Tiny Chefs

I was headed off to mutual a few weeks ago, but couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of what was happening before I left.  The girls were helping Carlos make dinner, and, never missing an opportunity to play dress-up, they were donning their chef apparel.

They measured...

 They poured...

They stirred...

And basically just oozed cuteness!

Dinner was delicious, by the way.

  

Sweet Holidays

First blog post of the new year and it's all about events from last year.  Go figure.  But I couldn't possibly NOT post about Christmas and New Year's Eve, even if it is a couple of weeks late.  I promise I'll be brief.


Basically, we had a fantastic Christmas!  


Our Christmas tree was not overflowing with gifts (nor was it the most beautiful).  I didn't get to participate in any Black Friday or post Christmas shopping, which I both love and hate to do.  And the stress of financial burdens threatened to overshadow our Christmas spirit.  But it didn't!  As a self-proclaimed worry wart, I was completely surprised to find that I sincerely enjoyed the holiday season.  We carried out all of our family traditions, we spent a lot of time together, and it's possible that I listened to more Christmas music this year than in several others combined.  I had many moments to ponder the true importance of Christmas and how extremely blessed we are.

Christmas Eve Jammies

 On Christmas morning I loved the kids' looks of surprise...

...and their sweet excitement...

...even over sippy cups.  

(What's wrong with being practical?)

Sigh!  Love their sisterly teamwork

heart...melting 

One of my very favorite faces

Playing the girls' new game, Disney 'Headbanz'
Carlos and I may have liked playing it more than they did.

 I loved having Christmas on a Sunday.  My kids even waited patiently until we got out of church to open their gifts.  (Except for Santa's.)  And notice the incredibly bright sunlight shining through the window in the above photo.  It was a gorgeous sunny day and I was thrilled about it!


We were privileged to spend the new year in Boise with my best friend, Krista, and her new baby (whom I like to call my niece.)  We had talked about our future children since we were in 4th grade, so to finally meet the real deal was pretty amazing. 

Mia was blessed on New Year's Day

On New Year's Eve we went ice skating.  I didn't actually skate; Not because I'm a party pooper, but because I had to sit with Ellia, who was already fighting sleep, and Fiona.

Is there a cutest bench warmer event in the Olympics?

Later that night we played Sardines (like Hide and Seek, but in reverse) and I totally felt like a kid again.  I even felt like I might pee my pants while searching around in the dark.  (That happens to everyone when they play hide-and-seek, right?)  It was awesome!  


Not everyone made it to midnight...

but those that did enjoyed a night of lots of food and lots of laughter.  20 years of friendship provides a lot to laugh about...

December 17, 1993

...like this photo.  I don't even know where to begin making fun of myself.  For starters: the bangs!  On top of that, I am literally wearing my mom's sweater.  Yikes.  How many awkward years can one girl endure?  But Krista looks cute, right!
  
And here we are now; me still slightly awkward, and Krista still being cute.

(Someone please have pity on me and 

take me to a hairdresser!)

My second family

Birthday Bliss

Today I am 29 years old.  It's been another happy birthday.  Here are some reasons today has been especially nice.

1.  It was a beautiful, sunny day!  Cold as heck, but I am very thankful for that mood-boosting sunshine.

2.  I got to open up cards and presents from my kids first thing in the morning.  I have some pretty talented children by the way.

Carlos took the girls shopping yesterday to let them pick out my gifts.  It was so sweet to see how excited they were to give them to me, and how proud of themselves they were.  Love, love, LOVE those kids!

3.  I got held down by Carlos while many tiny hands gave me 30 birthday spankings.  (They got a little carried away, but I can assure you that the last spanking didn't count.)  Which brings me to my next point...

4.  I still have one more year to enjoy my twenties.  (At what age do you start feeling like an actual adult?)

5.  Carlos made panko-crusted halibut for dinner by my request.  It is awesome having a husband who can cook.

6.  Ava played "Happy Birthday" for me on her violin.  Followed by cheesecake with family.

7.  I ate a bag of gummy bears.

8.  I am the very grateful owner of this:

Do you love that I'm using the dealer's photos?  I'm too lazy, it's too cold, and the car has already become too dirty to take my own pictures.

Carlos and I decided we wanted/will eventually need a bigger car so we sold our old one a couple of weeks ago and upgraded.  I am completely in love with it, which is good because we have dubbed it both my birthday and Christmas presents.   So Happy Birthday to me!  And Merry Christmas.  For the next 3 years.

    

Christmas Cookies

Earlier this week we went to Grandma's house (who happens to live right next door) to decorate Christmas cookies with my sister and her kids.  I'm pretty sure the best traditions involve food.


Please endure the following photos...

By the way, no one can pull off a mullet quite like Fiona.

We did our best to ensure that the whole cookie decorating process was sanitary...

Repeat Offenders

Mission: Failed.  Don't worry friends and neighbors; These cookies were made for private consumption.  Luckily I have become immune to grimy, sticky little fingers all over my things.


I'd say the kids' decorating skills have improved since last year.  But they have yet to master the art of "sprinkling."  

Exhibit A

We (meaning the adults) all agreed that Ellia's plate of cookies looked the most appetizing. (Not that I refrained from eating Exhibit A.)
  

Also this week, Ava was in the newspaper twice.

It took 5 years, but she finally sat on Santa's lap, voluntarily.

It's a Christmas miracle.

Fa-la-la-la-la

Today is the day...we fulfill a Christmas tradition--the decorating of the Christmas tree.  Anyone who knows me knows that traditions are right up my alley.  They're organized.  They're predictable.  And they're so much fun!  (I'm not completely lame!)  So turn up that Christmas music, please.

Are you kidding me?!

They just can't help themselves

Carlos doesn't believe me, but I actually let the girls have complete control over where they put the ornaments.  (I may have had a few suggestions.)  I have also figured out that the spacing between the kids means that every other year I get an undisturbed, fully decorated tree.  This is an off year.

  

Fiona can not keep her hands off. (But really, can you blame her?)  I am pretty certain that within the next few days the bottom half of our tree will be completely bare.  

Part of our tradition is the making and eating of shortbread cookies.  (Carlos is the official cookie maker.)

Some are eaten...

Others are purposefully smashed into the floor.

Add some hot chocolate and the tradition is complete.