After waving goodbye to Auntie, sweet Delaney stared out into the darkness for quite a while.  I think she was waiting to see if Aunties was going to come back.  She eventually turned and pointed and ‘Auntie’.  Poor Delaney—a week always seems so long when the countdown gets reset!

This week, Auntie’s came to bake Christmas cookies with Franny, Cole, and Delaney!  The kids always love the time they spent with Auntie, but they really look forward to these traditions that they share every year.  There is always such a special feeling in our house when Auntie is here—the feeling that only comes when family and very special people visit.  We are so lucky that we have that feeling almost every week!

Although we brought our tree home on Sunday, busy schedules didn’t allow for us to decorate it until Wednesday.  Needless to say, by this time the kids were very excited about pulling out the ornaments and lights and trimming the tree.  They did a wonderful job and the tree looks really beautiful.  Now, it is really starting to feel like Christmas is on it’s way!

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I took these pictures on our trip to get our Christmas tree but I didn’t post them.  But, I loved them so much that I thought I’d post them, even though it is old news.  It is, however, less about our trip and more about their beautiful faces.  They are such incredible people, and I can’t even begin to imagine my life without them. 

We were deeply saddened to learn that the kids’ pediatrician, Dr. Jeffrey Miller, passed away on Sunday.  It was unexpected--he suffered severe head trauma after falling from the roof of his home and wasn’t able to be saved.  It is a terrible and devastating loss. He was a wonderful doctor—kind and patient, and always had a genuine interest in the kids and their well being.  The world was a better place with him in it.  I’ve had a very heavy heart the last two days.  I am so sad for his family, which included two young kids, and as we continue with our lives and our holiday traditions I can’t help but think of their overwhelming loss and wonder how they are coping.  It makes me hug my family a little tighter and be thankful that we are healthy and happy.  And, it also makes me thankful that Dr. Miller was a part of our lives, even if was for just five years.  At this point, I don’t know who will step into his place as the kids’ pediatrician.  But, I do know he will never be replaced in our hearts. 

There is so many things to do during the holidays.  We do new things every year, but my favorites—as well as the kids—are always the family traditions that they look forward to.  This morning, we all went to get our Christmas tree. There are few things the kids like more than spending time with their very special Grandpa, and for Franny in particular, this tradition is very important and one she looks forward to.  This year, we also enjoyed the addition of Rick and Delaney to our excursion.  The kids went to a Christmas concert in the afternoon, so we won’t be decorating the tree for a couple of days, but it’s presence definitely brings a special feeling of the holidays to our house.  With our busy schedule, it’s also a good reminder to slow down and enjoy the season and being with family.  We are so blessed that we live close enough to enjoy wonderful times like this!

Delaney had a great time at her cousin’s birthday party this evening.  Playing with cousins and eating cake were very fun, but their dog, Harry Poodle, was probably the highlight of her evening.  This wonderful Standard Poodle is bigger than Delaney is, but she is also incredibly patient and gentle.  Delaney had a great time following her around, petting her, and just sticking close to her.  I don’t know if the interest was mutual, but Delaney did a get a few kisses, much to her delight!

It has been about a few weeks since Auntie Noelle last visited, and the kids have really missed her.  Every day Franny has asked when Auntie would be coming, and Cole has been asking frequently, as well.   But, today was the day, and she came with all the necessary supplies to make pinecone bird feeders to hang outside.  Franny was tired, as is normal for a school day, but she was in one of the happiest moods I’ve seen her in lately.  Auntie is very special to Franny, and that is always most apparent when she visits, or when we feel her absence.  Fortunately, today was one of the days where we could enjoy having her with us.  It is never long enough, but thankfully, we will see her again next week.  I think both Franny and Cole will be counting the days!

This is the beautiful, proud face of a boy who bowled an even 100 this evening.  Now, I do understand that there is not a lot of skill involved—there are ramps for the balls, as well as bumpers—but this is the second game in a relatively short time frame that he has had a really good score.  And, they were also the only two games he has played.  I don’t know if he has a knack for it, or if it’s just good old fashioned luck, because he really doesn’t put any kind of definitive effort into it. Regardless, he does have a lot of fun doing it, which really is the most important thing.  Still, it makes me laugh that he pulled out such a great score.