Getting in the Picture

I read an article a few weeks ago about how too many moms stay out of the picture.  I too am guilty of always being behind the camera, of letting my own self-conscious issues keep me from being present in our family's photographic history.  But the truth is, Cal doesn't care if I am having a good hair day or if I like the way my outfit looks today.  He loves his mama and should see that I was there...not only for the big moments, but the little ones too.  Like snuggling on the couch.  Clearly we have a preferred selfie pose.

 

My little puppy dog!

Keeping sick Mommy company

Snow Day

 

Friday was a glorious snow day!  We didn't have any last winter, and this year is more than making up for it.  It was perfect timing, as I was going away for the weekend with some girlfriends and was going to miss my bubba, but we had a whole bonus day together before I left.

 

Cal helped me shovel the driveway, then we played in the deep snow.  My future skier had a blast, requiring me to carry him inside for a warm-up and a nap.  The best days are the ones that are unplanned.

 

Malone's Baptism

Oh, hey guys!  Guess what?

 

 

Today was Malone's baptism!  She wore the same gown Cal did, and, in true Loney fashion, rocked an enormous bow complete with feathers and a cross.

Great Aunt Susan also flew in to join the fun.  It was great to see her.

Back to the Auto Show



We took our car loving boy back to the Auto Show this weekend.  Like last yeat, we opted for first thing Sunday morning, which not only helped us beat the crowds, but also helped us escape from a power outage at home.  Cal was in heaven, but also in motion.  It was hard to get a good picture!

 

 

Hey guys. Wanna get out of my way?

Been There, Done That...

We headed back to the Henry Ford for the first weekend of the new year.  Of course, we checked out some old favorites, like the play garage, but we also checked out the Lego exhibit.

Back in the garage...

Driving the combine.

Checking out the Lego buildings.

Building with Daddy.

Race Car!

 As always, a fun day.  It never gets old.

Happy Place

The condo has always been my happy place.  From my first trip at 10 years old until this very day, I get this sense of peace and calm as soon as I cruise past the 45th Parallel.  I think a lot of it has to do with tradition - tradition makes me happy.  I like the ritual of going to the same places, the crazy chaos of a family that is twice as big now as when we first got the place.  The two twin beds in the small bedroom have been replaced with two sets of triple bunks - and even those are full.  We fight over bathrooms and there are bodies everywhere at night, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This year marked Cal's third post-Christmas trip to the condo.  Daddy stayed home to work, but Cal and I crept through a snow storm to pick up our companions for the ride: my cousins Caitlin and Charlotte, and Charlotte's friend Rachel (whom we love so much, she has been Cal's only non-family babysitter).  While I'd much rather be a passenger than the driver, the ride wasn't bad.

It was a few days of low key fun. I hit the slopes and Cal went sledding.  We read lots of books, watched lots of movies and at lots of food.  I discovered that Cal will eat perch and calamari!  Cal got some quality guy time with Benny, Dom and Joe while I went to the movies to see Les Mis. 

Reading in Grandma's chair with Dom. 

Getting all bundled up.

Sledding!

Too cute!

Even Grandpa got in on the action!

Checking out the skiiers.


This year also marked Malone's first trip to the condo.  She and I enjoyed some quality time together while everyone else was out.

Book. Baby snuggles.  Happy Place.  Life is good.

Christmas Wrap-Up

We have already shared our pre-holiday fun, Christmas Eve and our favorite Christmas tradition, but here's what we did with the rest of our day!

We started our morning at home, checking out what Santa brought.

This year's homemade present: a magnet board for the awesome fabric alphabet we purchased from Crabby Baby Boutique.

Check out that bed head!

Thomas!

I put survival gear in his stocking: paracord bracelet, water tablets, portable screwdrivers and can openers, mylar blankets.

After we got dressed, we headed to the Carr's for breakfast, then Grandma and Grandpa K's for more presents.  We all go spoiled: a new drill for Daddy, new shoes and camera lens for Mommy, and a zoo pass for Callahan!

Grandma made matching birth stats prints for Cal and Malone!

After a quick nap, we took the party on the road again to Aunt Tina and Uncle Sal's.  Cal got some stylish new duds and enjoyed hanging out with all of Mommy's cousins.

It was a long day, but a fun one full of family and friends. 

Traditions

One of the reasons I love the holidays is the traditions that they encourage.  One of my favorite "recent" traditions is Christmas breakfast with the Carr family.  When we started, only one of the 5 daughters was married, and there was only one grandchild.

2007

Now, 4 out of the 5 of us are married with kids!  This year we added Malone, our first girl.  She joins the 5 (!) boys.  But she won't be lonely for long - by next Christmas there will be another sweet girl to add to our crazy bunch!

2012

Breakfast is loud, it is crazy.  It is full of little boys who don't sit still and mamas that are trying to remember which mimosa was theirs.  It is perfect, filled with the all awesomeness that 5 years can bring.

And so it begins...

Christmas Eve is here, and even though I was so sure I was on top of things this year, I am still finishing up the last few details.  Cal is happily dreaming of sugarplums, and, as always, I am too excited to sleep.  I love giving presents, so the anticipation gets me downright giddy.

We had a good day. Cal kicked off his present opening with some gifts from my mom's group exchange.

Mine!

Oooh! Train boat!

What a difference a month makes!  Cal barely touched the presents at his birthday party, but once he tore through these, he couldn't stop!  He also opened his gift from his great-grandmother and one of his father's presents before I could stop him!

Grandma and Papa came over for a visit in the evening, and, true to form, brought the type of large, loud gifts that toddler love.

Drums!



A tricycle!

After dinner and gifts, we settled into our Christmas Eve traditions.  Cal got pajamas, a book and an ornament.  After reading his new book and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Cal went off to bed a very happy boy.

The Holiday Season

I swear it sneaks up on me every year.  By the time I slog through those last few days with teenagers who cannot wait to be free of school, Christmas is here and I have barely had enough time to deck the halls. Due to volunteering to host my work  holiday party, the halls were fully decked and the house was spotless by the 14th.  Not only that, but I had am totally on top of my shopping - SCORE!  Time to enjoy the holiday season!

First up was Christmas in the 'Ville in my in-laws town of Fowlerville.  My father-in-law was a bit iffy on the details, so we missed the 5k run and other day time events, but we arrived just in time for the awesome lighted parade.  Cal loved the bedecked vehicles.

But that wasn't the highlight.  The parade ended with two trailers full of hot air balloon baskets shooting flames from their burners high into the sky.  What a sight it was!  We finished the night with a pizza dinner, and plans to hit up the whole day next year.

Next up was a visit to Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village with both sets of grandparents.  I have said it before, but it bears repeating...buying that membership was the best decision we made this year. 

Unfortunately, Billy came down with a touch of the stomach flu that afternoon, so I rode solo with Cal and his posse of grandparents.  It was a cold but fun night.  I am super glad we went on a week night because I cannot imagine the crowds when it is sold out.  All of the rides are free with admission.  Cal was not patient enough to wait for the Model Ts and melted down before the wagon ride, but he hit up the carousel 3 times.  Boy was in love. 

This is another one of those events I can't wait to do again when Cal is older.  Santa is on the rooftop of one of the houses, and will say hello to children by name.  Imagine how awesome that will be when he is no longer afraid of Santa?

Speaking of the big man, Santa was a no go this year.  We (mostly meaning my mom) valiantly tried twice, but Cal was not having it.  Maybe next year...