1st Christmas

Our Christmas began when Poppy & Gigi arrived the Saturday before Christmas- I love that we get to spend a little extra time with them around this time of the year! We visited some family, went to see Santa, shopped, made Christmas cookies, and more!

It was our 2nd year in the tradition of making sugar cookies for Santa- we made them earlier in the week because Santa was coming to our house on Wednesday night (not Saturday.) Here's a few pics of our goodies~

On Christmas Eve I got one of my favorite gifts (to myself) -a new vacuum! We'd had the same vacuum since we got married, so it was time for a new one! I love this thing- seriously I smile when I vacuum now :)

Setting out cookies & milk for Santa

Santa's elf getting the main gift assembled~

Another one of Santa's helpers... Jack

Santa came!!

Going in to see what Santa brought the good boy~ he's always a little shy to look

A BIKE!

Time to take a ride down the hallway

My gift to Shane- a Bose SoundDock Portable... we love it!

Time for a snack- why not eat Santa's leftovers?

His new guns- totally rethinking that purchase now.

Poppy likes his coffee mug

Max loves hiding in wrapping paper

Unwrapping with Gigi

A new big puzzle

Helping Gigi & Poppy

There's nothing wrong with a little chocolate on Christmas morning

Me & Dad

Yeah, a Nook Tablet!!

A favorite- his cash register :)

Riding his plasma car

Fun for all ages

Yep, I can still play a few songs!

We were all blessed with so many wonderful gifts and even better memories this year!

Visiting Santa

Austin was SO excited to go visit Santa & did really well when the time finally came! He's always a little shy, but jumped right up in his lap and told Santa he wanted a bike for Christmas.... we'll see if he was a good boy or not! :)

So sweet

Preschool Program

Austin's preschool program was really cute this year- his class dressed up as angels and shepherds! As usual Austin was extremely shy & spent more time watching others around him than actually participating himself. But near the end he got into it a little bit and started moving his arms to the actions :)

The Turtles class

Notice all the other kids are smiling.. he is SO SERIOUS!

Afterwards all the kids in his class & their parents went back to the classroom for cookies & drinks- Austin seemed to enjoy this part of the evening the most (surprise!)

Cookies with mommy

The 3 of us~

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Ornament exchange with the girls

My friend, Tonya, hosted an ornament exchange this year! I had such a great time visiting with friends, meeting new people, and eating yummy treats! A few pics from the evening:

A few of the girls- Sarah, Amber, Tonya, Me, & Amy

Two of my pool buddies, Amber & Sara

With Amber

And Sara

Our sweet host, Tonya!

This and That

Just a few random pictures from the last few weeks:

Austin & Saylor hanging out and watching a movie together- they are so sweet!

The artwork for Austin's room arrived- love the 4 canvas airplane mural!

New fall wreath that Amber & I made for my front door- thank you Hobby Lobby for 80% off fall floral!!