Thursday, December 30, 2010

Snowfall and resolutions

Noni last January!
We had some fun in the snow this past week. Noni got to actually play in it for her first time. Last winter she was only 4 months old so it was fun to see her check it out. She actually kept her hat and gloves on. And daddy showed her how to put her hands in her pocket. So adorable. Peter and her built a mini snow man yesterday while I went shopping.








  • My New Years Resolutions
    * exercise more- cheesy I know but for real I want and need to-I don’t consider it a necessity like I should.
    * I want to actually sit and watch movies instead of always doing something while they are on. - I need to take that time to relax and rejuvenate.
    * I want to take more time to actually play with Nonah.-My imagination is practically non-existent so I am working on it.
    * To just let it go.
    * Pray with Peter regularly.
    * Smile more!
    * Love, Love, love!!!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

So Christmas~

was awesome. I always feel a little disappointed the day after Christmas because its so sad that the big day is over. Also Im a little disappointed that I get these huge expectations of what the day will be like and all this fabulousness and it's really just another day. We just get some presents. I don't know its still fun but since Im an adult now I guess the fulfillment isn't there anymore. So I decided Im going to write myself a note for next year and put it in the christmas decorations box to remind myself to not get all these crazy expectations and to just the season for what it is. To find new and old traditions and stay simple. It's okay to stay simple. Sigh.

I feel better now. It was so fun to watch Nonah open her presents but a little hard because when we were with family she wanted to open everybody elses presents too. She didn't understand why she couldn't touch all the pretty packages. Overall we had a great Christmas. Lots of goodies and money and gift cards to spend, so Petey and I are going shopping today. The one time a year Peter will clothing shop with me. Yay.

Here are some pics from Christmas Eve with Ws, Christmas morning just us, and Christmas Evening with the Ds!



Noni got lots of books!





She needed help getting them started.




We always start with stockings!


Our new hats- Christmas morning
I got her a grocery basket with fruit and veggies in it!
Her new monkey ornament!

Noni and her cuz having fun!

Admiring all her new toys!

Her new fav face, especially when taking her picture. so cute!



These are the aprons I made for all the ladies in my family!
Above: Peters mom and sister.
Below: My mom, sister-in-law, and sister-in-law to-be!


















Friday, December 24, 2010

CHRISTMAS FUN!

Everything is so much more fun with Nonah. We took her to see some christmas lights and she seemed pretty amazed by them. The lights are definitly one of my favorite things about christmas. They're so pretty.







Our matching sweater vests!



Always helping mommy!!



MERRY CHRISTMAS
EVERYONE!!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Philly- Part 2

People know you're a tourist when you stop and take pics of the birds!

My little girl was loving these funky hats!
She would not fall asleep facing in in the wrap, so...we put her facing out and ta da, shes out.
The whole gang. We got a cop to take out pic!
Here we are waiting for our train that was 40 min late.
So fun!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

What we believe~

Christmas is such a beautiful time of year. I don’t like the cold but I love the idea of curling up in front of a fire with a hot cup of java and enjoying the ambient of a lit Christmas tree and candles and hanging out with family. There is nothing like it.
Within this past year Peter and I have been evolving and changing into simpler people. Simpler than we were. We just don’t care about the same things as a lot of our society does. Material things are meaningless to us. Yes we each have our wish list of some things that would be nice to have but there is not much that we really need and we are ok without it. We want to live even simpler than we are.
I do love shopping for loved ones and finding the perfect gift but I’m realizing a lot of times I would just buy something in order to have a present for someone even if its not something I’m sure they would like. What a waste of money that is. I am trying to be purposeful this year. I love the idea of making things for people and I already have some ideas for next Christmas. I do enjoy getting presents too that’s for sure but who doesn’t and if you say you don’t I just can’t believe you.

That was a little bunny trail because that was not at all what I was going to write about. Anyway. Christmas. I wanted to share what we believe about Christmas and what we plan to teach our children. Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of Jesus birth and how he came to this earth to save us all right? That’s a good thing to celebrate and for those that do so as unto the Lord that’s great. But we believe as Christians we are supposed to celebrate Jesus’ birth every single day of our lives. To acknowledge who He is and what He did for us and in our words and actions show praise and thankfulness to Him every day. Not just once a year. I have also heard that Jesus wasn’t even born in December and that the story of the three wisemen is only half true because they came a long time after he was born. The history is all mixed up and I don’t even really care about little details like that but why should I tell that story to my kids when I know its not correct? I will simply go right to the bible. Christmas isn’t mentioned in the bible. It’s a man-made holiday probably with good intentions but has since gotten out of hand.

I want to look up more info on the history of Christmas and how the Christmas tree was started and candy canes and all that stuff. That kind of stuff has nothing to do with Jesus and he couldn’t care less about stuff like that. There is nothing wrong with them don’t get me wrong but I just wonder why we all do what we do? So many of us just do things because our parents did it or its what everyone else did. Well I want to know why and have an answer for my kids when they ask why we do what we do.
As for Santa, we are not telling our kids about the north pole, the naughty/nice list, or coming down the chimney and making them believe in something only to find out its not real. A friend made a good point and said she told her kids about St. Nick and how he’s a nice old man who helped children who didn’t have much. I like that. In the future if my kids want to sit on his lap at the mall that’s fine but we’re not promoting it.

So as my husband says “Christmas is all about the presents”. That’s why we as 25 and 27 year olds are still excited about Christmas Day. The food and family and festive traditions are fun too! You may think that is a selfish perspective but think about it. Why do you do what you do? What makes what we do on Christmas a celebration of Jesus birth? Hmmm????

To sum it up, we love Jesus and are so thankful for His birth, resurrection, and salvation and we praise Him for that every day!! We do not believe Santa Clause to be an important or worth while thing to share with our children but will probably tell them the story of St. Nick. We do not celebrate Christmas as a Christian holiday but as a fun and beautiful time of year with silly but harmless traditions just like other holidays!!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Trip to Philly-Part 1

I have been on so many adventures since Noni was born. Its so fun having the free time to do things with friends and family. We went to Philly with the girls last week and had so much fun. We took the train and went to Macys to see the sights and do some shopping. Noni is such a trooper, she loved the train and the lights, and took a nap in the wrap on Grandma Dee. (a short nap but it was a nap)


Thursday, December 16, 2010

9 DAYS!

Still surviving the winter winds....staying busy...staying home...a lot. Savoring our moments with Petey because hes working a lot...counting down the days!!! Christmas is coming yay!!! So excited to experience this holiday with my Noni girl!!



Did I tell you Noni loves shoes!!!

More to come soon, when I get my camera back!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

WiNtEr

My winter survival kit:

our wonderful woodstove that Peter put in last year
lots and lots of coffee all throughout the day- mostly decaf dont worry
my new find- yerba mate- a naturally energizing tea- yum
leggings-they fit under anything
cute boots
fun scarves
holiday preperations
enjoying the beauty of my christmas tree every day
special holiday tv shows and movies on every night
baking-and eating- cookies and other treats I only make once a year
homemade soup-and some canned
wine-red or white- warms you right up
craft and sewing projects- I want to start knitting this week
family and friend get-togethers
mama dates-by myself or with other mamas
bonding, playing, cuddling, entertaining my Noni-girl

I will survive!