And it was good...

Hope everyones Christmas' were filled with love, joy, excitement and smiles. Here is what ours was filled with...

funny sleepy but excited faces and the wonder of how santa really got down the chimney to fill those stockings!

pure excitement and joy over simple things.
lots of smiles for a very busy girl who got; paint, crayons, markers and a new little art desk/easel to let her creative juices flow!

and a super fast race track that not only travels the cars it came with but also boats, trains and anything else that will fit on it.

Hope you got the toys and wishes you asked Santa for!

Ooohhhhh...

...the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is sooo delightful.

So since we can't go where we want to go..let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Well, we are stuck at home yet another holiday. Not due to sick children this time, but ice. WAY Too slick to leave yesterday, better this morning but saw two accidents and slideoffs 5 minutes after leaving and deciding since we were headed north where it was colder we would forgo the plans and hideout in the burg until a later date. So Tim made a nice fire last night to keep us warm and cozy and we vegged out in front of a "opened early" movie.

And since I have yet to share any tree pics, thought I would show some pics of the decor that no one else will probably see besides us.

The sheer excitement of a simple Christmas tree by a 2 and almost 4 year old was amazing. It just warmed your heart to hear things like "Look Mommy! The perfect tree!" and then with each ornament..."Look mommy, a star! a snowman!" (you get the idea?) Too cute.

So far the tradition has been Lucas topping off the tree, I am sure next year there will be a fight.

And the final decor. I think I like my house better at Christmas.And just to let you know, Santa is happy that he no longer has to do breathing treatments twice a day. We did recieve word yesterday via a checkup that both children are finally healthy (still a residual caugh when they get running), but no more wheezing or infected ears. My Christmas wish came true!!

I hope you Holiday wishes come true as well. Enjoy the family, be safe in the weather, and Merry Christmas to all!!

Oh Christmas Tree...or Lilly

Both Lucas and Lilly liked to help decorate the tree this year, but Lucas was into the ornamets and Lilly was into the beads...which she used to decorate herself! She treated them like giant necklaces and would just dance around in circles. I did manage to steal one strand from her and put it near the top, but decided that maybe I shouldn't put the other beads on anywhere where they could be reachable by a really cute two year old...or she might just pull the tree down on top of herself! Enjoy the dancing pics!

How did she get so cute?

p.s. Pretty sure I lost the contest...but thanks for voting if you did!! (And if you didn't...well the guilt is on your shoulders and I am taking back your christmas presents!)

Classic

Oh the classic picture with Santa. Lucas wouldn't look at him at first, but then he warmed up, told him he wanted a big green and orange dinosaur and then smiled ever so sweetly for the camera. Lilly on the other hand wanted nothing to do with him and I think Tim barely got her on his lap...you could tell with that scowl that she was not a happy camper.

Some days they both deserve coal, but most days I would give them the world if I could. They are the best presents I have ever gotten and I wouldn't change that for anything.

Anyone else stir crazy?

It is kinda funny how the last few weeks every mom I have talked to has seen a bit stir crazy. They seem ready to go get a drink at the drop of a hat, more phone conversations and stir craziness then I have seen in awhile. I thought maybe it is the lack of Vitamin D from the sun, or the business of the holidays. I didn't really put it together until I was talking to a friend and I realized what it is...winter. Yes, winter (although not offiical yet) has kept us indoors, which has therefore kept the germs indoors, which has therefore kept our kids sick, which has therefore kept our kids crabby, which has therefore raised the stress level, which on top of typical "get ready for the holidays" stresses can really add up, which has therefore turned most moms I know into women who need a break. Well, at least I am speaking for me.

I was able to "get away" this past weekend. Headed up north to one of my best friends from highschools house on Saturday. We met up with a few of our other girlfriends, shopped at an insane mall, ate dinner in a bar where no children were allowed, found people from highschool on facebook, taped off a stripe to be painted on a dining room wall, went to a choir concert at our old highschool in the same auditorium we use to sing in, then I finally headed back home. It was perfect. Just enough time to relax, breathe, shop, girl talk, laugh (and then tried not to during the concert). Good times that were much needed, I did miss the kids but it was only 30 hours and they had great bonding time with daddy.

Thought I would share some funny pics. Reminissing in the old halls of highschool, next to the infamous art murals.

Had a great time ladies! You were a blast!

And if YOU still need some quality girl time (always a must to maintain the fact that even though we are moms/daughters/friends/sisters/wives we must take care of ourselves every now and then too)...feel free to drop me a line and we can get together!

Come one, Come all and cast your votes!

No, not voting for president silly, that is already done!

But you can vote for us, for that sure is fun!

We're one of the finalist for Christmas Out-takes-

And oh you can trust me, there are no fakes!

So go to my friends site and vote for us HERE!

Maybe we will win the Prize of the Year!!

And if you haven't seen the best out-takes of all...

Just scroll down one blog further and out of your chair you might fall!

For the kids are choking, and crying, and sad,

But once the photoshoot was over they sure were glad.

So if you chuckle a little or really laugh out loud,

Please go and vote to show us you're proud!

We sure would be thankful, it sure would be great,

if you could vote for us- just don't be late!!

Merry Christmas and happy voting!!

Christmas Picture OUT-TAKES...

These are always fun to post and just gives you a little anticipation what the final picture actually turned out to be and since I MIGHT finish Christmas cards this weekend, thought I should post these now. Also, my friend Emily is having a little contest for who has the best out-takes. I would vote for hers by far...but since she doesn't count, thought I would give it a try! They are definitely not the worst we have ever had, but are pretty funny.

The infamous choke-hold...

Only a little crying...but boy does she look pitiful!
And yes Lucas is wearing shorts (and a Halloween t-shirt underneath). Had to bribe him with a sucker to put on the sweater.

And this one looks like he is about to hurl, but you can see Lilly's great hairbow!

This one is actually one of my favorites, oh too cute even in out-takes.

I am definitely one lucky lady with two adorable children. Wait till you see the final pic! It will melt your heart! And feel free to enter the contest too! If it was based on cuteness, I would definitely win, but feel free to challenge me on how horrible it was!

Wordless Wednesday...How many kids can you fit on a couch?

All I want for Christmas...

Sickness Sickness go away. Don't come back another day.

Oh my goodness, I am so tired of everyone being sick. I think my house has been caughing for the last 4 weeks. Have been to the doctor, the ER, back to the doctor and will go back again in two weeks for a re-check. First it just started with colds, snot pouring out of the face, caughing, sneezing with snot to the floor...you know typical toddler stuff. Mommy started getting something too and that never helps. Went for flu shots/2 year check up and both of their chests sounded good and they seemed to be on the up an up. Then Thanksgiving week rolled around and we got hit by a stomach virus and croup. Then last week Lucas got croup and Lilly had an ear infection. Now at least one is on the pink yummy bubblegum meds and the other only starts caughing after running around in circles chasing Lilly or the dog. I got on some antibiotics for a sinus infection which I believe now has moved to my chest so I should probably go back.

Just when you think things may be improving, they both woke up this morning sounding horrible again...not sure if it was lack of humidifiers that we didn't fill last night, the air does seem extra dry and cold this morning, or what. Lilly was choking on phlem which ended up on the kitchen floor in a puddle and Lucas has green snot again. Daddy is trying to make it through the work day and should probably go to the doctor, but you know men. I think the only healthy one is Wrigley.

So needless to say the kids haven't been to school in a few weeks (mommy could use a break), and we have tried to stay pretty confined to the house although 4 days is about my max before I at least need to hit wally world or something.

So, all I want for Christmas...a healthy family please! So send prayers and some chicken noodle soup, I think a week on the beach could cure us all! (or at least me)

Wordless Wednesday- A Barbie Thanksgiving

Do you see the green and yellow turkey? Does not look appetizing, but seriously came with the kitchen. How do they stay so skinny?

Have you been at the edge of your seats?

Well last week I gave you a mission to guess the number of leaf bags. Since then we were attacked by birds and snow has fallen. Which means that I have failed my mission. I did accomplish the three (flattened by Lucas) piles you see above but there were still probably about 4 bags yet to be raked, so sad,...not really.

I am not one for excuses...BUT on Tuesday I was sitting at my desk (I am sure I doing something that useful) while preparing my mind to bundle up and grab the rake and all the sudden heard a thousand birds right outside the front window. You know how when you are driving and you see a field completely covered by a flock of birds or what seems like 80 billion filling a tree all at once, well that was my front yard. I could hear them on the roof, their claws on the gutter, and they were literally covering my front yard. By the time I got the camera out they were all taking off. If you could have heard the sound to go with the photo that would have been nice. But needless to say, that did tend to sway my thoughts that maybe there was something else that needed done that day instead of raking leaves (you know, in case they came back).

Anyway, I did fill 28 bags before the snow hit. Tamara was closest with guessing 30 and to the winner I was going to give a pumpkin pie. Unfortnately this is kinda like salt in a wound b/c Tamara is my mother-in-law and pumpkin pies were the only thing I was suppose to bring for Thanksgiving...so needless to say (if you have read the blog below), she was sad that we didn't come. Soooo...anyone that lives closer want a pumpkin pie? I've still got 2 in the fridge!

And your next mission: Guess how many birds are in the picture above! Just kidding!