The Club 2011: Elvis Edition

For somewhere around 25 years, our family has been gathering this time of year at The Club.  We get all dressed up and enjoy a nice meal together!


Obligatory family pictures....

This year was so different.  The band was SO FUN!  Playing a TON of great dancing songs!!  Robert and I danced and danced.  The balls of my feet were sore the next day!  Guess that what happens when you try and dance in 4" heels!

But then, something that has NEVER happened before happend,


The King arrived!

And let's just say we made his night.  He worked it.  And sure it had nothing to do with all the hooting and hollaring we were doing to him.  All NICE things...just affirming him, ya know.  ;)

He came over and sang and kiss a couple of ladies.  ;)

It was the best The Club EVER!

We just couldn't resist getting up there with him towards the end. 

Then after Elvis was gone, the whole fam got out on the dance floor and cut a rug!

Pretty sure we shut the place down. 

So much fun!  This once definitely goes down in the record books!!

We miss any family that couldn't be there.  All I can say, is that you miss a good one!!!

Tree Traditions

Getting our Christmas tree begins with a trip to IHOP every year.  We load up on eggs and pancakes and bacon and then head out to pick out the perfect tree. 

We typically head over to Home Depot because, let's face it, we need something like lights or some other decoration or home improvement item. 

I did NOT set up the above picture.  We were checking out and I looked over and they were all lined up...


then we headed into the tent to pick one out.  I was not impressed with their trees this year, but oh well. 

After picking "the one" out, we loaded it on the car. 

Then went to town decorating the mantel, tree, and house!

I rocked my Ushanka.  (russian "ear hat") :) 

Taken by Olivia.  And the next 2 as well.  Budding photog??

Lillian pulled out this ornament and thought it was herself.  :)  I can see some resemblance! 

Love all our family traditions!  Hope to build even more!!

Candy House 2011

Yep, it was that time again!  Candy House 2011!!  I got on my santa apron and went to town making seven minute frosting!!!

The kids gathered around the table and divided out the candy.

We blasted some music and waited until the frosting was finished.

Loaded up the candy house with frosting....

Waited in anticipation to put the candy on!  He was LOVING the candy...pure excitement overload!

Then everyone carefully threw on the candy!

And VOILA!!  Maybe one day we can have a little method to the madness....and come out with a "pretty" version.  :)  But for now, the thrown together look is working just fine. 

And what in the world is Landon doing in this picture!??!?


The house now resides on the piano...and I can totally tell when someone (i.e. Rhodes) climbs up to get some.  :-)

I Should Do This More Often

The kids get out of school early on Fridays...which I LOVE!!!  So in preparation of our big weekend getting the tree and decorating, I wanted to deep clean the front of the house (no bedrooms).  So 30 minutes before I went to get the kids, I picked up rugs, flipped couches, and got the vacuum and rags out.  When we got home, after we ate lunch, I told them we were CLEANING this afternoon!  And I hid the TV remote.  ;)

And they were actually SUPER helpful.  They wiped every baseboard and some walls down.  Places on the floor where there was crud we didn't see before. 

I know that it is my job to teach them how to clean, but sometimes it's just easier to do it myself.  They are most definitely old enough to pitch in sometimes.  We turned up the Christmas music and went to town.  And in about an hour, we had the whole front of the house wipe clean. 

Up next for the night, the FAMOUS candy house!!!!  And then a big weekend full of decorating, celebrating, date nights, and Santa parades!!


Bring on the Christmas Season!!