One of the two trips I am doing this month was a London with MJ. I just got back yesterday.
It was chilly and rainy and so London in December. The shops were busting with lights and goodies and the streets and tube stations were decorated. I love how it really gets you in the spirt of the holidays.
This Sunday I do my last trip of the year. Edinburgh and more holiday cheer!
After chasing the kiddos around trying to get the perfect picture I decided I deserved a treat.
I made double chocolate cupcakes (I used this amazing recipe http://www.bakedperfection.com/2011/12/chocolate-cupcakes-with-vanilla.html) and my buttercream which I kicked up a notch with some peppermint.
Boy were they good and totally worth the calories I burned off chasing the girls all morning!
Years ago I started the tradition of sending out picture Christmas cards. When I was younger and single, they were of my travels. Ken came along and it was pictures of the two of us and our adventures. Not long after, we had Ellie and Sadie. The picture cards continued with pictures of our growing family. Some years it was easy, almost as soon as the picture was snapped I would think, yup that’s this year’s card. Some years it seemed to be a labour of love to get the right picture.
This year was one of the labour of love years. Getting an almost 3 year old and a 6 1/2 year old to stand still, look and smile at the camera at the same time is near impossible. I worked at it for at least a half of hour before Ken took the camera and spent another 10 or 15 min trying to get “the one”. Which one did we end up with you ask? The first one I took. Isn’t the just the way?
I thought I would share some of the bloopers first:
And now (drum roll please) the first picture I took and what ended up being the final product.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you.
you could get eczema on your eye lid. Well I know now. Poor Sadie’s skin is so outta control that she now has it on her eye lid and it is swollen and sore. Poor thing. 
In Edinburgh?
Sure thing!
We found a wonderful “German” Christmas Market right off Princess Street in Edinburgh. It was even better because I had a great crew and all of us -but one- went out together. We explored the market and went to the Dome hotel – http://www.thedomeedinburgh.com/ to check out there beautiful decorations.
It was a bit chilly and a bit rainy but I didn’t really care. What a great way to get me in the Christmas mood.
with beautiful sunsets
dancing at the bus stop
surprises from afar that make us smile when the sunshines
clown glasses, noses and shoes from circus night
The neat thing about having Grandma Panko here was she got to help us decorate our tree.
Yes, it’s true, we are one of those families. The tree goes up Thanksgiving weekend. And I say heck why not? I am allgeric to real Christmas trees -my eyes swell shut and I can’t breathe, I know TMI but there it is- so we have a really beautiful real looking fake tree. Everything but the lovely pine smell that makes me go crazy. So why not put it up early so we can enjoy it for longer.
Love the peacefulness of a decorated tree and love the memories that each ornament brings as it is placed on the tree.
I love that Thanksgiving comes every year. It’s a time to take stock and really think about all the blessings we all have. The one day we spend being thankful for what we have instead of worrying about what we don’t.
This year was spent with Ken, the girls and Ken’s Mom. She came up to visit for the holiday and got to celebrate with us.
The morning was spent cooking and watching the parade and the afternoon indulging in the feast.
The evening, well that was for shopping. The girls went to bed and Ken and I snuck out to be apart of the madness. The crazies were out in full force and I have to admit we were right there with them. ( Boy was I glad to have Ken with me. No one messes with you when you are with a guy who is 6’3′ !) You really do get caught up in it. All of a sudden you are buying things you aren’t sure you even need just because everyone else is and you can get it for a “great price”. It was exciting and fun and we did score a few bargins and I have to admit a few returns as well.
What a great way to spend the day of thanks.
Now to work on having Thanks Giving everyday instead of just once a year.
for crazy hair day at school? Robot hair is what.
And guess who else wanted in on the action:
