Hart's Happenings

I am Back!!!

Merry Christmas to all and Happy 2008. The moto Here is 08' is great!

This holiday by far was the busiest!

Here is a list of the festivities:
-Hunter participated in the school Holiday concert
-I hosted the first annual Cookie swap
-We had the first annual Gingerbread contest, we took second with our hunting camp. (picture Below)
-Santa Clause came to visit the Kids and my niece and nephew at Linda and David's house.
-I hosted Christmas day Dinner
-We participated in the Christmas parade in downtown New Port Richey
and of course all of the cookie baking, shopping, wrapping and WORKING. But I survived, without any scraps, bruises and tears!

I have had the past week off, and have enjoyed every minute of it. I took down all the Christmas items, reorganized closets, and have a clean house.

Monday is back to normal, I start a college course on Monday to renew my CDA. It is my certificate that allows me to be a preschool teacher/operator. It should be fun, I am taking it with three of the ladies I work with.

The next couple of months will be very busy, Birthdays galore. My niece and nephew turn one soon. They where so much fun at Christmas time, and are starting to take steps.

Hunter is doing very well in school and is ready to go back, he is bored being at home. His Christmas break was fun, but I think he misses his friends. He goes back on Tues.

Hadley is enjoying all of her girly stuff from Santa. She got a Barbie guitar, Barbie radio and a mess of new barbie's. She is our little princess. She is also loves to listen to her radio with Hannah Montana blaring, while playing her guitar. It is a sight to see.

Brian has been very busy, he is taking on a new adventure. Him and two of his friends are staring a wrap shop. They will be putting on those pretty graphics on the sides of boats, trucks, etc.... The grand opening is scheduled to be sometime in March. Also, tarpon season is not to far away!

Well I plan to post often on my blog, part of my New Year resolution. So make sure you check back often.

Girls- I have the Circle Journal and will be shipping it out on Tuesday. Did you hear that Tracy is expecting. Congrats Mommy!

Here are some of the christmas pictures:
Thanksgiving Family Pics

Christmas Parade

Cookie Swap
and
Gingerbread
Houses

Hunter's Concert, can you see him?

Santa's visit, and Work party

More pictures to come of  Christmas Eve and Day.

Lots Done!

Getting Lots Done, So Amazing!

I am almost done Christmas shopping, only have four people left
Christmas Cards are stamped and licked, ready for Mr. Postman in the morning.
Bought stuff for Cookies and gingerbread train.

Does not sound like much, but it really was!

I wanted to take a moment and share the kids Christmas picture with you, enjoy!

Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Okay so I have not been the best blogger in the world, Please forgive me. My job is taking a lot of my spare time up already. Late nights are becoming more prominent these days.
So..... Everyone in the blog world has already posted there thanksgiving pictures and are moving on to Christmas. Well I can do both at the same time right?

Thanksgiving:
It was a wonderful family day. Lots of relaxing and good food, of course. Hunter spent the dad at pop and grandmas helping prepare for the festivities. Brian, David and Hunter went fishing in the morning and then we had dinner around 5;30. Linda (Brian's Mom) hurt her back and the trio stepped in and Sandy( a long time friend of the Family). We helped set the table and prepare some of the dinner. All of us always bring a side dish, mine for the past 5 years has been mashed potatoes. I use a secret ingredient that everyone seems to like. They said they where especial good this year. Maybe that is because Brian helped make them. All and All it was another successful Thanksgiving. Next year we will have two more little ones, I cant Wait!
Some Pictures to share:

Now for Christmas, I have everything Decorated and done, but no pictures of the final product yet so here are the pictures so far:

My Blog Friend Jolene has been writing Random thoughts and I like that Idea so I think I will try it:
*Can't Decide want I want for Christmas, considering the Cricket
*I hate Contractors
* Have not even Started Christmas shopping or our Christmas cards
*I am starting Misty's Baby Shower invitations though, have the template almost complete. I have found lots of great things to sue at the shower.
*It is still way to hot here does not put my in the Christmas spirit
*Considering putting our house up for sale
*I am missing a girls weekend in NC on the 9th and 10th because of Work :(
* Only have one more week of school

Well, will post pictures tonight of the completed tree and decorations. Also want to share a thanksgiving album I made. Wasn't Grey's Anatomy great! I watched it on this site this morning.

Trying to be #83 on the site

Found a new blog linked from Jolene, Amy and I have alto in common. She likes to organize!

Amanda
 

Craziness

Well, my husband has arrived home safe and sound, and well.... the craziness has begun. Why is it that it is so quiet here when he is gone, and when he is here it is so crazy? Oh, well that's our life.

I am going to post the pictures of his deer, I hope that I do not offend anyone, Rick this is for you. By the way great 9 point.

So, anyone have any new venison recipes?

Next thing.......... We finally got the Ranger Team photos in the mail yesterday and they are great. Here are some samples. I will be posting them on Brian's website tomorrow. Also with the news of our new website with Kenny.

Great pictures, huh?

know for the star soccer player. He did great yesterday, he came so close to scoring a goal. I was screaming so loud that Brian swears he is not going to another soccer game unless I promise not to get that excited again. I couldn't help it, Hunter makes his mommy so proud! Although, he still has a lot of room for improvement. Here are the pictures that I snapped while the professional was not looking.

Too Cute!

Well, I think that I have shared all of the Hart's Happenings, If you have not noticed I did not say that the school was done. That contractor is really starting to make me angry!

Hunter spent the night at pop's and grandma Hart's last night, Brian is working this morning and Hadley and I are just hanging out.  The paper is read and my coffee cup is full, what a great Sunday morning.  Have a great Sunday all!

Cinnamon Ripple Sweet Potato Cake
Makes 1 Bundt Cake

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato (about 1 medium)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups of all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon grond cinammon
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Rum Glaze
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon rum extract

In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredinets until smooth.

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 12 cup bundt pan.
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, pecans, and 1 teaspoon ground cinammon; set aside
In alarge bowl, combine butter and sugar. Beat at medium speed with an eletric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addtion. Stir in sour cream, sweet potato and vanilla.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinammon, salt and nutmeg.  Gradually add to butter mixture , stirring well.

Pour half of sweet potato batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar mixture. Spoon remaning batter evenly over streusel. Bake 1 hour, or until a tester inserted in center comes out clean. Spoon Rum glaze over cooled cake.

What is Happening?

The house smells of coffee..........
The t.v.  is  blaring Garfield.........
Hunter , Hadley and I are in our pajamas...............
I am in my favorite spot (at the computer reading blogs)..........

But, this Tuesday morning something is not happening, My husband is missing from our routine. Brian has been gone since last wed. We are all missing him very much! It does not seem the same here without him. My children are missing their daddy dearly. Hadley keeps asking me  "Where daddy go?" so sad. Hunter is really out of sorts, he is missing his confidant and best friend. Brian would be happy to know how much he is being missed. His arrival is scheduled for wed. evening, in the wee hours of the night. He has enjoyed his hunting trip, he got " the biggest Buck he has ever seen"  on Sunday night. He called me with such excitement in his voice. So the trip has been a success, although he is missing the conveinents of home.

So, I have needless to say been very busy, I am definitely not cut out to be a single mom. I do not know how Tracy and Charity do it. Their husbands are gone for months at a time, and go to a much dangerous places than a hunting camp. I give them both kudos, but I imagine I would adjust as they do.

Why, can anyone tell me do contractors work as a snails pace? They have no sense of urgency. The contractors for my work are just about done, lots of little things that need to be done. They are carpeting and tiling the last two units tomorrow and the school should be complete on Fri. I have to admit I am becoming a little nervous. It has been almost six years since I have had a "REAL" job. I definitely need to get back into that mode. I worried about how the kids will adjust and how Brian will be without  me by his side 24 hours a day. Again, they will adjust,right?
So, Monday morning we will be setting up the school and hopefully the doors will open to the new families on Dec. 1st. Very exciting.

This weekend holds some exciting plans. Brian is going to be Hunter's soccer coach on Sat., and Hunter gets his picture taken in his uniform on sat also. I will let you all know how it goes. I have to go over the children's names with Brian, instead of him using "hey you"!

I am not going to the school today, staying home to attempt to get lots done. I need to finish up a term paper, write bills, cook a nice dinner and of course this goes without saying- laundry.

I am still in denial that Thanksgiving is next Thursday, that just means that I am even more behind on Christmas. I need to start on the Christmas cards, maybe this evening.

Grandma- when Brian gets home I will ask him some suggestions.

Have a great Tuesday, Amanda

Okay Already!

Okay, so I thought that I would be posting at least three times a week, well that got blown out of the water!! I have been super busy! ( I feel like I say that on every post)
Let's start from the beginning:
Saturday Morning: First Soccer Game for Hunter. Not so good, he was a tad overwhelmed, got kicked in the ankle and was not quite sure where the ball should go. He scored one goal but, for the opponent!
Here are so highlights:

He did much better this yesterday, however he did not score any goals. The only accident was that he got kicked in the groin. Was not a good thing! But, overall much better. :)
Last Saturday's Crop at Ruban Rouge:
What a fantastic day, I got there around 12:00 due to Hunter's game and my beautiful goodie box was waiting for me. It had a gorgeous red ribbon tied on it  and was stocked full of goodies. We paid 75.00 to attend this crop and got at least 200.00 dollars worth of items. They gave us samples of what we could make out of the items, but mostly was subject to our own creativity. The best part of the night was the hot chocolate wish peppermint schnapps! Yum!
Here are some of the projects, some I finished this Fri. night at the crop as well.

Now For Halloween:

We went on a hay ride for Halloween, this is the second year. Tracy ( We have been friends since 6th grade) came in to visit her mom from Texas. Her family went with us as well as another friend form High school, Melanie. The kids had a blast and got so much candy, it was unbelievable! Well, I think I am caught up on the hart happenings.
I have  yet to officially start working, due to contractor delays, but hopefully will start on wed.

More

Here are some of the things I have been working on:

Above: The American Girl dolls and there matching stroller. My nice clean scrapbook space and the clean closet. Look what Meme brought me back, it is signed by Paula herself, Meme also got to see Paula in action at Bubba's restaurant- she was taping a show! Cool Huh.

Oh, Guess what Meme and Scott are going to find out what they are having on Fri- I can hardly wait. Then I will be able to start working on the baby shower. I will know whether or not to buy blue or pink!! ( I hope pink)

I have been really BAD!

Hi All, I am sorry it has taken me so long to post. It has been a long weekend. Where do I begin?
Well, we got mom and Kevin moved into their house. I think mom assigned me the worst job-laying shelf paper in the kitchen. What a pain!! But, at least the kitchen was almost done when I left. Their house is beautiful, I am so happy for them. I think I have turned my mother into a target shopper, finally!! She went and got lots of great things this weekend for her house. Although, I have yet to make it back up there since Saturday.
Saturday Morning was so much fun- I am officially a soccer mom. Meme watched Hadley in the morning for us so that we could make Hunters meet and greet just about him. Brian and I enjoyed seeing him have so much fun. He is really excited about his first game this coming Saturday. Here are some pictures of our soccer star:
He did really great and listened so well to his coach. His team consists of 6 children 4 boys and 2 girls. They where all so funny. Brian and Hunter have been practicing this week. I will make sure to post pictures next week with Hunter in his uniform. He is number 3 like Dale Earnhardt and his team colors are black and red, funny huh?

Well, the other Hart happening was Miss. Hadley's 2nd birthday. She is such a princess. The theme was Hello Kitty, thank god we did not get a really kitty! She had a great time. I made lasagna and salad for 38 people! She got alot of new clothes and a ton of new babies. She is so much into babies, such a girl! Grandma Hart got her the American girl Twins, they are adorable! She also got Hadley a dress that matches the little girls dress, so much fun! Here are some highlights from the big day:

It was a great day had by all!
But- I am always glad when it is over!!
So I a have been getting all of my ducks in a row, I was supposed to start work tomorrow but, the contractor is taking his sweet time hopefully by Monday he will have the drywall and painting done. So we can get in there. I have been cleaning and organizing like crazy. I spent all evening backing up all of the photos we have on the computer to disks. Working on scrapbook pages that where half done, organizing closets and weeding thru clothes that don't fit the kids any longer, organizing the pantries, etc...
This weekend is going to be as crazy as the past weekend. We have Hunter's game on sat morning and then I get to go scrapbooking from 12:00 till 10:00. I cant wait. I was supposed to be there at 10:00 but due to hunters game I will be a little late. MeMe is going to save me a seat. I cant wait, it is a holiday workshop. We paid 75.00 to get in and we are going to receive over 185.00 in supplies. They are also going to feed us, Lisa (the store owner) always puts out a great spread. We are also going to have hot chocolate and are going to be listening to Christmas carols. Know this is going to be the best way to get in the Christmas spirit!
Brian and I have a captain's meeting to go to tonight at Catches restaurant. Grandam Hart is going to watch the kids for us. I think maybe I will have a glass of wine. I love to go to captain's meetings, it is always a good time to catch up with the captains and their families in a relaxed atmosphere. Wow, this post is pretty lengthy, hope you enjoyed reading all of the hart Happening, until next time. Amanda

Heidi Swapp

I am currently listing to Heidi Swapp talk about her upcoming class, A Year to Remember. I love this woman, if all of us could have half of her inspiration. Exspecially with five children.
I have great news, Mom and Kevin are moving out on Fri. We will be helping them on Fri night and Sat., and Sun. Morning before Hadley's Birthday. We have a very full weekend.  Although, I am so happy for Mom and Kevin. I will take lots of pictures to share. I hope evryone has a great weekend.  Talk to you on Monday. Amanda

This is the kids halloween picture from last year, I wanted to post this so you can see how much they have grown in one year when I post this years picture next week.