Goodbye Christmas...

I love Christmas.  We did it up right this year.  Road trips...family time...plenty of togetherness...present opening...cookie baking...craft making...and many a late night bedtime added up to two very happy girls.  Christmas this year did not disappoint (all real photos courtesy of my sweet sis-in-law Jenny who is not lazy like me and still uses something other than an iPhone to take pictures)...

(carter + twinkle lights)

(scratch off's with Poppa, Nonna, Kathie and Bart)

(Roxi's little helper)

(snuggling with Aunt Jenny)

(Emme posin')

(Mimi and G.G.)

(Roxi's Tree 2011)

(Pops and Roxi)

(Emme plays Jenga with Christmas presents)

(Sugarplum Fairy)

(Emme found the perfect spot for napping)

(Tank was sweet to share)

(late night Cosby watching)

(Emme and G.G.)

(Clint + Jenny)

(Emme pitches in)

(tippy toes)

(Papa and Mimi)

(cold day Carter)

(3 Generations)

(Christmas Light Looking)

(hanging out with the fam)

(Emme does a heart good)

(Roxi and Carter)

(cookie baking)

(time for presents)

(ready for Santa)

(he came)

(we heart Rody)

(Christmas Day movie date)

(full hearts...even FULLER car)

(pit stop in heaven)

(happy Christmas campers)

I hate goodbyes and this one isn't easy...but until next year we bid you farewell sweet Christmas.  Thanks for being so good to us!

Away in a Manger

I fell in love with this adaptation of The Christmas story as told by a group of children in New Zealand...





Happy Birthday Jesus.

Santa Sister

Their new favorite game is "playing Santa".  Emme pays her sisters lap a visit and they discuss what they want for Christmas...

It's about as close as you can get to the real thing...

This sweet Santa seems to have a good effect on Emme...

I'm happy to report there were no tears shed on this visit...

These girls sure do make Christmas merry...

Merry Christmas Eve!  Don't forget the milk and cookies and that you're never too old for a little visit with St. Nick...

Baby Reindeer

Okay so technically they are goats.  But, being that it's Christmas and all we'll go with the fact that they look a lot like deer and keep things festive.  We've had a few unexpected guests hanging around this week...

Aunt Kimmi has been playing Mama to a couple of baby goats and the girls are in heaven...

By the looks of things these little reindeer are going to make great additions to Santa's sleigh one day...

While we're on the subject of reindeer Carter had her class party Tuesday.  She was sporting her own little antlers...

And had a little create your own reindeer food buffet that was really cute...

She had worked very hard on signing her name for a little treat to give each of her classmates...

This little elf has had a really great first half of the year in Kindergarten...

Speaking of elves Emme has taken quite a liking to "baby Jingle"....

This has been the year Carter put 2 and 2 together and the Elf on the Shelf gig was up!  We were going to let her help play "elf" for Emme but all little Emerson wants is to hold "baby Jingle".  Maybe next year Jingle will return in full force (smile).


We are enjoying all the togetherness that comes with the holidays.  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Caroling Daisies

Christmas is full of busy moments.  I'll be the first to admit things can get a little hectic.  Trying to pull off all the "giving" not to mention traveling, partying, etc. can keep things hopping at a pretty good pace.  

This morning I had one of those unexpected little moments that reminded me why I love Christmas so much.  We had been packing to leave town and took a quick break to meet up with Carter's Daisy Troop at a local elderly home.  I had a billion other to do's on my mind but the minute we walked in the door I was struck by the moment.  

A sweet room full of smiling people expectantly waiting for these precious little girls to "perform".  It didn't take me long to realize that this might very well be the highlight of their Christmas...

They were an attentive audience.  Quietly listening to sweet little voices.  Tiny smiling faces singing just for them...

I was struck by the simplicity of the moment.  The lack of pomp that surrounded the circumstance and yet is was quite a profound one for me.  Watching as many of these elderly Alzheimer patients sang quietly along to the carols I remembered Christmas is all about the giving...

I am so very grateful for this "silent" moment that touched my heart and will stick with me for quite some time.