Christmas in ND

We had a great time visiting family in ND just before Christmas. Cambry was busy making Heather Hound (Grandma's dog) nervous, making cookies, and being the authority on just about everything. Here are some shots of cookie making.

After she was finished making the dough, she went and sat at the table and waited the entire 20 minutes it took for the cookies to bake. After they were done, I took them out of the over. She said, "They don't need to cool off Little Mommy, just put one on my plate, I'll be careful."

They were delicious!

Sprinkling the Spritz - don't mind the huge piles on sprinkles on the pan and lack there of on the cookies. It's all about the process.

Candle light service with Uncle Matt and Aunt Jessica.

My Christmas Baby.

December Adventures

Cambry had her first visit to the dentist on the 19th. She was wonderful! She let him count the teeth and even clean half of them. "We just lay down like we are taking a nap little Mommy," she says. Yes Little Mommy is my new name. Flattering... but false :)



She was so proud of herself when she was finished.

Below are a couple of photos from the 20th. Cambry, Boston, and I flew to North Dakota for a few days before Christmas. Such an experienced traveler she is.

Holiday Wishes

Warm Holiday Wishes to all of you! The kids and I are headed back to North Dakota for a few days before Christmas. We wish good health, good company, and joy to everyone over the next few weeks.

Holiday Preparations

Annual Family Christmas Photo (taken by us)

Our next post will most likely be after we have made the big move to Texas. No, we are not ready yet. There is something time thrilling about sprinting to the finish line. (I like to think of it like that rather than procrastination. Procrastintion would be something I would say is a character flaw. *grin*) Our blog is titled "Our Journey to the Beach." As a couple, Joe and I have always dreamed of someday living right on the beach. We figured this would happen sometime after old age set in. However, if there were a great way to describe our family adventures and goals, it would be "Our Journey to the Beach." I had no idea that less than a year after starting the blog that Joe would be offered an awesome job less than two hours away from the Gulf. Funny how those things happen. :) Preparation has been a stuggle, and I know I haven't even experienced the half of it. On the other hand, our excitement grows each day and we know the best is yet to come. May you all have a mountain of blessing come your way this season too. Lots of love - Joe, Angie, Cambry, and Boston

A Day of Bubbles

Because of the cold, we have been inside a lot more than normal. To spice things up a bit we decided to break out the bubbles yesterday. I thought this would last 30 minutes tops. Turns out a child can blow bubbles all day long and still request more. She literally blew an entire jar of bubbles; I had to open another one. It was great fun!

Here are a couple of other pictures from the a few days ago. Brother and sister :), they adore each other. It is really cute to watch. She was holding him and I had asked to hold on tight so that he didn't fall. I of course went to get the camera. When I got back I reminded her to hold on tight so he didn't fall. "You don't have to say it over and over and over. I heard you the first time," she said. Yes, 2 going on 12 or would that be more like 13 already?

Christmas Gifts

This Holiday Season, give the gift that is sure to be multifunctional and provide hours of entertainment.

That's right, your garden variety, dollar store laundry basket. Why didn't I think of that before I did all my shopping?

Busy Big Kids Art Class 11-22-08

"I'm a Movie Star!"

Other Fun Pix

Boston Michael has been growing faster than you would ever believe. He is still a bit jaundice, but is at a point where they are no longer treating him. He was 7lbs. 10oz, 19.5 inches at birth. Just two weeks after he was born, he was 9lbs. 8oz. and 22 inches. Unlike Cambry, he needs a pacifier. I am not in favor of this at all, but he really does seem to need it to function. I will let it slide for a while. :) He is a noise maker, momma's boy, and very much resembles Cambry as a baby. He is strong on his legs, working on rolling to one side, lifting his head well, and cracking the occasional smile.

Cambry is the life of the party as always. She is more beautiful to me everyday. She is brilliant and looking forward to our move to Texas. She was proud to be the Flower Girl in Uncle Matt's wedding and wonders daily when the next dance party is.

Thanks for checking in on us. Drop us a line when you have time. Take care!

My Brother Ties the Knot

I am so proud of my little brother. He has found such a beautiful love in his new wife Jessica. The wedding day was wonderful and the ceremony was perfect. Here are some great shots so you can share in the wedding bliss.

The bride and groom meet for the first time that day - Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008,

...The untiy candles are lit,

...And the rest is history.

Cambry was a dancing queen at the dance party. She loved every minute of it - and all the boys too. At the first sound of music she began dancing and continued for two straight hours. Mom and Dad however were not cool, she didn't want to dance with us. (Bummer - I was hoping for cute pictures.) Here she is showing off her stuff with Jessica's brother Jordan, and my brother Matt (who Cambry absolutely adores).

Halloween Happenings

Although Halloween has always been a favorite time of year for me, this year was filled with other wonderful distractions. We did however make it out to Vala's Pumpkin Patch, on the coldest day of October. :) Cambry had a blast! It was unfortunately too cold to unwrap Baby Boston and take his picture with the pumpkins. One of our favorite things at Vala's has always been to ride the hay rack out to the pumpkin patch and pick our very own pumpkin right off the vine. Cambry has to select just the right size of pumpkin for each family member. I snap photos of the 'search for the perfect pumpkin,' and carefully carry her prize gourds back to the farm.




In the spirit of the season, I normally dress up in some clever homemade costume and insist that the rest of my family do the same. (One of the many reasons they love me - lol.) This year we were to be Smurfs - Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Sassette Smurf, and Baby Smurf. I just could bring my self away from the chocolate and 'Soaps' to finish making the costumes. (Kidding - I have been so swamped with the house, the new baby, closing business, and the move that I just didn't get it done. Although, many of the ladies I know joke about me not getting things done because I must have nothing to do now that I don't work.)

Grandma thoughtfully purchased these darling costumes for my little ones. They arrived in costume to Uncle Matt's Groom's Dinner on Halloween night. My Little Sweat Pea (yes Papa Joe, next year he will be dressed as something manly).

And Spiderman, yes, that is Spider Man, not just an ordinary spider. She made certain everyone was clear on that. Totally hilarious as always.

Both little ones are zonked out on the way home Monday morning.