So one thing was deemed moi importante this Christmas season: taking Lily to see Santa Claus.  Clarification - important to me not to Lily.  Santa of course was fabulous, very nice and kind and completely decked out with a hat, beard, and a soft red and white coat.  But she would have none of it.  We sat close to Santa at first to see if we could warm up to him enough to be placed on his lap for a silly picture - a must have.


I've never seen her quite so shy, apprehensive and for lack of a better word completely terrified...

Whelp, she's done it.  Her first few steps are captured on this video, and we're pretty sure it's gonna go viral.  Just sayin'. 

Just a bit ago I was complaining about it not feeling like Christmas, maybe it had something to do with the dismal rain outside (I'm sure Seattle is a wonderful place, but I cannot imagine having rain like this a good 60% of the time or more, I think my soul might die... okay, a little dramatic) and the fact that we are snow-less but still cold down to the bones.  Anyway, while I'm breathing in the smell of our christmas tree in huge gulps trying to cheer myself up my wonderful beyond wonderful husband goes to the backyard and returns with an armful of wood, and nothing says Christmas like a fire in our chimney. 

It's the little things.

So now here I sit toasty warm with a fire crackling listening to Christmas music and I'm feeling pretty darn happy and totally in love with that man of mine. 

Here's a few pictures of our the decor in our house for the holidays.  I've decided that if I add a new one each year, we may have enough to put into other rooms in the years to come :) 

The stocking line up.  we don't have stocking holders, but I thought these teacups worked rather well, and they look adorable :)


 It just really wouldn't be Christmas without creepy clause.  Yes, Kyle really did name him creepy clause.

Last night as I was cleaning up Lily's room (for the first time in forever - I'm a real good mom) I heard some rustling so I looked over to see what the little dear was doing and had to throw my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing.  She had loaded up all of her best friends into our laundry basket and was scooting them all over the house.  I nearly died.  I think my favorite part was the look on her face as she was doing it:


serious business.  Man I love this little girl, I feel like I am always laughing.

So I think it's understood that my sister and I are close... although not physically anymore (i weep) granted we're only an hour and a half away, but seriously when you start throwing kids into the mix that trip gets tough real fast.  So we decided to meet in Salt Lake this past weekend and enjoy the holiday lights on temple square, gab a ton and squeal over and smooch each others kids.  Lily and Reese still absolutely adore each other, the smile that comes on Lily's face when she sees Reese is just priceless. It was SO much fun.  It's just too bad we were missing another sister - Meg we miss you! - although, I think maybe a 10 hour drive is a little bit too much to ask :)

So much chatting, so much laughing.  Such an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday.



 






















 

 wow, I still can't believe it's time for the holidays again - woooowie!  Well we had a pretty fabulous Thanksgiving, the first we've ever hosted.  That's right people, I battled the unthinkable - a 16 lb. turkey.  And it was surprisingly easy, and deeeelicious!  Kyle's parents and a few friends from down the road came to join in the festivities, I just love them!  ... I only wish I'd thought to get a group shot - oh well :)

we watched the parade, of course 

and Kyle built a fire - have I mentioned how much I love our house?  I love our house.






'I need me some turkey mom...'




















Kyle likes to dance while eating his food... you can't really tell, but he's dancing :)



lily really wanted some chips and dip, check out her hand reaching for them.  Haha!  I didn't even notice that until I downloaded the pictures :)


quite the spread eh?  sadly, I was stupid and didn't get a picture of the turkey alone (I'm real proud, can you tell?) but there it is sliced, mmmmm so much delicious food.









but I don't so we get to do this:







Dear Christmas time,  could you please go slow this year? :)