{a perfect winters day}

i can hear the boys giggling in the front yard.

fresh cinnamon rolls hot out of the oven and paula deen's dreamy creamy hot chocolate {with a tweak or two} simmering on the stove.

the fireplace is roaring.

definitely a pj-clad kind-of day!

{painting together}

so fun! nothing grand on the artistic level, but the time together on it was honestly priceless. evan was quite disappointed when he saw the ipod santa brought him instead of the art supplies. there had been a switch, ipod from santa / art supplies from mommy and dad that he had yet to open. he has been chomping at the bit to work on something. so, i sketched him out a simple christmas tree and painted the lines for him and he dove in. he was beyond giggly and excited throughout the process. he will add his name and voila! a priceless painting for me! i'd take this over a monet any day!

absolutely adore it, but enjoyed our time at the kitchen table and his easel much more. he has several projects lined up, so he may have to have a gallery viewing soon.

now, we're off to play in the snow. first snow of 2011!

{not today}

bridal fest: check

loaded the car: check

snow flurries: check

then something happened?? everything started changing very rapidly. we were told by mr. yoder to get home, no stops, it was "bad out there". hmmm....not where we were at that moment.

flurries. when we realized we were getting in a bit of trouble, she laughed and said.."well, we don't have any snow stories {incidents} together." i quickly told her "i really don't want to write it today". It could wait.

well, we abided and drove straight home. or tried to, it got much worst fast. we met travis in GW and he took angela so I could get on my merrily, but, slow way home. and, an hour and a half later i arrived in my driveway {from fs}. she on the other hand, is still out there. two sections of 71 were closed.

update: she is home. 3 long hours after leaving convention center.

we have our story.

a 3 hour tour!

the end.

{frozen pizza fun and decor}

Who would have thought that eating frozen pizza at home on a Friday night could be so much fun? For the most part, these two typically have fun no matter what they are doing together. And, yes, the little guy is in his underwear only of course. I've given up.

A pizza rap? Yes, indeed.

Now, on to the real reason I was walking through the kitchen with camera in hand when I noticed the free concert......moss balls. I wanted to take these for TH. And, they are really not moss balls, but, various stores in FS have these. I found these today at HL. Angela laughed at me because last year on two different trips to Creative Kitchen I bought the same one twice. On purpose of course! Does that really surprise anyone?

But, they are pretty cute!

Not certain where they will end up.

And..........this is my new little area in the kitchen. I think I've shown the little cabinet thing that I coveted for so long of HG's. Then, a lamp I had been strolling past and strolling past and strolling past......I finally put it in my cart after seeing it "live" at SC's.

I'm thinking I will never be invited over again?

Well, tonight I hung

the wooden thing above it as it was too much of an empty space

I got that from a gift card from one of the above's mothers. :)

It wasn't exactly the size I was looking for, but it was one of those things

I fell in love with and am making it work regardless.

It looks much better in real life. It's all cracked and beat up.

Perfect.

{heaven on earth}

the last three nights i have unplugged from my computer {remaining edits and orders} and been totally 'mom' once they got home.

amazingly wonderful and refreshing!

it has been, well, indescribable really.

i think i totally forgot the feel of how it is suppose to be!

thus, i am savoring,

now...to get back at it so i can savor some more tonight.......

{g-rated}

okay.

as many of you know. e has a slight fascination with, ahem, "elbows".

due to the fact i have been basically tied to my desk or a doctor's office over the past few months, tonight i gave in and thrilled the boys when i actually said 'yes' to a four-wheeler ride in the woods. in fact, they had me repeat myself several times as they scrambed for shoes and coats because they are so used to me saying no. {sad really!!}

so, we went on the ride and later i scolded scott for not warning me as to how bumpy our trails would be. {girls, you get the picture...a sports bra should have been indicated!}

well, i suppose evan heard just enough of that conversation. later he came to me begging me to play "chest" {aka chess} with him but he informed me to grab my sports bra as it is a "sport".

giggling all the way back to the kitchen.

i'm in trouble with him!!!

{2011: a fresh start}

I absolutely adore a new calendar. All fresh and new, love it! And, finding one that works for me is usually no small feat. It is day 3 of 2011 and I am on calendar #3. I'm going to ignore the little fact that my new calendar is already a tad cluttered. When I look at the outside, I pretend the inside is nice and new as well. ha!

But, it is clutter with a purpose, so that should count for something, right? I have intentionally marked out every Sunday and Wednesday evening for church and Bible study. Marked them off with BIG PURPLE X's. Very gaudy, but effective.

And, despite the fact my photography calendar doesn't open until January 10th, many months are already completely booked due to bridals and engagements for said weddings. It's okay. I am taking this "down time" to really pray about pacing myself better. I have alot to pray about over the next 7 days.

I'll be back later to post my year-end entry. I just wanted you {particularly Aunt J} to know that I'm alive and kickin' again.