2010 Christmas Tree Lighting in Town Square

If you were there, then you saw how interesting the night really was...

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Let's start by saying that I had no idea about this cool event until my very dear friend Jessica told me about it! A night filled with music, and food, and FREE pictures with Santa and a Life sized Snow Globe that you could play in the snow and everything!!!

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Justin was unable to go with us so Cookie and Pawpaw and Uncle TJ joined us for some fun!

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The night was filled with anticipation as Santa was going to make a grand entrance to light the tree.

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How can Santa do that, you may ask... Isn't he like nearly 100 years old??? How can he repel down the side of the Minute Maid building without throwing out a hip or breaking his back....

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The answer...

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Santa obviously has an elf help him.... He dresses up like Santa and Santa hides behind a partition until the elf makes it "SAFELY" down the side of the building...

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Ooooohhhhhh...

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Why the explanation???

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Because "Santa" (or the elf helping santa) got his beard stuck in the repel device and was stuck on the side of the building for 15 minutes... he lost his hat, white wig, and his beard... we were all scared the the little elf wouldn't make it, but he finally cleaned out his beard and was able to safely make it behind the partition and the REAL Santa walked to the front...

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Counted down from 10 and...

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Lit the most beautiful tree in town square!

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And then it snowed... pretend of course, it's Houston.

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Awesome.

Advent Calendar Day 2

She starts the day with her hair done to make momma happy...

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Then she takes a nap...

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LoL!!!

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I love her and ALL her crazy hair days!!

Kickin' Jogging Suit!

I love the "ATTITUDE!"

I cannot believe how big she is and how much she MELTS my heart!

These cookies were for WHO?????

Advent Calendar...

Ah yes!

The chocolate filled tiny windows of "wonderful" really make it feel like Christmas...

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I am sure you remember them vividly... Green, Blue, Red... with the Santa on the front...

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Little Chocolate squares behind EVERY window!!!

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Had to share this with Gracelee... had to pass along the joy!

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Gracelee enjoyed the experience as I hoped she would... the trick is going to be only letting her have ONE chocolate square a day!

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Who am I kidding?????

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She gets her chocolate chips as dessert EVERY NIGHT anyway! LoL!!!

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Happy Thanksgiving and tree Decorating 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope that yours was filled with GOOD food, GOOD company, and TONS of snuggles...

and maybe a good book or two...

We were stuffed little turkeys!!! If you could put your hand through the screen, you would feel a protruding pot- belly!!! LoL!!!

So before we stuffed ourselves with belly aches, The Sutherland family decorated the indoors with Christmas Cheer... I love Christmas! I love the message of Hope and Goodness. Christmas is a magical time, and not because of the presents... I am not a present type of girl. Christmas is a season that surrounds an idea that a Child, a meek and mild mannered man came in to the world to teach us how to live the right way. How anyone does not believe in Jesus and that He is the Son of God is waaaay beyond my scope of understanding. Even if you are one of those people, you are surrounded come November and through the month of December with people trying to be nicer, being thoughtful, and joyous... being with family, loving more, and thinking about the way in which they live their lives...

Jesus is LOVE.

Jesus is VIRTUOUS.

Jesus is AMAZING!!

He came into the world a little baby, and inspired people to be better! Even if it is only prevalent during this season in non- believers, isn't it better than nothing? I hope and pray that one day a light bulb will flicker in their minds to say... "Duh! The reason for the season is JESUS and I guess I should ask for forgiveness and open my heart to him!"

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Anyway, off my soap box...

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

Pictures anyone???

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I know she is mine... but I really think she is beautiful!!!

Figuring out how it works

My BEAUTY!!! She is so Cindy-Lou- Who!!!!!

Okay... I know I am totally LAME, but I like pictures of us in action... they didn't work out quite as planned, but they will be something to laugh about and a really fun memory!!!

It is {early} morning... we are watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade... I have no make up on... sorry!

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Family in front of the decorated tree! Love it!

I L.O.V.E. our new tree topper!!! I am all about a fancy tree, but nothing warms my heart more than a family hodge- podge tree with everything on it! I love whimsy, and color, and ornaments that really mean something!

Better Late than Never...

Really fast...

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Decorating Pumpkins

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Dressed up for Halloween Party at "school"

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Trick or treating... (or a very good way to practice please and thank you... : ) )

And, BTW, she was running from house to house for the loot!

Our new favorite word

"Chicken"

It's the little things!

A little Morning Sunshine

She surely brightens my day!!!

Happy Halloween: 2010

Our Little Mermaid would like to wish you a Happy Halloween!

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Use it as a time to ask God to

Open your mind...

Open your Eyes.

Watch your Mouth.

Be the Light in your life.

A paraphrase of the Pumpkin Prayer.

School Buddies

Bounce House to 'Club' Sutherland House

Start the day by jumping in the bounce house...

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And end up at Club Sutherland!

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Gracelee has started this thing at night where she wants to "Dan, momma, dan... tar dadda, tar!" In "adult" that means she wants Daddy to play the guitar while we dance! She hands me her big monkey and she grabs Elmo and Daddy strums and we shake it up! It is really alot of fun, and we feel like we are introducing her right brain to some activity, as normally our activities are centered around left brain fun!

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The other night, we stumbled across a channel on Pandora radio that was Disney/ Broadway/ too- much- fun- to- NOT- listen- to! Of course I pulled out my fake microphone and Gracelee put on her dancing shoes (even after a long day... can you see our hair! Please excuse it because normally these pictures would NOT be on here! This was just too precious not to record! You understand.).

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We danced and sang the night away!

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Thank you GOD for giving me a little girl who is spirited, girly, wants to get dirty, smart, creative, loves to learn, and who is the MOST precious gift I have EVER received! I love YOU for gifting us and BLESSING our family with her! She is amazing! Thank you. Amen.