Day 348 - December 13

Caught up again....

I have two pictures for today because one was the one I planned on, and the other is too adorable not to use.

For the first time in months, I think, we finally went on a family walk this afternoon. Jason got home from work at a decent time, it was beautiful (though just a little chilly), Michaela needed to run off some energy, and I really didn't want Jason to have to take Fred later after Michaela was asleep because I have too many things to do to wrangle a baby.

So I had to snap a quick picture to document this fairly momentous occasion. I'm hoping we'll be able to do it more often through the rest of the winter/spring (i.e., till it gets too hot to go before 10pm again).

And the second picture is Cate's adorable squinchy-faced smile. I can't get enough of that! (Complete with finger in mouth.... the usual these days courtesy of a little teething.)

Day 347 - December 12

Christmas. The time of year when I pretend I like to bake in order to have gifts to give friends. That's not entirely fair... I do enjoy my Christmas baking, but only because I like giving cookies away.

My serious baking started last night, even though it wasn't the start of my real Christmas baking. I'm so far behind this year that I haven't gotten to that yet (and there will be a lot fewer kinds of cookies this year... an infant is cramping my style). But we had a cookie exchange at MOPS today, so I had to make 10 dozen cookies so I could share. Thankfully, this shortbread recipe makes a ton and is EASY!!

This was the start of the almost 11 dozen I made last night!

Day 346 - December 11

Ah, Lulu.

We are not as creative with Lulu as a lot of other people are. Lulu fishing was about as creative as we get.

But that doesn't stop us from being somewhat irreverent.

Or maybe Lulu just wanted to ponder Jesus for a day.

Day 345 - December 10

It's 9:09pm and I'm considering heading to bed. I have a list a mile long of things I need to do, but I'm tired and that's winning.

So tonight's picture is of one of the things on my list... the five boxes (of 16 each) of Christmas cards that just don't seem to be sending themselves out.

Maybe tomorrow.

Day 344 - December 9

It was Christmas Tree day!!

We got our tree yesterday (in 75 degree weather, while I wearing a sleeveless shirt - weird!) and got it into the house. But that was as far as we got. Part of that was a lack of time before getting ready for our party last night. Part of it was because we needed to give the tree some time standing upright so the branches would settle out. I have to say, we got a great tree again this year!

During nap time, Jason got all bajillion lights up, so that Michaela would be able to help us decorate - a highly anticipated activity - when she got up. Within seconds of coming out to the living room, she was already asking to hang up her ballerina ornament, which was a gift from Grandma and Grandpa Jeff this year.

The ballerina was the first ornament on the tree. And then we had a, uh, fun time putting up the rest of the ornaments while trying to minimize damage and make sure they made it up higher than the bottom 3 feet of the tree!

We still have to hang our tin and glass icicles, but it's up and decorated, and looks good, if I do say so myself!

Day 343 - December 8

Saturday was Christmas party day! In the morning, we had the kid's party at the park near the base, and then we had Jason's branch party last night. There are no pictures from the branch party and it's best that way.

But, in the morning, Michaela got the chance to decorate a cookie, her favorite thing about all base parties.

I have to say, the party was great this year. It was very well-attended, there was plenty of food to go around, Santa gave out gifts (though we didn't get any - M is afraid of Santa!), there was a train to ride, bounce houses, and, of course, cookies to decorate.

Check out the concentration....

Day 342 - December 7

I had big plans to only use a picture of Lulu today, but I have to add in a picture of Cate, too. When you see it, you'll know why.

Meanwhile, Lulu decided to go fishing. There was some serious engineering and use of command hooks to make this happen. (And, for the record, command hooks will pull flat paint off the wall.)