And we swam.

In the warm November sun, we swam.  The guys took turns chasing and catching Chloe in the pool while I soaked my feet and relaxed.  It was the perfect way to run off those holiday calories and have fun together.  Then back home to clean up, eat homemade nacho's and play for hours.

 

 

A favorite of Chloe and my dad.  Their laughter was contagious.

AJ passing down his childhood car collection.

Chloe was thrilled.  What a nice uncle!

Thank you, LuLa for the yummy recipe.  Try them!

Tree Shopping, back in November.

Popcorn! while tree shopping, thank you Home Depot.  

This man knows how to pick a good tree.

For the first time ever we ventured out to a store on Black Friday.  One quick trip to Home Depot to pick out the perfect pine for our desert home.  It instantly made our apartment cozy and brought some of the holiday feeling we'd been missing with the still hot temperatures.  That might be the only shopping we ever do on Black Friday.  For me the time is all about family and setting foot into a busy, crowded, retail crazed store is the last thing on my list.  I like our time together to be cherished.  That night AJ and Kevin hit up the iPic theater to see a movie and my dad, Chloe and I continued the family tradition he and my mom started when we were children and watched The Velveteen Rabbit before bed.  If you don't have this movie you must get it for your Christmas collection.  Meryl Streep narrates, as usual, she (and the illustrations) is perfection.

Let's just say our tree was one crispy little guy by the time we traveled to Temecula for the holidays.      He was removed for fear of fire a week before we left.  But oh how we enjoyed that sweet pine scent.  And the twinkling lights.  Oh the lights, my favorite part.

We are thankful.

Grocery shopping, on my own.

I am so thankful for this man.  

Dancing while I cooked.  Such a cute sight.

Sister, you were so missed.  

We were so happy to have my dad and brother AJ with us for Thanksgiving last year.  (I'm about 4 months behind here.)  Here were a few of my favorite photos from the day.  It was a quiet holiday at home.  And the food was so delicious.  We are so thankful for all the blessings in our lives, but most of all we are thankful for family.

In the meantime.

I'm sure I'll be back in a blogging rhythm again soon.  But I do still visit most days to see what my favorite bloggers are inspired by or saying.  Kelle Hampton's blog is one of my very favorites.  She is an amazing writer, photographer and her inspiring theme to enjoy the small things is such a  perspective I appreciate and hold dear.  Kelle will be having another baby in days (yay!) and today's guest post from writer Claire Bidwell Smith.  It spoke right to my heart.  It's uncanny how she put words to the emotions that have been ebbing and flowing through me.

Finding My Mother by Claire Bidwell Smith

In the meantime, I'm looking for inspiration to post.  I'll be back soon.  Please don't give up on me.  (wink)

Mischief.

Fall 2012. yep, playing catch-up.

And back in fall.  We danced, we painted, we played at the park, visited our local library (a lot),  enjoyed beautiful weather and our little bloom got into lots of mischief at home.  This age is so much fun and full of excitement.  This season sure is beautiful in Arizona.  Such a relief to bask in the fresh air after a long HOT summer.

And a little Random Act of Kindness.

These video by OhJoy! make me smile every time.  And I'm thinking of doing a little kindness mission in the new year.  Pondering some ideas.  Just for fun.  Because let's just be honest, doing good, feels good.

Enjoy the video.  And could Joy Cho be any cuter?