Tiny hands that melt my heart...

Mrs. Hardwick, Bayleigh's preschool picture really knows how to tug on a mommies heart strings. :) This year, our gift from Bayleigh was this wreath made from her hands and the berries are her thumb prints. I think it is adorable. She also made a count down bell that I thought was pretty cute too.

The red dots are her thumb prints.

Cabin 2009

This years cabin trip to Wasatch Lake in Poland, IN fell on the weekend December 18th, 19th, and 20th. We have been doing this every year since the year before Bayleigh was born. Santa always comes and brings gifts for the kids. This year he reminised about the first time he held a tiny Bayleigh in his arms. She was just over a month old her first trip. It is mind blowing how fast the time goes. It was a great time. We did NOTHING. NOTHING. It was amazing. I didn't have to worry about anything and was just able to do NOTHING! I LOVED it. :) This year we exchanged Christmas with the Burris Family and celebrated mine and Larry's birthdays down there too. My birthday was on Sunday the 20th and Larry is Tuesday the 22nd. It snowed the night we got there and the Lake was already frozen. It was SO pretty. I could sit and stare out those bay windows forever and watch the lake and wildlife. :)

Me, Larry, Steve, Bayleigh, Kim, Josh, Kaitlynn, and Whitney.

Me, Bayleigh, and Larry.

Our beautiful kids, Kaitlynn, Josh, Bayleigh, and Whitney.

Christmas @ the Zoo 2009

On Wed. December 16th, 2009 we took our annual trip to Christmas at the Zoo with Eric, Rachel, and Max. It was sooooo pretty as you can imagine. It was also SOOOOO cold! I think we all had a wonderful time and just the togetherness with them was a blast. I love spending time with them and I can't stand that we live so far away from each other, but it just makes us appreciate days like these so much more.

Max and Rachel took part in petting the sharks. Bayleigh was fine watching. :)

At the dolphin Show.

Max and Bayleigh's COLD wagon ride.

Me and Larry.

Rachel, Santa, Max, and Eric.

Bayleigh and Max on the train. BRRRRRRRRRRRR!

A beautiful picture of Rachel and Eric on the train.

After the zoo we take a dinner trip to the Old Spagetti Factory--YUM-O!

See Bayleigh on Santa's List

Bayleigh made Santa's List "http://family.go.com/santas-list/video/105743-ljbrutherford/" - Send your Picture to Santa and See Which List You've Made This Year

Santa Visit!

Yesterday, Saturday, December 5th, 2009, we took Bayleigh to the Greenwood Park Mall to visit Santa. For the last several years before going we have stopped at Shelbyville Wal-Mart to get a free 5x7 with their Santa too. (I didn't include that picture with this post).

Bayleigh was very excited to tell Santa in person that she wants a Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster for Christmas this year. We always allow Bayleigh to ask for 1 gift from Santa because we know he is very busy making all the toys for all of the girls and boys in the world. :) The Zhu Zhu Pet is THE, I mean THE item of the year and it is almost impossible to find them in the stores. It is simply an $8 toy that can be found at Wal-Mart and then of course there are a ton of accessories too. It's even all over the news about the demand for them. So, OF COURSE that is what my child wants. I hope she was a good girl this year and gets what she is hoping for. ;)

Everyone keeps asking me what I want for Christmas and my Birthday. This year has been a real struggle for us in different aspects. I have thought long and hard and the truth is, there is no materialistic thing I want. I just want health and happiness. That's all. Of course world peace would be nice too, but keeping it on my door step, that's all I want.

I find myself slipping into a bit of depression in the winter months and I know it is fueled by serveral things. I am trying really hard to keep my chin up and just go with the flow of things. That is really all you can do anyways. I am not going to let my life be controlled by something I choose it not to be controlled by. :) I choose to stay positive. See the good. Find the good when it's not always visible and just be thankful for what I do have. So far, it's working for me. :)

I hope as the holidays are approaching you find yourself enjoying all of the blessings in your life and that Santa is very kind to all of you. :)

Happy Holidays!
Jennifer