Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Jr. Church Christmas Party

This past Sunday was our 2nd annual Christmas party for our 3rd-5th grade Jr. Church class. Our day consisted of a fun review game for the kids and then a small plate of goodies. The kids behaved really well and our workers were AWESOME in helping get things ready and bringing in the supplies needed. Here are a few pictures of the kids digging in.











I haven't quite figured out if in the picture above if that sweet little face is licking icing off her face or sticking her tongue out at me... I am choosing to say that she is enjoying her cupcake.

Next Sunday we will be kicking off a new program in Jr. Church and we are so excited to see what the Lord is going to do in our class. Please pray with us that all the 'wrinkles' will get ironed out quickly and that the kids and parents will get involved.

~ Joy

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Straight No Chaser- In Concert

Last night a group of us went to a Christmas concert sung by an a capella group named...

While we can't endorse all their music their Christmas songs are AWESOME!
Oh, and did I mention that we were on the third row? THIRD ROW, people! Row THREE!!! Row #3! We were in the spitting section y'all and we loved it!
I know the place looks a bit empty but it was 30 minutes before it started and by the time those guys were on the stage the place was packed out!
There were so many songs that I loved 'Carol of the Bells' was amazing! So was the '12 days of Christmas' and Oh. My. 'Donde Esta Santa Claus?' was flat out hilarious! But the last song was my favorite. No microphones, just pure talent on a personal favorite Christmas song of mine... 'Oh, Holy Night'! 

For some reason Blogger is not allowing me to upload the video so I will post it on Facebook soon!

After the concert we went to Steak & Shake and laughed and had a good time.
That is until the food came, then silence reigned.  The only one disappointed was Michael P. because our waiter would not bring him one of those cool hats for him to wear. hehehe.

It was a great night with friends listening to some awesome harmony (with some killer high notes) topped off with a yummy milkshake. December 21st- you were awesome!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Weekly Shopping Trip

Publix
Spent: $20.53   Saved: $60.72
Savings: 75%

My favorite deal this week was the free Ocean Spray! It is on a bogo sale and there is a bogo q in the yellow Advantage Buy flier. You have to buy a blueberry kind, the only one at my store included in the sale was the Cranberry/Blueberry blend.
The butter turned out to be a good deal as well. I payed $.95 for 2 tubs of butter and a loaf of bread. I was also excited about the cake mixes seeing as how I need to make around 130+ cupcakes this weekend. I ended up paying $2.55 for 6 boxes.
I totally splurged and bought some Egg Nog!!! I am looking forward to that first glass.

My hubby came home yesterday with a surprise.
That my friends, is White Chocolate Hot Chocolate. Yummy!
Every year we've also put together a gingerbread house, but this year is just too crazy. So Michael came home with an alternative- A cookie kit! I am looking forward to taking pictures of Josiah making a mess and Michael eating all the candy.

I am also looking forward to listening to some wonderful Christmas music tonight with an awesome group of friends that also happens to be family! So excited!!!

-Joy

Monday, December 20, 2010

A Very Busy Weekend!

Saturday night was the annual Hill Family Christmas Party. 
 Josiah was all about the food!
 Doug & Thomas
 Everyone at our table looked like a Jolly Rancher except for me. All I can say is I didn't get the memo, must be because I don't own a Blackberry or a even a phone that has a qwerty keyboard. :)
Josiah LOVES playing on the piano anytime he sees one and Cousin Amanda was so nice to let Josiah help her play.

Then Sunday Josiah got spoiled rotten!



That little car has gotten a lot of miles on it since yesterday.

Then a group of us went out to lunch together to this neat little restaurant in Celebration. It was so nice to get to visit with some friends who are only here for a short visit. I tried Calamari for the first time, just the small pieces. I'm not sure I could have eaten the whole pieces, I might have had nightmares. But oh. my. I had the best calzone ever! Delicious I tell you!

At Church that night we had a surprise visit from Grandma & Grandpa Traskos!
 Josiah was excited to see more presents.

 Hugs!
I found Josiah sitting here staring at his presents this morning. I don't think he is too excited... do you?

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Lollipop, Lollipop


Hahaha! This video cracks me up! Hope you enjoy!
Happy Saturday!
Joy

Thursday, December 16, 2010

I'm Finished!

As of today I am officially finished with my Christmas shopping! Everything is wrapped and marked and ready to go. I even wrapped all the stocking stuffers so I could get them up and out of the way and not have to keep an eye on my husband who likes to try to shake everything and see if he can figure out what it is.

This morning Josiah and I went to Winter Haven to go to the Christian book store and pick up some new books for me and my Mom. I love this particular book store because right in the middle of the store is a walled off play area. Josiah had a great time playing and it was so nice not to have to keep his little hands off of everything.

I grabbed a couple authors we've never read before so I am hoping they turn out to be good. It made me laugh that I got a stack of books for us girls and one little measly book for Josiah. He is too young to notice though! :)

After that we went into Wal-Mart to pick up some baking supplies. (Sorry, Michael P. - I've already checked Publix's sale and they didn't have what I needed on sale.) :) As we were leaving the store this van that was parked outside sounded terrible. I thought it was cute because Josiah was staring at it and saying 'Uh-Ohh!'. Future mechanic, maybe?

Last year we decided to start a tradition for Josiah in which we would get him a new ornament each year. This was last years ornament.
This is what I got for him this year.
I wish it had the year on it, so I may keep this one for us and buy one with the year on it after Christmas when they mark everything down unless I come across something before then. I haven't decided yet. Here is what the back of the ornament looks like.

This weekend is jam packed with activities and I am looking forward to it all! The most exciting is I get to see a dear friend get married tomorrow night!
If Josiah looks like he's up to something mischeivious- He was! The little bugger climbed on top of my desk and reached his Nemo dvd then came back to the computer desk and was trying to get the movie in the dvd slot. He is so stinking smart, even if the overalls he wore today were an inch above his ankles. He is growing like a weed! I can't believe he will turn two years old in a couple of weeks.

Merry Week Before Christmas!
Joy

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

My Shopping Trip

Publix: Spent $13.79   Saved $48.43   Savings of 78%

My favorite items this week were the 4way nose spray (overage of $2.04!), the Covergirl blush (overage of $.91), and the Johnson's Sudzing Bar Soap was free (Thank You Publix Baby Club!)


Walgreens: Spent $3.61   Saved $15.29    Savings of 81%   Received $5 RR's back

CVS:  Spent $9.13   Saved $22.00   Savings of 71%    Received $5 ECB's back
 Sorry the last two pictures are sideways. I just don't want to take time to rotate and reload them. I've got to go pick up my little man who looked like this this morning before we left the house for Nana's.



Thanks for stopping by!
Joy

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

My Shopping Trip

I ran into Publix with a VERY small list. I paid $5.60 and saved $15.79 (74%). After I left the store I realized that the tape that was supposed to be bogo did not reflect it on my receipt. So that was $2 something that I paid extra. :( I could have driven back to Publix but some things are just not worth it to me. Especially when you have a squirmy child with you, which is why I didn't check my receipt before I left in the first place.

I went into Walgreens next specifically for those bogo training pants, some stocking stuffer things, and some toilet cleaner that was needed. I paid $21.65 and saved $31.28 (59%) So, not that great of a trip but it was all needful.

Then onward to Walmart where I picked up these games for 24 cents EACH!
In case any of you are interested- the Hungry Hippos TRAVEL games are priced at $5.24. In Sunday's Smart Source insert of the paper there is a $5 off coupon. I had NO problems using all five of my coupons. These make great little gifts. A couple of these I am going to hold on to for Jr. Church prizes when we start our Memory Madness program in January.

Friday, December 3, 2010

A few pictures...





 I think my sister could work for Disney, she has that two finger pointing down.

 My (almost) two year old tech head.




Thanks for stopping by!
Joy