Looking back the holidays were quite wonderful. Nothing over the top fantastic to report, just a lot of simple good 'ole family time together. I decided to step up my game a bit and really put some effort into making it a pleasant, delicious, and enjoyable for all ....holiday! I gotta admit, Kyle and I were high 'fivin all night long over the Christmas Eve meal we produced. Eveything from roasted turkey breast to homemade rolls and cranberry sauce, it turned out so good. I made myself close my eyes and bask in the current beauty of my life on Christmas Eve. All the kids were outside playing and I was alone in my sun filled kitchen all afternoon listening to every Christmas song ever made and cooking up a storm. It truly, was heavenly.
We got pretty serious about fun around our house. The Wii came downstairs for the big show!
I couldn't resist. I saw this idea on a blog and had to do it. Who doesn't love snow globes? I mean come on... especially ones with your kids in puffy coats and jingle bells?
BIG
HIT!
Jack left a note for Santa asking him to "sign at the bottom....anything you'd like, just so I can prove to my friends that you really ARE real."
Just a few reasons why this season is looking pretty fantastic: the boys are f-i-n-a-l-l-y out of school for winter break, my missing cell phone was miraculously found and returned before I begrudgingly went to purchase a new one, days ago..in the middle of "my cell phone is missing" angst, I went on a present wrapping tirade and got the job done, Kate's catching on to new words everyday and it's a complete hoot, my current favorite: fish/peesh ... AND I bit the bullet and bought an entire 1/2 gallon of heavy cream so I could make a bazillion recipes taste even better.....we are officially ready for the big day! 
 "Mom, what's with the stripes?" ...snide comment from a very astute birthday boy whose mother was both well intentioned and ill prepared in the decorating department. |
| We did however come through on the GLOW golfing adventure...big hit. FYI: Tuesday evenings are a fantastic time to take a family of six who don't always remember to follow the rules of mini golf etiquette. Birthday Boy even made a 100% real hole in one and scored himself a free pass for a future outing....how 'bout that! |
 |
| Well intentioned but ill prepared mom did come through on the cake this year. Birthday boy wanted the little Cars cake from the bakery...I didn't particularly feel like making one...it was a win win. |
 |
| I absolutely and positively adore this boy. At times he has been my most difficult child to parent, stubborn and fiesty as can be with a mind all his own. However, that mind has come up with some of the funniest, craziest, kindest, and most clever moments that I'll treasure forever. Happy 5th birthday darling Brody..You Are Loved! |
 |
 |
| Cute cousins playing loud games.... |
 |
| My 3 handsome, hilarious, and talented brothers... |
 |
| Lots of inside cousin jokes... |
 |
| My baby holding a baby... |
 |
| Gramma Jan getting the gravy going.... |
 |
| We had a cousin talent show complete with violin, viola, and piano pieces, song numbers, and lots and lots of dancing... |
 |
| My little brother Allen, THEE most talented pianist I've ever known! |
 |
| Cousin dance party.. |
 |
| Cousin Ben..hitting the high note! |
 |
| I love this picture....Can you match which cousin goes with what parent? |
 |
| My handsome Jack... Fun day, yummy food, good times! Now if only my favorite sister and her darling family could join us one of these years! |
She's totally hilarious and she totally knows it. She loves "cheets/treats" at all hours and will whip right back into shape at the simple threat of naptime. She loves having hands and toes painted and prefers "peek/pink" for any color option available. 
Her hair is fabulously curly and crazy and finally pony/piggie/bun do able and I couldn't be more THA-RILLED! Now THAT is what I have been waiting for. Years and years of buzz cuts leave much to be desired.
We sing together a lot these days and hold deep conversations...we're besties. Last week, I even took her with me to get my hair color fixed. It took an hour and she was a total champion. So we went out to lunch and enjoyed turkey sandwiches and french fries. We stopped by my favorite antique store afterwards.....SANS stroller mind you..and once again, total champ. 
Preschool parties are tons of fun. Especially when you can totally write your own name on a rubbery pumpkin.....emphasis on the O...
And you can bring your sassy little Minnie Moused sister along and lick a lot of frosting while decorating cookies....
And then you can pose with all your cute little buddies...espcially Ariel...cause your mom thought she was darling in her bright red wig...
We had our annual Trunk or Treat....NO RAIN...it was GLORIOUS!
We actually carved pumpkins this year. Our parenting skills get totally high marks this month..... EFFORT CITY!
Big fellas were pumped to strut their stuff at school. I love schools that let kids dress up and enjoy the silliness of the holiday.
Trick or Treating in Gramma Jan's neighborhood with cousins has become a favorite tradition.
Minnie Mouse deep in thought!
Gramma Jan's neighborhood = lots of king size calories!
The dark knight's after school photo session....
There's that mask again...I seriously will let him wear this everyday!
Perfecting the leap...
And that's a wrap....a fantastically fun time had by all!