Day 365

When we attended mass last Sunday, everything was normal in the church.  But by the time we came back the next night for Christmas Eve mass, the church had been transformed.  There were about a half dozen Christmas trees all lit up, and some wise men with camels on one side of the church, and this beautiful Nativity on the other.

I was so tired by the time mass ended that night that Rob and I just headed home.  So after mass today, we went up to the front of the church to get a closer look and take a couple photos - which only seemed fitting as today is the Feast of the Holy Family.  It's a lovely scene, surrounded by lighted garland, a sea of poinsettias, and an angel on top overseeing it all.

Day 364

I am so loving my new Kindle Fire.  One of the reasons I wanted a tablet type device was for exactly this reason.  As someone who spends a lot more time in the kitchen than I ever did before, and in this world of Pinterest and internet recipes...I spend a lot of time looking at my little iPhone while trying to prepare a meal.  It has worked just fine for me, and gets the job done.  But tonight I was able to try out the Kindle in the kitchen and boy was this was sooo much better!  Especially with my new case that just props that little sucker up.  I think this might just be my favorite kitchen utensil!

Day 359

It's Christmas Eve.  We have eaten dinner.  We have opened presents.  We attended mass.  Everyone is now tuckered out, and tucked in.

Baylee and Lucy are all snug in their beds (their brand new beds with new blankies) while visions of sugar plums (or sugar bones) dance in their heads.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Day 357

Merry Christmas to...ME!!

Mom and I were out shopping today, and I stumbled across this coat.  I thought it was so cute, and amazingly enough they had it in my size.  And to put the icing on the cake...it was on the 50% off rack!  You just can't beat that with a stick.
I was all set to make the purchase, but Mom insisted on buying it and it being one of my Christmas gifts. 

We snatched it up, along with a sweater on clearance.  Then we shopped some more, and I picked out a scarf to match my new coat.  That one Mom says she'll wrap and put under the tree, but the coat she gave me now, so I can wear it to church tomorrow. 

Christmas comes early for me...yay!!

Day 356

Tonight, we dined...and boy did we dine!

A couple weeks ago, my Aunt Angie and Uncle Mark gave Rob and I a belated wedding gift.  A very generous gift of cash, but along with a gift certificate for the Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla.  We decided rather than use it toward lodging, we would make reservations in their restaurant, The Marc.

So, late this afternoon we headed to Walla Walla.  We got into town about an hour before our reservation and just dinked around downtown.  Then we headed over and checked out the historic hotel for a few minutes before heading into the restaurant.  I wanted us to have the full fine dining experience, and that we did.  We started of with a glass of wine and split an appetizer and a salad.  Then we each had a delicious entree, followed by a shared dessert.  We are so very full we won't need to eat again until Christmas dinner!

After dinner we checked out the hotel a little better, and ran into this cute Christmas display.  It's kind of hard to make out in the photo, but its a wagon all decorated up and packed full of Christmas gifts, surrounded by decorated Christmas trees, old fashioned street lights and Santa Claus...very fun and festive.

Thanks Angie and Mark for a lovely evening!

Day 355

What a mess!  What a disaster!  What fun!

So here is the result of Rob's and my first attempt at a gingerbread house.  A basic calamity.  When I pulled out the directions for this thing, I couldn't believe how convoluted it seemed.  First you had to ice all the sides together, then wait at least a couple hours before adding the roof.  Then you had to wait at least a day to decorate.  Believe it or not, I did all that.

This afternoon it was time to decorate.  Rob and I really got into it...getting all the candies on the roof, I added frosting icicles, he made a gumdrop window, and we added gumdrops all around the door.  I was just about to add the decorations to the base when one of the sides gave way.  I was trying to ease it back into place with a knife when the weight of the roof caused it to start slipping.  At that point, I knew there was going to be no recovering from it.  I quickly stepped back just as the whole thing imploded!

I got just a tear in one eye, as the frustration and sadness started, when Rob reminded me of just how funny it was, and we both started to laugh.  What were the two of us really going to do with a gingerbread house anyway?  And besides, it had been a lot of fun while it lasted...I guess we made a memory for ourselves...and took a picture for posterity!

Next year...an already assembled house.  Or better yet, an already decorated one!

Day 351

Oh Lucy...such a silly faced girl.

Tonight Rob propped Lucy up on one knee, and from my perspective where I was sitting she was all aglow from the Christmas tree.  I thought she looked so cute.  By her expression, I think she was less than thrilled to be posing for the camera though.

Day 344

 A swing and a miss...

Last year I had this bright idea to send out Christmas cards with Rob's and my picture...but it never happened.  Thought I would try again this year, even have one with the dogs.  Not gonna happen this year either.

After church Mom met us at the house and tried to take several photos of Rob and I in front of the Christmas tree, with the camera and with the phone.  We just couldn't get a good photo out of the bunch.  I have to admit, I'm pretty picky...usually don't like how I photograph in any photo.  Here we are though, in one of our attempts with the pups...to no avail.

Oh well...there's always next year!

Day 340

Look!  Mom got her festive on today.

I was so excited when I pulled up into mom's driveway tonight to pick up the girls.  Much to my surprise she had been out this afternoon putting up some Christmas decorations in the front yard and on her porch.  By her own admission, she's just not feeling all that festive this year, so I was thrilled to see her cute little tree dressed in lights, with her giant bulbs surrounding it.

It really is the little things that make our holidays bright!

Day 338

...and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Alright, so we have no chimney, but they were still hung with care.  Last night I unloaded a couple of Christmas totes.  Tonight I unloaded the one with our stockings in it, and hung them up on the wall.  They look so cute all in a row.

But one question...why is Baylee's the biggest stocking?

Day 337

As Bing (and my Grandpa) would sing...
♪ ♫ It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...♫ ♪

After Thanksgiving was over, I put all of the turkey and leaf decorations away, and got out our Christmas tree.  We got it up last Sunday, but that was the extent of it.  Over the course of a couple nights during the week we got the bulbs on, and some other ornaments.  But it wasn't until just yesterday we got the finishing touches on, and got the tree skirt down.  Today, I put out some more Christmas decorations that are kept in the house, like pillows, linens and the stuffed creatures.

So, in other words...it's only beginning to look like Christmas.  There's still a long way to go, and many a tote to unload.  But nonetheless, it's defiantly a start...and our little home is beginning to feel cozy and festive.