Keeping up with Cameron and Ashley: December 2012

Santa and his reindeer!

This past weekend Santa, Mrs. Claus and some of his reindeer decided to visit our local Whole Foods:) So we took the kids up to see the big man himself. Cameron and Ashley love the thought of Santa and all that he brings but have always been a little wary about seeing him in person. Each time we have gone in years past they just want to look at him from afar:) This year we had a breakthrough and they both talked to Santa and Mrs. Claus about some of the things they wanted for Christmas, so cute! Santa also brought two of his reindeer how fun to see them in person!!

It that you Donner and Blitzen?

So cute!

Daddy and Ashley checking out the reindeer.

Santa and Mrs. Claus!!!!

For the last three years we have had a visit from a special elf named Danny! Danny comes to live with us starting December 1 and stays with us until he gets a ride back to the North Pole with Santa on Christmas Eve! He reports back to Santa every night on how Cameron and Ashley have been doing! Danny is a magical Elf so we never see him but he leaves notes and clues to where he has been in the house! He is also big on requesting food for the kids to leave him each night. Here is a picture from the first visit this year!

Danny moves a special ornament places in the house to tell us where he has been, so this year it is the Santa one. The kids love it and can't wait to see where he will end up each morning!

Danny's first note of the season!

Bailey

On November 30th we lost our precious little Bailey. I am beyond thankful that I got to spend almost 14 years with her and experience life with this little love! Jeff and I got Jack and Bailey 3 weeks after we got married and they were truly our first little kids! Bailey had a personality much bigger than her little body would suggest! She was always there to give a snuggle and some love, unless there was some pizza in the other room!:) In her later life her favorite sport was following Cameron and Ashley around until she could hunt down there leftover food:) She was adorable and I miss her terribly!!!!!!

Jeff and I were devastated when she passed but were so thankful that she died in our arms and surrounded by things she knew, especially Jack! In the last couple of days of her life he stuck close to her as he has done all his life, she was his north star! For days after she passed he looked for her and it broke my heart that I couldn't tell him what was going on but I think he knew! We have been taking him on lots of walks and giving him extra love and attention. He even gets to go each month now and pick out his own special cookies at the pet store:)

On her last day with us we took lots of pictures with her and movies to remember her:) The kids even made cards for her. I have included some pictures below.

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and good wishes!

Turkey Day 2012!

This year we were invited by our good friends the Bartels to join them for the big day! It took me all weekend to recoup from my turkey coma:) Lots of great food and fun! Here are some pictures from the big day!