1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love, love, love unwrapping gifts rather then taking them out of bags. And I try to have a lot of wrapped gifts under the tree... especially for the kids to enjoy.
2. Real tree or artificial? Real... we have always had a real one (or a substitute Poinsetta or other holiday plant)
3. When do you put up the tree? About the first weekend of December... or the second if something comes up.
4. When do you take the tree down? Around New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? Not too much
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Rollerblades? Scooter?
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes
8. Hardest person to buy for? ????
9. Easiest person to buy for? ???
10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? Clothes that I wouldn't wear.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Not really into Christmas movies
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Mid December
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably.. oh yea I did... bath & body stuff because I don't usually use anything outside of myusual products.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Nothing specific.... a couple Christmas cookies
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear. This is the first year Nick has put them on our tree though we had them the last half of the time I spent in my parent's house. They really make the tree less cluttered.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Come all Ye Faithful
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Nick likes an angel and we have an old one of his Grandma's that we use.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning...make 'em wait!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? That it is also cold outside.
23. What is the "corniest" family tradition you do, or miss doing? Don't really have any.
24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? ???
25. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? Homey trees full of old and new, bought and created ornaments.
C-Ya!!!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Quiet....
This is all I hear right now. Nick took Jeffrey and Samantha with our friends sledding. Carter is sleeping (at least for this second). Maggie the dog is curled up on my lap and Scooter is somewhere.
And here I sit on the computer. I suppose I should get off of my butt and do something. The house really needs a "spring cleaning" (in the middle of winter). I could probably toss out bags and bags of stuff.
I hope everyone is recovering from the holidays.
C-Ya!!
And here I sit on the computer. I suppose I should get off of my butt and do something. The house really needs a "spring cleaning" (in the middle of winter). I could probably toss out bags and bags of stuff.
I hope everyone is recovering from the holidays.
C-Ya!!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Carter's first Christmas
Ok... I couldn't resist at this picture taking opportunity. Yesterday was Carter's first Christmas and look what we found in his stocking...
Also, here is Jeffrey, Samantha and Carter in front of the tree.
I hope your holidays were merry and bright!!
C-Ya!!
Also, here is Jeffrey, Samantha and Carter in front of the tree.
I hope your holidays were merry and bright!!
C-Ya!!
Holiday Card 2007
Since I have so many online friends I thought I would post my holiday card and letter here with a wish for a happy and safe holiday season.
A Merry Christmas to all in this season of miracles,In last year’s letter I asked that we have less of a roller coaster year in the Pickert household, and while we have had our share of highs and lows it seems that the lows were not so bad this year.
Of course our highest high was the birth of our son/brother, Carter Kenneth. Carter was born at 9:45am on Halloween, October 31, 2007 at 7 pounds 15 ounces. And of course we feel that he is one of the three most beautiful babies of all time! Jeffrey has loved having the baby he asked for and Samantha is enjoying being Mommy’s Little Helper. November has really been a challenge getting used to three children and having a new infant in the household.
Carter already has had his first hospital/surgery experience. We took him to the doctor the day after Thanksgiving due to his excessive spitting up. They weighed him and found he had only gained a couple ounces and so we had an ultrasound and found he had Pyloric Stenosis (Enlargement of the muscle between the stomach and intestine resulting in no food getting through). So he had to have a routine surgery the next day and was fine afterwards.
This all came right before we were suppose to leave on a family trip to Cancun. Melissa’s Dad, Ken, has been really sick since last winter and all he wanted to do was take us all (including Melissa’s brother & friends and sister & family) on this trip to Mexico and he got his wish. After getting the whole family passports (including rushing Carter’s) we enjoyed the sun and fun of a November in Cancun.
Unfortunately we closed out 2006 with another low. Our Yellow Lab, Mollie, died unexpectedly at 5 ½ years old. She had a turned stomach. We did not even know she was sick and had gone away for a couple days to come home and find out she had died.
Every year is getting better for Nick and his company, PepperBerry Gardens. Nick had more business this year and worked the 80 hours a week to prove it. He is still enjoying the landscape business, though he is learning he cannot do it all on his own. Jeffrey got to go to work as his “little landscaper” a couple times over the summer and Samantha is planning to get her turn next year.
Melissa made it through her first full year of being a stay-at-home Mom. This summer she was elected President of the Orono/Westonka MOMS club and is enjoying the position.
Nick and Melissa are both still involved at church, though have taken on a little less with Carter’s arrival. We did join the OLL Centennial Committee and are looking forward to the festivities.
Jeffrey started Kindergarten (and full time schooling) at Our Lady of the Lake School. He has amazed us with his memorization of Grace and The Pledge of Allegiance. He is enjoying all of his special classes like Spanish and computers and impresses us with his math skills.
Samantha started preschool at Our Lady of the Lake. She is the little social butterfly and is making friends with all her classmates. Sami (as she is called at school) is trying to keep up with Jeffrey and is learning everything he comes home and teaches her.
Carter is just enjoying attention being lavished upon him and his favorite spot to sleep is in someone’s arms. He is a championship eater and is making up for the lost weight. Carter was baptized in November and is proud to have Ryan & Sarah as his Godparents.
We still have our dogs Max, the Lab; Maggie, the Shih Poo; and Scooter, the Chihuahua. Maggie still is our baby, even if we cannot give her as much attention now. Both Maggie and Scooter are doing great around the baby. And after losing Mollie, Max has adjusted to being the only big dog. Due to the baby, Max was bummed out at not getting to go pheasant hunting this year.
Again, we close asking for prayers for Melissa’s Dad. And we hope your holidays are merry and bright.
Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah & Happy New Year
Love, Nick, Melissa, Jeffrey, Samantha & Carter Pickert
Max, Maggie & Scooter
For updates throughout the year check out Melissa’s Blog at http://empress4.blogspot.com/& for a fun holiday greeting from us, go to http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/view/x6SAPdnjILKJMwfHoIkCGQKR
C-Ya!!
A Merry Christmas to all in this season of miracles,In last year’s letter I asked that we have less of a roller coaster year in the Pickert household, and while we have had our share of highs and lows it seems that the lows were not so bad this year.
Of course our highest high was the birth of our son/brother, Carter Kenneth. Carter was born at 9:45am on Halloween, October 31, 2007 at 7 pounds 15 ounces. And of course we feel that he is one of the three most beautiful babies of all time! Jeffrey has loved having the baby he asked for and Samantha is enjoying being Mommy’s Little Helper. November has really been a challenge getting used to three children and having a new infant in the household.
Carter already has had his first hospital/surgery experience. We took him to the doctor the day after Thanksgiving due to his excessive spitting up. They weighed him and found he had only gained a couple ounces and so we had an ultrasound and found he had Pyloric Stenosis (Enlargement of the muscle between the stomach and intestine resulting in no food getting through). So he had to have a routine surgery the next day and was fine afterwards.
This all came right before we were suppose to leave on a family trip to Cancun. Melissa’s Dad, Ken, has been really sick since last winter and all he wanted to do was take us all (including Melissa’s brother & friends and sister & family) on this trip to Mexico and he got his wish. After getting the whole family passports (including rushing Carter’s) we enjoyed the sun and fun of a November in Cancun.
Unfortunately we closed out 2006 with another low. Our Yellow Lab, Mollie, died unexpectedly at 5 ½ years old. She had a turned stomach. We did not even know she was sick and had gone away for a couple days to come home and find out she had died.
Every year is getting better for Nick and his company, PepperBerry Gardens. Nick had more business this year and worked the 80 hours a week to prove it. He is still enjoying the landscape business, though he is learning he cannot do it all on his own. Jeffrey got to go to work as his “little landscaper” a couple times over the summer and Samantha is planning to get her turn next year.
Melissa made it through her first full year of being a stay-at-home Mom. This summer she was elected President of the Orono/Westonka MOMS club and is enjoying the position.
Nick and Melissa are both still involved at church, though have taken on a little less with Carter’s arrival. We did join the OLL Centennial Committee and are looking forward to the festivities.
Jeffrey started Kindergarten (and full time schooling) at Our Lady of the Lake School. He has amazed us with his memorization of Grace and The Pledge of Allegiance. He is enjoying all of his special classes like Spanish and computers and impresses us with his math skills.
Samantha started preschool at Our Lady of the Lake. She is the little social butterfly and is making friends with all her classmates. Sami (as she is called at school) is trying to keep up with Jeffrey and is learning everything he comes home and teaches her.
Carter is just enjoying attention being lavished upon him and his favorite spot to sleep is in someone’s arms. He is a championship eater and is making up for the lost weight. Carter was baptized in November and is proud to have Ryan & Sarah as his Godparents.
We still have our dogs Max, the Lab; Maggie, the Shih Poo; and Scooter, the Chihuahua. Maggie still is our baby, even if we cannot give her as much attention now. Both Maggie and Scooter are doing great around the baby. And after losing Mollie, Max has adjusted to being the only big dog. Due to the baby, Max was bummed out at not getting to go pheasant hunting this year.
Again, we close asking for prayers for Melissa’s Dad. And we hope your holidays are merry and bright.
Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah & Happy New Year
Love, Nick, Melissa, Jeffrey, Samantha & Carter Pickert
Max, Maggie & Scooter
For updates throughout the year check out Melissa’s Blog at http://empress4.blogspot.com/& for a fun holiday greeting from us, go to http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/view/x6SAPdnjILKJMwfHoIkCGQKR
C-Ya!!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Pay it Forward
A couple years back a movie came out called "Pay It Forward" and the world was introduced to the concept of doing for others without getting anything in return. All that one asks is that you help out someone else.
During this holiday season I would like to thank all that have done great things for us and only hope I can pay it forward with interest.
We especially have seen this when it comes to our kids. Whether it be gifts, hand-me-downs or meals we have truly appreciated everything given to us.
So, if you can, pay it forward.
C-Ya!!
During this holiday season I would like to thank all that have done great things for us and only hope I can pay it forward with interest.
We especially have seen this when it comes to our kids. Whether it be gifts, hand-me-downs or meals we have truly appreciated everything given to us.
So, if you can, pay it forward.
C-Ya!!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Holiday Greetings!!!
Ok... so I have a ton to update everyone on but have been busy with Carter and the other kids as well as living on less sleep... so while you are waiting on an update - which I hope to do by Christmas - I thought you would enjoy this (turn up your speakers):
C-Ya!
Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!
C-Ya!
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