Rock Band

Christmas Eve

After a Papa Murphy's pizza dinner on Christmas Eve, we drove into downtown to look at the Christmas Lights. We were hoping to take a walk around the almost deserted streets, but it was just too cold. Mark, of all people felt a picture was necessary to commemorate our adventure into the frozen tundra.. Armed with tiny hats and mittens, we bundled up the the babies. Cari was removing hers and Ellie's hat & mittens as fast as we could put them on. We all climbed over the snowbanks. Headed toward the middle of all the Christmas decorations, and took our picture. The girls were all laughing as we ran to and from the car saying "burrrrrrrrr." We made it home with every one's emotions still in tact. When we got home, Cari entertained us all by picking up a empty ornament box and pretended to take pictures of her family..."say Cheese."

A Christmas Tradition

In Old World Germany, the last decoration placed on the Christmas tree was always a pickle... carefully hidden deep in the branches. Legend has it that the observant child who found it on Christmas Day was blessed with a year of good fortune, and gets to open the first gift.

A Day In The Life

After a busy afternoon bouncing around happily with her sister, Carina climbed in her rocking chair for a quiet moment of reading.

Happy Hanukkah

I want to wish all my family and friends who light the menorah a Very Happy and Healthy Hanukkah. The girls thought the Menorah (a gift from my Aunt "J" and Uncle "H" when I was a little girl) was pretty cool. Abbey took great pride in lighting the candle for the first night of Hanukkah. Cari thought it would be fun to touch the candle, but mommy didn't think that was a wise idea. And Ellie was just mesmerized by the flame.

A Little Fairy Dust Goes A Long Way

Thanks to a little fairy dust, and Abbey's big imagination, Cari was transformed into a cow, and Ellie became a duck.

What Does Santa Claus Say?

HO HO HO!!

Ellie's Favorite Place To Play

The days of Ellie sitting in the middle of floor, or on a bed are over now that she can crawl. Let's just say she nearly perfected this task in two short weeks. She is keeping Mark and I on our toes. Look what I caught her doing the other day.

Top Four Moments From Thanksgiving

Here are just a few of my favorite moments from Thanksgiving.


4. Bell and Daddy taking a Thanksgiving day nap while watching football.

3. Cari observing her sister and cousin play behind the couch.



2. Abbey wearing her Home Depo apron and pink tutu skirt to Thanksgiving lunch.

1. My absolute favorite moment was watching Cari as the Radio City Rockettes danced during the Macy's day parade. She was in awe.

A 13 Foot Christmas Tree And A Bag Of Potatoes

As the holidays approach each year it is Mark's Yuletide goal to find a bigger and better tree than the year before. One of my fondest memories of this little obsession was Christmas 2001 when we first moved into our old house. Our tree was so big that there was no room for a star on top. And when we moved out in October I am certain there were still scrapes on the ceiling from that particular tree.

In the new house we have vaulted ceilings in the family room. While this can make for an expensive heating bill, It does allow for a bigger tree. Mark was a man on a mission to outdo himself this year. So, on a cold winter evening we bundled up our "Three In Pink," packed some snacks and set out to a tree lot about 20 minutes away.

The girls had fun for about 5 minutes playing in the tree lot. By then they were all cold!! And we all know that means a cranky bunch in pink. We took our family pic, then sat in the car eating graham crackers, while daddy and the lot attendant worked their magic. By the time the transaction was complete, we had a 13 foot Christmas tree tied to the roof of our van, and a free bag of potatoes as a "gift with purchase."

The final measurements on our tree turned out to be only 11.5 feet tall due to an unfortunate trimming error. Our tree is still big and beautiful none the less.

Random Act Of Cuteness

Ellie Is Growing Up

Not so long ago, Bell's only source of independent mobility was to bounce on her bottom across a room. This is no longer the case. As of November 26, at 6:20 P.M., Bell started to crawl. Something must have sparked in that little brain of hers because she has been making a grand attempt to pull up on everything possible this week as well. Another milestone for her is that she can now clap. If we all clap for Cari for eating her dinner, Bell smiles, and joins in. Good Job Ellie!!!!!