From the mouth of babes...

I should have started this much sooner...I'm going to pop in with Miss Addy quotes more often...things she says that keep us rolling in laughter or choked up with tears...things she says that I don't want to forget.

Tonight it was her response to, "What noise do you think a zebra makes, Addy?"  She emphatically thrust her finger in the air and proudly answered, "Zeeeee!" 

Seriously.  She kills me.

Beauty School...Grad!

Remember my sis-in-law, Kristen?  The one who gave me a makeover shortly after Cohen was born?  The adorable one with musical talents to match (click here if you need a reminder)?  She graduated from hurr school last week!  My mother-in-law and I worked together to make her this cake... 

You wouldn't believe how much more fun it is to work on a cake with someone else (especially my crafty MIL).  Jason's other sister, Danielle, set up a celebratory hibachi dinner which has triggered Addy to constantly want us to throw food up for her to "catch" it in her mouth. 

Congrats, Kristen...love ya!

A long time comin'...

With new routines, bouts of sickness, and some recent projects (to be unveiled at a later date), blogging has been...well, as Addy's Poppy might say, sucking hind titty.  I've started to write the blog about our Christmas about ten times, and I've finally accepted the fact that my words can't do it justice.  The photos can tell the story, but I can't describe how lucky and happy I felt over the holiday with my family.  I can't describe the extra sparkle in Addy's eyes.  So, without further ado, the story, in photos...

Christmas Eve with GiGi and Poppy for gift openin', boppin' to Christmas tunes, and sprinklin' reindeer food in the front yard.

After they left, we baked Santa some fresh cookies (in case you weren't aware, he likes his chocolate chip cookies to be warm and ooey-gooey).

We must have done well...

Christmas morning was exactly as I had envisioned.  Thinking about it almost a month later just makes me feel...content.

We visited my dad family for lunch and more gifts (these kiddos got more than their fair share).

 

Jason's family came to our house for soup, games, and more gifts.  Mimi and Clint came up the awesome idea of drawing names and preparing a handmade gift for the person you drew.  It was hilarious and touching and perfect (I wasn't used to my new lens and a lot of my photos from that night didn't turn out...bummer).

The week after Christmas, my extended family came over for more gifts and games.  Once again I did terrible with the picture-taking, but I did get one of the awesome dress-up outfit that Miss Thang got from Aunt Debbie.  Seriously.  Look at her shoes.

Can we do it all over again??

effortless :-)

Nothing compares to when I catch him smiling at me when I’m just talking...or eating...or sneezing.  Seriously people, it’s not very often that someone likes you without you even having to try and it doesn't hurt that he has a smile that stretches all the way to his toes. 

Happy Monday!

Christmas Card Photo Session

It has been called to my attention that I committed to sharing some other photos from our Christmas Card photo session.  I'm happy to share some other favorites.  Thanks, Shauna Welch, for putting up with our bad attitudes during the formal sitting...

and still coming up with indoor pics that highlight our lil' man's features and Addy's fascination with "pretty lights."



Thanks for being up for fun playing-in-the-park pictures on a cold, rainy day...

and for capturing the moments as they happened.  There's always something magical about a good candid.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

NYE

'Nuff said?

What a crazy fun night to put the cherry on the top of a crazy perfect 2011!  I'm looking forward to what 2012 has to offer (milestone birthdays and anniversaries, growing babies, home improvement projects, a new job...bring it '12).

I plan to post some more photos from Christmas and NYE, but for right now, I'm not on the computer long enough to upload them all.  Hang in there...