Oh Christmas Tree...

Well, this last weekend we went out to find our Christmas tree for the year.  Every year, Michael and I "discuss" the pros/cons of a real tree & I always try to reinforce that an artificial tree would be more than adequate for us.  However, he always wins this battle.  And it does seem that each year the tree keeps getting bigger & bigger.  Now, don't get me wrong I do enjoy a lovely real tree; however, watering it & keeping the needles up off the floor is kind of a pain.  Call me Scrooge, but I think artificial trees are great!  Don't think an artificial one is in my near future, but I do always try to convince him ;)  We went out to a local farm, the same place we went for our pumpkin picking (Reily's farm) to pick out our Christmas tree.  The girls were both excited before we got there & I thought they'd be more into it, but alas, they seemed less interested in the trees than in the live animals of the nativity.  We did get a great tree (a bit large for my liking), it's around 10 ft & it's a Douglas fir, beautiful, yes, but large!  As Jessie said "it's the biggest Christmas tree ever!!"  I also thought Jessie would be really into the decorating, but again not so much, she really was way to stimulated to enjoy it!  And Ella, well, she just likes to remove the ornaments.  Here are some pics of our adventure in finding our tree & the finished product.  The weather has been cloudy so in some there is a bit of grain due to my camera settings, oh well, nice memories for me anyway!  Enjoy & have a nice day :)

Totally overwhelmed with all the Christmas trees

Taking it all in as usual

Getting a lift from dada

Ella to Jessie "Look we can both reach this branch, let's make sure to take all the ornaments off it"

I grant you I'm kind of a hot mess in this one & Ella is trying to escape, but I wanted one of us together :)

Hand in hand searching for their tree

Little sisters

Checking out the nativity

couldn't resist adding some effect :)

All ready to go home

Finished product sans angel...Michael had to get out the big ladder to get her up there

Jessie's giraffe ornament for 2012

Ella's Penguin ornament for 2012

I tried for one of them seated in front of the tree, this is the best of the bunch...the little chipmunk Ella is holding has been around a long time he doesn't really play that much music anymore, but they girls still love him

More effects, can't help myself

Little elf, grainy, I know, but still liked it

Ella Christmas gown

Since I had to take some of Jessie, you know I couldn't leave little Ella out.  These Christmas gowns are adorable & as Ella says "pretty dress".  She thinks she looks pretty in it.  She is so much easier to take pics of than Jessie.  I also continue to be amazed at everything she will eat.  This last weekend we went out to a Mexican restaurant & I ordered fries for the girls (I know mother-of-the-year, right??), well, Ella was more interested in the salsa & my tamale than she was the fries.  Crazy, I know.  She also likes bacon & grits, guess she's mine after all, seeing as how my absolute favorite meal is breakfast.  Thankful that she's so healthy & not a picky eater.  She also will eat just about any kind of fruit (except pineapple) and she's pretty good with the basic veggies (peas, carrots, green beans, & she loves butternut squash).  I should also note that she went #2 on the big potty last night, she's used the little potty before, but never the big---oh, the things we see as victories as moms, right??  Also, after our visit to the ENT on Friday, they decided to try a 6 week course of allergy medication, a nasal spray & a liquid antihistamine.  I am happy to report that she has seemed to do better since taking these meds.  She's actually slept through the night 2 nights in a row, so very thankful & hopeful that this is the answer to our 6 months without a decent night of sleep.  Most importantly, I'm hopeful that baby girl is feeling better.  Enjoy a few pics of her in her Christmas gown.  Have a great day!

A side-by-side for comparisons sake:

Jessie Christmas jammies

Here are a few snapshots of Jessie in her Christmas gingerbread gown from Michael's mom.  It's an adorable gown & I look forward to putting her in it for Christmas morning.  It's virtually impossible to get her to smile, but they aren't too bad.  I had to bribe her with a candy cane to let me take any--so, if it looks like she's eating, that's why.  She loves, loves candy canes, especially the rainbow ones.  I guess I liked those also when I was a kid.  I remember getting my own box of candy canes at Christmastime & I always though that it was so great to get my own box!  Jessie is happy with one, so for now we'll stick with using single candy canes as rewards.....hehe.  We are going out to get out Christmas tree this weekend, so I'm sure I'll have pics to share once it's all decorated.  For those of you wondering I had a fantastic birthday with some very memorable sweet moments.  My husband grilled me a steak to perfection last night for dinner, so I am a very happy lady :)  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Did I mention I'm enjoying lightroom 4??  I couldn't resist adding an aged photo effect to this one :)

Happy 31st to me

It's not even 9AM & it's already been a great day.  The girls each got me a beautiful card as did my hubby.  I also got a copy of Lightroom 4--for photo editing, very exciting!  In honor of my birthday--no pictures today, but I'm sure I'll have some to share tomorrow.  I've also received some very nice gifts from each of our parents.  I feel so blessed that I have so many people that care/love me.  Thanks to everyone who has helped my day be special :)

Lovely Walker Family

I recently had the opportunity to play photographer with my friend & her family.  I met this beautiful lady through our church play group. She has organized & done the bulk of the outreach for this group.  A true servant's heart & a sweet mommy.  I am thankful to be able to do this as a gift for our friends.  She likes them, so I think they are a success :)  Of course, I'd never say it to her, but when they said they wanted to have their puppy in the photos, I did sweat a little!  2 kids under 3 & a puppy, but I think we got a few of everyone for a family photo.  In my opinion, there are so many good ones as both boys were so well behaved, so it's hard for me to select the best ones.  Enjoy a few pics of my friend & her very attractive family!

Chain link fence & backlighting...kind of edgy for me :)

Is she a total model, or what??

Santa Pictures 2012

We knew this year was the year to begin seeing Santa at the mall.  Jessie knows who he is & has been very excited when talking about him.  Our mall has a really nice set up for Santa complete with small train for the kids to ride.  We got the girls all dressed in matching outfits (thanks to Michael's mom for the beautiful sweaters) & headed out.  For their wardrobe choices I knew I wanted something fairly neutral as Santa with his big red suit & green chair is a lot.  The last thing we needed was more red & green from Christmas dresses.  The line was not that long so both girls were in a pretty good mood by the time we got up to see Santa.  Jessie was totally in awe.  When it was finally our turn to see him, I asked her if she wanted to go talk to Santa & she looked up at me with eyes as big as dinner plates & said a resounding "yes".  She sort of skipped up to him in her way & immediately got in his lap.  Michael & I were both surprised.  When Santa asked her what she wanted, she told him some presents, a pony train (the my little pony friendship express train, to be exact), and a puppy toy.  When asked what her baby sister wants, Jessie said a baby.  Ella really wants a baby that goes potty (at Target she saw one, with it's very own potty that makes a flushing noise & she went crazy, I think Santa might bring that to her ;)  We were so proud of how good Jessie did.  As for Ella, well we just waited until the lady was ready to take the picture & then put her on his lap.  The first picture was pretty good, the ones that followed you can tell Ella sort of didn't care for Santa.  I got the CD with the digital files b/c I knew from the quality of the photography they were going to need some editing.  I mean I know these folks don't really understand anything besides how to snap a photo, but it looks like someone at the mall could help them fix the settings so the flash wasn't so overwhelming.  Glad I could edit the files so that now I have something that looks better.  To me these are priceless b/c it captures a memory of the girls with Santa for the 1st time.  Grateful to have a family to enjoy these special moments with.  Enjoy a look at our little ones with St. Nick :)

Just for comparisons sake, look how bad that flash was, yikes, glad I didn't have to settle for that

For their 1st Santa pic, I thought this was pretty good

Ella's going, starting to fuss

Ella's like "get me off this man"

New sleeping arrangements

On Thursday November 29th, Jessica Marie slept all night in the "big girl bed".  We were so surprised as we have attempted this transition numerous times & each time she was too scared to stay in bed, we resorted to letting her sleep in her crib.  I must say that she looked small in the twin bed, but she is certainly big enough.  I was too scared to try to snap some pics of her in the bed, I was afraid I'd wake her & then we'd be back to square one.  So some snapshots of her outdoors will have to do.  She was very proud of her accomplishment & even told her teachers at school that she slept in her big girl bed.  Ella girl went to Jessie's room & slept all night too.  Maybe it was a coincidence, but maybe they just both needed a change.  As I type this, I'm probably jinxing myself & now they probably will both be up tonight.  The next big change will be hanging her beloved "paci" on the Christmas tree.  I know, gasp, she's almost 3 & still using one when she sleeps.  With 2 kids so close I think I've just kind of let some battles go.  From 22-27 months she didn't use one at all, that was until we left for Brazil.  I left one just in case our 10 day absence got too much for Michael's parents & she needed it.  Well, Jessie needed it to sleep there, it has been a battle since we got back to get rid of it again & with Ella not sleeping the last 6 months, I've had to do what I had to do!  I figure the deal of letting Santa take all the pacis in our house to some little tiny babies who need them & getting a new toy in return may work....we shall see how they both do with this.  So proud of my Jessie girl for sleeping in the big girl bed :)