Oh Christmas Tree

Topping the tree

 

She called putting on the biggest ball ornament before we even started.  And check out that hair.

 

So happy to be decorating the tree.  We love Christmas time.

 

Rockwell even pitched in.

 

Love those chubby little hands!!!

 

Love that face.  This is when I’m saying Rockwell come smile for the camera.

 

Oh, oh, too close, well he came and smiled right for the camera.  Such and obedient child :)

 

This is Eyla annoyed with me for asking her to look at the camera because she needs to hang that ornament.

 

Eyla is very creative and takes anything artistic very seriously.

 

They took a break for a moment to dance and pose for the camera.

 

I can not get over Eyla’s face and pose in this picture.

 

Yes, this is my almost 15 month old who still drinks his “ba ba.” I had him totally weaned when he turned 1 and then on a long road trip we had a relapse.  Turns out a second weaning is even harder than a first and that I am getting softer with each kid.  Can I even tell you how much of a momma’s boy cycle we are in.  He is needy for me, I love it and coddle him, so he gets even needyer.  I can’t help it he is just my favorite little guy, we still have time to “man him up” though……right?

 

The final product.

Being Thankful

So I know Thanksgiving was 2 weeks ago.  But I think the feelings of Thanksgiving and Christmas pretty much go hand in hand so you are finally getting my Thanksgiving post.  Which sadly isn’t much.  Through all the excitement I really didn’t take many photos.  However, it was probably one of the most memorable Thanksgivings I have had to date.  We had lots and lots of wonderful visitors.  Some we just met for the first time and others we got to know better.  All were entirely worth every moment shared.  So thanks, you know who you are. 

But the absolute very best moment for me, one that I will never forget, happened on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.  We went and played some indoor volleyball, just to get out and also to burn off some of that pie.  Anyway, we started off with a regular volleyball and then after a while us girls sissied out (because the ball was so hard) and the boys allowed us to play with Rockwells huge blue bouncy ball.  I figured with a big and soft ball like that Eyla and Raya could join the fun.  I didn’t really have to teach them how they had watched us play and boy are they good mimickers but I just reminded them to clasp their hands in front of their bodies and hit the ball upwards.

My photography capabilities are lacking, let alone action shots.

 

Eyla took it very seriously.

 

Raya just noticed that the camera was out and came and danced and posed for me.

 

I know this isn’t of volleyball but I felt like he was being left out of my post.

 

ANYWAY, I’m finally getting to the whole point of my post.  In the middle of the game, Eyla ran over to me threw her little arms around my neck and whispered in my ear “Thank you teaching me how to play ballyball.”  Okay, so if there hadn’t been so many people there with us I would have cried.  I can not believe I get to have these incredible little spirits around me 24-7.  Why am I so lucky?  I am just a regular mom, I don’t do anything more than any other trying to be good mom that reminds their kids to say ‘Thank you’ after they get dinner, or after someone shares with them, etc.  But really Eyla was so grateful from the bottom of her heart that she was playing volleyball and that I “taught” her how, because lets be honest, have you seen my volleyball skills?  I was just so amazed that she was so full of gratitude and that she shared it over something so simple.  If anybody learned anything over Thanksgiving it was definitely me!

Shutterfly

2 cool things about Shutterfly.  First, the 50 free Christmas cards promotion.  Second, the photo contest.

I have never used the site before but look forward to.  They offer a lot of great features like some adorable Christmas card templates. 

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

 

Some other fun things like photo calendars.

http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars 

 

And my personal favorite, photo wall art.

http://www.shutterfly.com/home-decor/canvas-wall-art

 

Now if only I could afford a huge photo canvas of this adorable picture that I submitted in their photo contest.

 

If you like it.  Vote for me here.
http://contest.shutterfly.com/contests/showentry/681508

 

Oh, and one last thing.  I am trying desperately to send out Christmas Cards this year. I am so hoping that this 50 free cards will actually motivate/inspire me to actually get them out.  If you would like a card send me your address by either leaving a comment or emailing me at juliannamyers@gmail.com (email will be more private because I don’t preview comments before they get posted).  However, if Christmas comes and goes and no darling picture Christmas card comes in the mail, don’t let it ruin your holiday, it just means I didn’t happen to get around to sending them out this year.  But don’t worry I will save your address for next year.