Cheers!

Scott and I have been trying to remember how we spent New Year's Eve last year, and neither of us has been successful. Apparently it wasn't anything TOO exciting because I didn't even blog about it :). I'm guessing it went a lot like this night -- putting Millie to bed, watching something from our Netflix cheque until Millie woke up crying ('cause in those days, she always woke up eventually...) and then me going to bed well before midnight. Not too different than any other night, which is kind of the way it should be, and not too different from tonight. Tonight though, I'm hoping Millie stays asleep and we are cuddling another little sleeping baby hoping she also stays asleep as we snuggle on the couch and watch episodes of Battle Star Gallactica. We did at least have dinner with my parents this year. I enjoyed spending the afternoon with my mom as we worked to get the girls good naps and some quality play time and Scott and my dad worked all day building new shelves in the workroom. We may not be ringing in the new year with endless bottles of champagne, party hats or noise makers, but we are ringing it in with each other and ultimately that's all that matters.

2009 was an amazing year that brought us so many good things and I have thought many times over the course of today that everything I want is all that I have. I know that 2010 is going to be an equally amazing year as we continue to grow as individuals and as a family. It is my sincerest wish that it is also an amazing year for all of our friends and family -- especially those to whom 2009 was not as kind. Happy New Year to you and yours.

The Children Were Nestled All Snug in Their Beds ...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

December 24 -- Make Cookies for Santa

I think we might send Santa into a sugar coma with these little no-bake cookies!!

And the Stocking Were Hung by the Chimney with Care

December 23

Scott and I have stockings too, but don't have hooks yet ... tomorrow :)

December 20-22

Donate toys, paint an angel, and sing Christmas songs. Thank goodness I had the foresight to put something easy down for today and the next couple of days! There is a lot going on as we get ready for Christmas!! Someday I will accept the limitations of what I can get done in a day with two small children... it does not appear that today is that day ;).

We were very lucky to have April and Malia join us yesterday for painting. Malia is such a doll and April is such a good friend. It's been hard to coordinate our schedules to get together as much as we would like, but it's very nice to know that they are only a phone call away. I am very excited that we will all be taking a mommy and me music class together starting in January. Guaranteed play dates for the girls and adult interaction for me!!

Our painting of an angel did not turn out as endearing as the Christmas tree and the snowman -- I just wasn't able to bring my vision to the canvas this time, and I had a little more help from Millie (which is kind of the point anyway!). It kind of looks like a Muppet, which I guess isn't a bad thing... Regardless it will proudly hang on our wall as part of our holiday decor along with the others! April's angel turned out darling, but unfortunately Malia was not very interested in helping (even though ALL her daddy wants for Christmas is something with her hand prints on it...). The lure of new toys and baby dolls to play with was just too much. The important thing is that she had a good time though ... and I think she did!

More Cuteness

Miss Merrill sporting Brandon's hat :)

Campin'

So maybe this tent isn't the best camping tent ... but the girls sure do have a lot of fun playing in it! Thanks Kevin and Amy -- you guys sure know what little girls like. We are all in this thing daily ;)!

Happy Birthday Dad/Grandpa!

We are so happy that we get to celebrate both the big moments (like turning 60!) and the little moments with you everyday now. We all love you very much and look forward to a whole new year of "moments" to share with you!

December 19 -- See Christmas Lights at the Zoo

I couldn't agree with my sister more when she says what a wonderful uncle Jason is to the girls. I would just add that Lauren is an equally awesome aunt. These two love Millie and Merrill SO much and have right from the start. Lauren loved Millie so much when she was born that I almost convinced her to move to Connecticut and be our nantie (nanny + auntie ...). Fortunately Jason's voice of reason won out -- he told her to just wait and we would probably move back, such a wise man! I can invite Lauren and Jason to join us for any activity big or small and 90% of the time the answer is an emphatic 'yes!' They post-pone date nights, forgo trips to the gym, babysit on short notice -- anything for the girls. They joined us for our trip to see Santa even though it was probably a bit of a hassle for Jason and he had to get his dinner to go. They came over to help me back in September when Millie and I were sick even though they were technically still on their honeymoon. You get the idea :). So, they were more than eager to agree when I suggested that they take Millie to see the lights at the zoo as a special activity for just the three of them. The outing was a huge success with everyone and I'm sure there will be many more of its kind in the future :). Thanks LoLo and Jason -- we love you!!

waiting for the fun to begin!

Breakin' In

More 'Sisters'

This was supposed to be a video of Merrill showing off her floor skills, but it kind of turned into a video of Merrill AND Millie :). Merrill is rolling all over the place, spinning on her tummy, scooting backwards ... essentially getting anywhere she wants to go. I swear she is going to be crawling any day now!!

Little Things

Sometimes it feels like all the little, annoying things in life just keep piling on making them seem more important and frustrating than they really are. We've had a lot of those "little" things popping up lately and I've really been starting to feel it. So, yesterday when I was out running errands I paused for a minute to give some thought to all the BIG things. The things that really matter. The things that make life good and make the hassle of all the little things disappear. Here is what I thought about:

• my husband. He really is the epitome of anything I ever wanted out of a life partner. Loving and supportive in every way, an active and involved father, a man who takes everything in stride and loves me through it all
• my girls. I've recently had the thought that to know the love of a child is to know the love of God. Pure and unconditional and unbelievably strong
• all of our health
• getting to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas with family this year
• not traveling to be with family for Christmas -- it's so fabulous to just BE here
• our extended family -- both Scott and I are blessed with wonderful families and its so nice to have them all as part of our daily lives, even if we don't see everyone on a daily basis
• sun, blue skies and driving with the windows down yesterday -- in the middle of December! (and, no, I don't take this as proof that we live in the south, Bob!)
• being able to stay at home with my girls everyday
• having family nearby to give me a mommy break every once in a while!
• Scott's job -- we know how blessed we are for him to 1) have a job in this economy, 2) be able to transport that job to our basement in Kirkwood, Missouri
• The opportunity to reconnect with old friends
  

Hope that YOU are feeling grateful for something today! We wish all of our friends and family nothing but happiness this time of year and every other!

December 17 - 18

Make ornaments and read Christmas stories

We started our ornaments yesterday, but had to do the painting today, which worked out since reading Christmas stories is a low-key project. I bought a beautiful book yesterday that tells the story of baby Jesus, so we've added that to our library. It's hard to believe there is only 1 week left until the big day!!




pre-baking

post-baking






funny thing is, my parents still have ornaments on their tree that look exactly like this that my brother Christian made 30+ years ago...

I made up for my over-involvement with the snowman project and let Millie do the painting 100% on her own. She was so serious about the whole thing and did an awesome job!! Family members, don't be surprised if one of these ends up on your tree :D!

Just Because

I adore these two so much and think they are SO cute! Yes, I recognize I'm the most biased person to ask :D. And yes, I absolutely should be writing Christmas cards instead of blogging right now ... though it is easier to type one-handed while nursing a sleeping baby than it is to write ;).