I have a post written up to go along with these pics of my children from Christmas. I will share it soon, but right now I’m unpacking so that has to come first 
Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
My Kids – Christmas 2009
December 30, 2009It’s beginning to look alot like Christmas
December 22, 2009We have a new baby girl and still managed to decorate the house for the holidays! Yay for helpful husbands!! I’m super excited about our new tree this year, and a few special new ornaments for the tree (check out the yummy cupcake one from: GigiMinor on Etsy!)
Our tree is decked out in pink & red (with a hint of lime green here and there). It’s pretty and feminine, I’m crazy about it and so it Lola! The boys like the red parts of the tree, and think that the pink is tolerable. LOL!! Kidding, they don’t mind the pink at all.
Merry Christmas from our home to yours ~ Daria, Nathan, Dylan, Joshy, Brigs, Noah and Lola ~
Christmas Care Package
December 7, 2009When I was a little girl each year my Grandma S. (who lived in Saskatchewan) would send a big box in the mail to us a few weeks before Christmas. Inside would be all kinds of magical treasures that she had collected through the year (nothing expensive) necklaces and cheap jewelry, treats, holiday tea towels, fun dodads she’d snagged through the year and put it all into a box for us kids. It was the most exciting mail we ever received, I can remember Brett and Courtnee and I bouncing off the walls excited that Grandma had sent us her famous Christmas Care Package.
Grandma is now gone, but the tradition of her Christmas package lives on thanks to my own Mother. Today was Christmas Box day, it arrived in the mail on this cold blustery afternoon and my own children got to experience the sheer thrill of this tradition from my youth. True to Grandma’s formula my Mom filled it with salt water taffy, butterscotch candy, play dough, holiday tea towel, a battery operated candle, pens with the kids names on them, and the list goes on. It was a virtual treasure trove for my boys to enjoy and discover, and the best part is that it was all inexpensive and has no real rhyme or reason – it’s just stinkin’ fun!!!!!
Thank you Mom for carrying on one of my most cherished memories of my childhood for my own kids. I told them all about Grandma S. and the Christmas Packages we received when I was a little girl, and they thought it was so cool that Nan would do that for them too! It makes living in another city just a bit more bearable.
What Holiday Traditions do you cherish from your own childhood? I’d love for you all to share them here.
Leaping Ahead
November 23, 2009Well the big news baby wise is that my due date was officially moved up! I can’t believe it, how many pregnant women get that gift in their last trimester?!
Originally my date was set for the 30th of December, but since having a Biometric Ultrasound (oodles of measurements etc.) my doctor decided that I’m good to go anytime now. I’m officially considered Full Term already! YAY ME!
I still have many things I want to accomplish before she arrives, but thankfully Nathan has been so great at sensing that. He put up the Christmas tree last week, and on Saturday he initiated the decorating process, which I quickly took over so I’d get a tree that I loved – LOL!! It’s dreamy to have the tree up right now, it makes me smile and adds a glow to our front room. I love curling up on the sofa in the morning and taking it all in. Soon our baby girl will be napping by the tree and we’ll be feverishly taking pictures of her. I can’t wait!
True to form, I’m having loads of contractions that are painful and take my breath away. They however are not true labor contractions yet. Baby’s head down and ready to get outta there, I’m ready for her to be out too because most of the time her head is pushing down on nerves and causing me so much pain. Walking, sleeping and moving positions is so hard now – I have to think twice before going shopping and that is really saying something! On a happy note, my feet and ankles have not swelled at all with this pregnancy! They did with my others so I’m thrilled that they continue to look normal and my shoes fit.
The true blessing will be when my little doll is finally here and the HyperEmesis is gone. Oh I can’t wait to not throw up each day, several times a day – it makes me teary just thinking about living life without that continual sickness. I would never wish HyperEmesis on a single soul, it kicks your butt!
So loads to look forward to. I’ll be tweeting and Facebooking posting throughout my labor (whenever that happens) to keep all my friends in the know. When the time comes I’ll be holding tight to that iPhone. LOL!
Nephew Babies – Christmas Reflections
January 4, 2009I HAD to get these shots of my two baby nephew’s over Christmas! Finn and Seger were awesome participants in my little project and I love seeing their reflections in the Christmas balls on the tree, especially with those cute little hands! Oh my, how precious are those little boys! I love love love being an Auntie!!
Oh, and me of course in my housecoat!! LOL!!
Smitten
January 4, 2009
Confession: I cried on the way home last night, leaving Little Miss was even harder than I thought it would be. I know that she’s safe and well loved in her foster home, but once the bonding has taken place all you want is to have that baby home and in your arms without drop offs and pick ups and time apart. I know I have alot to do to get ready for our sweet little daughter, but it’s still very emotional to do kissy faces at the window knowing those will be my last ones from her for the next several days. GULP. I just don’t want to start from ground zero with her next time I see her, with all those breaks in between it makes me nervous because I want her to see Mommy and Daddy as consistent participants in her life.
Transition is such an interesting time, getting to know our daughter and all she’s about. Her getting used to us and giggling with glee when she sees we are there to par-tay with her. I loved having all that special time with her over the holidays, it was the greatest gift to have her together with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She was so happy with us, so ready to love us all
(including both sets of parents, siblings, cousins – she won them all!), I just wanted to take her home with me right then. But we have a few weeks of more paperwork and home study etc. before she can come to stay…and finally be with us forever! Things are going great though, we’re in love and she certainly makes it known that she is too.
Why you DON’T want us to Draw your Name for Christmas
December 17, 2008
Each year, Nathan’s siblings and spouses draw names for who we will gift on Christmas. This year we drew Conor and Katie who just recently headed back to Denver for school. My intentions were to get together their gifts far in advance to send back with them in their car, well that didn’t happen. So, after much hoopla I finally took their parcel to the UPS outlet last night. As the girl was helping me at the computer she gulped and said “are you ready?”, “hit me with it!” I said.
The parcel was going to cost over $200 to get to them in time for Christmas Day!! I broke into tears right in the middle of UPS, seriously, real tears. There is no way that I could afford that much to send a box, I was so upset because having a gift ON the special event day is very important to me. I was just so crushed. I opted for the cheaper $60 option to get it to them by Dec.29th, but the guilt has been eating me alive. I just can’t stomach that they are so far from home, with only a few little presents to unwrap, and no family near by. They deserve better and I totally dropped the ball. Conor and Katie, we love you guys and I’m so sorry that your gifts won’t be there for Christmas morning. I hope you will both be comforted knowing that next year another sibling couple will take good care of you two!!
Santa Giveaway – he needs a home!
December 3, 2008
My awe-inspiring friend Nena is doing a festive, holly, jolly, Giveaway in time for the holidays. She created this stunning glittering Santa on Canvas valued at approx. $175.00 – and now Santa is looking for a new home. I’m publicly offering him a warm and cozy home with our family, but sadly all of the begging in the world won’t work because she’s drawing a “random” winner. I will still try to butter Nena up though, can’t blame a girl for trying.
To get all the details on how to win this beautiful art piece in time for Christmas visit Nena’s Blog.
Our Fave Holiday Book This Year
December 2, 2008
My favorite new book this holiday season is called “Bear Stays Up For Christmas” by Karma Wilson. This is the perfect story to cuddle up with and read with a lap full of children. Full of beautiful charming illustrations, rhyming story, and heartwarming acts of friendship.
“Bear’s friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up — by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents!”
I snagged my copy at our local Winners store for under $10 (I think it was closer to five bucks). If you see it, be sure to grab your family a copy too! The kids will love it.
I Made Fudge
November 27, 2008
Today I am feeling a bit more perky and like myself. I got dressed today, and decided to make fudge with the little boys. They were home today so it was a great opportunity to do a fun and easy kitchen project with them – and there’s nothing like chocolate to lift your spirits right?!
Noah and Brigs were totally into it and asked if we could make fudge everyday. I’m sure they will help me make several pans that I have planned to give away in the coming weeks. Once Dylan arrived home I heard an audible “MMMMM!!!” from the kitchen – then I heard “This is THE BEST fudge Mom!”. I’m glad he came home to a special treat today.