Monday, December 31, 2012

Day 366/366 (Leap Year!) ~ 2012


Happy New Year!!
Ringing in the New Year with the best of friends....
Pizza, chocolate chip pie and sparking cider.
Perfect!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Day 365/365 ~ 2012


We only had a dusting of snow but Andrew was determined to make a snowman!
This little guy took nearly all the snow from our back yard.
Way to go Andrew!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Day 364/365 ~ 2012



Brotherly love.
I couldn't resist snapping a photo of these 2 as they warmed up by the file.
I'm so thankful for their friendship & for lazy days.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Day 363/365 ~ 2012


Sweet little snow bunny enjoyed some time outside on a cold day.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Day 362/365 ~ 2012


My all-house clean out commenced.
First stop:  The kitchen desk cabinet/drawers.
Everything came out to be sorted, organized & edited.
An "after" photo would have been easier on the eyes.
This is the It-Gets-Worse-Before-It-Gets-Better part.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Day 361/365 ~ 2012


Before Mom and I went shopping and Dan's parents made the trip back to Richland, 
we finished the puzzle!  
Minus that pesky missing piece.



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Day 360/365 ~ 2012


Merry Christmas!

We enjoyed a delicious dinner of Prime Rib & Yorkshire Pudding 
with family from Richland to Las Vegas.
Happy we could all be together to celebrate this blessed Day!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Day 359/365 ~ 2012


Christmas Eve service this year was so special.
The Living Nativity was heralded by our little angel, and visited by our two wise men.
My favorite part of the Christmas holiday was this precious night.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Day 358/365 ~ 2012


Ready for Christmas Eve Service & dinner with the cousins...
Will Santa make an appearance?
Excitement is in the air!!!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Day 356/365 ~ 2012


One of my favorite moments of the year.
The table awaits the arrival of family to be gathered to commence our holiday celebrations.
Christmas Eve brunch with my brother's family kicks off our holiday each year.
A cherished tradition!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Day 355/365 ~ 2012


The week leading up to Christmas is a busy one.
Holiday baking tops my list of to-dos and I love being in the kitchen preparing our traditional treats that (with the exception of the sugar cookies) we only enjoy during this special time of year.
Christmas movies & music play non stop while dough is made (tasted!) and baked!
Boxes are assembled with love and delivered to friends, while the rest are enjoyed by our family over the holiday.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Day 354/365 ~ 2012


Andrew's basketball team finished their season this last weekend.
Coached by our friend Kyle, Andrew had a very positive and fun introduction to the sport.
While the boys played, the parents had fun visiting & cheering the kids on.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Day 353/365 ~ 2012


Since infancy it has been hard to tell when this little one is sick.
She is a tough little cookie and remains cheerful even when under the weather!
She very quickly developed an ear infection one afternoon and fell asleep on the sofa while we waited for our appointment time.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Day 352/365 ~ 2012


We have a fantastic Occupational Therapist.
She made our usual Wed. afternoon appointment unusual & fun with Andrew's transformation into Rudolph!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Day 351/365 ~ 2012



We enjoyed sharing Kaitlin's first Nutcracker with Katie and Kennedy.
Kaitlin's review:  "I triple loved it!!!"
The downpour after the ballet kept us from our planned post-ballet treat, but an ice cream cone through the drive thru window proved just has satisfying when enjoyed with friends!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Day 350/365 ~ 2012



Katie and Kyle hosted to a lovely Christmas Soiree for our small group.
It was a treat to pause during the holiday bustle to share some time & laughs with dear friends.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Day 349/365 ~ 2012



Tickets to ride The Polar Express!
 Hot Hot Hot Chocolate!  A reading of The Polar Express & receiving a silver bell from Santa.
How is it possible that it was just as magical with a 9 year old as when he was 3?
A Christmas gift to this mother's heart.


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Day 348/365 ~ 2012

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Kaitlin strikes a pose before her christmas pre-school program.

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She was quite the little performer.
Very comfortable on stage, her little personality definitely shone through.
This little girl delights my heart.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Day 346/365 ~ 2012

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Matthew& Dan sang Christmas carols with the youth group at the Alzheimer care facility.
I was really happy Matthew had the opportunity to do this.
I hope it brought a little bit of Christmas joy to the residents.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Day 345/365 ~ 2012

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Our Christopher Radko ornament for the year.
A sandcastle from our trip to Cannon Beach....preserving a family memory of our favorite vacation spot.

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Matthew's ornament for the year.
Because we do gingerbread houses each year at Thanksgiving.

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Andrew's ornament, because he has a love for knights and castles.

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Kaitlin's ornament.  This was the pose she would do as a 3 year old when I would  go to take her photo.  She was also an angel Halloween one year and loves flowers so this ornament was perfect for her!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Day 344/465 ~ 2012

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Kaitlin was given these paperwhite bulbs as a gift.
The kids loved watching them grow.
My eyes are drawn to them countless times a day as they are a breath of fresh air for me while it is grey and dreary outside.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Day 343/365 ~ 2012

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My Super Kids ready for Super Gracie's Fifth Birthday party!
(Those capes I gave the kids for Christmas last year came in handy!)

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Such a cute little crew.
A fun time was had by all!  (Matthew said it was his favorite "girl party" ever.) :)
Happy Birthday, sweet Gracie girl!!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Day 340/365 ~ 2012

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Matthew worked on a Christmas craft while I volunteered in his classroom one morning.
I love getting to volunteer at the kids' school.


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Day 339/365 ~ 2012

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"Come here, Mama. I want to show you something."
Andrew said as he arrived home from school.
He retrieved his planner and sat next to me on the sofa.
Proudly, he opened it and said, "Can you read it?"

I can!!

Making progress!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Day 338/365 ~ 2012

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That Jingle!
Up to his old mischief again.

This time, encouraging good oral hygiene....

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Sunday, December 2, 2012

Day 337/365 ~ 2012

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The end of a very quick trip to Richland.
Last stop on a cold and very windy morning: The cemetery to put up Dad's Christmas tree.

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I'm certain Dad would love the tree that the little hands decorated.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Day 336/365 ~ 2012

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Reindeer feeding started our trip to see Santa!

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Santa was visiting one of my favorite stores in Richland. Full of beautiful holiday displays like this one.  We took a quick picture and then....

it was time for the big moment!
The kids shared their letters...

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{Since Mom and Dad won't let me get an itouch}, "Santa, I'd like a Ninjago Lego Set..."

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"I'd like Epic Mickey II for the Wii, or a new Bike."

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"I'd like a 'Garden Doll', please."

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I love the magic of Christmas with children!

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