Happy Holidays!

Yes, we are here! I can't believe another month has gone by and I haven't posted any pictures. I guess that's what happens when you lose your camera in Palm Springs. :( My sweet husband actually bought me a camera almost immediately upon my return, but I'm still figuring out how to use it! (Plus the fact we're still have lots of sleep issues with our sweet boys.)

We had a lovely Christmas. In fact, it was pretty close to perfect (minus one new toy telescope being used as a baton across someone's back. Don't you just love 2 year olds?!)

Here are some pictures of our preparations:

Dane making his Reindeer Food to sprinkle on the lawn on Christmas Eve.

The finished product. We decided to make a few extras for some friends to drop off on Christmas Eve day.


Jaeger Ray helping make my sweet Grandma Lorraine's yummy salad. In my mind, no Thanksgiving or Christmas is complete without this delicious salad.


On our way to Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Opening the first gift on Christmas eve. A pair of matching fire truck jammies!



Putting the finishing touches on his letter to Santa.

I'm proud to say he did this all by himself (except I did help him spell Santa.) It says:
Dear Santa,
I love you.
I'm gunna be gunna be good.
Fire Station Playmobil.
Love,
Dane

Jaeger Ray making sure Santa's cookies taste good. :)



I only managed to get a few pictures on Christmas morning. This one tells a pretty good story - paper and new toys scattered everywhere and Daddy as a building machine! If you look closely, you can see Dane's new Playmobil Fire Station on the train table half built and in Daddy's hand is a rescue helicopter he is putting together. In case you're wondering, that thing on Jaeger's head is a headlamp. ;)

The anticipation...

is driving these little ones crazy!

Thankfully, there seems to be at least one gift they get to open as each package is dropped off on our doorstep! Grandparents and Aunties sure know how to win the hearts of my children. ;)

Above they are opening these adorable light up snow globes from Grandma & Grandpa.

Here's Dane adding a new ornament that came all the way from Chile! Thanks to Guy & Nannie for this bell. It's been doubling as Dane's fire department alarm too! He runs over to ring it whenever there is a fire in the house. ;)

Here are the boys playing with some toys that Auntie Mary sent. Dane absolutely LOVES these fire fighter figures! We were really only given clearance to open the Christmas jammies in Auntie Mary's box, but somehow these got opened up too.

Sneak Peek - Day 3

This one's a little obvious, but it wouldn't be Christmas around here if we didn't make Cranberry Hootycreeks. In fact, people have already begun to request them!

Sneak Peek - Day 2

Here's a little teaser to our Christmas card this year. Don't you just LOVE the little belly button poking out?

And if you look closely you can see our bribe of white chocolate chips in his mouth. ;)

ps - That adorable outfit Jaeger Ray is wearing was Dan's when he was about Jaeger's age. Still in awe that Nannie kept many of Dan's outfits all these years, but I'm so glad she did. They make adorable pictures!

Sneak Peek Week!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!
And living in this winter wonderland makes it even sweeter!

*This picture was taken from my backyard just a few minutes ago! Isn't it incredible? Sometimes I am truly in awe of the beauty that surrounds us.

We've been busy little elves working on all kinds of handmade gifts and sweet treats for the holidays. I love being crafty and I especially love that Dane enjoys helping me. I thought it would be fun give you a little sneak peek without exposing too much so we won't spoil the surprise. ;) After the holidays, I'll be sure to post pictures of the final products so everyone can see.

Here's a little something for the Grandparents. Hmmmm....I wonder what it could be?!?!