Amazing PEPS Mama Award Goes To...

Jen of course. I can't even begin to explain all the planning, decorating, food preparation, and just plain cute things that go into all of our PEPS gatherings. She is always the hostess with the mostess, has cute labels for our treats, plans the parties/events, makes the invitations, and then comes up with a craft or gift bag for us to take home. AND, to top it all off, she's the one of all of us (thus far) with two kids. It's pretty spectacular (and I never use that word, only saving it for very spectacular people).
So, after all that, she won this prestigious award after once again hosting a PEPS holiday party for all the kids. We had delicious snacks (italian sodas, sugar & cinnamon covered almonds, coconut covered cupcakes). She had planned for all the mom's to exchange three small gifts (we each brought three and distributed them) and each child brought one to exchange. So much fun! I got a lot of sweet treats, and Lilah got some new sockies and a farm animal plate. The kids all made ornaments where they stamped their hand print on a piece of paper, and Jen drew on a nose and mouth, and added pipe cleaner for the antlers. Awesome.
I am hoping this works as I've never done this before, but I'm going to (hopefully) link Jen's website on here so you see all the wonderful things she does! This year her husband took our family pictures AND Jen made our Christmas cards.

What a Difference a Year Makes...

Lilah one year ago in front of our tree...


Lilah this Christmas...

Tons and Tons and TONS of Words!

I cannot believe every day how much Lilah is saying. Now, I don't think we have a genius on our hands, that's not what I am saying. I just thought I would share how very amazing it is that she is saying so many words and names and stringing words together (like "buh-bye dada" and "buh-bye di di").
Lilah right now is so interested in other people and particularly babies. I walked in to get her up this morning and started singing my "good morning" song to her. Immediately she starts saying, "Didi? Mimi? Dada?" Nope... granny's at her house, Mimi's at work and so is daddy. It's just me. You know, you're mama? Everything she says thank you, it's actually, "Thank you dada", no matter who she's thanking.
We're really working on Samson's name, but unfortunately she associates every baby with either Rory or Hank. Every single baby is Rory or Hank (my friend Jen from my PEPS group's baby girl, and Hank is my friend Kjell's sweet boy). So very sorry Samson. I have a feeling you will be Rory or Hank for quite a while.

Samson Robert!!!!!

Mike and Julie's sweet baby boy was born yesterday. This is a boring post because it has no pictures (yet), but I promise some by Wednesday when I bring dinner over there. He is so precious and perfect. I love him already! We are practicing Samson with Lilah, although so far it sounds like "da". Not so much sweet girl, but we're trying!!
Congrats to our wonderful friends and what a miracle and true blessing little Samson is. Welcome little guy!

Friend's Holiday Get Together

In the past we have done a "Friend's Thanksgiving", but this year decided to wait until December and instead do a Mexican Christmas (well, not really, but we all love Mexican food, so that was our theme). The boys played finger football (or something) downstairs and watched the kiddies (or something) as us girls sat upstairs and chatted. It was so fun to get together and see all the kids interact and play. Pretty much right now they want whatever the other one is playing with, and Lilah and Sadie are super interested in baby Hank. Such a great time of the year to get all of our families together and also to be thankful for old friends (not in age ladies....I mean that we have all been friends for about 14 years....I suppose that means we're old too seeing we met in college). :)
Love you all and thanks for such a fun afternoon together!

De-li-cious

Yummy!! Jen made these little treat bags for us all to take home after Liz's shower. Peppermint hot chocolate with candy cane marshmallows. Mmmmm...almost too cute to eat, but not quite.

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