perfection.

There is not a thing about this picture that I don't love.

I basically love anyone reading, anyone in raglan sleeves, and anyone who's quiet.

He nailed it.

christmas day repeat.

...and then we did it all over again.

I think we all need a vacation.

And perhaps a quick visit to a detox center.

Happy holidays...thank God they are over.

christmas morning.

It started at 4:54am with Hadley coming into our bedroom, with THE biggest grin on her face, as she whispered to us in THE giddiest little voice,

"You guys...Santa came last night!!!!".

It's the only time I have ever been so happy to see her that early in her entire life.

It's also the only time Carson has slept in until 7am in his entire life.

A Christmas miracle for all indeed.

And it ended at the cabin over Chinese food and a Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol.

Fra ra ra ra ra.

Ra ra ra.

Ra.

merry. merry.

All you need is love.

(and a really stiff drink).

xoxo

The Prentices'

christmas eve.

This picture is terrible.

Terribly perfect.

Ry sent this picture to me at work and it made my heart a flutter.

I love the chaos, the excitement, the jammies.

I love Christmas.

Plain and simple.

the magic of christmas.

...until he threw it off the kitchen table.

And it broke.

Then he got to experience the magic of a 'time-out.'

santa baby.

I have yet to only have one visit to Santa per year. 

Except the year Hads was almost one.

That was a slam dunk.  

She slept in the stroller, was plopped on his lap, woke up, everyone smiled.

Done and done.

Otherwise, every other year, I swear we have gone multiples times to see St. Nick.

I am nuts.

And I am not sure why.

(Ryan my have a few ideas).

My internal struggle is that I love the Downtown Santa.

Love.

But I don't love the line.

I abhor it.

I think it is absolutely ridiculous.  I couldn't even imagine waiting 3-5 hours, in a line, with two small kids.  Insanity.  Pure insanity.

So I boycott it...only to wish with all my heart that I just planned ahead a little and made the trek to the big city to see the big man.

And this year was no different than the last four.

I went elsewhere, only to lament over where I didn't go.

So on a random Tuesday I packed both kids in the car at 7am, we headed to the city, got our Starbucks, and we were third in line to see the 'real' Santa.

And I was pleased as punch.

And they are beginning to think it is normal to have 3 Santa visits a year.

And I am cerifitably insane.

But hey, if they end up in prison, at least they won't be able to blame it on their Santa pictures.

Just on their mother.

SANTA.  TAKE ONE.

I don't like his sleigh (never have), I don't like that neither kid was on his lap, and I don't like that my kids look like total 'tards (or at least...more than usual).

SANTA.  TAKE TWO.

So we tried it again.  I don't know if the picture of these two hooligans is any better...but the experience was.  And that made me happy.

And I am all that matters.