our holiday house

seems there is so much to post and so many pictures to go through but so little time to sit down. (samantha's newest phrase in a loud, demanding voice...SIT DOWWWN! hehe) it is my most favorite time of year, even if it is busy. got all the shopping and wrapping and baking done...that is a good feeling. all thats left is to prepare for christmas brunch. in between all the lists.... we've been logging some serious time making special memories together with our sammy girl. she's been a good little helper decorating the christmas trees, shopping for presents, and getting ready for Ho Ho's big arrival. Even though she can kind of say SANTA she prefers Ho Ho and I can't convince her to say HO HO HO with three ho's. hehehe. we go for Ho Ho hunts on our wagon rides and point out snowmen (which she says FROSTY or man) and look for reindeers which she thinks are horses. she is loving all things christmas and it is making every little moment even more extra special and magical. this past week we hosted a beautiful holiday dinner party for some dear friends, rode bikes through victoria park to look at all the lights, decorated gingerbread cookies and trees, went to the Philharmonic to listen to the holiday pops, and read and re-read the story of baby jesus and rudolph the red-nosed reindeer over and over again. its the best...all of this...and i wouldn't change a thing.

our 1st REAL christmas tree, picked out and decorated as a family....too bad it DIED, completely. ugh, what a pain!
soo....here's REAL christmas tree #2...which is very alive but also very small. still, we love it!

christmas jammies and a new little people school to play with
woah, yard work. our new years project come early...tyler trimmed our two front trees to open up our front/side yard. looks like a new place.
chainsaws and super tall ladders....yikes
sammy and i watching tarzan tyler up in the trees...while we sit and eat mac n cheese
decorating with snowflakes...and its finally cold outside...wohooo

having fun playing inside

playing at cambier park after a full day of christmas shopping
at the pottery paint place making a secret gift for her pop pop
ready to paint
decorating gingerbread girl
her favorite....MOOTHIE!