christmas...part 1

started out with Ladera's annual Tree Lighting.

it was actually my first time, and mark was working late, and i got really overambitious and decided to go it alone (or until mark could join us) and let's just say, THANK goodness for wonderful friends & neighbors... cuz pushing a double stroller in the grass wearing a 15 lb baby during dinner/bedtime was frankly, a mess. BUT, luckily i ran into some great friends who held a child or made space for me in the grass for my w-i-d-e load and little crew.
highlights:
*when mark showed up!*
*bethanie (aka "sister bee") showing sarah the lights*
and her little lilly posing for my camera like a top model!
*actually getting a picture of ME at an event!*
lowlights:
*refusing to wait in the LONGest line to see Santa, but watching
rowan sneaking in closer and closer to see him...
that picture is making me really sad right now.
what a mean mommy i am!
our annual Red Rail Christmas Party...
LOVE this tradition!
it goes without saying... we live on THE BEST street in Ladera.
Top pic: Rowan - pretty much a blur the entire time, running with all his streetmates
we ate the yummiest waffles i've ever had
(cassady & rebecca - WHAT did you put in those?)
truly a breakfast feast to behold... everything was delish!
honestly, we have the best neighbors.
they are like family.

my holiday baking this year included TWO (count em up) taste-testers slash cookie cutter designers... some truly beautiful designs they created,
i mean TWO future martha stewarts here...
these TWO were hilarious! rowan was the crazy control freak IN CHARGE of the rolling pin (if i even came near that thing, he'd flip out, "MY TURN!") my apologies to those of you who were recipients of said cookies if they were uneven or mishapen... they were in the hands of a strong-willed 3 year old. all in all, it was the funnest day and i've made these sugar cookies too many times since then 1) because i crave them (evil evil things) and 2) because i have such great helpers, so why not?!

Ok... i'm making baby steps with this blog... baby steps.
so, until i have time & energy... part 2 will be waiting :)

ps. this 4 block template is great but repetitive, i know, but helping me update this blog a little quicker... i'll get creative again when i'm blogging about events within the current month.

and pss. i am LOVING my new lens (Canon 50mm 1.2) and having WAY too much fun with it... all pictures taken for this post were flash-free... LOVE that as i am no expert when it comes to flash, pretty much bounce it off a wall or ceiling and call it good... (or not so good when i get my pix into photoshop and they look no different than if i took them with my point and shoot).
anyways... more to come.