Christmas Day at Nanny & Papa's.

Christmas Day at Nanny & Papa's

Christmas Morning!!

Merry Christmas!!

Alyssa got a princess bike and Trent got an electric scooter! They were so excited. I love to see the look on their faces. We spend a nice morning at home before going to my parents house.

Christmas Eve

These are great pictures from Christmas Eve. We started a tradition of "feeding the reindeer's". Notice the reindeer feed in the air.

Cousin Time!!

We had a wonderful Christmas dinner at Brett's house tonight. The cousins just love getting to spend time together.

Peyton Manning's advice......

In light my new do... Peyton Manning had some advice for me!!!!


http://www.priceless.com/us/personal/en/extras/peptalks/index.html?videoname=hair_lisa&name=Lisa&email=barfield.lisa@gmail.com&redirect=email&GP=EMCPeyton13

Have You Been Good???

We braved the Santa line today at the mall. (I know we waited till the last minute) Trent didn't want to go because he couldn't decide what to ask for and Alyssa.... Well Alyssa didn't want to go because she knows that she hasn't been good. She had her worst day at school on Friday. I know that the teacher is thankful for this holiday break!! She even got a call from Santa Friday night. Poor thing wouldn't even come to the phone. We had to force her to listen to Santa. But it has worked because she has been pretty good.

But today after their picture Santa asked each of them if they had been good. Trent's quick "Oh, Yes.." didn't surprise me, but poor Alyssa when he asked her..... She hung her head down and didn't say a word. Santa didn't know what to do so he asked her again ans he replied "Well Sometimes." Santa just laughed and laughed.

This week has been CRAZY!! I don't think that I have had time to stop and relax.

First for some awesome good news. My dad and I took Alyssa for her followup appointment with the Genetics doctor out at Scottish Rite on Tuesday!! She said that her OI (brittle bone) has just remained in the long bones of her arms and legs. And by the x-ray the bones are getting stronger. It still has the presence of the OI. But its less. As she is growing "good bone" seems to be growing too and less of the "bad bone". So that was great news. She even said that Alyssa could and needs to be riding a bike. PRAISE GOD.

Thursday was Trent's class Christmas Party! That's right! I said Christmas Party! Not Holiday Party. Not Seasonal Party, but CHRISTMAS party. I was joyfully shocked to see them all coloring a manger scene picture when I arrived. Ms. Lyons made each student a Christmas CD and gave them a book. I was off on Friday and decided to keep Trent out of school. The teacher said that they were just watching movies all day. So Trent had a fun day. My niece had her Christmas program so I took him to that.

After the program he went and spent the day with Nanny and Papa and I went shopping. Got a new hairdo. I will post that later. I am still trying to get used to it. Brett says that I look like Janet from Three Company. He keeps singing "Come and Knock On My Door."

His first Day Out!!

I wanted to note that this day has been hard for me. Trent went to the Georgia Tech Basketball game without either Brett or I. He is definitely a big boy now. He was so excited about going with Cousin Jeff all by himself. I don't think I am ready for this.........

The Greatest Story

The Set Up:: Trent is at the age now were he wants to "play with the big boys." Brett has an xbox 360 and we have been slowly letting Trent play on it. There is a feature that let's you play against other people, so Brett's cousins, Jeff and Keith have been playing against Brett and now Trent. So everyday Trent is begging to call Jeff so that can play against each other.

Jeff was so nice to give Trent his home number, but I am certain that he will regret that in a couple of weeks .......

The Story:

Last week Brett and Trent were outside playing football when all of a sudden Trent just blasts Brett from 5 feet away, hitting Brett in the "wrong spot" as Trent calls it. Brett goes down and poor Trent is panicking. He runs to the truck gets Jeff number and runs to call Jeff.

The Conversation:

Trent: Hey, Jeff! My dad is hurt and is down on the ground.

Jeff: What! Let me talk to him.

Trent: You can't he is outside

Jeff: (Not panicking but concerned) What happened?

Trent: We were playing football and I hit him in the wrong spot and he is down on the ground, moaning.

Jeff: (Relieved and trying not to laugh) I'm sure that he will be ok. Is he there now?

Trent: He just walked in.

Jeff: Ok. I'm glad he is fine. Talk to you later.

Trent: OK. Can we play the xbox later?.......

I am so glad he didn't call 911. Can you imagine? Operator: What happened? Trent: I hit dad with the football in the wrong spot......

In The Past

This is a picture of me at 6years old. I was performing at the Fox. I remember dancing to Ghost Busters.

A Few Things.........

I'd like to take this moment to say a few things....

First, when you are in a public restroom please, please be aware of your surroundings. Has anyone every noticed that people are pulling their pants ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR or am I the only lucky one noticing. This has been bothering me for sometime now. Ok. People not everyone in the entire restroom needs to see your undies. Also, just because its called "rest"room doesn't mean that you should actually go in there to rest for long periods of time. There is nothing more annoying that trying to do your "business" and someone is hanging out in there. That's just weird.

** PS I would like to publicly apologize to the woman in the restroom over the weekend. Poor thing was having some issues and we walk in and Alyssa yells "OOH, Mommy that lady stinks!" I could have just died right then and there." But I look at it this way..... When she gets older I will make up all of these embarrassing moments that she is putting me through.

Also for the guy who looked just like Santa at Red Lobster. I know you must get tired of kids looking, pointing and shouting at you. Yeah, sorry too.

To the Salvation Army Bell Ringer........ I promise that my little darling is not what she seemed to be on Saturday. We were coming out of Michael's and he said Merry Christmas. I stopped to dig some change out of my purse for Alyssa to put in his bucket. As I was getting the change she yells, "Don't give him my money!!!"

On another note there is a really cute movie playing on the ABC Family Channel called "Christmas in Handcuffs". It stars Mario Lopez and Melissa Joan Hart. It's really good. (although don't let ABC Family fool you... most of there shows are not for the entire family to watch.)

Cousins, Cousins

A couple of weeks ago when all of the cousins on Brett's side of the family were in town we decided to take the kids to JC Penny to get their pictures made. I don't know what we were thinking trying to get all 9 (10 and under) to pose for a picture. The poor employees at JC Penny. When they saw that there were nine they almost had a stroke. But the picture actually turned out well. The trip was a nightmare but it was all worth it in the end.

The children are color coded to a sibling. (Except for Jackson whose has one sister on his back) From the back row: Korey, Kasey, Trent, Alyssa, AnnaCarroll. Front Row: Katie, Jackson, Bryce and Dylan.

It's weird that none of the kids look alike. (Not even the siblings, except for the cute red heads)

Here are some others.....

Trent and Alyssa with their 1st cousins, Bryce and Dylan.

IN THE PAST

This picture is from 8th grade! I was on the Pep Squad. AKA Cheerleader Rejects. But for me I didn't want to be a cheerleader and never tried out to be one. I wanted to be apart of something without alot of work. Drill Team was too much work and I didn't like the director so I chose Pep Squad. I have no idea what the heck happened to my hair. It must have been pulled back in a pony tail or something and my "bangs" are hideous looking too.

Not much going on here!

The title explains the lack of posts. We really haven't been doing much of anything. I did get up and shop the day after Thanksgiving. We headed out to JC Penny's @ 4 then over to Toys R Us by 5 then Target by 6 then back to the mall. My mom, two sisters, my sister's boy friend and Brett's cousin all went. Megan and I ended our day around 3:30 and went home and took a nap. We were suppose to go to the Georgia Tech -Georgia game but we opted not to. It was suppose to rain and frankly we didn't want to sit amongst those Georgia fans knowing it would probably be a beaten. (Which it wasn't I'd like to point out) So since we already had planned for my sister to watch them she did and we were able to get out our Christmas decorations and work around the house while the game was on.

Last Sunday we drove across the street and cut down a tree out of Papa's farm. I wasn't too sure about the tree when Brett cut it but he trimmed it up and it looks great! I just hope it doesn't die before Christmas Day. The kids had a blast decorating it. Of course all of Alyssa's ornaments were in one spot, but that was ok.

This weekend I was able to sneak away for an evening to friend's birthday bash, which was nice. And we all went to Brett's Cousins birthday party. But other than that we didn't so much of anything. I am sure with the holidays coming up that will change soon.

With the writer's strike going on I am starting to dread TV this winter. Here is a look of how many episodes some tv shows have left.

2 NEW EPISODES LEFT My Name Is Earl (NBC)Private Practice (ABC)The Unit (CBS)Two and a Half Men (CBS)
3 NEW EPISODES LEFT Back to You (Fox) Desperate Housewives (ABC)Grey's Anatomy (ABC)Heroes (NBC)How I Met Your Mother (CBS) Pushing Daisies (ABC)
4 NEW EPISODES LEFT Big Shots (ABC)Brothers & Sisters (ABC)Criminal Minds (CBS)Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) Shark (CBS)The Game (The CW)30 Rock (NBC)'Til Death (Fox)Women's Murder Club (ABC)
5 NEW EPISODES LEFT Bones (Fox) Chuck (NBC)Gossip Girl (The CW)House (Fox)Journeyman (NBC)Prison Break (Fox)Reaper (The CW)Supernatural (The CW)Ugly Betty (ABC)
6 NEW EPISODES LEFT Girlfriends (The CW)Life Is Wild (The CW)
7 NEW EPISODES LEFT Boston Legal (ABC)Carpoolers (ABC)Family Guy (Fox)Samantha Who? (ABC)Smallville (The CW)
8 NEW EPISODES LEFT Cavemen (ABC)
10 NEW EPISODES LEFT The Simpsons (Fox)
11 NEW EPISODES LEFT Aliens in America (The CW)K-Ville (Fox)King of the Hill (Fox)
12 NEW EPISODES LEFT Notes From the Underbelly (ABC)
13 NEW EPISODES LEFT American Dad (Fox) October Road (ABC)
14 NEW EPISODES LEFT Men in Trees (ABC)
15 NEW EPISODES LEFT Everybody Hates Chris (The CW)

Looks like they will either be in reruns or we will be seeing alot of reality television.

PS. Anyone watch October Road. I just love that show!!!!

In The Past

This In The Past picture is of the 11th grade. Every year a group of us would make a trip to Lenox Square for the lighting of the Christmas tree. Check out the girls bright colored lip stick!
Eric, Katie, Mike, Jon, Heather, Miranda and me.

Our trip usually ended with a Waffle House. We would go in and play the Waffle House theme song over and over and over.

** on a side note...... Notice in this picture that there are 3 people to one side of the Waffle House seat. I can't imagine 3 adults in the seat now. Next time you are in the Waffle House take note.

Mountain Trip

Brett's Aunt Gwinetta is building a house in the mountains. So, since all of the cousin would be in town for Thanksgiving, we decided to all take a trip to Blairsville. We had so much fun. It was just like old times. Here are some pictures of the amazing house.

We took a great opportunity to take some great fall pictures of all the cousins together. Alyssa so excited to have other girls to play with. Jackson, AnnaCarroll and Katie live in Texas so it has been great to spend time with them.Trent, Alyssa and their first cousins Bryce and Dylan.




Trent, Bryce, Korey, Jackson, Dylan and Kaseyand finally the girlsAlyssa, Katie and AnnaCarroll





Here is a great picture of Brett's parents, Pam and Ealy




On the way home when I looked in the backseat I was greeted with this......

In the Past

This In The Past Picture is 3rd period, Mr. Boddie's class. This was an awesome class. We had alot of our little group in there. Mr. Boddie was a good teacher, but was a jackass. He used to keep the room very cold just to see the girls "get cold" if you know what I mean. He was an atheist who tried to start shouting matches between the students. That year we had to memorize, Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty of Give the Death" speech. We watched alot of TV in that class. I think it was Government and Current Issues or something like that. I had him for two years so I can't remember if this was 11th or 12th grade. Good ole times.

And a picture that I will cherish always. Me and Mr. Smith.

Girls, last night was alot of fun. Here is the picture that I promised you. Just let me know if I can be any assistance to you in the future.

Golden Feather

For Thanksgiving Ms. Lyons has given each student an Indian Name. This week Trent is known as Golden Feather. He was so excited about is name. Here is the back ground.

Feathers mean a lot to Native American Tribes. A feather isn’t just something that falls out of a bird, it means much more. The feather symbolizes trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, freedom and many more things. To be given one of these is to be hand picked out of the rest of the men in the tribe - it’s like getting a gift from a high official.

If any Indian is given Golden or Bald Eagle feathers it is one of the most rewarding items they can ever be handed. The Indians believe that eagles have a special connection with the heavens since they fly so close. Many Indians believe that if they are given this feather, it is a symbol from above. They believe that the eagle is the leader of all birds, because it flies as high as it does and sees better than all the birds.

Once an Indian receives a feather he must take care of it, and many will hang it up in their homes. It is disrespectful to hide it away in a drawer or a closet. An Indian will be given a feather to hold on to or to wear, and if they hold it they must put it out for everyone to see. This will be a constant reminder of how to behave. An eagle feather is a lot like the American flag, it must be handled with care and can never be dropped on the ground.

The only way an Indian can actually get one of these feathers is by doing a brave deed, like fighting off a bear or going up against the enemy. They were never allowed to wear the feather until they went in front of their tribal court and retold the story of their victory. It was at this time that they were allowed to put it in their headpiece. Only chieftains, warriors, and braves have ever been awarded this special gift. The next time you see eagle feathers in a headdress, think about how they were earned.

Before he actually found out what his name would be I told him that he could be known as

Chief Nocahoma. Remember him? The Braves mascot.

Cute Story:

When we were discussing Indians over the weekend I explained to Trent that my side of the family had alot of Indian in them called Cherokees. His faced was totally puzzled. So I further explained that his Papa's dad (my papa) -(his great-papa) had Indian blood in him. He said, "No mom, papa was a pirate." What? Brett and I looked at each other. He said, "You know, mom Papa was a pirate on that ship." Then it hit me. "NO silly boy, your papa was a sailor on a Navy ship, not a pirate." We laughed and laughed.

Perfect Fall

This weekend was just a perfect fall weather weekend. These are the days that I will miss in the coming years.. In the past, fall weekend consist of going down the street and visiting with Papa. We would spend hours there just watching football, picking up pecans and having the kids just pay in the yard. It has been a custom to do that for the last 11 years or so. It has been a task watching the cars come and go while they clean out his house. Even though the house is being bought by one of Brett's cousins it won't be the same. Down here (in the country) we are so used to just popping in and staying for a visit. Here's a past picture of the hayride.

On another note....... I got to start and actually finished some crafts that I have been wanting to do for the holidays. I needed some fall decorations. I feel sorry for fall/thanksgiving. I feel that it gets the shaft. (Especially now a days) Seems like the stores just go from Halloween to Christmas and Thanksgiving gets left out. So I made a fall wreath......

I lucked up because Michael's had their fall stuff marked down 70% and we still have two weeks until Thanksgiving. That's crazy....


I have also been wanting to make a candy cane holder. They look good on the tree but they also seem to weigh it down. So here it is.....





Of course it doesn't look just like the picture, but it is close.