I don't do new years resolutions

But I would like to look closer to this by the time swimsuit season rolls around.

I'm not really certain how to do it while still keeping up my most excellent drinking skills as of late, but maybe if I continue doing more exercises in both the AM and the PM, I'll get part way there. (I won't be unrealistic about this--clearly the model for this statue was younger than I am, and I doubt that she's popped out two kids. Which is to say: this is a quasi-goal--I don't want to look just like this. I love food too darn much for that. I just want to get closer to it.)

My oldest niece

Kellie is hysterical. She's sweet, funny, kind, patient, and 4. She loves purple. She's smart and a great conversationalist. She could probably correctly use "conversationalist" in a sentence. While you can't see her face in this shot, I love it. She's singing into a microphone she got for Christmas. This girl has an amazing future doing anything she wants to do. Don't believe everything you hear about redheads.

Merry Christmas!

A picture from Christmas eve:

It was looking like a white Christmas, but the foggy kind of white, not the snowy kind. The sun was peeking out from behind the clouds a little bit. (Drive a few miles in any direction and you'd be out of the sun again.) The holidays, even with my kids out of town, remain a warm and wonderful time for me. I feel at peace. And I'm thankful for so much right now, and the clarity with which I can see all the wonderful things around me is itself a gift.

Christmas Fun

We celebrated Christmas this morning since the kids leave for North Carolina with their father tomorrow. Since I still haven't really figured out my new camera, I didn't get too many shots. Here's a silly one of the kids together.

Peace

I love the look on Jasper's face. I've detailed before how hard it is to capture this boy. Now that I've captured something that I love, I find it hard to say why I love it so much. The enthusiasm? The pure joy? Julia's hand trying to steal the show? Nah, not the last thing.

I'm so excited

I ordered a new camera. It's on the UPS truck now. I'm on pins and needles waiting for it. : )

Holiday card picture

Several years ago, when the Jim Carrey movie version of The Grinch came out, my brother bought me a nearly life-size Grinch. (I *may* have a *thing* for Mr. Carrey. At least I used to.) I loved it instantly. It has been part of the picture that gets sent with the holiday card every year since then. This year is no exception. This is not the shot being sent with the cards, but a close runner up. I love how the kids are playing with the green guy. The second shot is what the Grinch looked like when all the photos were done. Is that a smile on his face, or a look of acquiescence?