a day in the park...

On New Year's Adam (the day before New Year's Eve) we went to the park.  It was a great day...a little cool, but with layered clothes it was perfect.  We played, slid, chased and climbed for an hour and a half.  Even the Mama slid down the slide...thank goodness there were no pictures (the diet begins Monday-ha!).

This is the best together picture we have had in a long time!  Yea for snack time!

a Semi-White day after CHRISTmas...

The weather man said it would be a white CHRISTmas and we did see some flurries (with no sticking) on CHRISTmas day, but the day after was more snow and actual sticking. James and Maggie loved it, and were quite sad when we had to go inside...

CHRISTmas unwrapped...

CHRISTmas Eve was great, we celebrated in the morning with Aunt Candice, and our friends "G" and Big "R". We have celebrated CHRISTmas Eve with their family for 8 years, and now that everyone has kids, it is even more fun. We exchanged books this year and it was wonderful!

Then we ate dinner and off we went to look at CHRISTmas lights. This was great for 15 minutes, until Maggie decided she was ready to go home. Once we got home, we watched A Muppet CHRISTmas Carol and then it was bath time. We prepared Santa's snack (apple slices, fruit cake cookie, banana bread muffin, cheese for Santa Mouse and a glass of milk) and took photos next to the fire place.

(No matter how many times I took this picture, James closed his eyes...so, there you have it.)

(Maggie was more interested in the funny faces Dada was making)

To help teach the real reason for CHRISTmas, we have always given James and Maggie three gifts. These three gifts are representative of the three gifts Jesus received not long after his birth. They were so excited with their gifts, they immediately began playing and did not want to stop for breakfast.

Maggie loves her "Magdoodle", she can make/draw everything and she is so happy...

James and his Dada are working together on a Magna-Doodle masterpiece!

James and his Dada also share the same morning hair-do!!

Our CHRISTmas day was wonderful: we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, ate breakfast, packed up and went to Mimi & Papa's for the afternoon and then to their Great Ruppy & Mo's house for dinner.  Such a great day to spend with family.

Ho...Merry CHRISTmas

The Monday before CHRISTmas we went to see Santa Claus and this year the pictures went well. James and Maggie were extremely interested in the photo book Santa Claus had of his work shop and all the toys, but they were not the least bit interested in sitting in his lap.  Either way, I have a great picture of them dressed up and not crying. I love miracles! Oh, the title to this post is exactly how James bids you tidings...only one ho.

I bring you good tidings of great joy...

Luke 2:10

Happy Birthday Jesus!

the number you have dialed...

Maggie wanted to talk on the phone, which is not out of the ordinary. We try to call Nanny and PawPaw weekly, but this week was different. Maggie pushed a kitchen chair to the wall phone, climbed up, took the phone from the base and asked me to call PawPaw.

I was not sure how long this would last, so I grabbed a cordless as well (thus to prevent accidental hangups). She really wanted to talk...I think we talked to PawPaw (Nanny was not home), Mimi and Papa and we even tried Aunt Tee.

I think she would have talked longer...if more people had been home. She is a talker...just like her mama!!

what we do best...

James and Maggie are Sesame Street kids; they love it!!!

We have two DVDs of the old school Sesame Street...which they love!

We also have 40 Year's of Sunny Days...

which they love more, if that is even possible!!!

We watch this almost everyday...

they love when "Ernie steals Bert's nose to finish his clay creation"

When Bert and Ernie go fishing...the laughter is so wonderful!!

 I never knew my love for Sesame Street would be passed down...but I am so glad it did.

After we decorated the CHRISTmas tree, James and Maggie watched the Polar Express for the first time. James was amazed and loved every minute. 

I am sure this will become a CHRISTmas tradition.

cannot resist such a cute face...per James "Ho, Merry CHRISTmas"

Maggie loves the tree and any ornament she can TOUCH!

A day with Aunt Llama's Mama...

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we loaded up and drove to Prattville to visit Aunt Llama's Mama and the Coach.  Aunt Llama and I have been friends for 21 years (WOW...we met at school when I was in the 6th grade; her dad "the Coach" was my Athletic Director and her family took me as one of their own) and we try to see each other (or talk) as much as possible time permits.  Usually around the holidays we try to see each other more.  This year, in addition to our visit, we had to pick up a kitchen for James and Maggie (that will be an entirely different post). 

While visiting, James and Maggie each made a CHRISTmas tree craft, played with chalk and super cool dump truck.  We love spending time with family, it makes the holiday much brighter!
Looking forward to Aunt Llama visiting for CHRISTmas...