Christmas Eve

We had a lot of fun this Christmas. The kids are now at an age where things are starting to be really magical. Grammy and Papop were even able to join us for all the festivities which made it extra special. We started the night at 4:00 with the fabulous church service at Hill Country where they actually made it snow. Granted, it was soap bubbles, but it was pretty cool to see snow in Texas. (OK, so it really did flurry a bit, but I still think the church snow was a definite highlight.) On a side, I had a brilliant idea this year to bring our own little LED votives instead of trying to keep the kids from lighting things on fire with the little church candles. I highly recommend other Mommies stealing that idea.

After that, we came home, started the Christmas Tea Ring dough, and quickly changed into our Christmas jammies and set out the cookies for Santa. Of course, we had to sample them ourselves first. ;)


Then it was bundle up and head out to look at our neighborhood Christmas lights.
I hope to never forget the sound of his precious little voice saying, "oooh, peeEE Lia!" (I'm guessing "pretty lights!??" Echoed by Suzy's "Frosty! Frosty! Happy Birthday Jesus!"
Then Papop read us the Night Before Christmas book.
and a few more fun Christmas books.
Andy was so cute reading the First Nativity book under the tree. I think this might be another one of my favorite photos. He's such a sweet little guy. I am so blessed to be his Mommy.
Of course, since he missed the first reading, that meant Papop had to read The Night Before Christmas.... again.
Then, the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

And later filled by Santa.
A few of the nativities were straightened up. I love how Suzy arranged them this year.
The little people seem to be rushing the stage of some big mosh band.
Then it was prayers and songs and off to bed to await the bearded man himself....
He did not disappoint. Thanks to Dr. Awesome, a pink potty and baby catheter were obtained.
Andy? Well, he got a fire truck.
Wrapped in the obligatory "purple paper".

In case you missed the story a few years ago, when Suzy first met Santa, I told her he would give her presents. He asked her what she wanted when it was her turn and she pointed to a purple wrapped box on display and said, "That one". From that point on, she believes Santa gifts are always wrapped in purple. I have to stock up at Easter time. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find purple paper at Christmas time? ;)

Bethlehem Star

It is definitely the Christmas season around here. Jammies, cookies, caroling, crafts, etc. As part of our celebration, we have an advent story calendar. It's really great. Each day has a story that is part of the Birth of Christ. We also have the box one with candies, so we do both. About day 10 or so, the stories were about the star of Bethlehem. How it shone on the wise men, the shepherds, and finally the town of Bethlehem itself near Christ's birth. So, a few weeks ago, Suzy comes bursting into our room at around 5:30 asking if it's Christmas yet. I try and explain that we aren't done with our calendars, haven't made cookies for Santa, haven't done carols at church, etc. She then looks at me all serious and says, "But Mommy, the star of Bethlehem is outside my window tonight!"

Yup, it's the same street light that has been shining for the past four years, darlin'. ;) Nice try.

Although, depending on your perspective, it is pretty convincing.... ;)

December Doings

After a super busy work season this fall, it's been really nice to just hang out with the kids at home. We've made cookies. LOTS of cookies. Suzy really enjoys helping and so I usually set out some dough for her as well and her own little tray so as not to cross-contaminate. ;)
This time, Andy has decided he's old enough to join in on the fun. Suzy supplied his flour and he ate as much as he rolled.
My sweet friend, Tanya, came over again for our annual cookie bake. We made lots of cookies. Like six hours worth of Christmas Yumminess. It was insane.
And it was delicious. So much for my weight loss this month.... ;) I was glad to give most of them away to neighbors.
Suzy has also been enjoying wearing a few new pair of tights I bought her for this season. She just cracks me up on a daily basis.
Andy has decided to try artwork. He loves the markers and crayons. Where Suzy likes to use just one color, he's more rainbowish.
Not bad, for sixteen months.
I have to figure out a way to frame this one. It's a Suzy portrait of her and Andy. Andy is blue and she is "pink".
She also did a family portrait, including (umprompted) Mamaw and Dopadop and the dogs.
Andy is climbing EVERYTHING. He is learning how to use the PVC stairs like a pro to get into all kinds of new mischief.
Suzy and I went to the Nutcracker Ballet with Grammy. She loved it and I was extremely surprised that she made it through the entire thing. We are starting her in little dance lessons in Jan. and I figured it would be a good segway.
I solidified further my reputation as "that family." Now, in my defense, I bought my own footed jammies a few years ago simply because I find them hysterical and they are great for theme parties. I really don't wear them that often. It's hot in Texas, ya'll. But, I bought the kids Christmas Jammies as little Santa's Helper reindeer footies and wanted to get some photos of them. Then, I found this hysterical Santa footed jammie at Target this year and bought it immediately for the Fisher's White Elephant Christmas Party. I bought a large simply because I didn't know who would end up with it. A room full of professional magicians? It had to be the best gift brought. And it was. But first, I had to subject Rob to some too tight jammie torture. He really is the best husband.... EVER.

If this photo doesn't bring you a little Christmas cheer, you need to go bunk up with the Grinch. :)
Merry Christmas, everyone! Happy Birthday, Jesus! I'll post soon on some more of our specific Christmas funnies.

Suzy's School Program

I am CRAZY busy with my last tour in NY and working on my annual photo album....

I'm LOVING the action set from Amy-Rose and Life is good right now. No one is sick. Andy is teething and working down to one nap. But, I can't complain. Tis the season and we are LOVING it!

Merry Christmas photos!

At Thanksgiving, the Silvas joined us for some Turkey and fun. We were discussing some fun ideas for Christmas cards. Last year, they had the kids tying them up with lights. The year before that, the kids were dressed up as angels. Joe is the head graphic design guy at Texas Instruments so he's the uber creative type. Rob actually came up with the idea for their card this year. I think it's hysterical. Joe will obviously do more photoshop to this, but it will read, "Sons of Bumpkuses...." Can you guess what it's from? "You'll shoot your eye out!"

So,... internet for our own cards... which to choose, which to choose....

My friend Debbie came over yesterday and we got all dolled up and played with the new backdrop along with her family and the Silvas. Debbie likes this one. However, Rob looks a bit like a giant. Well,,, or maybe the kids and I are just... short? I crack up at our wedding photos, etc. I'm always somehow surprised that he is, indeed, an entire foot taller than I am. But this photo really shows off the kids personalities a bit.

The standard.. ahem.. boring pose. But, I somewhat like it as well. It shortens Rob a bit. But, the kids look, well, posed.
Of course, I could just do a card that highlights the kids and leaves Rob and I totally out. People know what we look like. Let's face it, we're only getting older and more wrinkly anyhow. ;) The kids, however, change daily.

Like the phone? Suzy will pose for sweets. Andy prefers gadgets.

And... just for Grandma..... Thank you for driving all the way down to visit with us. We love you and hope to see you again in the summer!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Great Shot, big brother!

Just for fun, I thought I'd mention this photo my brother (or Vickie???) took that I think is uber creative! Love it!

ramblings and a radius wall

My big brother, Jeremy, is doing some pretty cool things in the photography world. He's also super creative and builds really cool things. I like to see what he does and then make really cheap, tacky knock offs. So, here's my new "radius wall". Jeremy's is actually mounted with wood and such and a permanent fixture in his studio. Mine, well, I don't have space for that right now in the hobbiest stage. So, I mounted mine on none other than PVC pipe and hung it from the ceiling in my playroom.

I set it up next to the window so I could use natural light during the day. Reconsidering, I should have maybe moved it over a bit to put some studio lights there for the evenings. A simple fix, just move the ceiling hooks. Of course, I never plan ANYTHING I make before I go forth. It's what makes me so much fun. Right, honey? ;)
I thought I could just roll it up, but with the bolts drilled through to hold it to the cardboard tube that is around the pipe, I didn't want to risk damaging the vinyl. So, I just clamped it up and tied it off. It's just regular vinyl flooring found at Home Cheapo. I had some chain in the garage so I can move it up and down really easily with some S hooks.
I used left over paint from our bathroom to paint the back side of it white.
Voila! A "seamless" backdrop. There is one big crease coming from where the bolts attach the vinyl to the cardboard roll. However, I can adjust it pretty easily with the clamps. Also, if I simply roll it back a little so it falls straight, it's not a huge deal. Over all, I'm pretty jazzed about it.
On a rambling note, it's been a while since I've posted. Here is one of Suzy's "new dos". I laughed when I saw Natalie with something similar on Amy Rose's blog. Suzy simply handed me a gazillion bands and instructed me to use them all. I thought I was being creative. Suzy thinks it makes her look like her sweet friend, Katie. Her teacher thought it was adorable when I did again today for school.

Here are a few photos from Suzy playing with my old camera. She has quite the perspective.
I actually like this one of our sweet ol' one eyed Kate! (Her left eye is a prosthesis.)
And simply because my social filter is not working today, I just had to post this. Suzy wanted to know why she couldn't wear this "dress" to church on Sunday. I simply explained that it was Mommy's dress up and wasn't meant for church. Lol. I know there is one friend who was with me when I purchased this that will pee her pants at this photo. ;)
Happy Thursday! My sweet Rob gets to have lunch with the CEO of SmugMug tomorrow. So excited for him! However, we miss him since he's been gone this week in LA and look forward to his return this weekend! Now, if I could just think of something to wear when he gets home..... ;) Did I just ruin this for him? Lol.