Christmas Photos......

~Christmas sunrise was beautiful (no snow!)
~Kids favorites: DS (Atticus), Plasma car (Cozy), mini Tramp (Scarlett).
~Matt visits (he did sleep through santa coming right next to him)
~Dad got a big blue/yellow sail.
~Atticus was our master chef for goodies. (with help from mom we made gingerbread cookies and peppermint bark brownies)
~ Cozy becomes COZY-LU-WHO
~ MOM makes famous yummy stuffing and christmas turkey.
~ Santa brought: DS for Atticus, Barbie House for Cozy and Ball Pit for Scarlett.

Happy Birthday MOM! XOXO

Today was my mom's birthday and instead of having her own party she got to have the newest grand baby have a party at her house!

Here is my little sister LIZ with baby Soleil!

Here is a quick photoshop I did of me and my siblings. (Sorry Mark!)

When I look around my house esp. at Christmas I am always reminded of my mom.....

Most of my decorations were from her "crafty Martha Stewart" days! I'm lucky I get to benefit from those projects! This is not one of her "projects", but a kissing ball that I got from her for Christmas. Cozy always is under it ...waiting for one of us!
The girls love the Christmas Vanderbear family and I have fond memories of them as a kid too!

I love this nativity she made! I have used it in primary several times and get lots of comments! One year my moms cat Parkina decided to boot baby Jesus out and make it her home!

This is a total mom decoration that I love!!

M0m, I LOVE YOU and hope you had a wonderful Birthday!!!!

Mom & Cozy date!

This was Cozy's first time seeing the Nutcracker! I was a bit skeptical going to Wenatchee to see this since I have only Ballet West (SLC) performance and Clytie Adams (from my hometown) to compare it to. We got there early and sat on the front row and it was surprisingly very good! I put it right up their with Clytie Adams! Cozy was bugged that some of the girls had to be boys, but other than that she was loving it! The snow even came down on us and we could feel the fog roll off the front of the stage! It was the perfect length and the sugar plum fairy dance didn't go on forever as I remember in the Ballet West performance (though I do love that!)
After the show, she picked out a nutcracker and we ate lunch at McDonald's, of course, and picked out nail polish at Walgreen's. It was fun to chat on the way down and back! I got the scoop on the boys (yes, too early I know) and why she is now going by Crystal. Benny and I always tell Cozy that she is a very important part of our family because she is the sweet cream in the Oreo that keeps the cookie together!
I am hoping this will boost her love for dance like it did for me!
(Outfit & Shoes by Mimi!!)
Her favorite was The Sugar Plum fairy!!

"Snow Lady"

Clara

At home feeding her new musical nutcracker

Karate Kids

Atticus and Benny had belt tests on friday in Karate! It was very impressive to see them both do their individual Kata's (solo routine). Here are the photos.
Love esp. the meditating photo (this is rare to see them both peaceful and still at the same time other than sleeping!)

Merry Christmas!

A lot to celebrate!

I am SO behind in updating photos. I completely missed more October photos of kids with Grandmommy, November trip to Spokane (thanksgiving and Benny bday) and the recent excitement of my sister and her husbands new baby girl. What an incredible adoption story and blessing to their family!! Next post for sure!!
I thought I would throw in these photos I did recently trying to figure out the right light to take some friends Christmas pictures. I thought balloons would be fun for the kids to run around with on the beach (kind of cold, but they loved it). I think I might make these bday cards for everyone for the year 2012 instead of buying or making my own. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!