Christmas Weekend (Part 1)

I was super excited for Christmas this year because this was the first time I felt like Katie really got it.  She understood what it was all about and talked about Santa, the decorations, the traditions, the reindeer food we made, her chocolate advent calendar, and of course Rudolph.  This will also be remembered not only as the doll house Christmas but the Rudolph one as well.  Katie's imagination took over and all of her stories revolved around Rudolph, Clarice, and the abominable snow monster who she insisted was "naughty". The first night we watched it she got scared and went into her bed.  After a daddy pep talk she came out and bravely said, "I'm ok now, daddy will protect me."

daddy and kt girl watching her favorite Christmas movie, "Rudolph"

I put a lot of pressure on myself this year because Katie is old enough to remember these special times and I wanted everything to be wonderful and super magical.   However, Christmas Eve morning after a great Jazzercise workout (more on that later), I realized that everyone feeds off of my mood and if I was stressed than they would pick up on that.  So, I took my hubby's advice, told myself it is what it is, and chose to embrace every little moment. 

Carly - 18 months

who knew boxes could be so much fun

 

While we continued with many of my favorite traditions from my childhood, we also started some new ones.  My favorite was making reindeer food for Rudolph and all of his friends.   I got the idea from another mommy blog and loved it.

 

We also got the girls comfy cozy and drove around looking at Christmas lights.  We made a stop at one of our very special friends house, the Karabias's. 

Santa's Little Helper with cowboy boots and Tink

Linda and Katie reading a story on Christmas Eve

my silly hubby and I after the girls went to bed and prior to night #2 of Operation Doll House

More Christmas photos and stories coming soon.....

Happy New Year everyone!  Stay safe!

Operation Doll House

I am sure that 20 years from now when the girls are all grown up we will fondly look back and laugh at the doll house Christmas.  The year that mommy and daddy and grandpa were up until midnight two nights in a row trying to put together the mansion.  Of course things didn't start off well when we realized we were missing the the first piece out of 80 something.  Luckily it was just for the elevator and we were able to continue on without it. 

The first night I went through almost a whole bottle of wine (over the course of 4 hours mind you) and at midnight we called it quits and were very thankful we didn't wait until Christmas Eve to start Operation Doll House.   Luckily, there was mostly laughter and only a few arguments during this whole process.

 

Grandpa Bennett

Sometimes I wish my blog was more creatively written, but every time I sit at the computer to write I end up just updating everyone about our life.   Oh well, it is what it is, and until I have the time and energy to write entertaining, funny, or inspiring posts I will just keep you all in the loop about what is happening with the Garner Family.  

A week ago today I got the news that my grandpa had suddenly passed away.  He was my dad’s dad and while I wasn’t very close to him as an adult, I have many wonderful memories of him as a child.  He was the grandpa who spoiled me by introducing me to chewing gum at a very young age, taking  me to my first professional baseball game (it was the Denver Zephyrs at the time), and always sending me two dollar bills (walking around money) for every holiday imaginable.  We had a lot of Sunday dinners together and for some reason the only thing I remember having was pot roast.   We spent a lot of time at grandma and grandpa’s house and even lived there briefly when we moved back to Colorado from a short stay in Chicago.  Unfortunately, my goldfish, Birdie, didn’t survive the trip and was  buried in a Frosted Flake box behind that little green house I remember so clearly.  Grandpa will be greatly missed but the memories are plenty and I will hold on to every one of them.   

The service was Thursday and Carly and I flew back to Denver on Wednesday morning.  It was a quick decision and while flying with an almost one year old who is constantly on the move was crazy, I decided to take her because:

1.  I knew it would make things easier (logistically and mentally) for Jeff 
2. My dad has never met his granddaughters and this was an opportunity for him to at least meet one of them.   
3. A very happy, joyful baby has a way of making everyone smile even during a sad occasion
4. Her plane ticket was free

Grandpa Ron holding Carly for the first time....she obviously wasn't sure at first but she got happy quickly

Family dinner with the Pope at Bucca Di Peppos

One tired baby

summer time outfit...probably the only time she will wear it since we aren't having summer here in northwest

 

Now that we are home I am very glad we went.  It was wonderful seeing all of my family, my best friend Elizabeth and her daughter Reese, and my second parents, Sharon and Don.   Carly didn’t do so well on the actual flights, but she did amazingly well the rest of the trip.  Katie was great while I was gone and even daddy survived.  Now, I am quickly unpacking, doing laundry, and getting organized to leave again this Wednesday.  I will be going to California for a work conference and daddy will be Mr. Mom to both girls this time.  After this week, daddy is going to need a vacation.  

Weekend Getaway

This past weekend Jeff and I were able to have our first overnight getaway in over two years thanks to our two amazing friends, Janice & Glenn and Linda!  We went to The Wild Iris Inn in La Conner, Washington and it was the perfect place to relax, sleep, and reconnect!  Having two small children really has a way of putting a strain on a marriage because you are always putting your children first and sometimes you have to remember to put your spouse first.  This weekend was a way for us to do that....focus on each other and remember why we fell in love in the first place.  And while I think date nights are very important, one night away was so rejuvenating because there wasn't any pressure.  I knew the girls were in very capable hands so I didn't worry about them at all.  Instead, I laughed with my husband, walked hand in hand through town, read the entire O magazine, slept in until 8:00, and laid in bed until 9:00am.  It was perfect!  Unfortunately I don't have many pictures from our weekend but I think the few I have say it all.

our room

totally relaxed on the on the patio

Thank you again Janice, Glenn, and Linda for taking such good care of our girls and for giving us this chance.  We love you all!