Post-bath cuteness...don't you just want to eat her up?Sunday, January 4, 2009
Holiday Roundup
A little quiet family time on Christmas Eve
Bringing gifts to our neighbors. Thanks for mowing our lawn! Seriously, he mows our lawn and we never even asked him too. Our neighbors are awesome.
Not too impressed by the singing of Christmas carols by candlelight at church.
Way too many presents at Grandma R.'s house
Waiting for midnight (when we open gifts)
We sang Christmas carols too
Show me how to open presents, Auntie Christine!
SO-MANY-PRESENTS-AND-I-HAVE-TO-OPEN-THEM-ALL-AT-ONCE!!!!
Some gifts were a hit...like this cuddly puppy
..others, not so much...
Time to clean up. Trying out my Cookie Monster vacuum cleaner that goes "nyom nyom nyom nyom!"
I loved all my presents...but most fun of all was spending time with family
...like Uncle Chris...
...and Grandma...
And Ate Tobey.
I loved twirling in this dress so much I couldn't keep still long enough to take a picture
Hanging out with my cousins Tobey and Tyanna on New Year's Eve in Modesto, CA
Singing Christmas carols before our annual Luhuran that took place on New Year's Eve (Notice Lauren is not present...she couldn't keep up with the big kids and was fast asleep by this time..she missed the NYE Countdown too)
We spent the night in Modesto and had fun hanging out with family. We even had worship time. That's me peeking out from behind Ate Keilah's guitar.
Back from Modesto. I was so pooped I fell asleep before we were unpacked...I'm resting up for 2009!!!Just like the rest of 2008, it was a busy, fun, crazy, tiring, but all-in-all wonderful Holiday Season!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
C is for Cookie
My friends and I got together over the weekend for our annual Christmas party and cookie swap. We had to bake a total of 4 dozen cookies, and wrapped six to a package. I made chocolate cappuccino chip...a cookie that I invented on the fly. It's basically a chocolate cookie with milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips and cappuccino flavored chips. They were yummeh!
See how cute everyone's packaging was? Our were the chinese takeout boxes with the "Ho" on them.
Here's a sampling of all the different cookies we all ended up with. Toffee Almond Chip, Chocolate Cappuccino Chip, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Peppermint Candy Canes, Almond Crescents, Rice Krispy Treats, and homemade mints. I love cookies!!!
See how cute everyone's packaging was? Our were the chinese takeout boxes with the "Ho" on them.
Here's a sampling of all the different cookies we all ended up with. Toffee Almond Chip, Chocolate Cappuccino Chip, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Peppermint Candy Canes, Almond Crescents, Rice Krispy Treats, and homemade mints. I love cookies!!!Thursday, December 18, 2008
Bad Santa
We took Lauren to the mall for the requisite Santa photo. I was hopeful that she would enjoy the experience like she did last year. We prepped her for days before by talking up Santa Claus whenever we saw him, beginning with his appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. We watched Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Whenever Santa appeared on TV, in print, or in person we turned into dorks, eyes opened wide, nostrils flared, shrieking "Look Lauren, Look! It's Santa! Wave to Santa! Kiss Santa! Flying Kiss!!!! Hiiiii Santaaaaa!!!!! I love you Santaaaaa!!!!"
On the day of our mall Santa adventure, we made sure to introduce Lauren to Santa from a distance...from the second level of the mall, in fact. I picked her up so she could she down into the Galleria's promenade. There was Santa in front of his sleigh! Look At Santa! Hiiiii Santaaaaa!!!! Lauren waved, blew kisses, and kicked me in the stomach she was so excited (with her shiny black patent leather shoes...ouch!)
We waited in line for about 45 minutes. Actually, I waited in line 45 minutes. Peter and Lauren ran around the Christmas displays and watched Santa do his thing from behind the ropes.
When it was finally our turn, I carried Lauren over to Santa. As we approached I told her to wave to Santa and she did! She blew him a kiss! She grinned and wriggled in my arms with excitement! We were two steps away from the big guy when she realized that she was going to have to sit on his lap. Suddenly Santa turned into Grabby-Big-Fat-Hairy-Red-Faced-Man-with-Evil-Laugh. Lauren tightened her grip around my neck. I pulled her away from me to set her down on Santa's knee. She screamed.
She screamed so loud, I think the cashier in the Macy's mens department heard her. I'm pretty sure the valet outside the mall heard her too and I wouldn't even be surprised if the kids in the Hot-Dog-on-a-Stick beanies were wondering what all that racket was about.
I tried again to put her down. She screamed louder while shaking her head from side to side as if to say "OH HELL NO MOMMA!" Santa suggested I sit down with her too, but considering I was still wearing my work clothes (faded jeans, natty gray cardigan) it was not an option. Peter was dressed decently so he sat with her and after calming her down for a few seconds this was the best picture we could get.
If you look closely you'll see the big fat tear in the corner of her eye
Later that evening, Grandma P. called to ask how the photo session went. We told her about Lauren crying and screaming when she saw Santa. "Why?!" She wondered. "Maybe she was hungry."
On the day of our mall Santa adventure, we made sure to introduce Lauren to Santa from a distance...from the second level of the mall, in fact. I picked her up so she could she down into the Galleria's promenade. There was Santa in front of his sleigh! Look At Santa! Hiiiii Santaaaaa!!!! Lauren waved, blew kisses, and kicked me in the stomach she was so excited (with her shiny black patent leather shoes...ouch!)
We waited in line for about 45 minutes. Actually, I waited in line 45 minutes. Peter and Lauren ran around the Christmas displays and watched Santa do his thing from behind the ropes.
When it was finally our turn, I carried Lauren over to Santa. As we approached I told her to wave to Santa and she did! She blew him a kiss! She grinned and wriggled in my arms with excitement! We were two steps away from the big guy when she realized that she was going to have to sit on his lap. Suddenly Santa turned into Grabby-Big-Fat-Hairy-Red-Faced-Man-with-Evil-Laugh. Lauren tightened her grip around my neck. I pulled her away from me to set her down on Santa's knee. She screamed.
She screamed so loud, I think the cashier in the Macy's mens department heard her. I'm pretty sure the valet outside the mall heard her too and I wouldn't even be surprised if the kids in the Hot-Dog-on-a-Stick beanies were wondering what all that racket was about.
I tried again to put her down. She screamed louder while shaking her head from side to side as if to say "OH HELL NO MOMMA!" Santa suggested I sit down with her too, but considering I was still wearing my work clothes (faded jeans, natty gray cardigan) it was not an option. Peter was dressed decently so he sat with her and after calming her down for a few seconds this was the best picture we could get.
If you look closely you'll see the big fat tear in the corner of her eyeLater that evening, Grandma P. called to ask how the photo session went. We told her about Lauren crying and screaming when she saw Santa. "Why?!" She wondered. "Maybe she was hungry."
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Flashback
Our friends just had a baby! It was their first baby and unfortunately, the birth was a complicated one and the baby was at serious risk. Thankfully, baby and mommy are now doing fine, but they had quite a scare. Baby is still in NICU but so far everything looks good and they will be able to go home soon.
Hearing about their birth story brought back so many memories of our own scary experience when Lauren was born. For that few minutes when I didn't know what was going to happen, I remember offering my life to God for hers. I don't think I articulated the exact words like "Take me and not my baby..." but I believe God knew what was in my heart. I actually said out loud that it was in His hands and peace came over me...I was ready to go if it meant that she would live.
I gave Lauren some extra hugs and kisses today. I thank God everyday for my baby girl but today after being reminded that we almost lost her, I'm especially thankful. I feel terrible that our friends had to experience that same panic and fear that we went through but I'm also so happy that everything is going to be OK. I can't wait to meet her!
Hearing about their birth story brought back so many memories of our own scary experience when Lauren was born. For that few minutes when I didn't know what was going to happen, I remember offering my life to God for hers. I don't think I articulated the exact words like "Take me and not my baby..." but I believe God knew what was in my heart. I actually said out loud that it was in His hands and peace came over me...I was ready to go if it meant that she would live.
I gave Lauren some extra hugs and kisses today. I thank God everyday for my baby girl but today after being reminded that we almost lost her, I'm especially thankful. I feel terrible that our friends had to experience that same panic and fear that we went through but I'm also so happy that everything is going to be OK. I can't wait to meet her!
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