Anybody out there?

Well, we are still here. Honestly we have just been busy living life with three little ones.

Somehow February passed us by - but not without great fun by everyone. The highlight of the month had to be our trip to Beech Mountain. It's certainly not Colorado or Utah but it is only a 5 1/2 hour drive from Atlanta. And with little ones, that makes the trade off well worth it.

We were fortunate that it snowed 4-6 inches while we were there. So - while that added to the skiing conditions - more importantly, it afforded the children a chance to really play in the snow at our rented house and even make a snow man!

Tomorrow we are off to the beach. From snow to sand - it doesn't get much better!

Warms my Heart

I have been vacationing in Mexico for a good part of this past week. It was just what my body and soul needed....a little warmth on my skin and good laughs shared among best friends.

Upon my return I came across this photo. Just like a hug, this warms my heart too. Loving sisters never gets old.

Spending Our Time

I love that there is no school for three weeks. This little reprieve is making me miss the lazy days of summer.

This is how we have been spending our time. Someone (named Latham) thinks she is ready for a big girl bed. She desperately wants to do everything her sisters do!

Even though it has not been too cold -- we are taking full advantage of cozy fires.

And using Daddy as our indoor playset.

A sneak peek

I know I have promised pictures of the basement and "kids club" for weeks now. It's just that I am still waiting on some finishing touches. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek.

A little pink leopard. After all, we do have three girls!

Some bright colors.

Interesting lighting.

And a homemade chandelier.

Christmas Eve

This is the story of our Christmas Eve.

This is the last shot before we went to bed. But our festivities started with the Christmas Eve Pageant at church.

Ellery was one of the three Magi. It was her first speaking part and she was a little nervous.

Vaughan was the Christmas Star.

While we don't have any pictures to prove it - Latham was the naughty bugger in the pews, scribbling on paper and dashing up the aisle. She rocks a mean mullet, right?

When we got home -- we prepared our traditional Christmas Eve meal (a seafood/vegetarian supper).

A toast was made (using fancy glasses by all -- except Latham, see her little sippy cup?)

After dinner, the girls prepared a snack for Santa. I found this sweet note from Ellery right next to Santa's cookies.

Let me translate "Dear Santa, Please make sure Vaughan gets what she wants. Please."

And this was the scene by the stockings when we awoke on Christmas morning. Not a lump of coal in site -- but no lack of baby dolls to be sure!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Signing off for a few days...enjoy your families and friends!

More Christmas Fun

There has been gingerbread house construction, gingerbread man decoration and cinnamon ornament making! The house smells like Christmas!

I have pictures of the ornament making...somewhere. It is by far our favorite Christmas activity -- one worth trying because:

1) it is easy

2) it is not messy

3) the kids love it

4) it's not something you eat

Recipe:

1/2 white school glue

1/2 applesauce

cinnamon

This recipe takes a lot of cinnamon. You need to add enough so that you create a rather thick dough. After kneading a bit you will get almost a thick play dough consistency. Now you can roll it out and use cookie cutters to create the shapes you want. Don't forget to use a straw to make a hole where you can hang the ornament.

You can let these dry over several days or we just popped them in the oven (250) for about an hour.

Skating

I mentioned a few days ago that we had been doing much during this Christmastime - including skating.

The St. Regis here in town covers their pool with a skating rink in the winter. The pool deck is transformed into a winter wonderland. There is a fire where you can make smores and a little bar area where you can order bubbly champaign or hot chocolate. I was huddled near a heater while Ellery worked her magic on the ice. I giggle every time I watch this.

Enjoy!