About Me
My name is Tami and I live in central Illinois with my husband, Larry and three children, Caleb (6), Camden (4) and Emma Grace (2). I hope you'll enjoy reading about my life as a wife/mother and about our family's adventures.
Christmas 2009
Our family had a great Christmas this year. Each year it just gets better because the kids get more excited.
Each year we try and do things as a family that incorporate the true meaning of Christmas. This year we made an Advent calendar and did a magnetic nativity on the refrigerator. The kids enjoyed putting a new piece on the nativity and pulling out a different activity for us to do each day.
After Christmas Eve service and driving around to look at Christmas lights, the kids set out cookies and milk for Santa and then they were off to bed. This year Caleb was so excited that it took him a while to fall asleep, but Camden and Emma were out like a light.
Emma’s theme this year was “Princess”. She got a dress up outfit, jewelry, a pop-up princess castle and a tea set to play with.
Caleb and Camden got a Cars race track this year as a joint gift. They have spent endless hours playing with this toy. But, the big gifts for the boys were games and puzzles.
We spent the afternoon at my in-laws were we got more gifts and had Christmas dinner. Our dog, Milo, spent his afternoon on any available lap.
Tags: 
Christmas, 
holidays, 
family life, 
holiday traditions
Menu Plan Monday – December 28
Monday – Chili, honey cornbread
Tuesday – Steak, twice baked potatoes, vegetable
Wednesday – Date Night
Thursday – Soft Pretzels with Sweet Mustard Dipping Sauce, potato skins, nachos, guacamole, root beer floats
Friday – Pepperoni Bread, salad
Saturday – Breakfast – Corncakes, bacon – Dinner – Roasted Chicken, sour cream mashed potatoes, corn, rolls
Head on over to I’m an Organizing Junkie for more meal plans.
Tags: 
recipes, 
Menu Plan Monday
Merry Christmas!
Tags: 
Merry Christmas
Fall Into Reading 2009 – Wrap Up
This reading challenge actually was a challenge this time. I have only completed half of the books that I put on my list. I am in the middle of a couple right now and hoping to finish the rest of my list soon.
Non-Fiction
- We Who Are Alive and Remain – Marcus Brotherton
- Prairie Tale – Melissa Gilbert
- Fighting Back: Living Life Beyond Ourselves – Deena Burnett
Fiction
- Love the One You’re With – Emily Giffin
- Fatally Flaky – Diane Mott Davidson
- Face of Betrayal – Lis Wiehl and April Henry
- Quaker Summer – Lisa Samson
- Where Grace Abides – B.J. Hoff
Bible Studies & Devotions
- Have a New Kid By Friday – Dr. Kevin Leman
- Walking By Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark – Jennifer Rothschild
Book Club
- The Red Tent – Anita Diamant
Reading with Caleb and Camden
- My Big Book of 5 Minute Devotions – Pamela Kennedy and Douglas Kennedy
Head on over to Callapidder Days to see other Fall Into Reading wrap up posts.
Tags: 
Fall Into Reading, 
books, 
reading
Menu Plan Monday – December 21
Monday – Chicken and Dumplings, vegetable
Tuesday – Sloppy Joes, french fries, vegetable
Wednesday – Baked Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad
Thursday – Baked Pork Chops, cheesy potatoes, vegetable, french bread
Friday – Breakfast – Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup, roasted bacon – Dinner – Christmas Dinner at the in-laws – I’m taking Green Bean Bundles and a Yule Log
Saturday – Breakfast – Oatmeal – Dinner – Family Christmas
Head on over to I’m an Organizing Junkie for more meal plans.
Tags: recipes, Menu Plan Monday
Christmas Card 2009
Tags: 
Christmas Card 2009
Menu Plan Monday – December 14
Monday – Chili, honey cornbread
Tuesday – Chicken Pot Pie, fresh fruit salad
Wednesday – Chocolate Chip Pancakes, roasted bacon
Thursday – Macaroni and Cheese, vegetable
Friday – Homemade Pizza, salad
Saturday – Breakfast – Amish Baked Oatmeal – Dinner – Family Christmas
Head on over to I’m an Organizing Junkie for more meal plans.
Tags: recipes, Menu Plan Monday
Menu Plan Monday – December 7
Monday – Farmhouse Chicken, vegetable
Tuesday – Tangy Grilled Pork Tenderloin, twice baked potatoes, vegetable
Wednesday – Chicken Tortilla Soup, honey cornbread
Thursday – Corn Dog Muffins, oven fries, fresh fruit salad
Friday – Homemade Pizza, salad
Saturday – Breakfast – Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake, fruit – Dinner – Dinner Out and Christmas Shopping with hubby
Head on over to I’m an Organizing Junkie for more meal plans.
Tags: recipes, Menu Plan Monday
Advent Calendar
I have been wanting to incorporate Advent into our family for a couple of years, but have never made it happen.
This year I was motivated by this muffin tin advent calendar that Meredith made. Lack of time had me creating something a little more simple for this year. Hopefully next year I can start sooner and create something that will last from year to year.
I made a simple envelope from scrapbook paper and free-handed a tree and stars to glue on. My husband and I then decided on 24 things to do over the course of the month. There are a few days that are very busy for our family, so those days we will have a verse to read instead of an activity. The kids were watching me put the calendar together this weekend and are anxious to start.
We are also reading Looking Forward to the Nativity as a family each night.
Tags: 
Advent calendar
Miscellaneous
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