Chaos!

The past few weeks have been busy, very busy, for our family. We have traveled a lot to spend time with family and friends over the holidays - and enjoyed every minute of our time together. I just wish that we could have skipped over the flu that hit us as soon as we got home! Yuck!

I have so many pictures from these times (those that know me well, know that I have MANY pictures!) but I thought that I would choose just a few...

The kids with their new Christmas Eve PJ's - leaving cookies and (chocolate) milk for Santa. Lauren "knows that chocolate milk is his favorite!"

Andrew ripping open the first of his presents.
I think that Lauren was almost done opening hers at this point!

Lauren in one of her new Princess dresses.

Andrew loves Santa!

We had our first bowling experience while we were at Nana & Papa's. Lauren loved it and had the highest score of us all...we won't mention the gutters that popped up on her turn or the ramp that she used to roll the ball down the lane.....

Merry Christmas!

I had good intentions of sending Christmas cards this year,
but they are still sitting in the box !
Maybe next year...

I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas
and a safe and Happy New Year!

Cookie Weekend

What a wonderful weekend we are having...and it is only Saturday!! We had our 4th Annual Cookie Day today. Our families come to our house...the ladies make Christmas cookies and the men do manly things (a.k.a nap, etc.). It is such a nice chance to get together and visit...and eat! A lot!!

Our turkey dinner before the baking began.

Lauren frosting sugar cookies.

A sampling of the cookies that we made this year. We usually get a picture with all of the cookies that we made, but must have missed this picture this year. Oops!

It was also Todd's 30th Birthday today!

Our family!
We are so glad that Daddy is home with us again!
We missed him!

Thomas

Andrew has just fallen in love with Thomas the Tank Engine in the past week or two. He always wants to watch Thomas and carries this book around with him EVERYWHERE...even to take a nap! I sure hope that Santa brings him some Thomas toys!

Andrew "reading" Thomas... I think that he sat still
long enough for me to take this picture and then he was off again!

Andrew and his "cheesy" smile!

Daddy

Todd has just left for Washington D.C. He is thrilled to go and we are excited for him...but will miss him A LOT! Yesterday we stayed home, played (in our PJ's) and had a nice time as a family. Here are a few pictures from our Saturday...






We are going to keep ourselves busy this week. We have a full schedule of wrapping Christmas presents, taking LB to school, volunteering with Toys for Tots, making Christmas Cookies, making special Christmas projects and a Polar Express Party! I am looking forward to spending this time with the kids...but can't wait until Todd comes home!!

Fast Asleep

Andrew woke up extra early this morning (around 5:00 am) and I knew that he was still tired. I did not realize how tired until I was helping Lauren wash her hair and heard snoring! Andrew had found his blanket and pig and fallen asleep outside the bathroom door. He is taking an early nap today, he did not even open his eyes as I moved him to his crib. I hope he takes a long nap ...he needs it!

Winter Wonderland

We woke up this morning to this...





What a beautiful sight! Everything looked so crisp and white...Lauren could not wait to get outside. After breakfast we enjoyed the great outdoors with a little (ok, a lot!) of shoveling, snow angels and a snowman. What a great start to our snow day!