Our Christmas -

One reason we were excited to move to Boise was to be only a 6 hour drive from my parents home. Unfortunately, this 6 hours turned into an 11 hour ordeal. Two hours of which was being stuck in the middle of the Blue Mountains behind a terrible wreck. The kids did great, but I have to say, I'm rethinking the whole minivan thing. It would have made for a much more comfortable ride.

See photos of our Christmas morning on my family blog.

Other than that, Christmas was wonderful. We didn't get out much due to sick babies, but that was okay. We had everything we needed at home. 

There is something so magical about coming to your childhood home for Christmas.

And taking your turn playing Santa.

Showing your children the decorations you grew up with.

And watching their memories being made.

Magical is the best word to describe it. 

From My Family to Yours.

Wishing you a wonderful season filled with family, friends and rejoicing in the gift of our Savior.

Christmas Lovelies

Next year I think I will do all my wrapping like Martha.

And my cooking like Ina. 

Just green. What a perfect holiday theme. And you can keep it up all Winter and into early Spring.

Though a pop of yellow really makes the holidays sparkle. But I'm biased. 

Why didn't I think of this. Powdered doughnuts are so snowy delightful.

But I would be the coolest mom on the block if I had this on display. 

What am I talking about? I am the coolest mom on the block! (At least I think so. I've never met any of the other ones.)

Liquid chocolate. This should be way more popular than coffee. +

Maybe by next Christmas I can get a place that doesn't have a dang TV over the mantel so I can decorate it properly. 

Lydia is playing a mouse in the Nutcracker Ballet. If I had my stuff together, I would totally throw her this Nutcracker Suite Ballet Party. Darling!

Sweet Paul is my creative idol.

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And lastly, CONGRATS to my baby sister who just gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Samuel Lee. What a wonderful Christmas gift for our family. Molly, you will be a wonderful mother. And Sam, I will never wrap your birthday gift in Christmas paper. I promise.

Preparing for the big day

The countdown is on! Less than a week til Christmas! We are busy busy busy. I spoke at a Christmas dinner a couple days ago, and now that that's over, I feel totally relaxed and ready get these holidays on.

Lydia and I have spent a few afternoons baking and packaging up goodies. There's nothing like the smell of baking cookies to get you in the spirit.

My favorite recipes that found their way into the treat box:

Mace Bundt Cake.  (DO NOT over cook! It dries it right out)
Sugar Cookies.  This is one thing I make really well. Again, better to slightly undercook.
Fudge.  My first time making it, but this recipe is golden.
Lace Cookies.  Pretty and yummy.

I could eat these all day.

Christmas goodies are nice, but the sweetest things at my house are my cutie pies. 

Note to self. Take Sunday photos before Church. Lydia's hair was originally in a french twist. Though I kind of like it this way.

Collin has a propensity of rearranging the ornaments. Note to self. Take photo of Christmas tree before toddler wrecking ball gets to it.

Merry Merry Christmas Week!

Holiday Bed

Only seems fitting to dress up our new bed for the holidays. Especially since, other than a tiny side table, it's the only thing in the master bedroom. 

I save all my Christmas cards. I think I like cards more than gifts. This Santa card is my favorite of all time. It's from some old co-worker I hardly knew, but it's awesome. You can't tell, but it's all sparkly. 

I think this bed is magic. I'm secretly hoping for the flu so Shane will have to stay home to take care of the kids while I stay in bed all day.

LET IT SNOW

I love the snow. I love walking in it, playing in it and kissing in it. There has been an obscenely large amount of snow for Boise this season. That would be due to my "snow power". Tennessee also is aware of my strange power over the winter weather. That's why they kicked me out. Bunch of wussies. 

Now the snow has suddenly vanished. I'm putting all my superhero power towards bringing a Christmas blizzard this way. Less power than a couple years ago though. My powers worked a little too well then.

Let me know if there's a city you want me to focus my powers on and I will see what I can do.

One perfect morning.

We woke up to 6 inches of glorious snow. It was chilly so I lit a fire and went to make a warm breakfast. How grateful I was that I had my camera next to me. 

These are the moments that make me remember why I stay home with them.

I wouldn't miss mornings like this for the world.

Isn't Christmas lovely?

more snow fun here. 

By the way.  Regarding Friday's super depressing post, Shane did make it up to me. He brought me flowers and we went out the next night. We were going to go to the Cheesecake Factory, but when we were almost there he looked at me and said "you don't want to go to the Cheesecake Factory". He got back on the freeway and we drove downtown to a restaurant that was just so me. Authentic Italian food with low lights and exposed brick. My meal was filled with non kid elements like homemade spinach fettucini, artichokes, capers, wine reductions and olive tapenade. And a chocolate torte with Peppermint tea for good measure. It was very nice and tearless. Thanks for your sweet comments. They made me feel much better. Even better than the chocolate torte.

Crying my eyes out and ruining my satin shoes.

So I'm a stay at home mom. If you are one of these yourself, you probably don't need any further explanation. But if not, here goes. I stay home. ALL DAY LONG. My errands are pre-school drop off and library hour. Grocery store trips and visits to the pediatrician. I could spend my entire life in yoga pants and, except for church, I don't think anyone would notice.

Now I'm immensely grateful I am able to stay home with my kids. I love experiencing their young lives. But let me tell you, it's a sacrifice. The total loss of real income for one. Exiting the career world completely. The mind numbing monotony of it all. I've mentioned in previous posts that this field of mommy-hood isn't exactly my style. I love it and I think I'm good at it, but it isn't my natural element.

Getting back to tonight. Tonight is Shane's company Christmas party. When we got the invite and I saw it was semi-formal at a beautiful hotel I was ecstatic. I love dressing up and going out. Love love love it. I love wearing my highest heels without worrying about tripping while holding a child. I love to wear my nicest clothes without worrying about sticky hands and snot. I like carrying a tiny clutch with only the barest necessities. All of it reminds me about who I was before I was "mom".

So here I am. Dressed to the nine, hair in a up-do that required about 50 bobbypins and half a bottle of hairspray. My nails are manicured with a soft silver paint and I pulled out the "good jewelry". I look seriously great. Except for the fact that my carefully shadowed eyes are blood shot from crying. I just got off the phone with the babysitter letting her know we would not be needing her after all.

Shane's flight from Portland was delayed and won't be home until after the party is over. I didn't notice I was crying until I saw the drip marks on my gorgeous new shoes.

I'm going to bed. When I wake up, I have several pairs of yoga pants in the dryer to choose from.

Sneak Peak.