ChRiStMaS TiMe

I'm relaxing at the moment, the first time in what feels like weeks. Nearly pure bliss, a cup of tea, laying by the fire, Shane next to me...but the headache ruins it a bit. Lots of Christmas pictures to post but I definitely don't want to write underneath each so here's the rundown on our Christmas, or at least the picture part~
*Olivia so excited that Santa ate his cookies and drank most of his milk, and that Rudolph ate his carrots.
*Kids digging into their stockings, and tearing open their gifts. I love the surprised, and curious looks on their faces!
*Shane got me a tripod, I'm so excited! No more borrowing tripods from friends.
*We got together with my family at my brother Derek's house. The kids celebrated Jesus' birthday. We had cupcakes, and singing, it was very sweet.
*Had Christmas in January with Shane's side of the family. There are some goofy pics in this mix. My brother-in-law Bryan is a crack up. He and the kids were playing "The Lone Ranger." So that's why they have fake pistols in their hands. There are some sweet pictures too. Olivia and her cousin Evan have become pretty good buds over the last year. My kids are so lucky to have so many cousins here in town. I absolutely cherished the time I spent with my cousins growing up. I hope my kids do the same!
*A group shot of the Walker, Sander, and Lofstedt family. Wasnt' able to get one with my side of the family. My brothers Noel and Joe were not in town this year for Christmas. We all missed them!!! Sadly, you won't see any pictures of my parents either.
My grandpa(my mama's Dad,) has been very ill and in the hospital for nearly 2 weeks. We've spent day after day at the hospital for the last week and a half. It's a sad time for my Mom right now, my heart breaks for her. My parents are so sleep deprived, they've stayed at the hospital nearly every night with my Grandpa Leo~bless their hearts! Needless to say, my mom wasn't in the Christmas spirit this year, and I don't blame her.
I hope that the beginning of your new year finds you healthy, happy, & blessed. Wishing you all a HaPpY 2010. May this year be even better than last!

These are a few of my favorite(Olivia,) things...

Olivia made some darling Christmas arts & crafts at school. I loved having them up on the wall for us to admire =) I'm not sure if I can bring myself to take them down, they're too cute! I look forward to bringing a few of my favorites out every year. Her Santa wish list is pretty cute too. She also made some snowflakes for our windows with her Gam. How did December come, and almost go so fast? Even though I'm ready for a new year, I'm sad that Christmas is over. Um, hello, where's the snow??? I'm so disappointed, I'm one of the weird one's who LOVES lots of snow. In fact, so much that you're stuck at your house =)

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!

I've got mail...

I love checking my mail this time of year, anticipating Christmas cards from friends and family. It's fun to see how families have changed during the last year, and I like pictures. Today, I didn't get any Christmas cards...boo, BUT, I got something just as exciting! It was our confirmation and welcome letter from the Stephanie Inn at Cannon Beach. That's right, I have FINALLY felt comfortable leaving my kids overnight and am going on a vacation with my Hunny!!! It only took 6 1/2 years for me to realize that we NEED time away together, just he and I. We haven't been away together, alone for even one night since our Honeymoon, so ya, we're overdue! This year we weren't able to do anything for our anniversary because we were away for a dear friends funeral. Then we had planned to go down to Vegas with some friends for the NCAA tournament, but it didn't pan out. So, I told Shane we needed to do something else instead. I cannot even tell you how excited I am to go to Cannon Beach. It can be raining, windy, cold, sunny, I don't care, I'll take it! I just want to be away, alone with Shane. Some may think it's funny that I picked Cannon Beach. But there are a couple reasons why~First, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Second, there is not a lot do to there, it's a place where you are FORCED to relax, and that's exactly what we need. There is one other wee reason, it's still close enough for me to get home quickly if my babes need me! Lastly, this hotel sounds AMAZING! One of my dearest friends has stayed there and filled me in on everything. Thanks again April for helping us out with beach house, hotel, all lodging options! I can't wait to see you down there! I won't drag this on any more, and will definitely post some things about our trip, it won't be until February(Valentine's weekend.) I just wanted to share how excited I am =)
PS~I've included some pictures of our summer vacations down at the Oregon Coast...some are 4 years old, how time flies. Olivia looks like a teeny tiny baby girl in some, and I have a big ole' belly in others(little NJP was tucked away in there.)

The MaGiC & true meaning of Christmas have come to our house!

Olivia is finally understanding the true meaning(birth of Jesus,) and MaGiC and wonder(Santa) during this time of year, Christmas! I really want her to have a balance between both, and so far, I think Shane and I have done a good job at incorporating that. We watched The Polar Express last weekend, and it made me feel like a kid again, remembering back to what it felt like when Santa was "real." I have been so excited to bring the MaGiC and wonder of Christmas in to our home this year. Liv is thrilled with the idea of Santa~it was so cute to help her write a Christmas list to Santa, & watching her eyes twinkle at the thought of what he might bring to her. Nolan has yet to really understand this MaGiCal, special, heavenly time of year. He does find excitement in tearing down Christmas decor, breaking mamas candles, snow globes, and trying to open up presents under the tree. Shane and I are now in agreement that presents will be placed under the tree on Christmas Eve, and no earlier. Nolan would tear in to every one! Today he told me "I don't like Santa, he's gwoss(gross.)" I have no idea where he got it, I did have to crack up because his little voice is so cute. He got to see Santa tonight on our CDA cruise to the the North Pole. Santa kept saying "Ho Ho Ho Ho!" So now that's what Nolan has been talking about and saying all night.

Little NJP helped decorate the gingerbread house with us this year, and loved it. Of course he snuck about 10 pieces of stale/hard as a rock candy into his mouth. We had fun putting it together, and it turned out pretty cute. It has lots of character with its crooked candy, and windows full of icing sliding down the sides. Hope you are all staying cozy, enjoying family, and most of all finding or continuing with the traditions you enjoy most this time of year!

Daddy gets the star for being the most fun today!

I had an appt this morning and when I got back, I came home to a little fort in the middle of the living room. The kids were thrilled, and obviously so was my husband(big kid,) since he came up with the idea! The little "house" has 2 different doors(out of blankets obviously.) Not only did he move all the furniture to the middle of the living room, he even tipped them over(upside down) so that the kids had little cubbies aka sleeping areas inside the fort. Olivia had one side and brought in her phone, slippers, and water. Nolan just brought in his trucks =) On top of the fort were all the pillows and cushions from the sofa's, and turned into the kids roof, were they were pretending to shovel off snow? Of course Nolan is using it as a jumping/climbing castle. Dad gets the star for today =) I'm just boring ole' mom...LOL! The kids love it, and I have a feeling will want this set up all day.