Balls of Concrete

As our first flight landed in Chicago in the dark, I was delighted to see snow on the ground and excitedly pointed it out to the kids. Brookie squealed as she looked out the window, "Mommy, look at the snow!" but Joe had other ideas. He hasn't seen snow since he was barely 2, so he definitely does not remember it.

 "Mommy, that is concrete," he said adamantly. "It is not snow. It's concrete. Little balls of concrete." 

 We arrived at Nonnie and Poppy's house very late, but the next day he was convinced--the white stuff really was snow and he was completely delighted. They sledded with their Aunts and Cousins for hours until we dragged them inside to warm up and take much needed naps.

 Even though Nathan's face was somber, he loved the snow and sledding and I got quite the workout pulling him around on the sled!

Christmas is in 2 days and the house is full of cookies, the tree is overflowing with presents and the excitement for Christmas day is growing. I love this time of year to reflect on all that God has done for us, starting with his humble birth. I hope each one of you has a very merry Christmas, wether it be warm and balmy or snowy and white! 

December Happenings

As months go, the month of December is without a doubt my favorite. As a kid we counted down the days until Christmas and I will never forget as I got older that it dawned on me that the whole month was for celebrating Christmas--the lights, the parties, the cookies, the music--all of it was to be enjoyed every single day of the month until it all culminated into the great big birthday celebration of Jesus.

 I enjoy it even more now that I have kids, because everything is new and oh-so-exciting for them. Nathan screams "LI-LIIIIIIGHT!!!" every time we drive by a house that has them up and the kids know words to more Christmas carols than I can count.

 Some December happenings at our house:

 Lots of cookie baking

Christmas trees made out of their handprints, followed by Hot Chocolate

Special Surprise Breakfast

Photo Booth at our annual couple's party (and kids who had to test it out before hand)

I hope that each of you are enjoying the season. It certainly is a crazy time for all of us, but I'm trying to take the little moments I do find here and there and make the most of them. I love making memories!

 I'm currently on an airplane headed to see family for the next few weeks! How I blogged this on an airplane with 3 crazy kids is beyond me, but I can tell you it did take close to 2 hours! ;) Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

I accidentally deleted all of my Thanksgiving pictures off of my camera. As I sat there banging my forehead with my palm and scrunching my eyes shut and covering my face after realizing what I had done, my husband came to the rescue and recovered all of them! He's my hero!

 A few came back recovered in a tiny size; you can't even see them. They are the ones that prove that my best friend Ashley, her husband and baby came to visit us for Thanksgiving. So, no pictures of them but that doesn't mean I will ever forget the amazing memories we made. Cooking all day on Wednesday, treating them to our best barbecue place (RUDY's!) and eating, talking and eating some more on Thursday.

 I love Thanksgiving almost as much as Christmas. I love all of the food, and I love the fact that we can take time to truly think about what we are thankful for and all of God's blessings! Of course, shopping on Friday is our yearly family tradition and the day I usually get my Christmas shopping done.

 I realize the Christmas season is in full swing and this is a little late, but our Thanksgiving in a few less pictures than I would like, but more than I had:

Breaking bread for stuffing:

This is what goes on the bread to make stuffing. Please, please, PLEASE do not ever buy boxed stuffing on Thanksgiving. Please. Your family will thank you! Make it and your life will be forever changed. This recipe has been in our family for as long as I can remember and it's addicting!

The feast!

Each year I realize just how blessed I really am. A wonderful husband who loves me, works so hard for us, follows God and treats me like a Queen. 3 beautiful children who love me unconditionally and are the light of my life (even though they do drive me nuts a few times a day ;), an amazing church and church family, extended family...I don't deserve any of it! God is so good!