Family Photos

Are not our forte.  TG and I have hardly any photos of us before we had Riley.  Neither one of us is big into taking pictures.  Even after we had Riley we had trouble remembering to take them on big holidays.  Last year my uncle (on my Dad's side) firmly reminded me to get one since we were all together.  I made it happen, but it wasn't easy.

No one on TG's side is big into family photo ops either and we were running late for church on Christmas day, but with Papa's help we quickly set up his tripod and snapped one for the memory books.

That picture behind us on the mantle used to be in TG's family's house in Kansas.  There is a really old photo of just he and I (like I said one of maybe 10) in front of it somewhere out in cyber space.  I need to dig it up.  It always makes me laugh when I see that art piece in our photos though because when my Dad saw that photo of the two of us many years ago he said, "You look nice.  Was Olive Garden good?"

Yes Dad, Olive Garden was good this year.  Riley especially enjoyed it.  :)


Riley was cute as could be in her dress, but little man's suit was so darling. He knew he was fancified and kept strutting around the house admiring himself and his new "SHOES!".   I swear he even walked a little taller that day.

We didn't get a great picture of the four of this year and I almost didn't share this one here because it's not great.  TG is squinting, Cam is fussing, Riley is staring off into space and I have a double chin.  Eeesh.


But we got a really cute one of the kids with their Gigi and Papa that totally made up for it.  Am I the only one that thinks my kids look like twins?

Do you take holiday photos?  How did they turn out?

Merry, Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas.  Well, it started out a little rocky, due to another one of my neuroses, but it was wonderful other than that.

The kids woke up around 7:30 which is a perfectly acceptable time in my opinion. However, I thought I heard Riley awake at 4:00 am and I went in to check on her and then couldn't fall back asleep for a bit. So by 7:30 when they were awake I was so sound asleep that poor TG thought he'd just let me sleep. Little did he know that seeing their faces as they discovered Santa had been there was number one on my list of priorities.

I can't imagine what it's like to be married to me sometimes because I can be a bit of a wild card. (Those of you that know me just laughed I'm sure). So when TG came up to wake me he was NOT expecting me to go from sound asleep, to complete confusion, to sobbing in the bathroom in 60 seconds.

I know it's ridiculous, but my favorite part of Christmas now that I'm a mother is seeing their faces and the excitement they feel when they see the tree full of presents for the first time. All I could think as the tears rolled down my face was there was no way to get that moment back.

Thankfully Riley and Camden came up just in time for me to pull myself together and get a good dose of perspective in the form of two healthy, happy children who just couldn't wait to get me down the stairs to see that Santa had come. Poor hubs was so apologetic that I felt horrible for reacting the way I did and I quickly got myself ready to go downstairs.

 Little man was delighted with the hot wheels he found in his stocking.
 

And of course he was thrilled with his "BALL!"

So imagine his excitement when he discovered that his ball came with a hoop too!

Gigi and Papa got him a STRIDER and he hopped on there like a big boy yelling "BIIII-KUH!"

Riley was very much into Christmas this year and fully understood that it was baby Jesus' birthday and that Santa comes too.   She sang carols all month, helped buy and wrap gifts for her friends, shopped for Salvation Army angel kids, and helped me deck the halls.  It was such fun to have a little partner to partake in all the joys of Christmas.

My favorite memory of this holiday though was watching her learn about giving and the importance of helping others.  Her preschool had each child stuff a stocking for the county homeless group.  We shopped for some fun things at Target together, but when I went to turn it in I noticed something stuffed into the top.  When I opened the stocking to look I discovered one of Riley's Barbie dolls in there.  When I asked her about it she said, "I have lots Mommy and this little girl might not have any and well I thought she might like to have one."  My heart swelled with pride at her willingness to give to someone else in a time where many children can only think about getting.

Don't get me wrong though, she was definitely excited about getting a gift from Santa.  For a while she would change her answer every time we asked what she wanted from the big man.  Then with two weeks to go she decided all she wanted was "an Ar-wee-el wedding' dress that I can wear".  Santa didn't let her down and he even threw in a bouquet and wedding veil too!

She was so excited to get the Barbie Princess Charm School Blair doll and we were thankful Gigi and Papa snagged that doll early because she was sold out when I tried to find it!

Gigi and Papa were in NYC for Thanksgiving and made a special trip to the American Girl store to make a itty bitty Riley baby doll just for her. She's not big into dolls usually, but she loves her "Lilly Pillia" doll and changes her outfits regularly. I can't wait until she's a bit older so we can have tea in the store near us!

Our children were showered with many special and thoughtful gifts and had a magical Christmas day. We are so thankful to our families who love our children and were a big part in making their day so wonderful.

I hope your family had a very Merry Christmas too!

Christmas Tour Part 2

There were tons of other details around the house that I didn't have time to photograph before it was time to prepare for the return to work. But just before I packed them away I did haul out my camera so I could share the kids trees with you. 

You didn't think their rooms went undecked with boughs of holly did you?

Of course my babies had a bit of their own Christmas cheer in their rooms! Technically there was no holly, but both of their doors were adorned with a small sparkly red bow that Riley picked out from AC Moore and they both had their own mini trees.

A sports themed, Patriots tree for him.

A very special Pittsburgh Steelers tree for her.

TG has had the Patriots candy cane ornaments for a few years and I was happy to banish them to Camden's room. I found all the sports ornaments in the dollar section at Michaels. He was so smitten with those ornaments, especially the basketball. Every time we went in his room he would point at that tree and say, "Ball? Ball? Ball?" I made sure to stock up on extras for the years to come.

Aunt Tata handmade all of Riley's Steelers ornaments and let me just tell you how excited the princess was to have a tree full of "Hipsburgh Steelers". She was so sad when it was time to take it down. Just before I did she looked at the tree lovingly, sighed, and sang, "Hipsburgh Steelers Number One!".

Christmas Footies

This will be the last year I can get away with matching footies for my babies on Christmas. Putting Riley in the 5T size was a stretch this year as it was. I know there are plenty of other cute Christmas pj options, but man, cute kids in footies on Christmas is my personal favorite.

Exhibit A.
 

Riley asked us to take her picture with Elfie before he made his last trip back to the North Pole.

We convinced them to stay cute for a family photo.

They also happily posed with their Gigi and Papa.

Even Lolo got in on the photo fun!

Before we got one last photo and headed up to bed.

Christmas Eve 2011

I feel like December just flew by. I was so busy working on Christmas decor projects, shopping, getting our cards sent out, and baking treats that when I stopped for a breath it was already Christmas Eve.

Of course, true to my family tradition I went out and did a bit more shopping on Christmas Eve morning, but I was home in time for a warm fire, cookie baking with Riley, magic reindeer food, and some playtime outside.

Every year our cookies look a little nicer. We made sugar cookie cutouts and liberally decorated them with the easy frost icing (a genius invention), sprinkles and glitter.

Of course Riley had to taste test them to make sure they were good enough for Santa. I asked her what she thought and she said, "Pretty good, don't you think?"

This year we had an extra helper on quality control duty!

While a yummy dinner of chicken tortilla soup was bubbling on the stove we bundled the kids up and went outside to burn some extra energy.

They got right to work and chased after balls.

Took a swing.

And tried to score goals on TG.

We came in just as it got dark so she could throw out the magic reindeer food (while her Mommy took pictures with a camera she forgot to preset again.)

While Camden, who is still a bit young for the concept of reindeer read a Santa book with his Gigi and Daddy.

Before we knew it, it was time to put their Christmas jammies on. Riley raced up the stairs because she was ready to go to sleep so Santa could come.

After Camden was in bed she and I sang Christmas carols back and forth instead of her usual lullaby. It was only a few minutes before she was sound asleep and the loading of presents under the tree and last minute wrapping of gifts began!  TG and I had done most of our work beforehand so we were happily snuggled on the couch, watching a movie by 9:00.  It was the perfect Christmas Eve.

Merry December 18!

My parents were here the week before Christmas to meet the newest member of our family, my sister's little girl, Eva. Isn't she the cutest thing ever? I am completely smitten with her. COMPLETELY. Riley thinks her very first cousin is adorable too.

Anyway, since they weren't going to be here for Christmas Day we decided to pull a Modern Family move and have a Merry December 18th! Honestly, it was just about as wonderful as an actual Christmas together.

While we waited on our pizza delivery Riley and my mom assembled the gingerbread village.

There was a little candy thief as well whose arm was just long enough to reach the gumdrop bowl.

TG always looks so darn cute holding a new baby. He was trying to introduce Camden to Eva, but Cam was busy eating gingerbread house candy.

After we ate we headed out to open presents in the living room. We used my self timer to get a family photo first.

Camden got a huge dump truck. He was in heaven and kept pushing it around saying "da-ump ta-wuck". 

 Riley of course got a Barbie, among other wonderful gifts.  

 Like a very much loved Cinderella clock.


We rounded out the night with some delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies and time together as a family.  It was the best December 18th ever.

Halau Christmas

While Gammy and Gampy were here we went to my aunt's halau Christmas party. TG and I were a bit nervous about how the littles would behave, but other than the one incident when Camden tried to sneak out of the party room and out the front door the kids did great and we had so much fun!

There was tons of yummy food (oh the kahlua pig, rice and family potato salad), live music and other little friends to play with!

Camden entertained himself by jumping up, down and all around.

A group of older girls shared their crayons with Riley and she happily colored while we finished eating.

Camden loved the live music.

And then...SANTA CAME!!!! Riley was beside herself with delight. She was jumping up and down, waving her arms and saying, "Santa! Hey, it's me Riley Kalei! Hi Santa! HI!".

Obviously, she jumped right up there when it was her turn. She laughed loudly at all his jokes and was so thankful for the gift he brought her. She kept saying in awe, "I can't believe he brought this just for me. It's the perfect gift. I love it so much." It was a sweet moment.

No fear here! Camden hated the mall Santa, but after he had time to watch all the other kids get their gifts he decided he wasn't so bad and climbed up there.

It was a late night for our babies, but we were so glad we went.  My parents said it was the favorite part of their whole trip to see everyone, eat yummy food, and see my kids so excited over Santa Claus.  It was a wonderful start to the holiday party season!