Sleepy Santa

On all levels Christmas was a success this year. Not only did we manage to get moved into our new home, unpack most of the boxes and throw up some holiday cheer in the form of a few decorations...we also managed to get Carter "just what she wanted!" Santa had a pretty late night pulling things off, but come Christmas morning none of that seems to matter...



The other thing my sister and I figured out Christmas morning was that when you are 8 months pregnant the way you tie your robe can go a long way. For instance, if you tie it above your baby bump you look, well, 8 months pregnant...


But, when you tie your robe below your baby bump you look kinda' like an old guy with a beer belly...

Who knew the way you tie could be so important! My sister and I have been having a lot of fun being goofy. Case in point the other night when we decided that the loser of our card game would have to do a skit. Nate and I lost and he put up a good fight but finally agreed to a little fun (even if he did complain that I was squashing him and he couldn't breathe the entire time) I'm pretty sure my legs have never looked better...

I must admit I do feel as big as a barn and like I am about to pop, but you know what they say, laughter is the best medicine. Hope your Christmas was full of lots of smiles, laughing and fun....and that the New Year ahead holds more of the same!

R & R

We Wish You a Merry Christmas...

Twas' the Night Before Christmas and All Through Our House...

Not a creature was stirring...

except for this little mouse...

she can't wait to show you our Charlie Brown tree...

and the presents underneath make her pretty happy...

on with the tour some greetings from friends...

the perfect kitchen for baking up cookies...

and Christmas decor for some Holiday cheer...

our stockings were hung by the "chimney" with care...

the table was set for guests on the way...

but first off to church to celebrate Jesus' birth...

with our little munchkin' in her holiday best...

after singing some carols we head home to get cozy...

eat dinner and then a little singing and dancing...

a duet from two of my favorite people...

cookies for Santa (and carrots for the reindeer)...

and this little mouse is off to bed, while visions of sugarplums dance in her head.

Monday Carter Edition #56~Budding Artist

We're enjoying a little tropical weather in Corpus Christi. We just arrived to visit with Nate's family and I'm thinking if I lived here all I'd want for Christmas is a tan! I haven't had a chance to snag any photos of Carter today so I thought I'd share a little Monday Carter from a couple of weeks ago. While we were in Abilene she really enjoyed tagging along a couple of times to my mom's new art studio. While Roxi was teaching she did a little painting...

I was especially fond of these canvases (which are now hanging in her new room) where she did some self portraits of our family...

Just in case you are wondering I'm the one with the pink hair. Happy Monday before Christmas!

I caught Carter kissin' Santa Clause...

As chaotic as the past couple of weeks have been we have still managed to squeeze in some Christmas fun, and luckily there is more on the way! While we were visiting Roxi and Pops Carter got into the Christmas spirit by helping Roxi decorate. Lucky for her she was allowed to exercise her creative freedom and went to town...

There have also been Christmas treats...

The return of our little elf Jingle...

and kisses for Santa...

Oh, and speaking of Santa, making a visit to see the Jolly man was at the top of C's to do list once her dad arrived this weekend. She carefully wrote out her wishes (there are 3 this year) and patiently waited in line...

When it was finally her turn she couldn't help but bubble over with excitement...

Nate got quite a kick out of the fact that Santa really read her letter...

I thought is was pretty precious...

And, I'm being a little lazy and haven't scanned the "official" Santa pic, but it's safe to say the visit was a success!

There is this old song that my dad used to play when we were growing up called Thank God for Kids by the Oakridge Boys. One of the lines says, "Thank God for kids there's magic for awhile...a special kind of sunshine in a smile. Do you ever stop to think or wonder why...the nearest thing to heaven is a child?" This really sums up Christmas and Carter for me. As we try to balance celebrating the birth of Jesus and also having a little fun with things like elves and Santa I love watching her smile and take in the whole Holiday experience. It really is one of the joys of being a parent. I'm so thankful to have the opportunity. The other day, after a lot of moving "stuff" we treated Carter, and ourselves, to a little "Christmas light looking". I wish I could convey the excitement with which she oooohed and ahhed, jumped up and down, gasped and squealed throughout the entire experience. She had me laughing out loud and loving every minute...


I think Christmas is more fun than it has ever been and I'm pretty sure I can chalk that up to the fact that I get to be a mom. What a gift.

Perfect

Funny how the arrival of one person can suddenly make everything feel perfect. Nate walking through the door made our house feel like a home and all the hard work of the past few weeks totally worth it. It feels like Christmas is here...


I'm so glad loving him never gets old.

Monday Carter Edition #55~Happy Birthday Nonna!

It's been a jam packed few days! We've been moving in at a fast and furious pace and making the most of having a little (actually A LOT) of help from my mom. Our house is beginning to look like a home and that makes me one happy camper. Monday Carter is quite a trooper and, although her attitude has at times reflected all the change going on, she is such a sweet little person and I'm so glad she's mine! On our way down last week we made a stop through Fredericksburg to share a birthday lunch with Nonna. It was so much fun and Carter was really looking forward to seeing her....

We are so excited that living close means things like sharing a slice of birthday cake with someone when the occasion arises!

Happy 60th birthday Nonna! We hope the year ahead is bright and full of joy!

Keep on Bakin'!

Tomorrow we hit the road again. The last leg of our journey is finally here and we are going to be moving into our new home, YIPEE! So this afternoon I packed up all our stuff and once again (with some help from my lovely mama) stuffed our car full...I won't mind if I don't have to do this again for quite a while! One thing keeps crossing my mind, as we continue on with "Operation Move", keep on bakin' little baby (I just need a little more time to get everything ready for you)...




Excuse my "I'm moving and don't really give a rip how I look" outfit. San Antonio here we come!

Monday Carter Edition #54~Chocolate Coma

Monday Carter woke up this morning with one thing on her brain...CHOCOLATE! Roxi made her a very special little advent calendar and every morning she just can't wait to see what new treat awaits her...

First you unwrap the chocolate...

the first bite is the best...

it's delicious...

it's tasty...

and she's not sharing!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

Chocolate coma...

It's enough to get you through a Monday for sure!