Behind...AGAIN

Ok...it's been a month and a half since I posted. This is usually pretty typical for me but I vowed to myself to stay on top of this, especially since I sent out the website on our Christmas cards. So, sorry I am behind. I'll catch up today and tomorrow, if needed. I have been too busy creating with ribbon. I am loving my new hobby!

Snow day

We received our first snowfall of 2011 and I decided to take the kids outside to enjoy it. Aubrey immediately dropped to the ground to make snow angels while Tyler followed along. It was Tyler's first time playing in the snow (last year didn't really count) and he loved it! I wasn't sure how I was going to get them back in the house. Too bad it wasn't packing snow as they were set to make snowman. Instead they decided to make blizzards with the fluffy snow. Both also had a tasty of the yummy snow. A fun time was had by all!

NYE

Another year has come and gone. Although Jeff and I would love to stay up and ring in the New Year like we have in the past, it is no longer in us. We decided to celebrate NY style and ring in the new year at 11pm. Unfortunately, our kids had other plans. At 10:59pm, Tyler woke up and stayed up until 2am. Then, Aubrey woke up and 11:45pm and stayed awake until after midnight. I guess our kids wanted us to see the start of 2011 after all! Here's to a great year ahead!!

December photos

Here are a few of my favorite photos from December...

Aubrey napping while watching cartoons

our attempt at a family photo with Santa

Girl time = refreshing break time

While back in Orion, we visited Aaron and Lissy's beautiful new house. While they still have some work to do and as well as some unpacking and decorating, they have come so far and it looks great! In fact, I might be a little jealous... maybe some day we too will have a nice, new house. :) When it was time to leave, we realized it was going to be a challenge to tear the girls apart, again. Lissy so graciously offered to let Aubrey stayed and she willing agreed without hesitation. That meant that Jeff and I could go back to my parents' house and have a breather as it coincided with Tyler's nap time and the Bears were playing. It was AMAZING! Who knew how relaxing a quiet house could be. Hopefully more of this is to come in our future.... On a side note, the girls had a blast and were as good as can be. They even got to play outside in the freshly fallen (and plowed) snow!

(photos and winter attire are both courtesy of Lissy)

Travel for the last hurrah

The Christmas celebrations came to and end today. I loved our time with my family but am also relieved that there are no more presents to open. I think the kids might even be a little burned out by now. We had a great time in Orion. This weekend was so much less chaotic than most trips back. We spent Christmas day at my parents' house with everyone. The next day we visit Aaron's house (see tomorrow's post) and everyone came over again for pizza. With the kids getting a little bit older, that means less watching and chasing by us. Thank goodness! Maybe next year I'll even be able to participate in games again?

As the Christmas season comes to end, I'd like to reflect on the year. We are so lucky to be surrounded by good health, love and laughter. The holiday season reflects all of this and for that I am grateful.

Santa visits

The kids woke up to find that Santa had visited our house! He left stockings filled to the brim and a tree filled with presents! We are so blessed to be able to spoil our kids and we love it! Seeing our kids excited as can be on Christmas morning is the best gift that we could ever receive. There may be a Santa after all.