Snowy Winter Retreat

We arrived at my parents house on Christmas night.  We had such a good time there.  We stayed for 3 days and it was oh so relaxing. I kept telling Mike that I was pretending we were at a snowy woodsy retreat house (and we sorta were... the service and price and setting were perfect!)  Mom cooked and cleaned, even did our laundry and I hardly lifted a finger- that was the best part.  

We were welcomed with this wagon full of gifts!

Lily wore her pretty new outfit from Aunt Carrie :) 

 We did gifts the next day.. Lily's big gift was a baby doll... her smile in seeing the "beebee" was so precious

 Lily's new motion/sign for "where?" or "what?" (hands & tongue!)

 On Sunday, Lily and I got all bundled up for an outting with the guys... but by the time we got out there, they were no where to be found.  So we enjoyed the snow on our own.  :)

Isn't it so pretty?!

Lily wasn't a big fan of actually standing in it... she just wanted to be held- who can blame her?!  It was to the top of her boots (not much to the CO and MN relatives!)

 On Mon eve, P&L's third set of grandparents arrived for their fourth gift opening session... slightly spoiled I ask?

 Peter got Raggedy Andy for his second Christmas, so this year Lily got Raggedy Annie.

 and fun Melissa and Doug toys... always a hit!

Lily LOVED her stacking rings--- I am hopeful this means she'll be neat and organized ;)

Their most fun gift was this tent and tunnel... Daddy joined the fun...

it looks like he's being eaten by a giant caterpillar!!

 Not sure what we're doing here but a happy pic with my 2 fav men :)

The final day there was my favorite- that will be its own post :)

Thanks Mom and Dad for "pouring into us" & serving us to replenish our love tanks!!

greasy Christmas morning pics

This was the first year that we've spent Christmas Eve Night and Christmas Day at our house.  It was wonderful!  

 We caved this year and bought an artificial tree (my brothers croak here.) but it has been the best thing ever.  I am sold.  They are expensive (I was suprised!) so a little painful initially (but it will pay for itself in like 5 years!) but I have loved it.  Mike was happy to not have to set it up in the stand.  I was happy to not get pricked as I put lights on it and my joy goes on and on and on about not cleaning up pine needles daily and for months to come as it dies days after going up.  It still looks beautiful this week!  My only complaint has been the lack of Christmas Tree smell (and instead some bad smell- trying not to think about some bad chemical odor that could be) but a Christmas smelling candle nearby does the trick.

 me and my oh so sweet baby love

 Peter got a Curious George book that he LOVES!

Lily got an el-cheapo baby stroller... they both love to push it, not ride in it.

I'm a broken record... she's still so sweet looking even as she cries.

 She also has her Daddy smitten.  They cooked us a yummy Dennis breakfast- grits, bacon, and eggs... yum, it doesn't get any better!!

We chilled here all day and then leisurely headed to see Mike's grandparents, then on to L'ville.  And a beautiful snow graced our drives.  I feel like we finally found our Christmas groove this year.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Mike's parents house.  

(this pic is from earlier in the month.)

 Peter and Lily's big gift from them was an indoor trampoline.  It couldn't be disguised so they enjoyed some pre-meal & pre-gift jumping!

Then we had a yummy brunch of egg casserole, BACON, and fruit... I love this pic below b/c we are just leisurely hanging around the table & relaxing, just like the atmosphere at their house

...and we are talking to Becky on the phone :)

 Then gift time...

 they got this m&d cutting produce, along with aprons & chefs hats.  

being silly- I think Peter has the prettiest hair

Lily also got this CUTE pink hat (plus other great things that I didn't get pics of!)

with Pop and Gram

Pop and Gram joined us for the 4 o'clock Christmas Eve service.

Then we all came back here for some black bean soup (pre-cooked). 

 This was the first year ever that I remembered to think about dinner... so it was nice to come home to warm soup in the crock pot.  Peter helped me decorate a Birthday Cake for Jesus.

 Then we did aunt/uncle/cousin gifts here...

Lily got the prettiest green damask print monogrammed dress & red cardigan from Aunt Carrie...

Lily's aunts have great taste & know how to spoil her!

Peter got explorer gear from Liam... so fun! 

Jump, jump, jump into Pop's lap!

 More sweet pics of Lily concentrating on reading her Sesame Street books (in her pretty Cmas outfit from Gram)...

Lovin on Pop...

It was a perfect day.  We stayed here instead of rushing to L'ville and that was a great choice!  

{rewind} 8K

Blair and I ran the 8K back in November

(at our record setting 12 minute mile pace) 

but its always just fun and refreshing,

 regardless of how "slow"- hey, we're still running the whole time

Sarah joined us for the ride there and back... she's faster than us ;)

It was just fun to spend the morning with them!

And nice of our cheerleaders to come out to see us and take this pic :)

snow bunnies + other december pics

It has started out as another snowy winter... we had our first snow on Dec 16th so Peter's last day of preschool and his Christmas party were cancelled... sad.

The snow bunnies enjoyed their first snow outting of the season.  Daddy came home from work early on the day it snowed so he could lead the fun...

Is this girl not the sweetest, squishy-ish, loveable doll you've ever seen?!... esp in her pink snow gear.

We built a very "hairy" snowman

and did some sledding...

 I got some snuggle time with my girl... she is totally into the Sesame Street characters & loves to point out "Ab-beee!"

 She also decided that she does not want us to feed her breakfast anymore.  She'd like to do it herself.  We didn't let Peter do this until 22 mo when she was born but she insists so we're going with it and she is improving.  :)

And Winter Solstice is behind us too- always a reason to celebrate.