thanks, 2011

We will open the book. Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called Opportunity and
its first chapter is New Year's Day.
~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

We've had a wonderful year.
2011 had lots of wonderful memories.
Here are a few highlights...
January- I started something new
and Molly turned 3!
February- My heart and focus on PUCK and EB Awareness.
March- Jack turned 8!
April- I took my first newborn pictures!
May- Bella's Birthday celebration...and GLEE!
June- while not a "highlight", Jack's cast definitely kicked off our summer
July- a busy summer and exciting news at the fair!
August- we had a great trip to Ohio and really bonded with the wildlife!
I got to document a very special birthday.
Jack started 3rd grade.
September- my kids agreed on a common interest!
October- We went to the Tiller Days, again!
November- We went back to Ohio!
December- Molly sang her heart out at her Christmas program!

Thank you, 2011 for every memory.
Thank you, readers, for reading!
Looking forward to 2012!

sweetest sound

So, I am convinced that there is no sweeter sound on the earth,
than a baby laughing.
If you don't believe me, watch this video of me & Julian..

Christmas, Part 3

Santa left a nice note,

thanking Jack for the roll of tape he left,

along with the cookies, milk, and carrots.

Our tiny tree and presents.

Jack read Balto this year,

and was happy to get the DVD!

Molly got her "petting zoo legos" that she asked for.

Of course, more Legos.

Molly plays a new game on the DS with her new Happy Napper.

After brunch at my parents, we came home and played

with the new toys...and then got dressed up for Christmas dinner.

We were greeted at my aunt and uncle's door by...

SANTA!

This was pretty cool...Molly was completely in awe.

She didn't know what to think!

But, we had to get a family picture :)

After another yummy meal,

the kids opened more gifts.

The kids were very spoiled this year!

We also took advantage of all the cousins being here this year.

As my aunt was taking our picture with Santa,

she said "Awwww...you guys are all grown up!"

Never too old for a picture with Santa!

I've gotta find a picture of us from when we were little!

Merry Christmas, blog readers!

Thanks for spending another year reading about my crazy little family!

Christmas, Part 2

We celebrated Christmas Eve at my sister's house with her family
and my mom and dad.

Molly was quickly entertained by Jacob's sound effects machine.
She would put it behind her back to make "that" noise all night long.

After a yummy dinner, the kids attacked the presents.

There was one LEGO set that Jack REALLY wanted...

and he was SO surprised to see that Nana and Papa got it for him!

I love these pictures, because it's genuine JOY.

Molly was pretty content with her animal clinic,
complete with ALL kinds of animals.

The kids are growing up way too fast.
Here's evidence:

Christmas, Part 1

Christmas Part 1 starts at Molly's daycare.
They decorated a ice cream cone tree.

I made these snowman cookies!

They even had a jumper!

And the kiddos sang a few songs for the parents.

Once again, these ladies SHOWERED our kids with gifts.
Molly loved her build-a-bear so much!

The next day, I celebrated with MY friends.
We had a small group this year...
All of us graduated together, and most of us have known each
other since 7th grade.
I love these girls!

Changing the World...one drawing at a time.

This is Ali.
She's Bella's big sister.
She wants to help cure EB.
She likes to draw.
I was lucky enough to be her first customer.
Bookmark her site.
Enjoy.
Be inspired.
(she's 5, by the way!)

Melting

more tradition

Another Christmas tradition for the grandkids
is decorating Papa and Nana's tree.

It's fun to watch them go through all the "old" ornaments.
Most have the year written on them or they are
handmade ornaments from when my sister and I were kids.

Jacob is growing TOO tall TOO fast,
but Jack wanted to help decorate the top sections,
so he used Molly's chair..

Then, he started a new tradition by jumping off after every ornament.

He perfected his moves with each jump.

In true little sister form, Molly had to follow...

Also, a tradition, is the Snoopy House,
which got moved to the City Hall this year.

I remember going to the Snoopy House every year,
for as long as I can remember...
It's fun to see my own kids enjoy it, too!

Masterpiece

Today was Molly's Christmas chapel at preschool.
I took the day off and stayed all morning.
I love watching her in her element.
(That cool striped painting on the wall is hers. I love it!)

Lining up, wearing her bell.

For some silly reason, I loved this picture.

She did so well with all the hand motions :)

Singing "Silent Night"

She's a goofball...but I love her to pieces!

This video is really long...
But, if you want to see some cute songs...you should watch.
The little guy in front of Molly was a riot!
And, if anything, watch the LAST song...
Something about these little kiddos singing "I Am a Masterpiece"
makes me so emotional.

On another note...3 more school days till MY break! Woo Hoo!

Vegas, baby...(a little late)

We went away (before Thanksgiving!) for a few days...
Back to Vegas!
We stayed at the Aria...it was really fancy!

We went to the Shark Reef Aquarium,
where we met up with an old teaching buddy and her kids.

So, so much fun watching our kids together.
The older boys quickly bonded!

We explored our hotel a bit...visited the Gelato stand just a *few* times.
But, for me...I preferred the crepes station.

Off to the MGM to see the lions.
The trainers put the meat ON the glass so they get real close.

Spongebob ride at Excalibur.

Molly totally cheated on SkeeBall.

Checking out the toys at the Bass Pro Shops.

The kids are watching a fishing demo.
Papa would be so proud.

Lots of pretty things at the Bellagio.
Including this crazy, talking tree.

Enjoy Vegas entertainment.

After a friends birthday party, where there was a magician,
Jack has been pretty interested in magic.
So, I found the cheapest magic show and got us two tickets.
This guy has tigers, too!
Because of our VIP tickets, Jack got to "get close" with them.

During the show, Jack actually got called UP on the stage to volunteer.
He "helped" do some tricks, and while taking his bow,
the pretty assistant kissed him on his cheek.

Now, he loved it.
But, was also very embarrassed.
He told me as we walked back to our hotel
that he was NEVER telling anyone about "that last part".
Little did he know, he had those big red lips on his cheeks the whole time.
Which I loved.
And photographed.

When we got to our hotel,
he saw the "evidence" in the elevator mirrors.
When we got to the room,
he IMMEDIATELY went to the bathroom and scrubbed it off.

While we were at the show, Molly and Ken went to the Mirage
and had some "up close" time with the dolphins.

This week, Jack said that Las Vegas was his favorite city :)