Christmas Eve

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,

But the fire is so delightful,

And since there's no place to go,

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

God hears every prayer.

Since we couldn't go home for Christmas, I prayed that we'd have snow.

Fa La La La La...

I'm so ashamed....

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Funniest Story...

I don't know how it happened, but my brother and sister had the six cutest kids in the world...and I really don't think many kids are cute. Actually, I think MOST kids are weird looking and will usually brush off any obligatory "cute" comment with an ambiguous, "Aw, look at them!" So if I've said your kids are cute or adorable, I really did mean it.

BUT This is Sami, my little sister's daughter.

She has a lisp.

She screeches.

She has a HUGE pouty lip.

She believes that she is an actual princess.
She eats more ice cream than Ben AND Jerry.

She wears big girl Dora panties.

She stutters when she gets excited.

And I want to bite those chubby cheeks right off her face. Even if they are caked with yogurt and play doh.

Irresistible.

When Kory and I went to my parents' house for Thanksgiving, I got tons of kisses and hugs and tickles. And not nearly enough Aunt Jenny time. With any of them.

One morning, though, I made a huge Aunt Jenny breakfast: bacon, eggs, toast, and mini pancakes slathered in syrup. Sami ate, as she always does, with gusto and pizazz (remember the cheeks?)

But when I was cleaning up with my mom, Sami came in the kitchen with no less than a scowl on her face. "I don't want my meat."

huh?

"I don't want my meat."

My mom and I looked at each other, realizing she must have squirreled away a piece of bacon. "Okay, but what's wrong with it?"

"Ith's in hith mouf."

and she visciously pointed to this...

Can't imagine what happened...

O Christmas Tree

Since my husband is a bit on the Christmas tree allergic side, and he's already sick from traveling 640670670576 miles to visit my side of the family for Thanksgiving, I figured I'd "sacrifice" and get a fake tree this year. And then, after looking at the most pathetic looking, cheap plastic yet ridiculous price tags, is-that-color-really-green-or-dark-teal trees, I decided that if I'm going fake, I'm going all the way. Here's the result...

I actually love it, even though I thought I'd hate it, and Kory really likes it a lot, too.

And a few nieces and nephews thrown in the mix...wish they were here to celebrate with me...

Oh God, for these I am thankful...