Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Year's Eve/Day

I have a feeling it's true, but i can't quite believe that 2012 will be my best year yet! (Knock on wood)

I know I have yet to report on Christmas (and it was wonderful), but I'm skipping ahead because nastalgia like this only comes once a year...

Belle's Rules of Breaking in the New Year:


1. Always break in the New Year with the one you love


2. Never lose the wonder of starting (or seeing) something fresh


3. Stop and smell the Petunias


4. Run, don't walk into the new year!


5. Celebrate with gusto


6. Take a Break. You Deserve it.












Friday, December 16, 2011

Cookies Galore!

We have quite the little baker budding here! This week Belle attended our neighbor's annual cookie party (soooo fun!) and also helped mommy bake for our kiddie cookie exchange!


What? That is exactly the perfect amount of sprinkles.


They look as good there...


As they do here!



It's always important to clean up after a long morning of baking!


What's on the docket for tomorrow, Belle?


More winter baking? You betcha!





Thursday, December 8, 2011

And the Winter Fun Continues...



Loving the train ride at Chandler Mall. We passed Santa's Village and she said, "I want to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I want for Christmas!" After asking many times (we thought she would get upset), she sat very nicely on his lap & told him, "I want a bunny for Christmas." She said it repeatedly! Afterwards, he gave her a book to take home with a bunny in it, and now she holds the book up & proudly says, "Santa gave me a bunny!" Phew! Glad that's off our shoulders! ;)


Getting ready to bake some mint chocolate Christmas cookies!


Mmm...maybe I'll just sample a few chocolate chips


Quite the mess, but so worth it!


Especially because this big girl loves to clean so much!


And of course, the coup de grace... putting up the Christmas Tree! We drove around and looked at lights afterwards, and now she asks to see the "moving reindeer" and the "Christmas Place" (a spectacularly lit house in the Foothills. When she saw the set up she said, "I want to go to it!")


She is enthralled with the train!


And every night before bed we say, "Good Night Christmas Tree" and sing "Oh Christmas Tree"!





Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Is anyone else excited to wake up every morning lately? The weather is great, the holidays are greater & well, babies are the best! I know Belle is technically not a baby, but somehow the coming of this new little guy is reminding me of the baby she was & the baby she really still is.

Just a little recap of the fun this time of year brings! (The new blog photo is Belle & Jack at the Train Park. Thanks for making Belle a fan of trains, Jack!)


Zoo Lights!


Turkey Cookies for breakfast (the day after Thanksgiving) by the fountain outside of AJ's


"Grocery shopping" on Thanksgiving



Getting her yearly addition to "The Wall of Tall"


General merriment whilst cooking Thanksgiving dinner!


A bun in the oven...


A pie on the pan.


Fingerpainting bunnies for Grammy's Birthday!



Meeting Aunt Mary in braids. She reacted to the braids as she did pigtails. So they have only happened once, but one day, you will love braids Belle! I just know it!



Puppet Theatre with Grammy (they saw The Little Red Hen & she now calls herself that when we bake, which is her favorite activity. Perfect for pregnant me at Christmas! Baking pics to come!)


And going waaay back... all ready to go out on Mommy's Birthday!

We have so many pics right now... more baking and Christmas fun to come!