Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

So sorry it's been so long since our last post. Between recovering from Taylor's failed soy trial, getting ready for Thanksgiving, preparing for Christmas and my Mom and Ian's visit, we've been a little busy! And of course there's daily life, too.

So, a quick update and then I'll post some pics later...

Thanksgiving was fun and relaxing. We hosted with John's Dad doing the turkey as he does every year (I'm a good cook but I don't have the desire or patience to mess with a turkey!). The day was filled with great food and football. Taylor had a great time playing with our good friend, Al, who joined us for dinner. With the help of KFA (KidsWithFoodAllergies.org) I made a safe pumpkin pie from scratch for Taylor...of course, I forgot to add the ginger until I had already poured the filling into the crust. I sprinkled the ginger in and attempted to mix it but the consensus at the time of the reveal was that the ginger flavor was way too strong. Ah well...live & learn.

Mom & Ian arrived on 12/18. Taylor had her preschool Christmas concert the next night and did a fabulous job in her first on-stage performance. Her class sang "Up on the House Top" and "I Ain't Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas". A few days later, Taylor saw Santa at the mall and didn't hesitate at all in greeting him and climbing onto his lap and promptly asking him for "a house" for Christmas. For weeks she had been saying "Santa's going to bring me a house". I showed her the Rose Petal Cottage on-line several weeks ago and it was love at first sight.

Santa spoiled us all on Christmas. Taylor got the house, play-doh, a high-chair for her babies, and lots of other goodies. John's Dad gave her a very stylish motorized car which she loves. John recieved some much needed clothes as he's been working out an losing weight. I received a sewing machine and the goodies to go along with it!!! I am sew excited! I've been sewing up a storm (more posts to come with pics of my projects!). I had good intentions of making lots of homemade gifts for our friends and family...well, I just ran out of time. I think I'll get started NOW on next year's gifts, lol. Christmas Day we hosted dinner with John's Dad doing the turkey, again. Thanks!

We had a great visit with my Mom & Ian. Taylor spent lots of quality time bonding with Grammie & GrandDad. My mom spent lots of time trying to end the current recession through her endless shopping excursions and lucky us, we were the recipients of much of her spending! Thanks, Mom!

New Year's Eve was spent with our good friends Beth & Brent and some other couples playing board games. John was lucky enough to have a friend with some extra tickets to the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day and he got to watch his favorite team USC defeat Penn State. Good times! I, of course, stayed home with Taylor and made a trip to JoAnn Fabrics to take advantage of their sale!

Mom & Ian left on New Year's day and life is starting to return to normal. We still have Christmas decorations to put away but I've organized some other areas of the house which needed some work. We still have lots of boxes that need to be unpacked and sorted from our move over the summer. Speaking of moving...between Christmas & New Year's, my agency moved offices so tomorrow is my first day at work in my new office space. In the last 2 weeks I've only worked 4 days and I'm not ready to work the next 5 days in a row. Ah well, so is life. Our holidays were good while they lasted.

I hope you all had a fun, relaxing holiday with family and good friends. I hope you were able to reconnect with those you love and enjoy the true spirit of the holiday season.