Santa Time

We did the Santa thing. Granted, neither of the girls are old enough to understand let alone remember it, but we wanted the picture. So glad we did this so that we could remember them in this electronic age *note the sarcasm*. We had to pay $11 for wallet size pictures and when I tried to scan it to put it on this nice little blog, the quality was less than stellar. Not impressed. Of course, we couldn't take our own pictures either so I apologize for the quality of everything today.

My sister was working and was able to take her break so she could join us, which will have to be a tradition I think. It just made it more fun.

Also, I had my camera set to "program mode" and apparently nobody knows how to use that but me so my poor sister's pictures that she took are terrible. Not her fault.

All of that aside, it was fun! We got in line and didn't have to wait too long. Also, please note that we got to use our double stroller for the first time! I fiddled with it for a while earlier in the day to figure out how to put the car seat in it, and it was easier than I had thought it would be so I was pumped to actually see it in action. Hubby, on the other hand, is not so impressed with it. He said it is too big and awkward but he really has no idea how big and awkward double strollers can be so he doesn't know what he is talking about. Ours is pretty comfortable and easy to maneuver.

Enjoying her spot wayyyyy up front.

You can see the monstrosity of the stroller behind us. It's really not that bad. Also? Best family photo we have lately even with a blurry hubby.

Sure, the picture with my sister and my family is better than with me and my family. :) Oh well!

When it got to be time for us to have our turn, Josie was unsure. I had been pointing out what was happening with the people ahead of us and she had watched very closely with a lot of curiosity. She didn't cry (that's my girl!) but she did not want to sit on his lap. We did get her to sit on the arm rest, but we couldn't get a smile. It was a fun experience! Audrey slept through all of it and was oh so comfy in Santa's arms. (Who thinks it's normal to just give your infant to a stranger? Apparently everyone.)

Scanned in all of it's perfection.

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Canvas photo

Not too long ago, I won a giveaway on Callie's blog for a canvas print from Printcopia. I was pretty excited about this since I just had Audrey's newborn pictures taken (post to come with more about these soon) and we had some great shots to choose from.

I've never had a canvas print before, so it was even more exciting to push "Order" when I was done. The very best part though? How much I saved! Check it out.

Gotta love giveaways! Thanks Callie!

I'll hopefully report back with a picture of tthis canvas in it's new home once I receive it and get it hung up. Oh the possibilities for where it should be hung...

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Friday

**My mind is spinning with the news of the shooting at the Elementary school in Connecticut. How can this happen? What can be done to stop this in the future? How those parents must be feeling, I cannot imagine. Prayer is all I am left with and all I can do.**

This week was a good one. We're figuring out little by little how to go about our days with two kiddos and a crazy dog. This is the last week that we had meals delivered by our church friends (amazing, so appreciated). Next week will be me cooking, or at least attempting to, with an 18 month old running around my feet. Thankfully, I figured out that if we let her "help" she's not so whiny and difficult. It's actually pretty fun to talk her through what I'm doing and letting her help with little things.

I had my first (well, technically second since I did have one years ago when I was teaching while in school) piano recital and it went so well. I was nervous about it of course, but my students did awesome and my house is now super clean. I made a bunch of holiday cookies (my baking for the year) and have eaten way too many of them, but it got that itch to bake out of my system and I was happy to share them with these families that I am growing to love. That's one of the best parts of giving lessons - the relationships I get to build with both the students and their parents.

Today I am renewing my driver's license (oh so fun), getting a haircut, getting some holiday Starbucks, and bringing the kids to see Santa at the mall. We're waiting til Hubby is home so he can join us, but I have low expectations. We haven't talked about Santa at all so the only way Jo's been exposed to it is by other people. I'm not against Santa, but it's not a big deal to me like it is to others. I really want her to get that it's about Jesus, so she plays with her nativity scene and walks around pointing out Jesus everywhere. I'm loving that. But yes, we'll do the whole "sit on Santa's lap" thing and try our hardest to get a picture. Let it be noted, though, that we'd TOTALLY sit on Jesus' lap first if we could.

I just gave Jo a haircut. Myself. She just need the back trimmed, and it curls up so much I figured I could just trim it myself and it would hide the uneven cutting that I did. So far, I don't hate it. We'll see though how long that lasts before I'm dragging her in to my hairstylist.

I have some more photos of Audrey for you! I didn't post enough photos of Jo when she was so little and changing so much every day. Here you go.

Love this little half smile.

We've been getting more and more wake time with this girl! It's fun to watch her zone in on our faces now that her eyes are focusing more.

I can't just forget about Jo though. This is what I got from her when I took the camera away from her. She was not impressed.

We rocked matching socks the other day. Yep, I've become that mom. I'm okay with it.

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Little bits of Fun

We get creative around here when we are bored... Josie has fallen in love with hair accessories. She often comes up to me with a clip and says "haya? haya?" (hair) so I put it in her hair and she marches back to her room. Usually she goes back and forth a couple of times before finding something new to play with, but sometimes she just doesn't stop. See below.

I have wrapped a few presents around here. Just a few. I still have at least half left... but doesn't the tree look so much better when it's not so bare down there??

And last but not least: my aunt out in Portland sent us a gift for Audrey's birth and she always has quite the display.

For Audrey:

Here's everything she got. Adorable matching outfit with some fancy pancy socks.

BUT THEN there was this hidden layer underneath. Oh man - big sis Josie was not forgotten!

We haven't shown it to her yet, because we're waiting for the moment when she's bored and being mischievous, but I know she will love it. How do I know? Because you can't put a farm themed toy in front of her without her going bonkers. Yep, bonkers. 

Thank you Aunt Laurel!! You are always generous and we feel the love. :)

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