Happy New Year!!!

As I reflect back on 2008, I have to say that 2008 was a GREAT year for me!!  I've had lots of successes and it helps when you have a job that you LOVE!  I was sitting at my desk today working on a layout, thinking, I'm actually getting paid to do this!!!  Anyway, I would like to wish each and everyone a wonderful 2009.  I pray that you will be blessed with good health, family and friends.

Toodles,

Chelley

Reunited!!!

It's New Year Eve and we have three teenage girls in our computer room!!!  Lauren and Taylor have been hanging out today and they got a call from Kirsten who moved away last year.  So, after a couple of phone calls, the girls are spending the night together.  There is lots of laughter coming out of the room!!!

Toodles,

Chelley

A new look for the new year!

After some prodding, Megan decided to get her hair cut.  Today she went to see Mrs. Debbie and got the cute stack cut.  It looks so cute on her!!!  She really loves it, too!!

Toodles,

Chelley

A Christmas recap

We had a great Christmas.  I was off on Wednesday, so Meg and I went to the movies.  We had to make a quick trip to Wally-world for a couple of things---big mistake!!!  Too many last minute shoppers there!  Anyway, we got home and went to the Christmas Eve service at church.  The kids opened their gifts from each other and their Christmas PJs.  We got to sleep in til 7 am.  matt and Lauren wanted to sleep in til 9!!  Anyways, they got up to see what Santa brought them and open their gifts.  Everyone was happy with their gifts!

We then headed over to Mom's where we celebrated with my sisters' and their families.  We made it home (with an extra child).  My niece Alyssa came to stay a couple of days with us.  

Friday, Mike and I went to IKEA and bought a shelving unit so I could organize the craft room.  When we moved the girls around, we just left everything in the room, in boxes and a MESS!!!  We just shut the door and ignored it.  It is great now!!  Everything is organized and the tv is set up with satellite and the playstation.  The girls have a place for their friends to come over and hang out and we will be putting a futon in there, so Matt will have a place to sleep when he comes home.

So, I spent Friday, Saturday & part of Sunday cleaning out the room and closets.  I was pooped!!!  I felt like going back to work was a rest!!

Here is a couple of pictures from the new room.

The new shelving unit.

Looking in

Toodles,

Chelley

Uh oh!!!

Some must not have been very good this year!!!  Megan got a chunk of coal in her stocking!!!  She was a good sport about it, and it was fun for all!!  We had a very good Christmas.....more to come later, got to get ready for moms.

Toodles,

Chelley

Merry Christmas!!

I would like to wish each and everyone of you a VERY Merry Christmas!!!  

Christmas Blessings to all!!

Toodles,

Chelley

My list is complete!!!! Almost

House decorated (inside and out) - check

made Christmas treats - semi check (no sweets, just check mix!!)

presents bought - check

presents wrapped - check

Christmas cards made - check

Christmas letter written and printed - check

Christmas cards addressed, filled and mailed - almost--just need to take them to the post office!

Ingredients bought for Christmas day meal - check!!

So, all there is left to do sit back and enjoy the wonderful season!!!

We're going to an Avalon concert at church tomorrow night!  I can't wait to hear them, they are one of my favorite bands!!!  We will go to our Christmas eve service at 5 pm then out to dinner.   The back to the house for a couple of presents.  We then usually watch The Christmas Story.  I LOVE that movie....."You'll shoot your eye out!"  "Deck the Halls with baughs of howwy, fa-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra"  I can never light to that song without laughing.

I know there are only 5 days til Christmas....enjoy each and every one of them!!!

Toodles,

Chelley

Here are the Children's Choir videos.

Children's choir, song #1 from Chelley Johnson on Vimeo.



Children's choir song #2 from Chelley Johnson on Vimeo.

Toodles,

Chelley

The promised videos

This is the first song the bell choir played.  It is Fantasy on a French Carol.

Fantasy on a French Carol from Chelley Johnson on Vimeo

The send song....Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the Snowman from Chelley Johnson on Vimeo.

The third song was a combined effort with the bells and the choir.  Carol of the Bells and Come on ring those bells melody.

Carol of the Bells/Ring those Bells Medley from Chelley Johnson on Vimeo.

Toodles,

Chelley

Whew!!! Deep Breath!!!

It has been a busy weekend!!!  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday Megan and I were at the church for rehearsals or performances of the Christmas program.  Saturday was also Lauren's banquet.  It's hard to believe that will be our last sports banquet with her!!  Back to the Christmas programs.  They were GREAT!!  Our church does a great job putting on productions.  I do have video of the bells and children's choir----those will be coming later.

On Sunday I went to Cheryl's to take family Christmas pictures.  Catarina did a great job and Carston is getting so big sitting up like a big  boy.  Here are some of the pictures from the shoot.

 

Today, we woke up to some frozen weather.  It was enough to give me late arrival but the girls had school.  Lauren was home anyway sick with a sore throat and no voice (yahoo!!!)  We're in the house snuggled and warm with the animals snug in the garage--thank goodness they get along.

Toodles,

Chelley

What a nice surprise!!!

When I left for work this morning it was a balmy 67 outside.  Imagine my surprise when I left work and it was 35!!!  With the wind, it had to be in the teens or 20's!  We went out for dinner and then Lauren and I went shopping for a banquet dress.  When we walked out of the store it was sleeting/snowing!!!  There is actually white stuff on the grass.  We brought the babies in except for Jo-Jo, she ran off and won't come to us.  So, hopefully, she will be ok in the cold tonight!  The girls are all set for a snow day tomorrow!  I don't think that will happen, but one can wish!!

Toodles,

Chelley

Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!!

If you look at the time of this post, you will see it is late on a Saturday night.  I have just finished my last piece of work for my 2-D final!  It took me 5 tries to get it close to what I wanted.  I will turn everything in on Monday and take my last final then!!!  I took my final in Art History this morning....got the results and I got an A as my final grade!!!!!!  I have one more assignment in Computer Literacy and I will be done!!!  

I have finished just in time for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season!!!  I have a bell rehearsal on Wednesday, then dress rehearsal and three night performance in the church's Christmas program. NO, I'm not singing----I'm playing bells in three songs and Megan will be singing with the children's choir.  After we perform on Saturday, we will be leaving and scooting it to the high school for the volleyball banquet.  And, eventually, I will have to do some Christmas shopping!!!  Oh and I forgot about the Christmas cards!!!  The picture has been taken, and I've started a letter and designing the card, I just need to get them printed.  Oi vey!!!

Ok, the nyquil I took is starting to kick in, hopefully, I will get a good night sleep and my nose won't clog up or start running!!!  Have a good week!!!

Toodles,

Chelley