Christmas Events

We've been busy getting ready for Christmas around here, but this year I am doing things at a different pace.  I started shopping long before Thanksgiving so that things wouldn't feel so frantic.  It has been really nice, and this week we are staying home a lot, watching television, reading lots of books, and intentionally slowing down.  It is, as you know, extremely hard for me.  It is really good for all of us.

A few weeks ago Brennan had a Christmas program at school.  The kids made these sweatshirts with their handprints:

Then, on the 11th, Jim and I went to annual Lampo Christmas party.  It was as fun as ever.  The entertainment videos were hilarious, the food was delicious, the gifts were extravagant... It was truly awesome.

I was trying to get a picture of Jim and me, and Brennan couldn't stand to be left out.  We did finally got a shot of just the two of us.

It was a lot of fun to sit by my friend Rachel at the dinner.  Her husband Eric is Jim's team leader at work, and she and I have become good friends over the last year.  We share a common love for fashion, shopping, our kids, our husbands, Starbucks, and good food.  She's pregnant and due in the spring, and we enjoyed laughing throughout the night at her healthy appetite and tight pants.  She looked beautiful, had a pregnant glow, and wore her Stella and Dot well.

This past Friday I took the kids to Jim's work to see Santa.  Brennan continues to be afraid of adults in costume, so this was a perfect opportunity to see Cora with Santa without torturing Brennan.  (He stayed on the other side of the room from Santa, although he did play a bit with the less intimidating elves.)

Cora had such a blast it was nearly impossible to capture a decent picture of her.  She couldn't sit still, couldn't stop giggling, couldn't stop playing.  Our little girl is not shy.

There are only a few days left until Christmas, and then the new year will roll around.  I already have projects and plans for 2011.  As soon as we hit the new year I will paint the play room, help some friends with decorating projects, and reconnect with old friends... This quiet sitting around will come to an end soon enough, and I'll be back to my usual self.  Until then, I am going to have another cup of coffee in my pajamas.  :-)