Before the Stroke of Midnight

We have a tradition in our family...

...each year we go to see the lights...

at Nela Park. It is the Cleveland headquarters of General Electric, you know the light bulb company.

Each year it is a different display that is about six blocks long.

We always play Christmas music in the car while we are driving by.

Good thing I got this new down coat for Christmas. It is really freezing out tonight. Speaking of my down coat, do you follow Dan Drinker? He has a funny post today. Click here to read it.

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I hope you have a safe New Year's Eve. See you in 2009.

I Had a Great Christmas

Christmas Afternoon 2008 ~ Finally about 2:00, we decided to open our presents. I could not open my presents until TJ was with us and first he had to take a shower, at slow speed.

Oh, I love this, Target Gift cards.

I am reading how much money is on the card. Every year when I was in school, I had to work on counting money. I can do it just fine if I am standing at a vending machine and I want to get a snack, but on tests forget it. So finally my junior year of high school my mom said "Let's just take it out of the IEP, we'll just give her Target cards instead." Wow, that works great and I don't have to count coins. I think my teachers even liked it becasue they started taking me to Target. That's when I decided I would like to work there someday.

My grandma saw this High School Musical hat and gloves. She thought I might like them.

This is a big box. Inside was a statue of a momma horse and her baby.

And my final gift ~ Ruthie ~ an American Girl doll. Did you know that I collect AG dolls? I had a fun Christmas. TJ did too. Here are some pictures of TJ...

TJ's Dreaming of...

... a Buckeye Christmas

He got an OSU ornament...

an OSU calendar with sound...

and an OSU tin of popcorn.

Funny, TJ. I know he is in college, but I'm just wondering if boys ever really grow up?

TJ is pretty happy now. Grandma brought him some cut-out cookies and he loves them.

Click here to see some photos of Matt, my little brother.

Teenagers~How can they sleep so much?

A MESSAGE FROM MOM: Will these kids ever get up? It's almost passed noon on Christmas morning...

Oh I see one...sorta

Looks like another one is up...

Well barely...

Oh come on, where is the Christmas spirit?

Lost one already...

Talk to the hand...

Oh come on...Can someone please send my toddlers back?...

Hanging the Ornaments

My mom left a note before she went to work that said, "TJ, Sarah and Matt. You may hang the ornaments on the tree today."

Well, my brothers sleep until the middle of the afternoon, so I guess I will just do it myself.

This is pretty fun.

Just a few more.

This last one is very special.

It reads, "2008 Graduate" and it has my senior picture in it. I am very proud to be from the Class of 2008.

Christmas Program in Canton

Matt and I are all ready to go to Grandpa's program at church.

Matt and Dad looking all dapper. TJ is missing this year because he is in Panama.

It takes about one hour to get to Canton and mom drove so dad could sleep. I thought that was really funny.

Here's our annual picture at the church. My mom filled in for TJ though.

Then my mom said, "Sarah, let's take your picture by the piano." So I went over and struck a pose.

Then I laughed and laughed.

Oh yea, my Grandpa just told me has a surprise for me.

Come on boys, we are heading to Applebees.

Writing my Holiday Cards

Hey, It's me Sarah, I'm back after a short break. I thought I would share some of the things I did this December.

Here I am working on my Christmas cards.

Do you remember just a few days ago, I told you that when I was a baby they called me Tweety Bird? Well, my return address labels have my name and address and a picture of Tweety.

Last step is to put the stamps on.

I have to be very careful with the stamps because I know they are just like money.

Merry Christmas

My First Christmas ~ 1989

Grandpa is trying to make me smile. I am wearing a bib that says, "Baby's First Christmas."

Oh, I have on TJ's Santa hat. He let me wear it because he is very busy...

...riding his new trike around the house. He was pretty fast on that thing. Once he almost ran me over.

Just lounging. Looks like I have discovered my hands.

Now I am smiling because I am all snuggly in my stocking. I fit perfect!!!.

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Well that's the end of my Christmas Countdown. I hope you liked it. Have a very Merry Christmas if you celebrate and blessings to all.

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Please continue to pray for my little friend Lily. She is just down the street at the Cleveland Clinic and she is getting better, but she is still in the hospital.

Countdown to Christmas # 1 1/2

Getting Ready for my First Christmas 1989 ~ I am four months old.

Getting ready for my first Christmas program at my Grandma & Grandpas church. It doesn't look like I am too happy about being dressed up.

At least I am not crying anymore, but it looks like I am asleep. This was the picture my mom used for our holiday card that year.

Countdown to Christmas # 2

It is December 1990 ~ I am one year and four months old.

Mom and Dad have taken us to the mall to see Santa. I am just looking all around.

Here we go for a train ride. Dad had to come too because I was a little afraid.

The next ride, we went without Dad. TJ took good care of me to make sure I did not fall out.

Look, I even have red shoes.

Christmas morning!!! I got a new walker trike.

I think I like it. Can you see my two little teeth in my mouth?

Looks like TJ got a train set and a big tractor to play in the dirt.