Our 2013 Christmas Card

I was really happy with our card this year. It was kinda crazy and it took many trips to get the right pictures. The week before Christmas I realized I had not finished as I was unhappy with all of the pictures I spent a month taking for one reason or another. We had so much unseasonal rain and odd weather this year that it was really hard.  Lets just say I "settled" but was happy with the final product.  I really do have to take a photography class. I'm waiting for some bloggy moms to put a weekend class together again (Hint, hint).  If you did not receive our card this year, I apologize. I lost track of who I sent them to and ended up with extras.

Isabella's Birthday

Santa's Enchanted Forest

We had so much fun with Lidi and David at Santa's Enchanted Forest.

 

Thankful for good friends

My silly girl! (Can you tell by David that it was a little warm??)

We ALL Enjoyed Christmas a Little Too Much!

Christmas Day 2013

A little sleepy but I gotta see what Santa brought!

Christmas Eve 2013

We hosted an informal Christmas Eve dinner this year

Even informal involved me cooking all day and Leah and I forgot about the special cookies we had planned for Santa but I am sure he enjoyed a brookie just the same

Then before we knew it he arrived!

Holiday Fun with Friends

 

We started our day with our annual Mommy and Leah Christmas luncheon at the American Girl store. This year we invited Aly, Lulu and Emily. We had lots of fun enjoying the store before we went into the Bistro. Leah and I started this new tradition last year on a Saturday, but yesterday was the dance recital so we went Sunday this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then headed to our favorite park in the Gables

Before calling it a night we went shopping at the Shoppes of Merrick and had dinner there as well. It was a full and lovely day with some of our dearest friends.

 

Leah's Christmas Craft/Mommy's Cookie Party

Leah invited her ballet friends to a Christmas Craft Party. We made aprons for each of the girls and put them in boxes along with the invitations. One of the moms had told me about having a cookie party. How could I resist? We decided to make it a double party. The girls were set up in the patio with their mess  crafts and snacks and the mommies were inside enjoying the best food and wine ever and each other's company. A great time was had by all and this will have to be an annual event!

The Invitation

Inside the box! Each girl received an apron.

We had so much to munch on!

The girls enjoying their crafts

On our neighbor's lawn for a quick group picture

So much to choose from

The concentration

The fun

For you, Mommy

Cute Zoe

Isabella

Shanell

Some of our goodies

Some of the girls' goodies

Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Cinnamon Spiced Hot Chocolate Cookies



The Mommies

 

Parade #2

The studio marched in several holiday parades this year. Since our munchkin is older now she was able to participate. She was so excited to finally be in a parade. She did great. She never lost energy, smiled, waved and offered high fives to a cheering crowd. So proud of her!

 

 

 

 

After the South Miami Parade we went to eat with friends