Merry Christmas!

Christmas started as it always does...

With Mimi and Gumpy.

Mimi hit the nail on the head with this one.

Chef Madeline has been born.

Of course....

Everyone took a turn in the Hat.

Mrs. Claus dropped off our Christmas Pajamas while we were away.

Annual Christmas tree photo

This year we *may* have forgotten to make Santa's cookies.

But Mommy assured Jack and Madeline, that cookie dough in a tupperware container is just as good as freshly made cookies and Santa would be thrilled to give the dough to Mrs. Claus to whip up after a long night of delivering presents.

Uncle Nick and Chris were on the assembly line this year.

Here is the living room before I went to bed.  

(Do you see my new coffee table from Clay's parents???  Merry Christmas to me!  Love it!)

In the morning, Maddie couldn't be bothered with present opening.  She was hungry.  And She didn't mind one bit that we waited for her to scarf down some cereal before Christmas could begin.  1200 presents under the tree and all my kid wants is Cherrios and milk. 

Uncle Nick went all out this year.

Madeline got a new BMW convertible with dual speeds

and Jack got a power scooter.

Brit and I always find something fun when we shop together.

;)

Santa was pretty good to me this year too....

:)

Merry, Happy Christmas!!!

Yes Jack-Man! There IS a Santa Claus!

Lately we've had some doubt...

Some people are beginning to wonder if there really is a man in a Red Suit.

I am a firm believer in the motto:

If you don't believe...You don't receive.

Therefore.....

I wanted to hold onto that magic of Christmas...Just a *little* bit longer...

Sooo.....

Today this arrived.

A letter addressed to Jack and Madeline... Direct from the Big Man Himself.  

AND 

Postmarked from the North Pole. 

Jack couldn't open it fast enough...

I should have filmed Jack's face as Clay read the letter aloud. 

He couldn't believe Santa knew just what he wanted.  And when Madeline heard the words "Pink Kitchen" I thought she was going to pass out with excitement.  Maddie is still a firm believer in the big guy.  Jack is in First Grade and has friends who talk.  A lot.

However....

The were both very pleased to hear they had made it on the nice list.

We opened the mail just before we headed to bed....

And I could already see the visions of sugarplums starting to dance in his head.

He was amazed...

and for a second...

there he was.

My little boy.

  Not the kid I see every day that messes up his hair every time I fix it... or the kid that doesn't want to take a shower, or fights me to watch 5 more minutes of T.V.

for a tiny moment he was my little man... 

still so innocent and sweet...

and in his heart...praying that maybe the rumors are wrong...

Maybe...

Just maybe....

There IS a Santa Claus.

Here is Jack and Madeline's Letter from Kris Kringle

p.s. I owe this magical moment to Pinterest.

You too can bring the magic back!

Click Here

Tis the Season!

This week has been CRAZY busy!!!

Tuesday was Lindsey's Birthday!

So we got all doll'd up and went to San Francisco

We had dinner at First Crush, it was delicious.

After dinner we headed to The Curran

To see The Book of Mormon.
Hellllooo Hilarious.

Here are all the ladies.
Such a fun night out.

I miss going to the Theater.  It truly is one of my favorite things to do in the entire world.

Happy Birthday Linds!!

Wednesday night was the Tree lighting ceremony.

Where we ran into Frosty...

And Aunt Casey!

And Brit spoiled us with Light Brights

And we got a little crazy...

Saturday Morning was The Day....

We made the trip to see the Big Man in Red

And clearly were thrilled to be in our Sunday Best.... 

I love that I bring out the joy in my children.....
Can you feel the love?

Madeline was NOT having it this year....
(secretly this made me happy...I love love love screaming Santa pictures and was hoping this would be my last year obtaining one....)

But after a little coursing.....

She agreed to sit.

You see....if you don't tell Santa what you would like....It may not be under the tree on Christmas Morning.....
and Maddie wasn't about to take the chance on missing out on a Pink Kitchen....

so

She obliged...

But she would NOT look at Santa...all conversation with Santa were made with constant eye contact with Mom.
However...Jack on the other hand was my perfect child..
Can you see the Halo?
 Oh it's there....
His internal monologue went something like this...
"See Santa...I'm the perfect Brother, I love to hold my Sister's hand all the time, I never push her or steal her toys.....I help my Mother and do all my chores around the house....Please bring me an Automatic Nerf Gun Blaster so that I can aim it only at low household furniture and never EVER directly at my Sister's head..."

:)

Regardless.... I got my Santa photo.

Hoo. Ray.

Saturday night was December 1st.
Which means...

The start of the Advent Calendar!
I'm very spoiled as you know... Mimi fills the Advent Calendar for us every year.
The kids are so excited every night to open those doors.
This Year Madeline got to go first.
Woot! Woot!
For the Start of Christmas!

Sunday was my second annual 5 Favorite Things Party.

Per the Ush....Girls Only.

Madeline put on her party dress to join in all the reindeer games.

Here are the ladies enjoying delicious wine provided by Lynne. Thanks Lynne!

These were my picks this year

Here were the rules:
  Each Girl Brings 5 Gifts. Each Gift mush be exactly the same. This year we had a total of 12 Girls. The Gift must cost $10, and you must use every penny of that $10.  There are 2 prizes.  
1) Favorite gift
2) Best use of every penny of their $10

My first Gift was from Casey.

I LOVED it.
Mustache Wine Glass Markers, nail polish, cute mason jars filled with polish remover, cotton balls and emery boards.
Adorable.

Lindsey picked Casey too...

Maddie got some cuddle time with one of her favorite Aunties..

Mary's gift was a huge hit....again.

Mom did quite well herself

Laura loved her gift from Brit

And then it was my turn.

This year I gave the gift that keeps on giving....
;)
Wine and Cheese....

Entwine wine by the Food Network
and
My homemade Mac and Cheese.

Some people were very excited....

No group photo this year...
*fail*

BUT

The party was a success!

I can't wait for Next year!
I'm already thinking about what gift I'm going to bring....

Week one of Christmas to down..
3 to go!!

Happy Thanksgiving....Rainforest Style....

This year we were Costa Rica bound for Thanksgiving....

Can you think of a better way to spend a week?

Because I can't!

When my In-laws first presented us with the idea...I was SO excited.

Swimsuits in trade for Turkey...

Yes. Please.

The only downfall....

is the Travel to and from.....

I truly did not think we would make it.....

We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare....

We played on the people movers...

and bought snacks....

and abandoned our much loved toys.....to goof off....

Thank god for Gumpy and his assistance with everything pink.....

We were not happy campers when our boarding time came and went

and we were still waiting....

Some of us....

Were going a *little* stir crazy....

We finally were on our way...

My children were all about safety first...

When we arrived in San Jose...

Jack-man had to sign his pass port in front of customs....

(please note the bag of Cheerios...*love that little man*)

On our way to Manuel Antonio we stopped at the famous Gator Bridge...

Where we got a close up view of some amazing creatures....

  

*just* close enough if you ask me....

After 3 airports, 2 plane rides, and a 3 hour van adventure we arrived.

The house did not disappoint....

The traveling was worth ever gruelling minute.

It was incredible.

The top floor of the house was like a tree house.  No windows, no walls...just us and nature.... open to the world...with views for days..

I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E.

My Mother in law did us all proud. 

 Every time I looked out at our view I thought to myself....I can't believe we are staying here.....

I had so much fun cooking in this Kitchen....

An indoor Grille, Gas Burners...anything I needed to create delicious meals was right inside.

Plus a Handy Sous Chef...

;)

Just down from the top floor was a beautiful pool nestled in by a waterfall and tropical plants.

Lots and Lots of time was spent in the pool...

Let's take a tour of the house shall we......

The Master Suite was picture perfect.

Open Shower and spa tub for two.

With a wrap around deck and a view to match the floor above.

Perfect.

Uncle Justin had the whole third floor....

Uncle Cam and Andra had the bottom floor that looked over the pool.

Clay and I stayed in the room under the pool house.

Complete with open shower

Every Morning I had a new creature with me, either hanging from the tree just feet away...or scurrying across my toes as I lathered up. 

We had LOTS of creatures all around....

The Monkeys waited until our first morning to make their first appearance....

The sloth was not as shy and was hanging from the closest tree to the house upon our arrival.

I wish this picture was more clear.....he's hanging back and smiling....

(I believe his exact thoughts were... "What up my Homies! Welcome to Costa Rica!")

We toured the National Park of Manuel Antonio our first full day and became acquainted with all the creatures we would be co-habitating with during our stay...

I love this guy....I wish you guys could see how close I was to him to snap this shot....

One night during a major rain storm..

one of the Monkeys jumped into the house to get dry....

I wish I had video of everyone's face....

So awesome....

Jack lost a tooth!

And the Tooth Fairy gave him 1000 Colons....
He was rich!
(it works out to about $2....)
;)

Monday we traveled to the suspension bridges.

And hiked on up.

Even Madeline joined us in our excursion.

At the end of the hike were crystal clear waterfalls 

All the boys jumped right in.

I had to stick my feet in and snap a shot to prove I was there too.

Tuesday we went Horseback riding through the creeks of the rain forest.

Maddie rode with Momma

We rode all the way to a swimming hole complete with waterfalls.

The boys hiked up to the top.

Madeline couldn't quite make it the whole way....

Out like a light.

(my daughter can sleep anywhere...I'm pretty sure she inherited this quality from her Aunt Lindsey....)

Here is the gang...Just the kids and their parents....(giving some peace to the others)

After our ride we were brought back to the Owner of the Ranch's home where his wife made us lunch.

Complete with Refreshments...

Jack ate every bite.

Madeline made herself right at home with the Ranch Owner's daughters toys....

And Jack worked with his Son to harvest some peppers for us to enjoy with our lunch.

By Wednesday we were ready to kick it up a notch.

ZIPLINING!!!

WOOT! WOOT!

I'm pretty sure Jack could go without Christmas this year....

He had the time of his life....

As 

Did

Everyone 

Else....

(Hellooooo Handsome....)

;)

We Repelled

And Got a  little 

Crazy.

So. Much. Fun.

I did it too!

Unfortunately the only person with proof is Shan.....  on her I phone...

But I swear I was there!!!

And I'd do it again in a heartbeat...

We had rainy afternoons in the pool...

And impressive sunsets for dinner.

Fun evenings out.....

And playtime 

at the 

Beach.

There was bonding....

Had by all...

I can't wait to go back....

If you haven't been.......

I can't express to you enough how much I loved this place.  It was clean, and kid friendly and full of exercise and fun for the whole family.

Don't get me wrong....it's warm....and there are LOTS of little creatures....But if you can get past all that....(and you should) It's a trip of a lifetime.

You HAVE to go.

You won't regret it.

I promise.

This year I may have missed my Black Friday shopping and my Turkey Dinner with Pies galore....but what I didn't miss out on is what's most important.  I spent my Thanksgiving week being truly Thankful.  

I am Thankful for my Daughter and My Son. They keep me young and adventurous. I'm Thankful for time with family who I don't see as often as I'd like.  I'm Thankful for my Mother and Father in Law for giving us a gift I will never forget, this trip was beyond my wildest imagination.  I'm Thankful for time spent in a relaxed atmosphere where we could get to know each other on a whole new level..even after 15 years.  And most of all I'm Thankful for my Husband.  I love that on our 16th Thanksgiving we are still traveling and experiencing new things together.  I love you so much and am so blessed you picked me to be by your side. 

I am also Thankful this Holiday for the IPad

I think Apple deserves an award for best invention and most loved item used by parents around the world.

Thank you Jesus for the IPad.... 

You made my 16 hours of travel back home bearable....

without you...I may have lost my mind...

Good-bye Manuel Antonio......

I will miss you...

And I promise....

I will...

Always...

Remember you Fondly...

(until we meet again....)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!