Gingerbread Sweetness

I should be ashamed that I haven't been here since Summer... but well, life happens. Sometimes you need a break and that's just how it goes. I missed this place! But, I can't make any promises I will be a regular visitor again so just bare with me.

In the meantime... here are some pretty sweet picture to enjoy! I had a bit of fun with my girls this morning! They are growing up way to fast and this holiday season has been lots of fun already! Can't wait for more!!

InstaFriday

It's been a somewhat crazy busy week. The hubby is off doing his hunting thing so I'm pretty much left to do the morning & evening routines alone. Wine was my friend, lol! It's finally a little cooler here today... Brrr! I don't mind it though. It was rather harder getting into the Christmas spirit in 60 & 70 degree weather!

TGIF!!

Clockwise: Silly Abby, GOOD GRIEF!, Brrrr a very chilly Jaelyn, Yummy Lunch!

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I love our Hallmark Ornament - Forever Family. ♥ Perfect!!

Clockwise:  Trophies for Gymnastics! My pretty poinsietta that an Elf left on my desk at work, Shelly our crazy Elf at home hanging upside down, I told you wine was my friend. Cheap wine.. plastic wine cup..  yep.

I made cookies. Okay so really I only added butter & eggs but hey... I had to monitor the oven to be sure they didn't burn so yeah.. I MADE COOKIES, dammit.

Devyn & Laurie

My beautiful friend, Gina asked me if I'd like to come take pictures of her 2 little gorgeous girls a while back. I was so honored... I love to be noticed because of my pictures! So naturally I was thrilled. 

Sunday afternoon I headed over to their home to be greeted at the door by Devyn in her ADORABLE tutu (handmade by her Momma!). Now, I have to tell you... right before I go to take pictures, I get so nervous. Usually the night before I check my camera, charge the batteries, clear a few memory cards and try to run down a list of pictures & ideas. The day of, I do that all over again. Really, I must drive my husband crazy, lol! Seeing Devyn's sweet face at the door though, really calmed my nerves! 

She was so anxious to show me her Christmas tree and her "elf" that found his way in the tree, her Mickey Mouse, her baby sister and she couldn't wait to see what I had in my bag of 'props' I brought with me. Laurie was all smiles as well and my goodness, those tutu's... I loved them!!

Without further ado... here is my fun filled hour or so with 2 little cutie pies.

Is there any reason to be THIS adorable???

I could just eat her up... and I did nibble on her little cute feet a

 little later. Just couldn't resist!!!

Oh Devyn, you make me smile so big.

Afterwards, Devyn was so so happy to get a cookie and boy did she deserve it!

She was great and I hope I get to take many, many more pictures of her.

I love me some baby feet!

You better watch out.. you better not cry...

Thank you, Gina for being such an awesome friend (especially this week!) and for asking me to take pictures of your little sweethearts. I had so much with them!

*please note ALL pictures are copyrighted to Don't Blink and are not to be used without permission.* 

Wordish Wednesday

Christmas was so much fun this year. The girls were really into opening presents and the smiles on their faces when they ripped off the paper to see what was magically hidden inside was worth every minute spent on wrapping it!

We didn't go tooooo crazy this year as we buy throughout the year and I really don't want Christmas to be all about presents for the girls. I do want them to learn the real meaning and reason behind it all.

My family came over on Christmas Eve so our house was pretty full. I love having everyone there, just sitting & talking, watching all of the kids aggravate play nicely together. They open their presents from all of us with big smiles on their faces. We all munch on some food, have a drink or twenty two and just enjoy the evening.

My Mom gave all the grandkids a pillow pet which they all just love & adored. Abbie may or may not have just opened hers and threw it down but I know in her heart she just thought it was the greatest thing ever! (lol!)

After my family left, Daddy went to lay with Abbie to settle her down. She was quite hyper & excited from the events. Jaelyn and I put out cookies & milk for Santa. She asked me why we were leaving him cookies so I told her that he gets a little hungry while delivering presents to all of the good kids so he needed a snack. She was ok with that, and after telling the Kitty he was NOT to drink the milk because it was for Santa she happily went to bed. Both girls were out in less than 10 minutes!

Santa stopped by to fill the stockings (which I completely forgot to capture.. d'oh!) and leave presents under the tree. He was not however, happy to put together that baby daycare center pictured which took a little more time than expected AND it's not exactly a favorite toy right now as it just falls apart whenever its played with. That is seriously going back to the store, quickly.

The next morning, the girls were very happy & surprised to see the cookies gone, the milk drank and lots of presents to open! It took a little longer than I expected. I think mostly because they wanted to play with everything they unwrapped instead of seeing what was in the next packaged. But, we made it thru all of the gifts and then our living room looked like Toys-R-Us threw up in it! Oh dear.

 

My Mom & Dad came to visit shortly after breakfast to bring MORE presents... a tent, a kitchen set, a shopping cart ... thanks, Mom. lol! No really, the girls do love ALL of it! After lots of playing, Daddy putting together the kitchen, watching a few movies and finally getting dressed we headed over to my Mother-In-Laws for dinner, which was delicious!

It was a great evening & day surrounded by family and I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe longer naps (not just for the girls but for me, too!!)

I hope your Christmas was just as memorable... here is to the New Year! Can you believe it will be 2011 already???


Linking up to:
SuperMom
Live and Love Out Loud
5 Minutes for Mom
The Paper Mama