Christmas Eve Part I 12.24.10

Logan
Reise

Heidi, Cheryl, and Marvin

Cheryl

Emily

It's Christmas Eve, so it's off to Mick and Cheryl's. Every year they host our whole gang (there were 30 of us this year), and what a marvelous job they do. Great food, great company, and a great evening. I always have a great time on Christmas Eve, but there was something just right about the night this year. It just felt like everyone was at their best. There was a lot of laughter, very few tears, and so much visiting...perfect. Logan especially got a good laugh out of Brandi's husband, when he told Logan that his name was Kelly and Logan goes, "But dat's a girl's name." I loved it especially because Kelly had been ribbing me all night. Way to go Logan!! The kids got some very nice gifts and the adult exchange was a roaring success, although Marvin and Mick really got the short end of the stick. I think almost every gift they chose got stolen from them at some point or another. It was a fabulous evening and I left feeling just plain happy. Thanks to everyone for such a fun night. As we left, Logan (falling asleep in the back of the car) says, "Mom, wet's go to Mick and Cheryl's all da time. It's fun there." I couldn't have said it better myself buddy. Life is good.

Christmas Eve Part II 12.24.10

Cherish, new little Aubrey, Brandi, Zaylor, Kelly, and Emily
Katie, Reise, and Shaun (congratulations on your engagement guys!)

Hey, who are those good lookin' kids??? :o)

Our family picture...I think it looks really good, except the glare by Jeff's head.

And I love this picture of Mom and Grandma...so great that they're both laughing!

Every year it's so nice to take some family pictures to document how we've all changed over the year. This year was no exception. Unfortunately, I didn't get everyone, but I was able to get some good pictures of some of my lovely family members. This always happens at the end of the night and I so appreciate everyone's patience, especially everyone with little one's who are getting restless, tired, and a little bit bored standing still for a photo opportunity. So thank you to my wonderful family for being so agreeable. You're a great bunch! Life is good.

Christmas Cocktails 12.24.10

Scott the bartender.
Karen and I with our yummy beverages.

Logan and Craig...I couldn't believe Logan didn't want his warm chocolate with little marshmellows...oh well.

Brett enjoying his Christmas snack. :o)

As Logan was taking random pictures, and I was attempting to take sweet, posed pictures in front of the tree, I got a call from Karen asking if Logan and I would like to come over for some Christmas cocktails before we all headed to our families for Christmas Eve. Ummmm, I'm pretty sure I said yes before she was even done asking the question. :o) Seriously, what a terrific idea. We're all dressed in our Christmas best enjoying a nice beverage with our dearest of friends to kick off the night. Sign me up! Karen had tried a delicious cocktail called a Jamacian Ten Speed and she got Scott to make us some...they were bright green with a red cherry in them...delicious and oh so festive! And she had hot chocolate ready for the boys, altough Logan wasn't too interested. Oh well, it was still the start of a wonderful night. Thanks again Karen and Scott, and I definitely think this needs to become a new tradition. Life is good with a Christmas cocktail in hand.

Twas The Night Before Christmas 12.24.10

2006...really could care less what the other one was doing.
2007...Apparently I wore them out before the picture taking.

2008...Seriously, Logan?

2009...Can you feel the annoyance?

2010...The best one yet!

Every year I try to get a picture of Logan and Norman in front of the tree together and I have to say, the older Logan gets, the easier it has become. Thanks Logan and Norman for all your cooperation. I love you both so much. I'm one lucky lady. Life is good with a family like mine.

The Next Ansel Adams 12.24.10

The winner!
"Logan just give...me...the...camera!"

Ummmm, it's called art. :o)

The first shot...not the most interesting subject matter, but look how straight.

Logan has recently decided that picture taking is for him. Now, I have a decent sized camera and it's not the easiest thing for him to hold it steady, focus in on something, and reach the button. However, this afternoon he was giving it a shot. The above are some of his shots. I think he did pretty good. :o) Life is good even when you're behind the camera.

Reindeer Food 12.24.10

When Santa came to visit a week or so back, one thing he brought was some reindeer food for us to sprinkle on the lawn so the reindeer would know to stop at our house. So, this morning Logan (half dressed/half still in pajama's) headed out to the front lawn to do some sprinkling. It was very cute watching him try to make sure the entire lawn was covered. And as we're talking about reindeer, he says to me, "Momma, but why are they called "rein"deer? They don't love the rain." And I said, "That's a good point babe. I'm not sure why they are called reindeer." So he replies with, "Well, I'm gonna call them 'snowdeer'." Great idea Logan. It absolutely makes more sense. :o) I love the mind of a 5 year old. Life is good when you're feeding "snowdeer."

Moving Furniture 12.22.10

Before
After

Recently Karen and Scott gave us a nice big chair and ottoman to hold on to for them so they could open up some room in their livingroom. I put it in the playroom and today decided to switch things up a bit. I love the feel of a room that has been rearranged. It's like it's a brand new room. Now, the playroom is definitely a work in progress and one day I hope to have it exactly how I envision it (yeah, right), but for now it was nice to kind of separate the room into a little play area/movies watching half and a traffic area/treadmill/dumping ground for shoes, coats, and backpacks area. Good stuff. Life is good when you mix things up a bit.