This was the Christmas...

...that we opened stockings and presents by a fire......that Grant totally understood the idea of stockings and Santa.

...that I was more excited about Grant's slinky dog than he was.

...that mason got a huge big boy bike.

...that his best friend was a girl named lottie.

...he learned to "play" the harmonica.

...Mason wasn't too old to be excited about a stuffed animal and a book..

...that I got boots. : )

...that Grant was this cute in his Christmas pjs...

that Mason learned the meaning of strategy while playing Connect four...

And got beyond excited about getting an etch-a-sketch.

...I made fudge that actually hardened. ....Grant loved anything with Lightning McQueen on it.

Mason chose this method of showing me what he got in his stocking.

Grant ate Clementines, aka cuties, like they were going out of style.

It was also the most relaxed, wonderfully enjoyable Christmas we've had.

so. sad.

where is the snow?
: (
I'm a little bit heartbroken, I must say.

It's snowing on Christmas Eve!

I should be doing a dozen other things, but I can't pull myself away from swirling snowflakes dancing outside my window. They're not sticking, but they're so beautiful. And the wind, the crazy whirly twirly wind is making the snowflakes, big and small, scatter and scurry in all different directions. It's beautiful! And on Christmas Eve no less! I just couldn't imagine anything better!

Savoring the details of Christmas Break: Day 3

I finished the book. All 700+ pages in under 3 days. It was good. :)

I cleaned out both boys' rooms so the new toys Santa will be bringing might have a place to live.

I showed Troy the exact boots I want for Christmas. :) Fingers crossed... (Am I cool enough to pull off skinny jeans(gasp!) tucked into almost knee-high boots?...)

I'm now searching the internet for photography inspiration. I'm trying really really really hard to be inspired, not completely discouraged. Some pictures are just sooooo good! It's irritating really.

That last one didn't sound very "savoring the details-ish". It was more "bah-hum-buggish."

I like how long the break is already feeling. :) Tomorrow I hope to bake a little, shop a little, and enjoy the boys a lot.

Savoring the details of Christmas Break: Day 2(late...)

I made breakfast for Troy yesterday morning. It was just scrambled eggs and toast but I was proud of myself for dragging my body out of bed when he did.

I read 400 pages of my book. I'm ashamed to say that the twilight series has sucked me in. I know....I know. But they are really good. And I forgot how much fun it was to just read for hours while your mind took you elsewhere.

Grant says, "aw man!" about anything that's not perfect. And he'll groan a long, "uuuuggghhh" if he's slightly perturbed as well.
"Juice," he says.
"Hold on a minute, Grant," I reply.
"UUUUGGGHHH!" He groans like a 13 year old.

Christmas cards mailed. Finally. I addressed them all while listening to Christmas music and forced myself to not get annoyed about any step of the process. And I didn't. :) Not even the 15 person line at the Post Office.

I took Grant to daycare yesterday so Mason and I could finish shopping. Isn't it amazing how you can find soooo many things for yourself when you're supposed to be shopping for others?

I have fallen in love with etsy.com. Fallen.in.love. I liked it before, the three hundred or so times I'd looked at it since Seph raved about its wonderfulness, but I didn't get it until now. I'm smitten. Not so much by the act of buying things really, but to be inspired. It's amazing to see what people can make... what people can do with the creativity that God gave them. It's just an inspiring place to be, that etsy.com.
And I love that I have the time to enjoy it right now.
Aw...Christmas Break, how I love thee....

savoring the details of Christmas Break: day 1

Staying in my PJs with mom till 2pm...and being proud of it.
Reading a good book while the to do list is left undone and not really feeling too guilty about it.
Starbucks...again.
Singing The Christmas Song while grocery shopping...and not caring about the stares.
Editing pictures till 1am...and not worrying about the morning.
Grant playing with his train set....with just the christmas tree for light.
Stuff in the fridge to make for breakfast...and knowing I might actually have time to do it.
Pizza with Bekah...just cuz.
Clementines...followed by the aroma of the simmering peel with cinnamon sticks and cloves.
Planning Christmas Dinner...and being perfectly fine with being the only one in the house that will eat the green bean casserole.
Deciding it's okay not to bake today... the mood will strike. Or not. And Christmas will still be wonderful.

Amber Bamber is married

My neice Amber got married last weekend and it was such a beautiful wedding. COLD, but beautiful! She and Jerry got married by mom and Don's pond with christmas lights and candles lighting the ceremony. The ceremony was followed by a super fun reception complete with a mariachi band that was amazing! And a choreographed wedding party dance. Too cute! It was such a perfect wedding for our Amber Bamber ( who is no doubt cringing about that nick name). I hope you like the pictures, amber!

oh, the heartbreak.

School wasn't cancelled due to the snow which was sad in and of itself, but I also had early morning duty. So the boys weren't even up before I left for school. While Troy was still warm in bed, I said, "Babe, I left the camera on the table. Pleeeeeeasse take a few pictures of the boys before you leave."
And he did!

I'm just sad I didn't get a chance to photograph the snow myself...all the peaceful details. Grant's reaction to his first snowy day. Mason and a snow angel. Or the fun of my students having a snowball fight - a first for quite a few of them.

Despite having school, it was still a wonderful snow day!