Christmastime

We are back home....

from our SD vacation.

But, we took back with us..........

the love of family and friends......

satisfied fullness from homecooked meals served to us....

warmth from the glow of grandpa and grandma's houses.....

thankfulness for gifts received.....

excitement and contentment from funfilled days.....

and especially.....

the wonderful joy.....

of a beautfiul Christmas celebration!

Sara

Waiting for Christmas

Our manger scene is set up.

We are anxiously awaiting....

....the day we can put Baby Jesus in the manger.

We will be spending 10 days in South Dakota.
We will celebrate our Christmas with family and friends and then complete the manger scene when we get back home.

"People Look East
And Sing Today;
Love, The Guest, Is On The Way."

Merry Christmas!
Sara

{Many vacation pictures to follow!}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo-no words-capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama and leave and a link for your 'moment' in the comments for all the world to see.

Hope this week-end finds US ALL relaxing with a good book in our hands!

Sara

Christmas Cookies

The weather was a little cold and stormy on Sunday.........

so we made our home smell yummy.....

with the scent of "Christmas Sugar Cookie."

We know Christmas is near when we have frosted sugar cookie on our lips!!

The next day, Buttercup and Nacho made their own sugar cookie!

It was "Easy" according to them!

Have a sweet Tuesday!

Sara

{this moment}--The First Snow of the Year

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo-no words-capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama and leave and a link for your 'moment' in the comments for all the world to see.

Tree Farm Visit

Our few pics from our trip to the local Christmas tree farm last week-end.

Can you guess what Buttercup wants for Christmas this year?

A song that I have been pondering this week......
"People, look East and sing today,
Love, the guest is on the way."


Sara

December 1st Tradition

3 years ago today....

Nacho received a gift from his godparents.

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!!!!
1 treat a day until Christmas.

Thanksgiving Week-end Recap

I am thankful for.....

.......wonderful kitchen helpers who helped Mom create a Thanksgiving dinner...

......for the challenge of cooking my very 1st turkey.....

....and knowing that my family appreciated my endeavors even if there was a certain someone who was disappointed that he didn't get his bologna and cheese for lunch.......

....and for being able to relax on the couch and watch some football...

......and for the health and strength to enjoy a brisk, evening walk at the end of the day.......

a day that allowed us many opportunities to find contentment in being together as a family.

I am also thankful for safe travels as we drove 1 hour north and enjoyed the experience of being

introduced to a wonderful frozen custard.....

.....that tasted extra good because it was shared with some special SD friends.....

.....because sharing make everything twice as nice.

We are thankful for George and Julie.....for sharing their beautiful home with our family.....

.....so we could spend time with their family, because some neighbors are still greatly missed.

We were also thankful for a dear Uncle and Aunt that stayed overnight with us.......bringing carmel apples, lasagna and all their attention as they immersed themselves into our lives for an evening.

I am also thankful for waking up to a beautiful sunrise.....a day that marks the 46th wedding anniverary of our special overnight guests.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AUNT SYLVIA AND UNCLE CURT!

We are glad we were able to be a small part of your special day.

The purple and pink in the sky seemed to be a great backdrop to the beginning of a new church season.....a season that we are extra thankful for as we prepare ourselves to grow in hope and faith as we await the coming of Christmas.

Blessings to you this Advent Season!

Sara

"A House Needs A Grandma In It" - Louisa May Alcott

And a house needs a grandpa in it, too. That's why we were so excited to see Grandpa and Grandma S. when they came this week-end. I didn't tell Nacho all day that they were coming, so when the doorbell rang, I wanted to capture on camera his reaction of surprise when he first saw them.

But I was too slow. Nacho went running likety split to give his bear hug welcome.......

{"When grandparent's enter the door, discipline flies out the window."}

Ogden Nash

.....which I was able to capture, even if it was blurry.

{"They say genes skip generations. Maybe that's why grandparents find their grandchildren so likeable.}

Joan McIntosh


They came just in time to see Kyler play basketball.
{"Grandparents are similar to a piece of string--handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren."}
Author Unknown

Thank-you for watching the kid's activities and showing your unwavering support.

{ "You've got to do your own growing, not matter how tall your grandfather was.""

Irish Saying


Thank you for bringing all the yummy food. And especially for bringing our favorite requests.
{"Grandma's never run out of hugs or cookies."}
Author Unknown



We are so happy you were able to celebrate Coco's birthday with us.
{"Grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend."}
Author Unknown

Thank you for cooking a big pot of chicken dumpling soup.

{"If God had intended us to follow recipes, He wouldn't have given us grandmothers."}
Linda Henley

And thank you for all your hard work cleaning and decorating the house. We are enjoying the feeling of being more "moved in" now.

{"Just about the time a women thinks her work is done, she becomes a grandmother."}

Edward H. Dreschnack

Thank you for all your kitchenwork.....meals for a growing family are messier than for two.

{"Grandparent's are there to help the child get into mischief they haven't thought of yet."}

Gene Peret
P.S. Coco got into that mischief all on her own.

And thank you for knowing us well enough to order extra frosting when you bring home Sunday morning rolls.

{"Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting."}

Author Unknown

Thank you for all the love, fun........

{"An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again. Anything longer than that, and you start to age quickly."}.
Gene Perret

...and for being.....

{"Few things are more delightful than grandchildren fighting over you lap."}

Doug Larson

......so utterly devoted to your grandchildren.

"A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart."

Author Unknown

Can't wait for the next vist.....I'll have my paint colors picked out by then!!

We love you!!

Sara

"ONE"derful Day!

Turning 1 is fun and that is exactly what we had on Friday.

There was something (or someone) special in the air....

....we just couldn't help ourselves from wanting to be around such a little, sweet, walking bundle of pink.

Even during a quick cat nap in the morning.......

....Coco was surrounded.
(Grandpa and Nacho politely rested, too, per the photographer's request)

What a birthday treat to wake up snuggly warm and happy to Grandpa's smiling face....

...and to plenty of hugs and kisses.
That's just the kind of day it was!

Coco received 1 toy.....

and had fun playing and knocking around her new blocks....but,

the most fun was had when she opened Grandma and Grandpa's gift...

Coco didn't particularly find delight in receiving diapers, but....

.......A BOX was tremendous fun.

A new outfit is always nice, too.

But, after a full day, a bath and pajamas.....

....playing a game of walking back and forth between the box.....

and Grandma was her perfect way to end the day!!!

And as Grandpa always says, "I had so much fun, I can't wait until next year!"

Have a "ONE"derful Monday!

Sara