My Favorite Christmas Things #2

Here's the second of my favorite things.....now these things are not in any order of how they rank as a favorite, but I do love the idea of Christmas stockings.  These particular stockings are from Pottery Barn.  I think they wanted $35 a piece for them and then the cost of the monogramming, but I waited until after Christmas last year to purchase them.  That way I got them for half price and the monogramming was discounted too.  I recall wanting to purchase two more for Andy and myself, but they were sold out of the other colors.  I did see that there are ones very similar in this year's holiday catalog, so I just might need to get those. :)  Now I just wish I had a real fireplace to hang them on!   

A Few of My Favorite Christmas Things #1

For the twelve days of Christmas, I thought I'd add an item a day that I enjoy for Christmas. Please note these are all things, not people or events.  So, if my house would ever burn down or get hit by a tornado, these items would be the first things I'd sadly miss, but could live without. Now that I've taken pictures of them...I have them forever!  

Okay...the first Christmas thing I enjoy is my Mexico nativity that I purchased when I was seventeen years old before my senior year of high school.  I thought it was the ugliest nativity that I've ever saw at the time, but loved the authentic Mexico feel about it.  I never would have thought that I'd get it out year after year and enjoy it as much as I have.  

The bottom picture is of me from that trip in Taxco, Mexico, which is known for their beautiful silver jewelry.  The picture isn't very clear, but you can see, I have all that "big hair" that screams 80's.  That was a terrific opportunity for me to spend ten days in Mexico with a group of students from my high school.  It's one experience that I hope my own children can do someday too! 

#3 Salem Baptist Church

Okay....I am reaching a little on this one, but I can honestly say that I've never been to a Baptist Church service before, so I am using this as my third 40 new things by age 40.  Anyway, Tyler's confirmation class, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, takes a trip to Omaha ever year to experience a church service that is very different from our own.  It was a two hour service, but it was very passionate and moving.  Wow!  They can really rock the house with their beautiful and powerful voices!  The first hour was just singing alone...that's it... just singing!  I was also amazed how they do the "greet your neighbor" part of church.  In our congregation, we just shake hands with people sitting around you, but this church gets up and walks all over to greet everyone.  Of course, it did take about fifteen minutes to do so, but what a warm and friendly environment.  I was very impressed and thought that it was such a worthwhile experience.  I am so glad that Tyler, Andy and I got to go!

Tree Hunting

I am an artificial tree person and I will always be!  I like the fact that fake trees are easily accessible, cheaper in the long run, are perfect in shape (if not, just bend into shape), and they can come already pre-lit.  I can probably think of at least a half dozen more reasons why I think artificial trees are best, but I won't bore you.

However, hunting for a real tree does have a certain level of fun to it.  This is the second time (ever in my life) that I've gotten a real tree.  I never grew up with a real trees, so that's why I never thought much about it.  Four years ago, we cut down our first real tree.  We drove to Pineland Tree Farm (1486 W. Alvo Road) in search of the perfect tree.  I did find a good one, but before it was cut down I started to have feelings of guilt over killing a very nice tree.  I waivered for about a half hour, or whenever Andy was about to lose his temper with me and then I agreed to chopping it down.  This year I didn't have that same remorse like the first time....I guess I am just over it.   

I do have a few rules over hunting for a real tree.   The first one is that the whole family has to participate.  The second rule is it has to be from a tree farm where we do ALL the work.  None of the staff cutting the tree down or hauling it to your car for you.  That just wouldn't do.  That would take all the fun out of it.  So, we could never go to one of those stores with a cut tree out front and take it home.  Besides, those trees are all dried out anyway!  The third rule is that Mom has to take lots of pictures of the event and get every step of the process on film.  Here are those pictures below.....

Here we are looking through a field for the perfect tree.  Walking around (with a sharp saw too) for twenty minutes and commenting on every tree is part of that important process.  
We finally agreed on this Scotch pine tree that was $40.  It seems like a lot of money when I could have gotten an artificial one for half price after the holidays and it lasts forever.  But, I remind myself it's the adventure that I am paying for....priceless!  Right?!  
This is so funny to watch.  Everyone except the camera lady (me) took a try at cutting the tree down.  No fingers were lost in the process....thank goodness!  
I love this picture of the kids dragging the tree back to the trailer (which was an old caboose) to pay for it.  Pineland is really a neat place to go.  Love the feel of the place with an antique register, wood burning stove and all.  They don't take credit cards...just cash or checks!  Where do you find this anymore?
Finally, the tree is attached to the van.  I like the look of vehicles traveling around town with trees on the top.  Very festive!  

Star City Parade

The Broeker family hasn't been to a Star City Parade in years.  I think the last time we went was six years ago and we went with the Jensen family.  I do recall it being very cold and getting donuts, but that's about it.  This year Andy said, "let's go".  I was hesitant since I'm not one to sit in the cold.  However, it wasn't too bad!  I am glad we did go because Grant just loved it.  He especially liked the giant Elmo and Cookie Monster balloons.  I realized that maybe I should make it my goal to get into the parade next year for my 40 x 40.  Hmmm.....what could I do?  I know that marching in a band is out and probably dancing in a mini skirt!  LOL

Here are a few more pictures from the parade.  I love the one of Madison wearing a hot chocolate mustache!  I also am including the pictures of how they got Elmo under the overpass. We were impressed!  

Campbell kindergarten team starts a trend!

Oh, we are such trend setters!  I (jokingly) brought a catalog to school about these new slipper shoes (indoor/outdoor shoes) called Oobee's stating that we really should each get a pair.  Raette was so funny...she said, "I guess I'll take the black ones."  So, we did it!  We all ordered a pair from www.oobees.com and had a discount code to get them at half price.  The total with shipping was only $16.48 each, so it was good cheap fun!  Also, they are quite comfortable too!  (pictured left to right:  Kerry Boehler, Amy Broeker, Kristi Green, Cindy Lloyd and Raette Bahe.  not pictured:  Krista Wells and Sherri Macfee.)

The Family of Flakes...Broeker style!

Every year I always say, "Oh, I wish I would have made a nativity scene for our yard out of plywood.  That would look so neat!"  This year, I said it again and then came across a snow people family and realized I could quickly (so I thought) make a yard decoration that represented our "flaky family".  It's not the nativity, since I would have needed months of preparation for, but the Broeker Bunch as snow people.  I came across the image in an old Stampin' Up! catalog and tweaked it to be us.  I added a Colt's hat to Tyler's head and a soccer ball by Madison.  I also put a Husker "N" on the heart since that's Andy's love.  Grant and Amy didn't change much, but I did pick me with a vest on since that's my maiden name.  This project took me two and a half days over my Thanksgiving break, but it was a lot of fun.  It's not the most professional looking, but once I get a spotlight on it, I think it will do.  All we need now is some nice weather to hang up the rest of our lights and outdoor decorations!