All I Want for Christmas.....

Are dog toys

and a Kleenex box!

Prayer Request

As everyone is preparing for the holidays a family from my hometown is mourning the loss of their 17 year old sister, daughter and friend. I grew up with this sweet family. There are five children all around the age of my siblings and I.

It is so easy to question why a life is cut short and ask God why this happened, but we will never know. I can't even imagine what this family is going through right now especially during this time of year, but I do have hope that she is in a much better place and that I can join others who will be celebrate her short, but great life. If you remember please take time and pray for the Villarreal family because they will need the comfort of our Lord, especially in the journey ahead.

This makes you really want to squeeze your love ones a little harder, forget the bad times and be thankful for another day with them!

Asia

Loving Outside

Saying No

She already has attitude...can't you tell?

13 months

Where has my little baby gone? I can't believe another month has past and you are now 13 months. What are you up to these days?

• You said goodbye to bottles

• You have decided you like drinking from a straw and have a new interest in sampling whatever we are eating or drinking
• You like to eat hamburgers, peas and carrots, bread, cheerios, bananas, grapes
• Words you know and say: dog, cat, nana(banana), mama, dadda, hi, bye, asia(it sure sounds like asia), duu(duck), ba(baby), cu(cup), bo(book), no
  
• You still sleep pretty good at night and take two naps most days
• You love going outside and looking outside
• Pretty sure you are going to be left handed
• You give us hugs and kisses and you like to get kisses from your dogs
• When you wake up the first thing you do is stand up and look out into the hallway to see if your cat is looking out the window...you just love animals!!
• You shake your head no when you are told no and when you don't want something
  
• You are still such a sweet baby, strong willed and such a beautiful little girl!
  

Raising a girl....the right way

It is never to early to start teaching little girls about little boys.
First things first, get that boy in the kitchen.

Supervise and give instruction when needed.

Look it over...make sure it is edible.

Enjoy his cooking and complement his hard work.

Make sure you call daddy in for approval and to wash the dishes.

Don't forget to put away the dishes. :)

Can you see my teeth?

Squeaky Clean

Rub a dub dub

I brush my teeth in the bath tub.

Don't forget the ears!

Or my bedtime story!

Cookin' Up A Storm

Madeline is enjoying her new kitchen!

Look at that sweet face!

Happy December

We are finally getting in the Christmas spirit at our house! We have 3 of our trees up and decorated, started decorating the mantel, unwrapped all of our little snowmen, but still so much left to do!

Check out who else is dressed up for the holidays!

Silhouette Craft Cutter Giveaway!!!!!

I have wanted one of these awesome craft cutters for some time! If you don't know anything about it you should definitely check it out here!

I was so excited when I read Thrifty Decor Chick's blog today because she is GIVING one away!!!!!! You should check out this awesome giveaway.

In case you don't win one there cruise on over to Infarrantly Creative's blog or Mom's Review 4 You because each of them are giving one away!!!

So is Shanty2Chic , We Are That Family and, Tatertots and Jello!!!

What's Behind Curtain #1?

Can you guess?

I am not so sure what is so appealing about these curtains,
but she plays in them EVERY day!

This one cracks me up!

She has also discovered her tricycle.

Christmas....my favorite time of the year!!!!

Anyone who knows me well knows that my favorite time of the year is Christmas. I love everything about the holiday....cold weather, trees, Christmas lights, stockings, nativities, snowmen, but most importantly I love time with family and the traditions that we have and are starting as a new family. As long as I can remember my mother always sent out Christmas cards and once I headed out on my own I began sending out cards as well. Not only do I love sending them, I love getting them from others. Who doesn't like getting cards in the mail? It beats the not so fun things you get when you are an adult! It gives me away to stay in contact with people that I no longer see on a day to day basis.

Also sending out Christmas cards has allowed me to share new beginnings in my life. In 2007 we sent out our first card as husband and wife with our first fuzzy baby. Last year we sent out our first card with our daughter. I am excited to capture and share the changes in our life on the year's card. Since I like to send cards out early, I started looking through the awesome photo cards on Shutterfly. Some of my favorites are these:

I have used Shutterfly for prints, Christmas cards and birth announcements in the past and I have always been satisfied with their quality. Also if you are interested in Christmas cards make sure to check out their holiday collection here. Now to the hard part...picking only one!!!