a taste of Christmas

Christmas was amazing. I feel a bit overwhelmed when I think of all the things I got alone! Not to mention the kids and Johnny.

John Michael got a gift the whole family has been playing... but here is a glimpse of what his new favorite toy looks like:

...and please, no comments from the peanut gallery about how incredibly cheesey and silly I sound. It took some pride swallowing to post this with my ridiculous commentary recorded for all the laugh at!....

Merry Christmas!

A new style

This is a style of images I'm really falling in love with. I thought I'd try it out on some willing participants. What do you guys think?

Red Chair

a few more barkers.

My Friend

Meet Sam. She's my dear, dear friend.

I had the privilege of taking her family photos this weekend. Enjoy this sneak peek.

She's Got Her Mama's Moves

Well, they may look like Johnny but they're goofy like me!!

He's got my smile and she's got my moves. :)

Playing in the Snow

As promised, here are some pictures from our romp in the snow. :)

After bundling up the kids and ourselves Johnny trekked out with Addy & John Michael. Plopping them down in the snow and walking over to get the shovel proved to be a bad idea.... John Michael was in shock. He couldn't walk in the snow so he fell down and cried until I came out. He's quite the baby.... and its so endearing!! :)

Once Johnny got the sled out John Michael cheered right up.  Here he is grinning (this is his "I see the camera smile" while waiting for another sled ride.

Both kids loved the sled.  Johnny went slow at first but before long they were flying!

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After the sledding I tried teaching Addy how to make a snow angel.  She did surprisingly well but when she got up she destroyed it.  I was sad she wouldn't be able to see it well but once she got up she ran off and never looked back.  I guess the concept was slightly too advanced for her.  :)

But it shouldn't be surprising that EATING isn't too advanced for her!  She absolutely loves to eat the snow!  

Bite #1  "Wow, its really cold!"

Bite #2  "Did anyone see that?"

Bite #3  "This is 'lip smackin' delicious!"

Our neighbors have a "holiday tree."  Well, I named it that anyway.  They decorate it with lights for every holiday (green for St. Patricks, orange for Halloween, etc.)

The kids love it!

Like most things Johnny convinces me to do I didn't regret it! Here we are shortly before I went in and let them play for a while longer. :)

The happy/cold Hamstras!

Winter Wonderland

Well, its officially full blown Christmas season here! Christmas sales have been on since July, Christmas music since just before Thanksgiving (sorry Dad), but we finally have our Christmas tree and our Christmas snow!

We went the Monday after Thanksgiving to get our Christmas tree and contrary to my lazy preferences we went as a family! I figure Addy is probably old enough to really enjoy something like this so I bundled up the kids and dragged myself out of the house out into the freezing cold to Home Depot. We went in and immediately picked out a tree. It was all a bit anti-climactic.... UNTIL we started walking through the store. Addy was in awe of all the snowmen, Santa Clauses (she esp liked the Santa on a motorcyle, "just like Uncle DD"), and even a Mickey Mouse. She was quite the spectacle as she went around hugging all of the displays. :)

Here we are picking out our tree:




Something must be in the air because not only did I go with Johnny to get the tree this year (I think that's a first??) but we got it decorated the FIRST night! Now, this is NOT something I let the kids partake in. We don't have one of those fun, kid friendly trees. We have breakable ornaments, etc. They had their own trees in their rooms we decorated later but before beginning on this one we put the kiddos to bed!

We aren't total Scrooges though. After getting the tree 99% done we woke up our little monkey (Addy) and let her come put the finishing touches on the tree. Here she is, half awake, enjoying the sight. She was grinning and cuddly over her new Christmas tree and even though its been up for a while now she regularly informs friends that she has a Christmas tree. :)





And finally, our Christmas snow. It snowed Thanksgiving day (Johnny & Tara ran the pumpkin plod in it!!) but it didn't stick. A couple of nights ago we got a big snow. I think its between 3-4" but I'm not positive. So, shockingly, I also went out with the kids in the snow! Johnny loves going to play with the kids but I'm a bit of a grump about it. Its tons of work and.... well, tons of work! But, I'm dying to my laziness here and trying to make memories for the kiddies sake. :) Pictures soon, I promise!

*woops! this picture is sideways... :( its the post on our porch.