Kids Christmas Party

The Ops Group hosted a giant Christmas party for the kids in the Load Barn. Santa arrived on a jet, what else?!
There were tons of activities ranging from storytime and bouncy castles (Will's definite favorite) to cookie decorating.

He enjoyed his sprinkles!

Meredith pretty much slept up until it was time to meet Santa...

at which point she was quite content to sit on his lap. Big brother, not so much! We were hopeful that this time might go a little better than last year.

Aaron kept trying to get a good shot, but the situation continued to disintegrate...

Only after he was removed from the situation was he able to utter what he wants for Christmas.

Top of the list is a "blue present". I think Santa can handle that!

Aaron's Christmas Time W"Rap" Up

We thought we'd try a little something different this year in regards to our traditional Christmas letter update. Click the link below to check it out! But WARNING, this site sometimes has profanity in the sidebars, so keep little reading eyes away. And, after you're done listening you probably want to hit pause, because it immediately streams into another track someone uploaded and there's no telling the content there!

http://iamtpain.smule.com/trackid/1753166

Also, a bit of blog maintenance...
There are several reasons for the time being that we'd like to continue to keep this blog private. However, we've run into a slight complication in that we've nearly reached our Blogger limit of 100 readers. To work around this issue we created the guest login that was included on our Christmas card. If you already have a user/password assigned to your own profile you can continue to use it, this is just a work around to allow new readers.

Merry Christmas!

A Tour of Trees

The halls are decked and the stockings hung. But as I stepped back to admire my work, I realized somewhere along the way I went a little Christmas tree crazy. As you'll soon see...
You'll notice two as you enter through the front door. As you walk into the family room you'll see our main tree or what I like to call our sentimental tree. This is our only real one (Aaron thankfully obliges my strong feelings on the subject... nothing like the smell) and it holds all of our keepsake and milestone ornaments like from places we travel or "baby's first christmas."

Baby girl was enjoying some tummy time while taking in the lights.

Next is the Air Force tree, including ornaments from each year at the Academy and each squadron/assignment. I do love a theme!

Then, my mini Meredith College Angel tree. My friend Whitney made this for me as a hostess gift for my Senior year Christmas party, as well as one for our traditional angel exchange. This weekend I'm hosting another party for the college gals. It will be so fun to see them and their families after being out of state for the past 5 years.

Kate made this cute-as-a-button tree for me. Isn't it adorable?!

Trees, trees, and more trees! When I set up my Alpine Village, it's the trees that really make it come to life.

I suppose this is really the tree that started it all. It's the one I had in my room all through my childhood. It's the only one with colored lights! I was using it in Will's room, but this year I reclaimed it for my bedroom.

The lemon tree stays in my kitchen year-round, but the ornaments add a touch of Christmas whimsy, don't ya think?!

Will got a new tree this year to match his room.

As did Meredith. They will get an ornament in their stocking each year to add to them. Thought that might be a fun tradition!

So maybe I am a little Christmas tree crazy, but all the glitz and glamour of the decorations contrast for me this...

How Christ entered the world. Quietly. Humbly. God could have come to earth in the biggest display of fanfare, riches, and majesty, but instead He chose a stable and shepherds, and to come as an innocent little baby. It also contrasts how He would go on to sacrifice himself for our sins by being crucified on a tree, saving us from eternal suffering and through his resurrection, give us eternity with Him in heaven. As I ponder that this Christmas, the twinkling tree lights sparkle that much brighter. How great our joy!

New Wheels

I don't know why I'm just now getting around to posting about it, but back in August I said good-bye to darting around town in my Jeep Liberty.
Perhaps I was in denial. But now, I'm officially a member of the minivan-driving mom's club. And I'll admit, I actually really like it. Way more than I even thought I would. Besides the fact that we can now fit two children, the dog and our luggage when we leave town, I like cruising down the road feeling like I've got my own airliner. And the fact that all I have to do is press a button to open the sliding doors is a major plus...especially when everywhere I go lately I seem to be loaded up like a pack mule with no hands to spare! It certainly was a handy way to bring home the Christmas tree, too. Isn't she a beauty?!

80's Prom Christmas Party

So, Aaron's squadron like totally had an 80's theme Christmas party this year...
Don't be jealous of our fab looking threads! I found my dress at Goodwill for $6, I was loving the shoulder pads. Aaron was like totally rockin' the double popped collar trying to channel Don Johnson. I don't really know about the wig???

The guy with the mullet took home the title of Prom King, and Prom Queen went to what I considered the best side ponytail of the night.

We had a totally rad time on the dance floor. Madonna, Journey, Michael Jackson, White Snake just to name a few. Blue eyeshadow and krimped hair...classy!

Radio City Rockettes

Mom, Kate, and I kicked off the Christmas season by going to see the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. I've always dreamed of seeing them perform in New York City but for now I'll settle on the touring production.
The show was fabulous and we loved every minute of it! We were inspired to strike our own Rockette pose.

The tap numbers were by far my favorite. So, I'll leave you with their version of "12 days of Christmas"...stay tuned until the end to see their trademark kickline.

2 months

Sweet baby girl is already 2 months old. She has been such a jewel and is content as can be. At seven weeks old she started sleeping through the night for eight to nine hour stretches and hasn't looked back. And this "little" one loves to eat! At her well-baby check-up she tipped the scales at a whopping 13lbs 4oz and measured 24 3/4 inches long, pushing her well into the 90th percentile. I can't believe she's already wearing size 2 diapers and filling out her 3 month clothes. Why do babies grow up so fast?! She also got her first round of shots and was such a trooper. Of course she cried a bit, but as I laid her down to put her clothes back on she kept flashing me grins. Bless her sweet heart!