Merry Christmas

Did you all have a good time with the clue "buy something using the letters in Merry Christmas". This was fun for us! My kids & I often play a game picking random words & seeing how many other words we can make using those letters. So, I got them in on this & asked them to help me. What did you come up with? These are few we came up with...

Shirt
Tie
Star
Tea(s)
Hat
Mat
Mist (like body mist)
Year (we thought calendar would be good for this)
Meat (beef jerky perhaps?)
Ream (of paper for printer or something)
Rice
Yams (couldn't use that one)
Heart

Of course, there are lots more words you could get out of Merry Christmas, but these were a few gift ideas we came up with. I used one of the ideas.... Can you guess which one????? If not, I'll guess you'll have to wait & see on Saturday!

TTYS!

Updates!!!

Hey, can whoever has Morgan's name please note the following updates:

On flip-flops, size 7-8 (womens) would probably be best
She LOVES jammies(fleece, flannel, etc)size 12 (girls)
She loves hoodies,hair accessories, lip gloss, face wash

If you like to play games, check this one out!!!! Fun for the whole family, & can be played at different difficulty levels. Offers various challenges! Good for kids of all ages!

Check out the website: www.janesgames.com

Chase's Birthday Pary!

We had so much fun yesterday!!! I wish everyone could have been here....
I'm having a fall party 10/17 - maybe ya'll can make it out then....
Here's a taste of what you missed!





Thanks Aunt Phyllis & Aunt Sherry for driving out to the house & hanging out with us!
Hope you had a fun, relaxing time....

REALLY?

Is it REALLY August?
Is my baby REALLY turning 1 in a few weeks?
Is summer REALLY almost over & school ready to begin again?
Are the days REALLY going by faster, or is it just me????

* sigh *

Update on Dad/Danny

Hey everyone.. I have never posted on this blog because I never knew how until I stumbled onto an email with the login info that I have had since I dunno March maybe.. duh!

Anywho heres what going on with Dad.. He had his back surgery Monday in Cape and he did very well. I hear he was very amusing after receiving his HAPPY medicine as he calls it.. Anywho, he got to come home Tuesday afternoon and he is recovering pretty good. However he is in sooo much pain! He is having a hard time getting comfortable and he is pretty needy! I was there with him today while mom was at work and kept him company.. He is really bored! Mainly because he is stuck in the kids room with a TV and thats about all.. He says all he does is sleep and he is tired of sleeping. SO, if anyone wants to call him but dont want to "bother" him, no worries he would enjoy talking to someone! Especially during the day when mom is working...

As far as myself and my family were all doing good! I quit Hastings a couple weeks ago so Im a one job workin woman now! Very happy needless to say! I am however now selling Avon to make up for the lost income. I have an online site at www.youravon.com/ahaynes6634 check it out! Nice little stocking stuffers in there.

Kids are doing good. Austin is excited about his birthday which is actually the 18th not the 16th but thats ok :) Were having a pool party at a friends house for him Saturday evening.. He is happy to be turning 4.. McKenzie is getting closer to 2 and BOY can I tell.. Little attitude!!! Ian has been on vacation this week so I took off as well.. We havent done anything really but relaxing is always good. I think tomorrow were either taking the boat on the lake or going to see a movie.

My home PC is screwed up again so I cant check my email from there yet till I set it up on my laptop.. soooo if you need to get in touch with me email me at angiehaynes2003@hotmail.com I check it daily as well..

I never got Phyllis's letter, I dont know why maybe it got lost in the mail? I really want one though. I need as many recipies as I can get cause lord knows I cannot cook worth a darn! LOL

I really miss you all and hope to see you soon!!! Love you all

Ang~

Loving it!

Hi Kay, Angie, Joey & whoever else takes time to drop in & check on our blog!

I was so pumped yesterday! First of all, it's been over a week since I've checked the blog. So I was so excited to see the posting Kay's been doing. But it's so funny how timing works out.
Last week, I was going to make the "nacho casserole" recipe that Phyllis sent w/her newsletter.
But, something came up & we didn't do it. Friday-Monday we had plans eating with other people b/c of birthday parties & such. So, I decided I'll make it Tues (yesterday). When I got the mail, I had my newsletter from Aunt Sherry & the kids letter from Aunt Kay. So, while I prepared Aunt Phyllis' casserole recipe, the kids did their activity & I read the newsletter.
Cool huh? The casserole was fantastic! If you haven't tried it, you should!

I can't believe Sherry had an "accident" w/her lawn mower. Ouch!
I wish a quick recover to Danny - but it's going to be a round 1st week. Sorry! (Jeff & I have been there, done that. )

I bought a new toy last week that I can't wait to share with you all!!!! I tell you more later...

April

Soooo Proud!

I'm so proud of everyone for keeping up with the monthly newsletters!
You should all be receiving your letter from Sherry today.
So far we have heard from Teri, Phyllis, April, Angie, Sherry and myself.
Joey is next month.
Just a reminder..... Amy, Carrie and Chris will take care of Sept, Oct and Nov.
Looking so forward to our get -together.
This year will be better then past years due to "keeping in touch"
It's amazing how little we know about each other when we read each others letters about our families.
I don't know about everyone else but for me, I'm having fun!
Keep the letters coming!
Kay

Happy Birthday Cameron and Collin!!

To The Kids!

Just want to let you kids know I have not forgot the monthly trivia questions.
I am a month behind but the game for June is in the mail as of this morning.
Instead of trivia, it is something a little different.
It will be up to your parents to get this mailed back to me.
Let them know, if they don't mail it back to me, you will not get a star for the month of June.
No star....No prize.....No nothing.
No pressure parents!
I will try to get July in the mail before the month is up.
Here's how we stand so far:

Haley: 8 Points = 1 star and 3 points (need 2 more points)
Alex: 9 Points = 1 star and 4 points (need 1 more point)
Morgan: 9 Points = 1 star and 4 points (need 1 more point)
Blake: 2 Stars
Aidan: 9 Points = 1 star and 4 points (need 1 more point)
Cameron: 8 Points = 1 star and 3 points (need 2 more points)
Collin: 8 Points = 1 star and 3 points (need 2 more points)
Kayla: 9 Points = 1 star and 4 points (Need 1 more point)
Josh: 9 Points = 1 star and 4 points (need 1 more point)
Matthew: 2 Stars
Jacob: 9 Points = 1 star and 4 points (need 1 more point)
Corey: 2 Stars
Austin: 1 Star so far (need month of May)
McKenzie: 1 Star so far (need month of May)

Each star is worth a prize.
We started in April.
You can win up to 8 prizes by November.
Thats 8 prizes, plus your stocking, plus your Christmas gift from whoever has your name!
I will start adding a bonus question for those of you that need to catch up.
I want all of you to have 8 stars!
Now, start working on the month of June as soon as you receive it and send it back to me.
Look for July in a couple weeks!
Love, Aunt Kay

Happy July!

Can you believe we are already into the 7th month of the year????
Less than 6mos until Christmas! Yikes..... Still filling up my box....
So, I am also revving up to do some craft fairs this fall... I think I told you guys I make baby slings. Here is a picture of one I delivered yesterday

I also make them for little girls who play with dolls to carry their babies around. In fact, I have McKenzie's name to do a stocking for & I thought about making one for her. Angie - does she play with dolls & if so, what kind of pattern (fabric) would she like? I can get Dora, Spongebob, Disney characters, you name it, I'm sure I can find it....

If you guys have not checked it out, please look at my webiste http://www.perfectly-created.com/ There is a link on the sidebar of this blog (click on the girls w/slings) If you know anyone looking for a unique baby gift, I am the one to contact!!!! I am running a special in July on pacifier bronzing. The cost is $55 per pacifier. They are great keepsakes! They make a great Christmas ornament too. We can bronze ANYTHING!

I am loving the weather this week! So glad the humidity is not high like last week. Morgan & I went to the Muny last night to see Annie. It was great!

Happy Birthday Angie!

Hope you have a great day!
It's been a while since I've posted but I check it out almost daily.
Glad you all had a great vacation.
You will have to post some pictures.
Angie your letter was good and I'm glad you are having fun with your Christmas box.
We still have to come up with a place to have it.
Someone was telling me that we can rent a hotel party room but it's only 4 hours.
I don't know if that is enough time for all I have planned.
I have lots of games, we all will be opening 12 gifts each, all the kids have gifts, stockings, prizes.
I wanted everyone to bring a dish so we can all enjoy a meal together.
I just don't think 4 hours is long enough.
I need all of you to help me in finding a place so we can get it booked.
On Phyllis' 60th birthday, I rented a cabin in Carlyle Il.
There were about 10 of us who all went in on it so it was cheap.
It was like 30.00 ea. for 2 nights.
They are open all year round.
They have double wide mobile homes, singles, cabins and a couple of houses.
I will send you the info and let me know what you think it.
I'm sure one or two of us will probably have an opinion about putting out any money BUT for a group this size, we're going to have to pay wherever we go.
We'll come up with something!

Greg won a contest and gets to ride or drive, I'm not sure which.....at Gateway this weekend.
He gets 4 hour with one of the race car drivers.
Right up your alley Angie!

Saturday is Joey's birthday.
I have a couple different plans for her.

Alex is doing great.
All he does is eat and lucky if he weighs 50 pounds at 8 years old.

Danny and I are doing great.
Staying busy and staying in because the heat is on!

I've bored you enough so I will talk to you later!
Love, Aunt Kay

Still laughing @ Angie newsletter

Hey, hey all! Everyone is doing great here in the White House. We just got back from vacation Friday...what a blast that was!!! Great job on the newsletter Angie! Hope all is well w/everyone!

Amy

P.S.

Here's a picture of my family on the beach...

Where is everyone?

So, what is going on? Where is everyone? I think Danny, Chris & Joey follow this blog too!

So lets hear from you! How is work? Do you have any vacation plans? So far, it's just been me, Angie, & Kay to do the posting... Amy has been following too, but she's always on Facebook, which I don't like. I'll get her to post on here (or on her blog) real soon!

My kids are out of school. Their last day was Friday. We had a BBQ here on Monday, but we were stuck in the barn b/c of the rain. I worked on Tuesday & today we cleaned the house & cleaned out the camper. We leave next Thursday to camp in Gulf Shores, Al!

Vacation here we come! We'll be there for 10 days, & you can be sure I'll be posting pictures on my blog. (http://www.6ofusbakers.blogspot.com/) My parents, Jeff's parents, & Amy & Michael are going to. The picture shown above was taken in June 2007 when we went. Doesn't dad look like a Hawaiian tropic model? He oiled himself up like every 20 minutes! The only reason we didn't go last year is b/c I was 8 mos pregnant. I love Gulf Shores! Have a happy day! :)

So, who's doing the June newsletter???????

American Idol & quotes

So, I'm not an Idol watcher, well, except for the last 5 minutes of the results show, but I was really STUNNED that Danny went home. I really thought it would be him & Adam in the finale.
Weird.... So, I'm guessing Adam will win. Bummer....

Biggest Loser was awesome - Helen, Mike & Tara looked unbelievable! Can't wait for next season!

I was on facebook today & one of my friends had posted this saying:
"If you put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price."

Isn't that amazing! Self esteem, empowerment, success - they all start with how you view yourself. I think this statement is great. Remember that you were created just the way you are because God doesn't make mistakes. We are perfect, created in HIS image. So, that tells me I'm priceless!

Love you all!
April

Updates!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone! I am so pumped about the finale of biggest loser!
I love all the remaining people! Whoever wins deserves it! They all look great!

As for AI, I agree with Kay, I think Adam was in the "bottom" for show, to make the crowd on the edge of their seat. I hope Danny or the girl (don't know her name) wins. Adam (aka "the Screamer") is not my type musically speaking.

Okay, so I am so pumped! My website is officially up!!!! The only page still under construction is "shoe/pacifier bronzing". Everything else works. Check it out & let me know what you think!
On the slings, I do slings for little girls too so they can hold their dolls & stuff.... So cute! :)
www.perfectly-created.com

Love ya'll!
How is grandma?
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Happy Birthday Alex!

April

Happy Birthday April!

Sorry I'm a day late.
I have really been a busy woman lately.
We had a subdivision sale last weekend so I have been cleaning out my basement.
There is still a lot of stuff I didn't even get to.
It's hard to stay in and clean on your days off work.

Anyway.....Tell the kids I will be sending out another letter probably this week.
I will call them between May 15th, 16th and 17th.
I need last months answers from Cameron and Collin so they will have 10 questions to answer.

Angie, as far as American Idol.......Adam was only in the bottom 3 because Simon don't want him to think he's got it in the bag.
He's been 1st every week and he knows it.
I will admit last week, Danny was the best of all of them.
This week is Rock-N-Roll so I think Adam will take off with it.

April, On Biggest loser, isn't it amazing how they look now?
Tara and Helen don't even look like the same people.

Happy Spring!
Love

Happy May!

Hello everyone!
It's been a while since someone has been on here so I thought I'd write a few lines....
I updated the birthday list, & made a header (hope you like it!)
I needed a change to that old background....
I am so glad spring is here! I love having the windows open & hearing the insects outside at night. It reminds me of camping.
We must all be busy, because Angie was a blogging machine there for a while, now she's updating maybe once every week or two like me.
Only 15 more days of school & summer break starts! I can't wait b/c that means we are getting closer to vacation. GULF SHORES HERE WE COME!
Somebody post something soon! I need to hear from someone!

April

Good Friday - Good for a reason.....

John chapter 19 - Jesus is crucified as a sacrifice for ALL of our sins....

17Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
23When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
28Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Happy Easter my dear family! Please take a moment to reflect on why we celebrate Easter, & the significance it has for all of us. We are blessed to live in a free country, free to worship how we please, & have resources available to us that boggle my mind.
While we are all generally healthy, please remember to also keep in your prayers Grandma (who I just heard was having surgery when she was in the OR), & the other countless families who have ill loved ones, whether they are parents, grandparents, or children.

Love you all....
April

Hey Kids!

Hi Kids!
Instead of coloring your Easter eggs the same way you do year after year, try something different this year!
Tell mom and dad to let you all experiment a little.
Here's all you need.

1. Pink: Soak hard boiled eggs in cranberry or beet juice.
2. Blue: 2 heads of chopped red cabbage, 2 quarts of water, 6 tablespoons white vinegar.
Soak overnight and you will get a deep royal blue.
3. Green: Boil eggs with spinach
4. Lavendar: Soak hard boiled eggs in grape juice
5. Pastels: For soft pinks and blues, rub eggshells with blueberries and cranberries.
6. Rich Brown: Boil eggs in 1 quart of coffee
7. Beige: 4 cups of yellow onion skins. Boil 30 minutes to an hour (to adjust the shade of beige)
8. Sienna Tones: 4 cups of red onion skins. Boil 30 minutes to an hour. This color will be a rich
crimson the longer you soak.
Hope you all fun!
Love

Grandma

For those that don't know, grandma was taken to the hospital Sunday because her blood count was so low and she was vomiting up blood.
They admitted her and put her in ICU.
They gave her 4 units of blood and did a scope test to see where the blood was coming from that she had threw up.
They couldn't find nothing, no tumors, no ulcers so they said she probably busted a small blood vessel in her throat from coughing and vomiting.
Anyway, she is out of ICU and might get to come home today, 3/25
She's a fighter!
That's what this blog is all about.
INFORMATION
Love Kay

It's me again!

Hi Everybody!
How's it going?
I finally got Joey on board so she's working on her blog.
Did you all receive your letter from me?
Hopefully it will come in handy for you when buying for the kids.
Remember, the kids get a stocking and a nice gift.
I am looking forward to April's newsletter!
Hope you all saved your letter so you will know when it is your turn.
Since we started it in March, we didn't use everybody but don't worry.....you will be the first one's to start off the new year!

I just talked to granny who seems to be doing ok.
She said she might get to come home tomorrow.
They did the scope test on her today and found nothing.
She got 4 or 5 units of blood.
She was very very low.
Feeling better now!
Love, Kay

I'm online!

So, I finally got by blog up & running (thanks to April)
You can see our first blog by clicking HERE
Hope you are all having a great week!

Happy birthday MOM!

Love,
Amy

TGIF

Thank goodness it's Friday, am I right? Another work week finished & the beginning of a TOO SHORT weekend.
So, were you all happy with whoever got voted off AI Thursday night? I didn't watch, so I don't know how it turned out. I have been busy this week making baby food, cleaning up blow-out diapers, & trying to get a website done. (more news on that later!)
So, Angie has had a rough week - sorry girl! Hope you are feeling good enough to make your trip.
FYI everyone, after writing or reading a post, check out the comments section. (You may already know this, but since you are still new to blogging I just wanted to let you know)
For example, aunt Kay, Angie & I both responded to your post from yesterday.
I am working on helping Amy with a blog, we'll let you know when it's up & running so she can be in this mix too. Angie, you are right, we should be sporting cute do's!!!! Amy cut's & colors dad's hair all the time (oops! am I supposed to be telling everyone that dad colors his hair?)
She's cut mine, but we haven't done color yet. We'll do that soon & I'll post a picture!

Tell Granny hello & give her a BIG hug & kiss for us! Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend!
April

American Idol?

Anyone watch American Idol besides me and Joey?
My favorite this year is Adam (the rocker)
I predict he will be the next American Idol.
How about Dancing with the Stars?
I like that show too.
Love Biggest Loser too.
Reality shows are all you have to choose from anymore.
After awhile, you get hooked!

I just about have my list together.
Still waiting on Amy.....Amy where are you?

April and I talked about a trivia game this summer.
I'm thinking about somewhere close to where Mom can get out for the day.
If not, we can go to Greenville park (if it don't flood) and have a picnic, fun and games!
What do you all think?
Got to go.
I'm at work and I want to keep my job for a couple more years and then I'm retiring.
Love you all!
Kay

Yeah, the family likes the blog!

So, I see that several of you have figured out the blog & seem to like it.
Angie even has her own blog! I am now going to follow hers too so I can keep up with her everyday life. (for those new to blogger, when you see something in a post that has a different font color, click on it & it will take you somewhere else. For example, you'll notice that "Angie" is in a different color earlier in this post, click on her name & it will take you directly to her blog)

I am working on a way to give you all the family username & email so you can post directly on this site when you have family news. That way the pressure doesn't fall on Kay.
Angie & Danny, I don't have your email addresses. Can you email me with them so I can keep you in the loop? perfectly.created@yahoo.com

Thanks!
April

*Angie, don't forget to check out &/or follow my blog to! www.6ofusbakers.blogspot.com

Congratulations are in order!

Aunt Sherry has decided to retire!!!! Good for you girl.
Sherry's last day at work will be in May. You deserve a break after all your years of working so hard! Way to go!

Also, Aunt Kay is still in need of a likes/dislikes list for all the kids in the family.
She will distribute the lists to the people who have that childs name for the Christmas stocking.
So, if you have kiddo's, please put your list together & mail or email it to Kay.

She will mail them out with her next newsletter.
Have a great day!

Birthdays & more....

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well.
This family newsletter thing is going well. In the last week, I've talked to Greg & Kay via email & to Phyllis & Chris over the phone. I am compiling a list of birthdays. I still need a few more, so don't be suprised if you get a phone call from me!

April

Welcome to our 1st family blog!

This blog was developed as a way to keep all of us informed about what is going on in each other's lives. Aunt Kay was kind enough to put together our "Christmas" to-do list. I am really excited about building my box!

Then, we got our first "newsletter"! I must say, I had such a great time reading it & finding out what was going on with everyone.

Look for more news to come on our new blog!!!!

Love,
April