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I know it's been way too long...life goes by so fast and really if I am not doing something with the kids then I am either sleeping or cleaning the house:-) Blogging is my time to do something I enjoy which I don't get to do often. I hope all of you are enjoying this time with family. Brian and I were talking last night about the true meaning of Christmas and how life gets filled with such meaningless stuff around the holidays that we forget that it's Jesus' birthday! I have instilled that in Aria over the last couple of weeks as talks about Santa and presents become a daily routine. I remind her that it's not about that at all but about the birth of Jesus and that because of that we need to humble ourselves this time of year to do something for others, and more specifically for those less fortunate. To give to those in need, as God gave us Jesus because we needed to be saved! So my prayer is for all of you to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to praise the only one worthy of praise this year and all year long. I know we have all been blessed, even though we have struggles throughout the year, God is so faithful and always gives us comfort whether we are in a good time or a bad time in our life. All you have to do is look up, look around, and He is everywhere. I was reading a devotional this morning and I really liked this portion of it:
"He was born, so we would believe; He died, so we would live; He rose, so we would rise! Therefore, in humility and with pride, boldly keep Christ in Christmas. His birth is your excuse to brag on Jesus."
Brian and I are preparing for a nice quite Christmas. We really miss our family in CA and wish we could be with you. It doesn't feel quite the same without all of my family and Brian's Uncle Johnny that lives in Los Angeles. I really miss my big family gatherings on my Dad's side of the family. For all of the Monell's reading this....I remember the good days and I cherish those days in my heart. What fun it was growing up and having Christmas and Thanksgiving with my cousins, their animals, and just all the chatter of the adults at the table. Diving in to the delicious meals made by my aunt. But for now I enjoy the holidays embracing the family I do have, the wonderful children I have, the beautiful house I have, the great husband I have and of course the great Lord I have for without Him none of this would be possible.
So this week, baking I go....today I am going to make Ina Garten's sour cream coffee cake. I have not made this often and I would like to start coming up with my own version so I am going to play around with her recipe. It got 5 stars...can't wait. But funny thing I noticed is that there is no coffee in it:-) I will fix that!
Aria has school till Wednesday and then she is home till the 3rd. Christmas blessings to all of you! I am posting pictures from Thanksgiving which I forgot to do.
After our meal and a board game Brian, Tom and Matt played music in the family room! Kids had a blast.
Tom (Brian's co-worker who joined us) is on Brian's electric guitar while Brian and Lance sang. I just love those blue eyes!
Lance like the microphone as you can see.
Tom and Daddy playing together. What a treat, they played really well. Tom is a great player and knew some great songs.
Thanksigving dinner...I made everything myself except for the sweet potatoe dish. I made roast turkey, cranberry compote, green bean dish and my cheesy garlic pop overs. It all came out fantastic, and I was very proud. I was pretty nervous as always...I anticipate that first bite and wait for the guests' reaction. It was good!
Brian, Jason and Shari's hair. Jason is Aria's godfather and Brian's best friend. His brother Matt and his wife joined us with their son Elijah. They recently moved to the area for a job from Atlanta. It was really nice to have a full house.
Here is the apple pie I made...turned out great!
Here is my double chocolate cheese cake I made with blueberries on top! Everyone said this was the best. I have to agree but still some tweeks I would like to make to it.
I caught the boys sleeping together one night. We recently bought Kaden a bed so that Lance could sleep in the crib and he kept going to Lance's room. This time I caught him. What a sight. I did end up putting him back in his bed and he stayed. How sweet they are....I LOVE my kids.
Lance loves playing with balloons so Daddy went out and got him 6 helium balloons. Here is in the kitchen.
Grandme Christine got Lance this cool ball that rolls on it's own, plays music and has little ribbons sticking out on it. Kaden liked it too as you can see.
Mommy giving him a bottle of Pedialyte; poor Lance has not been all himself the last week. Not sure if it's teething or if he got some kind of virus but he seemed better today.
Lance in the family room with some gifts.
Grandpa Valletta playing with the boys with their new toys. 
