Twas the day after Christmas...

We actually had a white Christmas this year. It actually snowed Christmas day! It was so cool. We all ended up at Mom & Dad's house to sled down their back yard and hang out. Play Wii Just Dance. Make funny faces with your cousins. It was exactly the kind of thing that you want to be doing the day after Christmas. Getting chilly, laughing and having fun, coming in and warming up.

You've Gotta Be Quick...

...to catch 3 cousins wearing the same dress on Christmas Day. We almost had a good one, and finally settled for one of the two big girls.

Christmas Morning

Oh how I love Christmas Morning! I don't think it will ever get old, waking up and being ready to go downstairs together as a family and sit around in our PJs together opening gifts. I love some of the moments we captured this year as we were exchanging gifts. Here were the highlights: -Cole's face in the background as I open the fleece inserts for the Hunter boots I had begged Kevin for. He does not understand what the big deal is all about. -My face as I wear my new boots. I still make that face when I put them on, FYI. -Cole's face as he watches Kevin open the Stanley Cup that Cole made for him. He thought of that all by himself in December and was determined to get it done. -Kevin hugging his body pillow. That man loves a pillow. Honestly, he loves about 7 pillows in the bed, but I hoped replacing it with one massive, person-sized pillow might help. (it has. sort of). We also got the kids bikes this year, they were really surprised to see them sitting out by the tree! I just love this little family unit of ours, and cherish these family moments together.

A Moment in the Day

Kids wearing their new bathrobes. Our tradition is to open one present Christmas Eve, and we put that present up in the kids hallway by their little Christmas tree.

A Moment in the Day

Spillman Family Christmas 2010

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I just love it when David, Scott, Kevin and their families all meet up at Fletcher and Nancy's and christmas is certainly no different. Nancy is just as anxious as the kids to start opening presents and it's so fun to watch her try to pretend like she doesn't care when we start.... :)

It's hard to believe it was 10 years ago that I joined this family and in that time everyone has grown up so much! I always forget that Ryan and Adam (and Camille!) are the kids cousins, not their Uncles and Aunt.

Cole, our avid reader, is still too shy to to help Grandaddy read the Christmas Story, but hopefully as the years go by he'll be more comfortable. This year Fletcher Allen helped Grandaddy out and it's a special thing to hear the story read by a child.

And there is the usual "Kevin Special" included in the snapshots: me doing something totally unattractive and random. This time it appears I'm mid-sentence. Usually I'm saying "stop". But his special pictures include: eating anything, hand in front of my face, or eyes half open/half closed. Merry Christmas to me...

Spillman Gathering at Aunt Suzy's

Every other year or so, Kevin's Aunt Suzy and Uncle Chuck (Nancy's sister & bro-in-law) host a get together for the Spillman/Go-Forth family. They are so gracious and generous to do it and their beautiful home accommodates everyone so wonderfully. She always has it decorated so pretty, and this year they rented a bouncy house for the kids! Talk about a good time.

It's always so fun to catch up with everyone, as we don't get to see some of the family very often. As if all of that was not enough, this year Suzy brought in a pianist to lead us all in Christmas carols. It was probably my favorite part! It was a great afternoon spent with family. Adison may have thought he was Santa, but she spent the better part of the day snuggled up to her new friend, Uncle Joe. :)

A Moment in the Day

Snow & the view of the tree from the kitchen.

Preschool Christmas Program

We're going on year 5 of this Christmas program. It is the same. Every. Year. I'm not saying it's a bad thing; by the time the kids get to the 4 year old class, they actually know all the songs.

This was Adison's second year in the program and this year the 3 year olds were Shepherds. Adison loves to sing, and so I got there extra early to secure my spot (you'd think it was the Oscar Red Carpet the way some parents act...) to be sure I could actually see my child. (Fun Fact: I once video'd a little girl for 5 minutes before I realized it was not my little curlyhaired Cole.)

Sure enough, the music started and Adison is staring at Miss Patsy, wide-eyed and belting it out dutifully. I love in the picture how she's spotted me and gives me a sweet smile.

After that it was on to the reception and 'special guest' (i.e. Some father who got conned into dressing as Santa). Adison has no fear of people dressed in costumes or mascot. So she trotted right up there, told Santa what she wanted -- something I hadn't heard her say before -- and had her picture taken.

It's Birthday Time

I love my birthday. Not in an 'it's-all-about-me' type of way, I just love having a day all your own where you have a little hop in your step. Maybe it's because I have such great birthday traditions. Mine are:

-Getting cake from Edible Art. Always chocolate. Always with vanilla buttercream frosting. Always eat it for breakfast (and sometimes lunch....) until it's gone.

-My mother calling me and telling me I was born on a "cold, snowy night...No one could come to the hospital it was so snowy...my first girl"

-Kevin's mom calling and singing me 'Happy Birthday' the second I say "Hello?"

-Did I mention the cake? I have a different idea for a color scheme every year. Sweet Kevin obligingly listens to my little preference and dutifully makes the call to order it.

This year I got a bike for my birthday with room on the back to put a basket. I cannot wait to try it out!

First Dusting

We had our first dusting of snow this week. It was such a busy week, and it wasn't enough to keep school out for long. Cole kept asking to build a snow man, so I finally let him out in the back yard, and he made one all by himself. I'm so proud of him. It's one of the many things I love about Cole. When he's determined, and knows he can do it, nothing will stop him.

Tacky Christmas

Kevin and I have been a part of a small group at church for a little over 4 years and we just love this group of couples we've come to know so well.

This year we decided to have a Tacky Christmas party at our house for the group. If it's sparkly, bright, appliqued, or includes several christmas scenes it is gair game.

Here are the pictures of the couples as they came through the door. I was impressed with the creativity. The most surprising event of the night was Spencer and I wearing identical outfits, right down to the jingle-bell earrings. Totally unplanned.

We are so thankful for this wonderful group of friends.