Today ...

I went shopping for ornaments to add to the tree to represent our 2008.

Baby Time

Wall E

Night Before Christmas Tradition

Caeden and Wayne are at the movies ...

Claire is sleeping ...

I am off to scrapbook ...

Yesterday ...

I stayed away from the hustle & bustle of shopping. Instead, I got our Christmas cards ordered ... sat by the fire ... watched the snow fall onto our awesome, old-school, outdoor lights (big, colored lights this year).

I watched Claire roll from her stomach to back to stomach again (the combo is a first), and laughed at just about everything Caeden said. When did he become so funny??? ... Or, old enough to have a sense of humor like that?

I listened to Christmas music (as now, Britney Spears' jingle is playing in the back ground! :)).

Surfed the web for clothing for Claire: Ruffle Butts

Ate leftovers.

That was about it.

Our Thanksgiving ...

...Was full of yumm-yumm-yumminess, laughter, LOVE, feel-good phototaking, and the spirit of thankfulness was overflowing in my heart. Everyday I am thankful and so grateful for my children and my husband. For my siblings, parents, my in-laws. For the simple (but important) fact that we have everything we need, that we are together (if only in spirit and cell phone calls), and thankful that we all have our health (so much more real and in the fore-front of my thoughts after my pregnancy with Claire).

Thankful. Happy. Content. Blessed.

My step-dad, Ken, made the most amazing turkey ever. Super moist and delicious! Look at those carving skills.

A friendly game of Candyland with Caeden.
(Have you watched "The Grinch" yet? We watched Ron Howard's version (it has edged out the traditional one in our house) and I can't help but remember what the Grinch said to the children after he won the potato sack race in Whoville. "I beat you! I beat you!"
{Of course, Caeden won. These are just thoughts in my head, people.}

Linz, Mom, Val

The Family.

We made the best cockail, too! Winter Sangria with apples, pears, and pomagranite seeds soaked in apple brandy. We will be serving this all winter long. If you are lucky enough to be invited to our house, you can try it. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!