All I want for Christmas...

...is to get this kid out of diapers.

It looks pretty promising, no?

Please, Santa. I have been good.

Little cups

She so innocently asks,

"Daddy, why are you drinking out of little cups?"

Happy Day, friends.

The Spirit of Christmas...Memory #86 and #87

There have been a number of things that have brought a lump of joy to my throat in recent years regarding the children...Growing older, visits with family, and dance recitals, to name a few.

This past weekend, it happened again.

Conor, I don't know if it was how your face lit up when you saw him in person, how you yelled "Dat Dat" in excitement, or just the sweet way you reached for his hand, but I will always remember this year as the Christmas you met Santa.

And sweet Kate...this was the year you made your first Gingerbread House.

It's as sweet and beautiful as you are!

Family Tree Farm

For years following Thankgiving, I have spent hours constructing an artificial tree to kick off Christmas. The kids have been impressed with my efforts, but it was nothing compared to the experience we shared last year when choosing and cutting our very own family tree for the first time. So, one week ago today, we loaded the turkey-filled kids and drove to continue in the new holiday tradition.

There are many things I appreciate about living in South Central, Pennsylvania, and this is one of them. Local growers who make holidays and field trips special.

True to his character, Conor immediately headed for the food, grabbing an apple to take along for the ride.

It was such an enjoyable wagon ride. We pointed out all the different types of Christmas trees from Douglas Firs, White Pines, Blue Spruce, and Concolor Firs, and finally...our choice, the Frasier Fir. All Conor could say was, "WOW!" He said it when he saw the tractor, the apples, the wagon, and the trees. He was clearly impressed. With this kind of a view, it is hard not to be.

The kids paced the rows upon rows of trees until they found the perfect one, and then declared, "This one, Daddy!"

At their instruction, Joe began to cut. And, after the tree had fallen, they celebrated!

We loaded the tree, roping, greens and berries, and then stopped for one last family picture before heading home. It was a wonderful day, more special with every year that passes.

I realized one thing while collecting this memory, these folks are a lot more than the local growers I referenced above. They are true to their name...they are family.

Let the holidays begin!