Merry Merry Are We

We have a very busy week ahead of us but thankfully I am almost complete with orders for blankets. I am really looking forward to Brian being off work between Christmas and New Years and spending time with the kids.

This past weekend we had our Legler Christmas in Madison as Brian's brother Barry was in town. The kids were hilarious opening presents (Bailey tried to steal everything of Jack's) and they had a great time seeing their uncles. We opened gifts and celebrated together visiting a family member in the hospital and it was such a memorable Christmas. It truly is not about where you are, it's the company that you keep that make all the moments special. This Saturday we spend time with my family and are attempting to go to the kids Christmas Mass at 6PM and Sunday we are going to hang out as a family of four.

We decided that Christmas is going to be about creating new traditions for our own family and I am excited to see Jack & Bailey on Christmas morning (and enjoy the quiet while he plays with all his toys following). No rushing around, no plans...just us.

Here are some fun pictures of the weekend:

Under Nana & Papa's tree





 

 

Perfection Doesnt Make Memories

I saw this quote from a recent post on fb and it has been the theme of our week. It has taught me that although there is love in the details, it doesnt always have to go as planned. After all, the times people remember is when it all came together despite the odds. This weekend will be one of those times.

It has been a trying few days with sick kids, plenty to do and loved ones in our thoughts & prayers. I am really looking forward to leaving town and spending Sat, Sun & Mon with the Legler family for our Christmas celebrations. The kids ans I have been busy making cookies for the weekend and it was my first attempt at my mother-in-law's famous M&M cookies. After a failed attempt yesterday, Jack and I managed to successfully redeem ourselves this morning. Here are some baking pictures from our two attempts.



first attempt & failed





2nd attempt & success!

 

Holiday joy and chaos

The craziness is coming to a hault. Perhaps it is because I am done Christmas shopping and completed all holiday blanket orders, closing up shoppe until February. I am beginning to destress and it feels amazing to refocus on family.

We have been quite busy with holiday stuff over the past few weeks. Jack is old enough to understand traditions so it is exciting to share many new things with him and of course he loves his little sidekick Bailey to be right by his side. Professional pictures, Christmas cards, St Nick, Santa and making cookies are some of the many fun activities we have been busy with. Once Jack gets up from his nap today we are attempting making the famous Nana Nancy Cookies for Legler Christmas this weekend. If it doesnt turn out, it's Jack's fault. lol

Following Christmas, we are going to get some much needed R&R up north for five days before ringing in the New Year. 2012 is going to be grand and we need all the rest we can get.

Here's a summary of our holiday fun in pictures.

2 and done

Today is such a significant day to our family and to me especially. As I type this, Brian is undergoing surgery for a vasectomy as we decided together that our family is complete.

It's cliche to say that your love continues to grow for your significant other but it is true. A good partnership evolves and strengthens over time and I have so much respect for Brian for doing this as I am unable to due to health risks.

We are both excited about all the memories we are going to create with our blessed family of four and although we adore the baby stage Bailey is in, we are excited for all to come.

Our family bucket list:
Disney trips
RV trip with family & friends
Family double bike rides
Canada fishing for Jack, Brian and Randy
American Girl Store in Chicago
Cedar Pointe Rollercoaster weekend
Camping
San Diego Zoo
& many more