Christmas cookies & holiday hearts

I had Rose Bailey come by and take some more pictures of the boys because Jackson was less-than-thrilled during our first family Christmas photo shoot.  See? Mama tries! I wanted to get pictures that were "us."  So, I opted for pajamas, in our house...doing what we do at Christmas time...baking cookies, playing trains, enjoying the Christmas tree.  And thank goodness that the Christmas tree pictures were facing the tree, because Jackson quickly was over it once again and began screaming his head off! But, luckily, I could place him in front of the tree screaming, and you can't tell in the picture. Actually, I think in this picture, he actually stopped screaming for a minute...but one can never know for sure!
How I love my boys...the magic of Christmas...making these memories...even though the PROCESS of making these memories can be a royal beating if I'm perfectly honest.  But you can't say that Mama doesn't TRY!!!
Love to all!

Another memory in the making

During our family Christmas picture shoot this year, Jackson was fussy and over it before it even began...and I was disappointed that I didn't get any pictures of Jackson or the boys together.  So, I asked my favorite photographer, Rose Bailey Photography if she would try to stop by the house on a spare afternoon to try a take 2.  I have enough natural light in our breakfast area, and I'm a big Christmas cookie baker, so I thought it would be easy enough to set out some Christmas cookies and snap pictures of the boys.  We also have an electric train around the tree and I figured that they would have fun with that, and it wouldn't require Jackson actually looking at the camera or smiling, as he is my challenging one in the photo department right now! (Noah is trained...smiles on the spot like his mama lol).

It started well.  Boys were at the table. Noah decorated cookies...Jackson wasn't much interested but enjoyed the dancing gingerbread man on the table.  But when it was time for the train, meltdown city. Everyone got frustrated (including Mama!) because the train wouldn't stay on the track and then meltdowns began, and Jackson just wanted me to hold him...but I looked like holy hell and did not want to be in the picture.  Good times! At one point, Rose told me, "Breathe, Brenda!" Nothing like trying to create fake happpy memories for your kids! Goodness! When Michael walked in, Jackson was screaming and Noah was refusing to participate, and I was about ready to pull my hair out. I just started laughing outloud at the chaos. THAT should've been the shot! Because that is real life, folks.  Luckily, I have this picture permanently imprinted on my brain---no photo required!
I snapped a couple pix of the boys before the fiasco...and they are precious indeed.  But let me tell you...it is SO MUCH work!!
Gotta love it.
But I realize I'm blessed to be able to do this...to have the time, the money, healthy kids....to take the pictures.  Life is really good, despite the chaos.

Christmas Cookie Baking with Noah

 This past weekend, Noah & I got all dressed up in our chef's outfits and made a batch of my mom's Christmas sugar cookies.  Let me just say...they are the best cookies EVER. Seriously.  Noah & I had so much fun! He helped me with every step...from cracking the eggs to rolling the dough.  Precious, precious memories! Some of my most wonderful childhood memories included making sugar cookies with my mother.  I hope to pass this tradition on to my boys.  Priceless moments, really!

Christmas Cookies & Holiday Hearts

 There's an old holiday song that sings, "Christmas cookies & holiday hearts...that's the way the holiday starts. Christmas cookies & holiday hearts.  Goody, goody! Yum! Yum! Yum!" That was this weekend's theme as my two holiday hearts & I baked up a spectacular batch of Christmas cookies! I ordered all of us chef hats---even Jackson, who cooperated well with wearing his hat! Jackson mainly played with the flour and Noah's wooden utensils, but enjoyed the show, nevertheless. LOTS of action! What special memories we made! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Here's to saying Yes to Christmas cookies & holiday hearts!