Ugly Sweater Party

This weekend we went to a "ugly Christmas sweater party". It was so much fun to see all our old Cabo friends and to see the ugly sweaters that everyone came up with.

Craig and I thought and thought about the perfect sweaters...... he found his on ebay. You really can not see that well but it is a old vintage Attic Cat sweater. All those that know him know that he is NOT a Artic Cat man.... Ski Doo all the way for him. Thats what made the sweater even uglier to him. Also a friend that was at the party is a huge Cat fan and so it was kind of a joke towards him. Long story short he won the bid for the ugly thing and then had to have it overnight shipped so it would be here in time for the party. Ouch... $40 dollars later....... he gave the sweater to the Cat fan.

I whipped up my sweater up from scratch..... what you can not tell from the picture is it has blinking lights on the tree... and press the star and it will play a fun little Christmas tune for you. Total cost?... $6.... I think I win.


Here is the entire group. We had a great time. And the trip for this fall will not be Cabo again.... hip hip hooray!!! We are branching out and it was decided that we would all go to Cancun. I am so looking forward to a get away.


I hope that ya all are enjoying the Holiday season and spending mucho time with friends and family. That is what it is all about.

Oh dang almost for got. This Sunday our family Christmas fun was riding up to Preston to look at the lights. It is always a challenge for us when we are all together to get along..... I think we did a good job.... even though Craigs Christmas caroling drove Cortney over the edge.

Have a great day everyone. Love you all. Brenda

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Well Christmas trees are up at the Andrus house, most of the shopping is done and we are going to have a great Christmas. I put up three trees this year (only took pictures of 2 forgot about the 1 down stairs)
This is my favorite. It is in my kitchen and is full of all the ornaments my little darlings have made throughout their grade school days.


(today when i got home from work Tucker was at the door eager to meet me. he only does this when he has someone to tattle on. and that's what he was doing as he lead me into the kitchen to find my favorite tree on the floor. all tipped. some dear ornaments broken. his little tail just a wagging so proud to be the first to tell me about the little disaster. i asked "who did this?" he just wagged his little tail and looked at morris. morris layed on the floor looking up at me with those dear big eyes and said "meow meow not me not me" acting all Innocent. not a care in the world. that's when duke came strolling out of the bedroom those i just woke up eyes and messy hair, looked up at me like WHATS THE BIG DEAL and went to get a bite to eat. hummmm who could it have been? not question duke!!!)

that sweet little Denver

my sweetest angel Taylor

my best girlfriend Cortney

oh and my old old boy Brandon

Im trying to keep things simple this year. All the darlings are old enough now to understand that we do not need to wake up to a abundance of presents under the tree. Its going to be about creating memories and being a family. This Sunday we decorated cookies. It was fun and I can honestly say we did get along just fine. (well i did tell brandon that he was bugging me but he is used to that)

The Christmas village is all arranged in its little cupboard. I just love it.

oh dang I forgot to plug in the bottom layer. (use your imagination)

tee hee hee..... look at me in the bulbs....that is just funny!!!

new this year the glittery green ones love these to....

And the final product....... I think I am pleased....still left to do..... the mantel.... I need help..... I wont new stockings......... hummm maybe wait until they are on clearance after Christmas???

Hope you all have a great day!!! Love ya Brenda

Baby its cold outside.........

Ohhhh...............it ............is..............so.................cold!!!!!

I hate to be a bawl baby but........ I feel that I have NO other choice. It is COLD oh so COLD! And my furnace is broke. Why oh why must that happen? Really now. I am freezing and do I really wont to pay to get my furnace fixed when I know that Christmas is fastly approaching? No I don't.

And please do tell me. Why does everything have to go at once? The furnace, the fridge, the oven, the dishwasher, the washing machine, the dryer.... (that one i can hear as i blog, it sounds like there is a train running through my basement)

I hate to complain but sometimes it does heal the heart. Just a little.

And then there is the basement floor..... it still has not been replaced since last year when I riped out the carpet that I tore up because some certain little dog decided it was a patch of grass to PEE and POOP on!!

And the new slip covers that I worked so very hard on to buy me time until I could afford new furniture. Well my oh my they are yucky. Someone spilled wine on the them.(no it was not me)

Wa WA WA!!!! Sniffle Sniffle.....

The good thing is. I am getting excited for Christmas!!! Not so sure why. I normally hate this holiday. But I think I might wont to curl up by the fireplace and listen to Christmas music or..... watch my very favorite movie.............

over and over again. Yes I think that I will just do that. It is sure to solve all of my problems!!!
Love you, Brenda

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

This has been a little bit of a different Halloween season for me.

I can not quit put my finger on it..... I normally LOVE this holiday......I just was not feeling it this year.

I did manage to put a few decorations out. This is my fav. A spooky Halloween tree.

And a spider to greet you as you walk in the door. (normally there is candy in those little holders but.... if you know me well you know candy does not last long when i am around)

We did not even get many trick or treaters this year. I think maybe 5 and that is pushing it. I hate this trunk or treating thing it just takes the fun out of it.

Well I think I will just spend my day watching scary movies, maybe do a puzzle, make some cinnamon rolls and soup and curl up in a blanket and have a nap. Sounds like the perfect day to me.

Hope you all have a spooky Halloween!!!

Love ya all,

Brenda

Baby 18 is not to good to you!!!!

So my Girl turned 18 just shy of a month ago. Wow that is so weird seems how I am only like what........25?!? My babies are growing up! This is not a easy thing for me. Blah blah blah...anyways......... Cortney wonted me to update my blog and let ya all know how 18 is treating her.

I don't think she likes it. She is an adult know.... ouch.... much responsibility...... bills ...... job..... school.......!!!

That is the least of it though. We bought her a car....(it was love at first sight, she named her Jane) just a car not a big deal, real cheap, so she could get to school, get to work, but most of all so she would leave the house once in a while!!! Feel all grown up and stuff. Ya know.

She really wonted a new phone. A blackberry. So ..... I went and got her a blackberry. (she has to pay the data plan)

2 weeks ago on her way to work. she was being all responsible and grown up and stuff. the transmission went out in Jane. Ouch.. that's over 600 smack a roonies plus labor. not going to pay that on a $200 Jane no matter how much love there is.

And then yesterday....... heading to school...... she realizes that she put the cute little blackberry on the trunk of the car and headed down the road. She was is in tears when she came to the lunch room to let hot lunch lady know about the mishap. "Go home and retrace all your steps look on the road every where" I said. Another 1/2 a day of school missed. Not a big deal right. And no trace of berry.

The 2 loves of her sweet little life have been taken from my 18 year old girl. What a tragedy it is. This 18th year. Its not off to a good start!!!

You all can rest assured her momma wont let dear Cortney be unhappy and she ran right out and got that girl a NEW berry.

Now as for the car that will have to be her daddies department. (don't let your girl down dad)

The rest of the year must get better for her.... It only can right????

Love ya!!!

Where does the time go?????

Oh my goodness...... it is the last day of the month and as I was reading blogs today I realized I have not posted since the first of the month... so perhaps a little catching up is appropriate.

I have gotten little done around the house this summer. I did paint my kitchen cabinets but am still deciding if I love them before I post a picture.

We have all started back to school. I must admit I was not really ready for it to happen this year. I am usually chomping at the pit, but this year I think I must have stayed busy enough to not go to crazy.

Denver is in Dents class. 5th grade. He thinks she might be mean but I think stearn would be the word . He is keeping me way busy with football. His first year!! Craig is in HEAVEN his baby a football player!!! D hates it as well as myself. We both agree it is way time consuming. 5 nights of practice and games on Saturday. It will be most interesting to see if he plays again.

Cort is a SENIOR this year omg....... I might be getting a little old!! I think that it is going to be a great year for her, she is already having a blast. On top of school she finally got a job!!!! Hip hip hooray!!! And a CAR!! Yes a car and her name is Jane. She is delightful!!!

Brandon moved back home after working for his dad in pocie for the summer and is going to school as well. Omg again! his second year in collage. I AM GETTING OLD!!!!! Please pray that he finds a job soooooonnnnn.

As for the sexy lunch lady......... I am back in the saddle again. What a stressful couple of days at school. Dear Lord I do hope that it gets better. There has been some big changes in the lunch this year at the big SV and it is taking some adjusting. Check back next week Im sure I will be in love with my job once again.(i hope)

Love ya all!!

YUMMM YUMMMM.....

I just made the most yummy croc pot potato soup and must share.

5 potatoes peeled and diced
hand full of sliced carrots
1 small onion
celery if you like
4 Tbsp. chicken bullion
5 cups water
salt,pepper and garlic salt to taste

Throw all this in the croc pot and let it work its magic. One hour before eating add 1 1/2 cups milk and half a brick of Velveeta.

Serve with crackers and ham and cheese salad.

Super easy for the days that you just have to much going on.

Hope you all had a great day!!! Love ya, Brenda