Traditions

delivering the goodies

Olivia telling me which house to deliver to next

The happy little elves

After we had Olivia I started to think of traditions that I would like to have for our family. It starts on Thanksgiving where we donate food to the Boy Scouts to distribute to our local food pantries. Olivia loves picking out the food that she thinks other people might like. Right before Christmas we spend 2 days making cookies, fudge, ( not chocolate covered pretzels) and peppermint bark. Olivia and I and now Blake pack up all the goodies in our wagon to give out to our neighbors. This year Olivia turned to me and said "mom, doesn't it just feel good to give to other people?" With tears in my eyes I gave her the biggest hug and thought I guess I am doing something right.

We also have traditions that were mine as a kid and now have been passed onto my own. Such as I always place my parents' angel on the top of their tree with a picture to document, and now so does Olivia on our tree. We always eat turkey with all the fixins and MUST have celery with cream cheese for an appetizer. We whip our own cream in my grandmother's red bowl, which didn't work this year since light cream was bought, oh well we tried. We have English Christmas crackers that always have a little prize in them with a ridiculous paper crown which inevitably turns Victor into Jughead.

And lastly the blessed matching Christmas jammie tradition. And yes, Victor does wear them as long as they don't get posted on Facebook. Alison, don't get any ideas...we'll be heading to divorce court!

We hope everyone enjoyed their own holiday traditions, and maybe made some new ones. Happy New Year and I am sure funny New Year pics to follow as we were out with the Campos and Berlin clans!

Snow much fun!

I made the mistake of telling Olivia we could go outside after it stopped snowing. So when she excitedly looked out the window and exclaimed "let's go!" it was at that exact moment that not only did Blake wake up but it was also sleeting. Anyway it took us about 15 minutes to get all the gear on, and then we lasted about 20 minutes outside!
I love this pic of Blake, how cute in the bibs!
getting on the gear

building "Snowy"

Snow Angel

Christmas Angel

Olivia's school does a Christmas play and she chose to be one of the angels. Her teachers did an awesome job having each kid practice all the parts of the play and then the day of they got to choose the part they wanted. Victor and I tried to coach her as the part of Mary, but when asked "why the angel?" She responded "have you seen the costume?" The play, of course, made me tear up, man I am such a sap! They even had shepards and innkeepers, so cute. And the best part was Olivia asking what "frankensex" was?? Wishing us a merry Christmas, with Peter the shepard.

The real deal

Such cherubs

or not...

Campos Christmas Party

Every year the Campos family graciously hosts a Christmas party for the "bbq" friends. We had good food, great drinks, and even better company. The kids had a wonderful time trashing Ava's room, well that is until Santa arrived. Olivia hid in Ava's room, watching Tinkerbell, while Blake looked on quite wearily. Matteo bit Rose and Ava clung to her as though Santa may take a chunk out of her as well. Pete yelled 'hey that's daddy!" and Gabriella said "that's it, this is all I am getting?" Classic. Daddy and Boolah

Mommy trying to put on Olivia's new bracelet

Blake and the Dora kitchen

So much sibling love...

Got You All Beat!

I had these great pictures from my birthday and tree trimming, but definitely had to fore go them for this beauty. Such torture, but quite funny. Blake was so happy before sitting on the big guy's lap. Check out the white knuckles on the Elmo radio, and his other hand pushing Santa away! Poor boy, but again, hilarious! (If you are wondering where Olivia was, she wouldn't even get out of the stroller!)