Believe in magic....

“Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Clause. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will?” - Jon Bon Jovi

One of my favorite holiday traditions is the visit to the mall for the Santa photo op. Through the years (hit the link...it's worth the look), we've had some pretty fabulous ones....this year is no exception.

The not so long wait...it helps getting there at 10am ;)

checkin' for a fake

the baby messes with the santa

The Official Shot

LOVE Mia's fake smile and Lil looks like a gangsta baby!

Merry Christmas

July 4th...Finally!

We were thrilled to spend the July 4th holiday with our friends Courtney & Harry + kids...and Erica & Dave + kids. Harry BBQ'd up some super tasty burgers and dogs. Then we all hit the HUGEMONGOUS water slide. Even Lily got her suit on and hung out in the pool with me. The last time we were over there, Mia had a rough go with the slide...got stuck at the top and it took Harry rolling with her to get her down. This time, she conquered the slide and was oh so proud of herself.

There was much chillaxin' going on...we all hung out while the kids ran themselves exhausted. The moon came out and so did the fireworks. Harry hooked Mia up with her first sparkler! She LOVED it! The guys tried to blow stuff up in the street...but never fear! Erica was there...with fire extinguisher and all :)

We had the best 4th, and we hope you did, too!

The Easter Bunny

Last week, I posted about our adventure with cascarones...this is about the Easter Bunny! "Mia, you better go to sleep, so the Easter Bunny can come'....she was out within a couple of minutes :)
When Mia woke up....she found a trail of jelly bean stuffed eggs going down the stairs and ending at a huge pink bean bag and a basket full of goodies! She was in AWE! Daryl and I really got a kick of her surprised look and how thrilled she was about everything the Easter Bunny had left for her....most of all the lil chocolate bunny...which she ate the ears off of first :) It was a toss up between the chocolate bunny and her lil wind up bunny.....but then back to the jelly beans. Her daddy sweetly held her chocolate bunny while she feasted on a couple of jelly beans. Then we all settled down, at 6am, to watch The Aristocats.

Mama helpin' a bunny out

Hello 2009!

Mia and I ended the year 2008 and started 2009 surrounded by people who love us. Our sweet Daryl has been in Kilgore, Tx (about 4 1/2 hours away) since early Sunday morning. He's out there working on a huge project, and had all his ducks in a row. If two other pieces of the puzzle would have had theirs in a row, he would have been home by Wed...New Years Eve. Well, that didn't happen, and I totally understand, but that doesn't help how much I miss him.

On to the people that have surrounded us with love...I'd like to thank some of the dearest people (and animals) in the world ~ Bonnie, Josh, Ben, Sam, Tallulah and Tucker for having us at their home, hanging with us, feeding us, and just being fabulous friends. Then there's Geni, Kell, Beckah, Noah, Miranda, Natalie, Allie, Garnier and Bill Pickles, who've generously done the same. Then today, the sweetest in-laws in the world had us over. Pawpaw had his little helper for the day and Nana had her little cook. I was able to relax and enjoy my family and some quiet time while Mia was going about her business tending to things that needed tending to.

I know down deep, that I would NOT be ok right now if it wasn't for every single one of those people...and animals.

Life is good. I have proof.

Now, since I've been so relaxed and immersed in the lives of other families, I didn't take many shots at all. None at Bonnie's, none at Geni's, and only four at Nana and Pawpaw's. So, here they are:

Winter Solstice

Even though the Winter Solstice this year was on Sunday morning, there was a Solstice party out on the lake Friday night. The Djembabes played (including a talented and soulful sax player), there was an amazingly beautiful and fluid fire dancer, food, dancing & cavorting, friends and a wonder full presence around. Sherry, my drumming instructor, has such a beautiful way with words, and one of my highlights of the evening was when she paid homage to the Earth, Seasons and Winter Solstice. The neighbors had a slight issue with the noice, but the Westlake police officers were incredibly understanding and kinda wanted to join the party :)

Here's one of my favorite links to explain what Winter Solstice is all about. Now, I need to talk with those Djembabes about back lighting on a dark night! The only decent shots are from when the fire dancers' flames got close :) As usual, there are more shots here.

Our first taste of Hanukkah

As a girl growing up in a South Texas border town, there was a HUGE catholic population. I 'knew of' a couple of Jewish families, but wasn't ever really introduced to Judaism. Until this past Friday when the Simon family hosted a little Hanukkah get together. I regret that I don't have a single shot of Geni...she was busy in the kitchen making latkes (YUM!) from scratch. Mia was entertained by the menagerie of animals...Allie the big kind dog, Garnier and Bill Pickles...guinea pigs, a cat and hamster that I didn't catch the names of. Bonnie, Kel, Geni and Bethany all shared snippets of the culture. I learned about the Maccabean Revolt against the Romans, Menorahs, dreidels, and even Shiksas :) A total crash course that I truly appreciated. Their home was decorated with a little bit of both....a Christmas tree, a Menorah (shaped like a dog), a nativity scene (with a chewed up wise man)....beautiful.

Here are a few of my fav shots...I have many more on Flickr

Jennifer's delish gingerbread dreidel and scotchie cookies

Mia played the piano, with a cat under her feet that she pet with her toes...while playing, Mia even turned the sheet music :)
LOVED Freya's dress and leggings!

one of the coolest hobby horses I've ever seen

Mia LOVED the latkes...with chunky applesauce



Miranda sculpting



here she is eye to eye with an animal...as usual :)