Princess Liah has spoken!

At 2 1/2 Liah has very clear ideas about Christmas! With only 25 days left we have been given a list of requirements per Princess!
Her list for Santa:
Dora Mermaid (Santa might be storing it in my closet!)
Twins (Dora) Mermaids (They could possibly be with Dora?!)
A Crown (Apparently the one she is wearing and her back-up one are not adequate!)
A Pineapple (I can only assume Dora has something to do with this!)
Dollhouse (Thanks to our young, hard-working Aunt Mana, this wish will come true!)
Anything Doodlebops (I believe she likes Mo?? Gaga's on this one)
Tail (She's 2, what do you want??)
A Baby Brother (Her Dad has passionately informed her NOT to ask.... it will NEVER happen!)

As for party details:
One green Christmas tree cake with white flowers (Naturally, Gaga is on this mission!)
Party hats (Do they make Christmas party hats? This is my task! I guess I better prepare to Martha Stewart this craft if Wal*Mart does not stock my needs!)
PRESENTS
Music (Dad is busy making a Christmas compilation that he plans to play on computer speakers stretched through our room to the stairs. This state-of-the-art sound system excites Liah and sends Mom into anxiety, stuff in a disarray convulsions!)

As for Maia..... Liah has decided she needs one blue present. She's so giving! :)

Hmmm.... Sisters??!!

These are pics of the girls at about the same age. WOW!!! They really do look alike!
Maia Lee
Liah Jane

When the stress of life seems too much....

these girls make me stop and think. Life is pretty stinkin' GREAT!
Fondly, we call her Bean Pie!
This is Kin Pants!

Don't ask about the nicknames... long stories!

The Entire Family!

Family Pictures

(Keep in mind the girls had very early naps and a long day. Plus Little Maia is cutting 6 teeth!)
The Girls and Aunt Manda

Gapa, Gaga & the Girls
Grampy, Grammy & the Girls
Uncle Lee, Aunt Winnie and the Girls
Pap, Meme & the Girls

Thanksgiving!

A time to force people to take pictures! :)

Things to do before the guests arrive....

Go crazy from stress!

BOSS people around!
Apply fake lashes!
Paint placemats and yourself!
Try to ignore the wife and her holiday demands! (Actually, Chris is the best tree decorating, box moving, grilled cheese making, kid bathing, furniture schlepping man a woman could ask for!)

Suction a child's toy to your chest.....


Take off your dress and dance! Snuggle with your Gapa and drink a cold one.
Pretend to cook for picture purposes. (Notice her glass..... it was always full!)

Once guests arrived..........

Time for Grammy snuggles.
Liah read to Meme and Pap!
We featsed on steaks, baked potatoes, salad, garlic bread, and corn. It was so non-traditional and so yummy!
And since we didn't have enough room at the table....................
Hahaha. We called the our "table" the specialists table, not the kids (for reasons secret to us!)

Just call me Griswald!

I love Christmas. I always have and always will! I have fond memories of the nine trees my mom themed and decorated when I was a child. I laugh so hard I cry remembering the 20 foot pole my dad sunk into the ground to make his own light-up tree. I just down right cry thinking of the family we are going to miss at Christmas. I long for the largest Cousins' performance, a sauced up rendition of "I Want A Hippo," and a waving group of Aunts and Uncles performing yet another "So Long!" My parents should have named me Clark...... I wish so badly that a RV filled with family would putter up to my driveway, declaring we are here for the holidays!

No worries, I will keep traditions strong, keeping my little elves busy at work decking the Gooden halls!
Liah is trying so hard. Do not fret Uncle Tom and Mom the garland was separated and placed evenly once Liah went to sleep!
The finished product. My Mom thinks it's my best tree yet! (One down, 2 to go!)

This was her expression when she discovered I toyed a bit with her garland placement. She understands.... she is a loyal elf!

Since becoming a blogger......

I feel the need to always carry my camera! I like to be able to capture all moments. Since my fancy new camera has a self-timer I am now equipped to take very candid potty pics!


Mommy and Maia waiting for Aunt Mana! Aunt Mana and Liah!
Aunt Mana is one of the girls' favorite people. She is sure to spoil and make for good times.
On a personal note..... I adore my sister. While we differ, night and day, this woman is my best friend. I admire her passion and attitude. She is amazing to have in your life.... if she'll let you! :)

Here's lookin' at you 8 month old!

Maia is a talking, crawling, and standing upper 8 month old today! Yeah!