28 Feels Old

That's right. Im officially a decade older than I was when I was a senior in high school. Im pretty sure it's all downhill from here ;)
In spite of all that I had a stellar day! I went to lunch with some girlfriends, and dinner with some fam.

The whole crazy clan at my annual Anthony's birthday dinner






A couple of my girlfriends got me mini cupcakes earlier in the day, so Darby helped me celebrate with a candle when we got home. And this is after enjoying some delicious burnt cream at dinner. At least they're mini cupcakes?
Diet starts....now! No wait....NOW! No wait.

Happy Christmas! (In my best Harry Potter accent)

Can I just say Darby is spoiled. I have a feeling a lot of the other kiddies her age around the world are spoiled rotten, too. Or at least that's what I tell myself.
We spent Christmas Eve in Bremerton with my side of the family. The annual partay at my Grandma's house followed by more presents at my parents place.
Let the spoiling commence.

The goods at my parents house

A few new BFF's


And here is just a little clip of the joyous sound I get to listen to day and night of said new BFF (at least there's an off switch) :)

T-Ball skills to rival the boys

And she was glued to my Dad's lap all night! She calls him 'bapa' and basically just loves his guts. Every time he got up to do something she would yell 'Bapa!!!!'


Christmas morning at our house included all the already unwrapped gifts from Christmas Eve + our one stroller for Darby + the classy 'fireplace channel' on our totally awesome early 90's tv. We rock it like it's hot.
But whatever - look at that face! She could care less! She was super excited for her $10 stroller! :) We'll save the classin' it up for when we're old or something.



Puzzle crazy

THEN we went to Dave's parents house and spoiled the child some more...

Until she was pooped

Now onto the photo montage of all my presents.....
Just Kidding!! I'll stop the torture now, I think I've gone on long enough ;)
Merry Christmas!

Bella Visits

Bella's mommy had to go to an afternoon meeting sans kiddos so we had Bella over for a visit and a nap. These two girls are just too cute together!



Cheese!

Christmas Babes

Some of us were blessed enough to be born in this busy little month of December. Darby was invited to two little friend's birthday parties the last couple of weekends.
First there was Tristan's 2nd birthday party (his real birthday is on Christmas Day) and Darby had a great time decorating cookies and riding the rocking horse.


The birthday boy Tristan

Next was Addison's 3rd birthday party (her real birthday is on Christmas Eve!)
It was such a pretty little Winter Wonderland party with lots of balloons and yummy cupcakes. The kids were even visited by a big bear!

Addie the birthday girl

Darby kept sneaking upstairs. I think she wanted to check out Addie's room/toys ;)


All of these parties are starting to remind me that Darby turns 2 in just a couple of months...! Sigh. I guess they all grow up sometime.

Fast Times at....Northshore Community Cooperative Preschool

Darby's quite the little lady nowadays, attending preschool and all. She is getting used to lots of new things, such as being pushed, getting toys snatched away, and being chased by a particular boy for hugs...you know, the regular preschool stuff. Actually we both really love it! We've had a lot of fun so far. It's every Tuesday for a little over 2 hours and I get to stay with her. She has learned so much already!
She's finally getting used to art projects! She was having none of it at first, but is coming along quite nicely. Im about to start selling her billions of sticky-glue-paper-plate artwork for tons of money. I'll be rich.

Darby and her cutie friend Bella fishin' in the sensory tub.



Circle time means love time. About to get 'face-hugged' by little Hunter. Ahhh young love.

Watching Teacher Betsy with wide eyed wonderment ;)

Shakin' those jingle bells!


All in all, we love preschool! So what if you get shoved around a little bit and get your toys ripped away from your hands? You gotta get ready for annoying little brothers and sisters sometime, right?

christmas2

Many Memories Tree Christmas 5x7 folded card

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Ho Ho Ho

Christmas tree shopping/chopping is just way more fun with a crazy kid to chase after through the maze of trees. We headed out to Farmer Brown's Christmas Tree Farm again this year, and this time we let Darby chime in with her input. Usually we get a noble, but Darby's pick this year was a....well, I don't know what it is. I'm no Christmas tree expert you know, but whatever it is, it works! And of course it came loaded with spiders and ladybugs who eventually took up residence at our place...


On the car ride home Darby let us all in on Santa's famous one liner :


Once we got home my little helper got all into the Christmas spirit (well actually, she tried to tear down every ornament I put up, but whateva)




These days its hard to get Darby to stop and pose for the camera...this was the best we could do -

And the cuter, but blurry camera phone shot -


Ho Ho Ho!