Happy New Year

Before we start the New Year, here are a few pics to recap our Christmas. Although our Christmas was a little different this year, the reason for the season remained the same. Since we are in our cozy apartment, our decorations were limited. Through the simpler Christmas, I was reminded again and again, that our Savior was born in a simple place. There was nothing fancy about the stable. The simplicity makes it that much more beautiful. I enjoyed our simple tree. It was full of homemade decorations. And when I say homemade, I am talking paper, crayons, cardboard, markers, and even a jump rope for our garland. Yes, a jump rope. It was B's idea. I literally packed 5 ornaments (obviously my mind was not all there!) and a nativity set (my mind was working at that moment!) when I packed to come to the apartment. Everything else is in storage. I will be honest....Ms. B was a little disappointed with the lack of decorations but it was a good teaching moment. We talked about how Christmas is not about how many decorations we have in our home. It is about Jesus's birthday and what is in our heart.

So here is our little tree. As you can see Mrs. B took matters into her own hands and got to work on making some decorations. My favorite is the jump rope, which is hard to see in the picture.

There was a little worry that Santa would not find us in the apartment because "they all look alike." Santa came through and found the kids. He always brings 3 gifts like the wise men brought Jesus three gifts.

Who says legos are just for boys. She absolutely LOVES them. Our architect team (B and the big guy) worked hard Christmas morning constructing a barbie house.

Our little cowboy was very excited that Santa did not decide to be politically correct about guns. He is a little warrior at heart. His exact words were "Now I have the cowboy attitude."

There were gifts from others. Ms. Crafty got a weaving set and has already finished her first pot holder.

There was excitement and thanksgiving in every package opened.

Especially this package.....

The big guy has been planning a trip to Disney (code word in our house is WDW) for February. We decided to tell them on Christmas. Let's just say there was lots of smiles! I am not sure who is more excited....the big guy or the kids.

Last but not least....it snowed on Christmas night! This was my first White Christmas ever! It was beautiful.

Instead of sharing the 2000 pictures I took, I will leave you with these.

I hope 2011 brings much joy to you and your family.

Love,

Suz

Cousins

December has been full of fun for the kids. They have enjoyed seeing their cousins who they don't get to see very often. We visited the girls in a cold cold cold location. Their blood is thickening since moving from Florida. They have gone from flip flops and bathing suits to snow boots and snow bibs. The youngest had never seen snow before since she had lived in Florida her entire life. It snowed 12 inches on her birthday. She absolutely loves it!

The oldest is growing up way too fast. I remember when she was just a little tot. We use to play Barbies for hours. This time we had fun using a straightening iron on our hair and getting tickled at silly things.

It was great spending time with them and playing in the snow together.

Next we got to spend time with some more cousins. It is fun to see how they interact with each other. The girls stick together and do crafts. The oldest LOVES sports so he has fun hanging out with his uncle. The little one just runs around and has fun with everyone.

The hats were Aunt Suz's gift to all the cousins this year. I had so much fun picking them out based on their personalities. A got a cat one because she loves animals. E got a stylish one but not too flashy. E got a smiley face because she is typically always happy. T got a mohawk one because boys like silly things like that.

I LOVE being an aunt. I was an aunt before becoming a mom and the kids hold a special place in my heart!

Happy New Year!

A Great Recipe To Share plus more Holiday Fun

I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season. I know you are in the kitchen baking all those yummy cookies for your friends and family. We have enjoyed one too many cookies at our house. So it was time for something healthy. I know you will love this recipe. And oh, make sure you are doing 1001 things while you are in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

Christmas music playing in the background

Children saying "Mommy" over and over

A technical error with your calendar that holds your ENTIRE schedule!

The apple support person on a chat line trying to help you, typing "Are you still there?"

2 sweet potatoes

olive oil spray

cinnamon sugar

Preheat oven to 425 so they will cook fast because it is already 5:30 in the evening.

Begin slicing the sweet potatoes very thin...so thin that you almost slice your finger off.

Place on baking sheet

spray with olive oil...not sure why but seemed like the thing to do.

sprinkle cinnamon sugar so the kids will eat them.

And DO NOT set the timer.

Continue on your task because us mommies can multi task like no one's business.

Take out of oven when the smell and smoke fills your kitchen.

Ta Da! Enjoy!

If you remember my gingerbread tutorial from last year, you will enjoy the next picture. My friend Dawn had such concentration. She took matters into her own hands this year and had us over to her house for the gingerbread house tradition.

Take a glance at the background of this picture. Ok, I know the background is a little fuzzy but I wish you could have seen her house. It looked like something out of a decorating blog. It is adorable! Everything is white, cream, black and lots of texture. Dawn is known for her flea market decor. She can turn anything into a treasure! Enough of coveting her cute house.....

We enjoyed the Christmas parade. Have you been to a parade lately? I just love watching the kids anticipation of what was coming next in the parade line. Look who was at the end of the parade. Ho Ho Ho!


It has been busy with school programs.

So busy that the little guy is D-O-N-E with all the running around. Ever have a bad hair day like this?

In the midst of all the Christmas festivities, I can't forget the big guy's birthday. B painted the plate for him and K gave him a tarheel chair.

More to come.....

A winter wonderland.