Thursday, December 22, 2011

Gingerbread House, 2011

We seem to get less and less messy every year! At least less candy dropping on the floor.
Credits:
Paul & Ryan - framing and construction
Ryan, Kathryn & Mom - exterior design
Mom - clean up crew
I tried my darndest to get a picture of both kids, with the gingerbread house.
5 fails, so I quit. Some days that is not a battle I am willing to fight. :-)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

The Christmas card photo I REALLY wanted to send out. . .

Oh Ryan, forgive me for this.
It was a successful, yet challenging photo shoot.
We did get some great photo's, I will always cherish my yearly Christmas photos.
Korryn takes on the task of wrangling my kids and getting some pictures of them. Every year she gets some amazing and memorable shots.
And cooperative/successful shots
2011 Annual baking day at Korryn's
Ryan was totally in to it this year and did a pretty good job of decorating.
Kathryn was a mess - as all 2 year old should be :-)
She started the morning at Korryn's very pouty, verging on tantrum-like, but pulled out of it once we got busy doing the cookie thing.
Paul's birthday came and went as he spent the day doing jury duty.
We postponed our birthday baking until a day we knew he would be home.
Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate butter cream frosting. The frosting tasted soo good. Although looks a little like. . . . umm, well something that is not typically placed on a cupcake. :-))
Ryan's friend Alec spent the afternoon here and got the chance to frost their own cupcakes.
Alec was fantastically clean about the whole thing. My two - were not.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

"MOM! Is it Christmas yet?!"

There is nothing like going through the holiday's with a 4 year old! The above question is asked daily and total excitement when Christmas decorations come out, more houses put lights on, etc etc. I have some fabulous outtakes from our Christmas card photo shoot -stay tuned.
Thanksgiving:
Low key at the O'Neill's home and wonderful. Outstanding smoked turkey by Pat and just fun times hanging with family. Kathryn missed her nap and was a little on the tantrum-ee side until the pumpkin pie came out. All smiles then.
Black Friday means it's time for trip into Seattle for the Macy's parade. I love parades and love watching them with the kids. Korryn and kids joined us this year - so fun! Typically I work every Friday and am very grateful the office chooses to close down that day. I am thankful for that time I get to spend with my family at such a fun event.
The classic scowl:
Parade time!
Michael - 19 yrs
Kathryn - 2 yrs
Ryan - 4 yrs
Kelsey - 17 yrs