Friday, December 16, 2011

Checking In!

I know it's been a little while since my last post, again! But with the Holidays and all of Emma's festivities, it becomes hard to remember everything! {How do people do it with more than one child?!} 

Since my last post, Howard and I have celebrated our three year wedding anniversary {10 together, though}! During that day, I was at my moms wrapping Em's presents. When I got home, I opened the door to a most pleasant surprise! Howard and Em had cleaned the whole house! Now, that may not sound like much to some people, but to me...I LOVED IT!

Also, Emma had her Pre-K Christmas Program - SO CUTE! There is nothing more precious than witnessing a room full of 4 and 5 year old's singing {or shall I say yelling!} Christmas songs at the top of their lungs! Each child also had their own special line, a solo moment if you will! Em's line was: "...bringing gifts they came to see..." I was a little worried that she may get shy in front of the audience, but she did PERFECT! I was, and AM, so proud!!


We also went to visit Santa! Emma gave him her Christmas list, in the form of a letter...TOO CUTE! She has never been the kid who has been afraid of Santa. She has always loved him! Been more than Happy to sit with him, talk and smile pretty for the camera! Thank goodness for that!


Also, my not-s0-baby-girls birthday is coming up in a mere four weeks! SHE. WILL. BE. FIVE! I am having a little bit of difficulty coming to this realization. Do you know what five means?! Kindergarten! Aahh! What happened to my precious, tiny baby? The one who didn't know how to talk back? The one that would take naps on a regular basis? I know where she is - here with me. Only almost all grown up!


With the Holiday Season in full swing, we have definitely been feeling the Spirit this year! Have you? It comes and goes so quickly...I wish it could stick around a little while longer. The silver-lining to this, however, is that it WILL be back again in one year! 


Sunday, December 4, 2011

Festive Christmas Favorites!

 
Favorite Christmas Movie?
That is a tough one, considering I have quit a few! Any of the originals, Rudolph, Frosty, A Charlie Brown Christmas, etc...I would watch those as a child with my Papa each year. They are all near and dear to my heart. But I can't forget about Elf! Gotta get those laughs in!

Are you on the Naughty list or the Nice list?
I am hoping for the Nice list! Although, we all know that only Santa knows that answer! He, he!

Have you ever had a White Christmas?
Yes, a few times in the past. I especially remember two years ago. It was beautiful!

Where do you usually spend your holiday?
We do our family gifts at home in the morning, then usually head over to my in-laws for breakfast and more presents! Then we head over to some extended family members for a great big Christmas dinner.

What's your favorite Christmas song?
There is NO way I can pick just one! I love Christmas too much to pick! But two of my faves are: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Johnny Mercer & Margeret Whiting, and "Cool Yule" by Louis Armstrong!

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?
Not usually...but it would be fun!

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?     
On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen! On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen! Don't forget about Rudolf!


What Christmas tradition are you looking forward to most this year?
Getting our tree and decorating it! Oh, and my Christmas cards! But this year we are starting a new one: Elf on a Shelf! Our elf's name is Hermy! Emma loves him, and the whole idea behind it! I love that she believes!!!

Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
This is our second year with a real tree. We started last year, after moving into our house. It smells so good!

What is your all-time favorite Christmas sweet treat?
I don't have one favorite in particular, but usually anything involving peppermint is good in my book!

Do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?
Honestly, BOTH! However, the giving of gifts, and watching them open it, is best!

What would be your dream place to visit for the Christmas season?
I would love to see what the Holidays are like in Italy...I can only imagine how beautiful it must be!

Does your family have a special Christmas recipe you like to help make?
My father in-law has THE BEST Christmas morning cream-of-wheat recipe ever! He won't share it with me though...YET! He, he!

Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?
It is definitely NOT my strong suit! But I do like to pick out the wrapping paper, boxes and bags!

Most memorable Christmas moment?
Oh my...I literally have so many. From when I was a child, with my Papa and family, to my daughters first Christmas, to now...my list would be too long!

What made you realize the truth about Father Christmas?
Are we talking Santa? 'Cause if we are, then I know exactly! I noticed my Papa's wedding band, and realized he was not in the room when Santa was...let's just say that I put 2+2 together! But if we are talking the true meaning of the Holiday, then it would be when I was younger, and went to church every Sunday...

Do you make New Years Resolutions? Do you stick to them?
I NEVER make resolutions! In fact, I wrote a whole post about this last year...I believe that making resolutions, is setting yourself up for failure in the coming year...

What makes Christmas special for you?
FAMILY! TRADITIONS! MEMORIES! MUSIC! LIGHTS! PRESENTS! GIVING! EVERYTHING! Sometimes I wonder, 'do I love Christmas too much'?! But then I think to myself: 'NO! Not possible!'

Friday, December 2, 2011

The Reprieve

I have been so bad about keeping this thing updated! My apologies!

I can start this post out, by saying Happy Holidays!
My absolute favorite time of the year!

And as you know, I had my first photography meetup last weekend. Then this past week, Howard and I took a few days away for ourselves and just the two of us headed over to Longbeach, and Astoria, OR. The weather was so nice! The sun made an appearance the whole time, with blue skies! Even though it was bitterly cold, we had a really good, much needed, little reprieve from reality! Emma stayed with his parents, and did great {thank goodness}!
Below you will find some photos that I took during our trip:

View from atop the Astoria Column
Longbeach, WA - The Pacific Ocean
Door at Battery Henry Ford, Cape Disappointment
CLICK!

Tonight we are headed out to see the Ivar's Clam Lights and Christmas ships at Coulon Beach! It is going to be freezing, but it will be fun! Keep an eye out for photos...!