The phone

Hey there, what's up?

Me? Yeah, I'm just hanging out at home.

I just had to tell you the news.

I have discovered the phone.
I KNOW! This is the greatest invention ever!

Yeah, my mom keeps trying to take it away from me, but I just keep running and hiding behind the Christmas tree and trying to call China. Those buttons are so. much. fun!

I know, I know, I should listen to my Mommy ...

... but this girl just wants to have FUN!

Up to my eyeballs ...

... in Christmas "stuff". Like everyone else out there. And therefore - not much blogging.

This week is busy with wrapping gifts, baking, cooking, last-minute shopping, and getting prepared to make the trek to Buffalo, NY on the day after Christmas. (Notice cleaning is not on this list? Yeah, given up on that one.) Oh, I am also trying to get enough sleep but Chloe is not helping with that one.

So I am just posting a few highlights of the past few weeks here....

First up - Our small group Christmas white elephant gift exchange. Always a hoot!

This is our friend Chad modeling the awesome sweater he scored ... can you believe this classic? Me neither.

Katie & Eric as well as Patti & Erik (with a "K") and their brand new little baby boy Sam. He is the one hiding under the blanket :)

Next up: Carter's Christmas concert at preschool.

I took this picture of him before he went to school.
Good thing, because there was no way I could get a picture of him during the concert... the insane parent paparazzi made it pretty hard to get a clear shot.
But we did get video at least.

And here is a little video of Carter singing one of his Christmas songs at home:


(...and please excuse the crying baby at the end of the clip. That's just ambient noise in our house!)

Next up: Neighborhood book exchange/Christmas party

My neighbor Kelly hosted and even threw in a few games like this "Pin the Nose on the Snowman" game. We all think she is a saint because no one else is nice enough to host 18 children in their homes!

Chloe didn't participate in any of the games.
She was too busy texting her friends that there was a cool party and they should get there ASAP.

This picture is just because it turned out so nice.
Doesn't Audrey look so grown up?
We're going to blink and instead of holding her on his lap, he'll be walking her down the aisle for her wedding.

Okay, enough for now. I'm off to wrap up some stocking stuffers!

And if I don't get a chance to blog again before Christmas-
Have a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tea for three

This afternoon my Mom took me out to a North Pole Tea! Yup, just me ... and no kids. Don't want to make it sound like I don't enjoy my kids, because I do - but I have to say - it was a nice little break.


We also invited along my friend Melissa. Melissa and I have known each other since 8th grade (when she was still Missy and not the distinguished Melissa!) and have shared so much together in life. We lived around the corner from each other and spent countless hours during our teen years listening to music (on cassette tapes), writing notes to each other (on old fashioned paper instead of text messages), and giggling about everything under the sun. We were roommates in college and she was my maid of honor in my wedding. So it was so much fun to all go out together ... she is kind of like part of our family at this point.

Melissa and I with the man in the red suit

It was all cute and delicious.

We had a great time! Thanks again Mom!

3 little monkeys jumping on the bed

This is the way the older 2 like to greet their little sister these days ... by jumping in her bed with her and acting silly!

(Sure hope the crib doesn't break!!)

Thank you Mom & Dad

... for the lovely noisy Christmas toys. The kids love them!

But hopefully they will not sustain brain damage from all the head shaking goin' on:

... and hopefully I will not lose my mind as I listen to ALL OF THEM PLAYING AT ONCE!!!

The many faces of Chloe

Someone has discovered the camera. And has decided that making faces is great fun!

I just snapped away as she continued to make crazy smiles!
Silly girl. :)

Advent Prayer

This was given to me yesterday at my women's Bible study. I share it because it gave me much to reflect on and ponder, and I think it is a message we would all do well to remember.

ADVENT PRAYER

"May my great aim, Lord, this Advent be to bring happiness to You, through the giving of myself - my time, my plans - for you to use as you see fit. My gift to you must take precedence over my gifts to my family and friends. For it is your birthday, Lord - not the children's, not friends' - but yours. Part of my gift to you must include my response to those lonely souls whom the world passes by: those whose need is so great that they cannot repay me; those whom I know but have never felt attracted to, and criticized. Forgive me, Lord.

So the spring cleaning of my spiritual house will take precedence over our physical home; the nourishment of our souls comes before the Christmas dinner; the beauty of loving hearts in harmony be more important to me than an array of tinsel and colored lights. And good, in-filling times alone with you must happen alongside good, outpouring times with friends and family. Help me Lord to get my priorities right so that the busy burden of this time may be turned into blessing.

May an awareness of your presence fill my every waking hour so that far from being squeezed out, you may come with me into my days, as my guide. For you are the only one who can help me find those surprising, secret springs of Christmas joy that you planted for us amongst the responsibilities, temptations, and heartaches of our world."