Christmas Card Photo Shoot

The infamous photo shoot took place this evening to get that perfect picture for the Christmas cards. Of course, the more you try, the less successful you are in getting that "perfect" picture. Anyway, here are a few preludes to the card:

Emily is good at giving hugs and smooches.

Then, the battle over the rocking chair began....SIBLING RIVALRY...

(I'm not moving from this chair.)

(I win!)

(Ah ha ha ha...the wicked laugh.)

Photo shoot - OVER!

And the baking has begun.....

I love to bake. Christmas gives me the best excuse to do it! I tried a new recipe today for Gingerbread bears. They're too cute, not to share. (After I took the picture, I piped a little red bow on each of their necks too.) The best part is, they are YUMMY!! I didn't think the kids would be all that crazy about Gingerbread, but apparently, they LOVE them. We'll be lucky if any make it to the freezer to last until Christmas!!!

The Christmas Barn

While we are thankful all year long for our many blessings, Thanksgiving is officially over and we are now preparing for Christmas. We ventured to The Christmas Barn for this year's Christmas wreath. (I succumbed years ago to Jeff's determination to forgo the live tree and get an artificial one. But I won't give up on my wreath.) Anyway, we found a nice wreath, but the girls most enjoyed seeing the buffalo, goats, and miniature ponies.

Ode to Super Dad

Jeff has been off all week, and the girls and I were quite spoiled. He took on the shuttle duty of taking the girls to and from "school", doctor appointments, etc. He cleaned the house, did laundry, put up all of the indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations, did some of the Christmas shopping, and had an excellent meal ready and waiting each night I came home after 11 hour days at the office. (I worked extra hours knowing that I wasn't restricted with daycare hours, etc. - It's year end crunch time for us bean counters, you know!) Jeff also cooked the most scrumptious Thanksgiving Day dinner! He was probably more exhausted than if he had actually worked. The three of us girls have all enjoyed and very much appreciate all of his extra efforts.

Unfortunately in Caroline's eyes, he hasn't quite earned the "Super Dad" title. "Daddy can't be Super Dad. He doesn't have a cape!" Nevertheless, he's Super Dad in my eyes! And Super Duper Hubby!! Love you babe!

Time for an Update

Well, I'm far overdue for a post. It's been absolutely nuts at our house. Jeff has been working his normal, not so short, hours, but now has the added hour drive each way. I've been working 44 hour weeks for almost a year now. Keeping up with the girls and day to day chores of cooking, cleaning, and laundry have kept us very busy.


The girls had a great Halloween. Emily was proud to be a monkey. She "Ooo Ooo Ahh Ahh's" every time she sees the costume. Caroline was Cinderella. She was one of many princesses in her class at school. I wouldn't be surprised if she wants to be Cinderella again next year.

Caroline is 3 1/2 going on 16. She is a very emotional child, especially when she's overtired. She's also very inquisitive about everything. She's very interested in why things happen and how everything works. She's also very funny, and reminds us every day to take pleasure in the simpler things. She's working on learning her letters and numbers and loves to read books.

Emily is 15 months going on 4. She's constantly on the go, and is always into everything. She is also a climber. She can now get up on some of the furniture and is so proud to do so every time. (She's sitting in the chair looking at books right now.) Her vocabulary is growing rapidly, though "dog" is her most frequently spoken word. She has also learned the great game of "Uh Oh", only she says "Ah Ho". She is obsessed with brushing her teeth. And, when you've lost sight of her, the first place to check is the bathroom toothbrush drawer. She's usually there. (It's really nice to tell her it's time to go brush her teeth and have her race off to the bathroom without any convincing or negotiating!) She's also very fond of shoes, hats, and jackets. She'll often be wearing them when not needed, or carrying them around in place of her blanket that she snuggles.

Fall has certainly arrived, and almost passed already. The turkeys are back. They usually show up sometime in October, and in a couple of weeks will disappear until next year. Approximately 15-20 of them trot through our yard on a daily basis. We've lived here for over 6 years now, and it still surprises us to live so close to downtown, yet have daily visits from deer, turkey, and occasional other wildlife.

Murphy does a good job standing guard over his territory from the wildlife.