All I really want for Christmas is a nap!

I finally got one on Sunday. 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Ear plugs to drowned out the noise. My favorite yellow blanket. Brand new pillows in fresh cases... It was just the cure for my Christmas Hangover.

Looking back at my over scheduled month, I have to admit I'm glad it's over. There were to many parties {I was in charge of 5 of them in 2 weeks time}. Too many crafts {did I really have to crochet a hat for every kid I know???}. Too much food. Not enough time for games and snuggles from my family. Not enough time for me. I offer a public apology to Mr. Lloyd for my mood swings this month. I'm usually much more pleasant to be around.
Although it was great and always worth it, I am glad to be done with it all. Decorations have been put away, new toys are in the process of finding homes, and the basement gym is calling my name. I finally have back what I lost all through the month of December. FREE TIME!

For the first time in 9 years, my sister Heather and her family came for Christmas. Because of this, I felt compelled to sleep at my mom's house on Christmas Eve. It was CRAZY. 3 families + 11 kids+sugar+excitement= great memories.

I gave the kids a Nativity Script and instructed them to find costumes and put on a show. They looked hilarious. As always, we opened Christmas Eve pj's.
The kids were up at 7:30 Christmas morning. We opened presents from then til about 10:30. It takes that long when there are so many people and you open one at a time.
Henry's first Christmas. He looks sooo tired because he was awake ALLL night.

The girls got the first 8 episodes of Punky Brewster. Santa's awesome...
Lucy got what she wanted. Baby alive, strawberry shortcake, and some pony toys. She was wonderful all day.
Emma didn't really ask for anything. She said she had everything she wants. So Santa gave her this. She was thrilled! Lessons start next month. Iza has been asking for this for 2 years now. She was so happy to get it.
I hope you all had a great Christmas. I did. But mostly I hope you all get a post Christmas nap.

Merry Christmas

Happy New Year!

Ballet

Isabelle's dance studio put on Cindy Lou Who's version of "The Grinch" as their holiday ballet production this year.

She was wonderful.

She was beautiful.

She is mine!

I'm so proud.

Happy Birthday Lucy

Lucy oh Lucy... What am I going to do with you? Crazy and sweet and everything in between. Perpetually into mischief. needing to be fed every 5 minutes. getting out of bed every 2 minutes. changing your clothes 5 times a day. every toy we own needs to be on the floor for easy access. All the world has to know when you're not happy.
There is no stopping you. Time outs don't work {whatever you did to get there is always worth it}. A simple "I love you momma" will get you out of trouble. Scaling up the banister is not dangerous and simply an adventure. But I wouldn't have you any other way. I adore every single bit of you. I love hearing you sing "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad" at the top of your lungs. I love that you play with your toys with such intensity that they become real..I love that you stack mounds of pillows and blankets so you can play Wipe Out. I love that you jump off the couch with balloons thinking you will fly. I love that you are you. You are beautiful, smart, sassy, spunky, and so full of life. Our family is great with you in it. The world is better because you're here. I will miss 3.