The 12th Day of the Christmas Blog Swap has come and Gone w/ Mixed Feelings

I just want to say my first experience with a blog swap was an Awesome time! 

Whoever did the matching for this gift exchange  - did a phenomenal job.  Being matched with Evelyn was perfect.  I feel like I have a new blog friend and love it!  We really seemed to understand each other.  Every gift Evelyn gave had meaning behind it and a cute rhyming note.

I started to open the last :( present slowly and noticed some thing inside for my boys.  I called them over and had them sit down.

They used teamwork to open this gift.

They were so excited and so was I.  Lot of Police race cars, go fish card game and a deck of cards.

What a great way to end the swap.  Gifts for the whole family.

I can't wait to find other swap that I can participate in!  This one is going to be hard to top.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Day 11
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Day 1

Day Eleven and I am in heaven....

Yes - the title says it all - Day 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas Exchange has arrived!!!

I am in HEAVEN.....

I love, love, love Chocolates!  What a gourmet treat!!!!!  I haven't had See's Candies in many, many years as they don't carry them where were live.

Evelyn you are the Best.  Merry Christmas to me.....

Day 10
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Day 10 has arrived - And I love it!

Day 10th has arrived in the 12 Days of Christmas Swap!

I had no ideas what might be in the package.

It was heavy and squishy....

Thank you Evelyn - We love Bear Creek soup mixes.  We haven't had this flavor yet this winter.  I love it!  Yes, supper will be on you.  Thank you for a great gift.

9th Gift of the Christmas Swap

What a crazy day so just a quick post to say the 9th Day has arrived and Thank You Evelyn for such a great gift on this day.

I received.....

The most wonderful and comfy pair of fuzzy, warm to die for socks - just what I need tonight!

Sunday - the 8th day of the Christmas Swap

Wow!  I was finally wrong on my guess for this gift.

I felt it and wondered if it was a candle by the shape and size.  Which was confusing because Evelyn and I had talked about the Asthma issues at my house, which means I can't burn scented candles :(  but I thought maybe she found a scent-less one that was perfect.
To my surprise and dismay I received an awesome gift.  A gift that is much appreciated and needed by my sore dry hands.

I love Aquaphor!!!!!  The winter months are always hard on my hands.  The cold and dry weather here in Nebraska are terrible.  It also doesn't help having little children, which leads to constant hand washing.  Me and my hands want to say thank you Evelyn, you are the best.

7th Day 6th Day
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Day 7 of the 12 days of Christmas swap has arrived.

Well it was time to open up the 7th gift - which that means we are on the downward slide from my first swap :( .

It was finally my turn to open a gift.  I took my time and lightly felt the package. My guess was a book.

I was right and this book looks awesome.  I can't wait to make a cup of hot cocoa and put my feet up and enjoy.  Thank you Evelyn .

6th Day
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The 6th day of the 12 Days of Christmas Swap arrived early at our house.

The 6th day of the 12 Days of Christmas Swap arrived early at our house today.  Keegan's eyes were barely open and he wanted his turn at opening up one of Evelyn 's awesome thoughtful gifts. 

If you can't tell he is NOT the best morning person around - Wow! This is the best photo I took prior to the opening :)

Once Keegan got busy unwrapping - he seemed to wake up a little more.



The smile is starting.

Check it out!!!

Thank you Evelyn for this perfect apron!  I actually do not have one - that is until now.  I always tell myself I need to spend the money and buy one - but never do (there is always somewhere else that money needs to go).  This is going to save me on a load or two of laundry.

Sad to think the Christmas Swap is 1/2 over. :(

5th Day
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The 5th Day of the Blog 12 Days of Christmas Has Arrived.

Well the 5th day of the 12 days of Christmas Blog Swap arrived today.  My oldest son Dylan was extremely excited that it was finally his turn to unwrap a package.  Dylan may have been excited to open a gift, but Gabriel couldn't grasp the fact he COULDN'T open the gift, as it was his turn yesterday.

Dylan had a different gift opening technique that Gabriel did yesterday.  Dylan got busy and just ripped the wrapping paper off and threw it on the floor.

We he finally got to the "meat" of the gift, he smiled and said it's a "girl thing" and handed it right over.  Evelyn gave me a very versatile and pretty red and white scarf.  I think it is going to make a great new and unique belt for my wardrobe.

Anyone have a guess what tommorrow's gift will be??? 

What did I get on the 4th day of the Christmas Swap???

Well, you all ask....what did you get on the 4th day of the Christmas Swap?

 First of all I want to say my partner Evelyn is awesome.  I am so glad I was paired with her.  And thanks to Evelyn and her last two posts, I gave in tonight and let my youngest son open one of the gifts for me. 

He was so excited to "ope" as is says.

I just want to let everyone know my son does have eyes!  The more photos I took trying to prove that fact.  The more fun he had teasing me and not opening his eyes.

 It was so much fun watching Gabriel open the gift.  It took him a very long time, as he is my neat freak.  Every piece of paper he tore off, had to be set down in a certain spot, so it could be thrown away later (I think Christmas gifts are going to be interesting this year with him).

Gabriel knew what to do right away with the ornaments.  He told me he needed to mix and cook with them.  Then he hung them on the Christmas tree.

Evelyn definitely has been checking out all my posts about my Christmas Baking this year...she sent me two beautiful and touching Christmas ornaments.

They look perfect on my tree.  They are so fitting and I absolutely love them.  Thank you so much Evelyn. 

Day 1
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Day 3

It is 8 minutes after midnight! Which means Day 3 Has arrived in the 12 Days of Christmas Swap!

So here I am up late again...sitting at my trusty computer...and what do my wonder eyes should appear, but a clock on the wall that says...Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas Swap is Officially here, 8 minutes ago to be exact.



Sorry the photo is dark - didn't want to turn the big light on and wake the little ones up!


That started me thinking...first of all I should be in bed getting some sleep....and then the more I thought of what a crazy day was going to be arriving in a few hours --- Getting everyone ready for school and daycare, busy day at work, physical therapy on the still healing knee, making supper, helping with homework and then my son's Christmas program at school at 7pm (too late in my book for a 6 year old, but they didn't ask me).  Boy, I am tired already just thinking about it.

When would I find time to open my present from Evelyn ?  Well I guess there is no better time than the "present".  So....

I received one of the best Classic Christmas Cartoons of all times - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!  What a great gift - the boys and I are definitely going to sit back and enjoy this after a long week (on Friday...with a large bowl of popcorn).

Day 1

Day 2

Everyone, I have a Confession about Day 2 of the Christmas Swap

Ok! Ok! I am going to come clean.  This 12 Days of Christmas Swap is really turning me into a child.

After I opened #1 last night I acted like a scavenger!  I rummaged through the box Evelyn sent me looking for #2.......I FOUND IT!!!!

I took the package in my shaking hands and felt all over it - trying to guess what it might be....

I thought maybe a Holiday CD?

I was right - but it is even better.  Evelyn made me two Music CD's of Christmas. 

I know what I am going to be listening to tonight while I finish up Christmas cards.

Guess what I didn't even look for #3 tonight....I have Will Power!!

Let the 12 Days Of Chirstmas Swap BEEEEGGGGGIIINNNNN!!!

I am so excited to say the 12 Days of Christmas Swap Officially began at my house today.  I didn't have the will power to wait until Monday :)  I feel like such a child and LOVE IT!

This is my first Blog Swap and I think I am in store for an excellent matched partner - Thanks Evelyn and Sami - especially Evelyn since your my awesome partner.

I just want to say first of all Evelyn is so thought full and a poet - just in case she didn't know it (hey - I just rhymed too!)

So on the #1 Day of the Swap I received.....

I shiny new red bundt pan (I know that will be getting some good use very, very soon), a bag of chopped Pecans and a box of Butterscotch Pudding. 

So do I have any of you curious??  Well I am so excited to share that the red and green colored papers in the photo are two NEW recipes for me to try.  I love new recipes - especially when they are passed down to me from someone special (My very 1st Swap Partner).  I can't wait to blog about the new Sticky Buns - I am going to be making in my NEW bundt pan with the included ingredients.

What will tomorrow hold?  I guess we will all have to wait and see.....