Another year over, a new one just begun

Oh, the pictures of sweet innocence, 

on a cozy, warm New Year's Eve. 

One baby sleeping, one being cute... 

Until you see what's really going on. 

Happy New Year's, everyone!

Now let's wake up sis and party! 

A Few Good Men

Harlan is going to make some lucky lady very happy one day. 

he already knows how important it is to help around the house!

He borrowed sis's mop and bucket and got straight to work!

He even knew exactly what to do and how to do it! 

He was going to take care of this mess! 

He was very serious about his job.

And already impressing all the girls!

What a heart-breaker! 

My First Haircut

The one year mark has passed, so its superstitiously safe to have Harlan's first haircut! 

Funny tradition, but we always wait until after the first birthday for any little kid's first haircut. 

Harlan did GREAT!

Just a little trim to start, then maybe Momma can get used to the idea of saying goodbye to those gorgeous locks!

Ppaw held Harlan for the grand event. 

Look at that little man!

Harlan loved his reward for being such a big boy! 

Nothing like a good sucker! 

Waverly, aka Miss Goldilocks, was due for a trim too!

Her hair is so long and beautiful! 

Of course she gets a reward sucker too! 

Hats off to you!

A few days late

Our white Christmas came a few days late. 

But beautiful, none the less!

Christmas Babies

Christmas Beauty

Christmas Baby

That's all I want for Christmas! 

Decorations of red...

On a green Christmas tree!

Merry Christmas, from the fam-i-ly!

Pappy & Nana's grand-kids, plus a couple of nieces thrown in there. 

Halelluja, everybody say cheese
Merry Christmas from the Family

Feliz Navidad!

A Family Christmas

After playing with the new things Santa brought, 

and then having a nice breakfast, 

we had our family gifts to unwrap.

Wavy liked her new light-up princess shoes, 

And Harlan liked his puzzles.

The kids were both happy with their new books, 

one about a pirate ship and one about a tractor.  

The little ship and tractor wind up and actually travel a maze in the book!

Wavy likes her special robe, with penguins and polar bears!

Harlan was ready to ride! 

Aunt Connie gave him this "umi-car", as we call it, 

for his birthday and Christmas present! 

Merry Christmas to all!

Early Christmas Morning

Listen to the children sing
Watch them dancing all 'round the Christmas tree ...
Waiting for the opening
Early Christmas morning ...

All around the world is sleeping
Little children there's no peeping
Wait and see what Santa's bringing
Early Christmas morning ...

Icicles and breakfast cakes ...
Friends and family we will celebrate
Sounds that joy and laughter make
Early Christmas morning ...

All around and far off places
Angels waken smiling faces
Wrapping us with love and graces
Early Christmas morning ...
Early Christmas morning ...

The children were nestled, all snug in their bed...

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Merry Christmas from Ella the Elf

Since its Christmas Eve, its time we say goodbye to Ella the Elf! 

Ella left a note for the kids and let them know that Santa had lifted her magic so they could give her hugs and kisses!

.

After being so patient for so long, 

since we aren't allowed to touch Ella, 

Wavy was so excited to love on her! 

Harlan had a turn to tell Ella Merry Christmas too! 

We will see you next year, Ella!

Thanks for being our good elf! 

Here comes Santa Clause...

Santa visits every year at me-maw's and pe-paw's.  

Harlan was more curious and ready to open presents, 

but Wavy was shy. 

She opened her gifts in Momma's lap while Santa handed out gifts. 

Harlan was so excited that Santa was playing with him!

We had to take the family Christmas picture with Santa!

And then Wavy got a special hug from pe-paw! 

'Tis the Season to be Jolly

Christmas Eve at Baby Gail's!

We had a nice visit with Josh and Allison, and baby Walker!

Uncle Zak was there too!  

Baby Gail was loving on all her grand kids!

Then it was time to open some presents!

The kids were loving the chaos!

Waverly was tickled to get her toys, especially the buggies on a log.  

She is very into little toys right now, so this was perfect! 

Of course, maybe we should have just given her a big box to play in.  

Harlan had fun playing with his new work truck, 

complete with hammers and a wrench and other tools. 

The maracas were the best.  The kid had a blast playing and visiting with family!

Sprinkles

I love Christmas baking of all sorts! 

Wavy wanted to help, so we did a no-bake treat! 

Campfire marshmallows dipped in chocolate, 

and then coated in sprinkles.  

Wavy loves sprinkles! That was her favorite part. 

She ate more sprinkles than she put on the marshmallows. 

That's my girl.

Dr. Wavy

Meet Dr. Wavy...

She's a relatively new physician, 

and is still learning the ropes. 

She will ask, 

"Is this your heart?" while listening to random body parts like your forehead or an elbow. 

She answers, too.  "Nooooo.  Is this your heart?" 

"Noooo....."

She always gets there in the end though.  

"Your heart sounds good".  

I think with a smile as gorgeous as this, 

she should take up dentistry.