Ringing In

New Year's Eve party for five at our house tonight. Appetizers a-la Trader Joe's, soup and bread. Hot chocolate and biscotti. Sparkling cider for midnight (east coast midnight for the kids). Lots of game playing and movie watching this evening. Family resolutions might be a good idea, too. Baby has croup so I predict Adam and I will have no problem staying up 'til midnight.

2012 was so good to us, happily looking toward the New Year. Wishing everyone we know and love a dreams-come-true 2013. Have fun tonight!

Forget Christmas Presents

Sometimes the boxes they came in are more fun.

We've been home quite a bit this week which is so nice. Ventured out today - Chuck E. Cheese to play games, a little Old Navy sale shopping, family dinner out. Adam and I are helping keep redbox in business, only benefit of never going to the movies - plenty to rent! Staycation continues.

Les Mis

Go see it! Saw it today with Adam (thanks to Amber and Paul for having our kids over, first movie we've seen together in too long). Am in awe of Hugh Jackman. He is amazing! Rooting for him to win the Oscar. I have pretty much sung all these songs at the top of my lungs, or in some dramatic fashion. The music reminded me of living in NYC, auditioning, seeing the show on Broadway. An old life I hold near and dear. And of my mom - I remember how much she loved the musical when I was younger.

A Few of Their Favorite Things

Audrey got her barking puppy. Her #1 request from Santa. Last night she slept with her in bed, and when I went in to kiss Audrey goodnight she was singing the "Hello Song" to introduce puppy to all her stuffed animals on her first night in the bunk bed. How cute is that?

Legos and more legos for this guy. Our kitchen table is a Lego construction zone.

Stacking rings, books, and a pillow pet are among Cole's favorites. Also this activity table. His stocking was filled with toddler snacks.

I was with Audrey at Target when she saw this nightgown and just about died. Went back that night and snatched it up for Christmas.

My Little Pony Castle is a hit.

Opening presents with Peter Rabbit.

Bow and Arrow. Tyler's become a mini-Legolas after watching some Lord of the Rings.

Ninja meets Nerf gun.

Santa brought Squinkies!

And a razor scooter.

Baby ninja following in his big brother's footsteps.

Still hangin' out at home with our Christmas toys. Grateful for grandmas, grandpas, and aunties who helped spoil the kids plenty this holiday. Kids watching the new Tinkerbell movie. Getting to know our Kindle Fire.

One Dish Breakfast

Leftover Christmas ham? This is a favorite. Feeds a bunch. Yummy anytime of day. Reminds me of my mom and sister, Lauren.

Breakfast Casserole

Grease baking dish, 13 x 9
Layer:
3 c. cubed ham
3 c. shredded cheddar
3 c. cubed french bread
Mix together 3 Tbsp. flour, 1 Tbps. dry mustard, salt and pepper. Sprinkle on top. Drizzle 3 Tbsp. melted butter on top. Mix five eggs and 3 c. milk and pour over, moistening bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next morning 350 degrees, for 50-60 minutes. Until browned and bubbly. Mmmmmm. Loved by all, especially Cole. We served it this morning with fruit salad, OJ, and herbal tea. (And I still have leftover ham - thinking bean soup? Black eyed peas for New Years? Ideas anyone?)

Happy Christmas Day!

This is what it looked like last night, and this morning about 7am. Now we're in Christmas present wonderland. Legos, Barbies, My Little Ponies, and baby toys everywhere. A few things for mom and dad, too. Red and green pancakes for breakfast, apple cider on the stove, and making ham later for a candlelit family dinner - just the five of us. Most importantly a day spent together, celebrating family and the birth of Christ. Wishing you love, peace, and happiness from the Taits!

Merry Christmas Eve

No Christmas card this year, but click here for Tait family Christmas cheer. (I am a sucker for these because they make my kids so happy, watching over and over and over. Last year's with itty baby Cole). Keep up with us year round on this blog!

Knowing Adam was caroling and I was solo, Amber invited us for Christmas Eve dinner. A great night with wonderful friends. Kids acted out a very entertaining Nativity, too.

All the kiddos with Amber's husband, Paul.

Santa comes tonight! Hope your house is filled with the same spirit and excitement as ours - Christmas is magical when you're 6 and 4. I just wanna bottle it, and hold onto it forever.

Christmas Gratitude

Adam's hiatus has lasted much longer than expected. What was once supposed to be two months has turned into five, with (thankfully) a definite start date in late January. When I knew the two month hiatus was coming I was panicked. Now that we're in the thick of the fourth month - at Christmastime, no less - I am humbled, amazed, thoughtful, proud, and grateful for this time and all it has taught me. We are lucky enough to have other sources of income (seems you need to in this crazy business, and now - more than ever - I know why), so we haven't been "up a creek". But there have been tears and stress. There have been hardships, lots of budgeting and resourcefulness. All of it beginning and ending in prayer. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of others - anytime of year, but especially during the holiday season. Our family has been blessed in so many ways by these angels - family, friends, many we know, a few we do not. There is so much more to say than thank you. It goes much deeper. Beyond a place of humble, touched, peaceful, tearful. I am inspired by good. I am infected with the spirit of giving. Giving of myself when and wherever possible, hopefully teaching my little family to do the same. Left with a feeling of, "there is much good in the world."

My friend Brooke has quoted me this several times these past few months: "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs." (Spencer W. Kimball) Never has this quote rung more true for me than this month. There's much I've learned these past four months (a post coming soon, because seriously there is a lot), but the angels are what I've held closest this holiday season. The selflessness, the giving hearts. There are no small acts of kindness - they are all big, they are all noticed, they are beyond appreciated. It is from the deepest part of me I thank our angels. Paying it forward with a grateful, humble, full heart.

Happy Caroling

For the past five years Adam has Christmas caroled during the season. Sometimes for fun, other times for the extra money (pretty much pays for Christmas and then some). It's become part of our holiday tradition. It get busy, but I really love that he does it, and love that he loves to do it. Adam's voice still kicks butt after all these years, and he doesn't even have to practice to keep it decent shape (not fair). We didn't get to see Adam carol in person this year, but he's a pretty cute caroler if you ask me. At a recent gig with a fellow caroler:

Elf Spotted

The other day I'm in the living room trying to figure out something with our printer so I'm down on floor level behind the desk. To my knowledge Audrey is playing, there are always a bunch of baby and kid toys strewn about in that room. She says excitedly, "Mommy, mommy come look" then hides behind the couch. "The elves did it! The elves did it!" The whole room was clean! Then she goes, "Don't touch me, you'll rub my magic off". What?! I come to find out her teachers at preschool have read The Elves and the Shoemaker, and been talking to the kids about how they can be elves and do secret good deeds for their family. Don't rub my magic off !!?? I just about died and gave her the biggest hug because this is a kid who sometimes has a hard time helping. Her teachers obviously know just how to motivate her, and needless to say I've been using the "elf trick" all season long. Like yesterday when Audrey did not want to go Christmas shopping for Adam with me, we became secret elves scouring the shelves at Target. It worked! Love her little school, and sweet teachers. Grateful for all the ways they help my girl grow.

More Holiday Tradition

Another year seeing LA "snow" at The Grove. This year with Grandma and Grandpa Tait, plus a deeelish family dinner at Maggiano's. Wasn't even crowded - a great night to go.

 Here comes the snow!

(I need tips from my friend Tina on how to get better family shots. She always has the best ones with all five of her kids actually looking at the camera. This is the best we could get).

Love

Don't get me wrong, I like a good Christmas present, but I love passing the tree and seeing things like this underneath. My babies and their homemade treasures. He keeps saying "Don't peek, Mom! Don't peek."

School Parties Begin

The photo every family needs in their archives. Taken at Audrey's preschool Christmas party. (We have one with baby Audrey, too.)

Also from Audrey's party - the kids put on a Christmas program. Audrey was Mary.

We Won!

Ladybug Music is LA's #1 kids music class for 2012! Thanks to everyone who voted. Wahoo!!

Boy and His Toys

Saw this when I went in to straighten up the kids' room today. This is how a six year old pirate lover defends his top bunk territory I suppose. Funny.

December Catch Up

Guess I like Disney pictures at the top of my blog - haven't written or posted anything in over a week, even though lots going on of course. (Also my camera was acting funny - thankfully back to normal).

Yesterday Adam and I volunteered to teach music for Tyler's first grade class. Wasn't sure how it was gonna go, but the kids were excited to sing and dance. We did some Ladybug, holiday songs with jingle bells, rhythm sticks, dance songs. I played the guitar and taught them a lullaby. So sweet. His teacher was very appreciative. The class was really into it, and Tyler was happy we were there - the joy of first graders, so fun-loving, happy to be at school. When I came home with Cole at around 10am, I heard the devastating news from Connecticut - made even more heartbreaking by the morning I'd just spent with students the same age as the little ones who lost their precious lives. My heart is heavy. Like most parents - grateful to hold my own babies close, then my eyes fill with tears for families who cannot do the same. Who would think when you send your loves to school in the morning, they wouldn't come home ... who would think?!

The holiday season is in full swing over here. Made this gingerbread house last week. Two favorite tips? 1st - Buy the pre-built gingerbread house so all you do is the decorating. I mean, isn't that the best part anyway? Especially with little kids. 2nd - Perfect way to use up all your leftover Halloween candy (if you have any, and we always seem to).

We have some awesome Christmas lights in our new town. So much holiday spirit. This house does a huge light show every night. We've driven by three times now to watch. One of their sons even dresses up in a lighted elf costume and dances around with the light show (sounds crazy but it was the highlight when we stopped by tonight). They pass out candy canes to the cars, and actually do a canned food drive, too, so that's pretty cool. Seriously lights galore in all the neighborhoods - love it!

Cutie pie, best friends at the church Christmas party tonight. Luckily I sat with my friend Amber and her awesome family, since Adam was caroling. I go solo to many Christmas events it seems - thanks to caroling. Sometimes it feels like a lot of effort, but honestly worth it for all the holiday memories I have with these little loves. So lucky they're mine.

And this guy too. Hands-free... we are figuring out the sippy cup!

We sure love the Schoeni girls, Leah and Ashlyn. All these cute girls in our ward are Audrey's answer to wanting a sister.

So lucky to have moved close to Amber. Grateful for good girlfriends - especially this one!

 

Things are winding down at Ladybug - only a few classes left then a break 'til mid-January. Looking forward just being mom. Home with my family. East coast Christmas packages are sent. Christmas shopping almost done - except for Adam!! School holiday parties this week. Busy, but in the best way. Love this time of year. Remaining thoughtful and taking it all in. Trying my best to live in the moment with my little family.

Disney Christmas!

Thanks to a wonderful friend, we were able to surprise the kids with Disneyland yesterday. (Grateful even feels like an understatement.) We packed everyone in the car, they thought we were driving to school. Once we got on the freeway they knew something was up. Adam goes, "You guys want one of your Christmas presents today? We're not going to school, we're going to Disneyland". Squeals from the back seat!! One of my favorite surprises. Great weather, the parks were decorated beautifully for Christmas. Such a nice day spent together.

Love this crew. (Clearly Cole was in charge of the map.)

We visited Cars Land. Tyler was so scared on this Tow Mater ride it was kind of comical. Audrey loved it. (She freaked on Pirates of the Caribbean though, and when Ursula came out on the Ariel ride. No one would ride Haunted Mansion with me - too spooked).

Audrey danced with street singers at California Adventure. So cute! Afterward the kids shared cotton candy - a highlight for them. (She looks so little in this shot!)

Bonus! Santa Claus was there. Kids sat on his lap and told him what they want for Christmas (Audrey, "A stuffed puppy that barks." Tyler, "Monster Fighter Legos.") So happy this happened because I haven't been feeling the train ride to Santa this year.

Love Cole in this shot, like "Who the heck is that?!" The Santa was amazing.

Carousel love.

Caught a glimpse of Mickey and Minnie in the Christmas parade.

Audrey and I had to find princesses of course! We found two we didn't see last time. Ariel:

And Rapunzel:

I was worried about Cole not napping, but he was a champ! Don't know why I would expect anything less - he is the best baby. Doesn't look too impressed with Small World here.

Heart is full with these four. In Toon Town at dusk.

How pretty is this? Small World at night. This ride is awesome at Christmastime - all dressed up.

Magical. We ended the day with hot chocolate by Sleeping Beauty's castle. On the way out we caught glimpse of a Christmas choir concert, too. Disney goes all out.

The kids each picked out a souvenir (Tyler a rifle he found at the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop - his favorite. Audrey a baby Dumbo stuffed animal). Our bud Petey guarded the car for us, and served as a crash pillow at the end of the night.

Such a special way to enjoy the holiday season together. So, so thankful to our friend who kindly and selflessly went out of her way to make this happen for our family. Will be paying such a generous deed forward.

Awarded Again

Tyler is cleanin' up at school these days. Today he received a medal for achieving over 150% of his reading goal. The parents got to put the medal around their kid's neck. So sweet! Proud of our guy.

(Best shot I could get)