanna let her go on her way when we all have to part!  He wraps himself around her in a hug and kiss and explains to her in his sweetness that he needs to go home with her and spend the night!  He even problem solves the fact he must nap and she must go back to work at that point in time, which makes me proud- I want my kiddos to be problem solvers- to be able to think for themselves!  He tells her I'll go home and nap- you go to work then come get me and I'll go home with you and see Tucker and Uncle Greg or as he says it Reg!  All the while Kirby is crying because she is ready her nap and not ashamed to let you know!  The girl needs her beauty rest and I understand why- just look at her- she is SO precious!

10 ideas to jump start your angel...

Here are 10 ideas to jump start your angel's journey this year with your preschoolers!  I love them- which one is your favorite?  

My favorite idea is_________________, because___________!

MY FAVORITE idea is SMILE, because we all know lil' ones just LOVE stickers and they give the best smiles! 

Stay tuned for more from the helper of the angel!

angel ideas for preschoolers

Wanna gather ideas before your angels arrival...stay tuned to my blog for updates!  They are coming soon...per the Christmas Angel!  Is this picture not the sweetest thing?  Great set up for the angel- present the toys that the child should share! :) I am LOVING the angel, such a great family tradition!  Contact me now to have it personally delivered to you, smiletiff@hotmail.com, or click here to purchase it from their website to have it shipped directly to you- just mention that I, Tiffany Fuller, sent ya, pretty please with golden dust sprinkled on top!

Brenham

I love this picture for more than one reason...

1.  It's my baby girl
2.  It's my aunt Ronna
3.  It's two of my favorite girls
4.  A day spent creating memories
5.  Kirby's first Christmas shirt
6.  Kirby's first Christmas bow
7.  We spent the day shopping
8.  It was a beautiful day
9.  We were in old town of Brenham
10.  Aunt Ronna looks so happy
11.  The flowers are beautiful
12.  We spent the whole day together
13.  The love that my aunt has for Kirby is priceless
14.  I captured one of Kirby's funniest facial expressions!
15.  We ate an ole fashion lunch that day
16.  I enjoyed the peace of the streets with my girls
17.  I went to some fabulous shops and got great ideas
18.  Kirby got a super cute outfit thanks to a blow out and Aunt Ronna
19.  I meet a shop owner and she fell in love with the angel...and now it's in her store!
20.  It is a day I want to do again...


My heart is filled with joy when I see this picture!  I treasure the time and memories that I have with my Aunt and I am very thankful for her as well as my precious daughter!  God has blessed me with some priceless times and for that I PRAISE HIM!

ps...I could keep typing the reasons why I love this picture, but I think you got the picture! :)

North Pole

  A family tradition that we started last year was the day after Thanksgiving instead of shopping we go visit the BIG guy!  Jolly Ole' Saint Nick at the North Pole (Bass Pro Shop)!  They offer free pictures 4x6 print and while you wait in line you can do a craft, play with trains, race cars, "shoot" targets, and write Santa a note, plus kids can eat free in their restaurant!  What a treat and the kids LOVE it! 

   So I got some "good" pictures with my camera...Archer went right up to him and told him exactly what he wanted, "a remote control motorcycle-orange please!", Ashton stood behind Archer and quietly told him the same thing and well Kirby was good until she turned around and saw him!  The picture below was prior to her realizing who was holding her!

 Kirby sitting in her high chair after visiting Santa- I think she was sleepy, but was so happy eating the bread that she couldn't resist smiling! Such a happy baby girl!

 Proof that Daddy was there too!  Hehe!  His two heart throbs-Kirby and cars...
 

 

a letter from the elf

A letter from your elf...
Guess who is coming along side of me?  The Christmas Angel and she is gonna help me, Henry, teach you the real reason behind Christmas and why we celebrate it!  We received the greatest gift of all from GOD- JESUS CHRIST!  Don't worry I'm not going anywhere because I wanna make sure you still behave for Mommy and Daddy, but I also want to make sure that you know it is better to give an receive, so she is gonna do just that!

We love St. Nick and are greatful for his desire to help bring joy to children through toys- as he too wanted to give as we should too, so you better be good and share!

What will you be giving this year?  I'll tell Santa!

love your elf...
Henry

1st holiday market

Sugar Plum holiday market- there I was standing in the entrance of the arena a little nervous but filled with excitment of being able to share not only the angel, but that GOD gave us the greatest gift of all HIS son JESUS and through HIM we have grace and salvation...and that my dear friends IS FREE as long as you believe!


I meet some really neat people that not only touched my heart but made an impression from their stories and how GOD has made a difference in them and they want their children or their children's children to be able to know HIM too and what a better way to start then to do so with a simple message from the angel!  I truly see GOD working in my life as I "sell" The Christmas Angel from trusting HIM to witnessing HIS plan in others!  As I tell the folks about the sweet precious story and how they can use the angel as a tool to help "restore the spirit of Christmas" their eyes fill with joy and then knod their head with amazement!  So many people yern for others to truly understand what Christmas is all about- the gift of Jesus and what better way to show your love than to give too!  What is Christmas to you? I surely am second guessing that list of mine and turning my heart towards giving!  Also, a confession for a moment:  I have always LOVED to give, but felt I needed to buy something in order to give and there is so much more to a true gift than a bought gift!  A true gift is priceless and a bought gift will fade over time!  HE is priceless and so is the lesson with the angel!

my little fishermen

Last night we made a special trip to the fishing department of Academy for the boys first fishing rod!  After almost an hour of debating which one was gonna catch the biggest fish the best- Archer decided upon a Lightening McQueen one that lite up when you cast it and Ashton picked a Buzz Light Year that lite up as well only after he realized Archer's lite up!  A tackle box in Daddy's hand for the boys to share and Kirby and I following closely behind as Daddy walked smiling and the boys holding his hand as they skipped through the parking lot!  The best moment was when Archer looked up at Andrew and thanked him for his fishing rod and Ashton jumping for joy because he couldn't wait for the moment he could fish!

Today the rods barely made it through the morning from them "practicing" through out the whole house, but they did and off they went fishing with a friend and his son!  All three boys caught their own special fish and their first fish ever! What a blessed day and what a treasured time for the Dads!  Is this not the best picture of the boys with their fishing rods?  Check out that stylish hat on Ashton, those cool shades on Archer and the best grin on Trey!  They are all so proud and happy!  I treasure such memories with our kiddos!  This reminds me of the country song...you and me gone fishing!  You can finish it cause that's all this Momma knows!  Take a moment and enjoy the sweet times...

almost Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season! If you have been following me on FACEBOOK then you know that I feel pretty blessed and find my thanksgivings from the LORD!

Both boys had school performances this week and what a special treat that was! Check out my little Indian and turkey, aren't they cute!  I just love my boys to pieces and thank him daily for the blessing of those two monkeys!  Now I think I need to make Kirby a Pilgrim just because I love her too!

!

Introducing the Christmas Angel to you!

Alright friends and family- I can't express to you how excited I am that God has put this, "The Christmas Angel", in my own two hands not only for myself but to share with others! I know you all know who the "Elf on the Shelf" is whether you do it or not is another story, but this my dear friend is something that you will want to do! We as parents have an amazing opportunity to instill values and principles into our children and the Christmas season is the perfect time to do so. Its about a precious story, the birth of Jesus, which is the greatest example of love and how we can show love! We can use this angel and story to focus our kids on giving rather than receiving, the true meaning of Christmas, no matter what the age! If you would like to purchase one directly from me for $29.95, plus shipping unless you live in my surrounding area then I'll hand deliver it! If you choose to order from them directly, www.yourchristmasangel.com, please let them know who shared this fabulous new family tradition with you! Just put my name, Tiffany Fuller, in the "how did you hear about us?" box when checking out! We can one angel at a time restore the true meaning of Christmas and teach our children valuable lessons- the gift of giving!

back at it...

Well it looks like almost a year has past since I blogged away!  Well guess who is back and ready to conquer the world?  Well maybe not the world, but surely gonna try to stay on top of blogging...only time will tell, but in the mean time check out my little angels from ZOO BOO!  I know I know it's almost Thanksgiving, but never fear I'll get to that too!