Holiday Pics 12.23.2010

Chillaxin' in the condo...Catching up on a little E-time.(Electronics time. Both boys mostly read the whole trip. Each savoring their own novels: Ian Mocking Jay and Ethan, The Last Hero).

After a decade of the same hair style, Boo is now sporting a new "Do."

 Twinkle lights! How merry. Downtown Fraser/Winter Park.

 Our annual family dinner out at our local favorite BBQ joint:

Our annual trip to Smokin' Moes for dinner. Our favorite hang out in WP. Great atmosphere, good food and fair price. The boys love the "Jail" and the train that traverses along a track suspended above our heads. They also get a kick out of reading a lot of the sarcastic and comical signage. I have to say, they've got some good ones posted! Sorry some pics are blurry-- low lighting conditions and I didn't want to use a flash! Love the atmosphere in this place. Lots of laughs and fond memories within these walls for sure.

 Look at all the peeps that found their way into the "Slammer" on this particular December night.

 What a frightful...er..I mean...fearful group!

 Hey, how did I end up in the slammer? And why does my Mick look so afraid of me?

 Group art project completed by the cousins. All 5 that were present.

 Think he's tired of me taking pics yet?

 Full circle...back at the condo, chillaxin with movies again.

Next post, promises breathtaking landscapes! Stay tuned...or, in this case, online!

Lots of Catching Up to Do

preparing for a trip to St. Louis Got back home from Colorado late Tuesday night and have been scrambling to get unpacked, laundry done and ready for ringing in the New Year tomorrow night. Also picked up Mick's new work vehicle and stopped by Best Buy for new washer and dryer and Ashley's for new kitchen table and chairs.

My sister's divorce was finalized yesterday and I found this news out as I was also hearing word of my dear friend's dad passing yesterday evening.

(BREATHE)

So... planning a day trip to St. Louis with my "Sistas" (Scrapping gals that Jules and I are part of) Julie's son, Nathan, is a dear friend of my boys. So sad for all of the family but especially for Nathan as he lost both of his Grandpas within 9 months of each other. And Nate is only 9. Lots of prayers needed as Julie's mom and brother both have health issues and are in need of much attention.

Meanwhile, my mom is visiting and my in-laws are arriving Tuesday to celebrate Christmas with us. Then Thursday Mick's aunt and uncle will visit as well. The boys go back to school Wed. so I am trying to figure out where I am going to find the time to take the tree and Christmas decor down, purge and organize for 2011, plan school for Ethan AND get my December Daily completed while working on my One Little Word for 2011:

J.O.Y

As in prioritizing my life in this fashion:

1. Jesus

2. Others 

3. Yourself (in this case, myself)

I guess I just need to jump start my new year and follow the directives of this one little word...this one little acronym...

...to find the joy in my daily little ole life!

Hope to post some trip pics soon.

Til then...take care you and here's to a healthy and "J.O.Y."-ful new year!

Hugs,

Suz

Prettified

So, after coming in from the slopes today, Mick says to me:

"We're going to be leaving in about an hour. Are you going to be ready?"

To which I replied, "Yes, I just need to eat something and get prettified."

To which Boo simply pipes up, " That's a nice word. PRETTIFIED.

(And then he resumes play with his Tek Decks).

Merry Christmas Eve

Off to make some memories on the slopes with my family. First time in ten years all three of us (sisters) have been together for Christmas. Special times indeed.

I've been dreaming of a White Christmas...and it looks as though (judging from pics I took yesterday) that I am sure to have one. Here's hoping y'all get the Christmas you've dreamed of-whether it contains snow or not.

 Pics are SOOC taken through the window of the van driving up the mountain.

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

No Jacket Required

Today was so mild that the boys were able to enjoy the outdoors, sans their jackets.

I was taking these from inside the "Swaggah Wagon" and decided I just had to get out to capture the moment as it unfolded itself upon my day.

At one point he was up to his waist in snow! Of course, big brother seized the opportunity to rib him about it!

Lots of running and jumping and spraying each other with snow. Little bits of brotherly angst and love all muddled up into one. I just knew as I was taking these pics, of these two brothers totally into their special relationship at that specific place and time, that it was a moment that I would look back and reflect upon for many years to come with the warmth of a momma's heart. The years and days I get with them are fleeting now as they will surely begin spreading their wings and wanting to spend more time with their peers and less time with me. It's all part of the cycle of life, the spinning of time, the changing of the guard. Sigh. Why does the time have to fly by so quickly? Is it so we remember to cherish it and not take it for granted? Just a momma musing out loud on this 22 Day of December.

Happy Holidays everyone! May your days be merry and bright and surrounded by those you love.

I may try to post a few more later, but right now...it's dinnertime!

December Daily #21

Ok, since I'm sans scrapping supplies,  I will just be posting some pics of the memory making going on whilst away from my scrappin' stash.
Today, to bide the time in the car, Ethan (aka "Boo") decided to play on my iPad and create with the app Doodle Buddy. I just love his creations and these will most certainly find a place in my December Daily as well as printed and hung on our walls at home!
Now, if I can just figure out how to get pics from my iPad and posted here on my blog-lol.






Ok...that was easy enough.: Here we go:
Snowboarding already!? This dudes got skillz! :-)

 This one is entitled, "Scared Santa" (Note his wide open big blue eyes!)

Loving the chairlifts in the background on this one.

 I guess on the first pic I got the screen shot but you get the idea of a snowboarder with the chair lift in the background. Gnarly dude!

And I am loving the stick people riding on the chair lift. Can't tell if they are riding up or down the mountain, can you? ;-)

 And this one...well this one...melts this momma's heart!

Happy December Day #22 everyone!

December Daily Day 2010

This will probably be my last Dec. Daily post until after Christmas as I will be busy making memories with my family. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

 I couldn't resist adding the adorable doily that Lexi added to my gift.

I embellished it a it more with a few little lovelies and called it good.

Good Tidings

So, I just had a little visit from my dear friend, Lexi,  who stopped by to wish me Merry Christmas...

...and to bring by this beautifully wrapped up little bit of scrapbooking cheer.

*post edit: Inside was the new We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy! This was on my Wish List! I was so stoked as it seems to be sold out everywhere (plus I knew my DH Mick (love you honey) wouldn't be buying this for me! lol) This is the little card I had created for her.

It reads, "Dashing through the snow...to wish you a very Merry Christmas!"
Since, I didn't have a square envelope laying around, I just hung it over the edge of the paper bag stocking. Inside was a Yankee candle "Christmas Magic" and some of my homemade "Snack Crack."
Lexi broke into some of it before she left. (It definitely has earned it's nickname. Hard to resist delving in for more).

While she was here Boo couldn't resist pulling her downstairs to see his 8.5 hour assemblage of his Christmas present. (Yes, our Christmas falls when it works best for our family schedules-even if it is a bit early). She was particularly fond of the "Owlery." I have to agree, it's my favorite part of the whole castle. But there is lots of "coolness" within it regardless.

I've been wanting to get a pic of this little guy for some time now. This is a vintage Santa and his sleigh candlestick holder (birthday cake size candles fit into each letter of "NOEL." My Grandma K. (God rest her soul) used to have him perched atop her dining room table along with miniature wrapped presents. I have so many fond memories of Christmases at Grandma's, many of which I hope to document soon when I complete my Ali Edward's awesome BPS Class, Yesterday and Today. Anyway, I inherited that Lil Santa when Grandma passed away and I cherish dearly the memories it holds for me.

Mick and Ethan took a little time out today to route out some trails that they want to ski/snowboard on an upcoming winter ski trip. Lots of discussion about the various routes to take to achieve the maximum fun factor.

More later! Happy Holidays!