Friday, December 30, 2011

The Bests of Christmas


The Best Moments of Christmas...
(I know some of these are repeats, but they're worth a second look ;)
Cookie decorating at Grandma's


Nana being so interested in her great-grandchildren




Some of my favorite girls in the world

Allie absolutely loving her Calico Critters and all their accessories

Jack reading a letter from Santa on Christmas morning

Jamie and Jack assembling the same GI Joe airplane that Jamie had as a kid


THE toy that Jack asked for: The Real Lightning McQueen

The most adorable trio

Bob inviting Alice onto his lap so she could get a closer look at Max

The Eggnog Mustache

The Loopies

Tiny Max and his great personality already

Candy Cane and Wreath Cookies
My wonderful parents



The best Nativity Scene ever
Ryan enjoying his 2nd piece of red velvet cake...(The other kids were playing restaurant upstairs and he yelled up to everyone that he'd be a little late for work. It was so funny)
Colorful Christmas Lizard at the Zoo Lights

REAL tiny alligator

Alice and her daddy looking at the lights

The human drinking his "coffee".

I hope all of your days were merry and bright.  And may it continue into the new year! 

Monday, December 26, 2011

The joy of FAMILY

I had such an awesome Christmas, and I realized over the last two days, that more than anything, I couldn't ask for anything more than my family. My family of 4 right here under the same roof means EVERYTHING to me.
But my "village" of a family who we see almost every day are just as important. Sometimes, I wonder how life would be without having two sisters, a brother, 3 sisters-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law, 8 nieces and nephews, and both  of my parents and in-laws all nearby.  I would be so lost if I didn't have them here to grow with my kids and see my kids grow, to help me with parenting, to be there for me, to laugh with me, and to be a part of who I am, who Jamie is, and who Jack and Alice are.



This video is the gift I gave my parents, along with a photo book and a large canvas print of our entire family from our family weekend at the Double JJ ranch. It just reinforces the power of family and the incredible memories we all will share for the rest of our lives.
So, even if you're not always near all of your family members, I hope you cherish the times when you can be, and realize that those you love and who love you are the most important gift of all. Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

What I did today

Ahhhh, Christmas break.
Today, I listened to my favorite Christmas music, baked my favorite cookies,
--with my trusty assistant--
She found our elf, Odie, eating M&Ms

Hmmm, maybe just a little taste of the dough, Mom?
It looks so yummy!!
Busted! (Don't worry, no cookies were harmed by 3-year-old germs =)
admired my decorations and ornaments, both old
2006
and new,
2011

and simply enjoyed the day with the kids. I never left the house and I LOVED it.
My nephew Wyatt (yes, he's Spiderman) and Jack and Alice pretending to be on the Polar Express.


Jack's Palm-Christmas tree (Thanks to Jamie's sister, Jennifer, who lives in Florida)

The Window of Christmas Art, from years past and present