Come And Gone Too Fast!

I get tired even thinking about trying to narrate this post. It's been a wonderful Holiday, filled with emotion which I can't put words to. Ever since the day after Thanksgiving (actually the night it was over) Rob and I have been working so hard to make Christmas perfect for the kids. Every measure we took was so worth it to see how excited they were to not only receive their gifts from us, but give their gifts to others. Jack had even drawn and wrapped a self-portrait at school and placed it under the tree for Rob and I. He was so proud that he waited until Christmas to give it to us, and we so proudly placed it on the fridge. All in all, I could have never made it through this Christmas without Rob and the kids. We've watched Toy Story 3 and How to Train Your Dragon each about 20 times (with me crying each time), eaten so much junk food that I need to seriously go on a diet, and just have been having so much fun together. I am so completely depressed at the thought of going back to work on Monday. I know, I know...the "real" working world already went back to work this week, and I should be thankful for the job I have and that I get these wonderful breaks to spend these important times with my family, BUT...I just want nothing more right now than to stay home every day with these precious kids...

Christmas Eve (at my Dad's):

Merry Christmas Mom. I love you and miss you.

Thanks Grampy!

Christmas Day (at Home):

Christmas Continued (At Camano with the Day's):

Gray was the color of the day

Jovie was obsessed with our Chihuahua Lily the entire weekend. Poor Lily just couldn't catch a break. Unfortunately Jovie was pretty Christmased out by the time we made it down to Camano to visit the Day's.

Golf clubs & a BB Gun? Pretty lucky boy. Notice the dark circles? Yeah, he threw up that morning :-( but seemed to bounce back quickly without any other real signs of being sick.

Thanks Grandpa!

These Are The Days

We have been enjoying every second of Christmas break so far. When I talked to my dad yesterday morning he guessed perfectly what I'd been up to. He said "Let me guess, you're drinkin coffee and sittin by the computer." He knows me too well. I am still managing to get a bit done, but I really gotta step it up today and tomorrow and get some more baking and cleaning done so we can relax on Christmas.

A few sweet pictures of the kids...

Jack was so excited to find the perfect tree, and of course got SO into it. Jovie on the other hand was lying on the ground screaming. Imagine that.

This girl is so much happier in her own home! It's no wonder we never get out. Here she is saying "I Love Christmas"

Getting Ready

Christmas break is finally here. It was so nice waking up this morning knowing that I have two full weeks and three full weekends at home with my family to enjoy the holiday season.

A few things we've been doing to get ready...

Rob even got in on the action!

Lighted Christmas Parade, Decorations

Beth and I met at my Dad's this afternoon to go through Christmas decorations and put some up for my Dad. This was very hard. Much harder than I anticipated, but so worth it. We looked at every decoration before we put it up, trying so hard to figure out what my Mom had done with it in the past, and what she would have done with it if she were putting it up now. We tried our best, and I must say I was very pleased with the finished product. We didn't do near the job she would have done...but we tried, and that in itself I know would make her happy.

The lighted Christmas parade is something I've NEVER done without my mom. We have the most amazing memory from a few years ago of all of us heading up to the parade in cold and snow, hot drinks in hand, braving the elements just to see the look on Jack's and Ryan's faces of the Christmas lights and Santa. In fact, we have the most amazing picture of my mom and dad that night...I really need to find it and post it because it's absolutely beautiful. Tonight we still gathered for the lighted parade. My Dad, myself, and Jack sat on the curb in the freezing weather and wind and enjoyed the parade just like we normally would. Fortunately we were able to immediately head inside to Andrea and Justin's house to warm up with Beth, Adam, and Almira, and the rest of the Hodgins' Clan. THANKS!!! It was a good night. I'm glad that we continue to do the things that my Mom would be doing if she were still here. Every tradition this Christmas will be so painful without her, but at the same time, I don't want to skip a beat. She wouldn't want us to be sitting at home pouting, so I refuse to do so.

Beth found the pictures.

Just Beautiful!