The Longest Post Ever aka-The Whole Month of December

I promised myself when starting this blog that I was going to be loyal to it. I have found over the past couple of months how hard that is. Time gets away from you. Life happens and little girls require lots of my time. I am not complaining. As a matter of fact, I love it. I swear, they are changing right in front of my eyes and there is nothing I can do to stop it. Andy was just saying the other day how he wishes we could just stop time right now. You know, to enjoy all of the new little things they do. Watching them grow into little ladies. The new words. The new favorites. It just keeps changing. And while change is good. It is also sad. It just means that they aren't babies anymore. I now have a pre-schooler and a toddler. According to all the websites that is.

Our month started off with a busy week. The first part was for Andy and I. Our Anniversary/Christmas/Birthday present. Two nights at the Biltmore. Just the two of us. It was wonderful. So relaxing and just what we needed to be refueled.

 We missed our girls like crazy, but were ready for them when we got home. This place was decked out for the Holidays. So many things that screamed Christmas. And there was not a place in that hotel that didn't have a rose in it. Just beautiful!!

After a quick wash of clothes and an unpack and pack, we headed north to spend Christmas with the McDonald side of the family. Welcomed with warm hearts, our time with them was short but so sweet. My girls came home with their very own Christmas thanks to Grandma and Grandpa McDonald and of course their wonderful Aunts and Uncles. Our nephews have grown so much since we just saw them in October and the girls LOVED playing with their cousins.

Although it was crazy and busy we managed to fit in a trip to the National Christmas Tree at the White House. It was so beautiful. We also made a trip to the Museum of Natural History. So much fun!!

Coming home was just as sweet as going though. Like I have said before. We love home. We do wonderful things at home. Like have Daddy's Christmas Party. Dancing and birthday cake filled the room that night. What fun for everyone.

This picture is just priceless..

Then the week of Christmas was upon us. It went by so fast. A good friend of mine said it best. It is the week when you just want everything to slow down a bit. Just long enough to enjoy the last minute days of the season. The ones where you can just sit by the fire and admire all of your beautiful Christmas decorations and talk about Christmases past. Yes, it is a nice thought. But one we never get. (right Brandy?)

Christmas Eve was a full day. Work, then Aunt Gingers. Then church, then Nana's. Oh yes, a full day for sure. But so much fun!!

 

And then it was time. All of the build up. Talking about it for a month. When their heads hit the pillow, they were down and done. Oh, and a wonderful Christmas gift to Andy and I...They slept until 7:45am. Yes, you heard me correctly. I had to wait on THEM to wake up. It was wonderful. And we were off.... They really weren't sure what to think. I finally gave them the OK to open their gifts. From new chairs to new pet hamsters and fairy castles in between. Two little girls racked.up. We are so blessed. The best word I know to use is Magical. It was so magical. I can honestly say it was everything I dreamed of. My best Christmas yet. Thank you my wonderful Husband for giving me my two favorite gifts of all time. My heart is so full.

 

 

thank you Grandma and Grandpa Blevins for our new lounge chairs

And that Santa, well he even left gifts at Nana's house for them. No new real hamsters in our house. But these Zhu Zhu pets sure play a close second. I have to admit, I enjoy them too. A LOT. So much I now have my own. Check them out. A must have.

So, there you have it. A month full of fun. And now it is quiet again and we play. We have so many new things to play with. I just hope my kids now how very lucky they are. So many people to love them. I didn't even get to every event we had this month. There may not be pictures, but they are in our hearts.

Dinner with the Pickett Family. All of them. That sweet little girl that lights up their lives now days. My kids were right at home as were we. Nothing unusual. That house has been home to lots of people. Trust me. I was one of them.

Gingerbread house building with Nana. Oh, what fun. I do believe Nana has those pictures somewhere. Apparently the Bean found it fun to eat most of the house. The Bear quickly informed her differently I am told. It was decorated by them and them alone I am also told. What beauty it brought to our house this Holiday Season.

Aunts and Uncles and cousins. Grandma's and Grandpa's. Nana's and wonderful friends. That was our staple this Christmas. It was just amazing. Only one thing missing. But he didn't miss a thing I am sure... Missing you this Christmas Papaw.

And to close. Our family wishes you all a wonderful and fulfilling New Year. May you find love and laughter and lots of happy moments. If you look around you, you will see that there is magic every day. I know it is there for me. I find it around every corner I turn.

On a Roll

In the past week, I have introduced three new traditions to our home. So, why not four. This one is especially cool.

Meet John.

He arrived at our house earlier this week via Santa. He came all wrapped up in a pretty package straight from the North Pole. The package that shortly looked like this after two little girls tore into it with wild anticipation.

Of course, getting there is so much fun. Just a taste of what it will be like at our house on Christmas morning. Oh, it gives me chill bumps.

Surprisingly, they have taken right up with John. His story is that he hangs around the house until Christmas Eve, when he has to head back to the North Pole to be with Santa until next Christmas. Each day, he is found in a new spot. One he chooses very wisely. The spot he places himself when he comes back from the North Pole each morning after reporting to Santa on the behaviour of two little girls.

The story is so magical and it has really gotten us into the Christmas spirit. We are in full swing. The Christmas movies are out, the tree is up, the stockings are hung and the air smells of all the wonderful Christmas scents we have in the house. I can't wait. And neither can they.



Oh, and remember me telling you about that old fence that will shine like the heavens this Christmas. Well, daddy fixed that right up. Not only does that fence shine, but our house looks like the most fine gingerbread house you have ever seen. Be watching for those pictures soon. In the meantime, enjoy the magic over the next few weeks. I am so filled with magic right now. The girls love the magic of Christmas. Almost as much as their mommy does. This Christmas is going to be amazing. And I will get to share all of that magic with two amazing girls.

I am so Thankful....

As I sit here, exhausted from the days activities, I reflect on each and every moment of the day. From the minute we woke, preparing for the day, I knew it was going to be wonderful. This day was so special, yet so hard. So much to be sad about, yet so much to be thankful for. We came together as a family and enjoyed every minute of it.

 New recipes scented the kitchen as my hubby and my mom prepared the meal.

The kids played and enjoyed aunts and uncles. Something we don't do often enough. Watching my girls warm up to them was so sweet. And one little baby, well he stole the show. He is getting so big and doing so well. They all bring something special to our family.

The kids also exchanged names for Christmas. Something we decided to do different this year. It was a hit and they were all so very proud of the name the got. Even the big kids.

After everyone had eaten until they couldn't move, and the kiddos were sore from all the lovin, it was time to say good bye and on to another family Thanksgiving for us. Another family we are very Thankful for. The picture taking wasn't as easy over there. We have our hands full. Full of fun and love with these monkeys. How lucky are we to have this much family to celebrate with?  I think we are pretty lucky.

My girls love their Aunt Ginger. And she loves them so much. The Bean was full of love for her before leaving. We are so lucky to have these wonderful Aunts and Uncles for our girls.

Oh, what a day. My eyes are heavy and my body is ready for some cuddling with my hubby. And before I fall asleep I will pray to the good Lord above and thank him for yet another wonderful day. No, and extraordinary day. And for that I am so Thankful...





I'm Still here...I promise.

Hope you have your comfy clothes on, cause it has been a while. Lot's to tell you. So, sit back, relax and enjoy. From baptism's to crafting. And from playing to the potty.    We got it..

Had the pleasure of being at the baptism of a dear friend's granddaughter. Oh, Baptism's get me. There is just something about the purity and innocence of a beautiful child being welcomed into a family of God. So precious. Just look at this gorgeous girl. She is so loved. By so many. That is for sure...

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My good friend came up with a wonderful craft idea and with the help of my mom and the purchase of a little twig tree, we now have as my friend named it, the Thanks"giving" Tree. Each day we write down something we are thankful for and then hang it on our tree. It has been so much fun and I hope for it to be wonderful family tradition we will start.

 the bean is so thankful for her teeth. guess i would be too if i hadn't gotten them until i was almost two.

Then there is just the plain ole enjoying my family. My awesome girls. They are just so great. I look at them sometimes and wonder how in the world I got so lucky. I can't wait to see their faces first thing in the morning and my sleep at night comes with the peace of knowing they are the last thing I see before I go to bed at night. They are close, my girls. They have a closeness I can't explain. The bear translates for the Bean and the Bean wants the bear when anything goes wrong for her. It is such a bond. I love it. Don't get me wrong, they have their moments. Moments where I am not sure if I am mommy or referee. But watching them grow up together, being best friends, well, that is just so fulfilling.

Their laughter is contagious and giddy. They make us laugh and they make each other laugh.  I love to see them happy. It brings me so much joy. I just hope that I make them as happy as they make me.

 

And last but not least, the bean has been showing interest in the... shhh "potty". It was going good and then not so good and then back to pretty good. I don't know if she will pick it up like her sister, but she sure tries. In her own time though.

So, that is where we are for now. We have so much to be thankful for and next week we will celebrate those things. Families will join and eat and laugh and cry I am sure. It is going to be different this year. Very different, but wonderful at the same time. There is just so much to be thankful for. I can tell you two things I sure am thankful for...

 P.S.~Don't tell Grandpa, but this picture was taken while they were sitting in his chair. But that is another post.

Good Night.



Pretend Play

We are gearing up for a very big day here at our house. We have library trick or treating this morning and then after nap, we have downtown trick or treating as well as at the grandparents house. It is going to be FUN!! With Halloween here, it makes me realize how precious and innocent the child's mind is. The pretend play that was happening in our house this morning was no exception.

This morning two pirates took on the roll of a baby, butterfly and mean monster.

Something I did learn this morning. If you ever want to know how you sound when you reprimand your children, just give them a couple of pirates, sit back and watch. Oh my. I do remember the words "quiet down honey" and "if you do that one more time" but mostly I was laughing so hard, I couldn't hear.

 ~the bear is spanking her pirate here

And then for the grand finale, the two pirate buddies, well they ended up in time out.

Hope your day is full of fun and pretend play. I know ours will be. Oh, and Happy Haunting!!