Christmas Catch-up: Part I

As much as I want to start fresh with 2012, I just can't let two Christmases go by without a mention. I'll try to be brief! Have to begin with our now annual family date to see ICE! at the Gaylord. It's two million pounds and 14,000 square feet of sculpted ice, complete with slides, kept at a wintry nine degrees. The crowds can be brutal, but the Gaylord at Christmas is amazing and definitely gets you in the spirit. We love that daddy treats us to this each year and can't wait for Annsley to get in on the fun.

2010 - A Charlie Brown Christmas

2011 - Shrek the Halls

The exit scene
(When asked what her favorite part was, Grace replied, "Baby Jesus...it's his birthday!"

Another tradition, of course, is going to see Santa Claus. I keep expecting skepticism and tears and the classic screaming pic, but so far we've been all smiles for the guy. Thanks to GramB for our fun outfits each year!

Excited to introduce Santa to sissy-bo

So, a common occurrence for us leading up to the holidays is a scramble to get Christmas cards out. Not surprisingly, we always wait 'til the very last minute to do our family pics. :) We're blessed to have a very sweet, talented friend take these for us. Don't have a picture of the actual cards sent, but here's a mini-collection of the photos:

2010

2011
(Not to fear, Annabelle is still with us...just did a little wandering that day)

Part II, the actual Christmas celebrations, to follow shortly. I hope. :)

Encouragement

I promise, I have a true post coming soon. In the meantime, though, thought I'd share two posts from real bloggers that I've read (thanks to FB) in the last week and found encouraging:

http://godcenteredmom.com/2012/01/09/that-kid-of-that-mom/

http://momastery.com/blog/2012/01/04/2011-lesson-2-dont-carpe-diem/
*I see both sides of this one overall, but there are days I can definitely appreciate her perspective!

So glad there are people out there much more gifted at putting thoughts together than I am. :)

I'm back!

Okay, after almost a year of blog abandonment, I think I'm ready to get back to it. :) As we know, quite a bit has transpired. Like, Grace is a full blown two-year-old and we have a whole other child! I've given up hopes of going back and filling in all the gaps. Just not gonna happen. Instead, I'll try to sneak them in (on a smaller scale) via throwbacks in my new posts. I'm sure most of you have given up on me by now, so this is really more for my own records than anything. I'd had hopes of turning this blog into a baby book of sorts (someday) and poor Annsley has zero mention.

I have to say, it's pretty humbling reading back through some of my old posts and seeing how Grace-centered they are. I mean, of course I love her to pieces and think she's the sweetest, cutest, smartest thing ever. And feel the same about her sister. I also understand that (1) every parent feels that way and (2) no one else, except maybe grandparents, really cares to know every detail of our children's greatness. First-time-mommyhood is just funny in retrospect. :) Hopefully I am more aware this time around. In any case, here's to better follow-through in 2012!

*Please note our blog address has changed to davidandthedames.blogspot.com.