Family Christmas Reunion

This past week we went to Mike's Family Reunion. We are not always able to attend the reunion because most years it is held on a week day soon after Christmas. Many times Mike and I had to work. Well, now that I'm at home and Mike has the most seniority at work - and was able to take a week of vacation at Christmas - we were able to go this year!

We had a nice dinner and it was very nice to visit with most of Mike's family. Not too many of Mike's cousins were able to make the trip, but maybe we can see them another time. Anne Marie got a lot of attention (as usual) so she was quite *wired* while we were there...but that made for a good night sleep!! (haa)

Ready to eat!!

Mike and his Great-Uncle Michael

Anne Marie and Grandpa

Anne Marie being the spot-light of attention!!!

Merry Christmas From The Hartzlers

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Merry Christmas From The Hartzler's Part #1

Dear Friends & Family

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!! What a wonderful time of year!
The birth of our savior is something special to celebrate. Tonight we enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Eve Service at Church. I love our candle-light service. I always feel my heart is renewed after a very busy few weeks before Christmas day.

One thing we'll be doing on Christmas is making Jesus a birthday card - some friends of ours even make him a birthday cake -- which I think is a cute idea with small kids around. We have other friends that give their children 3 gifts to symbolize the wisemen's gifts to Jesus. I just love hearing about ideas of how other families celebrate Jesus with their children to make sure that even the small children focus on the fact that it's not all about the gifts but that there is something so much more important to celebrate.

Of course we love the part of spending time with family, opening presents and all, but it's just so important that we share with Anne Marie (and all our family) what makes this day very special.
We hope that you and your families have a very blessed Christmas.

Now, for a fun little thing we found on the web...(I think we saw it on someones blog.?.?) There should be a movie posted above -- The "Hartzler Elf's" for your Christmas entertainment!!

Happy Birthday !!!!

Happy Birthday to my dear husband!! (38th -- sshhhhsshh!!!) I can't imagine a better husband or father -- and I hope that this birthday is the best of all!! We love you!!

Melissa & Anne Marie

Fun w/ Daddy....

We've been busy doing our "12 days of Christmas" crafts around here, so the blog has been kind of quiet, and I'm hoping to post some pictures of our Christmas activities soon, but I thought this was something cute that I'd share.


In the evening around the house there are a few games that HAVE to be played with Daddy before bedtime. Some times it's "chase me" -- basically self-explanatory. Then there is "Where's Anne Marie?" She hides (or she thinks she hides) and Mike finds her. The funny part is she still thinks that if she can't see you, then you can't see her. (She even does that when she's getting in trouble...when I'm telling her something she's doing wrong, she'll close her eyes! I guess she thinks that if she can't see me, what ever I'm saying doesn't count?!?!)


Anyway, one night this past week, I followed her and Mike around with my camera for a game of "Where's Anne Marie" -- I just thought it was too cute --- her hair sticking out behind the pillows -- who would ever guess Anne Marie was in the guest room behind the pillows???

Family Fun & A History Lesson

Last weekend we had another little family get-together. We went to visit my cousin and her family. My other cousin (her sister) and my aunt and uncle (their parents) were there as well. She had a little "trip" planned for us on Saturday. We went to Harper's Ferry. Can I just tell you it was COLD -- VERY, VERY COLD!! It was snowing as we were walking around amongst the reenactor's & cute little shops. I would have paid money to been able to dress in one of those soldier uniforms to keep warm. (I usually feel sorry for those guys when you see them walking around places like Williamsburg in the summer time -- but not today!!)

We spent the weekend eating (YUMMY food), talking, enjoying each other's company, and watching the kids play with Anne Marie. She gets treated like a little princess by her older cousins. She always walks away with something...this time we got a stuffed puppy dog, books, and a dress-up necklace. Both of my cousins children are just soooo sweet!!

I enjoyed myself, and was almost sad to have to come home. It's not often that we get to see her, and since Dad is gone, I cherish the moments I get to spend with my dad's side of the family.

All the girl cousins together

Huddling outside of a military tent. (Can you tell it was cold?)

The girls were asked to dance by two gentleman at the "party". They were teaching on-lookers time-period dances. The girls were so cute. One of the girls was escorted back to her family at the end of the dance & she looked at him and said "why are you walking me back?" and he said "I"m a gentleman and that's what we do". I thought it was sweet -- and what a nice lesson for a young girl to learn - how guys are really supposed to treat girls!!

Anne Marie looking on as the girls dance. (Again, did I tell you how COLD it was??)

One Day I Will Laugh..But Now?? No Way!!

Well, I will in no way shape or form win the mother-of-the-year-award now!!! Here's the story..... My sister came over to visit the other day. We sat out in the living room chatting while the girls were playing back in Anne Marie's room. They were laughing, giggling, coming out in the living room w/ bows, headbands, hats, and dress-up items on. They were so cute. Then Anne Marie came out with a cute little pink ball cap on. I saw something on her shoulder. I couldn't tell what it was, so I pulled her close, noticed what it was, took her hat off, and this is what I saw. I had to cry (and I mean REAL tears) ...................................................................

So she cut 50% of the left side of her hair off!! There is a small bit that is still long on that side of her head!! So we're having to do a "comb-over" from the right side of her head and clip it with a barrette. It doesn't look too bad that way, but it has to be placed "just-so" with the clip or you can totally see her bald spots!!! So, anyone know how long this is going to take to grow back??

I've Been Tagged For A Christmas Quizz...

One of our China-Travel-Mates tagged me to pass this along.....

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Eggnog @ Christmas - but then hot chocolate all winter long!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree? A little of each

3. Lights on tree/house ~ colored or white? "Pretty tree" white "kids tree" color & outside white

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Used to , but don't know where it went!! (it was fake)

5. When do you put your Christmas decorations up? Usually T-giving weekend

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Sweet potato casserole (w/ marshmallows) & Turkey sandwiches w/ cranberry sauce (after the "big dinner)

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? My favorite thing that I remember as a child (and adult) is that my dad would always go out on Christmas Eve and buy each of his "girls" (me & 2 sisters) HIS gift to us for Christmas. We just LOVED to get those gifts, sometimes they were big, sometimes they were small, but it was always something that was he thought of all by himself. When my dad was sick, Mike started the tradition with him & drove him around to help him. Now, that dad is gone, Mike has taken over the tradition for me and Anne Marie. I just LOVE him for it !!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember.. I had a little girl tonight @ Church ask me if I knew Santa tonight -- it was so sweet!!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, we always did w/ my Dad & Mike and I keep the tradition for his memory!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? One of our trees is green & pink & white w/ "fancy" ornaments. Our other tree is fun, colorful and full of ornaments that were picked out for Anne Marie - either before she came, after she got here, or from China. There are TONS of ornaments that are about Chinese culture on it

11. Snow, love it or dread it? I love to see it @ Christmas, but I don't need it any other time!

12. Can you ice skate? I have not done it since 4th grade!! (so I'd say no!!)

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I was a teen (of the 80's remember) and I got my "boom-box" with tapes of Duran-Duran, The Cars, and The Police -- I jumped up and ran into my dad's arms to give him a big hug !

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Making sure that we celebrate Jesus birth and story with Anne Marie during the other holiday things that we do, we want to make sure she always knows that's the reason that we are celebrating.

.15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Rocky-Road fudge, Nanny's peanut butter balls, any kind of cookies

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? See # 7

17. What tops your tree?A bow on "pretty" a star on "kid"

18. Do you prefer giving or receiving? Oh giving...sounds like I'm "supposed" to say that, but watching people open gifts is just soooo great -- especially now that we have a child -- it's awesome to watch her open gifts!!!

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night w/ candles lit @ Church service

20. Candy canes, yum or yuck? They're ok -- I like the flavored ones.

21. What do you want for Christmas? Us to be financially ready to start a new "application"

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? Yes, our SundaySchool Class & my mother's family

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve, or wear pj's? Dress up for our church service, then change into comfortable clothes for family @ home.

24. Do you own a Santa hat? Yes, we got one where I used to work -- it's one of the Dr. Suess hats w/ the curly tops.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? Mike, Anne Marie, Mike's parents, My mom, my 2 sisters, brother-in-law 2 nieces & nephew.

Backlog of Pic's ... #4 - Tea with Mattie

Girls are so much fun. I'm sure boys are too, however I have yet to experience that. I have 2 younger sisters and a daughter. My husband is an only child, so at this point "girl" is all I know. Our darling daughter is ALL girl. She loves shoes, clothes, bows, babies, playing house, school, tea-party and cooking in her kitchen.

Now that Mattie is back around during the week, it's quite fun around here. Most days are "basic" -- sometimes I catch them washing each others hair in the bathroom sink! (Do you know how fast that can happen when you're not watching??) And some days we just have one huge tea-party. So what better reason to break out my new camera???

Best Bud's

Ready for the tea party

Wonder what they thought they were cooking??

Monkey see Monkey do!

Cooking up the "soup".

You can't leave out the babies...they've got to eat!

2 "mommies" ready to hit the road w/ their babies.

Backlog pictures ... #3 Happy Birthday Ashley

A few weeks ago was my little sisters birthday. Mike had to work that night, so I invited her over for a birthday dinner and dessert just us and the kids. She requested a baked potato "bar" for her birthday dinner. (I love people that make it easy on me!!) I even ended up buying her cake, so I got off really easy!

Anne Marie and Naomi enjoyed their potatoes (and peanut butter sandwiches - because they didn't eat much potatoes) and certainly enjoyed their cake!! The sugar must have given them an extra boost because they ran around the living room playing ring-around-the-rosie for a least 20 minutes after dinner!!

Happy birthday Ashley -- now, stop having birthday's because you're making me feel REALLY REALLY old!!

Happy Birthday !!

The girls enjoying their cake

Backlog Pictures ... #2 - "D is for Deer"

During the school year I babysit for a friend of mine. Her little girl (Mattie) is Anne Marie's age and they are the sweetest friends. On Tuesdays and Thursday's while Mattie is at pre-school I have pre-school of my own here for Anne Marie. We go over a letter each week, numbers, colors, shapes, holidays and bible stories. We try to do a craft each day that either has something to do with what we're learning, or a holiday that is coming up. A few weeks ago we were talking about the letter "D". I found this cute idea online....cupcakes decorated to look like deer. So, when Mattie came we all made our special cupcakes -- they had too much fun!!

The fun part is licking the beaters!!

Helping stir the cupcake mix

I let the girls decorate (w/ a little instruction)

These are our cute deer cupcakes

Y-U-M-O!!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Be warned, this is a long post!! We've had quite a full weekend! I thought I'd just let you all know if you were wondering that cooking the whole Thanksgiving meal went very well. (with a little help from the stove-top-box - ha). I made most of it from scratch, but thought that it would make it easier to use a few "helpers". Anne Marie and I started cooking on Wednesday while daddy was working. She had so much fun. Helping me cook is one of her favorite things to do.

Then, Thanksgiving day we spent with Mike's parents. They came to our house (bearing gifts for Anne Marie of course - a cute little gift to eat her dinner on!!) Mike's mom did bring the rolls and very special desserts for Anne Marie since Mike had requested that I make my white-chocolate pecan pie, she thought that Anne Marie might like her dessert a little better (and oh did she!)

Then Thanksgiving night after everyone left, we got Anne Maire's Christmas tree out. We have a "fancy" tree that I put in the living room upstairs, but year before last Mike went out after Christmas and bought her a pre-lit-colored-light tree and "kiddy" ornaments so that she would have a fun Christmas tree. Over the last 2 years we've been collecting ornaments for her tree. We got a few the December before she came home, and then we got a few cute ornaments while in China, we ordered some from our favorite China-web-site during the Olympics, and even Hallmark had a few really cute ornaments last year. She had a BLAST putting up her tree!!

Then on Friday, we drove to my dad's family's house to have Thanksgiving dinner with them, and visit for a couple of days. I have so many great memories of their house. It's one of my favorite places! They have a beautiful home out in the country with tons of space to run & play. They have horses, ducks, dogs, cats, and my cousin (who just lives down the road) even has pigs. I think Anne Marie loves it just as much as I do there! We even got to ride the new pony they just got (not me -- but Mike and Anne Marie did!!). My cousins children just love Anne Marie. I almost get a "break" while I'm there because her daughter, Tessa, takes care of Anne Marie like she's a little mommy -- and they both seem to enjoy themselves.

What a wonderful weekend we had!! I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was as special as ours was! -- Now... Bring On Christmas!!!!

This is part of the centerpiece of our table -- it's a card we made for Grandma & Grandpa - it's a Turkey made from Anne Marie's thumb & finger prints.

This is Wednesday - Anne Marie helping me prepare for dinner

Anne Marie using her special new plate, cup, fork/spoon set that the Grandparents got her (it has a cute little boy & girl turkey all over it!)

These are the "turkey cupcakes" Mike's mom made for Anne Marie's dessert -- aren't they cute?? She also made a yummy chocolate/cream cake & cookies too!!


Anne Marie & Grandpa taking a "rest" after a very filling meal!


Putting the star on the Christmas tree.




One of her favorite ornaments is her hello kitty. We bought that for her right after we got her referral where she was sitting in the hello kitty blow-up chair. We thought it was so funny!



Hallmark made these "around the world" ornaments last year.. how sweet is this?


This is one of the ornaments we bought while in China. Anne Marie loved this one. She thought that was her on the fish. (I do put her hair in pony-tails like that sometimes)

These are the Olympic ornaments we ordered.

Another China-purchase ornament & Hallmark ornament



Now, between Anne Marie, and our two cats (this is Elizabeth) let's see how long the ornaments last on the tree this year!!

At my cousins house - Anne Marie just loved to watch the pigs..

Anne Marie and Daddy getting ready to ride the pony Dixie.

I thought we were never going to get her off the pony. She rode her twice, and laughed the whole time, however she did NOT want to get near the "big horsey". She would squeeze her eyes shut tight when she would ride the little pony near the big horses so she didn't have to "know they were there". It cracked us up!!

These are my cousins three children. They are all so sweet. They love being w/ all the animals, and Tessa was so sweet with Anne Marie and helping her with the pony. (Can you tell I was having fun w/ my new camera - trying to take "special" pictures?? - haa)


Uncle Gary reading to Tessa & Anne Marie - Anne Marie just loves uncle Gary!!