Bad Hair Days

Mornings are a fun surprise. You never know what you might wake up to around here...

I love the little sleep wrinkles on her shoulder

Yikes. I guess that's what I get for going to bed with wet hair.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

...One of the nice things about a long, snowy winter.

2011...In Photographs

-January-

Making ourselves at home in the new house

-February-

The first of many unsuccessful attempts to convince Poppy to eat

-March-

Itty, bitty baby legs. Ellie, Greyson, and Willem become part of the family.

-April-

A night walk by the ocean for two who are quite fond of each other. 

-May-

The first time our little water bug joins us for a spin on the lake

-June-

This picture says so much. Oh, I love my nephews.

-July-

The adventures of Italy

 -August-

Back for the annual family vacation. And somehow Poppy is one year old.

-September- 

Four generations of DeLisa ladies...and saying goodbye to one

-October-

Getting to know our little village. A sister birthday lunch in a new favorite restaurant. 

-November-

Sam and Kaitlin become Sam and Kaitlin

-December-

Dad is given back to us

...and we have another twinkly Christmas to remember

Holiday Cheer!

All-around, it was a very special Christmas season! I'm always sad when it's over, but I guess we couldn't handle such festivities for too long. Now it's time to start thinking about the new year!

Christmas with my family

The boys "helping" Poppy open her tea set

Poppy loving her little tea cups at first sight 

The kids not sharing

Poppy in the hat Andria made

The happy couple, just an hour or so before Sam leaves for three months in Japan 

We opened a lot of fun gifts this year, like these furry gloves from Jenny

...and a plush Angry Bird for the iphone gamer 

We're more thankful than ever for Dad this year

And we had lots of good times with Luke and Jen while they were home

Christmas Eve with Bry's family

Turkish delight from Taye and Taryn's trip to Turkey

The doting aunt and uncle

Grandpa and Grandma looking very sweet

Poppy getting lots of attention from her Nana

Singing a few Christmas carols around the piano

The Queen in her fur cape, reigning over her pile of gifts

The three of us

And Christmas Day? Unfortunately, Poppy was just a little grumpy and woke up looking like this. We assumed it was a reaction to her Chicken Pox vaccine, but her Dr. thinks it's a virus. Poor thing. She shouldn't have to look (and act) like a teenager quite yet. At least she has her new bunny slippers for comfort.

A song to celebrate Jesus...

Merry Christmas 2011

We love you!

Bry*Ash*Poppy

The Things I Don't Want to Forget...

• God loves and blesses us through the good and the "bad"
• God teaches and grows us through the good and the "bad," but mostly through the "bad"
• People need other people
• Pray and pray some more (and mean it!)
• God is a God of unexplainable grace and peace, especially in the middle of chaos
• Show our friends and family every day how much we love them
• Most things don't matter as much as we think they do, but some things matter a lot more
• Be where we are and put 100% into every moment God gives us here, because life really is short
• No matter what, our purpose is to glorify the only one that deserves glory
• God really does do miracles...and it's humbling when he chooses to