Snapshot Sunday: Winter Wonderland

Christmas Recap 2012

Yummiest Christmas Tradition: Cinnamon Roll "birthday cake" for breakfast and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Janelle and Lilly's Favorite Christmas Present: Sleeping bags from Grandma and Grandpa

Nelly's 2012 ornament: Pewter running shoes in honor of her first race

Lilly's 2012 ornament: Sparkly glass backpack in honor of starting preschool

Teariest Moment: Opening the hand carved wooden spoons Andy made for me all by himself. (Yes, he's a keeper.)

Merry Christmas everyone!

And Happy Birthday to Jesus, the Light of the World. May he reign in your homes this day and every day.

The Production

When you arrive 45 minutes early for a Kindergarten Christmas program and the only seats left are the back third of the room, you know your town takes their Kindergarten programs seriously.

It was, however, a pretty fantastic show and I'm not at all bias.

There were 14 songs, handmade costumes, choreography, and a special guest appearance by Mary & Joseph. 

The camera to human ratio alone was stunning.

The kids sang their little hearts out while their beaming parents impressively wielded both cameras and camcorders. It was a good night.

And we learned a valuable lesson: next time show up 90 minutes early.

4 Pickle Years

My baby turned 4 today.

Holy moly, how I love that girl.

Four whole years of Pickle smiles, kisses, giggles and hijinks.

I am one lucky mama.

Happy Birthday Lilly! I love you!

Thankful (2012 Ed.)

I am thankful for Dunkin Donuts gingerbread coffee.

I am thankful for a steaming hot shower after a cold winter run.

I am thankful for #61.

I am thankful for "chapstick kisses" and "squeezie hugs."

I am thankful for simple, heartfelt, little-girl prayers.

I am thankful for the smell of the roaring wood stove.

I am thankful for my daily phone call from mama.

I am thankful for the fella who kisses me goodnight. Every night.

And I am thankful that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Thank you, Jesus, for your love for sinners.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Snapshot Sunday: Speed Demons

Trick-or-Treat 2012

I know it may be a little scary out there with all those ghosts and goblins and miscellaneous boogie men roaming the night, but take heart my friends! How can you be scared with this fierce cowpoke by your side?

Plus Batman and Batgirl, just in case we need a little extra muscle.

For entertainment purposes, you will have a rock star along for your trick-or-treating adventure. Be warned: she tends to spontaneously break into song and dance and she may have to stop to sign an autograph or two.

And a monkey.
(Why a monkey, you ask? Honestly, we're not really sure but we've found it's best not to question the monkey.)

So go have fun and say Hey to Fred & Barney, your good friends from back-in-the-day.

Lastly, please remember:
1.) Look both ways before crossing the street
2.) Don't talk to strangers
3.) Most importantly: I like Butterfingers & Kit Kats.

One Down

10/23/12: The first baby tooth bites the dust.

How cute is this gap-toothed smile? The tooth fairy doesn't stand a chance...

Snapshot Sunday: Sand Castle Building 101

Snapshot Sunday, Vacation Edition: Chapter 2

Because we feel that a sand castle is essential to the beach experience, we present to you "Sand Castle Building 101."

Remember, we speak from experience.

Practice your sand techniques first. It is important not to underestimate the basics. 

It is also important not to underestimate the reach of the sea. 
If you think you are erecting your masterpiece far enough from the water, think again.

Do not be discouraged. Vow to rebuild. 
Vow to rebuild and call in the big guns next time.

And by "big guns", we mean a garden shovel and several grown men.

Consider the possibility that you may be taking your sand castle building a bit too seriously. 
Dismiss this thought.

Your new first step will be to construct a significant levee and an 18 foot trench.  

And a hole deep enough to hide a grown man. I'm not sure why this is essential but I am assured that it is.

Once your front defenses are established, you can begin on the actual castle.

Don't overlook the details.

Fortify to your heart's content. 

We feel we have not yet learned all that there is to know about sand castle building. We may need to continue our summer treks to the beach until we have completely mastered this skill.

It may take decades.

Practice makes perfect after all.

Snapshot Sunday: Dolphins!

Snapshot Sunday, Vacation Edition: Chapter One, because what else do you do with 872 vacation pictures?

We didn't have much in the way of an agenda for vacation except to spend every possible moment with our feet buried in the sand, but the one thing we knew we absolutely wanted to do was take the girls on a dolphin boat tour.

Meet Captain Johnny. A 14th generation, wise-cracking Kitty Hawker and the tour guide for our dolphin adventure.

We watched and waited...

And then we had a front row seat to watch this girl's dream come true. 

Dolphins! Breath-taking, enchanting dolphins...

Close enough to touch...

It will always be one of our all-time favorite family memories.