Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

. . . and other things we have been up to!   We picked out our tree as a family this year in order to avoid last years fiasco.  I sent Hunter and Chris for a tree, only to have them bring the tree back for another.  It was a great effort, but it was just not the tree for us.  This year we did it together and found a beautiful tree to decorate.  But not before Elfie got hold of it!

         
                                                        Doesn't he just look full of it!

           These pictures of Ryland crack me up because he keeps watching me take Elfie's picture when he does something silly. He is mimicking me.  So cute!

I finally finished the decorating and lights!  I love just sitting at night with the glow from the candles in the house and the lights outside.  It is such a warm and comforting feeling with all my family together.  I always get sad when it is time to put all the lights away.

Took the kids to see Santa and ride the train at the mall.  I was determined this year to not wait until the last minute like I usually do and stand in line forever.  Needless to say it was a very relaxing visit this year.  Note to self :   Keep this in mind for next year!
Ryland could not wait to see Santa and while other children in front of us were crying, he was diving onto his lap.

We ended the weekend with a super cute play Hunter and Hannah were in, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."  I recall reading this book as a young girl and was delighted to see they would be doing this play as the winter show.  They did a super job!
All in all I feel ahead of the game seeing how there is less than two weeks left until Christmas. Yikes!  I just want to slow down and enjoy this special time of year.  Wrapping will be the thing that takes me down, but if a just do a bit here and there I think I will be alright!

Christmas in the City

                   "City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style.  In the air there's the feeling of Christmas."  The first line to one of my favorite christmas songs, Silver Bells, happens to be fitting to the day I spent in New York City last Saturday.  I have such fond memories playing this song on the piano every Christmas while my sister sang along.  Anyhow, the city was hopping.  My mom, sister and aunt go to NYC every year the first Saturday in December, along with about five billion other people to see the tree at Rockefeller Center.   It was VERY crowded, but I don't mind.  I love the hustle and bustle and seeing the city decorated for the season.  The weather was perfection.  Simply unheard of for this time of year.  I did not even need gloves. Gasp!  Typically we are freezing, but not this year.  We even saw people eating outdoors at restaurants.  I love the warmth.  When I say warmth I am only talking about 55 degrees, but this time of year it feels like 80!

 
                                                  The trees were simply beautiful!

                                                Saint Patrick's Cathedral is just breathtaking!
   

     The tree at Rockefeller Center.  We did not skate on this trip, but I have in the past.  It is so much fun!

 
This is the tree at Bryant Park.  I just love this park. It has the cutest shops and eateries.  It also happens to be where Fashion week takes place every fall!

                                                                        Times Square!

 
                              Times Square has its fair share of entertainment including the "naked Cowboy" who plays the guitar in his underwear all year round!  Go figure!

   
                                    We did lots of shopping and ate the best food. Yum!

       I just love New York City.  If I was single I just might live there! Ha!   Can't wait to go back!

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year. . . .

           When "Elfie" as my children call him, makes his holiday debut all the way from the north pole to keep an eye on the Raudelunas children and report back to Santa on their daily behavior.  The kids love looking for him each day as he always finds a new spot to hide!

     When we deck the halls, shop the malls and craft it up until christmas is coming out the walls!

       When the Nutcracker comes to town and I take my daughter to see this sweet ballet just as I did as a little girl.  I just love holiday traditions and all the festivities that engulf each day this time of year!

Gobble Gobble!

                                                                HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 THANKFUL FOR SO MANY BLESSINGS ON THIS DAY AND DAYS TO COME.  I HAVE SUCH A GRATEFUL HEART FOR MY FOUR LITTLE TURKEYS.  NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED HOW BLESSED I WOULD BECOME!  

SO GRATEFUL FO MY PATIENT AND KIND HUSBAND.  HE IS SUCH A GOOD DAD WITH A BIG HEART!  HE IS SO GOOD FOR ME AND KEEPS ME GROUNDED WHEN I GET OVERWHELMED.  HE IS CERTAINLY THE GLUE THAT KEEPS OUR FAMILY TOGETHER!


I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE THANKFUL HEART PROJECT.  IF ANYTHING, IT HAS MADE ME REALLY SEE HOW LUCKY AND BLESSED I AM.  THAT I SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT I DON'T HAVE, STOP STRESSING OVER THE SMALL STUFF AND GIVE THANKS DAILY FOR WHAT I DO HAVE.  I AM HOPING TO TAKE THIS MESSAGE WITH ME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHEN LIFE SEEMS TO GET BUSY AND STRESSFUL.  GOD IS GOOD!

Grandparents

            Nana's and Papa's hold are tiny hands for just a little while. . . .but our hearts forever.

       

                                                       Author Unknown

        Growing up I spent lots of time with both my nana's and papa's.  I have such found memories cooking, sewing and sharing meals with them.  This time of year brings fourth a flood of memories and longings for the holiday traditions we shared.   In fact, it has only been a few years since my nana's past away.  My papas died much earlier.  

        As a mom, I love to see my children interact with their grandparents.  There is just something so special and heart warming.  My kids adore their grandparents and are fortunate to live so close to them and get to spend so much time with them.  

Nana Sharon and Papa Fred.  I feel so BLESSED to have such wonderful, loving and caring parents. Tomorrow is my Dad's birthday.  Happy Birthday Dad.  I love you!

       

            I feel so BLESSED to have such wonderful parents and in-laws.  They just adore my children and I am so THANKFUL for their presence and influence in my children's lives.

 

                                     Grandmothers - a wonderful mother with lots of practice!

Nana Rose and Papa Joe

     I know it may sound crazy, but I am actually looking forward to being a nana someday. . . not too soon I hope. I do often wonder how my children will be when they are grown and the relationship I will have with their children.  After all, it is such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother- that is why the world calls her grandmother!

Simple Sunday

Today I am THANKFUL for the simplicity this Sunday brings.  Where footballs are caught in the yard, leaves are raked into jumping piles and the sun delights us with no jacket weather.

Sundays are a day of football in our  home.  My boys love to play and watch football with the enthusiasm that they themselves are the professionals.  I LOVE football and it gives me nothing but joy to watch them!

 This past week has been rough.  My aunt passed away.  She had a beautiful service surrounded by her family and friends.  Remembering the wonderful person she was.  The beauty she possessed inside and out, the people she has touched through teaching, the church, and her service to the community.  She was truly a giving person who used her talents to help others.  Always positive and upbeat, even in her worst moments, always asking about you and what's going on in your life.
Her daughter Erin is just like her.  Optimistic and strong she gave a speech that brought the room to tears.  Still too young to have lost both her parents.

I am THANKFUL to have this Sunday to reflect, relax and relish in my family.  The hustle and bustle of last week is over, but will soon start again tomorrow.  I am Grateful to slow down today and head over to my parents for a nice comfy family dinner.  Being at my parents is like being wrapped in a warm comfy blanket.  You just want to stay forever. . . . what a great way to end the day!  I am BLESSED!

Family Dinner

A great grey elephant, a little yellow bee, a tiny purple violet, a tall green tree, a red and white sailboat, on a blue sea: all these things You gave to me, when You made my eyes to see.  Blessings on the meal!

           My children learned this prayer in preschool.  I just love its simplicity and childlike feel.  We used it as a blessing in our home before meal time for many years.  Although my children now have learned more "grown up blessing" this is still one of their favorites and mine too.  It was one of their first experiences giving thanks and  understanding what that entails.  It opened up our dinner time discussion and now daily ritual of going around the table and picking one thing from that day we are each grateful for, doesn't matter how big or how small.  Just one positive thing to find in our day.  I love when Ryland, my youngest, will say "O.K. guys let's talk about the goodness in our day."  Melts my heart!

    Some of my favorite memories as a kid and even now have happened sitting around the dinner table.   Talking, laughing and listening to one another!  I feel so BLESSED to have this quality time with my family!