Sponge Ornament

After being up late working on Christmas cards (yes, procrastinator as always with this!) I walked by the Christmas tree and something caught my eye. Yes, a kitchen sponge delicately placed on our tree for all to see! I am guessing that the perpetrator is our very active and creative two year old. I don't know how long this has been there, but something really profound hit me in that moment as I chuckled out loud. How much have I missed over these past few weeks? Those little moments during the day when I am too busy to stop and play, or stop and listen...... I don't want to miss those Lord!!! Thank you for using my two year old's sponge ornament to remind me of that this Christmas season. I think I might make the sponge a permanent fixture on the tree this year......and maybe the next, too:)
Moral to the story: Soak in every moment with those you love!

Merry Christmas!

Cousins from Saint Louis

The Shaw Grandkids Together

Hummmm.....what move should I make next?
Two cuties:)
Muscle men

Hangin' out with my cuz

Two heart-throbs

Poor Sick Sarah.....couldn't miss the action though

Brothers......(and rivals!)

The Shaw Grandsons

Over Thanksgiving week we got to spend some quality time with David's brother and his family from Saint Louis. The kids had so much fun hanging out at Grandad and Grandma's and playing together. Unfortunately their time here went by WAY too quickly. Sarah was sick on our last day and Grandma made a makeshift recovery bed in the living room floor so that she could still be part of the action. Sarah picked the best place to get sick on earth! I got some really cute shots of the kids together. We miss them and hope to make tons of fun memories in the years ahead. We love you guys so much!!

"Girl Time" with Sarah

Gabby, Maddie and Sarah

Getting the dancers autographs

Sarah and the Sugar Plum Fairy

The Mommas

Notice the hot cocoa on the table:)

BFF's and the hot cocoa

Sarah with "Samantha" in front of American Girl Store

Looking over the menu together:)

Mmmmm.....hot cocoa! Sarah's fav!

The birthday girl (Aunt Joy), Samantha and Sarah

A few weeks ago all the "girls" got together at the American Girl Bistro to have lunch. Sarah brought her favorite doll, "Samantha", and we met Grandma, Grammie and Aunt Joy for a special lunch. Of course Sarah had to order some hot cocoa..... she is the biggest chocoholic I know! She and I also got to spend some mother/daughter time at the Nutcracker Tea last weekend. We went with two of her best friends and their mommies. Wouldn't you know that they served hot cocoa there too! She is going to wake up one of these days with chocolate fever!!