Merry Christmas to all...

What a great time of year.  I think that my favorite part of Christmas is the simple celebration my children have for everything.   Ryan was so excited to get a candy cane when we went through the drive through at the bank.  He said, "This is the best day ever!"  (and it was just the small size of candy cane.) 

 We went to The Peterson's family party at the ranch never Richfield.  We all had a really great time.  The kids had a talent show.  Haley sang and then played her violin and Ryan did a couple magic tricks he had been practicing.  But the best part is they got to play in the snow. 

Grandpa Peterson let Haley driver the ranger with a sled hooked to the back.  It is really neat because it attaches so it is ridged and doesn't get to close.  But,  everyone fell off,  Haley  didn't notice and just keep on going, and going, and going.  

I am grateful for all of my friends and family and hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. 

Reasons why I "heart" Chris:

Chris and I just celebrated our thirteenth anniversary!   I feel very lucky to be married to such a neat man!  So, these are just a few reasons why I "heart" Chris:

• He is a hard worker.
• Since I got him hooks for the closet, he hangs up his clothes.
• Even though I depise the giant plastic cups he "has to have,"  he shares his BIG glass of water, every night with me while we sit in bed.  
• He is the most honest person I know.
• He is good at most everything.  (this can bug me a little too.)
• He doen't compain (out loud) when he fixes my computer and other devises I don't understand.
• He's fun to look at :)  one word- spandex!
• He likes to cook- (doesn't like to clean-up.) 
• He is a great father.
• He is funny  (not as funny as me, but still, funny.)
• He is a great friend.
• He made my last birthday the best one yet, by flying my sister from New York and surprising me.
• Because of him, I get to be a mother.

I could go on and on.  

New Trick!

My Amazing Mom

My Mom is the best!  She really is quite a phenomenon!  I don't know how she does it all,  but she does it all- very well!  She is my idol.  One day I hope to be just like her! 

I had someone over to my house the other day and she said " I see your Mom has been here." 

Her reputation precedes her!  

She saved our family while I was pregnant.  (but that's another post for another time) 

My Mom cares about everyone; she is so thoughtful.   And she can plan an event in the blink of an eye- and it will be beautiful!    

Christmas Card

My aunt found this Christmas card in a drawer... it is from my Grandpa Okerlund to his brother in 1929.  Check out the simplicity of the address.  

I NEED MORE TIME!!!

I was determined to fiercely hold on to every moment of this Christmas season...  but it is almost over!  

My kids are growing up so fast and I look older every-time I look in the mirror!   I just want time to pause for a little bit.  

Haley and her friend were talking in the kitchen while I was making dinner tonight.  I was laughing because they were so engrossed in conversation about so-and-so likes so-and-so, but not like, likes him!  

How am I the Mom of a girl who may or may not "like, like" someone!  I swear she should only be six!  

And then to make things even more nuts... we went shoe shopping for her on Saturday and she wears a size 10 shoe!  (I wear a 9.5)  -Please make it stop!!!!

3.5 months

I mean really... could she get any cuter?  I told Ryan that he was so cute and he said "Mom, don't say that in front of Claire, she will hear you!"  He is so funny!  

Christmas Trees

My Mom came to help put up the Christmas trees this year and I must say they look pretty cute.   She is so good at decorating and she has more energy than anyone I know.  She kept my up til 2:30am one night to get some decorating done.  I love Haley's tree, but when I plugged it in this morning as you can see every light was burned out except a small part around the middle!  So irritating!  Ryan thinks his tree is "sweet!"  and even Claire got a small little tree.  I hung some sparkly snow flakes above her bed; she is mesmerized by them.

Turkey Trot

We joined Emily and Zach for the "Running of the Reese's" on Thanksgiving morning. We even got the T-shirts to prove it:)

Thanksgiving / Claire's Blessing

We decided not to tell Emily until we blessed Claire. So, Thanksgiving night we blessed baby Claire at our home. I was great because we had everyone from both sides of our family there. I think Emily was very surprised when she heard Claire Emily Peterson was the name. It was such a great Thanksgiving and a great time to bless this new person that we are so grateful to have.

Claire Emily Peterson

Now, her name is official... We have debated for a long time what to name our new addition. Ruby was on the top of the list for along time, and Chris and I both still love it! (It is my Mom's first name, but she goes by Janice; her middle name) But for some reason Claire seems to be what we keep coming back to. And when Chris surprised me by flying my sister Emily from New York for my birthday/giving birth day- we thought that Emily would make a perfect middle name.

"Cuter than a wolf pup"- Clair at three months

Time is going way to fast! Three months already. When she smiles and coos you just can't help but smile back. She gets so excited sometimes a lets out these squeals that crack us up. The best is when she wakes up in the morning and is so excited to see us peeking over the side of her crib. She can hardly contain herself- it's like she is thinking, "WOW, I am so happy to see you!" We are all in love with this baby girl, but Ryan still is the clear winner as far as not being able to get enough of her. He says that she is cuter than a wolf pup! (where does he come up with this stuff!!!?)

Pie Lesson

Chris' Grandma is famous for her pies. She came over for Sunday dinner and afterwards taught Chris how to make her crust. With Thanksgiving coming up and Grandma out of town we were on our own! It was also the one month anniversary of Grandpa Winkel passing away.

Coming to a mailbox near you...

Check out the stamp for mailing Claire's birth announcements. I love it and I can't wait to get the announcements sent out (although she will be about 3 months old by the time I get them finished!)

Halloween 2007

This year for Halloween Haley dressed as a cave girl- I wore it for a Sadie Hawkins dance (circa 1993.) Ryan is a very suave musketeer and Claire making her Halloween debut as a monkey.

Pumpkin Carving

We carved pumpkins for Halloween. Ryan's is a tiki, Chris' a witch, and Haley's pumpkin is puking pumpkin seeds (she calls it "Mom @ nine months.")

"This is not sanitary!"

Ryan was not going to stick his hand inside the pumpkin to clean the seeds out. We finally talked him into it (it is part of the whole pumpkin carving experience, right?) He thought it was so gross, and kept saying "this is NOT sanitary!" -Where does he come up with this stuff.

Beautiful Baby (8 weeks)

Isn't she beautiful? Her name is Claire and we are crazy about her! She finally slept eight hours the other night. There is nothing better than a new baby, except for one sleeps through the night. She is 8 weeks now and weights 12 lbs. She is starting to coo, smile and sometimes squeals with delight -it is so funny.

Ryan is my five year old who is always happy, loves to please and says the funniest things. I don't know were he comes up with them, but I am cracking up all day with him around. He really has a great personality. Most of all Ryan loves his new baby sister. I mean he is absolutly CRAZY about her! He sings songs to her and kisses her when ever he gets the chance. He will be VERY protective of her- I'm sure.