Christmas 2011

Well it's that time of year again; the time when families get together and also a time to reflect back on the memories of a year past as we ring in the possibilities of another year ahead of us.  For a change my family was finally able to get together on Christmas Eve and although I was exhausted from working the night before provided, we got to spend the afternoon being crazy together.  And armed with my camera I was able to capture many of those crazy moments these silly people I call family provided.  The little guy above, Isaiah, or as his family now calls him, Izzy, loves, and I do mean L.O.V.E.S. to push buttons!!  Not the drive you crazy buttons, but literally buttons.  Grammy often has to reprogram her dishwasher after he leaves and his poor parents have had to reprogram the car radio after he gets out.  But he is so cute you can't help but love him and his button-pushing little fingers.

And then there is Caleb...Jason's family was the first to arrive for the festivities and these 3 played so nicely together...that is until Rachel decided to start opening presents without everyone!  Yep went upstairs for the toys and got a little distracted by all the shiny presents underneath the tree...when asked what she was doing she honestly replied, "Opening presents", as if it was exactly what we had sent her up to there to do....oh she's a sneaky little girl...and I thank the Lord every day for giving her daddy a child who is JUST like him!

I think the below picture is by far one of my favorites. Caleb exudes happiness from every pore in his body!  This little guys smile just spreads across his face and warms your heart.  But the blue-eyed lovely woman next to him...she's a woman full of love and beauty and I'm so proud to call her Mom!  She makes Christmas special for us.

These children love to read books, thanks to their Mommy who also enjoys reading.  And of course, it wouldn't be a get together with kids under-toe in the kitchen playing with their toys.  Isaac had gotten a new Cars toy for Christmas and was kind enough to share with his cousins...what a blast!

Maegan and Elianna...what beauty's!

Somehow Isaiah always seems to radiate towards Papa Smurf.  He just had to open the door and see what Pappy was up to on the deck.  (For those interested Pappy was making his delicious pork tenderloin that is a Christmas tradition in the Smucker house).

Ok LOVE this picture!!  I don't remember what we were laughing about but it was wonderful to watch Mike and my parents work around the kitchen preparing our meal.

Again that cute little Caleb...poor guy has a bruise on his cheek, probably from one of his "loving" sisters.  Watch out for those 2, Caleb, they'll run circles around you!

Mudder always buys these "crack" thingymabobs and they're fun cause they have little trinkets inside.  Mike opened one for Isaiah and following the "grand opening" we all had to laugh cause he creased his forehead and said, "Ow".  Poor guy.

Some of the "trinkets" included paper crowns...uh nice look guys.

And there was more reading...

...a few tears throughout the afternoon (Uncle Jamie has this one under control)...

AND THEN, time for presents!!

The kids all helped Grammy by carrying down presents from upstairs.

Hint...Tip...Words of Wisdom...if you're ever hoping to get a family picture and have everyone cooperate, do it BEFORE opening presents...have no fear, I'll explain later.

Love this cause she looks like she just opened the crown jewels!

They were all so happy with their gifts and I think Grammy did a great job!

Isaiah got the award for coolest gift because they all wanted to play with his toys, the problem was that until his toys got put together, everyone had moved on from their cool toys and were now interested in his.  He just sat by here, patiently waiting for Uncle Jamie to put it all together for him.

But it must have been worth the wait cause he was full of smiles afterward.  Now he has his own steering wheel and maybe he'll leave the electrical reprogramming of the car gadgets to mommy and daddy now....then again, not likely.

And then came stockings, another tradition in the Smucker house.  The kids all had fun handing the "older kids" our stockings.

Rachel, in the true spirit of "helping" at Christmas, had to assist daddy with his stocking, which also included an explanation of everything inside.

I call these 3, the 3 Musketeers...you wait, some day it'll be Papa Smurf, Isaiah, and Toby and if you wanna know where one is, just look for the other 2!

Izzy just cozies up to Papa Smurf...I think they are beginning to speak their own language, it's kinda scary.

And me, I got help from this guy with my stocking...being an aunt is a such a blessing!

Before the invention of electric toothbrushes, we used to always get a new one in our stocking and so the healthy tradition is moving to the younger generation and Jessie was very proud of hers.

Even Caleb was thrilled with his gifts...the poor guy was crying his head off in Grammy's room because we all thought he was sleeping...like he was supposed to be doing.  (But then again if we all wouldn't be such a loud family, maybe we would have heard him...one room away.)

Silly boy!

You can almost hear her licking her chops over the cake pops my SIL Lacey made for dessert...yummy!!  She is always trying new and fun recipes.

And congratulations is in order for these 2 love birds who welcomed baby #4 on December 30 at 1:41 am.  We were thrilled to meet Eva Rochelle Smucker, named after Maegan's mom.  She'll be Evie for short (sorry if I spelled that wrong M&M).  What a cute little girl she is and she fits right in with that Smucker nose...Maegan I'm sorry they all came out looking like their Daddy...but like I said, they all grow into little beauties like their Mommy.

And the Digger family left first...off to all get naps I'm sure as they all looked like they needed it!

And I got a little camera time with Elianna who is just the sweetest little thing.  She instantly performs with "Tease" for every picture and then politely asks if she can see it.  I just had to giggle at her.

YIKES!!

Isaac, I'm not sure how it is that you are 4 years old already and where the time has gone, but my little man, you are such a sweet boy and I'm so glad God made me your aunt!  I love you...

...AND I love all of these wonderful people I call family and I'm thankful for the Christmas memories we made...

...especially these!  And THIS is why you ALWAYS take the pictures before opening presents.  It took several takes before we could convince almost everyone to look at the camera and get a decent photo...unlike the one below (which honestly should have been tucked away in a drawer never to be seen again).  For those interested, this one wasn't rehearsed and there is a reason why I'm missing from this picture....

...because I'm the ONLY normal one in the bunch!! HAHAHAHA!!!  Oh the comments I could make...

Dear Family, get your own blog and camera and you too can post things like this, 

Love, Normal...Sane, ME

A Very Monkee Christmas

Our Christmas festivities began this year with the 3rd annual Monkee Christmas party at the Tumbleweed Inn.  We have been so blessed with wonderful friends and with each passing year I'm amazed how much closer we get to our friends even though distance doesn't allow us with the opportunity to see each other as often as we would like...and then as I'm typing this I'm realizing that maybe that's why we are such great friends. :)  I had been looking forward to this particular get together for weeks....actually pretty much since last Christmas.

We had been decorating and preparing the TW Inn for the wonderful festivities.  And after a text from Sonya that day, we had made it a PJ party as well and everyone arrived appropriately attired...that is all except for one....

....this one!!!  In true Matt form he came as Amos, the Reindeer Elf and won hands down with the best outfit of the evening!!  I think I may need to start providing depends at the door if this event continues into our elder years because I about piddled on the floor after seeing this walk thru my door.  I can only imagine what this will bring about for next years celebration.

After everyone had arrived and gotten over the fact that we had ourselves a real live reindeer elf at the party (thank goodness he was potty trained!), the food prep began for the feast that would have given the Who's of Whoville and run for their money!  We had an overwhelming amount of yummy food to snack on.  (I think I tried to roll up to bed that night, but as rolling UP doesn't work so well, yes I tried it, I opted to laugh a little off and walk my way there instead...whew!)

And then we had D. Duck, the Redneck Pirate who I believe came in second for best outfit.  And get this, the lanky dude had to stop at McD's for some fries before arriving...just couldn't wait for all the feast, he had to get fries first?!?  If it wasn't for the fact that his boney body clearly needs fat, I'd have probably outlawed him from eating any of our wonderful creations and I'd have put him on pooper scooper duty, just in case the Reindeer Elf decided to drop a little "present" early.

And then my two lovely friends, Sonya & KK...a girl couldn't ask for better friends!!  (Dear Victoria, thanks for letting your mommy borrow your mad awesome hat!!  We gotta go shopping girl!)

I just love these two!  KK, I don't know how you live with him sometimes, but life has GOT to be interesting at your house because our time with him is NEVER dull...God love you girl!

And then began the annual game of Quelf...we all picked our characters out of a hat this year...

we had...

KK...The Super Ninja Monkey

Amos, Mr Lugnut

Sonya, The Biscuit Farmer

D. Duck, The Dude (and whata dude he is!)

Me, Queen Spatula

Jamous, The Platypus

And then came all the goofy, stupid stunts we had to do...

...like sitting under the table for a round...

...and missing out entirely while these 2 had to play patty cake...hahaha...

...cue shoe head and colander face...

...and despite it all, Amos still performed a few tricks...expressions...stunts...whatever you want to call it, that weren't on the playing cards.

Last but not least came the annual group photo, starring none other than, Amos, the Reindeer Elf.

Please excuse the poor lighting, picture quality or wrinkled background.  We weren't going for professional quality here, just having a bit o' fun....

...and fun it was because that first one may be be the only serious picture in the bunch....or maybe there were a few more...

...NOPE, serious just left the building!!

I'm pretty sure it left with Santa's sleigh, who probably chose to leave this sad pathetic elf behind, too embarrassed to be seen in public with him or more likely too afraid of what kind of trouble he might get into with him along.  Oh, my poor, sweet KK...I sure hope you got out to fill the car with gas on the way home.

But ya know, I'm glad Santa left this one behind!  Again, we are so blessed with wonderful friends and I'm especially grateful we have friends who are willing to leave their homes looking like fools just to have a fabulous evening with us here at the Tumbleweed Inn...we would be sad, pathetic, lonely people without all of you so thanks again for the wonderful memories and for your friendship!  (And next year, Brian and Jen, you better be here...dressed appropriately!)

Merry Christmas to all and Blessings as we begin this New Year...in style!

The Gift of a Memory

This year for my birthday my hubby gave me not only gave me the gift of a wonderful evening out but a beautiful memory.  My day started with a phone call from my nieces wishing me a Happy Birthday and can I say that there is nothing quite like hearing little voices loudly shouting a special message through the phone.  My morning was also made complete by a visit from my wonderful neighbor and her son who brought me a delicious pie.  (We are so blessed to have the most wonderful neighbors along our road...it feels like a little family here sometimes.)  And then I got a free drink from Starbucks...a salted caramel hot chocolate truly can warm the soul.  I got to talk with my fabulous mom, got tons of Facebook love from many of my friends and got a few emails from some special people.  But the true icing on the cake came from my soulmate...

...in the form of a evening on the town!  About 2 weeks ago Jamie came to me with some money and said my mission was to find a dress, if I didn't like any in my closet, and purchase whatever accessories I desired to go with because he was going to be taking me out for a nice dinner for my birthday.  I had been looking forward to this evening ever since!  I had no idea where we were going and I didn't care to know.  Finding out that Jamie had to wear a coat and tie...well that was just a clue as to the lengths my husband had decided to go for me.  You have to understand, my husband wasn't always so enthused about the prospects of dress pants, let alone even wearing a tie.  To think that he willingly opted for this just explains how far he is willing to step out of his comfort zone.  (Secretly I think he enjoys dressing to the nines...but please don't let on that I know...I sure don't want this transformation to stop!)  As if he hadn't gone all out already, he presented me with a beautiful necklace he had picked out..."Just something to complete your look"...what a sweetheart.

After getting as dolled up as we possibly could we headed to Charleston Restaurant in Inner Harbor.  Valet parking was also "on the menu" and just added to the flavor of the evening.  Upon entering and giving our reservation, the maitre d' said they were given special instructions to make a big deal about my birthday, and make a big deal they did.  We were escorted to their back room to a table with a view of the harbor.  Not only was the ambiance picture perfect and the food amazing, but we also got to meet Chef, Cindy Wolf, as the menu this evening included bison tenderloin from Gunpowder Bison and Jamie mentioned that he happened to be the farm manager.  She has amazing talent and was so nice!  They made our evening so special with a few compliments from the kitchen throughout our meal.  We got calamari from the chef, wine with our last course from the owner, and a little dessert sampler from the  pastry chef.  It has been an evening I won't soon forget!  I left with a full stomach, a happy heart, and a renewed sense of gratitude for the blessings life provides at the moments I need them most.

To those who helped to make this day a memory I won't soon forget and who showered me with love and friendship, my deepest thanks!  And to Jamie, my handsome hubby, my soulmate and my better half...words cannot express how much I appreciate the planning and hard work you put into making this a truly special day for me.  You are a true gift from God and I'm so blessed to call you mine!  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you....from the deepest part of my soul, I love you!!

Thank goodness for friends who have been beneficial in not only allowing me to photograph their families and getting comfortable with my camera, but who also believe in my love of photography.  My friend, Amanda, has been one of those.  I should be paying her for her advertisement abilities because thanks to her, I've been given opportunities that otherwise wouldn't have presented themselves.  So Amanda, once again, thank you for letting me interrupt a Sunday afternoon, for your confidence in me, and for your friendship!  You have 3 beautiful girls who make my job easy.