Happy New Year!

Here we are at the end of another year. I can remember hearing time goes faster as you get older and that certainly seems true! Yes, I am old, sigh. My achey back can attest to that..

I am still trying to catch my breath from all the craziness that comes with the holidays. It is one of my favorite times of the year but I will welcome a slower pace for the next few months, if there is such a thing. These three faces are one of the reasons I sort of laugh as I even mention a slower pace. They don't really allow for such a thing. But I do have lots to get accomplished so I hope that time will allow for that. I won't bore you with my long list of resolutions, I don't like to write those things down. Not a big fan of failure.

So for now, my house is a mess, my kids look like rug-rats, my Christmas decorations are all still up and I am not cooking dinner. Tomorrow is my day. *wink*

Maybe next week I will post some pictures from Christmas at our house. We continue to have so much to be thankful for. We had a white Christmas (which is a little over-rated if you are trying to travel) and the snow is still around. So, I took it upon myself to drag the kids out today to get some cute pictures in the snow. Not the ones in the oversized snow pants, although the kids would have been warmer, I wanted a little more winter wonderland kind of look. Since it was pretty darn cold out, I took them one at a time. Didn't dare push my luck in keeping them out very long. My oldest is the least tolerant, I think because she was born in South Carolina, and it is written all over her face in these pics.

Hope you have a great New Year!

Amy

One of our kitties came out to join us, meet Ziggy.

Yes, this is the face you get from the girl who doesn't like to do much if it isn't her idea, especially in the COLD!

She can really go into supermodel posing when she wants.

Patchen family

This family came to me by referral so our first meeting was moments before I shove a camera in their face and want them to act natural...they were great! Cute, cute kids who were very natural. I would ask Jake to go against a wall and he would "pose" himself perfect. Grace was up for whatever I wanted and I think enjoyed it. Lots of smiles and giggles from everyone! We explored some nooks and crannies of one of my favorite spots and tried to stay warm. It was a balmy 45 out, which seriously was warm compared to just the day before. Our noses got a little red toward the end but it wasn't too bad for late December!

Thanks Patchen family for sharing part of your Sunday with me...crazy time of year! Have a great Christmas and maybe you can send out New Years cards!

Random chair out there...the blue helped her beautiful eyes pop!

Went for the fun way down...how stinkin' cute is his face!

I ♥ faces; Pets only

I am putting a photo up at I ♥ faces again this week. This week they are featuring pets!

I sat on this one for awhile as I have so many different cute pets to choose from and some that might be a better "entry" than this. But I couldn't stay away from posting a picture of my sweet, sweet Dixee. She passed away this August and ugh...it still makes my heart heavy. She was my first baby girl...she was with me through cross country moves, a growing family, a wounded heart and much more. But she remained my loyal companion through it all. She slowly took a back seat year after year as my life got busier and busier with the kids and the rush that goes with it all. But she never complained and loved the girls as much as a dog could. This picture drew me in because it is just her! I can almost guarantee that there is a tennis ball at my feet as I took this picture, a plea to play ball with her. She loved that game, always.

So now that I have tears streaming down my face, I love and miss you Dixee!

Now go and check out some other cute pets!

COOKIES!

Want to see four year olds get excited about school? Take them on a field trip to a cookie store! YUMMY! Honestly, I am sure all these kiddos love school anyway, but what a fun little treat away from the normal. Eileens Colossal Cookies= heavenly, heavenly cookies. I have no doubt Santa would approve. As you can tell the kids did! Thanks for the tour and the cookies!

Yes, this is a huge refrigerator stocked full of colorful icing

Emme admiring the cookies on display.

what crumbs?

Like I said, pretty sure the kids approved!

The Cushing family

What you can't tell from these pictures is how absolutely cold it was outside. These girls were tough and didn't complain one bit! (I cruelly stayed bundled in my long winter coat with my gloves on.) We started at the house so we could run in and warm up every so often. But then I wanted to take them downtown to a spot that I have had my eye on for a LONG time. It just went with their outfits too well.

Thanks for hanging in there girls, hopefully your mom got you some warm hot chocolate when you got home! Good luck to Erin this weekend. First gymnastics meet of the year!