The Blake Family

Christmas Eve 2009

December 24, 2009

Today we made cookies....

Today we spend time together in the kitchen....

Today, Gannon and Mila get to open their Christmas Eve gift....

Today, Gannon and Mila will go to bed in new and festive jammies....

Today Mila shows off her best accessory, her teeth....

Today we eat an early dinner with our family....

Today we attend church to celebrate the birth of Jesus....

Today we read "The Night Before Christmas"....

Today we snuggle by the fire with the ones we love...

Today we leave Santa Claus a big plate of homemade cookies and a delicious glass of milk....

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Snow Day

December 23, 2009

There's just something magical about the snow - right?!

We love a lot about the snow:

We love sledding down the hills really fast!

We love the time we get to spend together without any contemporary gadgets.

We love snowball fights.

We love the Earth's beauty.

We love eating the CLEAN snow.

We love building snowmen.

We love snow bunnies.

We love taking silly family photos.

We love making snow angels.

We love eating a fun picnic and drinking hot chocolate.

We love how the snow makes us feel even more festive during this time of year.

Our precious princess is 10 months old today. Amazing.

Mila is a true delight.

She is beginning to mimic and follow her brother.

She can stand for a good 45 seconds on her own.

She realized that the Christmas tree had fun new toys to touch and admire.

She is so fun to dress up.

She mumbles "Da-Da-Da-Da"a lot!

She giggles endlessly.

She loves to swat balls - we wonder if she is part kitty cat sometimes.

She's a great kisser.

She is relentless...if she wants it, she'll find a way to get it.

She is our beautiful girl.

Family Christmas Party minus One

December 19, 2009

Like most families do during this wonderful time of year, my family gathers together. This evening was our family Christmas party and this year the party was held at my Uncle Gene and Aunt Diane’s home. The party was also a celebration of Travis’s engagement - congratulations. Everyone was there having a great time except for me. I developed mastitis again and I was miserable. Initially I thought I had the flu, but nope…mastitis. I missed the party, as my party consisted of two full days in bed.

Merry Christmas Dear Friends

December 18, 2009

Vroom, Vroom - the Man in Red Arrives

December 17, 2009

Today, Santa arrived at New Adventures on a Harley! So fun. The kids and adults alike enjoy watching the man in red arrive in this fashion - so cool.

Although I didn't get to attend the annual Christmas festivities (PJ party this year!), I can tell without a doubt that Gannon had the best time...just look at his grin! I love that Daddy is always the best sport; doing whatever it is to make Gannon happy, even if that means sitting on Santa's lap. We love you for that Choo!

Gannon added a "want" to his Christmas list today - a motorcycle. Wonder why this last minute desire was stated?!

Victory!!!

December 12, 2009

Richard had a fight this evening...and he won! TKO in the second round. Better yet, no bruises on his pretty face.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Family Christmas Photos of Papa, Grandma and the Kids...

Marysville Christmas Parade

December 5, 2009

Just us...

bundling together to keep warm from the winter chill.

Jolly St. Nick atop of a fire engine.

Gannon and the adorable Bagget kids.

Sweet Mila, in our warm car after the parade, dreaming with sugar plums dancing in her head.

Santa Again!!!

December 5, 2009

Can you believe it!!!???

There we were, simply picking up some Christmas wrapping supplies this afternoon at Wal-Mart when we saw the man in red, yet again. Gannon couldn't believe it. He said to us..."Mommy, Daddy, he is the real Santa - not a helper Santa." This Santa was the exact Santa we saw last night at the Christmas Stroll and he remembered our little G-man. Gannon was so excited to see Santa again and be given another opportunity to tell him about his desired Dinosaur. And to top it off - Santa gave Gannon a BIG candy cane.

Little Mila was asleep on Daddy's shoulder the entire time.

YC Christmas Stroll, Parade and Tree Lighting...

December 4, 2009

This evening, we attended the Yuba City Christmas Stroll. This was the first year of the stroll that they added a children's parade and tree lighting ceremony - these were sweet and fun additions that I hope they keep.

So, the night began with the parade where Gannon participated with his martial arts class. He was so honored and excited to represent wearing a "dragon head". He did an excellent job. It was fun to see that once that dragon head went on, Gannon was all business.

After the parade, we watched the mayor light the Christmas tree - fun and then we (or Gannon) experienced the highlight of the evening...we visited Santa! Gannon was awestruck, once again, and Mila DID NOT cry when they sat her on Santa's lap for a photo.

The vendors this year were spectacular!!! I loved seeing my friend Ginger with her wonderful treats for our Miss Mila, then saw Elka with her new and delicious Olive Oil business venture, and Della - beautiful items, as usual. We ended the night with dinner, but the best part of the night was seeing LOTS of friends that we haven't seen in some cases for years.

Again, back home and back to the basics... That's what it is all about.

Pottery and Willow

December 2, 2009
Traditional anniversary gifts for the 9th year are pottery and willow. Although I didn't receive either of those romantic options, I did receive something much more heartfelt...I woke to a warm home that my husband affords us, I woke to a delicious breakfast especially made for me by my personal chef, I woke to a card full of loving words from the man I adore, I woke to a vase full of roses that were grown in my own backyard, I woke to two gorgeous children calling me Mommy, I woke to a wonderful life - all thanks to my husband of nine years. Thank you Chooch for it all! You're my man.

Who needs pottery and willow anyway?!

Special thank you to Mom and Dad for taking the kids and giving us time for each other this evening.

Dear Santa...

December 1, 2009
December 1st marks the time to begin the advent calendars in the Blake home. Gannon truly understands the countdown process this year, much better than last. He is already quite busy counting down the days until Santa makes the special arrival to his home. And speaking of Santa...