5 on FRIDAY {December Edition}

Happy Friday, Friends!

And not only is it Friday, but it's the last day before my hubby starts Christmas break!  No working for 2 weeks:-)  No alarm clocks (but who needs those anyways when you have a 2 year old.)  No packing lunches and no ironing shirts for TWO WHOLE WEEKS!

So, in the spirit of Christmas here's my five on Friday!

{ONE}

We are a tad bit obsessed with flavored creamers in this household.  I counted five in our fridge at one point in November.  We were cherishing the Pumpkin Spice Latte creamer, while getting a little anxious for Christmas and buying Peppermint Mocha prematurely.  And also getting caramel macciato (5 pts to whoever can spell it!) to go with our PSL flavored coffee thanks to Michelle (MM) who got me addicted to that:-)  We have a problem.  Peppermint Mocha is so perfect this time of year. 

{TWO}

Are any of you as crazy as I am with taking photos of your children?  I love capturing them at this stage especially around Christmastime!

{THREE} 

My all time favorite Christmas cookie this year has been Jam Thumbprint cookies.  Have you tried these before?  They are so good addicting!  Here's the RECIPE we use.

{FOUR}

One of my favorite parts of December is getting my mail.  It's so much fun to see pictures of family and friends and be able to keep in touch.  (My amazing sister Katie made this barn door, from scratch.  She's THAT GOOD!  Want one?  Visit "Katie Lynn" on Facebook and put in an order.)

{FIVE}

Cocoa.  Our little Elf Dude;-)

A.K.A. "Tocoa"- Anya.

Every morning (Daddy) hides Cocoa, and it's so exciting for Anya (and me) to see where he's hiding.  We did this last year and it's a neat tradition we've continued this year.  We keep it very simple.  Typically he's just hiding somewhere downstairs.  Every now and then I steal a mischievous idea off Pinterest or Facebook.  Sometimes I'll have Cocoa "whisper" in my ear something that makes Jesus happy that he saw Anya doing.  The other day she went potty and gets an M&M and she said "Mommy I took one M&M not two.  That's makes Jesus soooo happy."  LOL!

Happy Friday!!

10 on 10:: December 2013

Oh boy, I'm now 5 days overdue for this post.  Happy BELATED 10th to everyone:-)

I guess that just proves my lack of time for myself with my two little blessings.  But I wouldn't have it any other way!  Love those two!

Without anymore delay...I now present to you a sneak peek into our life.

***Baby Oliver now wakes up from nap and is crying....He must have read my mind when I said "without delay!"***

1.)  The tenth fell on a Tuesday this month, and Tuesdays mean Women's Bible Study day!! This bundle of love, he steals my heart everyday.  It was so cold, we are talking like 3 degrees, so he got to wear his snowsuit:-)

2.)  Anya was excited to give her cookies she made to her teachers at church.  

3.)  Our Women's group had a Christmas party at church.  We had a breakfast buffet and did a White Elephant exchange with nice items others would like to have or can use.  I love these girls and don't know what I'd do without them in my life!!!  (This was my favorite picture out of the series we took because our smiles were the most "real".  We were laughing because my camera was on the timer setting mode and so whenever she-Thanks Erin! would go to take the picture my camera would surprise her and kept snapping pictures on auto every 10 seconds.)  Thanks Ladies for being troopers and letting me take a picture.  Not shown are some more wonderful ladies in my group: Jessica, Sarah, and our leader Terri!

 4.)  When we get home from church, first thing we do is let this snow bear outside.  He loves rolling around in the snow and gets the "zooms" when he comes back inside.

 5.)  Lunchtime with my lovely!  She now insists on making her own sandwich almost daily.  Love her independence!

 6.)  My little dude is still loving the Moby. I love that he loves to snuggle.  I didn't get that with Anya!

 7.)  Oliver loves showing off his moves!  I snapped this picture just before rolling over.  You go boy!

8.)  Anya and I made a paper Gingerbread house out of a graham cracker box.  It turned out cute.  I tried to make a gingerbread house out of graham crackers and had an epic Pinterest fail.  I wish I took pictures.  Pinterest made it look so easy.  HA!!

9.)  I love how my day revolves around these two.  Oliver is loving those fingers!  He still takes a paci, but I wonder for how much longer.

10.) We've been sneaking bites of these yummy Christmas cookies Anya and I have been making.  They are peanut butter Buckeyes, Jam Thumbprint cookies (My fave!) and Egg Nog cookies.  

I wish I got a picture of us at our couple's bible study that night, and Auntie Kates when she came over.  

Hope you are having a great December so far!  Merry 10th!

Christmas Past

Tis' the season for comparison pictures.  This will be the 13th Christmas that I've spent with Josh...THIRTEENTH!  I wish I had pictures from our first Christmas together. I wonder if I do somewhere?!  I thought it would be fun (mainly for me) to gather randoms of us from throughout the years.  

1.) Our first Christmas in our house 2.) Charlie was our baby 3.) Christmas at my Grandma's house
4.) It's a girl! 5.) Anya's 1st Christmas 6.) Before Christmas Eve service 7.) Decorating at my in-laws 8.) Christmas at my parent's house 9.) On our path 10.) Christmas with Cocoa the Elf 11.) Anya at 18 months 12.) Christmas 2012 13.) At church 14.) Pregnancy announcement with Oliver!  That red bow has meaning...we used it with Anya's announcement too!  I can't wait to add pictures of Oliver to our Christmas!

Little O is 4 months!

Dear Oliver, 

You are FOUR months old today!!! 

 You are such a happy baby and so easy to make smile.  I love it!!! 

Likes: Blowing bubbles, Anya, Noise and being in on all of the action, Sitting in your high chair, Baths, sucking fingers, Moby Wrap
Dislikes: Hide-n-seek:*( (Daddy and Anya jumped out from behind the curtain and scared him!) Not being held

You are in size 6-9 month clothes already!  Monday is your 4 month appointment and I'm excited to see how much you weigh.  You are one chunky monkey!  I'm guessing 17lbs???  Last week you went through a growth spurt!  You started to sleep in your crib for part of the night, the other part you sleep with me....my cuddle buddy.  I think you are sort of starting to get on a schedule.  I've had two days now that you and Anya took naps AT THE SAME TIME!  That never happens.  I really hope this is a routine that will continue.

I just love your sweet personality.  You adore your sister and love watching her.  I can tell you are going to love playing with her.  I put your high chair right by her and she plays with your toys on your tray and tries to get you to play with them.  You just watch her.  It's adorable!

This month is going to be so much fun with your first Christmas! I can't wait:-)

Love,
Mommy

iPhone Dump...November 2013 Sights!

Date night with Hubby at Seasons 52

Hurricane hair that I love so much...

 My heart melts when she says she wants to read her Bible...

 Gigi and Oliver

 Halfway dressed like Cinderella

 I told her to put her hands on her hips...

 Still can't believe she's potty trained.  

 She got herself dressed! I love the patterns;-)

 Oliver's dedication cupcakes.  I forgot to take a picture when the tower was full;-(

 Organizing our garage, Oliver fell asleep in the Moby... I love his sweet face.

 Miss Sassy Pants

Date night at an Italian Pub before seeing Miss Saigon

Anya reasing "Brown Bear, Brown Bear".  (HELP...why is there no sound?)

Happy birthday to Grandpa Harrington!  He would be 92 years old today.  Oliver's middle name, James, was named after him.  He was a WW2 Navy vet, a loving grandfather, organized and well spoken, and very involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren.  He was also a true gentleman to my Grandma for 54 years! I miss you Grandpa!!