Vacation Days

Ellie wearing her new Owl Hat from Aunt Maureen!
Keeping her ears nice and warm!

A shot of the sunset during our walk two evenings ago.

Our days off following Christmas have been a wonderful time to get some needed rest, take down Christmas and go outside!  Although it was near zero just before Christmas the end of the week has brought incredibly mild temps that have allowed a lot of time outdoors.

Ellie and I have taken full advantage by taking a walk every day!  Sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the evening and some days both!  She's quick to say yes when I ask if she wants to go, and has begun to ask when can we do our walk today.  I sure will miss having days off to get that mid-morning sunshine on our faces!

It's been a great time to talk about things - our upcoming vacation, our favorite things to do on days off and even a list of places we'd like to visit.  And the best part for me, is having her recognize how good she feels after a walk … the air, the tingle in her legs and the much improved mood from moving around and getting fresh air.  Wow!  Such a change!

Can't wait to evolve our walks so that we can continue during the week - should be fun!

Missing shots

Here's a few of the photos from the past few days that I didn't post .. but wanted to share them.  We're enjoying a few days off at Christmas to relax, play with our toys and get ready to kick off the new year in a few days!

Recipe courtesy of Giada DeLaurentis for homemade Stuffoli.
Yes, it was delicious!
We made on Christmas Eve - took a plate to Laura's house, and kept one at home!

Christmas Eve photos

Another Christmas Eve photo

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning!

Ellie's new puppy! Digger!

Digger came with this 'bone' in his mouth

Ellie's present to Mommy and Daddy
A cookbook from the 2nd grade classes
with contributions from ALL the students inside!

Just one of Ellie's two new bathrobes!  How exciting!

From Papa - her American Girl doll, Saige

From Aunt Maureen - modeling the Owl hat!

Yes, I do recall the days that Bill and I were awake before Ellie stirred from her bed.  Oh, how I wish that was the case now.  She was up and ready to head downstairs at 5am!  I convinced her to stay next to me for another 30 minutes - until she couldn't take it anymore!

She's spend the entire day going through all her wonderful gifts.  She received things from far and wide causing her to say, 'Wow, Mommy - lots of people DO love me.  Look at all the presents with my name on them!"

Christmas Eve

Bill & Jude - Christmas Eve 2013 at the Swan's house

Laura and Chris Swan - Christmas 2013

Brenda & Phil Morehead - Christmas Eve 2013

Emma, Ellie and Hannah - having fun!

Jude & Laura - Why, yes, we did have fun - thank you!

Bill and Phil - I know it rhymes, right?
Sharing a cocktail of Maple Crown Royal that neither one really liked!

We were delighted to enjoy an evening with friends to celebrate Christmas Eve on Tuesday!  All State Farm people who have relocated to Bloomington at some point in their careers.  Our hosts, Laura and Chris Swan (from Pennsylvania) actually live right in our neighborhood.  They have a teenage son Ethan, and a 10 year old daughter, Hannah - whom Ellie just loves!  Also included were Bill & Kristin Martin (from NY and NJ respectively) with whom we've gathered before.  And a new family to the mix for us was the Moreheads - Phil and Brenda with a 12 year old son Lucas and an 8 year old daughter, Emma. They're originally from Colorado, via a stop in Pennsylvania where they met the Swans and the Martins.

What a blessing to spend Christmas Eve with a group of wonderful families - the kids played great and the adults laughed until it was time to pack up and go home.  We dined on stuffed shells, meatballs, roasted veggies and ham.  And what a feast it was!

And as we were all bundling up, Kristin Martin said - hey let's do this again in January at our house!  So we quickly agreed on a weekend and look forward to getting together again soon.  What a wonderful way to spend a holiday!

Christmas concert!

As you can imagine the little cherubim sang beautifully at her Christmas concert on Thursday night~  We enjoyed the following songs:

Let it Snow!  Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
Mama, Bake the Johnnycake
Winter Fantasy
Home for the Holidays
Jingle Bell Rock
and
We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Ellie was the happiest, most engaged singer I could see .. mind you I really didn't bother looking around much.  She was so excited to be going to the concert and you sure could see it on her face!  She had so much fun!

Holiday in the Atrium

Bill & I with State Farm Chairman, Ed Rust!

Each year at the State Farm Corporate HQ we are fortunate to have the Chairman, Ed Rust speak live at the Holiday in the Atrium event to summarize the  year's highlights and provide a message of Christmas cheer and wishes into the next year.

My first live viewing of this event was two years ago!  It was amazing to stand in the atrium and witness first-hand the filling of the chairs, stairs and every space in between with associates wanting to view Ed Rust give this address.  It's also filled with children's choirs, musical bands and lots of Christmas Carol singing.  Very festive and transmitted over our intranet for the whole Enterprise to view.

This year was Bill's first year seeing it live.  And he wanted to start it off with a memorable photo op.  And that he did.

Here's a shot of Ed with Bill and I.  What a great guy!

And then came the snow ...

It began on the drive home from work yesterday … the weatherman said from about 3pm until 6am this morning and 3-6 inches in the end.  And Mother Nature didn't let us down.  What a terrific time to get the snow, to clear the snow and to enjoy the snow!

This was the morning Bill and Ellie were headed out to do their traditional Christmas shopping, so they wanted out of the house early!  We bundled up to assess, shovel and snow blow all that the storm left behind.  Except it didn't stop at 6am .. it continued until nearly 10am!!

Just over six inches in total .. and it is just gorgeous!

Rosy-cheeked beauty!~

Shoveling her way to the front door!

"I just can't believe ALL this snow!"

Our new Yankee snowman … a player to be named later!

This was the measurement at 8am .. remember it didn't stop until 10am!

SO much snow!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ..

This is our girl in front of the Christmas tree.  As you can see Jingle is watching over her as she poses for a photo op!  She's anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival … and knows how much fun the next couple weeks will be with party, presents and even shopping her with Daddy on Saturday!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Ellie and Grammy

Ellie carefully painting her birthday gift for Grammy at Artful Designs!

As we have each of the past several Thanksgivings we celebrating my mother's birthday during her visit .. just 10 days ago.

Today we'll celebrate her birthday from afar.

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Grammy!

Jingle, the Elf on the Shelf

As some of you may recall, our Elf on the Shelf is named Jingle.  He returned again this year on December 1st to grace our home. When he arrived he brought a letter with him to remind Ellie of his mission and of course, the rules!

He explained that a this year he wouldn't be causing all the mischief he had last year as she was older now.  He told her he thought she was old enough to understand all about Christmas Magic and how to spread it!  And wouldn't it be an amazing Christmas season this would be if all the second graders and up would help him spread the magic!

He left a note suggesting ways she could do that .. and encouraged her to find ways of her own as well.  With an ongoing list she's filling out, Jingle will read her list and bring that information back to Santa when he leaves at night.

*  Bring food to the food pantry
*  Hold the door open for someone with a smile'
*  Put change in the Salvation Army kettle
*  Bring unwanted toys to a place that kids without could use them
*  Donate hats & gloves so kids won't be cold this winter
*  Say 'hi' to someone new to make them feel welcome


I can say that Ellie is mentioning something every day that helps to spread the magic!  She's, of course, enjoying filling in her sheet as well!  In the meantime I've never seen someone get so excited to put change in the kettle each time we go to Kroger!

I'll keep you posted on Jingle's actions and Ellie's magic too!

25 Things I Want My Kids to Know about Christmas

CREDIT:  http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com

I read this awesome blog this morning about the 25 Things she wants her kids to know about Christmas and I really needed to 'borrow' it for here.  I'm thinking that next year I'll take each one and write them out on slips to be put in the Advent calendar with the 'prize' for Ellie.  They are terrific reminders about the season - and that #littlethingsmatter - which is the entire them to her Finding Joy blog.

Here they are:

1. In our house, Christmas is about Jesus. That first. The rest follows.
2. The stuff goes away. Relationships do not.
3. Always smile and at least thank the Bell Ringer at the store. Do not look away. Gather change beforehand to give.
4. Take time to slow down and appreciate the little things. #littlethingsmatter
5. Always say "thank you" to those working at the stores. And look them in the eye. And smile.
6. A handwritten note is always worth the effort.
7. Family matters. Take time to learn about family. To invest in family. To love.
8. Better to be less busy than to be crazy busy
9. The number of presents received does not matter.
10. Baking makes a mess. It also makes memories.
11. It's okay if the bottom of the tree is full of ornaments. Someday it will look perfect.
12. Christmas music should only be played after Thanksgiving until New Year's Day. (haha - my own silly rule.)
13. Traditions matter. Establish them. But always allow room for new traditions. 
14. Even if life isn't perfect there still can be beautiful and joyful moments.
15. Give to others first. And giving back isn't just a December thing - make it a year long thing.
16. Sometimes the Christmas tree falls over. Fact. Just pick it up and try again.
17. Smile. Smile. Smile. And give others grace.
18. Cultivate and celebrate the spirit of wonder in little kids.
19. If other kids believe in Santa Claus and you don't - don't ruin it for them.
20. Always buy your wrapping paper after Christmas when it's 70% off at Target.

21. You won't get everything you want. Be grateful for what you are blessed to receive.
22. Write a Christmas list. Save your list. Someday you'll enjoy looking back at them.
23. Take time to listen to others and to learn their stories. So really, just slow down.
24. You can say "Merry Christmas" to others even if they just say "Happy Holidays" to you.
25. Be grateful. Be thankful. Love your family. And remember why you celebrate Christmas.

Celebrating Grammy's Birthday

Ellie and Grammy with birthday candles lit!

As tradition goes, when Papa and Grammy visit for Thanksgiving, we end the visit by celebrating Grammy's birthday early.  Today we had a homemade pasta and meatballs dinner followed by turtle cheesecake and presents.

As you can see there was much to celebrate!