Christmas Questions

Ok, I know it's a little early, but I love these things! Below is a survey about Christmas. Teale and Sam, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to complete the following survey. Anyone else that's interested can answer, too! I can't wait to see your answers! Mine are posted below:

Christmas ---The holidays are near so I want to know...
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate - but I'd rather have hot tea.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
He places the gifts in specific pieces of furnature for each child, and we always knew which was ours! It was fun to keep going back - Santa was always really crafty about how he set the presents up, you always found something else you just loved when you went back to look.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
All white, and NO BLINKING!!!
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
I do when my honey shoots it down for me!
5. When do you put your decorations up?
The first weekend in December, usually, 'cause that's when we get our trees.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Dressing!!!
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child:
I have lots, but my absolute favorites are all of us (Jody, Matthew and me) sleeping in the same room on Christmas Eve, and the year Matthew got "Casey Jr." and woke mom and dad up playing with it at 5:00 am!
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Lauren Tatum told me in 4th grade. I still don't know if I've completely forgiven her yet!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes, we open our Christmas PJ's so that we'll have cute pictures in the morning.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
White lights, a mixture of sentimental and cutesy ornaments with large snowflakes added in to give it some unity.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I LOVE snow, any time!
12. Can you ice skate?
Well, I've been ice skating before, but I wouldn't say I'm proficient.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
My pearl earrings Michael's mom gave me the Christmas before we were married. I wore them at our wedding, and they're still one of my favorites 6 years later.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Remembering what Christmas is all about - the birth of our Lord!! Also, spending time with my family, wrapping presents, then watching people open them.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
I don't really have one. I do love my homemade cinnamon rolls that Martha taught me how to make.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Daddy reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve, making and decorating sugar cookies and going to get our Christmas trees as a family at the tree farm.
17. What tops your tree?
A beautiful angel in green velvet with white fur trim. She's the first Christmas decoration Michael and I bought for our own house. :)
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
I love to give presents, and to see the joy on someone's face when I get it right, but I love to rip into the paper, too!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
I really do love them all, but if I must choose, these are my choices:
Religous - O Holy Night
Traditional - ANYTHING Bing!
Fun - I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - it's pretty catchy!
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy?
Love 'em. They make pretty cute ornaments, as well as being tasty!
21. What do you want for Christmas?
Rest, time with a healthy family and anything shiny or involving purses or shoes. I'd also like to take cake decorating classes... hint, hint Michael!

Sam the Magician!

This weekend one of the rarest and best things EVER occurred - we got an EXTRA hour of sleep! I was all bright-eyed and bushytailed on Sunday Morning (after oversleeping even with the extra hour of sleep) and rarin' to go! Since we were all feeling so wonderfully rested, my entire family decided to go to Cracker Barrel for lunch. So, Michael and I met Jody, Ryan and thier boys at Mom and Dad's and we all went to Cracker Barrel. This is where Sam discovered his "magical talents". By this, I mean that Dad tricked him into thinking that he could make the gas lamps on the table move by rotating his hand in the general direction of the lamp. Of course, Sam can't do magic - dad was moving the lamp from the base under the table, but Sam didn't know that! Folks, this was QUALITY entertainment! My personal favorite was his "behind the head" move. This is 100% up my Dad's alley. He does this kind of stuff all of the time. I remember wishing for color in "The Wizard of Oz" until I was probably 10 years old. I'm a sucker when it comes to my Daddy! So, anyway, even though it took a REALLY long time to be seated and get our food, a good time was had by all. Michael and I even got some Christmas shopping done!

Below is a picture of "Sam the Magnificent"!