Catching Up

As you can see I'm catching up on my posts. I considered skipping them all together but realized I really want them in my "online diary". I hope to one day print out my blog and have it for a keepsake. If anyone has done this I'd love to hear from you and all the hows, whens & whys.

Every year we decorate our Christmas tree together. It's something the kids look forward too. They each have their own special ornaments they have been given throughout the years. It's fun to unwrap the memories along with the ornaments.

Here is Bugs helping me warm up my camera.

His grin never fails to make me smile.

We spread out some toys to occupy Princess.

But once she saw Mommy unpacking the ornaments on the couch she wanted in on it.

Doesn't she have that innocent, "Who me?" look?

Caught in the act.

Boo shows off one of the ornaments Grandpa M. made her. Beautiful!

My job is to pass out the ornaments. Dave's is to help the children. The children's is to hang the ornaments & not to rush Mommy. =)

We hung the stockings too. Dave's is not pictured here as he put it in a different storage place last year. He did find it the next day thank goodness. These stockings were all hand knit by my Nana. I absolutely love them. She made them special for each one of us.

Precious Moments

Princess is 5 weeks old today. How did that happen? Weren't we in the hospital just yesterday celebrating her birth? Time has a way of getting away from us no matter how hard we try to hang onto it.

We are enjoying every minute with her. It brings smiles to our faces watching our older children get to know her & form their own special, individual relationships with her. I watched around the corner today as Bugs entertained Princess while she sat in her bouncy seat. He talked to her, made silly faces & peeked through her dangling toys. Too cute! His concern & love as he tried to comfort her when she began to cry (she was hungry) was precious. I was amazed at how gentle he was even though he is only 3 years old.

Princess started smiling & cooing last week. We all seem to have a daily quest of seeing who will receive the most smiles. Her grins melt us all. We are putty in her hands after receiving one. She looks straight in the recipients eyes & gives a full, open mouthed gummy grin. Precious! I hope to capture her beautiful smile with the camera soon.

Here is my favorite photo of her to date. Thank you, Lord for this special, priceless child.

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Christmas Eve

We did end up going to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at our new church. I am so glad we did. It was absolutely beautiful. They had these star shaped lights hanging from the high ceiling and the lights were dimmed in the sanctuary. It was super crowded and I felt lucky to get a seat. We ended up in the balcony and I think if Dave hadn't first dropped us off at the door and then went to park by himself we wouldn't have had a seat at all. That is how fast the seats filled up. Bugs did very well considering he is 3 and has never had to sit through an hour long service before. He didn't get restless until the end and even then he behaved as well as or even better than the other kids his age. When we lit the candles and the light filled the sanctuary it was magical. Heavenly.

After we arrived home we started in on making dinner. It was easy as we had prepped things ahead & planned a simple meal. The only thing that took time were the pizzas to cook. Dinner ended up being perfect. It was like a little buffet full of favorite foods. We had special things that we don't' normally have but as I mentioned they were things that took very little preparation. A perfect blend of special & easy on a busy night.

The girls did clean up for us and then it was time for our ornaments. Every year we give the children a special ornament. This year was no exception. Dave's dad had made one for them as well. They look forward to seeing what theme or character he has chosen.

Because of all the excitement and last minute needs bedtime took longer than Dave & I had hoped. Eventually we got them all into bed. I'm not sure how much sleeping actually took place but at least they were tucked in & the lights were off.

Elvis poses with me as I shred the cheese for pizzas.

Sweet Pea arranges the shrimp.

Daddy made the pizzas. He even made homemade sauce!

Boo Bear was in charge of the snack platter.

Our Tree

Mama & Her Chicks

Our Little Buffet

Pizzas, chips & dip, shrimp, grapes, celery with cream cheese, carrots & cheese and crackers.

Bugs plays cars while the girls clean up.

Ornament Time!

These were the ornaments I painted for the boys.

And here are the girls with theirs.

Close Up

Daddy opens the box from Grandma & Grandpa M.

Bugs was the first to get his ornament from Grandma & Grandpa. A teddy bear!

Bugs' ornament

They each have the child's name on them and the year. For privacy I haven't shown that side. Pops cuts these out of wood and handpaints them. Doesn't he do an amazing job?

Elvis' Ornament

Boo Bears'

Sweet Peas'

Santa Came!

After the kids were tucked into bed of course. *wink*

Boy, he even filled the stockings to the brim!

Cooking With Bugsy

Recently I wanted to make some meals to freeze. Bugsy was looking bored so I invited him to join me in cooking. I knew it would take longer having his help but I reminded myself that I need to make these memories while they are still little. It ended up being a ton of fun. He was completely enthusiastic with every step. I'm thankful I have these photos to remind me of this memorable day.

Spaghetti Sauce From Scratch

Since we started making our own spag. sauce several years ago I can hardly stand the taste of the canned or jarred brands. Add tomatoes from last year's garden, (or fresh off the vine like last summer), & freshly picked basil and oregano and - YUM!

Bugsy loved to stir. Every time I turned around he was splashing away. Lol!

More Tomatoes! After all they are the main ingredient.

Proud Chef

Adding Tomato Sauce

Now Into Crockpot #2

A Happy Chef-in-Training

Adding Herbs, Salt & Sugar

Freshly Picked Basil ~ SEE?

Now the Bay Leaf!

Here Are the Chopped Onions!

Into the Pot

Singing While She Works

She's Smiling Because She Knows the Secret Ingredient!

Simmering Away ~ Smells Super Yummy!