Explanations, Christmas, & a New Year:

Well hello.

To state the obvious, I have been on sort of a blogging hiatus around here. Mostly because back in December my computer decided to act up and wouldn't let me download pictures or do internet or anything. FRUSTRATING. Lucky for me, Adam bought us a snazzy new laptop but I couldn't download all of our pictures until I ordered the proper cable. Which I've now done, and can, and all is well again.

Except that I am learning my way around a new computer which can be difficult.

At least I have Adam the Technical Wizard to supervise. What would I do without him?

Now to get on with it, Christmas and New Years went off like a shot around here. My sis and her family came, as did my brother, his first Christmas home since his mission. It was delightful.

We had a great time with outings to the park, going to Costco, trips to Old Navy, refereeing children's play, gathering at my parents for yummy food and singing Christmas carols!

Laguna Park

During the week before Christmas, we took the children to the park for an activity of feeding the ducks/opportunity to get rid of all our stale bread and discovered the super fun playground too!

(a teeter-toter! a rare commodity, not any old park has these you know.)

(ms. bliss)

(kris and livy, sisters!)

Christmas Eve at My Family's House

(the Tringham's+my grandma kent)

Christmas Morn

(hands flailing, so excited!)

(Cinderella, this little chicky's favorite! She was enamored with this pretty nightgown and Cindie's shoes that light-up when you walk! There is just such fun girl stuff out there, my goodness!)

Christmas Day

(Star Wars Legos!)

For New Years, we threw ourselves the Tringham's annual family party complete with lots of yummy food, games, singing and dancing, and a movie. Kristen gave my dad the A&E Horatio Hornblower series and we spent the better part of the holiday watching it. All I must say is that I have a school girl crush on Ioan Gruffudd, he is most attractive.

I have so much more I want to discuss. When one has a month and half to contemplate all that needs to be said on one's blog, the most interesting things come up. Like Jamie's birthday (#6!), how we've been obsessively watching Lost every night of the week on Netflix, how much I loved True Grit and think Black Swan looks creepy just from the trailers alone, plans for Annabelle's birthday coming up. And love is in the air, it is almost Valentine's!

What a sweet month it is. I'll be back soon!