24 - Twas the night before Christmas

 Happy Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

~24~

Jack, snug as a bug in his Christmas PJs, with Daddy for the annual reading of "The Night Before Christmas." (From Pop pop's childhood Christmas book.)

After Jack went to bed, we enjoyed gluhwein and this:

And then we did this:

23 - Santa Claus is coming town...

Today was a crazy day of last minute errands, one temper tantrum, and cleaning....I am so looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the next couple of days with family and friends!

~23~

22 - James Brown

Here are a couple of clips of Jack grooving to James Brown's Soulful Christmas, his favorite song of the moment. 

(Please excuse the mouth full of grilled cheese.) 

:)

~22~

Kitty Update:

I posted fliers around the neighborhood and posted in the lost and found section on Craigslist...so far no calls.  He really is making himself at home...he's been sleeping ALL day. Oh, and Jack was enthralled by him.

21 - House guest

Tonight, just as Rob and I were about to eat dinner, we heard crying from outside our door. We opened it and there on our front step was this friendly guy. It's freezing cold outside, and the poor thing was starving so we let him in.  Not knowing quite what to do with a cat, but not wanting to turn him away, (he doesn't even have a collar) we called Rob's mom for advice.  In the end, Rob went out to get him some cat food which he scarfed down.  Now he's going to spend the night and we'll see what happens tomorrow... we have already named him, though. 

~21~

Our little visitor.

20 - First Snow

Even though it was just a dusting, we still bundled Jack up tonight for a short little romp in the snow. He had fun running his fingers through it and checking out his footprints in the driveway. 

~20~

Brrrrr.

Checking out the snow.

Jack didn't want to take his hat off once we came inside.

That's ok.  It's cute on him and he knows it.

Checking on dinner. Is it ready yet???

19 - Sandies

This is my Nana's recipe for finger cookies, also known as Sandies. They are so simple and delicious!  

~19~

Sandies

Makes about 2 ½ dozen

1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened

1/3 cup sugar

2 tsp water

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Confectioners’ sugar to coat

Cream butter and sugar.  Add water and vanilla. Mix well. Mix in flour and nuts. Chill dough for 3 hours. Shape into desired shape (ball, crescent, log).  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.  Cool slightly.  While still a little warm, roll in powdered sugar.

18 - Family Portrait

~18~

Family Portrait.

17 - Visit with Santa

I guess Friday morning is the perfect time to visit Santa at the mall.  There was no line at all, so we just plunked Jack right on his lap. I wasn't sure how he'd handle it...we've all seen the hilarious pictures of toddlers clawing their way away from the scary guy in the red suit, but Jack didn't mind at all.  To be honest, I was a little (a very little) disappointed that we won't have that story to tell. But we do have a picture of a very smiley Jack with Santa, so I will happily take that.

~17~

Jack's first visit with Santa.

16 - My favorite flower

I am finally starting to feel like myself after this awful sinus infection. Yay!  It's so nice to be back in the land of the living! Jack and I actually got out and did some major Christmas shopping this morning. Jack always attracts so much attention when we're out. He's so content sitting in the shopping cart, flirting with little girls, singing songs, and saying hi to everyone. 

~16~

Rob came home with flowers a couple of nights ago to cheer me up.

15 - Candy dish

~15~

Mint M&Ms.  Yum.

14 - Flashback

~14~

Jack's first Christmas - 2008, Thousand Oaks, CA.

13 - DIY Wreath

Even though I've been sick all week and I've barely left the house, I did manage to finish a little project that I had going on. I worked on it after Jack was in bed (Rob even helped a little). I saw this a few weeks ago, and I thought I'd give it a try. It involved lots of yarn and way more pom poms than I ever thought that I would need.  I am really happy with how it turned out though...

~13~

My pom pom wreath.

12 - Unser kleiner Junge

Today Jack kept a tradition alive...he tried on Lederhosen that Rob's parents bought in Nuremberg in 1975. They were living in Ansbach, Germany at the time when they bought them for Brandon. At one point Rob, then Alex wore them and now it's Jack's turn. 

~12~

Look at those knees!!!

11 - Fresh Air

This morning we finally got out of the house! It warmed up enough to head to the park. Jack was so excited to have a chance to run around, and for me, I was just happy to be out in the fresh air. 

~11~

Wheeeee!

Walking in a winter wonderland (minus the snow).

Shoulders.

10 - Feeling better

Today, after I had a coughing attack (I am so sick of this sinus infection!), Jack said to me in his adorable little voice, "you ok Mommy?" It was so sweet and it definitely made me feel better.

~10~

Rob made these fish tacos tonight for dinner.  They made me feel better too. :)

9 - In the bath

~9~

Mohawk.

8 - Wordless Wednesday

~8~

Up from his nap.

He's excited to show me the lady bug on his window.

A smile on command!

7 - Unrelated picture

Today was a day of waiting rooms and pharmacy stops...We found out that both Rob and I have sinus infections while Jack has a minor cold which explains why he is not miserable like Rob and me. Then, this afternoon Jack had his two year check up. Of course, he was fascinated by the Doctor's light that she used to check his ears out with. 

Here are his stats: 

Weight: 27 lbs 6 ounces (50%)  

Height: 36.5 inches (90%...we all know he's going to be tall!)

~7~

Jack and our tree.

6 - A Pajama kind of day

The three of us are sick. It's one of those days where the PJs and the TV are staying on...Despite all of the sneezing and coughing, Jack seems to be his normal happy self.  He's a little trooper.  Rob and me?   Not so much.

~6~

Jack and Thomas.

5 - An almost perfect Sunday

Decorating the tree, fire in the fireplace, carols playing, gluhwein simmering on the stove equals an almost perfect Sunday.  (Perfect would be if we didn't all have colds...At least the gluhwein makes my throat feel a little better.)   

~5~

Ornament.