Slow...Down,...Eat...Slow, Talk...Slow, Drive...Slow..

Well, I know it has been a while since I last wrote...a lot has happened in the past couple of weeks. We lost a wonderful person on the 19th of December. M's grandma passed away. She was 92 years old. I am soooo thankful that we made it up to Illinois over Thanksgiving. We were able to spend a lot of time with her and she got to meet A for the first time. We drove up to Illinois for the services and stayed through the day after Christmas. The girls had a great time seeing Grandma and Grandpa again and A got to meet her aunt Amy for the first time from Alaska. Here is a pic that I found from Thanksgiving 2005 when N met Great Grandma for the first time. I am reminded of something that Great Grandma always said to all the kids...."Slow Down, Eat...Slow, Talk...Slow, and Drive...Slow.." What a great quote to live by..



It has been a whirlwind since we got back home. The girls had Christmas in Illinois, then we did our Christmas the day after we got home, then Granny and Pappa Edd came over to do Christmas, and then finally last night we celebrated with my aunt and uncle and cousins. Isn't Christmas just the best when you are a kid...I just loved seeing how excited they would get opening presents. Here are some pics of the girls and all their many Chrismas celebrations, a pic of M's sister and A, a pic of the "white" Christmas that I got to enjoy...FINALLY!! And a few others...oh and my favorite of N sitting on the radiator at Grandma and Grandpa's house looking for Santa...it is sooo cute!!"
Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year's Eve and I will see you in 2008!!

Ride on the Polar Express...

N and I had such a treat the other night. We were invited with our neighbors to go ride the "Polar Express" and go to the North Pole. N is still talking about the choo choo train. I'm sure most of you know the book, but for those of you who don't know it...you have to read it! This experience was done just like the book! N and I got to board a real train and ride it to the North Pole to pick up Santa. The train ride lasted about an hour. Everyone wore their pjs and they served us hot chocolate and rice krispie treats. The conductor came around and met all the children and stamped our tickets..just like the book and movie. We all sang Christmas carols and they read the actual story while we were on board. Then we arrived to the "North Pole" and it was so beautiful! Next Santa came on board and rode the train with us. He came and visited with N and gave her a Christmas bell from his sleigh. She was in awe of the whole experience! N has not let go of her bell and keeps on telling everyone how Santa gave it to her. Now when you ask her what she wants from Santa for xmas, she just says, "Oh Mommy, he gave me a bell!"

Getting in the Christmas spirit...

Last night we all wanted to get in the Christmas spirit, so we put on our pajamas and went and got eggnog milkshakes and looked at Christmas lights. It hit 80 degrees yesterday then fell to the 40's by late afternoon, so it was perfect weather last night. We went to the 2 houses that have their lights set to music and it is a huge light show. It was great. N loved it! Here are some pics of the girls before we left and of course M wanted me to share the lights that he did on our house!

Looking Back...

Just thought I would dig through old photos from N's first and second Christmas. She was such a ham...and of course, she still is...N was 7 months old for her first xmas and 1 year and a half for her second. I remember that she loved wrapping paper and bows and LOVED Santa Claus!

I can't believe that this is A's first Christmas. I was thinking that she was here last xmas, but now I remember...I was 9 months pregnant last xmas...oh, how things are different this year! What a special holiday for her! Hopefully we will go see Santa this week. I am anxious to see what the girls do. N has always loved Santa..it is the Easter Bunny that she doesn't like very much.

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth..

Well, A has 3 top teeth coming in as we speak...and can you tell she is so proud!!!

Getting ready for the holidays...

Just so everyone will know..I think the blogging will slow down quite a bit during the holidays!!! I can't believe that it is already December. We have been very busy for the past week. M has started working on the outside xmas lights. He is so funny...he really is Clark Griswold and wants to go all out with lights and decorations! He has an ongoing battle with our neighbors to decorate with lights! Of course, it is just a battle with himself...I don't even think our neighbors know about it! We bought a huge 8 foot Snowman to put in the yard. We still have all the outlining of the grass to do, but then the outside should be done! I haven't done much with the inside of the house yet other than put up N and A's Christmas trees. N is so excited about her tree. I probably will have to move it out of reach, because all she wants to do is touch it and hold the ornaments. We set up our Christmas tree in the living room, but of course the dreadful has happened...the lights in the middle are all out. Oh well, we will just make do and probably have to buy a tree after Christmas when they are on sale. Hopefully this week I can get the tree and inside of the house decorated. I also have to figure out how to keep A out of the tree...mmmm...any suggestions would be great! :)
I went and visited my aunt and uncle and cousins yesterday in their new house. I just love it and we are so happy for them! I can't wait to see it all decorated...my aunt is such the decorator!
And then their is shopping which I haven't even started!!! That's the fun part though..I love buying for other people!
And last, I sent most of you the link of our family getting "elfed," but in case you missed it...you definitely need to do it with your family. It is hilarious! The website is www.elfyourself.com. Happy Holidays!