Merry Christmas!

This year we decided not to send our Christmas cards. It's sad because I've enjoyed doing them the past couple years. But we plan on sending the "We Have Moved" cards soon anyway. Then I realized that just because we're saving on stamps doesn't mean we can't have a digital Christmas card. So here it is.

The Young Family 2008 Christmas Card:

Christmas is Wonderful!

"Christmas is wonderful!" That's what Eleanor told me today. She's so right. I'm starting to get into the Christmas mood lately. I know, it's about time. It's been tough this year with wanting and trying to get into the new house. But last week I finally came to the realization that it's not going to happen and I'm surprisingly quite fine with it. It's actually is a relief to know where we're going to be and not have to rush to get packed, moved and unpacked.

So, we're getting into the Christmas spirit here at 107 S. Detroit Street. To make up for the fact that we don't have a big tree (yet?!?!?! - maybe this weekend) I got out the 3-foot fake from the basement. It's in Eleanor's room and she loves it! She got so excited about decorating it that while I was stringing on the lights, she decorated her dresser :)

And last night we wrapped a few presents. I've cut back on gift buying this year and feel great about it. The girls will get a couple gifts each but mainly we'll enjoy the holiday by spending time together. The girls are both at an easy-to-please stage and Matt and I both realize the gift giving is best left for the kids. It's really nice! But I digress, we were wrapping gifts last night, Eleanor and I, and Eleanor LOVED it. It was one of the sweetest things. She was singing Jingle Bells and helping with the taping. She kept saying cute things like, "This is fun!" and "Wow, this is going to be the best party!"

My iPod's loaded with our favorite Christmas songs to sing along with and dance to (Eleanor's got some great dance moves). After nap time, we'll make Christmas cookies. And quite possibly see if we can give that last lonely Christmas tree at our local nursery a home. Matt and I have to be the luckiest people in the world. We get to spend the holiday season with two the the most beautiful, happy, and healthy little girls. Christmas is wonderful!

Eleanor the photographer

Eleanor's been playing with our camera for a couple months now. At first she was just hitting buttons and once in a while we'd get a lovely picture of the carpet fibers or her finger with blurry objects in the background. But lately she's really gotten the hang of it. Turning it on and off, getting her subject in the display (not necessarily centered), and taking the pictures. Here's some of her work:

Pinkie Pie

Her favorite subject, Carolyn (and her feet)


See, what did I tell you?

Carolyn (and quite a bit of countertop)

Carolyn again

Cute Carolyn Pics

Carolyn loves to swing, can you tell?

Carolyn lounging on daddy's boots.

Fall Clean-Up

I'm so late on my posting - forgive me, I've been so busy.

The girls and I took charge on the fall clean-up since Matt's been busy siding the new house. Eleanor actually grabbed a rake and tried helping, but as soon as I got a pile swept-up, she decided she liked jumping in the leaves better. And who can blame her.

Eleanor in the leaves with cousins Katie and Joy!

Carolyn was also "helping" by sitting on her blanket and being good. That is until she got a hold of some leaves and I kept having to run over and sweep them out of her mouth.

We raked until it was dark which is 6pm. Matt pulled in and started helping. I ran inside to get dinner going and I heard Matt startup his leafblower. Eleanor asked me where daddy was and I told her he was outside blowing leaves. She looked at me and asked, "Like this?" and rounded her lips and blew out. So literal those kids :)