Thankful

I'm thankful for so many things.

B had his one-year birthday on November 22nd. I cannot believe how quickly this past year has gone by. My baby turned into a little boy, with just the blink of an eye. We had a quiet celebration for him, in which we remembered every detail about the day he was born. We celebrated with pink champagne and toasted to the year, and all of the joy and love that this little being has brought to us. Cheers to another year, a lifetime of love.

B & grandma blowing out a birthday candle

Two days later, we had a full house of twenty-three for a Thanksgiving feast. In all of the craziness and chaos of the holidays, I feel so very grounded and fortunate to see familiar & loving faces and to be surrounded by people I love. 

One of our two Thanksgiving tables- a house full of love and good food:)

We went to Matt's high school reunion last weekend. It's so remarkable to me to see a side of him that I never knew. He's my husband, my best friend, yet I'm privileged to learn something new about him every now and then. 

We also got our Christmas tree last weekend, just in time to welcome December. I like to get my tree as early as I can and leave it up for as long as I can (without being too offensive;)). Our house smells of pine and the tree is adorned with twinkle lights and little ornaments, all of which have their own special associations. And by the way, B loves to look at the ornaments. His favorite two seem to be the wooden train (pronounced 'tuh') and the red bicycle. :)

We get our tree from a very sweet, family-owned & run, local tree farm. It's a five-minute drive from our home, the daughters bake chocolate chip cookies and offer us hot chocolate, the chickens taunt Luna from their coop, the mother dotes on Ben, and the whole family is just cute-to-boot. We plan to support them for years and years to come. 

Here's Matt cutting down the tree.... not sure what Ben is doing in the background:).

Happy December to you & yours. 

xox

Sunday naps and Christmas card photos

earlier in the day- activity time with dad & Luna

Happy Sunday. It's cold, rainy and dark here today. I'm sitting here with my sleeping baby on my chest, my sleeping hubby on the couch next to me and a sleeping pup on her blanket by the fire. There is no place I'd rather be:).

We finally ordered our Christmas cards. Usually, I shoot for perfection (or as close to it as I can get). Matt humors me as we take 200 (yes, 200!!;)) photos until Matt, Luna and I are all looking at the camera with happy, Christmassy expressions. 


Take #1

 This year, with my new-found style of breast milk and spit-up-stained clothing, unwashed hair and yesterday's lunch crumbs still hanging out on the coffee table, perfection is not the goal.


Take #2

 So, after three takes, we got a shot. Not perfect, but we captured a real moment, so that, in and of itself, makes it perfect.
 

Take #3


(thank you, also, for editing software;))

Have a lovely week:)

xoxo

A few of my favorite things....