These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

I know it's been a while since my last blog. So, this time, I thought I'd post a bunch of pictures from our Christmas holiday that were meaningful to me. As crazy as the holidays can be, I'm realizing more and more to just treasure the small moments with my family. Here are some of my favorites from this Christmas season.

Decorating our annual gingerbread house.
Oh, how I wish I was able to capture a picture of Ethan dumping the bowl of sprinkles into his mouth. I'm amazed that any made it onto the house!
Making small gifts for friends and our new neighbors.
This year I tried something new and make peppermint bark. Let me just say...SUPER easy and SUPER yummy!!Watching the babies fight over their presents.
Grant and Addison are at such a fun age - I just love it! They are so snuggly and fun. And, best of all, they're not too mobile yet!Watching the kids play with their new toys in their new Christmas pj's.
Honestly, Christmas wouldn't be a fraction as fun without kids!

Surprising Blake with a new surfboard.
Santa played a little trick on him this year. Blake opened all his gifts except for one which was a scavenger hunt gift. I knew he was expecting a surfboard at the end of it but to his surprise, it was just a bag for his skiis. He was VISIBLY disappointed but tried to hide it. Then, after I let him sweat it out for about 10 minutes, thinking that he wasn't getting it, I suddenly remembered one more gift hiding behind the couch! Hanging out with family and laughing with uncles and aunts.
Ethan couldn't get enough of being swung and tickled upside down!
Making homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast Christmas morning.
Just a word of advice, if you are in a bind and decide to use frosting that was in your food storage - check the expiration date. Yes, frosting does go bad which we learned the hard way! (Nic - hope your stomach held up okay!)
Sweet moments with grandparents.
Addison was completely fascinated with Pepe's moustache!Family dinners.
We are so blessed to have both of our families close by so that we get the luxury of spending time with everyone.
Snuggling my babies.
There's nothing better than Christmas hugs and quiet time reading books together. (Special thanks to grammy and pops for the new collection of Christmas books this year!)

Band Hero on New Year's Eve.
Yes, we broke it out for our little New Year's Eve party. Josh was reluctant at first but it didn't take long before he was jammin' trying to beat Jeff's score!
New Year's Eve treats.
Blake went a little crazy at BJ's insisting that we needed to get "man" food. The spread consisted of wings, meatballs, chicken, potato skins, chips and bean dip, veges and dip, chicken and spinach wraps and best of all, chocolate fondue for dessert. Talk about guy heaven!Our three little munchkins.
We never knew we could love three little people so much. Spending time with them as a family is the greatest gift we could have at Christmas time.


Christmas music.
I love this video. This is Ethan's way of wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!