A Few of Your Favorite Things

So, I know it's kind of lame to have to come searching for your Christmas present on your own blog (that's right readers other than Andi, I went there), but this was the best way I could think of to get this done. Anyway, here goes the process:

As I thought and thought about what to get my loving, dear wife for Christmas this year, as most people do, I tried to think about the things that she either needed, wanted, or both. Problem is, many of those, I just can't afford or otherwise pull off right now. For example:

or

or possibly:

That left me to think, "Now, think of her favorite things and how you can get her those or at least one of those."

And that's where I was for quite a while. I mean, you already have these:

And I like to think that I'm nothing to sneeze at, so, again, I was left with exactly, zilch.

Then I had an apostrophe. That's right, lightning had struck my brain.

This is what came up. And I think it's pretty good. I'll give you the details AFTER you follow the link.

MmmMMm...Cookies

Where's Buddy???

Well, he went to school and made THIS!

Then he and Addellyn were playing hide and seek, but she "kinda forgot they were playing," so a LONG while later she came to me pretty panicked and said she couldn't find "Prince" Coleson and she really wanted him to play with her. But, he didn't even answer when she yelled REALLY loud.

So, we checked all the doors, they were all locked, I tried calling for him, no answer. I started to panic a little too...Until, I realized the couch was piled pretty high with pillows, and, once I pulled a few off, I saw his little tuft of hair. And he continued to "hide" for at least another 45 minutes. Apparently hiding in a very comfortable place of pillows and blankets can put a tired guy right to sleep!

The REAL Santa

Yup, we waited in line at the mall, they were all SUPER excited, and then, Addellyn decided she was actually REALLY scared. Santa didn't like to see a little girl so nervous about meeting him, so...

he slid out of his chair and down onto the floor to read these 3 lucky kids "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Amazing...

Winter Wonderland

It's everyone's dream to enjoy a "white" thanksgiving...right? The kids sure LOVED it!

Thanksgiving

Family.

Food.
Football. (well, mostly very FUN cousins)
It was a wonderful Thanksgiving...we even had a very spiritual discussion at the table after our yummy meal. If only Ty had been there...

The Wedding--photos at the (snowy) Temple

the RECEPTION

All of that HARD work paid off. The place was beautiful...

MY cousin Kennedy and Addellyn became "royal princesses" for the night. Elegantly walking up and down the GRAND staircases. These two LOVE being together!

Makinzie was pretty thrilled that Chantelle asked her to be the "bouquet guardian."

And look who caught the bouquet...the "soon to be" Aunt Lyndsey.

My only regret of the day was that we never did manage to get a picture of our little family all dressed up, which was my own personal goal for the night...

visiting FAMILY= a LOT of play and a little work

Grandma Reese treated the kids to a party and a play day for little "monkeys."

Uncles and Aunts became GREAT playmates!

Time to get to WORK!

But, really, setting up for a reception with this crew was pretty much playtime as well (maybe Nana would disagree??)