Annie Draws a Face

Leia's Annual "Pine" Tasting : )

Our Gingerbread House 2009

Our Christmas Tree 2009

This year, I think Shoal Creek Tree Farm has found a family of customers for LIFE! Level lots, in the mountains, great size trees, . . . heck we chose the second one we looked at! : ) Ironically enough, the girls were more excited to play in Shoal Creek than frolic among the trees! Ha! We had fun singing "Jingle Bells" on the way home and also riding in the back of our neighbor's truck! Not to mention decorating the tree! Leia first claimed the top for her "kitty tree," and then proceeded to put the angel on the top herself! (First time!) Then it was time to decorate with all of our special ornaments. A few that the girls treasure each year: Leia's newborn bunny ornament and "curly cue" ornament (that holds the ribbon curl that Leia had around her pinky when she was only two months old), . . . not to mention Annie's "grapes" and Leia's "zeeeeba buns"! : ) And this entry just wouldn't be complete without one photo of how Brian usually looks during the whole process. : )

Thanksgiving at Alan's & Cassie's

Alan & Cassie were such sweethearts to host Thanksgiving this year! We had lots of fun over the next few days: lots of Chester, lots of drawing (including Turkeys and "Elf Chester"), lots of the Roper Mountain Lights viewed from the sunroof!

Making Christmas Gifts for the Aunties

This year the girls and I decided to give both Auntie April & Aunt Cassie something very, very special: a homemade, homepainted, Christmas tree light of family fame! : ) Off we went to Express Yourself Pottery and began! Mamma chose the colors, but the girls did all the painting! SO much fun! And afterwards it was off to Kilwin's for a very special treat!

Raindrops on Roses . . .

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens . . . " a few words from one of Leia's favorite Christmas songs, . . . and the pictures that adorn this home-made giftwrap from Leia! SO creative!!! The next gift held "bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens"! : ) What a special girl and certainly one of MY favorite things! : )

Fun with Papa

Oma & Papa Choose Their Home!

Read-A-Thon WINNER

Here is Leia Rose at the "Sub and Sundae Party" she was invited to because she was a class winner of this years Immaculata Read-A-Thon! : ) Leia Rose read almost 1500 pages this year in just one month, . . . and the two students behind her were only behind by a hundred pages or so! Leia also received a blue ribbon, key chain, and autograph bookworm (that her whole class signed), . . . along with the chance to win a trip to Toys R Us with the principal. Well, she didn't win the "grand prize," but it didn't matter, . . . she was thrilled regardless! And what a fun fundraiser for Mamma to be in charge of!!! : ) (My very special gift to the school!) : ) And I was SO proud of Leia for choosing Morgan as her "guest" at the party, . . . Morgan came in second in the class. Leia: what a great kid! : )

Leia's "Store"

Leaf Sledding 2009