Friday, December 28, 2012

Christmas

 I can't believe we're about to say goodbye to 2012.
Honestly?  I am ready.
2012 was the worst year I've ever lived through.
I'm sorry.  I'm not trying to be negative, just honest.

Christmas is over. 
The tree is down. 
The decorations have been packed away.
It was a rough day.

But there was a little bit of beauty to be found. 

Right here. 
These girls.
Such a bright light in my life.
 
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Oh how I love them to pieces.
 
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Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas

 
 
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Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:14
 
 
 
 
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Monday, December 24, 2012

Almost . . .

Poor Miss Kam. 
She must ask 20 times every day if it's Christmas yet. 
"Almost", I tell her. 
We're so close.

We've had a grand ol' time searching for our Elf, Holly.
 
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We've danced our hearts out at the recital.
 
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And we've most definitely been enjoying our new kitty, Sophia.
{Miss Sophia is quite content to cuddle right up on Sierra's chest each night.  It is pretty much the most adorable thing ever}.
 
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And we even took a trip to "the North Pole" ;)

The other day I hurriedly decorated the mini van, popped popcorn, poured the hot chocolate, and handed out tickets aboard the mini van express.  The girls had no idea where we were headed.  But once they saw the lights up ahead they remembered their most favorite lights display.  It had been a couple of years since we'd been.
 
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Now there's cookies to be baked, cinnamon rolls to be prepared, and a few gifts left to wrap before the big day.

Wishing you all many blessings for a special Christmas!!
 
 
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Friday, December 21, 2012

Another week has passed us by, and it is now just a handful of days until Christmas! 
Unbelievable. 
 
If you're like us {and I'm betting you all are}, this last week was almost unbearable.  Friday was full of tears and heartache for the families in Connecticut.  My heart hurts every day, I cannot imagine what all of the mamas and daddies and brothers and sisters are going through this holiday season. 
It is unthinkable.  We continue to pray.
 
 
On Friday we decorated gingerbread houses.
 
Kam enjoyed eating the decorations just as much as she loved decorating with them ;) 

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Saturday was busy, busy, busy. 
The girls had dress rehearsal at the studio, and I was there to do photographs. 
I had planned on turning the offer down, especially being so close to Christmas.  But Sierra had begged and begged, and in the end I couldn't say no.  There was many an hour spent editing {dark, dreary day + overhead lighting + natural light photographer = terrible combo}
And I was a little sad to be missing out on those precious moments with my girls.
But.
On the flip side, some of the most beautiful and adorable dancers attend our studio.
The individual shots were definitely my favorite.

Miss Sierra:
 
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Sunday was another busy day. 
We headed down to the church for a family luncheon, and then back down that evening for the Children's Christmas Program.

{Tay was there, she just refused any pictures}
 
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Monday was Christmas Movie Marathon day ;) 
That's code for:  Mama has a bazillion hours of photo editing ahead of her, and she needs to keep the littles occupied, and doesn't have time for a big craft or outing.

Tuesday we had a cousin/friend over to play, baked cookies, and . . . more editing.

Wednesday was a BIG day!  Sierra finally picked out her kitty.  Without typing up a whole, long story . . . Sierra is the biggest helper I know.  For months {years, really} now, she takes notice of what needs to be done, and willingly helps out whenever needed.  I never have to remind her to make her bed, put her laundry away, clear her dishes.  She does all of those things without being told, and she takes on many tasks that aren't her responsibility, simply because she sees that it needs to be done.  Honestly, I don't know what I would do without her. 

She has wanted a kitty for a long while, but Daddy didn't seem real thrilled with the idea.  So she wrote him a letter.  Outlining why she wanted one, and reminding him of all of the things she has done that show how responsible she is.  It worked like a charm ;) 

And Wednesday was the day to finally get her!  

Meet:  Miss Sophia Bentley
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 Thursday was Spa Day. 
We typically try to do an at home spa day around the time of a dance recital. 
We get our toes and fingers all prettied up, and pamper ourselves before the big show.

And today is the recital!
My girls have worked so hard for weeks to prepare for this show, and I can't wait to watch!

Alright, y'all . . .what have you been up to?  Are you running around like a crazy person {like me}?  Or are you peacefully enjoying these last few days before Christmas?

Link up below, so that I can see what you're up to!

 
 
 
 
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Friday, December 14, 2012

Countdown to Christmas 2012 ~ Week 2

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Goodness, gracious.  Days are just passing me right by!  I can't believe we are already on Week 2 of Countdown to Christmas!!

This last week has been a busy one . . . but nowhere near what the coming week will be.  Sometimes I wish there was a pause button . . . just so that I had a minute to take it all in.

Saturday the girls and I went to a local Christmas Bazaar.  We had so much fun just browsing and admiring all of the decorations.  {I didn't snap one picture.  Taylor thought it might be fun to run around like a crazy lady the entire time.  Not real conducive to picture taking}.

Sunday was our second annual cookie baking party. My mom, sister, two nieces, and a friend all came out.  And we baked up a storm.  So much fun!!
 
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On Monday I got to spend an afternoon shopping with my mom. My mom and I spend a lot of time together.  We even go shopping together quite often.  But.  Would you believe that we have never {not once} gone shopping together without kiddos?  In fact, it was only my third time ever going shopping {yes, even grocery shopping} without any of my littles.  We missed each other something fierce, but it was wonderful to be able to pick out a few gifts without worrying that little eyes were going to take notice.  The girls got to spend that time with Daddy . . . picking out a few things for a new kitty we hope to be getting soon!

{No pictures on Monday either :( }

Tuesday morning Kam had her final dance class before Christmas break.  Our outing afterward was a trip to the library to pick out Christmas books!

 
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Wednesday's activity was making gifts for our American Girl dolls ;)  Sierra and Makenna bring their dolls with them EVERYWHERE.  They are very special members of our family.  So, it only made sense for them to make a special Christmas present for them.  They made scrapbooks for their dolls.  Kam decorated a stocking for hers.  And Tay pretty much just searched for markers, glue, and anything else that might get her into some trouble.
 
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Thursday found us shopping.  We picked up Nana and Grandma, and headed out for a girls day of shopping and lunch.  I nearly finished the rest of my shopping {YAY!}.  Just one or two more things to pick up.  And the girls love to shop, so it was a perfect outing.


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Alrighty.  What have y'all been up to?  I want to hear all about it!

And don't forget to link up!


 
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Monday, December 10, 2012

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Countdown to Christmas 2012 ~ Week 1

Holy Moly, y'all.  How did we get here so quickly? 
I tell ya, it seems like we were just counting down to Christmas 2011. 
Slow down!!!
 
So. 
Our first week of Countdown to Christmas 2012
A recap:
 
Saturday, December 1st:
The girls had a dance performance at a nearby Tree Lighting.
This was Kam's very first performance ever . . .
 
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And she was FABULOUS!
We also made our yearly Hershey's Advent Calendars :)
 
 
Sunday, December 2nd:
We colored and cut out a Nativity Scene and read Luke 2.

Monday, December 3rd:
We had some very special friends over for cookie baking and crafts.
 
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We didn't actually get to the crafting, though, because we were having too much fun visiting!
 
Tuesday, December 4th:
We got a TREE!  We always look forward to putting a tree up!!
 
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Wednesday, December 5th:
We made candy necklaces.  I found a craft kit at Joann's, and it was a hit!
 
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Thursday, December 6th:
We attended our local Tree Lighting.  I didn't get one picture :(  But we had cookies and cocoa, and it was super fun!
 
 
Today we are going to read some of our favorite Christmas stories and I'm attempting to organize coordinating crafts.  Wish us luck! ;)

Oh, and I have to share this photo I got of Kam with a new backdrop.
I know I'm a biased Mama, but she is so precious to me.
My little Sleeping Beauty ;)

 
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Hope you all are enjoying these last couple of weeks until Christmas.  I love our countdown because it reminds us to be intentional in finding the special moments which surround this special season. 
 
If you've been documenting special moments from your week, please do link up below!
 
God Bless!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Christmas Cheer

We are having so much fun counting down the days until Christmas! 

Monday we had some precious friends come over to play and help decorate cookies.  Have you ever had new-ish friends that feel like Forever Friends?  These would be them for us.

{Taylor was overly enthusiastic about sprinkles}
 
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Who doesn't love decorating cookies?

This is Miss Kam's bestest bestie.  They are in the same Pre Dance class. 
Can you just picture the cuteness?
 
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Tuesday was Tree Day! 

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We decorated last night. 
I love the smell of a freshly cut tree, and the sparkle of the lights . . . . LOVE!

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 Are you counting down the days with your little lovies?  I would love to know what you're up to!  Come back on Friday and link up your week!
 
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Monday, December 3, 2012

Holiday Happenings

Why is it that I can't, for the life of me, remember how to create a blog button from year to year?  Thought I was going to pull out my hair when I tried to follow a tutorial that wasn't workin' for me :/ 

But . . .
Here we are, y'all!
 Countdown to Christmas!

One activity, outing, or craft a day for the days leading up to Christmas.

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If you'd like to link up your happenings, we will be doing so on Friday!  You'll definitely want to be here to get some ideas for your own littles.

Our Countdown is in full swing!  We have dear friends coming to help us craft and bake today {YAY!}

And we kept very busy over the weekend.

The girls had their first performance of the season.

Warning:  Cuteness Overload!



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Have a blessed week! 
 
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