Cammie is 2! (Going on 12)

This past weekend our little princess turned two! Part of me just can't believe it. My sweet little angel is no longer a baby, but a little girl instead. It seems like just yesterday when I brought home our pink bundle of joy. My perfect baby girl. I sit here reminiscing about her first days and how quickly they've all gone by. Then I go in her room to find her, and I'm greeted with,"Go 'way Mommy. I busy!" while she takes care of her baby dolls. Yep my little girl is growing up. No matter how hard I try to stop it!
She can be very sweet. She gives great hugs and kisses. She is very independent. She stopped letting me dress her about a week ago, insisting on doing it herself, and she tries to choose all of her own clothes. She is a very good mommy to her babies, and very helpful when other (real) babies are around. She loves clothes, shoes, purses, nail polish, jewelery, and anything else that's "pitty." She also loves loud motors, big trucks, and above all else...Motorcycles! She squeals with excitement and yells vrooom vrooom every time she sees one.

What a difference a year makes. Our baby one year ago...

...and our baby now.


We love her to bits!

Happy Valentine's Day

Look into my heart and see what I am saying, for my heart speaks the truth, and the truth is...

I Love You!

Happy Valentine's Day

XOXO

Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve is possibly my favorite day of the year, or should I say my favorite night of the year. This Christmas Eve was no exception.
At the last minute we decided to get together with Matt and Mandy at their house for dinner. We thought we should do something so the kids didn't spontaneously combust with anticipation. The Howland's are practically family anyway, and isn't that what it's all about during the Holidays? It was a great night. In fact we were all having so much fun that we stayed over there until way past the kids bedtime. They were half asleep by the time we got home. We barely got through baths. Carter didn't even want to help me put treats out for Santa (he was adamant that something get put out, he just didn't care to help). He and Kyle did manage to muster just enough energy to sprinkle their reindeer food on the lawn before jumping into bed. I didn't even get a chance to get a Christmas Eve photo of them.

Here are the stockings and tree ready for Santa to stop by and leave goodies.

Of course he will be hungry when he arrives.

After the kids went to sleep (in about 5 seconds flat), and everything was ready for Christmas morning, Gregg and I watched Christmas Vacation together. Then Gregg went off to bed and I sat up for a few minutes. My favorite thing to do is to sit by the tree with nothing on but its soft white lights. Peaceful and serene. I sat up for a few minutes thinking about all of the things we have been blessed with. Then I joined Gregg in bed and quickly went to sleep because I knew it was just a matter of hours before my kiddos would be up.

Here are the groggy boys on Christmas morning, admiring the train set Santa left for them.

Then taring into their stocking.

Our "Chocolate Monster" would have eaten all of his candy before we even started opening presents if I hadn't confiscated it.

Cammie finally woke up about half way through the present opening. She immediately put on her new jewelry and started taking care of the baby Santa left for her. She is such a girl!

I was having too much fun participating in the Christmas activities this year. I didn't get a lot of pictures, but this is how most of the morning looked.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing. We had wonderful, warm, sunny, southern California weather so we spent some time outside. Later we had a nice dinner together. It was perfect!

We hope that everyone had as nice a holiday as we did.

Christmas Tree Recipe

The Blaufuss Christmas Tree Recipe:

Start with your favorite Christmas tree lot.

Add several of your favorite munchkins.

Mix in a teaspoon of cute.
Decide on the perfect tree,
take home and add water.

Next add lights and ornaments,

Blend until thoroughly mixed.

Top with your favorite tree topper, perhaps a pretty little angel.

Finally; stir in 1 cup of love.

Stand back and admire your handy work.

(Que the Hallelujah Chorus here)

Makes enough to serve one household plenty of holiday cheer for up to 4 weeks.

Family Pictures Times Two

In October it was once again, time for a family picture to be taken. Every fall I insist on getting a shot of the family for our Christmas Card. Most years it's taken on Thanksgiving, mostly because there are another members of the family around to take the picture.
When we took the kids to the pumpkin patch this year there was a photographer there offering a special photo package. She would take a some shots of the family out at the pumpkin patch, and email the best five to me, no rights reserved, for a very reasonable price.
Of course that day we all looked pretty ragged, so we set up a time to come back and meet with her. She was great. Here are the best three.

A month later we went to Oregon for Thanksgiving with Gregg's side of the family. Kathy wanted a family picture with everyone, and one with her and all of her grand kids, so she set up a photo session for all of us. We also got shots of each individual family as well as some of each of the couples. They turned out pretty great. Here are some of the best ones.

The whole Blaufuss Crew

Grandma B and all of the grand kids

The three brothers and each of their families

Our Family (obviously)

My love and I

My kids were very cooperative, even if they didn't feel like smiling. Gregg did pretty well too. Until next fall.

Carter's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Program

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving the kindergartner's at Carter's school put on a special program for their parents. There were songs sung, and poems recited. Carter had been practicing for weeks. Each child was dressed as either a Pilgrim or a Native American. Cammie and I were lucky enough to have the chance to go and watch. There is Carter smack-dab in the middle.

After the program the kids had a feast. They contributed to the meal, and even helped to prepare some of the food.

Cammie got tired of watching the other kids eat,and decided to help herself to Carter's plate. Carter didn't mind sharing.

I wanted to record Carter's class reciting their poem. While I did that I neglected to pay attention to my squirmy toddler who was sitting on the bench next to me. As soon as the class got started Cameron managed to fall off of her seat, hit her head, and started screaming at the top of her lungs. Obviously I had to put down the camera to scoop her up and take her out of the room so that the other parents could enjoy the show. When we got home I had Carter recite it for me by himself.

It was a cute way to begin the Thanksgiving week.

Thanksgiving in Oregon

Gregg's brother Jeff, and his wife Cindy are currently living in Klamath Falls, Oregon. This year everyone thought it would be fun to have Thanksgiving there. It was a full house for dinner. 20 family members, including some of Cindy's family were there.

The week began with Gregg's Mom Kathy taking Kyle up to Oregon with her on Sunday. She also took Courtney and Ashley with her. Kyle adores his cousins and was happy to spend some extra time with them and his Grandma. I can't being to tell you how quiet it was around the house while he was gone. Carter had school Monday and Tuesday, and Gregg was on a job, so we couldn't leave until Wednesday morning. Wednesday was a long day. It took us 10 1/2 hours to drive the almost 600 miles to Klamath Falls. But the drive was beautiful, (well, most of it) and traffic was light. We stopped a few times along the way to let the kids and the dogs run off some energy.

About 8 hours into our drive we and ran around in a field in Redbluff.

Happy to be out of the truck for a few minutes!

We got to Jeff and Cindy's just in time for dinner.

Then Uncle Jeff gave all the boys a bath before it was time to get ready for bed.

Thanksgiving Day was great. The kids played with their cousins all day while the rest of us visited, cooked, watched football, and relaxed. I realized after I got home that I didn't take very many pictures of all the festivities. So some of these photos are care of Cindy.

Chris and Penny. What a cute couple!

Cammie and Grandma B, being silly.

Cindy and I were both taking pictures of the food so I shot a picture of her, and she got one of me. Ya, I know...Dorks! ;-)

Carter, and Jackson. Two Peas in a Pod!

Penny and Courtney

The feast! Cammie doesn't seem to be enjoying it at all, does she?!

After eating way to much on Thursday, we had a nice relaxing day Friday. We went to the playground (but only for a few minutes because it was freezing outside.) I took Carter, Jackson, and Kyle for a walk, and they found a big leaf pile to play in. It was cute!

Later we all took the kids to the indoor swimming pool.

This picture is blurry, but I couldn't resist posting it. Kyle Loves his uncle Chris and was right by his side the whole time.

My Birthday was on Saturday, but that day we would be driving home. Kathy was sweet and bought me a very yummy cake, and everyone sung "Happy Birthday" to me on Friday night.

Gregg bought me a present and Kathy found a very clever way to wrap it since we didn't have normal stuff. She used a napkin and rubber bands. Isn't it cute?

Here is my sweet Carter.

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend filled with family, food, and fun.