Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

Another Christmas has come and gone (so has another Christmas Break - almost anyway).  Each year gets more and more fun as the girls get older and really start to "get it." We spent almost the entire two weeks in Portland thanks to my wonderful parents who open their home to the craziness that is our family of four (soon to be five).  They are so wonderful to us and we are so grateful - thank you Mom and Dad.

As the only grandchildren on my side of the family, the girls were certainly spoiled this year, by their grandparents, aunties, and soon-to-be uncle.  I wish I would have taken a better picture of the girls in their cute Christmas dresses, but, alas, my camera went out about 10 pictures after this one.

Lucy was obsessed this year with the nativity scene, and loved to hear the story and talk about Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.

This is a nice side story ... my mom and dad visited Finland (and the rest of Scandinavia) this fall.  My mom's mom was 100% Finish, so my mom was excited to revisit her roots.  She was even able to connect with a distant cousin while there and she sent her a pair of these hand-knitted mittens for Christmas.  The smaller mittens were made by my great-great grandmother and sent to my mother as a child.  I love the history of it all and think these are such special gifts.

Sofie is in love with everyone these days, but there are two beings she is absolutely enamored with: Poppi (my dad) and Porter (Katy's dog).  They both make her smile like no other.

The girls got an easel for Christmas and it seems to be a hit so far.

It was super fun to watch the girls enjoy the season and all the joy that comes with it.  What special memories!

An artist in the making!

Here are some videos from Christmas.  The first one is a bit long and I sound like a bit of a dork in the last one, but Christmas must  be documented!

I was thinking the other day about what my New Year's goals might (should) be ... but then all of a sudden it struck me that I am a 35-year-old working mom who will become a mother to three wonderful children under the age of 3 and a half in a little over four months ... if I survive 2011 with a bit of sanity and something that resembles a smile, I am going to call it a success!  My goal for 2011 is to love my husband, kids, family, and friends as hard as I can every day, taking a few moments each day to thank God for all my blessings and cherish the craziness that is life.  May the New Year bring much happiness and love to all of you!