49/52 - tree kiss

Sunday afternoon we went to cut a live tree,

this is the first year there was no snow and the temps were fairly mild.

I have more pics to post tomorrow and the kids had a blast.

Will was quite taken with what I call the "Charlie Brown trees,"

the small ones, some of which were kind of scraggly and sparse.

He went around kissing a few of these little guys and I found it incredibly cute.

I've heard of tree huggers but never a tree kisser.

Texture Tuesday - Celebrate

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

~ Norman Vincent Peale

 


Ornaments from my husband's Grandmother that have been handed down.
I don't hang these on the tree, I put them
in a bowl or on a platter in the dining room.
Up high from kitty paws and doggy tails.
The glass ornaments remind me of days gone by and of a simpler time.
And I hope to pass them down to my children some day.

I'm linking to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday where her theme
is 'Celebrate.'
First I desaturated the image to my taste,
then added two layers of her texture 'Lookup.'
the first at soft light at 35%
and the second at exclusion at 11%.
I loved the vintage feel they gave to the photo.

Favorite Photo Friday - Deck the Halls

'Tis the season.
For decking the halls, bringing out the bling and sparkle,
and putting up a tree or two with lights and decorations.

I  love Christmas time, and everything about it.
I love sending cards, listening to the music, looking at the lights and baking cookies.
I love my home at this time and how it looks, feels, smells and sounds.
I love our family traditions that bring back memories of my own childhood
and Christmas' past with friends and family.

(The important task of tree decorating requires close concentration for William).

My husband Dan was out of the country for work this week,
so I enlisted 2 helpers that happily complied.
This was the first year that the tree was decorated
in record time, without me finishing it by myself.
It wasn't completed in the above photo but
I think they did an amazing job!

(Grace even decorated Jack with a little Santa hat. 
Obviously it didn't stay there long!)






Our December is already filling up quickly.
We have cookies to bake, a couple of trips to Chicago planned, school programs to attend,
a Christmas dance recital,
Grace and I will be going to the Nutcracker
later in the month and Will's 6th Birthday is coming up soon.

I'm trying not to focus on the time frame and enjoy each of these special moments.
And reflect on the true meaning of this season...
of Jesus' birth.

(Each year I buy my kids a new ornament.
Grace is holding a handmade Paris inspired one for the little white tree in her room).

Please check out more Favorite Photo Friday images
on Lisa's Long Road to China blog.

While you're there see what's up for today
at the "12 Days of Giveaways"
to benefit orphans in China.
It's a wonderful cause.

48/52 - 'Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go!'

Grandma and Grandpa's house was our Thanksgiving destination.

Will is holding my brother Jim's dog, Patron.
Will called him 'trombone' which we thought was awfully cute.
Since our 6 month old puppy Zoe is now the size of a small horse,
Grace and Will were fascinated with this little dog.
Grace thought he looked like a stuffed animal and I have to agree!
Patron is a sweet little guy and loves children.

Our son Nick, his girlfriend Lindsay and our littles. 

Gosh I love these 4 people.

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving with lots of delicious food, we all pitched in to help my Mom.

I'm most thankful for the gift of my family and know 

how blessed I am to have my parents healthy and active.

The above is Will serenading us with some Christmas tunes.

Is it just me or does he look awfully comfortable with a microphone is his hand?

Especially in the pic on the right side with his hand in his pocket.

He's a natural!

I'll get some video of him singing.

47/52 - Farewell to Fall

(Taken yesterday morning before school).

Fall is now turning into Winter.
The leaves are mostly gone and there's a permanent chill in the air.
Thanksgiving is almost here.
Which means Christmas is around the corner.

Yesterday the Kindergarten classes at Will's school had a Harvest Festival
to celebrate the end of Fall.

 

All the children dressed as scarecrows.
The above photo shows Will acting the part.
Quite well, if I may say so. ;)

This boy is a nut!

 
The wink was a bonus!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.
We'll be spending it with my parents, my siblings and their families.
We have a lot to be thankful for!

12 Days of Giveaways

Starting this Friday Nov. 25th through December 23rd,on each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Lisa, Stefanie and Diana will be hosting a very special event.It's called 12 Days of Giveaways and it'll benefit orphans in China.

If you'd like to make a child's Christmas better,and maybe win a gift for yourself or get a gift for a special someoneon your Christmas list,please join in!!It'll be fun, I know I'm going to be there. 

Favorite Photo(s) Friday - my children

"They know me in a way no one ever has.
They open me to things I never knew existed.
They drive me to insanity and push me to my depths.
They are the beat of my heart,
the pulse of my veins,
and the energy in my soul.
They are my kids."

~ unknown
 

I didn't write the above but surely could have
because I've thought and felt every single one of those statements.

They make me laugh until I cry.
And sometimes frustrate the heck out of me.

I couldn't possibly love my children more than I do.

(His idea to use 2 sticks to make a mustache).



And couldn't have ever imagined that I'd be in my middle age years
and be a mama to two young children.

I'm grateful for this second and third chance at motherhood and thank God everyday
for my 3 children.
(the big and the 2 littles)

46/52 and texture Tuesday - the Phoebe eDition

We're transitioning to Winter here in Wisconsin...yes it's coming soon.

I've been in denial about it's arrival, but need to come to acceptance.

The snow will be here.

Taken yesterday of these cattails on a marsh overlooking a pond

 near our home.

I used two layers of Kim's 'Phoebe' texture, 

one in overlay and the other in soft light.