Sick

We have ALL been sick since Christmas morning. Zoe got it first and the rest is history.

We will be back to blogging when we get back to 'normal'.

We hope everyone had a fantastic HOLIDAY!

Merry Christmas

We are ready for Santa!!!

We wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Yes, it’s that time of year again when families get together and celebrates the holidays baking and getting caught up while in the kitchen together. But in our family, we have a slight deviation from ‘in the kitchen together’. Since we’re all in different states, we like to have holiday competitions such as, best egg decoration at Easter, best pumpkin carving at Halloween, and then there is Christmas. Ah, yes, the noel brings out the competitive spirit in us all with our annual Ginger Bread House decoration contest.

Years past have brought some tough competition, and one year Nana had to be disqualified because she tried to slip in a ceramic house and pass it off as her own (all entries are submitted via photo). Laura and Jen bowed out this year, so given that Nana’s appeal is still under review, we decided to forego the house and just went with the more simple Gingerbread Man.

Zoe loves to bake and any reason to eat candy at will. So we all started out with our ‘blank canvas’ and decorated cookies for Santa. Behold the finished products. I’m sure those of you who know us can pick exactly which cookie was decorated by whom. What a great Christmas Eve day! We even got a surprise visit from Sam, Amanda, Jordan, and Baby Benjamin.

Happy Holidays to all, we hope your Holidays are full of cheer!

We're Back!

We are back from our sunny getaway and boy did Zoe have FUN! Every time we go ‘home’, we get to see all our friends and family which is what we look forward to the most.

We got home last night and are looking forward to a relaxing weekend before the holiday rush.

While we were there, Zoe celebrated her birthday with a special appearance from the High School Marching Band. I couldn't believe we actually had the marching band in my parents' back yard. Zoe was in Awe as they played Happy Birthday for her! It was a dream come true and the weather was perfect. We also played pin the tale on the donkey, musical chairs, don't break the egg, and you can't forget the Dora pinata!

Thank you all who attended Zoe's birthday bash. It was a good time and we were thrilled to see you all and spend the day running around the yard and getting caught up!

A special thanks to Mom, Dad, Lisa, & Big Sam for all the hard work they put into making Zoe's party PERFECT!

Santa

Tonight we ran to the mall to pick up a few things and before we left, we HAD to go by and see Santa. Every time we pass the mall, Zoe says, “Santa lives there, Mommy!” Mind you, last year Zoe wasn’t too keen on the idea of sitting on Santa’s lap but this year she wants to make sure she can see him as many times as she can until Christmas because she thinks he’s going to forget her GUITAR. Shelli and I both told her that he wouldn’t forget what she asked for but she had to be a good girl. As we were walking away (after 10 minuets of her waving to Santa from behind the barriers), she was crying and saying, “I want to take Santa home with us!”. Jolly Ol’ Saint Nicolas better not let Zoe down or she will be devastated --ha! We know as soon as she sees the guitar Nana got her, nothing else will matter. The guitar is the only thing she has talked about for the past few months!

I think I am more excited to watch her when she gets up Christmas morning than she is when she lays eyes on her goodies. To me, that is the best gift I could ever receive. I’m glad I have Zoe in my life all year round, what better gift than the gift of life?

Hair

Photo of the day.....

The joy Zoe gets when I take her hair out is better than a trip to Chuck E. Cheese -- HA!

Think THRIFT

While Shelli was out of town, I wanted to take a jog with Zoe, but I couldn’t use the regular stroller because of the snow. I had been talking about getting a jogging stroller, so last night as I was browsing Craig’s List, I happened to find a local kids consignment shop in the process. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a HUGE advocate of thrift/consignment stores, and I’ve never been the type to buy Zoe anything that was expensive when it comes to clothes and toys. My thrill in life is finding GOOD DEALS. (Right Mom?)

Shelli and I surfed to the web page so we could stop by today. (There was even a $5 off coupon to boot!) Turns out, the place was FANTASTIC! Not only did I find my stroller (under $20), but also some board games and doll toys that I’d been looking for. Not bad eh? As soon as we got home this afternoon we ALL went for a jog to take the new stroller for a spin, boy is it a dream!

Shelli also took me to my favorite place this afternoon, Starbucks and got me a little something for our tree…. It is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! It was a LONG two weeks for both Zoe and myself and we are both glad Shelli is home safe and sound!

Touching Email

I wrote Rakeyah’s mother thanking her for letting “Kee Kee” come stay with us over the holiday and this is what she wrote me back….

Lori,

Thank you for taking her!! No matter how much I love her and do for her the experiences she gets from being with your family is irreplaceable, I cant give her that satisfaction, that happiness she gets when she is there. So I thank you!!!!! Whenever you want her she can visit, I have no problems with that!! Her train ride was fine and she had story after story to share!

Take care & Keep in touch,
Monique

I thought that email was so touching. It just goes to show you that the smallest things go a long way! Rakeyah is like a daughter to me and I love her like my own. I'm so thankful to have her in our family!!!!!

Quote of the day

"The problems we face today will not be solved by the minds that created them."

Tea Party

This afternoon when Zoe got up from her nap, she asked me if she could have a "Tea Party" so, a Tea Party it was! (Complete with Mr. Bear, sliced bananas, oranges, ritz crackers, & turkey slices). It couldn't be just ANY tea party in her play clothes -- She had to get dressed up.

It's all or nothing!

Jingle Bells

First REAL Snow

We woke up to SNOW this morning...

The rest is HISTORY!

Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

Zoe and I took on the CHRISTMAS TREE today! Anyone who has ever put up a 'tree' with me knows I get crazy about the way I like it to be done. I don’t think a year has gone by (in 8 years) that Shelli & I don’t almost come to blows over putting the lights on the tree – HA! Anyway, this year I told Zoe we would have a ‘fun tree’. Anything goes!!! We had Christmas music playing as we went through all the Christmas bins pulling out ornaments from the past several years. I think we did a great job and we had so much fun doing it. (Even if it looks a Charlie Brown Christmas tree-- I LOVE IT!) We were sorry Mimi wasn't here to help us but at least we can look on the bright side, this will be the first year we won't get in a fight over having bald spots with NO LIGHTS on our tree! HA HA HA!!!!

Go Birds!

Zoe got this for her Mimi this year!!!!