Budding

artists and friendships.


I love that they are starting to play with Benny and not just poke at him.

This picture about sums it up.

We were excited for presents, but too sick to really enjoy them.

We've been to the dr. to confirm we are passing around a nasty flu to each other and that's all. Fun stuff.

Here's hoping for a healthy 2011!

Merry Christmas!

Have a blessed and very Merry Christmas!

Sickness and Santa

Going to see Santa today. We wanted to wait until today in hopes the lines would be short.
Sadly, Grace is barely hanging by a thread with this flu. She is super sensitive, has a hoarse voice and a non-stop runny nose. Benny is almost better, but still coughing up a lung. Tate is the only one happy and cannot wait to see The Big Man. He let us cut his hair and took a bath before donning his newly pressed bow tie for the occasion.

I'm just hoping we have minimal tears overall and all three are willing to sit on his lap for 45 seconds (and that Santa doesn't mind a little snot on his sleeve).

What Can I Say?

We are pretty excited about Christmas around here and it has caused my little ones to say the cutest things.

Last night driving around looking at lights:
Gracie: "WOW! Look at those Happy Birfday Jesus lights!" "Happy birfday to you...Happy Birfday to Jeeeesus..."

Tate: "I see jingle bells on that tree!"

Random:
Me: Where does Santa live?
Tate: "In the chimney"
Me: Who lives with him?
Tate: Rudolph!

Me:Who brings presents on Christmas?
Gracie: "Me do!!"
Me: What do you want in your stocking?
Tate: "Candy! Candy! Candy!" (followed by a spin)

Benny is closer to walking exclusively every day and has added "Santa" and "Ho Ho Ho" to his vocab list. He has been fighting a nasty cough/fever all week though sort of putting a damper on his mood.

I have about 5 gifts left to buy (nothing like the last minute) and feel like each day is gone at lightning speed. I just want another two weeks of Christmas magic to enjoy!

Praise and Pictures!

Thanking God that Jackson is being released from the hospital today! So glad!

Christmas cards are flying in and out of our mailbox so I wanted to share some out-takes from our mini-photo shoot we did for our cards!







The inside of our card says, "Those who don't believe in magic will never find it" -Roald Dahl.

Merry Christmas!

MIA

Sorry, I've been MIA this week. One of my best friend's sons (follow that?) is in the hospital. He has a growth on his neck and I have been helping her as much as I can with their other son after work. We were talking about how we won't be taking the health of our children for granted again any time soon. Another reminder how blessed we are this season. Squeeze your little ones tight this evening and be glad you aren't trying to force them to poop in a scary hospital potty or cleaning up after they pulled their IV out again.

On a sweet, side note: Gracie said she would kiss him to make him all better and she lent him her guitar (his fav toy to play with when he comes over) while he's at "at the doctors". Amazing how empathetic a two year old can be.

Love you Jackson and praying you get to come home soon!

It's art.

A new collection is forming around here.

My husband calls it "Ornament Graveyard"

And The Winner is...

Tobi
who said: I'm now a follower and I'd love for Santa to bring me new kitchen appliances for Christmas. Exciting, huh?

YAY!! Congrats Tobi and thanks for donating a toy to Jack's Toy Drive!

Thank you all for participating!! Tobi, email me to get your prize code!

Rethinking

getting them toys for Christmas.


Apparently a laundry fight is the funnest.thing.ever.







Don't forget, I'll be announcing the winner of my giveaway tonight!

Noel

Gracie's middle name is Noel and Tate's is Joseph. Can you tell we love Christmas around here? We even considered Emmanuel, but it just didn't roll off the tongue.

ANYWAY.

Grace Noel gets called by her first and middle name often enough to know it and lately just has been hearing it a lot, on the radio. She cracks up and yells in the car, "That boy/girl is singin' 'bout Gracie NOEEEEL, Mama!!" We all cheer and laugh.

When she gets a little older I might burst her bubble that they are singing about Jesus too, but for now it just lights her up.

So in honor of my Noel here is a free printable from Sprik Space! I saw it this morning and though the timing couldn't have been better.

Get yours here!

My first GIVEAWAY!: $45 to CSN Stores

I am ridiculously excited about this! I have always longed to be fancy enough to hold a real giveaway on my little blog.

I mean, I've debated about giving away random artwork from my kids or the endless Pizza Hut coupons I get in the mail, but THIS seems much more appealing.

CSN has over 200 stores and you will get $45 to spend however you like!
Just in time for Christmas (or to sock away for a rainy day).
Need an idea? How about looking through some flat screen TV stands and give your other half the nudge they need to get a bigger TV to watch Glee on! Not that I am hinting to mine or anything...

Ok, the entries:
1. Become a follower of my blog and tell me what you want Santa to bring you for Christmas!
2. For 5 Entries purchase a toy for the Jack Malia Fund Toy Drive and leave me a comment saying what you bought. This drive is for special needs children staying in a hospital at Christmas. A worthy cause!

Thanks for enteringI I will be drawing a winner on Monday, Dec. 6th at 7PM (Pacific)

It's Beginning to...

look a little like Christmas!

Got our tree and began some decorating this weekend! So much fun!











Gracie asked me last night, "What you want for Christmas, Mama? A truck?!" I told her I'd like a pretty sweater instead.
Then she asked if daddy would like a vacuum cleaner, like her.
I said,"Yes he would honey, very much."

Slightly Belated...

Hope you counted your blessings and felt love and gratitude!

Now ON to CHRISTMAS!

Snow Day!

In Pictures...









We only lasted about 45 min outside with friends. It was about 20 degrees in Seattle today! All that was left to do was have chicken noodle soup, hot cocoa and a long short winter's nap.