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!!