raise your hand if you wish it were christmastime all year.

some of our christmas fun...

lights at temple square

gingerbread house making

christmas tree picking

snow fun

holiday parties

{dortch's-(my mama's side)}

{keke loves his uncle mark. seriously loves.}

{so fun to see everyone and all the new babies.}

{we had a talent show at the party. max showed everyone how fast he could put together a lego hero factory toy and maddy rode his scooter while answering math problems.=)}

{rose sang a christmas song and skye read some shel silverstein poems. so darling, the both of them.}

{skye's face....santa left a bag outside.;)}

{pitts' party}

{i love mark's parent's house at chrismastime too. it's so elegant, even the basement.}

{father george giving one his great christmas messages.}

{present exchange.}

{thrilled.}

snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes.

christmastime. so many things i love-- shopping, baking/eating, the smell of christmas trees, gift giving, good music, old movies, the boys christmas programs & artwork.  also, i LOVE my home all done up in the spirit of christmas. it's so warm, cozy and cheery. my favorite.

{max & mad were in charge of the tree decorating this year.}

{they took it extremely seriously...}

{and took great care in the placement of the ornaments.=)}

{christmas movie watching with my sick boy.}

{gifts for teachers and other school personnel. there are so many people at that school that help and are so good to my max, from the office secretaries to the custodian. very thankful for them.}   

{chocolate gravy :: pie ::  mark's mom's toffee--the best. i gained ten lbs on this alone, and i'm not much of a toffee kind of girl.}

{christmas buddha...mad's idea.}

{1. "christmas in a nutshell" from grams 2. sentimental nativity 3. christmas legos by max 4. <3}

{i'm still going to make everyone one.;) :: tree card holder with lovely cards of lovely people.}

{cozy socks ::  tree scented candles (all year) :: christmas music on the record player...thanks dee, i loved.=)}

{i love that max's teacher had them draw themselves at the beginning of the year and then has them add costumes according to the holiday.}

{shopping with rosie girl.}

{our house the last month.}

{madden playing santa.}

{great songs for the season...in case you're still in the mood, like i am.}

a moment of silence.

'tis the time of year that we remember a piece of me that was lost in a tragic accident with a rotary cutter just three years ago.  dear, little piece of my finger: you are still greatly missed.

{the blanket was well worth it, though. merry christmas to markus.}

on a serious note: we lost a dear member of our family yesterday, cozmo. the first grandbaby and the best dog ever.  i will miss him bed-hopping all night long to snuggle feet at chrismastime.

happy birthday, little one.

*update: little miss no name is now, the most precious,

lucy {lulu} belle

12.7.2011

8 lbs 9 oz

welcome to this world, sister girl.<3

a little star, indeed, baby & mama. 

jo had all of us waiting for what has seemed like two years to find out if it would be a boy or a girl.  some people were expecting a boy, hence the reason this darling, little thing has yet to be named.;) that sister of mine is no weakling, though. she delivered au naturale at home.  proud of you, little sister. 

folk my life, it's cold outside.

songs that warm this little heart of mine...

{some great ones.}

i'm fond of this talent too...reminds me of summer camp.

and for you, dad. one of my favorite and best singing one of your favorite and best.=)