Christmas Happenings

First, I must appologize for the quality of these pictures (not that I usually have great pics or anything) but most of these are off my phone. One of my New Years Resolutions is to take more pictures this year and to remember to bring my camera with me more often & actually take it out of my purse every once in a while!! I need major improvement in this department.

Other things we did around here before Christmas include...

Trying out all the cool rides while Christmas shopping.










Playing dirty santa at my Aunt and Uncle's Christmas party.

Using our new magic bullet blender to make yummy smoothies.

Maci Rose had jingle jammie day at school.

Went to lots of Christmas parties and sang many songs along the way. (I've tried to upload the videos a million times so hopefully I can do a follow up post on that)

And visited Santa at Bass Pro Shops.

 He was scared of Santa the second he saw him. Even when we were in the back of a huge line.

And here is the famous Santa pose that made it on our Christmas cards this year. Yes, crouch grabbing and all!

We went to eat with my parents the other day and a man came in with white hair and a long white beard and Carter wouldn't quit staring at him and pointing saying "San Claw". I think he may be scarred for life. Let's hope not!

Maci Rose had her Christmas program at her school.

She is currently in the 10th percentile on height and weight which we discovered after seeing how small she was compared to the rest of the kids in her class. She weighs 28 pounds and is 37 inches tall. Maybe she'll have a growth spurt between now and April when she turns 4 or maybe she'll be short like her mama. We'll see!

Christmas Tradition

Ever since I can remember my cousins and I have gotten together before Christmas to make gingerbread houses and cookies for Santa. It is so fun to still carry it on through our kids. Although we still make jokes that it's technically more for us than them!

 Carter ate every piece of candy we handed him to put on the house.

 Making cookies for Santa...

The weather was really bad that day, so Carter was our weatherman keeping us informed.

 And thanks to Pinterest we also added homemade handprint Santa ornaments this year. I think they turned out so cute!!

Thanksgiving 2011

So I'm a little behind on this post...but this year I am thankful for so many things starting with my Almighty God who has given me everything I don't deserve and who still loves me even though I am a sinner. He is great and he has blessed me beyond words.

I am thankful for my beautiful and healthy children. They make my world complete. I couldn't imagine life without them. And to get to experience a girl and a boy who have completely different personalities, looks, emotions, & interests is so much fun. I love them both in different ways but most of all because they love me unconditionally back. It makes my heart melt!

I am thankful for my wonderful and loving husband. Without him, Maci Rose and Carter wouldn't exist. He is my rock and has supported me through so many things in my life. He is such a hardworking and faithful man. Through the good, bad, and in between he is truly my one and only. I love you Jeremy!

I am thankful for my family. Being Italian, I have more family than many can dream of on just one side. And then to add my mom's side and my husbands side, we are extremely blessed. Although I am thankful for each and every one of them, it is becoming hard to fit every one in on holidays so I am thankful to have you all even when our time together is cut short I don't forget just how blessed I am to know you are there for us no matter what.

I am thankful for my friends. I have some of the best friends that exist. From high school friends, college friends and sorority sisters, my wonderful neighbors and my mommy friends I have all the support I need and more. I love having friends that are good in different ways.

And speaking of neighbors,,,,have I mentioned just how great they are?? I have the most fun and helpful neighbors ever. One of my neighbors gave me my job and I work for her. How convenient huh? Sometimes we even ride together to save on gas. She also keeps Carter for me while I work. On Fridays, my other neighbor who has girls in school with Maci Rose takes her to school for me. Another one came over last minute a few weeks ago to babysit while Jeremy and I headed to a funeral. My brother (Uncle Matt Matt) is only a street over from us and we can walk through the woods beside our house to visit on pretty days.

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving and did lunch with my cousins on my dad's side of the family, and then headed to my Aunt's house on my mom's side of the family to play a little flag football. We went to my inlaws on Friday evening and did Thanksgiving with them as well. By spreading it out to 2 days it let us have a little more relaxation than we're used to on Thanksgiving not having to fit everyone in on one day.

 The kids ate on a little kitchen that we used to play with when we were little.

 So much fun with all these babies around!

 there was so much food!!

 Aunt Em came in town from NY

 And then we celebrated my dad's birthday which was November 13th.

I couldn't keep my hands off my godchild Kate. I just love those thighs!!

 She's so cute!

And speaking of thighs, Carter is doing well in that department too!

I wish I had gotten some pictures of the flag football game. It was definitely a hit and something we're hoping to add to more holiday get togethers! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!