2010 December Daily - Dec 31

New Years Dinner with friends. All 13 of us headed to Ruby Tuesdays to have a celebratory meal. Cory & I had been craving their Lobster Carbonara all day, it was so good! We were complimented twice by other restaurant guests on how well behaved our children were and that is was so nice to see a group of families out and about...wow, us Moms were impressed. After supper we headed back to the hotel to take the kiddos swimming. After the kids were in bed, us adults got together to ring in the new year.

2010 December Daily - Dec 30

We travelled to Minot to meet our friends the Irwins & Heisers. This will be the third year we've celebrated New Years here with friends.

I was loving the beautiful Christmas tree they had in our hotel lobby. Took a couple minutes to myself and enjoyed photographing the details of it.

2010 December Daily - Dec 28

The kids declared today a pajama day.

Ace built masterpieces with his Lego and

Scarlett played vet with all her puppies.

Admiring the giant cup of goodies my sister gave me for Christmas...it was so nice of her to remember I had eyed it up in Target.

2010 December Daily - Dec 27

Lovin' the snuggles from Baby Coco.

Just a few ornaments from our 'Birchwood' themed tree.

We had really wanted to get a real tree this year, but just ran out of time. Here's hoping next year we can pick one up.

2010 December Daily - Dec 26

Hung around the house today.

Played lots of Dance Central on the xbox Kinect...so much fun!

And snacked on homemade nuts & bolts.

Coco's First Christmas

Every Christmas is special, but this one is just a little bit more so,

since it's Coco's First Christmas.

{photo taken of her under Nana & Papa's tree}

Happy Holidays 2010

Happy Holidays from our Home to Yours!

2010 December Daily - Dec 25

Merry Christmas!

We had one of the most relaxing Christmases we've ever had, it was so nice.

Love the excitement from the kids as they found what Santa brought them.

The morning was spent unwrapping gifts and Daddy assembling everything.

My parents came over and we exchanged gifts with them.

In the afternoon we went for a snowmobile ride.

And ended the festivities with leftovers.

2010 December Daily - Album Cover

Loving how this photo of our three kiddos turned out and I made it into the cover for our 2010 December Daily album.

2010 December Daily - Dec 24

Above: Putting out milk & cookies for Santa...and some carrots for the reindeer. Ace & Scarlett all cozy in their new pjs.

Below: Mom & Dad hosted Christmas dinner today. It was full of family, food & fun.

2010 December Daily - Dec 23

One year ago today we were excited by the news that we were expecting Coco! I had the kids pose for me in the same pjs as last year + baby Coco for a cool look at how we've grown over the year.

Today I finally got our Christmas cards in the mail (just received them from Shutterfly yesterday). We did some cleaning to prep for the busy next few days. Stocked up on groceries, you know the essentials for the holidays...turkey, pickles & buns!

2010 December Daily - Dec 22

I would have to say my absolute favorite tradition of the holidays is making gingerbread houses with the kids. We had lots of fun making these today!

2010 December Daily - Dec 21

This is a typical day for Coco & I...she loves it in her Hot Sling.

Dad came by today to clear snow in our driveway...it sure is a treat he does tends to that for us.

Our neighbors home across the street looks as though it's a gingerbread house covered in icing from the snow we have had.

Wrapping up some gifts & enjoying the glittery white snow today.

2010 December Daily - Dec 20

I have not done any holiday baking this year, so when Kendra dropped off these lemon bars, our family gobbled them up.

Today it snowed, but our thoughts weren't about the weather, we were thinking of the Lukye family all day as Jeff underwent a 27 hour surgery at the Mayo clinic in Rochester. I grew up with Keri and her hourly updates on Facebook had my complete attention all day. Everything went well during the operation, you can read about it here. Sending warm thoughts their way, they are very much a part of our Christmas this year (their photo with daughter Mya is below in the center)!

2010 December Daily - Dec 19

A relaxing Sunday at home. I recuperated from the flu and the kids & Cory hung around the house playing Legos and drinking hot cocoa. Remembering our special friends Chuck & Linda today as we put out a favorite ornament that was given to us years ago from them...had to chuckle when I saw that ol' Santa & reindeer jellybean dispenser.

2010 December Daily - Dec 18

Tonight we hosted a holiday party for a few friends, it was great to see them during this busy time of year. A shout out to my friend Sheri who celebrated her birthday today. Unfortunately the party was cut short for me, as I came down with the stomach flu.

2010 December Daily - Dec 17

It was a joy to be asked to volunteer to take Santa Photos for the local Family Centre again this year. We had a great turn-out with more kids than 2009. You can check out more cute Santa photos here.

Baby Time

Thursday mornings are Baby Time at the local Family Center. I am pleased to be a part of the drop-in activities there, anyone and everyone is welcome. It's usually Scarlett, Coco & I who head down for the activities they have coordinated. We've taken part in Gym Babies, Sign Language for Babies, Family Tree Making, Baby Weigh & Measure & Baby Scrapbook Pages. It's such a treat to have this offered in our community!

2010 December Daily - Dec 16

Cory sporting a coal moustache sucker from Scarlett's friend Rhett...love this picture.

My Mom & I had a laugh making rice krispy cake for the school dance.

Finally put our tree up.

The kids had so much fun at the school holiday dance tonight...it was a great time!

2010 December Daily - Dec 15

Christmas lights around town and

holiday projects made by the kiddos.

2010 December Daily - Dec 14

Today was full of wonderful-ness!

Received this card in the mail from my friend Missy & her family.

Got to meet baby Anden and visit with Jen & Addison.

Celebrated my Dad's birthday!

Toured the new school.

2010 December Daily - Dec 13

Today I took a spur-of-the-moment trip to Minot with my sister Amber to finish up all of our Christmas shopping. It was great to get away with her and have the day to ourselves. I vistited Starbucks & stocked up on their Christmas blend coffee and picked up some green & red Christmas balls to place in my vintage tin bowl.

The holiday decor around here is coming together, I just love the new advent calendar our friend Trina made for our kids!

2010 December Daily - Dec 12

Well it wouldn't be winter if my kids didn't play in the snow and experiment with eating it.

After a day of playing, Scarlett {and a mountain of every stuffy she owns} all nestled in her bed.

2010 December Daily - Dec 11

Coco in another cozy Christmas sleeper

Making time to enjoy the holidays at dinner with friends:

Mike & Ashley

Curt & Cindy

Michelle & Cory

2010 December Daily - Dec 10

Nothin' like an Ugly Sweater Party with friends to feel festive.

Tonight Kendra hosted our Wine Club's Christmas Party.

Cocktails, food & friends = a great evening.

2010 December Daily - Dec 9

Had a visit today with Grandpa & Auntie Michelle.

Their vintage ornaments remind me of my childhood.

2010 December Daily - Dec 8

Took a drive tonight to see the town Christmas tree covered in freshly fallen snow.

Remembering the story of Christmas.