Christmas Day 2012

After a late night with the family, we didn't take very many pictures on Christmas Day.  We opened presents that morning and then we hosted a Christmas Day brunch for the family.  I think that we may have gone a tad overboard on our brunch spread.  After a huge dinner at Jas and Nell's the night before we just weren't that hungry.  We had a good time hearing about what everyone got from Santa, played outside, watched the Christmas parade and relaxed. 

To: Hubby From: Wifey

My honey sure knows the way to my heart!

Cute girl on her first Christmas morning.

Mimi and Lo getting warmed back up after our time outside.

The food.

Punky playing with one of her new toys.

Christmas Eve 2012

We had the traditional Christmas Eve gathering of the family at Jas and Nell's.  Nell always puts on a good show- great food, games and quality time. Let's start from the end, shall we?  Usually we get home after a holiday and I realize that the Hubs and I have no pictures together.  He typically humors me with one even though at this point in the evening we look exhausted!

The Mr. and Mrs. late Christmas Eve night.

Her future's so bright she's gotta wear shades- part of Lo's stocking loot.

More stocking from Mimi and Pappy

The best Pappy gift of all time- a griddle for his famous shaped pancakes.

The kids gather round "santa's helper"-this year E took a turn handing out gifts.

Me and my best little girlfriend.

Her favorite part of Christmas present opening? The tags, of course!

The grandkids after their annual play.  This years performance featured Nutsy the squirrel as a banker.

Jas, Nell and Roc survey the damage.



Family Christmas

We had Christmas with the Hubs side of the family the weekend before Christmas. We exchanged gifts, had lunch together and visited.

Lo and Grandpa D

Lo charming the grandparents.

A head full of bows, hands full of tags and freshly polished toes...that's our girl!

Family time.

Grow

For the past few years I have ditched traditional New Years resolutions and simply picked a word for the year. My word for 2012 was "grow". Ringing in the year 2012 pregnant with my daughter, I figured it was a fitting word. But oh, how I did grow...and not just my belly!

There are many ways that I can see where this word came in to play this year. Here are a couple:

Becoming a mother- there just aren't any words. My heart grew. I couldn't have imagined the love that I have for my little girl.

The passing of a dear friend- I just don't have the words to express my thoughts on this incredible woman. The passing of this very special person was a growing experience. She blessed my life with some experiences this year that were so, so very special. I know that I'll never be the same person. She taught me to cherish the little things, to love, to let go of petty things, to accept things that we can't change, to live with grace. She always gave me great advice, lots of laughs, the best GNOs (girls night out). She touched my life for good, she is amazing and continues to inspire me daily.

Teaching- I taught Relief Society people! Teaching adults is my greatest fear in life, I hate it...really, I do. But I did it and I lived to tell about it!

Scouts- Let me tell ya, I don't know jack about scouting. But, I was asked to be a Cub Scout leader for the Webelos and I said "yes"! It has been a learning experience for sure but I think I am starting to grow on those boys. We probably do more crafts than any other scouting organization, but that's okay!

These are just a few ways that the word grow influenced my year. I really tried hard not to say "no" to things outside of my comfort zone this year. If I was asked to do something, I went for it and tried to embrace it. I am looking forward to a new year and a new word! And speaking of new word, I've decided that CLEANSE will be my theme for the year. I am itching to organize and freshen my space, so that inspired my word choice. I am looking forward to the many ways that it will shape and mould my 2013. So bring it on!

Lo & Santa

Our 'Lil Nugget loved her some Santa Claus.  We were thrilled when we found Santa during a lull and he just let us take our sweet time taking picture after picture.  She even tugged on his beard, that's our girl!

E's Christmas Concert

We had the privilege of attending E's band concert at his middle school one evening.  This is his first time playing in the band and his first year playing the trumpet.  It was really fun being able to see what he's been practicing for since the start of the school year.  It's pretty amazing what these kids learn in such a short amount of time.

Lo's First Fire Truck Santa

It was late one weeknight in December when I heard firetruck sirens...I knew that could only mean one thing- Santa was on his way!  I was so excited but had literally no time to prepare as the truck was only 2 doors down when I heard the noise.  We ran out in our pajamas to get a glimpse of Old Saint Nick.  Punky was generally unimpressed but it's a tradition that is important to me.

Family Pictures

Just two of the front runners for our Christmas card-

Sanksgiving 2012

Our Thanksgiving was swell! Jas and Nell and the girls were out of the state this year so we were down a few people. It was weird with them not being there. Oh well, sometimes I guess we have to share them!

We started out the day with desk fast casserole and the boys playing football. We watched the Thanksgiving Day parade
as always. Lo enjoyed watching with her cousins. Roc made a good bird (not as good as last years if you ask some people), the Hubs made some bang up dressing, Babs sweet potato dish was the only one I've ever liked. I'd say we had some real home runs this year on the food front!

After dinner we all talked and browsed the ads obsessively making game plans for that night. Black Friday starts earlier and earlier but it's tradition so we go....and we save loads of cash so it's a win win.

Lo slept through the meal. Well, she woke up when we were finishing up. She had sweet potatoes and pumpkin with Mimi and Pappy.

Babs and I managed to get most of our shopping done on Gray Thursday/Black Friday. We ended up doing 3 different trips, one Thursday night from like 8:00 to midnight, one from 4:00AM to 7:30 and then one around noon to the mall.

I made the girls matching turkey shirts and I think they turned out pretty cute!