sibling photos

At Thanksgiving this year, it was the first time my brother, sister and I had been together for two years. We decided to sneak away and have a mini photo shoot (curtesy of Mark and Tyler) at the UGA campus so we could make our parents a nice Christmas gift this year. Thought I'd share our photos…

Thank you Mark and Tyler for being such great sports =) We had a lot of laughs, and do-over shots….but it was worth it!

Christmastime

Toys are slowly emerging out of packages. Leftovers are being reheated and devoured. Mommy's new Keurig is brewing again and again. Santa has come, and as our floors are starting to become visible again, I can't help but relive the magic that is Christmas. 

Some snapshots of our last few days:

Baking cookies...

Decorating them...

Opening gifts under the tree...

Happiness is…your kids' smiles on Christmas morning =)

Santa must have known we needed some new wheels this year… 

We hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas this year. Thank you to everyone who sent cards, gifts, and well-wishes to us this season.

We felt the love. We always feel it. Thank you.

Probably one of the best gifts of the day, was getting low-census at work so I could stay home with the family on Christmas =)

merriment

It's almost here.

I must say that the few days before Christmas are the most magical to me. Everyone has that skip in their step. "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christmas" greetings are in full use. It's that time of year to feel the joy and the beauty that is always here. We just see it clearer these days.

Spread the merriment. 

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Opening presents with visiting family last weekend.

Charlie gets the award for quickest-use-of-new-present this year.

We loved having family here. It was bittersweet to see them go, but we know everyone (visitors or not) are in our hearts especially this time of year. We love you all.

I hope you are able to stop and listen to the merry carolers, sip that hot cocoa with extra marshmallows, and drive around to look at all the Christmas lights...

Feel the wonder, feel the magic that is underneath all the chaos and craziness that may come this time of year.

It's there. It's always there.

~~*~~*~~*~~


Had to show off this fabulous pie savor cabinet my Grandma bought for a steal of a deal while she was here (that I'm loving while I store it for her here…and so not wanting to let her take it back to Kansas ;-)

Also enjoying the kid's works of art around the house. Love seeing their budding talent...

Everyone slow down. Stop worrying about the madness that is wrapping paper, holiday traffic and dinner recipe perfection. Listen to your heart this holiday season. It sings an awesome happy beat and sometimes you have to sit back and enjoy the music.

Happy weekending!