ChRiStMaS 2009

We spent one night in Ferron with the Danzer family before heading to Kanab for Christmas.

When we got to Kanab, there were lots of Cornell cousins to play with. Nana and Papa were gracious enough to have the entire family for Christmas. We had a wonderful, relaxing holiday.

Lauren and Paityn asked Santa for a pink, black and white bedroom. On Christmas morning, we found pictures of their bedroom at home - all decorated. So, they were anxious to get home to see the real deal. When we arrived home in Syracuse, the girls were in awe! Laur and Pai are speculating that Santa's elves must have helped with the bedroom makeover...how else could he have redecorated their room AND delivered presents to all the good girls and boys around the world in one night?!?

I have a hunch that Santa really enjoyed himself. Deep down, I think he really finds joy in the interior decorating side-of-things! The girls love their new pink, black, white and very grown-up bedroom!

Christmas Card Pics

Just in time for our annual Christmas cards...

Lauren's Christmas Dance Recital

Ohhhh, how I love this little Dancerella. I get so nervous at each of her performances and competitions...I'm so shaky, you'd think it was me up on the stage. I don't know why I get nervous because she always puts on a splendid performance. And she didn't disappoint in the Christmas recital! Way to go, Bugga!!

Our First SnOwMaN of the Year!

Seriously cute snowman...and seriously proud snowman builders!
(and seriously awesome husband who plays in the snow with them while Roo and I stay warm by the fire...love your guts, hon!)

Raegan's 2nd Birthday

Our baby turned two on December 8th. Raegan is pure joy to our family. She's sweet, mischievous, loving, courageous, independent and strong. She says and does the sweetest things. We love you to pieces, Roo!

We celebrated her birthday with our extended family at Ollie's house. Ya Ya made a swan cake (in the shape of a 2!). Yummy!

We celebrated her actual birthday at home with pizza and doughnuts (per Raegan's request!). She was in heaven!

Among her favorite presents was a horse (who she affectionately calls "Peanut"). After assembling the horse, I had to make sure everything worked. Tanner thought it was rather amusing that he caught me feeding the horse before the big reveal! When Roo first saw Peanut in our family room, she was frightened. She turned around, started crying and ran away.But, in the end, she fell in love with Peanut! She plays with him everyday.

Her other favorite present was a Hello Kitty backpack/pillow from Great-Grandma Ollie. She loves to wear the backpack around the house (because it looks like her big sisters when they are going off to school).The kitty is a backpack by day and a pillow by night. She's slept with her kitty every night since her birthday!

Happy 2nd birthday, Roo Roo!

Thanksgiving 2009

We spent Thanksgiving at Ya Ya and Poppies house this year. We had yummy food, went horseback riding and rode in the tree swing (Roo's personal fave!).

Lauren's 7th Birthday Celebration

Our Bugga-Boo turned 7 on November 23rd. Seriously, I just don't know where the time goes! Lauren requested a "purse party." I wasn't really sure what a purse party entailed, but she gave me her ideas and together we made it happen.

We made purse party invitations for her friends.

The girlies came in their favorite dressy-attire.

Ya Ya made the most amazing purse cake (as usual!!).

We painted fingernails (courtesy of Ya Ya and her fabulous nail dryer!).

We decorated take-home purses.

Aunt Kelly created princess up-dos.

We had a purse coloring contest.

We had a fashion show.

And, we demolished a purse pinata. Lauren said it was everything she had dreamed of. Mission accomplished! Happy birthday, Bugga.

Some of my favorite things about Lauren: her caring and nurturing demeanor, her desire to always do her best (in school, in dance and anything else she tries), her beautiful long hair, her love of cleanliness and order (she is her mother's daughter!!), her passion for reading and writing, and her laugh. Love your guts, Laur!