These are a few of my favorite things this Christmas

The Christmas festivities have begun and Kevin is finally done working and "on vacation" too. This brings me to my first favorite thing of Christmas... Kevin and I have 11 whole days together away from work. I am anticipating lots of family time, lazy mornings, warm cooked breakfasts, many fires in the fireplace, day trips here and there, and lots of time nestled in our fully holiday decked out home.

Here are a few of my favorite things this holiday season....

Checking the mail every day to more find holiday cards from our friends and family members. I love seeing all the pictures... and the babies, oh the babies! This year I found a new way to organize and "display" our Christmas cards (thanks to an idea spotted on Pinterest). Kevin didn't like that I always put them in a basket... and he's right! This way we get to enjoy these holiday photos every day.

Two Christmas trees! Of course, one is enough, but two... is wonderful. Okay... three!  Fine, there are four decorated trees in the house. But, two of them are under three feet so they do not count. There is one spot in our house where I can see three decorated trees at one time. It's one of my favorite things.

My Mom's sugar cookies... I made them all on my own this year :)

Friends come home for the holidays. Yesterday, I had lunch with Molly... she puts a smile on my face like no one else can! I am so mad at myself for not bringing my camera along to our lunch date. I also saw many of my favorite friends this week for lunches & dinners. We always have so much to talk about and share with one another. And last night, the Cagney Christmas party brought together Erin, Tyanna, Carrie, and me!

Dinner by the fireplace..... Earlier this week, I cooked a Christmas pasta (everything was red & green... shrimp, peppers, basil, tomatoes) for Kevin and me. The dinner table would have been fine. But, the coffee table next to the Christmas tree and in front of the fireplace was even better.

Noah, Sophie, Ayla, Mae, Christian, Brendan, & Patrick. That's right... seven nieces and nephews. I had SO much fun shopping for them this Christmas and I cannot wait to see them all over the next few days. I need to catch up on hugs and kisses.

New Christmas traditions... Three years ago, Kevin and I started having our own Christmas morning on Christmas Eve morning. Sure, it's "our" tradition but I have to make banana bread just like my Mom always did and everything has to be just right before we exchange presents... fireplace on, every Christmas light on, and Christmas music playing all throughout the house. My Mom and Dad always made sure those things were ready before we came downstairs! It was a perfect morning. Kevin is already taking a nap (I think that's a good new tradition too!).

In a few hours we will head off to see both families for Christmas over the next two days. Many many more favorite things ahead. 

Merry Christmas! XOXO

I heart faces: Let them be little

You can't get much more little than this... here is my new nephew- seven days little! I love his little hands in the photo- a perfect entry for this week's competition over at I Heart Faces!

Patrick- 7 days new...

One week ago, on October 16th, my brother and sister-in-law had their third baby- a darling baby boy named Patrick. It's true what they say, your heart just expands to love new family members. This is our seventh nephew/niece and I couldn't he more proud to be Patrick's auntie.

I spent the afternoon with Geoff, Bonnie, Sophie, Ayla, and Patrick. The love was just pouring out of their home sweet home.

Here is sweet Patrick... seven days new.

Patrick is one lucky little guy with two big sisters like Sophie & Ayla to love him.

Life is sweet. Welcome to it, Patrick.

Lily- Fall Photos-Island Park

Today I had the great honor of photographing my dear friend Carrie's beautiful seven-year-old daughter. We returned to Island Park in Ann Arbor, where we spent many lunch hours in high school. It was a perfect crisp fall morning and the sun was shining. Lily was a natural in front of the camera and she loved to dance and twirl around the park in between shots! Ohhh.... and don't you just love her fall boots?