Christmas 2010

Our family had a great Christmas. Actually, we had three great Christmas celebrations! We started our festivities at my in-laws house the weekend before Christmas. 

 there was great food

 fun people to visit and play with

 and the kids really enjoyed playing with their cousins. 

After M and Doc's house, we went to my parent's house. It was around this time that my camera needed a recharge, which I left at home. There was great food, good visiting, and we even went to see 'Tangled', which I LOVE!!! It was great visiting with everyone and getting to see not only my parents but grandparents as well! We then headed home to get ready for Santa's official visit.

On Christmas Eve, we went to mass and sat with our friends, the Riddochs. We had dinner at home and watched some Christmas movies before heading up to get our children all nestled all snug in their beds. 

 Santa came

 the sugar plums waiting at the gate Santa put at the top of the stairs to ensure that Mom and Dad were part of the Christmas gift unwrapping

 clearly, this Rapunzel wig was a Mr. Claus gift as Mrs. Claus would never envision one more thing in the house that needed brushing or washing (but she LOVES it and it is cute!)!

 later Christmas day, Doc, M, and Grandma Wilbert came over for dinner

 the food turned out (whew!), the kids were perfectly behaved, and everyone had a good time. Later that night it snowed (we had a WHITE Christmas!!!) and we woke up to this

Super Dad took the kids out in the snow, made them hot chocolate and lunch, played with the sweeties, watched a movie with them, got them down and back up from a nap, and made dinner (I was in bed with a stomach bug and migraine). What a wonderful, magical Christmas! 

Nicole Faby Photography

When we discussed getting pictures taken of our family, I knew I wanted to have Nicole Faby taken them. She is great with kids and got even mine to open up! We left our session not sure if there going to be any keepers because our little ones weren't sitting still or wanting to smile on command, but WOW...we got over 40 "keepers"!  I couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome! Thanks Nicole!

I am biased, but they are AWESOME...isn't she talented?!

visit her:

Nicole Faby Photography

You could get with this...

or you could get with that

seriously, we love this commercial

these are few of my favorite things

 freshly bathed children ready to decorate the Christmas tree

 silly poses

 a warm house blanketed with fresh snow

 dressing up 

 creative little girls who enjoy their sister's company

 sweet smiles

 playing by the Christmas tree

 nap time hair 

children ready for bed after two back-to-back pajama days

other favorite things:

snow

a day from school from snow

two-hours delays from preschool

sugar cookies decorated with royal icing

singing with the kids to Christmas music

watching Christmas shows with the kids that I watched with my own parents when I was a kid

checking the mail each day for Christmas cards

listening to the kids finding Jack (our elf on the shelf) each morning

Quotes from today

The girls are inseparable lately, even more so than usual. I love that they play so nicely and are constantly chit chatting. Caroline thinks through everything so logically and I love that we have real conversations. Sometimes the best things that I hear her say are those that I overhear. Here are a couple funny examples from earlier today.


Caroline: Mommy, that snowman decoration is cool
Mommy, while driving: I know, I think so too
Caroline: No, Mommy. Not "cool" like cold. I mean "cool" like, "Cool Man".
Caroline: Mommy, why are you laughing?

Caroline: Emma Kate, you are going to color with me and you are going to use the Barbie book while I color Little Einsteins.
Emma Kate: OK Coco. But I have to go make dirty.
Caroline: Well good girl Emma Kate. Thank you for telling us and not just messing up your pants. That is what we expect of you and what you have to do if you ever want us to think you are a big girl. Let me know when you are done and I'll have Mommy wipe you.

Beauty

Emma Kate: Mommy, Coco is beautiful

Me: Yes, she is. You should tell her that.

Emma Kate: Coco, you are beautiful I think.

Caroline: Yes, Emma Kate. I am.

Thanksgiving

I took my camera. I charged the battery in my camera. I unpacked my camera and set it out. I took three pictures over the entire Thanksgiving break. Three. Two of them were of this pie (which is totally worth all three and more, it is THAT good.). 

Our Holiday was great. We were lucky enough to spend time with both sides of our family and the kids had a blast. It is so nice for them to get away and see all new people, toys, and have the rules bend a bit. Matthew and I are family orientated and we love sharing our children with our families. 

Now, on to Christmas!

go ahead, click me