It has been awhile, and I do not like that. I almost had to put in for a change of address. If you have been looking for me the last two months, I have been located on Floor 3, in a group study room, at the UCO Library. A group of four of us have been crammed in a small room researching Sonic and McDonald's. Finishing these projects have been very rewarding, but I am so happy that I get to spend some more time at home (and hopefully on here).
Christmas is a few weeks away and I have not done any shopping or preparations. One would think... well Julie, you have been living in a large city for two months, how come you could not get any shopping done? That is because I was not getting home until 11 or 12 at night. Most stores are closed by then.
I love Christmas. The birth of Jesus, Christmas Eve services at church, and spending time with family. I have never been real fond of Christmas music. I LOVE Christmas hymns and singing them in church, but I could really go without all the mumbo jumbo on the radio. Call me Scrooge.
Ryan and I have also not put up any decorations this year. In fact, the only decoration we have is the giant snow globe that goes in our front yard (AWESOME). The town of Garber is having a Christmas light competition... I must get that put up before the contest. Oh yeah... I'm totally entering. Who cares if the neighbors made fun of us last year.
Every year at Christmas I think about my Mom and the funny stories surrounding Christmas trees. When we were in high school, we quit putting up a Christmas tree because we were never home on Christmas day. My Mom's friend couldn't believe we didn't put up a Christmas tree, so Mom cut one out of paper and taped it to the wall (paper ornaments and all!). In fact, I think we took a family picture in front of the tree that year. The following year she bought a small tree the blows up when you plug it in. She actually took that tree to my Grandparents house for Christmas and used it instead of an actual tree. Those are the memories that mean the most to me. Who cares if our house isn't decked out with lights and trees. It is about building memories and spending time with your family.
I remember the year my Grandma gave each of us grand kids an afghan for Christmas. She worked all year long on those. I treasure her talent and love that was poured into each of those blankets. I will always cherish mine.
The Second Annual Reinschmiedt Carving Contest pictures are pictured below. Which pumpkin do you think won??
This may be the longest post ever regarding pictures...
Enjoy!
Below: Tad was having dinner with his Momma.
Below: Precious Addison and I. She is doing wonderfully!
Below: Not sure how this picture ended up upside down.
Below: I just love the look on Tad's face as he is waiting for some ice cream.
Below: Ben and Tad were checking on Addison.
Below: Tummy time is hard work!
Below: Tad was helping his Daddy open his birthday gifts!
Below: Ryan and I got Mom a dozen Katy's Pantry cookies. Ryan took a bite out of one and included it in her card. Just love the look on her face!
Below: You know you are pretty darn special if Mom will share a Katy's Pantry cookie with you!
Below: It was time to carve the pumpkins! Tad helped us get every single one of them inside.
Below: Poppa holding Addison. She looks so natural in his arms.
Below: Now it is Gigi's turn! 
Below: Tad was helping me clean out the pumpkin!
Below: Then he kept scooping the seeds and putting the goop back INTO my pumpkin.
Below: Bryan looks very serious. Some fine art work he produced.
Below: Addison napping on Lisa. So precious.
Below: Getting the design ready for my pumpkin.
Below: Tad working with his Daddy on his pumpkin. Tad would point to where he wanted to cut, and then his Daddy would help him with the knife.
Below: Still working hard!
Below: Ryan trying to defend his title.
Below: Tad meeting Grandpa with some high fives.
Below: We celebrated Grandpa's birthday in October too! He was making sure Grandma was cutting him a big enough piece! J/K
Below: He looks so happy! I feel so blessed to have my grandparents so close, and to have such a close relationship with them.
Below: Tad digging into Lisa's ice cream.
Below: It was Dad's birthday too!
Below: Addison posing for the camera.
Below: Grandpa opening his gifts.
Below: Poppa was so nice. He shared his FAVORITE black licorice with Tad.
Below: Uncle Ryan and Tad were watching football. Tad LOVES to watch football.
Below: Grandpa shared his black licorice too!
Below: Tad was now playing football and tackled Grandpa.
Below: Tad was giving some love to Addison. He just loves her. Every time she arrives Tad immediately wants her out of her car seat and runs to a chair and wants to hold her.
Below: Grandpa loving on Addison.
Below: She is growing so fast!
Below: Aunt Ashley is getting her arms ready for her little girl on the way!
Below: Just precious.
Below: This is Addison's pumpkin. Ben and Angie wanted to carve out her little hands but the pumpkin was extremely tough so they colored them in! Tad's artwork is on the pumpkin to the left.
Below: Onto the competition!!! This year we had two categories, tradition and non-traditional. The winner of each category won $25. The two winners then went up against each other for the grand prize traveling trophy. Who do you think won??The first set are the non-traditional.
The next set of pumpkins are the traditional ones.
I would like to thank my Grandparents and Lisa for taking on the responsibility of judging this contest (I guess next year my bribe should be higher). The winners will be announced on the next post!
Ryan and I were fortunate enough to get to see all of our nieces and nephews on Halloween. Below: Grayson pictured with Dorothy!!!
Below: Alyssa was a pretty princess!
Below: G-Baby LOVES his suckers.
Below: I think Alyssa had more fun passing out candy than actually going trick-or-treating
Below: Tad was SUPER MAN!!! He would even pretend to fly!
Below: Addison was "Batty for Daddy!!"
Back to writing note cards to study for my final.
Ju
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