Pajama Christmas

Dear Santa,

Christmas Eve

the kids got to go to their first ever 

Christmas Carol play with Mema, Papa and cousins. 

we thought the ghost of Christmas Future may have 

frightened them off but apparently it was a success. 

(minus Ava's need for the bathroom during the last 5 min of the show)

after the show we did the annual brother-sister presents,

Christmas stories, treats, new pajamas and 

tucked two excited kids into bed. 

Festivus 2012

Friends who have been recent Festivus losers finally made it, 

Pete and Talia surprised us with a Festivus miracle,

grievances were made,

Dustin got pinned, 

Emily didn't break any glass, 

an all around a great party.

HAPPY FESTIVUS EVERYONE!

Chaos and Comfort

here come the holidays - chaos and comfort. 

seems like such a long time ago that all you had to 

worry about was making it to ONE Christmas. 

i can hardly remember college break, several weeks 

with nothing to do, no kids, no working 12 hour night shifts, 

no hosting of holiday celebrations. whoa. 

now - cram in a partial work week, Festivus, 

Christmas with the kids, Christmas with the Walldens

and Christmas with the Dolezaleks...

all at our house, all in one week. whoa. 

being an adult is a hell of a lot of work.

yes, it's chaos but it's also pretty great. 

every year we say we're going to downsize,

and every year we don't. 

i can't help it - i'm pretty much in love with Christmas time. 

in love with my kids and watching them get to 

experience the excitement and wonder of Santa 

to spend time with all of their family

even if we sometimes drive each other crazy

because that's family and we'd do anything for family. 

holiday week...bring it on!

holy snowstorm Batman!

no school for two days, 

lots of shoveling - mostly by Dustin :)

and some very happy kids who finally 

got to build a great big snowman.