Merry Christmas from The Young's

I just mailed my cards today so I apologize they have not reached you. I am packing up the car in hopes of leaving in 2 hours to head to my in-laws for our annual Christmas with The Young's. Christmas Eve will be spend with our Lemon's Family in Lockwood and Christmas Day evening will be with Rachel's parents.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!

God has been so good to us!

Unexpected Gifts

Here is the link to Hilary and Kevin's blog. Hil did a great job capturing the boys and their unexpected gift they received today. We also received another unexpected gift from Matthew's best friend Trever and his wife, Sarah. The Logan's did not have to do that! They are under our tree for us to open as part of our Christmas Morning experience so you will have to wait and see what that is at a later date...maybe December 26th!

Casting Crowns Christmas Concert 2008

On Tuesday, December 2nd we got to enjoy the awesome Christmas Concert by Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant, Avalon, Denver and The Mile High Orchestra, Michael English and PurNRG...It was AWESOME! My parents had given us the tickets as a gift. It was great way to begin the Holiday Season. Thanks Grammy and Pops!

We got to share the evening with Hilary and Kevin too. We rarely get to just do things as the four of us anymore so it was an extra special treat.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Fill out the questions below
3. Tag 5-7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag. Have FUN!!


1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I love Peppermint Hot Chocolate! However, Christmas Eve would not be complete without Freddy and his Egg Nog.


2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? WRAPS THEM!!!Unless they are completely impossible to wrap.


3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I have white on my main tree.


4. Do you hang mistletoe? I do not have any but, after Phillip's sermon last Sunday...I will get some!


5. When do you put your decorations up? Still working on that...must move a 1969 Ford Falcon out of the way to get to the attic.


6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? SO many to count...however probably Grandma Clardy's Clam Chowder.


7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: I have so many...talking to Santa on the CB Radio, asking for my teeth for Christmas and getting them, getting our cats, Cabbage Patch Kids...yep, true child of the 80's.


8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? The truth about Santa is he is alive and well...I believe!


9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, our Christmas PJs.


10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lots of ornaments and white lights. I hope to one day have a tree in every room. If that were to happen, I'd have a peacock tree...with blue and gree lights.


11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? It is pretty but a huge headache.


12. Can you ice skate? NO WAY!


13. Do you remember your favorite gift? This was actually a gift I give or at least organized and executed. The McCarty Christmas of 1995 was by far the best. Getting Barb out of the house, Decorating, Putting up Lights, etc. it was by far the best Christmas gift I have ever given. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? F-A-M-I-L-Y!


15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Oh geez...Cookies: sugar, ones topped with kisses, mom's bars with holly icing on top, Joanne's Divinity...I know I forgot like 23 others.


16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I have a few...Silent Night at Candle Light service at Lockwood UMC, Ruey and Freddy's on Christmas Eve, and last but definitely not least...STOCKINGS! I love them!


17. What tops your tree? A star...we bought it at Walgreen's in Davie, Florida when we lived there. We love it. It is very simple and it reminds us of our dear friends who became our dear family while we lived in Ft. Lauderdale. Love you Girls!


18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving!!! as someone near and dear to me said just last Thursday... I am a giver, probably the most giving person they know. I LOVE GIVING! gift, talents, friendship, food, whatever!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Go Tell It On The Mountain...girls got soul!


20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Not really a fan...they are okay.


21. What do you want for Christmas? I will get it. Watching Elliott love everything about this season...if you want to see what it is all about you can borrow him for a drive to look at lights.


22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party? Yep...good times.


23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs? On Christmas Day, it is pretty relaxed.


24. Do you own a santa hat? Yes...3 of them!


25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
Dec 23-24 until about 5pm: Matt's family.
Dec 24 6pm-12am: Lockwood with Ruey, Freddy and all my Family.
Dec 25: Our House
Dec 25 4pm-whenever we get done: Mom and Dad's with The Austin's
....It is busy 3 days!

Tag you are it: Hil, Martha, Jen A., Jenn H., Rachelle, Julie Wiseman

Happy 30th Birthday, Matthew

Just a note to say Happy Birthday to Matthew. 30 years of life...Way to Go! He makes this world a better place daily. I don't know what I would do without him. He is a great Husband, Daddy, Son, Grandson, Son-in-Law, Brother, Brother-in-Law, God brother, Uncle, Nephew, Cousin, Friend, Technician, Teacher, Theatre lover, Cannoli eater (see above), Handyman, Carpenter, Computer Wizard, Llama enthusiast, and small roller coaster contortionist.

Hope you have a wonderful 30th Birthday!!!

Crazy Days in the Young Household

As of today, our life has slowed down...a little bit. Over the last few weeks it has been pure pandemonium.

For Rachel it has been: Bluesfest, High School Musical, unknown disease treated with double antibiotics, costume issues, running a box office, t-shirt orders, driving to Bolivar to get t-shirts, driving golf carts thru my neighborhood at 11:00pm, singing at two wedding on the same day etc,etc, etc...

For Matthew it has been: his day job of crazy computer insanities of the Willard School District, casting WHS's Beauty and The Beast, STAM in ST.Louis, retrieving basketball rims, being a great single parent etc.

Just typing it makes me exhausted, We are glad this is over and hope we get to enjoy Elliott together very soon.

Mel's Blog

Many of you ask about my friend/sister, Melody and her fight against Breast Cancer. It is nothing less than amazing. As I type this she is on her way to St. Louis for her 2nd chemo treatment. She has been a true warrior of a disease and her faith throughout this entire battle. Her blog link is below. I also have it posted on my site as a favorite site. Mel's "You Go Girl" Blog...I encourage each of you to read it, be inspired and pray hard for my friend and sister Melody.

http://myfightagainstbreastcancer.blogspot.com/

SESAME PLACE...The coolest place Elliott's ever been

Here are some of our favorite pictures from our trip to Sesame Place. We had a great time with all our Sesame Street Friends.

Insane Game from Hilary

Here are the rules: Link to the person who tagged you, mention the rules, tell six quirky, yet boring unspectacular things about yourself, tag six other bloggers by linking to them, and then go to each person's blog and leave a comment letting them know they've been tagged. (I think I will just list them at the bottom and leave it at that. If they see it, great.)

6 random unspectacular things about me:

1. I love to perform but have retired except for the occasional wedding or fill in at church. If I could do it professionally I would in a heartbeat.

2. I love Dave Ramsey. If you don't know him you should www.daveramsey.com. He has changed our life.

3. I work alot. To those of you who know me that is not quirky or boring but it is the truth.

4. I dream...alot! About big stuff, little stuff...I am a dreamer!

5. If I had 3.5 million dollars I would buy this old gorgeous mansion by Chestnut and I-44 and make it my wedding house. I would love to be a wedding coordinator. My wedding house would be the palce to get ready, rehearse, party, and purchase everything for the big day...it would be amazing.

6. I only have white towels. While I was staying in many peoples houses as a Continental I stayed with this lady who only had white towels. At first, I thought it was odd so, I asked about it. She said there is alwaysa load of whites to be done and she was right. I always have towels and I always have a load of whites to be done.

I tag: Martha, Jen Waters, Jen Armstrong, Rachelle, and Julie

This past weekend was super busy in the Young Household. As you can see Elliott was wiped out. We want to wish a Happy 5th Anniversary to Aunt Howie & Uncle Kevin! You can read more about there adventures by clicking here.
Six years ago on July 20th (time does fly)...I married the man of my dreams. On Sunday, our anniversary, we were treated to a delicious dinner at my favorite restaurant, Nonna's, by my in-laws. It was so relaxing and such a nice way to share our 6th Anniversary.

Matthew surprised me with 6 giant white calla lilies. He never does stuff like that so when he does it makes it that much more special. Callas are my favorite and he remembered that too! That was so sweet, Matthew!
And an added bonus to our crazy hectic weekend of fun...I got to see an old friend, Leah. She use to be our box office manager at SLT. She has since moved on to Charlotte North Carloina's Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. However, she is from Springfield so every now and then our paths cross and for that brief moment of time we catch up like old friends do. Great to see you, Miss Leah...September is a-coming!

One final note: We are leaving to head to Pennsylvania tomorrow for a week of fun with Grammy's family. Elliott can't wait to see Uncle Vern, Aunt Ann and everyone else. Please pray for safe travels. We are so looking forward to this trip...The Fair, The Food, The Family!

Preschool Has it Priviledges

Elliott started his new preschool yesterday. We received his schedule of events for the month and WOW! this kid is busy. Today was Ice Cream Man day as is every Tuesday. $1.00 will buy you an ice cream and in his own words..."A Mess!" Other days include Thursday Music Days, Wednesday Science Day and Water Day but every other Friday is a very special day and Elliott can't wait. We had to purchase gear for this very special Day...BIKE DAY!!! He selected the Lighting McQueen sparkling cherry version. He thinks he is one cool dude!

Elliott's Newest Adventure...Sleep Walking?

Elliott has been sleeping in his toodler bed since before he was two. He is very good about announcing when he wakes up and has yet to sleep walk...we hope that does not change.

This morning at 5:30am I heard him say something...his door wide open but, I could not find him anywhere until I looked down. Yep...that is Elliott asleep under our bed.

Artsfest2008

Every year on the first Saturday and Sunday in May is a weekend of Art in Springfield called ArtsFest. It is always such a fun weekend whether rain (which more often than not), extreme heat, or every now and again you get two day that are just right...2008 happened to be just right.

We happen to find a pony just the perfect size for Elliott...he was in heaven.

Here is a picture of Poppy and Elliott enjoying the musical performance and some sunshine!

Best Buddies

This past weekend was spent enjoying good food at the 9th Annual Rock N Ribs Competition which is a Young family tradition. Matt's dad, Geno, competes every year AKA "Team Hogzilla." It is always a good time full of wonderful memories. This year was especially wonderful because Elliott got to spend some quality time with his friend, Sam, and Mommy got see her friend, Becka for a few moments. The boys truly enjoyed each others company as did the mommies!

We are trying...

No we are not trying to have another kid, we are trying to keep up with Aunt Hil. Here is our attempt to keep whomever up to date with what is going on with the Young's. We recentley received a new digital camera so soon we will be able to add some pictures to the site too.

For now, we will tell you we had a wonderful week. The highlight of our week is our sweet friend, Lupe, in Florida gave birth to her second child: Rachel. Mom and baby are both doing well as is her big brother, Raymond.