25 Days of Christmas: Day 23

Mmmmmmmm, Nutter Butter Truffles…

So easy and sooooo delicious!!!

 

Craig received this beautiful Chinese Christmas ornament as a gift. It is delicately hand-painted on the inside through a tiny hole in the blown glass. It’s absolutely gorgeous!

25 Days of Christmas: Day 22

Looking for the perfect gift for that “hard to shop for” guy on your list? Check out this new cookbook,

“Have Her Over For Dinner”.

Lots of guys are intimidated when it comes to preparing a delicious meal that doesn’t involve a can, a can opener and a microwave. This book is the perfect gift for that special someone looking to branch out in the kitchen while learning to prepare delicious meals that aren’t complicated by a long list of ingredients. The result? A dazzling array of flavorful meals designed to please any palate.

It’s written by the son of a friend of mine and the recipes are impressive but not intimidating. The perfect combination if you ask me.

25 Days of Christmas: Day 21

He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake…

Found. Soucie the Elf, lounging at the top of our tree, keeping tabs on the girls… ready to report back to the BIG GUY himself.

25 Days of Christmas: Day 20

Retro Christmas, 70s style!

My sisters are going to kill me for this… please forgive me girls…

Um hello, I know short dresses were all the rage, but where are my pants?

 

We had our picture taken with this “thing” every Christmas… I still don’t know what it is, it’s like some kind of gangsta, hip-hop angel or something like that… 

25 Days of Christmas: Day 19

Glitter hair bands, princess dresses, and baby dolls.

Bananarama

Hanging out on the couch.

Livie and Lauren just love their friend, Mia.

Ha! I just love candid shots.

Too bright, Mommy, too bright! (The room was dark when I took this and Livie didn’t like the flash)

 

All cuddled up and ready for a nap. Actually, they were pretending to be sick in bed, it is so funny the things they come up with.

25 Days of Christmas: Day 18

Teacher gifts and class parties.

Assembling the teacher gifts…

   

Lauren with her friend Ellery, and Ellery’s mom, Heather

Enjoying the food, as always, Lauren loves to eat.

 

Andrea and Caitlyn

 

Lauren’s best friend, John Will

   Lauren and her teachers, Miss Susan and Miss Geri. 

Miss Geri was Lauren’s teacher last year too, in the toddler class. Miss Geri is moving and won’t be returning after Christmas. We are so sad to see her go, we’ll really miss her. We wish her the best of luck.

 

Olivia’s party, chowing down! Her best bud, Kate is in the background.

Mia and Lily, the new big sisters. Their mommy just had a baby earlier this week and they were going to meet their baby sister for the first time after school. I am so excited for them.

Decorating cookies.

Lots and lots of sprinkles.

Best buds, Trey and Casey.

 

25 Days of Christmas: Day 17

Yesterday was Olivia’s Christmas concert. It was adorable and we were thrilled that she actually sang this year instead of screaming and crying her head off on the stage like she has done at previous performances.

Other than constantly taking her hair band on and off and pulling her dress up in the air… all was good.

Here are a few funny pictures, not the best quality due to not using the flash and having to zoom in from the back of the church.

Lining up to go in for the performance. Olivia saw us through the side door at the back.

Frantically waving at us…

 

Stretching.

 

Hands on head… is she doing the Macarena here?

 

I think this picture is the funniest of the whole group, yawning, looking at the ceiling, finger in the ear, facing backwards…

 

This one makes me laugh too!

25 Days of Christmas: Day 16

I entered a blog giveaway a few weeks ago and won a custom card design by this sweet and talented designer. I love how they turned out. She also has a darling blog. (Thanks Brooke!)

Sweet candid shot + a super fun design = the perfect Christmas card.

I am participating in my friend, Faith’s, Christmas Card Carousel 2009.

25 Days of Christmas: Day 15

Lauren’s playdate.

A few of Lauren’s classmates came over for a play date and lunch yesterday while Livie was at school. They are such a sweet little group of three year olds!

John Will brought “Rocket” and all the kids had to check it out.

 

Lauren, JW, Caitlyn and Nicholas

 

All the moms and kids were hanging out in the kitchen at one point…

 

Enjoying lunch… they looked tiny sitting around the huge table.

I just love the way Ellery is standing in this picture… hands on hips, checking out the scene, too cute.

 

Ellery and Caitlyn were playing with the bottom of the toy blender, they would turn it on and just cover their ears, it was hilarious.

 

John Will, Lauren’s partner in crime, actually found some toys that weren’t too girly and made himself at home.

25 Days of Christmas: Day 14

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree…

how lovely are thy branches…

I love fat trees. This shot gives you a little idea of just how fat this year’s green giant really is. Love it.     

I may have to improvise a little, I can’t fit the angel on top… because of the shape of the top of the tree, the angel keeps falling over backwards… guess she needs to stay away from the eggnog…

 

Once upon a mantle… (just a few decorations in the girls’ playroom)