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There are certain things that although we didn't know were going to be traditions in our family, they somehow became traditions.  Like getting and putting up the tree.  It is always no matter what, without fail put up on December 7th {Ryan's birthday}.  Why?  Well because our last Christmas with Ryan that is what we did, we went to dinner and then got our tree. The lady at the tree farm gave Ryan...

Love having busy Sundays that I get a lot done and today was one of them.  To begin the day we went to breakfast which may not seem like a big deal - but for us its been a long time since we didn't have somewhere else that we had to be - although Chel was working so it wasn't a "family" breakfast.
Then we went to Sam's club - a trip we've needed to take for a long time.  Joel drove out his van...

 

 
These are from another day of Ben and Chelsea being silly and at the Browns game

We had a great time at the Thanksgiving dinner with Tony and family.  They did a lot of raffles and Jane won a fruit basket which she then traded with someone to get a turkey.  Chelsea won a door prize and when they called her number she yelled BINGO!  Always cracking everyone up!

Chelsea got some good pictures of all of us in her camera, but she didn't upload them yet, so I'll add more...

Yesterday I got to do some Christmas shopping - both traditional go to the store shopping and received some of my online shopping purchases.
I wanted to make this Christmas unique to others.  I didn't want to run around and just buy anything to mark names off my list.  I really want to either make something, find something unique or both. 
So far I've purchased a calendar online from Shutterfly...

You go to Starbucks  and they are using the holiday cups!  Love these things - they really do kick off the season even though you don't feel like your even in the season yet?
I've started to get some of my shopping done - I'm actually doing pretty good on my gift list.  But still as I walk through the store I think what's missing?
I remember a certain feeling you would get when the holidays...

my Aunt Joyce emailed me this picture.  I could not believe how much Chelsea looks like me! 
Starting on the left is my cousin Lisa and in front of her my sister Deb.  I don't know all the other kids except when you get to me on my Uncle Jim's lap with my cousin Michael (we just lost) sitting to his left.

I love it, just love it!

For school and for play.  She had to save $200 before I would even order it for her.  She saved her money and I put in the order and it was here within two days.  It's pretty cool too!  Wonder if I'm gonig to be switching to a Mac one day?
The first night she got it we were cracking up with her taking pictures and the way she could distort them.  Yes, I know my counters are a mess and sometimes...

Chelsea told me I have no pictures of Grandpa on my blog, so I told her I would find one and post it.  This is one of my favorite pictures of my dad and Ryan.
I remember this day and it still makes me smile.  It was my Uncle's wedding and when we arrived with Ryan my dad could not wait to get him out of my arms and walk around with him "showing him off". 
He was so proud of this boy - his...

I've only been married ONE time
I have TWO brothers
I have THREE children
I have FOUR brothers in law
It will be FIVE years since I quit smoking
SIX was the number of my family members growing up (Mom & dad, and 2 girls and 2 boys)
I like the number SEVEN, Ryan and Joel were born on the 7th day of the month.
I had my van for EIGHT years before getting my Trail Blazer
I have NINE...