the zoo in december

Stacy called me Monday with a CRAZY idea, "let's take the kids to the zoo". The zoo in December... why not? There was baking to be done and a few gifts left to be wrapped, but all that could wait. We needed a break from being "shut-ins". As it turns out the weather was actually nice that day (in the upper 50's). There was hardly anyone at the zoo (they were all at McWane). It was great!

Ryne (3), Will (5), Emma Kate & Leah (almost 2!)

christmas cards

It's that time again... for Christmas cards. I love receiving cards. Seeing the photos of family and friends. Reading the letters. Just knowing that someone is thinking of us. As for sending cards, that's another story.

First you have to decide on the type of card. Photo or the "old school" non-photo(yeah right, you want to brag about those babies). Where to take those photos? Who takes the photos... use a tripod(I think not). What printing press to use? Google holiday photo cards. Oh my goodness! Do you write a letter to be included? Sorry guys, not this year. So many decisions and sooo little time. Seriously.

For our Christmas card photo(s) this year, I knew exactly where I wanted to take them... Morris Ave. And who better to take them than my friend Stacy. So on a beautiful afternoon in November we met her downtown for our photo session. She got some great shots, even with a 23 month old who couldn't sit/stand still for long.

I designed, then re-designed (of course) and ordered my cards and they are now in transit as I type. Yay! I can't wait to get my hands on them. Soon they will be headed to a mailbox near you... hopefully YOURS. Anyway, here are a few pics that didn't make it onto the card, but I thought you might like a sneak peek.

Thanks, Stacy!

they keep me laughing

Ryne looking at a picture of Alan and me on our wedding day...

Me: Who is that?

Ryne: Mommy and Daddy

Me: That was us on our wedding day... the day we were married.

Ryne: I am going to be married too, huh?

Me: Some day. Who are you going to marry?

Ryne: A princess!

***I hope so, son.***

Emma Kate is such a clown. She'll even tell you, she's "see - e"(silly).

This picture was taken (with a blackberry) at Panera Bread. No one was in the restaurant so I was letting her run around our table. I noticed she grabbed a bag off the table... and then I heard laughing. She was standing there with the bag on her head like a hat and a big smile on her face.

Oh, this girl makes us laugh...

nursery rhyme parade

Today was the nursery rhyme parade at Ryne's school. The kids dressed up as a nursery rhyme character and paraded around the sanctuary and down the halls. Ryne was Hey Diddle Diddle. I made him a cow jumping over the moon and he carried a dish with a spoon.

Singing a prayer before lunch...

Ryne and Ms. Brooke