Birthday Boy!

 

 

There are very few birthday photos of Will without

him near our Christmas tree.

Will is our Christmas baby.

 

 

 

 

Recently I asked Will a few questions and thought I'd share them ~

 

What do you like about the fact that your birthday is on Christmas Day?

(Will) I love that it's Jesus' birthday and it's when the baby King was born.
 I also

really like to get presents.

 

What are your favorite subjects in school?(he loves school)

(Will) Math and Science. Mostly I like them because I love to learn new things and

how to figure out how things work.

 

Who's your current favorite Superhero or Crime Fighter?

(Will) It's a tie between Batman and Wolverine.

 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

(Will) A Scientist, rock star, athlete, and Doctor

 

 

 

 

We have no doubt that William will accomplish all those things and more!

This mom hopes for the doctor, I dream of him helping children someday.

 

Happy Birthday sweet boy, we love you to the moon and back!

 

 

 

 







Merry Christmas

"Christmas my child, is love in action."

 

~ Dale Evans

 

 

 

 

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

~  Author Unknown

 

 

 

 Behind all the commercial-ism of the season
is the simple story about a family trying to get through difficult times.
And a baby born in a manger.

 

 

 

 

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

~ Luke 2:10-11

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

May you find the blessings of Christmas - peace, love and hope...today and always.

 

with love,

Dan, Gail, Nick, Grace and William

52/52 and Wordless Wednesday

Nutcracker

(My sister and I had similar jewelry boxes with a twirling ballerina when we were little.)

It's a tradition that dates back to when my oldest son
was a little guy and we'd see the Nutcracker in
the San Francisco bay area and later in Chicago.
And yes he dressed up and looked adorable!

Grace and I have made it our little tradition since she was 5.
She chose the dress all by herself, and it's very 'Grace.'

Each year before we leave for the Nutcracker,
I take her picture in front of our Christmas tree.
This year I tried something different and captured Grace in her room
with one of her favorite dolls.

(I gave her a ballerina and nutcracker ornament to remember this special afternoon.)

At the age where her favorite things are Barbies, American Girl Dolls,
playing with dear friends,
her ipod touch and listening toTaylor Swift,
I'd like time to stop for a very long while.
I relish these days with my daughter.

A moment in time captured of my little girl who is 9.


Merry Christmas.
I have one or two more posts this week.

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.

45/52 - dreaming of...

Can it really be true?
Halloween has come and gone and you know what comes next.
We barely get to celebrate or observe Thanksgiving, which is a little sad to me.

My littles were reminded last week when the above catalog arrived.
If you look closely, there are drawings, arrows pointing and names written of some things that
they'd love for Christmas.
Will even highlighted the coupons in the back for me.

As a child I remember my siblings and I perusing the Sears Wishbook.
The times have changed I suppose...
but maybe not?

I've started my Christmas shopping.

The hard part is finding a good hiding place.
There are little people here that like to look. ;)