In the Spirit of Giving...

This Christmas Season was one of laughter and happiness.
My mom, brothers, and sister came to join us for the crazies and the fun.
I was so thankful that they were willing to travel so far (that many hours in a car shouldn't be legal, really) and put up with our crazy kid schedule/life that is so different from the lives they live. It was so great to be reminded of why family is so important (because we love them SO much) and how very great it is to be all together. It also made me miss my dad.
I am so thankful for the REAL reason for Christmas- a Savoir who has provided a way for us to have a life after this one, and not any kind of life- the kind where we can return to be with a loving God and our families forever. Brilliant!!

We made Santa Face Cookies and watched Muppet's Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve. (a perfect blend of both family traditions) (We also ate pizza Hut Pizza and went to the movies to see the new Muppets movie as a homage to the childhood Christmas Eve tradition with my dad)

Don't you wish you were here?

Christmas Cards...

People usually send out darling cards this time of year. You know the ones. Perfectly dressed kids with sumptuous photography and lighting.
Well, not us.

Merry Christmas!!

Before I forget...

So dinner at our house is always an adventure. Many random things happen at the dinner table. One night, out of no where, Pencil puts one finger to his chin, then gazes meditatively out into the beyond.
Then he announces, "Idea!"

Christmas at our house

Are you ready for this?

ok, family, friends, and occasional (welcome) stranger....
Our family computer has been under the weather, for, um, a while. BUT- I think we fixed it.
(fingers crossed, people... )

And so, it is time for a royal picture overload of mega-malopolis proportions.
Ready, Go:

HALLOWEEN!

Aang, from Avatar:The Last Air-Bender
A favorite cartoon at our house