CHRISTMAS!!!!

Christmas Eve was a GREAT day because Chris was off work. We were totally lazy, he ordered us some Chinese food so I didn't have to cook, and we took a nice walk on the Delaware-Raritan Canal path over in Princeton.

After our walk we came home and made cookies for Santa...






And cupcakes for Baby Jesus. The kids went to bed early so Santa could come...he needs to come every day so we can have more pleasant bedtimes rituals!!

They were up bright and early Christmas day, and made quick work of opening all their presents. They were both pleased because they got everything they asked for...good thing Mrs. Claus made a little extra money this year :)

Jaron got a plethora of dinosaur goodies....the Playmobil T-rex set, a Terrordactyl to go with his D-rex that he already has, and a big Boris from Dinosaur Train.

Jordan was fortunate to get something she has been asking to have for a couple of years...her first American Girl doll. She got Molly...Molly is the WWII doll and she has brown hair, glasses and cute front teeth just like our Jordan! Molly also got some jammies in Jordan's stocking, so the first thing Jordan did was change her clothes.

Daddy wanted a good bottle of cologne. He likes cologne and hasn't had any for months and months, so the kids and I picked out Chanel Bleu. It smells great!! It is perfect for Chris. And he was sweet enough to get me one of my favorite things...a giftcard to the Gap. I can't wait to spend it! He also got me a pretty necklace and one of the ballerinas at the show knitted me some of those long, fingerless gloves. I love it all!

And can you believe Santa decorated our dinner table? I wish he had done all the cooking too!!


We had a great meal...a fattening, casserole-filled meal. I am sure you are really interested in this lovely salad, but that's not why I took this picture. It is becoming a very normal thing for us to find little treasures over in the recycling area in our complex. People put stuff out there all the time that is in perfect/near-perfect condition, so we just snatch it up! I have found bikes for both of the kids, a patio table and chairs, a table-top easel for Jordan, a huge, framed shark picture for Jaron...just to name a few. When Chris took the garbage out on Christmas eve, he came back with this bowl that the salad is in. No nicks, no scratches, no nothing. It is the "Tuscan Olive" pattern from Williams-Sonoma. Williams-Sonoma!!! That is one of those stores that I love to go into for two reasons. #1 They have free samples. #2 They have GORGEOUS kitchen stuff. I just wander around and imagine what it would be like to own some it. And Chris found this lovely bowl! Score!!!!

We ended our meal with cupcakes for Jesus...yeah, I know there are dinosaur candles on them. You know why? Because it's all I had! And as Jaron says, "Jesus made the dinosaurs, so he will like the dinosaur cupcakes." Very well-said.

And we are so glad Jesus loves us no matter what, even if we are out of regular candles.

Rockefeller 2010

On Sunday afternoon, we braved the crowds and took our annual walk to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree. It was amazing as always, and the pictures just don't do it justice! Of course, it's even more spectacular at nighttime.

On our way we were sidetracked, as usual, by the huge nutcrackers across the street from Radio City Music Hall..........



And the cute little train........


and the humongous Christmas balls.

When we got to the Rock, we watched the ice skaters for a few minutes. Or actually I should say the ice fallers try to skate!!

Such good kids.....Jaron had just gotten a stern look from Daddy. He was upset with me because I wouldn't let him go in the overcrowded Lego store. Daddy wanted him to smile in the picture. I don't know what Chris said, but next thing I knew, Jaron had a lovely smile to share!


I also realized I had never gotten a picture of Atlas.

We ended up walking up 5th avenue, trying to find a place to get a quick, cheap meal. (I know, cheap and NYC do not belong in the same sentence.) It was really nice to be outside, walking, not in a hurry, just taking in the sights. Here are just a few cool things I saw......


The Cartier building. That red bow across the top and down the side was all lights!



Tommy Hilfiger. Again, the green stuff was all lights.

And the Fendi building was cool because the lights made it look like the icicles were dripping!

Only in New York City.

Tgiving with the Bohannons!!!

For the third year in a row, we were treated to a visit from the Georgia Bohannons, as well as Nana and Papa, for Thanksgiving. We had a great time eating, watching football, chasing kids and going to the movies!

This would have been a great picture if Jaron had actually smiled :/

Kemper loved playing on Aunt Marcy's bed and in Aunt Marcy's bathtub. He would stay in the tub so long that I would have to add more warm water!! Such a cutie, his Aunt Marcy misses him :)


The Georgia Bohannons left the day after Thanksgiving, and that left us with a few more days to spend with N and P. Our friend Corinna told us about a holiday activity at the Princeton Forrestal Village, so we decided to go check it out. Other than the cold weather, we had a wonderful time!!


We got to see excerpts of the "Nutcracker"........

We got to have a FREE picture with Santa...it even came with a decorative frame.

And we got free hot chocolate.......

free bread pudding........




free carriage rides and free apple cider. Me and the word "free" get along really well!!! It really was alot of fun!

We missed everyone the second they drove away. It was a big let down when we were back to just us here at home. BUT fortunately Corinna also reminded me the kids have several days off for President's Day, SOOOOOO........we got cheap tickets to Dallas to see GD and DD and then off to Lubbock to see everyone else! We are so excited!!!!!!!!! See y'all in February!