Since I was gone allll day yesterday, I didn't have time to do anything that wasn't Katheryne-Aaron wedding-related, so I'm one day late to say . . . .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPA/DAD!!!
Here's a few pics of the kids with him at Christmas.
Hope you had a really really great day!
If you would like to see more of our pictures from our Christmas, click on this link. (There's hundreds from most of December!)
I haven't been blogging much at all lately (posting or reading) and it's because on top of work stuff, I've never been so busy in my life. I'm thankful for not only the technology of cameras and preserving moments, but for my love for doing so.
One week ago Noah participated in his first ever Christmas program. He was a shepherd. I think every student in the school participated, which means pre-school through junior high. It was a really awesome experience for Noah and just as much of an awesome experience for his mommy, daddy and O'ma.
We were so very proud of him. I've never seen him appear so grown up. I've also never cried before for being this proud of him being so grown up. It was bittersweet and so hard to keep from crying. The last time I remember having that overwhelming feeling of love and joy for him was the moment I got to see and hold him for the first time when he was born.
Here is Noah's class right before the program. I took it upon myself to take a pre-school picture and a kindergarten picture. (hehe) :c) Do you see my Noah? He loves to observe people which is exactly what the camera catches him doing here.
(click on the pictures and you'll see them way bigger)
Then here he is during the program, singing. What really got me was when he spotted me on the floor taking pictures and that look he gave me just melted my heart. His eyes sparkled as he was watching me as though he was saying "mommy, look at me being a big boy. I love you so much, mommy". That's how I felt in that moment. Sorry for the cheesiness, but it's so true. 
Afterwards, since O'ma is heading to Oklahoma for Christmas, we went out for ice cream and then she came over to give Noah and Maia a couple presents. Here they are unwrapping a few. Noah was mighty excited of his new undies!!
Then Friday and Saturday we got hammered with snow. Lots and lots of it. 9 inches to be exact. I loved it; it was so beautiful. 
So we stayed in all weekend playing games, decorating the house, working (well, I was working), and making food for Sunday.
Sunday we had our dear friends (Nikki and her family and Leann and her family) over for a Christmas dinner at our house. Neil was given an 8 lb ham as a gift from one of his customers, so we made that along with other yummy fixin's. It was really nice.
Vanessa is 10 months old and has very little hair. So Leann and I sneaked back into Maia's room and put her hair up into this little pony tail. Nikki almost cried when she saw it! 
Mommy and daughter . . . aren't they cute?!
Then Monday after I picked Noah up from school, I drove out to my favorite park in the world because I just knew it probably looked heavenly after the snowstorm. The main entrance was closed, so I drove around to a side entrance. I'm actually so glad it was closed because I saw some spectacular views back there. Here's just a couple out of many I hope to post later at flickr.
The rest of the week we went to the retirement party, I delivered a 30x40 sized canvas of a photo I took (see below), I goofed around with a reflection in an ornament on our Christmas tree (see below), and then today I had to cancel two appointments with clients because Maia and I are bundles of yucky-wucky-uckies now.
We both journeyed to the doctors today and we were both put on antibiotics for an ear infection (Maia) and a UTI infection (me) which has made both of us feel really miserable. I've been fighting this for a couple months with OTC things, so hopefully it will now be gone for good. I'm praying because they're no fun!! And right before Christmas . . . both of us . . . why of course!
(click on the picture . . . I dare ya! . . . then you'll see me in the Christmas bulb!)
I'm so so so thrilled, though, because last night I finished my last wedding album of the year (honestly, I didn't even think I'd get this 4th one done before Christmas). I delivered it today on the way to the doctors and I feel SUCH a huge huge weight off my shoulders . . . so much so I just want to run outside and scream it at the top of my lungs, but it's freezing outside and I am not feel all so swell, so I'll save that for another day I suppose :c) But but but but but! I can scream it here, right?!?!
I'M ALL THROUGH WITH ALBUMS AND ORDERS FOR THE YEAR ----- WOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
5 days till Christmas! Now I can really be excited and happy. I can concentrate on those things that are really important now like my family, friends and remembering the birth of Jesus! :c)
Merry Christmas!
I'm really behind with getting my pictures downloaded, organized and online. Hey, what's new? So I finally did get around to at least downloading pictures from Christmas. I haven't even touched but about a half dozen out of about 100. But after skimming through, these have got to be my faves.
My brother made it home for Christmas this year from Kansas City. It was really wonderful getting to be with him. It's a treat because it only happens once or twice a year anymore. He also brought his beautiful girls. What fun the cousins had and what fun we all had watching them. I really wish I got to see the girls more often, but I am really grateful for the time I did have with them. They sure hammed it up for me, too.
Christina, The Jeweled Princess
Christianna ~ she's a spittin' image of my brother ~ attitude, big feet and all!
Trying on Aunt Val's glasses ~ so glam.So we had a Christmas gathering with my family last night at the "Community Building" in the small town where I am from. Was really nice. Just wish grandpa was there with us. It was "different" because he wasn't. I had a nice chit-chat with Anissa about our cameras . . . I could talk about cameras and photography all day long. The best part was getting our kids together. Noah is never one to instigate anything. He's a follower and really enjoys running after his cousins. Maia, however, likes being in the mist of the running and playing. She had a great time with mommy's cousin, Matt, who she just adores. And Maia's older cuz's had the best time with her. Here's a picture of Jake and Haley with Maia. I'd take a guess that she is their favorite as they are hers!
Time to go down memory lane to one year ago, December 2005. Maia was 2 months and Noah just turned 2. Seems like yesterday . . . Sigh . . .
. . . and my daughter is sick. This sucks. She's been sick since Thursday night. We took her to the doctor Friday and they said she just has a "nasty cold". Pretty nasty alright! I just hope she is better by tomorrow. Wahhhhh!! This will be our last Christmas here in our home on Westlawn. And I know that Santa is going to be good to her this and I can't wait to see her face when she opens some of her pressies. I don't want her to feel miserable because it will make it miserable for the rest of us. We've had to miss 3 Christmas gatherings/dinners in the past two days. So far Noah is ok. And this will be the first Christmas for him where he understands that the jolly old white-bearded man comes to our house and delivers him presents while he sleeps. I can't wait to see my kids faces tomorrow morning after Santa has came, but I hope and pray they are both smiley happy faces that I see without snot pouring our of their noses. It has gotta be a good Christmas, it's just gotta.
Merry Christmas to my friends and family who read my blog. Hope yours is happy, healthy and blessed!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Egg nog - ewwww, definitely hot chocolate
2. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I like variety. One year I like white, the next I like red, the next I like variety . . . I have to have change.
3. Do you hang mistletoe?
Never have but I'll kiss ya anyway!
4. When do you put your decorations up?
Whenever we find time after Thanksgiving
5. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
my grandma's refrigerator mashed potatoes, my Aunt Sue's date roll or anything mom makes!
6. Favorite holiday memory as a child: When Chris and I first walked down the stairs at Christmas and saw all the gifts Santa brought
7. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I honestly don't remember! I think one of my friends told me. Probably Mandy, Kori or Kara (I'll blame it on you guys!).
8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
nope, Christmas Day
9. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Different every year. This year it's colorful and kid-inspired
10. Snow! Love it or dread it?
Love it! I have fond memories of making snowmen with my dad, making tunnels with my brother in the huge drifts on the farm, making snow angels with Neil, trekking through the snow with Frankie, and so on. I love it but if it never snowed again, I think I'd be happy, too.
11. Can you ice skate?
I use to be able to!
12. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Probably my Barbie swimming pool or play kitchen - I played with them endless times. Gosh, I'm such a girly-girl!
13. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
getting together with friends and family, making new family traditions, baking goodies, and reflecting on the Reason for the Season
14. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Anything rich and chocolately! Mmmmmm . . .
15. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
From when I was younger it was the Advent Calendar, church Christmas Eve, and going to grandma's house. Today it's driving around looking at Christmas lights. Hope to make more traditions as our kids get older.
16. What tops your tree?
A bow (corny, I know, but we have a small fake tree this year)
17. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
Of course I like receiving presents but I LOVE buying for other people, surprising them with something that I put a lot of thought into.
18. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
O Come All Ye Faithful
19. Candy Canes! Yuck or yum?
I like them but I can only take so many. Prefer them in ice cream or atop my peppermint mocha coffee!
20. What Christmas gift do you hope to find under the tree this season?
The Sound of Music Anniversary Edition (Ok, i admit, it's my favorite movie!)
I added this one:
21. Do you say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"? Merry Christmas! I am so so so tired of the political correctness crap-ola. So not right in my opinion.
Merry Christmas!
So the ride started out fun. Noah and Maia loved the train itself. They got to see Santa, and again, like the past years, Noah won't go anywhere near Santa himself. And it wasn't anything like the train ride last year with Alexis, Chris and Sam. (I missed you, AJ!) We did have a nice time, though, until we were coming back and Miss Maia decided to throw the biggest tantrum I have ever seen out of a 1-year old! She wailed for, I'm not kidding, 20-30 minutes. It was misery. And I know for the people around us it was especially, but thank GOD we were at the back of the train and that the people were so patient and kind. We couldn't get off the train and we couldn't stand up. We didn't have her drink with us and we had no toys. It was basically "h e double-L". What did we do? Nothing. We ignored her. She would fling herself in the seat, her legs would be hanging over her head, her head would be burried in the seat, she was red, she was blue, she was covered in snot. Yeah, not pleasant. I am glad we can laugh about it now. That's all that matters in moments like those. She was fine, of course, as soon as we got there!. Sigh. . . Anyway, here are some pics before the episode occurred. 
watching Santa walk away . . . in awe
Before the ice arrived, we put up our Christmas tree. We decided this year to put up a fake. We don't usually do this because the tradition I have always grown up with is to go out and cut down your own tree, have it bundled up and bring it home. But this year we just don't have room for one. Our house is getting so small the bigger the kids get. The bigger they get, the bigger the toys seem to be and they take up a lot of space. (Our family room is basically the toy room now and no longer the nice organized place to relax and watch TV. That's ok, though, there's no way around it.) So we put up a fake one, but it is awfully cute, I must say. And for the first year ever, Noah has really caught on to it all. He has figured out that Santa brings him presents and that you have to tell him what you want, and that you put ornaments on the Christmas tree and that you sing "Jingle Bells" while doing it. So the night before the big ice storm, we put it up and Noah helped mommy put the ornaments on. It was the cutest thing watching him do it. He was very proud of himself, too. So here's a picture of him in action. Notice they all go on the very bottom and a big majority adorn the strand of lights themselves. Had to take pictures of this, of course!
Noah worked hard while, of course, Maia Lizzy sat back and munched on snacks
And Neil puts up lights outside. Notice any little eyes watching from inside? Meeeoooooww.
One of my favorite things about our house is the fireplace. It's so pretty and so fun to decorate. Old houses like ours have the most uniquely beautiful fireplaces. Anyway, I just got done with our mantle yesterday. It's fun, colorful and kiddie. That's my theme I this year. I don't normally do themes. I guess it's more like just a change from the norm.
You can see my camera in this one! Do you see it?First of all, Maia is walking ALL OVER! It's so fun to see! What's more fun this time than with Noah, is that we now have two walking at the same time. And watching her follow him is the sweetest thing. It sometimes ends in him pushing her down, but most of the time he just eats it up. I think he feels more like the "big brother" now and feels really special when she wants to do what he is doing. He's been very "motherly" to her. It's just so fun. And I forgot how neat it is as a mommy to see Maia concentrate so hard on each step, wobble as she does it, catch herself from falling, and then falling on her bottom, getting up and then trying again. Each stage is just one reward after another. I love it and I'm eating it up, too.
Frankie just decided she wanted her picture put on my blog, so here you go, wet nose and all!
A funny. Noah is saying the sweetest things some days, and other days not. For the past two days when I say "I love you" he responds with "thank you" really sweetly. It's so cute. He's also figuring out what to say when he is doing something he shouldn't be and doesn't want me to know. I'll say "what are you doing, Noah?" and he's say "nothing" when we both know darned well that he is! He has also said the "hate" word a time or two. I cannot believe a 3-year old knows it. I think he got it from hearing other kids say it on television, cartoons, etc. (TV really is a bad influence!) And it's so hurtful. I am not sure he knows what it means, but it still feels like a dagger shooting through my heart. This afternoon they were both taking a bath. He was splashing viciously all over soaking the floor. I asked him to stop and he didn't. So I pulled him out, dried him off (as he screamed) and he suddenly and sharply screamed "I hate you!". Wow. Of course he sat on the bad boy chair for that one. But this journey as a mom with a 3-year old is quite interesting. One moment it's pure joy, other moments it's agonizing. But I'm trying to take note of the cute things he says because I know soon he'll be having gramatically correct conversations with me and I'll then be wishing for that cute toddler talk again. And here is another funny. Noah was playing with Maia's Cabbage Patch Kid today and decided to "put baby to nap with Wunnie" (his elephant). I had to snap a pic of course.
Tomorrow we head to Chicago. We're staying at Neil's dad's place up there. I really look forward to our getaways up yonder because it forces me to not do work and concentrate solely on my kids and hubby. It's really nice. And it's nice to be in a place you can call "home" but not have any sort of distractions at all. Friday Neil is going to work at the Board of Trade, so it will just be me and the kids all day. I think Friday my friend, Sara, who lives downtown, is going to come over and hang out with us. I can totally see us shopping or getting coffee because we do that so well together *wink*. Then Saturday morning I'm shooting pictures of Katie's new baby girl, Rachel. She lives on the most northern part of the city limits. We might at some point go see Jason and Jo's new digs, too. They just recently bought and moved into a brand new condo. I've seen pics, but am anxious to see it in person! So anyway, that's our weekends plans. I know I'll be thinking about all the work things that I should be doing, but it will be nice knowing that I can't do any of it and can just enjoy every aspect of our time together. And I can't wait to see and meet new baby girl, Rachel!
I just designed my Christmas cards! I am so excited about this. I just have not had time to design them, but a couple of nights ago I made time, and so they are done and I'm really happy with them. Lucky for you, I don't have any extra time on my hands, because otherwise I would probably be designing cards monthly. I just love getting my hands wet in what I went to school for. So you all should probably be receiving cards in a couple weeks. I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner. It's really snuck up on us this year and I think that's because it's been so nice outside. Monday we were outside in short sleeves. How many days past Thanksgiving can you usually do that?! Not many! Anyway, expect to see cards in your mail box from us shortly. (And no, no sneak peaks!) Here's why (and when) I officially felt like Christmas may be approaching us. We saw Santa on a motorcycle!
And then, out-of-the-blue we are sorta house hunting. We stumbled upon a diamond in the rough. It's 2600 sq feet with a finished basement. It is an estate home, and so the price just keeps going down because no one wants it. It's actually quite scary when you walk into it. It's in awful condition. Just really dated. But Neil and I walked into it and at the same time had the same thought - "we can do so much with this". We look past all the 80's wallpaper, ugly brown wood work, shag carpeting, linoleum floors, and musty smells and saw a beautiful diamond in the rough. I so hope we can get this house. But to revamp it to what we want would probably cost 75k. We're seeing what we could do, though. It would work perfect for a studio as well. It just seems too perfect, but at the same time, on the positive side, maybe that's because it's meant to be? So cross your fingers for us. Our little 1200 sq foot house is getting small and smaller as the kids grow, get more toys, and as my business grows (and thank God for that!). I don't know, maybe this is another not-meant-to-be moment, but we shall see.
Happy Hump Day!
