Christmas Eve

We celebrated Christmas Eve, just the five of us sharing our gifts to each other. This is the first year that Tori really got into Christmas. She said Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus and Merry Christmas as well. She opened most of the presents whether they were for her or not. She loved her Zhu Zhu hamsters. Nick got a monster energy sign for his room that was very cool and Ashley got a collection of Vera Bradley Travel bags. I got a large Steinbach King Ludwig nutcracker that was very cool and a pretty key necklace I just love that came with a special note inside from Mike. Mike got a Buffalo Bills history DVD, some books and a coach wallet.

Spending months shopping for the right gifts.
Spending many hours wrapping the gifts.
Spending family time sharing gifts with each other...Priceless!

Making Christmas Cookies

Ashley made Christmas Sugar cut out cookies with Tori. Tori quickly climbed up on her helper stool and started decorating the cookies. She loves baking and helping!

Playing Playdoh

Tori was playing playdoh with Ashley and Bryan recently and Bryan made a snake and asked Tori what it was...To his surprise...she responded...anaconda! Yes, ana-connn-da. She learned this in a great book we got at Kohls about the biggest, tallest, longest animals. We just love that she loves her books so much and we must read at least 6-10 a day at her request.

Tori Visits Santa

Tori went to see Santa...she was a little nervous, but she did ask him for a new dolly. She is telling just about everyone we see Merry Christmas and she tells each one of us at least 2 or 3 times a day...Merry Christmas mom...Merry Christmas dad...it's too cute.

Sewing Away

Today Tori wore the Christmas overalls that I made her...one of two actually. Today I also made her a Christmas twirl skirt. I am really enjoying learning to sew and having fun dressing Tori in my creations.

Ashley is also having fun learning to sew and is eager to add new creations to her online boutique. Recently she added woven headbands to her store.

A Wonderful Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time of year to appreciate all the things we are grateful for. Most importantly we are thankful for our family both near and far and our friends who have always been there no matter where we have lived. We are thankful that we have three healthy children who enrich our lives every day as they grow up and experience all that life has to offer. This year we had family come in from Buffalo and Charlotte. We enjoyed a wonderful weekend together eating, playing games and lots of laughter.

Days of shopping for Thanksgiving goods,
Hours of preparation of Thanksgiving foods,
Spending time with family...PRICELESS

Cancun Fun In The Sun

We had a great long weekend in Cancun. The weather was great and the Royal Sands resort was just perfect with our room beside the pool and an awesome 2 ft kiddy pool for Tori. Tori loved being in the pool and she gain great confidence in the water. She learned to float on her back and kick while on her back as well as swim on her belly all with her floatie on but without us hanging on to her. She was so proud of herself, it was priceless to watch her frolic in the water solo.


We spent most of our days by the pool, however, we did make a shopping trip to the Isla Shopping Center. Mike also spent a day diving in Cozumel. It truly was a very relaxing vacation. Cancun had really developed into a wonderful, safe, clean tourist destination.


During our waiting times, Tori learned to sing Wheels on the Bus and how to do the Hokey Pokey. It has been a long time since we have sung these childhood favorites. She absolutely loves them and giggles the deep belly laugh doing the Hokey Pokey. Finally we had one tired little girl on the way home.