New Year, New Pictures
Scroll to the end to hear an announcement about Wednesday’s link up!
It’s been nearly three weeks since I sat down at this computer to craft a new blog post. Thanks for sticking with me during my break. Well, MOST of you stuck with me–a few of you unsubscribed. Technically, YOU did not unsubscribe, as you are still here, reading this.
Thank you.
I try not to take it personally when someone unsubscribes. I tell myself it’s not the quality of my writing, but rather, the unsubscriber is trying to simplify, which I totally support. But it’s sad when I happen to be the fun-but-unnecessary activity that made it to the simplification chopping block.
That’s what I say to myself.
As I weep over the notice that reads, “A subscriber has unsuscribed.”
Just kidding.
I don’t really weep.
Much.
As I weep over the notice that reads, “A subscriber has unsuscribed.”
Just kidding.
I don’t really weep.
Much.
On a good note, even more of you became new subscribers, which is pretty miraculous considering it was a month of reruns. If one of those new subscribers is you, welcome. I hope this blog is everything you dreamed it would be, in your dreams about blogs.
(I have a feeling this intro is probably making it more likely than not that I’ll soon be “simplified” out of your inbox.)
(I promise not to say mean things about you, if you decide to go that route.)(and I will only weep a little bit)
So, three weeks off and I bet you are all wondering how the Cooper family spent its Christmas. First, and most importantly, I slept a lot. And by “a lot” I mean, I slept in until almost 10 am on a few days. Seriously–that’s like five hours later than I usually get up. After two weeks of sleeping in, I set my alarm this morning for 8 am and felt like it was the middle of the night. By the time you read this, I will have already been up since 5 am. And will probably have already been mean to someone who has tried to engage me before my caffeine fully ignites my brain.And though, this is a blog of pictures, I did not get any pictures of me sleeping. In fact, you will see a trend here–in the hundreds of pictures taken during Christmas, I think I was in 2 of them. I really must hand my camera to other people more often. My children are going to grow up thinking their father was a single parent or that I was a vampire or Amish or something.
But we did have a great Christmas break. In the hours in which I was awake, the children and I got creative. And by “the children and I” I mean “the children.”
I don’t know if I have ever posted any of Rebekah’s artwork prior to this. But my daughter is insanely talented. She is very critical of her own work, so she doesn’t like me to post it. But I did get her permission to post this. She printed out an impressionist piece of artwork from the internet and tried–for the very first time–to see if she could paint something similar. I think this took her less than 30 minutes to paint. Her’s is the one on the right.
We also baked…a lot. My house smelled like a bakery for about five days straight.
Curse the day I discovered I could melt Giradelli chocolate into the fondue pot and dip stuff in there.
Like balls of peanut butter.
Like balls of peanut butter.
Dude.
I also made an all-natural version of Thin Mints, the Girl Scout cookie. I didn’t get any pictures of those, because it took me about four hours to dip them all, (and by “me” I mean “ME!”) and I was just too stinkin’ tired when it was over. But MAN-o-MAN were those little cookies yummy!
On Christmas Eve, Elijah diligently wrote Santa a letter to leave next to the cookies. This year, Elijah is on the fence about whether or not Santa is real. This letter was insurance, just to cover his bases in the event that he IS.
This picture was taken shortly after Santa dropped off all the presents.
Speaking of letters to Santa, remember this one? Turns out, Santa got Rebekah’s letter and granted her Christmas wish. Here is Rebekah opening up her last gift. That is a look of confusion/hope on her face.
The gift was a can of food for THIS living creature. Meet the newest member of the Cooper family. His name is Diego. He is a bearded dragon. Who is actually really cute. And will grow up to get really big.
Though, I must admit, I don’t think I will ever get used to seeing this in my refrigerator.
The “after” photo. My living room still kinda looks like this, a week later. I’m about to go manic on everyone and start throwing things away. That would be very mean.
The day after Christmas, it was off to Ohio to celebrate more Christmas with our extended families. We also saw our first snow of the season while we were there. My in-laws have the most beautiful bird feeders outside their living room window. So, during the beautiful snowfall, I shot some gorgeous pictures of the birds. And by “some pictures” I mean “about one-hundred.”
Jon is an identical twin. And even though we see him at least once or twice a year, it still freaks my kids out every time they see Uncle Joe. This time, Elliana ran up to Jon and yelled, “Dad, there’s a guy in here who looks JUST LIKE YOU. Come on!!” And she dragged Daddy off into the other room to see the imposter.
Here is an action shot of the Cooper Christmas. This is just Jon’s brothers, their wives and their kids. And not even all of Jon’s siblings were there. Have I ever told you Jon and I both come from large families? Yep, we are each one of seven children.
Jon’s dad and step-mom have a Christmas ornament with a little-kid-picture of Jon. I’m going to swipe it one of these years.
We stayed with my sister and her husband while in Ohio. If there is a hospitality award for out of town guests, Pam and Deny win, hands down. They treat us like they sincerely enjoy our company. Which is a great quality to have when you are hosting a family with 3 kids for 5 days. My throat hurt from talking and laughing and crying with my sister. I love when that happens.
Here is Jon greeting my 87-year-old father. I’m fairly certain my Dad likes Jon more than he likes me. I’m not bitter.
And here is MY side of the family. And no, not everyone was here either.
Eileen, my Dad’s girlfriend companion lady-friend (seriously, what do you call a sweet lady who is almost 80-years old and hangs out with your 87-year-old father???), anyway, she knit all the grandchildren hats.
Here is one of two pictures taken of me over the holidays. It was 11 pm, I was exhausted, and I was talking to my brother about the pros and cons of raw veganism–yes, as a matter of fact that IS fun to me. I could talk diet/fitness/exercise all day long.
And here is our Christmas card, front and back. Notice, I’m wearing the same outfit as I am in the previous picture. Nice. I really do have more outfits than this white vest.
Wishing you and your family the very best 2012!
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Have you made some New Year’s Resolutions? Want to blog about it? On Wednesday, January 4th, I’m having a Linky Party!!! Link up your New Year’s Resolution post, old or new. And by “old” I mean like a few days old. No one really wants to hear about your resolutions from 2009.
And by “no one” I mean “me.”
Can’t wait! See you then.
Sandy you took a break and totally did what is most important!! I just love all of your precious pictures! Oh my goodness your daughter is so very talented!!
You are just so pretty! Love that 11:00 picture of you! Happy New Year, friend. Looking forward to more of you in 2012!
Your daughter is very talented! I have a budding artist as well….it's so neat to see them grow into their talents.
Sounds like a great Christmas! We are savoring one more day of all being home together….always sad to see it end!
I never know if I'm subscribed or not, but you shall always be on my blog sidebar:)
Happy 2012!
Sandy,
Happy New Year!
I love seeing the photos of your house at Christmas… looks so comfy and inviting! And I can't believe your daughter got that "pet!" Good luck with it!!
Thanks for sharing life from your home.
-donna