December

Woody's buddy, Henry

We put up our little Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving.  It brightened our home and pulled us right into the Christmas spirit!

Woody loves the Christmas tree.  The tree and Christmas lights are his favorite part of the season.  Our few ornaments got rearranged multiple times a day.

Santa and The Grinch came with us to look at Christmas lights

Wickham Park has a huge light show.  Christmas lights and being out of your car seat while car is technically still moving is Christmas magic for Woody

Christmas Light rides each night in our neighborhood

Woody had a Christmas Show at school but Dad had to work so we sent him a video the morning of

The actual Christmas Show

Adorableness everywhere

Worn out from all the angelic singing

Trip to the zoo with some buddies from school on Christmas Break

I took a total of two unblurry pictures on Christmas morning.  Whatevs.
This was his big present from his Oma and Jopa

Trying out the new scooter while wearing his new boots

"Hmmm, Mom, why does this
scooter go so slow?"

Oma upgraded him to the big boy scooter
"Now this is what a
scooter is suppose to feel like!"

The weekend after Christmas we went up to Jacksonville to see my family.  I did just as awesome with pictures up there as I did on Christmas morning.  Two pictures and a video. 

Grammie and Pops gave the kids silk scarves to play pretend with.  They were the hit of Christmas. . . along with these nerf shooter gun things from Katie and Chris

Yoga is clothing optional in our house

My boys making me breakfast

Thanksgiving

We went to see my family for Thanksgiving.  It was an emotional weekend.   We had lots of tears but also lots of laughs, hugs, love, support, and delicious food.    

 Being at my parents house is harder than at my house.  I just keep waiting for Michael to walk through the door or come out of the back bedroom.  The whole weekend I just kept feeling he was in the next room and that's why I didn't see him.  We had a house full of loving people but there was this overwhelming and deep feeling of loss weighing down on us.  Although we are each struggling in our own way with the loss of Michael, we all realize and acknowledge that we still have much to be thankful for.

Our family has always been connected to the beach.  I feel a spiritual and peaceful energy come over me when I stick my toes in the sand, close my eyes and fill my lungs with salt air and listen to the waves wash upon the shore. 

 While the turkey was in the oven, we all gathered at the beach to let the sun warm our faces and the ocean wash away some of our sadness.  

 s

Conor and the kids were the most enthusiastic sand dune jumpers

Conor said he was doing it for the kids. . . 

Although I have moments of such sadness, I am currently experiencing the most circle of life miracles fluttering in my growing belly.  The sadness in my heart is replaced by such feelings of love for our next little family member. 

The day after Thanksgiving, we got a beautiful tree and decorated it with Mariah Carey blaring through the ipod.  

Enjoying the first of many reads of
How the Grinch Stole Christmas