Christmas In Boston (part one)

I am a 'Christmas in New York City' girl.  I really am.  I don't think there's anything more romantic and dreamy than being in NYC with my family at Christmastime.  But when I found out that Scott would be in Boston for an education conference we took full advantage.  I mean we do really enjoy Boston but it's no NYC at Christmastime.

Of the hotel we could never have afforded on our own right there in Copley Plaza.

So he was there during the week and I drove up with the girls when they got of of school on Friday.

Hey, after this trip I can drive anywhere!

I love the look of this little traveler.



And how they loved the hot apple cider in the lobby.



Oh and how they loved the huge chandelier above them.



That first night they were so happy to see daddy and to swim in the pool.







That would have been wonderful enough for my girls... seeing daddy, swimming, sleeping in a hotel together. But while Scott was at his last conferences the next day we did a little window shopping.





Abigail was mesmerized by this window... of the man and the lady picking out their wedding rings.  I told her someday she'd be at Tiffany picking out one... but not for a long, long, long, long time.



Love this one! (see, even Boston agrees that there's nothing like Christmas in New York)





It was a super fun morning with my girls. We stopped for a bite to eat whenever we pleased, went back to our room whenever we felt like it... and then Scott surprised us that afternoon... stay tuned!

Thanksgiving 2006

Back in 2006 there was this Thanksgiving. I had a baby bump. And oh man, can I just say that was an awesome time in my life? Now is too of course but that was really cool! I came across this picture quite by accident and loved it! I'm sure I considered it a dud then, and I'm sure it didn't make the 'cut' for Anna's album but man oh man... what is it about pregnancy? My hair was the best it's ever been, my skin so clear and there is truth for sure about a glow.  Can I have that Thanksgiving back... please?

The Best Part of Daddy Being Away

Well there is no best part of Daddy being away but if I have to find the silver lining in the dark cloud it's a little snuggle bug who gets to sleep in my bed



"One of the luckiest things that can happen to you in life is to have a happy childhood." ~Agatha Christie

Christmas Is Coming

Around this time every year I'm excited about getting to take a photo of my girls for our Christmas card.  I thought I'd look back today and show you come cards from Christmas pasts.

We were married in 1996 but didn't send a photo card until Anna was home with us.  So here we go...

2004 (Age 18 months) 

This photo I took in our playroom with some lights and a sheet.



But on the inside of the card I also included this photo and a gushing letter about our new little family.  Back then I printed all of the photos, glued them to the front of a card and then inserted red ribbon through it all.



2005 (Age 2)

It was Thanksgiving Day and just before heading to my parents we took photos of Anna for our card because the weather was perfect for a Connecticut Christmas card. This was loooong before the days of photoshop for me... those are real snowflakes.



2006 (Age 3)

I took this at a nearby reserviour. I was pregnant with Abigail just a few months then and I remember wanting to get Anna's puppy "chester" in a Christmas card before a new little one. And I still adore this photo.  She has this framed on her dresser today.



2007 (Anna 4, Abigail 6 months)

My Dad snapped this as we arrived on Thanksgiving Day and there was just something about Anna's face there. Abigail's too.



2008 (Anna 5, Abigail 18 months) 

At the resivour. I had toddler Abigial sitting in a chair and Anna nealing next to her.



But then it snowed just a few days later so I snapped this in our backyard.  I love snow in a Christmas Card.



2009 (Anna 6, Abigail 2) 

Oh the strawberry curls.



2010 (Anna 7, Abigail 3)

Oh the smiles. That same resivour near our house... great for budding photographers.  I love Abigail's chicklet teeth and Anna's missing ones.



2011 (Anna 8, Abigail 4) 

At a local park. The leaves were still on the trees and yet the ground was covered in snow.





2012 (Anna 9, Abigail 5) 

Once again I had taken their photos in a park and loved them but then one day after school the field in my backyard looked like this so we ran out and yes, I plop them with tights and little patten leather shoes in the deep deep snow.  Up over their feet and yet they smile.





2013 (Anna 10, Abigail 6) 

This was taken at a seminary.  I loved the stone work and it worked out for my "make a joyful noise for the Lord" theme that year with their instruments.



This was the first 'unmatching' year.   They both had the same dress but a the last minute I loved the red velvet on Abigail and the contrast with Anna's dress.





For 2014 you'll just have to stay tuned... I have my 'idea', the clothes, and the location all set. But you know I never end up going with my first idea. And my this year I need some snow... major snow.

Seven and a Half... a guest post by Anna

Seven and a half things I love about my sidekick...



1. She's a very affectionate snugglebug.

2. Whenever I'm mean she's a good forgiver.




3. She's fun to play with. She always has interesting ideas!



4. She knows me the best. And I know her the best too!



5. We have a lot in common like our love for stuffed animals.



6. She's very good at restraining her emotions when she can't have something to eat with her allergies.



7. She's always brave at her endoscopies which I'm very proud of her for.



(and a half) She's very caring and I'm grateful that God put us together as sisters/sidekicks... forever.

Tis' The Season

It is so much fun working on these.



I've yet to think about a photo session for my own little family but there's plenty of time! Why it's not even Thanksgiving.

It Is Well With My Soul...

Music 



"If you have good thoughts 
they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely" ~Roald Dahl

She has braved extra blood work and doctors appointments.  She has worried her daddy and I with calls from the nurse and her teacher.  She takes over an hour to eat what Anna can in ten minutes from pain.  She can't seem to get through a day of second grade.  Fatigue is beginning to take over from lack of calories, nutrition, and her disease and it is showing at school.  She has cried to us wanting "to keep up" but she just can't.  I added color to her cheeks and took away the dark circles under eyes in this photo.  But I did not have to add sparkle to her eyes.  She has that.  She is a gift of joy in our little family.  She makes me laugh every day.  She dances after her bath and makes up the silliest songs.  She adores her sister.  Her cuddles are delicious and she will be just fine.  When peace like a river attendith my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.