Holiday fun

Well, Santa did come. Dacian got a chance to see his favorite Santa at our church celebration. I have to crop the other picture with the two kids but it's hilarious. We handed Lavinia over to Santa and she started screaming. Santa laughed so hard and I got it on camera.

We had a great Christmas eve with my parents and we opened presents from them to us and from us to them. It was so fun to see my mom get her long wished for jewelry box. Dinner was great, simple but good. I had fun setting the table and I do like any chance I get to use my china mom gave me for our wedding. It's a special set because it's very old, German and given to our family from mom's aunt.

Dacian couldn't wait for the next day though. We made cookies and left Santa two cookies on a plate and milk.

The next morning both kids slept late which was nice and only because they went to bed super late the night before.

Love, love our tree and mostly that it smells so great. I love waking up and coming downstairs to smell the nice pine tree smell.
The table decoration this year was this German candle holder. I couldn't believe it when this lady from my work gave it to me. It's quiet an expensive gift but she was getting rid of a lot of stuff and gave this one to me. Anyway, I'm excited about it.

Dacian loved his car set we gave him. It has a big ramp and he now plays with it constantly. He got lots of other presents and we thank the grandparents, family and friends for all of them.
Lavinia got this cute baby doll and a little stroller for it and even though she plays with Dacian's car a lot she does like this doll and kisses it a lot and puts in in the stroller and goes around the table. Also she sits herself in that little stroller. She is so little and fits right in. So cute!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! This would've been the picture we would have sent as a Christmas card had I gotten my stuff in order in time. I will still send some cards late. It was no easy task taking this picture and I wish it looked better but it will have to do.

We hope you all are having a wonderful time with family and/or friends.

Love, The Sanders

Ugh oh!

After Dacian and I got back from the hair salon I saw that there was a big light in Lavinia's room. I asked Shane if he went in there to play with her and he said no. I quietly went in and this is what I saw. She climbed/fell out of bed, played I am sure, turned on the little light I have down on a small chair and then... well, a box will do for going to bed, right? I am so glad she didn't get hurt.
The box was there more as a garbage can which I was just about to throw away. I had some little papers in it and a slightly wet diaper. I found all of this stuff outside of the box. At least she cleaned her bed before going in it. :)

Birthday party, early Thanksgiving and Whistler

Well, I'm not one to post something about an event that took place a while back but I guess I'll make an exception.
I wanted to share with everyone my cute Lavinia who recently had a party for her birthday. We celebrated late so that extended family could be there. Unfortunately some members still didn't make it but we celebrated an early Thanksgiving later that evening so we saw everyone then. It was great to be with family again. It was also nice that everyone made a dish and cooking didn't overwhelm any one of us.
I was pretty stressed out that day as I had to decorate for the party and finish all the food. Mom was finishing up the cake, dad was working and Shane was left in charge or washing and dressing the kids so that left me all by myself scurrying to finish everything in time. I didn't get my balloons like I had planned and my game wasn't played until later that evening but all in all it was good. Also I could breath some after it was over.
The following week I got the chance to go to Whistler with my family and my cousin who was visiting from New York. We were so lucky that my enhanced driver's license came right in time. I don't have a passport anymore so I just got this ID which was cheaper and with it I can go to Canada or Mexico. It was also great that my cousin paid for the hotel for which I am so grateful. She is such a sweet girl. We had one of those nice hotels right next to the gondola. We got there Saturday morning and after I got a babysitter for Lavinia (first time ever and she did great, slept most of the time :)) we went up skiing. I couldn't get enough of it. The snow was great and the resort is HUGE. I guess it's the biggest in North America plus we skied where the Olympics will take place. Double cool. The weather was OK, it snowed pretty much all day and got pretty windy at the end of the day. There were so many runs we would've needed a whole week to ski both mountains. Also dad got to ski first time in US and loved it and had a great time. After skiing Shane made raclette for all of us in our hotel room that had a kitchen and we were all in heaven. Then to the pool with us. What can I say, I get excited just thinking about how great a time we had but also sad it's done and over with.
Anyway, this is what we've been up to. Now if only I can get my list done in time for Christmas. Like I said before so much to do, so little time. I am sure I am among many who feel this way.
Pictures coming soon.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Exhausted and overwhelmed

I've been so busy lately. The birthday party and the early Thanksgiving, starting in October my life becomes too overwhelming. In October I have my dad and my husband's birthdays, come November I turn 30 and my baby turns 1, so a big deal, mostly big deal my daughter turns 1. Then Thanksgiving only a week or so away. December more chaos. What everybody looks forward to and loves, Christmas, is no longer such a joy to me. I need a vacation, I need to go away, I need a break. I hate how I have all the wishes in the world to buy the perfect gifts for everyone, to mail cards, to have a fun party with good food but all I feel is like I am running out of time.
I do think this year is going to be just our family for Christmas. I look forward to having time off in just a few weeks. Who knows maybe I will even get my good mood back. That would be nice.
And now that I've complained I feel better.

Sad

On Monday I got terrible news that a friend, this lady I used to work with died in a car accident along with her husband and another couple who was in the car.
I just can't get it out of my head that she is gone. Sadly they were killed because of a drunk driver. Of course the driver walked away only with minor scratches. Four innocent people died because a young kid went behind the wheel after 8 drinks. He even walked away from the scene after the accident but apparently someone saw what happened and convinced him to go back. How is it that so often the bad guys survive and good people die?
Hilda was just such a fun woman, always full of life, very giving. We went to lunch many times. She threw a party for me when I changed jobs. She gave Dacian this monkey that he sleeps with. I always thought of her when I saw this toy and now I will always think of her when I will see it.
She also made the best salsa. She loved her family and her cute granddaughters. I feel so sad for them. Their kids lost both parents just like that. I didn't need this reminder again that life is so fragile. It was also a reminder of how we suddenly lost my father in law two years ago. Incidents like this left me a little scarred if you may; I think of death a lot. Or more likely I fear death a lot or fear my family being taking away from me. I can only pray that won't happen of course but I also try to enjoy those dear to me in the here and now.
May she rest in peace and I pray for her family in this hard time in their lives.