Two Lambs and a Bear: Happy New Year

Happy New Year!! I know, I know, I kind of skipped over Christmas. The truth was we were very, very busy celebrating the birthday of Jesus that I did not have much time or take any time out to blog about it. I decided to live in the moment vs. trying to write about it. In an effort to begin the New Year right, I am writing a brief recap of the Christmas holidays so that I do not feel remorse that I skipped over it and then promptly move on to focusing on entire New Year and fresh start. In the spirit of resolutions I feel like a quick reflection and recap of one holiday is needed so I can move forward with my long list of resolutions.
We celebrated the holidays at home and every single family member came to our little casa which was fun, crazy, gifts everywhere and makes for a very extended holiday season. Aunt Kimmie, Cousin Aiden and Gigi paid us a visit before the holidays. Poppy and Tammy popped by Christmas Eve morning to celebrate, off we went to Church to celebrate at Jesus's birthday party on Christmas Eve, home for tamales (a self-declared family tradition for this house), fed the reindeer (our little ones had zero interest in Santa this year but the twins were really excited about Rudolf and the reindeer coming to see us), we left Papa Joe's cookies out for Santa (we helped ourselves first), and we went off to dream about the next big morning. Santa Claus must have forgiven our cookie selection and lack of enthusiasm this year because he rewarded the children well, and they must have been on the Nice List anyways. We played with Papa Joe and Honey after Santa came and showed them all our new toys, and then we went to my husband's late grandmother's house to eat Christmas Dinner. I realize that sounds a little random but it kept me from entertaining at our house! Aunt Holly and Uncle JP came in for a visit and we had a big time. After our meal and photo opportunity in other yards, Joe and I loaded up our crew and drove around Annie's neighborhood to look at lights. The lights were incredible and it was a perfect way to conclude our Christmas holiday with our little lambs and bear. Time flew and we flew right into the New Year. Crazy!!

The Wonder of Christmas

With their Gigi and a little too busy watching the trains to bother with a photo opportunity

Gingerbread House and Choochoo display

Poppy and Tammy

Christmas Eve after Church Service

Fenley enthralled with the reindeer food

Mamie also very curious about the reindeer food

The twins realized I was serving Santa Papa Joe's cookies (aka Golden Stuffed Oreos which ever since our beach trip with Honey and Papa Joe this summer they associate these little treats with their grandfather). Mary Ellie and Fenley tried to rescue as many cookies as possible because Santa was not all that deserving of a snack at our house apparently.

Cookie Scraps for Santa

Merry Christmas??? Early risers make for grumpy children

A little gift from Santa for Mary Ellie

Bear's Santa gift

Fenley not sure if he wants to play with the new mini-kitchen sink or his new digger truck more

Joe's late grandmother, Annie's house, where he has celebrated many Christmases here but the first time we have ever celebrated there without her.

Taking pictures in someone else's yard. Papa Joe wearing his old Air Force coat from yesteryear because it was FREEZING and a Christmas Cracker crown.

Holding hands in the car as we looked at the Christmas Lights. Such a sweet moment.

Aunt Holly, Honey and Baby Bear

Fenley and Mamie looking at lights

This house won my vote for best light display

I stumbled upon this situation. Our new doll I have dubbed Willamina being fed a rather a hysterical meal and our old favorite doll, Molly, tossed aside quite literally. I am not sure what is funnier, the meal, or Molly in such a perilous position

Bear turned 13 months right after Christmas. I am holding back tears that my little baby keeps getting bigger and older!!

Bear LOVES to dance and he loves music class. He pushes the tractor button and dances to Old MacDonald and gets quite the kick from it all.

After the Christmas holidays, after Bear turned 13 months, we turned our attention to slowly taking down Christmas stuff and that really just mean moving everything BACK to my dining room table because I am determined to sort out old Christmas goods and only store and keep the most beloved. We also started a massive clean sweep of the house. It is time to be out with the old and make room for the new. This is a massive undertaking. Every inch of my house is now in chaos and looks worse than we began but we will get there. We intend on having a massive garage sale in two weeks so I a MOTIVATED!!
Last night ,because we are old and tired people with three little children, the kiddies celebrated the New Year with London and went off to bed. Joe and I celebrated by having Kate and Christian over to celebrate with Ryan Seacrest and New York City via television set and a little champagne and steaks a la Joe. Then, we called it a night. We woke up in 2011 in this time zone! :) I am thinking of my resolutions and will share tomorrow but I am off to ponder, clean, and cook up some Black Eyed Peas for good luck. Happy New Year!!

Out with the old.....

Every year I question why I have so much stuff and how can I be a minimalist. So far, I do not have a good answer for myself or a solution. Look at this massive clean out!

Mary Ellie and Fenley making New Year's Eve treats

Um, yeah, I caught Fenley with a discarded piece of breakfast toast dipping it into the brownie mixture. I am so glad I forgot about this when I served it to our guests. Gross.