Ho! Ho! Ho!

There are a few traditions that are paramount to the holiday season and must be done every year: decorate the house and put up the Christmas tree (keeping the cussing to a minimum while wondering how in the hell you managed to get the tree straight with all the lights on like last year), tune your radio to the Christmas station and get "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" stuck in your head for at least three weeks, bake Christmas cookies (hopefully not eating more than you give away), and of course...the obligatory trip to the mall with a picture on Santa's lap.


I've always had these grand delusions of dressing Presley in the perfect Christmas outfit, strolling her through the mall, watching the huge smile on her face as we round the corner to see Santa sitting in his gigantic chair, gently placing her on his lap as she turns to give him a big hug. In this dream she softly whispers "I love you, Santa" and my heart melts as I remember just how wonderful it is to believe and be caught up in this magical holiday season. After the perfect picture is taken, the one with a huge smile on her face, we blow Santa a kiss and tell him that we can't wait to leave him cookies on Christmas Eve.

I think this is every mother's dream. Unfortunately that's all it is...a dream. It comes from the same part of the brain that tells us childbirth is painless, we can control our child when they start to cry in a public place, and my house will always be clean...even with a baby/toddler.


Well, today we set out to check off one of our holiday traditions. On this very day, so many children were happily doing the exact same thing.


Any guesses on what happened with Presley???
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.You guessed it!!! Dream squashed!

But she is so darn cute, even screaming as she is terrified sitting with Santa.
One screaming baby on Santa's lap...yes. A Christmas memory I will cherish forever...you bet!!!

Thanksgiving 2010

Sweet girl in her brand new bunny boots.

Nikki, Shirley, and Amy...all in pink!


These are the place cards I made for everyone at the table. They're mini apple pies in 4 oz. jelly jars. A yummy little treat to let everyone know how thankful we were to have them with us on Thanksgiving.

Turkey cupcake place cards for all the kids

Our dinner menu for the evening.

The product of all our hard work for the day.

Ready to eat!

Everyone minus Darrel, who was taking the picture for us.

Blaine and Larry

Presley holding Mommy and Daddy's hand.

The dessert table: lemon and strawberry cake balls, cherry cream cheese pie, pecan bourbon pie, chocolate pecan bourbon pie, caramel apple cheesecake, pumpkin cheesecake, and vanilla ice cream. We were definitely not short on sweets.

Mimi and Presley