Happy New Year

Many wishes of a Happy and Healthy 2009! This was an amazing year. I have been reflecting on it all day. We have grown so much, accomplished so much and loved almost every minute of it! Pumpkin started school, Critter turned one, Hubby got a new assignment at work, I picked up my pace with photography; we have had a great year. I have two happy and healthy children. I have a life that I adore. I have wonderful family and friends. I love taking a moment at the end of a year to reflect on all that has occured during the year. I think that if you can look back and see the good and what has come of the not so good, then the new year is off to a great start. Especially with all that is going on in the world these days, our little family has it pretty good.

I am looking forward to 2009. I can see there being many new adventures in our lives. We have trips planned, a new class for Critter (yeah for him!), more school for Pumpkin and more things that I don't even know about yet. I hope that in this next year I will be able to slow down enough to enjoy all that our lives bring us. I hope that I have the courage to continue pursuing my photography in a slightly more open way. I hope that our family can strive for balance between work, friends, family and ourselves. I hope that each and every day my children go to bed knowing how much they are loved by so many. So, I guess these would be my "resolutions". I don't have anything that I am setting in concrete. My main goal of running a 1/2 marathon was met two years ago and will be met again in 3 weeks (yikes!). But, I see 2009 as a time for our family to remember what is important to us.

So, to end 2008....thank you to all our friends and family out there. We love you and appreciate all you do for us. Thank you to our friends who had us over tonight. It was the perfect way to end the year, being around people who love us and appreciate our craziness :) May this end of the year bring you peace and contentment in your hearts. May this new year bring a road of newness and happiness to your lives. We love you.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas at our home. It was filled with lots of love, food, presents, friends and family. We hope you enjoyed your day as well. The kids really enjoyed the day this year. Both kids are blessed by the people who love them. This is the kids before church, looking all clean and nice!
It is not Christmas without leaving cookies and a carrot out for Santa!

I have a tradition of having them wear matching pj's. Hopefully when they are older they will still humor me! Critter thought the game of the day was climbing all the presents!

Unwrapping presents is more fun when you get to sample the wrapping paper! Pumpkin actually really helped this year with handing out presents. She knows what her name and Critter's name look like, so she divided the pile for us.

She received this princess hat from one of my aunt's. It was on her head ALL day! It was hard to break it to her that she could not wear it to bed!

He did not keep this on for long, but he let me take a picture! Such a dapper young man...

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Sights of our season

This holiday season has been exceptionally fun for our family. It seems since Pumpkin is older she understands more about traditions and the meaning behind the season. She knows and understands that this season is not only about Santa, but also about focusing on the good and about the birthday of Jesus. I like that there is a balance in our home with this. I think I have gone a little overboard on activities this year, but they have all been worth it. Here is a snip it of what has been keeping us busy!

Nanny brought over a really neat gingerbread house to make. It is a creation of great love and skill. Pumpkin put each piece on with love and care. I love that it is our centerpiece next to our advent wreath.

This was Critter's first time with the man in the red suit. This is also the first picture we have of Pumpkin even close to him. Usually she gets about 4 feet away and then freaks out! We went to a little festival in our downtown. They had a parade and were lighting a tree made of tumbleweeds. We did not stay that late though, would have been MAJOR meltdown time for Critter. So, we went and saw the big man and then walked around. Pumpkin got a kick out of seeing the hotel where her daddy and mommy celebrated their wedding.

Only in Arizona (well, maybe somewhere else in the southwest as well) can you see a tree of Tumbleweeds decorated for Christmas. It sparkles in the sunlight and is really unique and beautiful.

Pumpkin was dressed up to go see the Nutcracker with Nanny and Papa. They like to take her somewhere special for a show around the holidays. She is always so excited. She has been dancing around like a dancer since she went. (I needed a new tree skirt this year and found this one! I just love it! It makes me smile every time I look at the tree. Such a perfect message...I Believe!

It has been so much fun around here this month. We have also been counting down the days with a fun advent calendar. Pumpkin gets to open a box each night after dinner. Also, before bed she tears off a piece of her paper chain in her room. She is now counting the number of pieces left and is getting more excited. We also baked cookies and fudge to bring to our neighbors and friends. I can not go a Christmas without making my Nanny's fudge. It just makes the holiday for me. So...we have been busy enjoying the days. Critter loves the tree and decorations. He walks up to them and points until we tell him what he is looking at. This has been a busy but wonderful season. I can not wait to see what Thursday is like! Hope you have been enjoying your own holiday traditions and what this time of year means to you :)

The reason for my smiles

We have been mighty busy this holiday season. A post will be coming on all of that. However, today was a special day for our Pumpkin. Today was her first "performance" at school. The parents were invited today to see our kids do their show. I had to put some snipits on here. She had so much fun. All week she has been talking about today. But, she has not said much since the teacher told them to have it be a surprise for all of us. They finished the day with giving us parents little presents. They made us picture frames, gingerbread ornaments and candy cane ornaments. I had to indulge my mommy bragging rights with this post. She was just so stinking adorable with her class. Hope this lifts your spirits like it did mine. Happy Holidays!

Okay, I had to do one more. The kids were just so darn cute!

One year already

Dear Son~

You are now one year old. I have been trying to wrap my brain around this fact for a few days. I could not write this on your birthday. You have brought so much to my life. Even though I was already a mommy when you came into this world, you have made me a better one. Before you were born, I did not know how I could love another child like I love your sister. Now I understand. You are my boy. You entered this world and nothing has been the same since. You are now walking around this house, tormenting your sister, laughing at the simple things and loving the big wet kisses you give everyone. You even have learned how to make the kiss noise when you want a kiss. Your latest cute act is shaking your head vigorously when you do not want something. You are apparently taking after your sister with the whole independent streak.

I really can not believe that a full year has gone by since you were born. You are such an amazing little boy. I love when you give hugs and pat us on the arm. I love how you play peek a boo with your towel after your bath. I love how you play shy with people and hide your face and then light up with a smile. You are trying desperately to talk to us. Your loving sister loves to talk for you, yet she is trying to teach you how to say words. You already love so deeply.

It is an amazing thing to be your mommy. It has been an adventurous year. You have grown so much and have brought so much to our lives. I adore you. I am excited to see what you learn next and what you teach me next. I love my baby boy. Happy Birthday!

Love~

Your mommy