Christmas at the Roman's

Here are some pictures from all my Christmas mania.

Maddox turned 4 in November....our 3rd grandson

Maddox ( Jordan and Melissa's boy) turned 4. He is the sweetest and happiest little boy. We don't get to see him too often but we love him so much. These are some things his mom posted on her blog about him this year:

He played soccer for the first time

He played T-ball for the first time

He learned all his letters and what sound they make

He loves to try and sound out words

He loves to play computer games

He wants to invite a friend over everyday

He loves to play with his all his toys

His favorite tv shows is dinosaur train and electric company on PBS

He grew a ton. He is much taller than many of his 5 year old friends

He loves church when he is there, but every week he tries to get out of it with a fake illness

He graduated from a princess mini bike to a cool boy bike

He started Pre-School with Miss Linda (who is awesome)

He learned to ride a scooter

He became a gentleman and is proud to be one. He loves to open the doors for me and his sisters and let ladies go first.

We are so glad he is such a good little boy and has parents who are teaching him good things....and all those sisters to practice on.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Putting Up Christmas Lights

This is a funny email I got this year from many people.

"Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever.Great stories. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard."

INDIAN SUNSET JELLO SALAD

INDIAN SUNSET JELLO SALAD ( got this from a friend and it is fabulous)

l large orange jello (6oz)
2 cups boiling water
1 6oz. frozen orange juice
2 cans mandarin oranges, DRAINED ( I usually mash mine up a bit)
1 large can crushed pineapple DO NOT DRAIN

Dissolve jello in hot water, add remaining ingredients and put in a 9x13 pan
and set until firm.

TOPPING
1 large instant lemon pudding. Make according to directions on package for pie filling.
Fold in 1 12 oz. contain

Mandarin oranges on the top are optional.

My Wrapping Station

Last Christmas I wrapped 101 presents. It almost did me in. I had to buy it all..haul it up to the attic then haul it and all the wrappings back down to my middle level.......then wrap it. All the mess sat out there for almost a month.

So my sweet husband ( which he loves to be referred to as :) made me a free standing wrapping station. It can be moved around. It has a Costco table in front of it and a place to put many extra rolls of additional paper. I now have a great big surface with all my stuff at hand.

It is a little chilli up there today, but I braved it to take this picture. I have to run a space heater if I am up there for any length of time. It is already so awesome. I have used it for a few things and I know it is going to make my life easier.

Greg designed it himself and made it is a relatively short amount of time. I love this new " kindler, gentler" man. The marriage class we taught has been great.

It exchange..... he got a big Hershey's with almonds. Fair trade, don't you think?

Actually since I do all the wrapping and shopping for 22 people, it really is more than a fair trade:)

But I do appreciate it and thought you might like to see it. He did a nice job.

Happy 1st of December and the "Whatever Days of Christmas

Last year I told you about my 1st of December tradition. It is gradually dying out...only I do it and maybe 1 or 2 of my kids. I don't know if it will survive another generation or not. Maybe my grandkids will do it. But nonetheless it is fun for me to do. I have delivered them all and hope they enjoy this year. Greg will even get one day after tomorrow.

Another one I do is the 12 days of Christmas. I pick 12 different people to do a service for in the month of December. This is year I am tweaking it slightly.

I am just going to do something nice for someone everyday starting December 1st until Christmas. I usually try to do this everyday throughout the whole year but this month it is going to be extra special. Maybe you want to join me.

I love the happiness that comes from service for both the giver and receiver.

The Lord knew what he was doing when he commanded us to love one another.

Thanksgiving 2009

This year we spent Thanksgiving at Chelsea and Dana's in Raleigh, NC. Greg and I stayed in a hotel close by as all the beds were full. Lindsay and Regan came and Clayton and his friends from DC. Denton and his family weren't there this year as they just had new baby Dodge. And of course we always miss Jordan and his family out in Utah.

The day started out with Clayton bringing Chelsea the beautiful flowers you see in the pictures.

Who taught this boy to be so thoughtful:) ? We can only take a little of the credit.

Everybody helped make dinner and we had a wonderful meal. The grand kids made darling turkey's out of little cans so we could all write what we were thankful for and loved about each other. They also put on a fun pageant they wrote and practiced with their mom. It was adorable. It was fun to see how they worked Felix's jump roping into the play. He really is an amazing little athlete. I told him we will probably see him on TV someday in a jump roping competition.

We had a nice low-key no pressure day just visiting and hanging out. Of course we ended the night with yummy pumpkin and apple pie. And after we went to bed, the Hearts championship began. Regan was the winner.

Shown are some of Dana's amazing paintings that are in progress. The big one is a commissioned one. It looks spectacular in their dining room so he will have to new another one similar when he has to give that one away. He is a genius at painting and it is fun to watch his projects in progress.....it is an amazing process.

Uncle Clayton and friends took the kids to the movies on Friday while we shopped. We ended up at Pizza hut for a late lunch and then people went different directions. Chelsea and I to the movies, Grandpa and Dana and the kids watching movies at home, Clayton and friends over to Lindsay's in Winston Salem...then to the Biltmore today. Greg and I stayed over one more night and spent the morning at the Wood's making snowflakes and playing checkers.....and then had a yummy lunch.We got home tonight to unpack and do laundry.

We had a great time but it will be nice to be back in my own bed. The Marriot mattresses are not as good as they used to be.

Many thanks to Chelsea and Dana for their warn hospitality and great food. A good time was had by all.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Peeps!

I am grateful for a wonderful family and the bestest friends ever.

A shout out to all :

May your stuffing be tasty.

May your turkey be plump,

May you potatoes and gravy,

have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious,

May your pie take the prize,

May your Thanksgiving dinner,

stay off of your thighs!!

Hope everyone has a great day!

We will be at Chelsea's in

Raleigh, NC this year.

Our New Grandson

Our new grandson ( grandchild #11) was born last night in a ambulance on the

side of the road in Richmond on the way to the hospital. He was 9 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches long. His name is Dodge Joseph Romans. There was a little drama getting him here so quickly but both mom and baby are doing fine. We haven't seen him yet but got the pictures by email today.

We have the other kids and they are so excited about their new baby brother. I took Leo to school this morning and she couldn't wait to tell her class. We will print a picture of the baby for her to take tomorrow.

We feel so grateful and so blessed to have a healthy and happy baby and mom.

Happy Day!