Christmas 2011: Wordle Style

"Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real." 

 ~ Deepak Chopra

Christmas 2011: Wordle Style

Blessed... we began our Christmas extravaganza in Moose Lake with "hubs" family.  We spent time with some of our favorite people, and we shared a wonderful weekend filled with Christmas cheer.

Of course "tootsie" and "pie-pie" loved opening presents, but the highlight of the trip was spending time with their cousins, and hanging out with Nana, Papa, and Grandpa Happy.

Joy...10 days of vacation with "hubs","tootsie" and 
"pie-pie".  I can't imagine a better gift!

A Scavenger Hunt... on Christmas Eve?  We couldn't go sledding or build a snow fort so we had to be more creative.  
It was a beautiful day!

 Projects galore!

All dressed up... no where to go.  We attempted to go to Christmas Eve Mass at our church, but even arriving 30 minutes early didn't work.  When we got there we couldn't even find a place to stand, so we decided to celebrate at home.  We read The Christmas Story and had a wonderful chat about the true meaning of Christmas. 
 It was magical!

Presents!

Santa found us!

Trampoline fun... we had to wait until the next day to put this one together.  3 hours later... terrible directions, but the kids love it!

Bliss...time with my side of the family.  We spent one night at a hotel enjoying ourselves at a water park.  The kids had so much fun!  "pie-pie" is Mr. Fearless, and "toostie" showed us how much she loved posing for the camera.  What a wonderful way to end December!

Good times!

Swimming bliss!

Ode to breadsticks... Reggie and Bauer did we order enough?  Bucko this picture is a tribute to you!

Ringing in the New Year...back to our house to celebrate New Year's Eve.  I adore my family!

Cheese!

"pie-pie" really wanted Auntie YaYa to give him a mustache.

Pictionary

Grandma, Grandpa and the Crazy 8!  


2011 and was filled with happiness and joy.  2012 here we come!


p.s. i love you

The Magic of Socks

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and    behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
~Norman Vincent Peale

Our Christmas season wouldn't be complete without our annual visit from Socks the elf sent to us via Santa Claus.  Socks is a resident of our abode from December 1st-23rd, and "tootsie" and "pie-pie" can't wait to wake up every morning to see what kind of shenanigans Socks has gotten into.  The only thing we need to do in order for Socks to perform his tricks is to provide him with a magic jellybean each night before we go to bed. 

**Note: The name that Santa Claus gave our special little house guest was a bit confusing for "pie-pie" this year.  He has no memories of Socks last year therefore, when we would ask him where Socks was he would literally go into his bedroom and dig through his sock drawer.  Luckily after a few days he caught on.

Socks: Best of 2011

This is where we found Socks on December 1st.  He had a note for us that said, "Need Jellybeans".

Unfortunately "hubs" and I forgot to plan accordingly and we didn't have a chance to get jellybeans the first night.  Socks was a gracious guest and raided our candy jar instead.  Needless to say right after work that day "tootsie" and "pie-pie" insisted we hightail it to Target to pick out the yummiest, most magical jellybeans we could find.

Marshmallow people...what a handsome family!
(l to r "hubs", "pie-pie", Socks, "tootsie" and me)

A friendly game of Hungry-Hungry Hippo

A message from Santa

Apparently Socks wanted an upgrade in his living conditions.

Socks was feeling a little homesick for Santa and the reindeers.

Socks reenacting family fun time.  Every night the kids get to take turns picking an activity we do together.  One night "tootsie" wanted our whole family to have pedicures so we all soaked our feet in special bath salts and painted our toes ("hubs" and "pie-pie" were amazing sports).  The next morning we woke up to a very relaxed Socks soaking his feet in his own foot bath with some of his closest new friends from our playroom. 

Fishing... for goldfish.

Every year Socks brings his loyal subjects their Christmas outfits.  He is mighty fashionable. 

Taa-dah!  "tootsie" couldn't wait to put on her new outfit.

A dapper looking young "pie-pie"(every time he sees a camera he yells "CHEESE!").

December 23rd is a sad day for "tootsie" and "pie-pie" because they know they won't see Socks until next December.  Every year Socks teaches our family the power of magic and imagination.  

"tootsie" and "pie-pie" we cherish and adore you!

p.s. i love you